Luther Online

The spoken word of the gospel should preach only Christ and point only to him

Whatever has been said in the Advent season concerning John the Baptist is also to be understood here; just as he was the forerunner of Christ and directed the people to him, so the spoken word of the gospel should preach only Christ and point only to him. For only to that end was it ordained by God, just as John was sent by God (as we have heard), so that he should be the voice in the wilderness who with his office signifies the spoken preaching of the gospel. Just as the darkness was unable, on its own, to comprehend this light, even though it was present, John had to reveal and to bear witness of it. To this day natural reason on its own is unable to comprehend it, even though it is present in all the world. The spoken word of the gospel must reveal and proclaim it.

When a good beer is available at a certain place, everybody runs there without delay

The people become weary of the Word and suppose that it will endure forever. When a good beer is available at a certain place, everybody runs there without delay, knowing that the supply will not last long. This commodity is not to be had every day; therefore people get it while it is to be had. If it could be obtained for a long period of time, our appetite would become surfeited, and the beer would not be prized. But here we assume that the Word will remain with us always, although, in fact, it stays and endures but a short time before it is gone. If you do not accept it gratefully and reverently, you will soon be without it. And once the Word is gone, the time will come when you would fain be pious and be saved; you will want to obtain God’s grace, forgiveness of sin, and heaven. But all will prove futile. You will not find grace, forgiveness of sin, life, and righteousness. All will be under condemnation, even your best works.

It is remarkable that God has committed to us preachers the ministry of the Word for the ruling of men’s hearts

Martin Luther on the Preaching of the Word.

It is remarkable that God has committed to us preachers the ministry of the Word for the ruling of men’s hearts, which we can’t look into. But this is the office of God, who says to us, ‘Preach! I shall give the increase. I know the hearts of men.’ This should be our comfort, even when the world laughs at our office. - 1536

A Christian congregation should never gather together without the preaching of God’s Word and prayer, no matter how briefly

"A Christian congregation should never gather together without the preaching of God’s Word and prayer, no matter how briefly ... Therefore, when God’s Word is not preached, one had better neither sing nor read, or even come together.

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The lesson should be taken from the Old Testament; one of the books should be selected and one or two chapters, or half a chapter, be read, until the book is finished. After that another book should be selected, and so on, until the entire Bible has been read through; and where one does not understand it, pass on, and give glory to God. Thus Christian people will by daily training become proficient, skilful, and well versed in the Bible. For this is how genuine Christians were made in former times—both virgins and martyrs—and could also be made today.

Now when the lesson and its interpretation have lasted half an hour or so, the congregation shall unite in giving thanks to God, in praising him, and in praying for the fruits of the Word, etc. For this, the Psalms should be used and some good responsories and antiphons. In brief, let everything be completed in one hour or whatever time seems desirable; for one must not overload souls or weary them, as was the case until now in monasteries and convents, where they burdened themselves like mules.

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Besides these daily services for a smaller group, the whole congregation should come together on Sundays, and mass and Vespers be sung, as has been customary. In both services there should be preaching for the whole congregation, in the morning on the Gospel for the day, in the evening on the Epistle; or the preacher may use his own judgment whether he would want to preach on a certain book or two.

If anyone desires to receive the sacrament at this time, let it be administered at a time convenient to all concerned." - January - March 1523

Martin Luther on the Riches and Will of God and our Response

“How rich a God our God is! He gives enough, but we don’t notice it. He gave the whole world to Adam, but this was nothing in Adam’s eyes; he was concerned about the one tree and had to ask why God had forbidden him to eat of it. That’s the way it is today too. God has given us enough to learn in his revealed Word, but we let this go and look for his hidden will without being able to find it. It serves us right if we are crushed as a consequence.” - Between September 2 and 17, 1540