Once again, as we celebrate the Protestant Reformation we will emphasize the doctrine of justification, alien righteousness, and core gospel truths. As you might expect, we will sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. These traditions are important. They remind us of who we are and why we do what we do. They shape our affections as they lodge truths just a little deeper in our hearts.
Tradition may have its pitfalls, but there is power in repetition. It places a stake in the ground and says to our hearts and to our community that this is where we were, this is where we are, and this is where we will be. That’s one reason the Lord gave Israel annual festivals. They needed to remember what God had done and what he will do. These traditions tell us again that life, even in an untethered culture, is not completely unmoored. We need immovable signposts in our lives.
Advent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, and Ascension Sunday are some of those signposts. Reformation Sunday, though it’s a later addition, stands as another signpost to the true Gospel. And it’s one worth sticking in the ground every year.
Worship Notes for Oct. 29, 2023