"Change" - a sermon for Reformation & Confirmation Sunday
Here is Pastor Madison's sermon preached in worship on October 29, 2023, to celebrate both Reformation Sunday and the confirmation of St. Olaf's five 9th grade students. To read the preaching text, John 8:31-36, click HERE ! --- Today is Reformation Sunday, one of my favorite days of the church year, and a day in the life of the church that is a little bit strange. We are celebrating change, which is practically unheard of in the church. And, today we rejoice not only in the change, but for the courage of Martin Luther to see the injustices happening in society and doing something about it. Without the courage of Martin Luther, we wouldn't be where we are today. Because over 500 years ago, Martin Luther saw these injustices happening. He saw the Catholic church, as it was in the 1500s, taking advantage of its people. He saw the church charging people money in order to guarantee their spot and their loved ones' spots in heaven. Money was the key to escaping eternal punis...