MARTIN LUTHER PAGE 33

“These Are The Holy Ten Commands”

These are the holy Ten Commands

God gave to us by Moses hand Receiving them for our good

Have Mercy, Lord

Words & Music byMartin Luther 1

(1524)

Luther’s Summons to The DietThrough political maneuvering between Elector Frederick, the new emperor and Rome. It is agreed that although Luther has already been excommunicated by Pope Leo, He will be tried in Germany at the Imperial Diet in Worms. Luther is summoned with a promise of “safe passage” and told only that he will be “questioned about his writings”. Luther knows he will have to do this, and knows very well the fate of the Bohemian Jan Hus when he was given “safe passage” 100 years earlier. The trip takes 2 weeks and along the way Luther studies, leads his “team” through an exposition of the book of Joshua showing that the worship of Christ and the Gospel is the only reason for the book and the story! Luther is welcomed with gifts, and shouts of support in every city along the way. Luther in The Monastery in Erfurt (With His People)In a scene that has been likened to Christ Himself coming into Jerusalem - The welcome for the return of Luther in Erfurt on his way to the Diet is overwhelming and emotional… He arrives on April 6th a 60 horse processional goes out to greet him and escort him into town.with a huge gathering with speeches and gifts. Luther is presented with a poem as the one “cleansing Erfurt of the filth it has groaned under for so long”. Luther is not comfortable with the “revelry, celebration , drinking and other useless things” - He is sobered by the possibility of his imminent death. Luther spends the night and is asked to preach to the monastery and towns people before he leaves for Worms the next morning. At 10:00 AM Luther climbs the same pulpit in which he had preached and taught many times, in the very cathedral that he took his vows as a monk and was tormented because of his sin. In front of the entire monastery, and a packed to overflowing crowd of priests, monks, city officials, nobles, and peasants who he considers colleagues, supporters, friends and family - Luther opens the Scriptures to John 20 and preaches one of the least known, shortest. and possibly one of the greatest sermons ever preached.

Luther’s Sermon in Erfurt (John 20:19-21)Titled, “A sermon by Dr. Martin Luther on his way to His Imperial Majesty at Worms, preached at Erfurt at the request of eminent and very learned without previous preparation or special study owing to the shortness of time.”As Luther was to begin the sermon to the overcrowded church a huge crack is heard in the balcony, people scream and windows are broken as people prepare to jump out… Luther stands up admonishes the crowd to settle down, and do not be deceived by the this “trick of the devil” - The crowd settles nothing bad is discovered and Luther goes on to powerfully preach. Theology Professor Eoban Hess writes later:“By the power of his mouth hearts were melted like snow by the breath of spring as he showed the way to heaven’s goods which had been closed for centuries"LISTEN DR. LUTHER LIVE AND PREACH AGAIN…

“The reason why the world is so utterly perverted and in error is that for a long time there have been no genuine preachers. There are perhaps three thousand priests, among whom one cannot find four good ones - God have mercy on us in this crying shame! .” 2

Martin Luther Sermon in Erfurt on his way to

the Diet in Worms

WEEK 8 - Of “Worms” & “Warts”(4/18/1521) The Day The World Changed

Luther’s Route to Worms

The Diet of WormsJanuary - May 1521

Emperor Charles the V and others of the Roman contingency were dismayed at the 2,000 + cheering crowd that greeted Luther and his entourage as they entered Worms through the Mainz gate the afternoon of April 16th. They had been on the road for two weeks straight. Luther would have dinner see several friends, get a fresh haircut and grooming that night. His stomach was bothering him (likely not helped by nerves) he heard a confession by an old friend, he did a little light study, said his prayers and went to sleep. He was scheduled to be in front of the Diet at 4:00 PM the next day. All he knows is he will be “Questioned about his writings”April 17, 1521 (Day One)Luther is quiet, subdued, is admonished not to talk to anyone until addressed by the court. Luther is asked only 2 questions: 1. “Do you recognize these books, and are they yours?” 2. “Will you renounce the writings and recant (revoco)? Luther is not prepared and asks for more time. He is granted 24 hrs.April 18, 1521 (Day Two)The 4:00 pm schedule after a delay became after 6:00 pm as torches needed to be lit in the pavilion. Luther is more confident and determined. He outlines the different types of writings he has done, admits his personal attacks may be too “harsh” but he will not recant… “Here I Stand, I can no other…”

The Edict of WormsIt takes Charles a week with his legal team to finally issue the “Edict of Worms” - Luther leaves immediately with the Imperial Guard back to WittenbergEdict Highlights… 4… To put an end to the numberless and endless errors of the said Martin, let us say that it seems that this man, Martin, is not a man but a demon in the appearance of a man, clothed in religious habit to be better able to deceive mankind, and wanting to gather the heresies of several heretics who have already been condemned, excommunicated, and buried in hell for a long time.… … We have declared and hereby forever declare by this edict that the said Martin Luther is to be considered an estranged member, rotten and cut off from the body of our Holy Mother Church. He is an obstinate, schismatic heretic, and we want him to be considered as such by all of you..…… Furthermore, we declare in this ordinance that if anyone, whatever his social status may be, dares directly or indirectly to oppose this decree--whether concerning Luther's matter, his defamatory books or their printings, or whatever has been ordered by us--these transgressors in so doing will be guilty of the crime of lèse majesté and will incur our grave indignation as well as each of the punishments mentioned above.…Luther and his followers are “Outlaws” Luther can be arrested by anyone at anytime. Luther leaves Worms and never is out of Electoral Saxony again.

