Any prayer requests today?

Hi kids and adults any Bible questions or encouraging thoughts today?

Question: Who was Martin Luther? Answer: Martin Luther is well known for his 95 Theses, a document listing various oppressive and unbiblical practices of the Roman Catholic Church, and as the father of the Protestant Reformation. Luther posted his Theses on the door of the church at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, now known as Reformation Day. Martin Luther was of German origin, born in Eisleben in 1483. At the age of 13, Luther began attending a school run by the Brethren of the Common Life where he became interested in monastic life. However, Luther’s father was a businessman and wanted his son to become a lawyer, so he withdrew Martin from the school. Luther later attended the premier university in Germany at the time—the University of Erfurt—where he studied the usual curriculum and obtained a master’s degree. Shortly after he graduated, Luther was caught in a thunderstorm and nearly struck by lightning. He took this as a sign from God and vowed to become a monk should he survive the storm. Thus, in July 1505 Luther moved into an Augustinian monastery. While in the monastery, Luther continued his studies both at Erfurt and at a university in Wittenberg. In 1510–1511 he served in Rome as a representative for the German Augustinian monasteries, but upon his return he finished his studies and obtained a doctorate degree in 1512. Luther then became a biblical studies professor. In the 16th century, theologians and scholars across Europe were starting to question the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. During the same time, translations of texts such as the Bible and the writings of early Christians became more widely available. It was in this context that Luther came to adopt two of Augustine’s beliefs: that the Bible, not the church, was ultimately authoritative; and that salvation is by God’s grace alone, not by good works. On his visit to Rome, Luther was troubled by the extravagance and corruption of the Pope and clergy. He began specifically to question the sale of indulgences, purported to absolve sinners. Believing the sale of indulgences to be corrupt, Luther posted his 95 Theses (also called the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences”) to invite scholarly debate on the subject. The 95 Theses were fairly quickly disseminated throughout Germany and made it all the way to Rome.

Fulfilling God's Law “In order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). If the Holy Spirit resides within us, we will be able to fulfill the demands of God’s law. Augustine once said, “Grace was given, in order that the law might be fulfilled.” When God saves us He, by His Spirit, creates within us the ability to obey His perfect law. Because we now live “according to the Spirit”—walking by the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit—we are able to do the righteous things God’s law requires. Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord no longer expects His law to be lived out only by means of an external code of ethics? Now holiness, righteousness, and obedience to the law are internal, the products of the indwelling Holy Spirit (see Ezek. 11:19-20). God’s salvation is more than a spiritual transaction by which He imputed Christ’s righteousness to us. It is more than a forensic action by which He judicially declared us righteous. As great and vital as those doctrines are, they were not applied to us apart from God’s planting His Spirit within our hearts and enabling our lives to manifest the Spirit’s fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23). We need to remind ourselves regularly that God’s purpose for us after He redeemed us was that we might live a holy life filled with good works (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14). Whenever you are disobedient to God’s will and purpose, you are quenching the Holy Spirit and fighting against yourself and what you know is right. Such disobedience makes about as much sense as the person who holds his breath for no reason and therefore makes his lungs resist their natural function. The believer who disobeys, especially one who persists in a sin, prevents the Spirit from naturally leading him along the path of holiness.

Sermon Summary: "The Running Man" (Jonah 1) This sermon, preached at Covenant Church of Perrysburg on September 14, 2025, explores the opening chapter of the Book of Jonah, focusing on the theme of human rebellion against God's call and His sovereign pursuit in response. Titled "The Running Man," it portrays Jonah as a reluctant prophet who flees from divine mission, highlighting God's relentless grace amid disobedience. The message draws directly from Jonah 1 (ESV), emphasizing that no one can outrun God's purposes. Below is a structured summary with main points, subpoints, and key Bible verses quoted verbatim from the English Standard Version (ESV). Main Point 1: God's Sovereign Call God initiates His plan by commissioning Jonah, revealing His concern for even the most unlikely recipients of mercy (Nineveh, Israel's enemy). - Subpoint 1.1: The Word Comes to Jonah God speaks directly to His prophet, underscoring that divine missions often involve uncomfortable obedience. Key Verse (Jonah 1:1-2 ESV): "Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.'" - Subpoint 1.2: The Urgency of the Task Nineveh's wickedness demands immediate action, showing God's heart for repentance over judgment. Main Point 2: Jonah's Foolish Flight Despite knowing God's character, Jonah chooses self-preservation over submission, illustrating the futility of running from the Creator. - Subpoint 2.1: Deliberate Rebellion Jonah heads in the opposite direction, from Israel's heartland toward the distant Tarshish, symbolizing a rejection of God's global compassion. Key Verse (Jonah 1:3 ESV): "But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord." - Subpoint 2.2: The Illusion of Escape Jonah's actions reveal a deeper prejudice against God's mercy for outsiders, a common human tendency to limit divine love.