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The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. "By the word 'night' we are to understand all doctrines apart from the Gospel. For there is no other saving doctrine; all else is night and darkness."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 15f. First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"For the Holy Spirit aids us, fortifying our hope and enabling us not to fear nor to flee from the disasters of the world; but to stand firm even unto death, and to overcome all evil; so that evil must flee from us and cease its attacks. Remember, it is hope in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in human weakness, that must do all this through the medium of the Gospel."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 63. First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"Hence, you see, the ecclesiastical traditions that flatly forbid the eating of meat are contrary to the Gospel."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 27. First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"It is our duty to allow the body all necessary food, whether
wine, meat, eggs or anything else; whether the time be Friday, Sunday, in Lent
or after the feast of Easter; regardless of all orders, traditions and vows,
and of the Pope. No prohibition contrary to God's command can avail, though
made by the angels even."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 26.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"The other class is represented by the blind saints who
imagine the kingdom of God and his righteousness are dependent upon the
particular meat and drink, clothing and couch, of their own choice...Upon this
subject Paul says (1 Corinthians 8:8): 'Food will not commend us to God;
neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the
better.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 25f.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 8:8.
"We are to place our whole confidence in God, and in Him
alone, being very careful not to devote any portion of it to the mother of God
or any saint and so set up an idol in our hearts." Sermons of
Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John
Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p.54. First Sunday
in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"Using a convenient term, he calls Christ a 'minister,' as he
calls all preachers and apostles ministers. 'What then is Apollos? and what is
Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed.'" 1 Corinthians 3:5.
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 57.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 3:5.
"Paul in Romans 12:7-8 devotes the office of the ministry to
two things, doctrine and exhortation. The doctrinal part consists in preaching
truths not generally known; in instructing and enlightening the people.
Exhortation is inciting and urging to duties already well understood.
Necessarily both obligations claim the attention of the minister, and hence
Paul takes up both."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 9.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14; Romans 12:7-8.
"But, being deceived by the devil, we forsake the light of
day and seek to find truth among philosophers and heathen totally ignorant of
such matters. In permitting ourselves to be blinded by human doctrines, we
return to the night. Whatsoever is not the Gospel day surely cannot be light.
Otherwise Paul, and in fact all Scripture, would not urge that day upon us and
pronounce everything else night."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 17.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.
"Other books may have power to slay us, indeed, but no book
except the holy Scriptures has power to comfort us. No other bears the title
here given by Paul--book of comfort--one that can support the soul in all
tribulations, helping it not to despair but to maintain hope. For thereby the
soul apprehends God's Word and, learning His gracious will, cleaves to it, continuing
steadfast in life and death."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols.,
ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 43.
First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.