“I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us.

Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me..”

Luther at The Diet of Worms

Emperor Charles V A Rabid Catholic was Luther’s

Enemy His entire Life

“I speak Spanish to God, Italian to Women, French to

Men and German to my horse” 3

He had the inbreeding “Hapsburg Jaw” He would

not eat in public because of his massive underbite”

PAGE 34 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Luther Enters Worms on April 16th, 1521

Martin Luther asJunker Jorge

The Knight

“Squire George”

ByLucas Cranach

(1522)

Luther In Wartburg CastleMay 4th 1521 to March 1st, 1522

On the way to Wittenberg after visiting relatives in Mörhan Luther is kidnapped and taken to Wartburg Castle. Not able to leave his room for the first month for safety reasons Luther for the first time since he became a Monk wears “civilian” clothing, grows his hair and beard and continues to write. During his captivity in Wartburg Luther has tremendous highs and lows. He is very lonely misses his colleagues, students and University duties. The volume of work that Luther accomplishes in 10 months is amazingWorks From Wartburg Castle

1. Volumes of personal letters 2. 13 Books 3. 2 Volumes of Sermons (Postils) 4. Translation of the New Testament from Greek to German

The New Testament in German (The Language of the People)

He began with the New Testament in November or December, 1521, and completed it in the following March, before he left Wartburg Castle. He used the Erasmus second edition (1519) New Testament Greek edition (The Textus Receptus) He thoroughly revised it on his return to Wittenberg, with the effectual help of Melanchthon, who was a much better Greek scholar. Sturz at Erfurt was consulted about coins and measures; Spalatin furnished from the Electoral treasury names for the precious stones of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21). The translation was then hurried through three presses, and appeared first on Sept. 21, 1522, without using Luther’s name. As part of Luther’s “study” for the New Testament he makes trips into nearby towns, villages, restaurants & Pubs to “listen to conversations and dialects” 5

Facts Concerning Luther’s New Testament

1. At the time of its release there were 16 different major German dialects. Luther’s Bible became the modern German language.

2. Upon his return Luther Forms the “Collegium Biblieum”, or Bible club, consisting of his colleagues Melanchthon, Bugenhagen etc. They meet once a week at Luther's home until the complete Bible is completed in 1534

3. Luther obsessed over the Bible in German. He never ceased to amend his translation. Besides correcting errors, he improved the uncouth and confused orthography, fixed the inflections, purged the vocabulary of obscure and ignoble words, and made the whole more symmetrical and melodious. It truly was his gift to the German people.

MARTIN LUTHER PAGE 35

Luther and the Inkwell

Later stories of Luther’s ten-month stay at the Wartburg frequently told of his battle

with the Devil. The Devil constantly disturbed his work—as a fly buzzing around his

head, or as a large, black dog in Luther’s bed, or by making a

racket to keep Luther awake. The most famous story told how Luther once threw an inkwell at the Devil. Guides

showed enthralled visitors to the Wartburg the spot behind

the stove where the inkwell had hit the wall. 6

Wartburg Castle Eisenach, Germany

Luther’s NT in German (Cover)

Bibliography & Notes1. Luther, Martin. The Hymns of Martin Luther.: Concordia Pub House, 2016. 10. Print.

2. Luther,Martin, "Sermon in Erfurt" (April 7, 1521) Luther’s Works, Vol 51 p. 60

3. Dr. David Calhoun, Reformation & Modern Church History, Covenant Seminary iTunes Course, Lecture 4 The Life of Martin Luther.

4. Bratcher,, Denis, The Christian Research Institute, The Edict of Worms, http://www.crivoice.org/creededictworms.html

5. Schaff, Philip, and David S. Schaff. History of the Christian Church. Grand Rapids, MI, W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1980, P. 346

6. Hendrix, Scott, Christianity Today, Legends About Luther, http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-34/legends-about-luther.html

PAGE 36 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Q&A ...My Take a Ways...

Can you see application from Luther’s Sermon in 1521 to 2017?

How do you explain Luther’s fierce courage the Diet of Worms?

Do you feel (Like some today) that the Reformation is overland not needed today?

NEXT WEEK (Sunday February 19th)Luther The ManThe personal life of Martin Luther

Luther's Sermon From Erfurt (April 7, 1521)

Download atwww.LutherQuoted.com

Extra ResourceThis Week

“These Are The Holy Ten Commands”

5. “You are to honor and obey Your father, mother, ev’ry day, Serve them each way that comes to hand; You’ll then live long in the land.” 6. “You shall not murder, hurt, nor hate; Your anger dare not dominate. Be kind and patient; help, defend, And treat your foe as your friend.”

7. “Be faithful to your Marriage vow; No lust or impure thoughts allow. Keep all your conduct free from sin By self-controlled discipline.

8. “You shall not steal or take away What others worked for night and day But open wide a gen’rous hand And help the poor in the land.” 9. “Bear no false witness nor defameYour neighbor nor destroy his name, But view him in the kindest way;Speak truth in all that you say.”

10. “You shall not crave your neighbor’s house Nor covet money, goods, or spouse. Pray God He would your neighbor bless As you yourself wish success.”

11. You have this Law to see therein That you have not been free from sin But also that you clearly see How pure toward God life should be

12. Our works cannot salvation gain, They merit only endless pain. Forgive us, Lord! To Christ we flee Who pleads for us endlessly.