Lessons for October 30, 2005 – Reformation Sunday The first lesson Jeremiah 31:31-34 "The day will come," says the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife," says the Lord. 33"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the Lord. "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their family, saying, 'You should know the Lord.' For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will already know me," says the Lord. "And I will forgive their wickedness and will never again remember their sins." (NLT) Psalm 46 L. God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. C. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. L. Let the oceans roar and foam. C. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! L. A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. C. God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of day. L. The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble! C. God thunders, and the earth melts! L. The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. C. Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world L. and causes wars to end throughout the earth. C. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; he burns the shields with fire. L. I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." C. The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (NLT) The second lesson Romans 3:19-28 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God. 20For no one can ever be made right in God's sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God's law, the clearer it becomes that we aren't obeying it. 21But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight—not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. 22We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. 23For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. 26And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus. 27Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith. 28So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (NLT) The Gospel Lesson John 8:31-36 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)