by Martin Luther
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
WHEN LUTHER PREACHED, THE MULTITUDES WHICH FLOCKED TO HEAR WERE SO IMMENSE, THAT NEITHER THE PARISH CHURCH OF WITTEMBERG, NOR THAT OF THE MONASTERY, COULD CONTAIN THEM.—SPALATINUS
A Collection of 34 sermons by the Reformer Martin Luther
A man must by the gospel be as it were bruised and broken, and humbled even from the bottom of his heart, as being frail and weak, which can move neither hands nor feet, but only lieth prostrate and crieth, help me, O omnipotent God, merciful Father, I am not able to help myself. Help, O Lord Christ, mine own help is nothing. That so against this corner stone, which is Christ, all may be broken, as he saith of himself, in Luke 20:17, when he asked the Pharisees and Scribes, "What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder." Wherefore either let us fall upon it by our imbecility and weakness, by denying ourselves, and so be broken, or else he will break us for ever in his straight judgment. But it is better that we fall upon it, than that it fall upon us; upon this foundation Christ saith in the text, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day." Now he whom the Father draweth not, shall surely perish; it is also concluded that he which cometh not to this Son, shall be damned for ever. He is the only Son given unto us, which may save us, without him there is no salvation; if he help not, our case is most miserable. Of him Peter also speaketh to the same effect, in the Acts of the Apostles, chap. 4:11, "This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
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Table of Contents
I. On the Nativity of Christ
II. On the Epiphany or Appearing of Christ
III. On the Genealogy or Pedigree of Christ
IV. On the Hymn of Zacharias
V. On Christ's Passion
VI. On Christ's Resurrection
VII. On the Good Shepherd
VIII. On the Lost Sheep
IX. Of the Woman of Canaan
X. Of Salvation by Grace without Works
XI. Of the Kingdom of God
XII. Of Prayer
XIII. Of the Bidding of Guests to the Great Supper
XIV. On the Works of Charity
XV. The Sum of a Christian Life
XVI. Of the Question of the Pharisees, and Answer of Christ, concerning giving Tribute to Cæsar
XVII. Of Salvation by Christ alone
XVIII. Concerning Good Works, the Fruits of Faith
XIX. Wherein is taught how the Faithful ought to rejoice in God, and let their patient mind be known unto Men
XX. Concerning them that are under the Law, and them that are under Grace
XXI. Of Faith and Diffidence in Danger and Trouble
XXII. Of the Life of a Christian
XXIII. Of Temptation
XXIV. Concerning the leading a godly Life
XXV. God's Providence and Care for his Children
XXVI. Concerning Trust in God in Penury and Distress
XXVII. God's Punishment against the Contemners of his Word
XXVIII. The Difference between the Law and the Gospel
XXIX. Concerning the Exercise and Increase of Faith
XXX. Of Mercy to some, and Judgment to others
XXXI. Teaching that we must cleave wholly to Christ, and look to obtain all good things from Him
XXXII. Of the Works which Christ hath wrought for us
XXXIII. Reason not capable of the Gospel
XXXIV. Christ the Way to Eternal Life