Good morning. Would you open your Bibles for our devotion today to 2 Timothy 3:16. 

Martin Luther had some wonderful sayings. I think, for example, Luther said, 

• “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” 
• "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my little apple tree, and pay my debts.” 
• “Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”
• He said, “Peace, if possible; Truth, at all costs.”
• He said, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”
• He said, “There are two days in my calendar: this day, and that day.”

What's the most famous of Luther’s quotes?

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 

What a glorious portion of Scripture this is! Let’s just break it down. 

“All scripture is inspired by God”... remember what that word means.  It means “exhaled.” So the very Word of God that we have, the Holy Scriptures, is exhaled by God.  All Scripture is inspired by God; it's exhaled by God, and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. You see, the Scripture is that which God uses to shape us. God shows us our sin. God tells us of the glorious gospel. He uses his Word to shape us to be more and more like Jesus Christ. What a beautiful, beautiful, precious treasure we have in the Word of God!

• Luther also said, “The Bible is the cradle wherein Christ is laid.” But that wasn't his most famous quote.
• He also said, “We need to hear the gospel everyday, because we forget it every day.”  But that wasn't his most famous quote.
• In calling for biblical preaching Luther exclaimed, “Give me scripture, scripture, scripture; do you hear me? Scripture!” But that wasn't his most famous quote.
• He said, “I simply taught, preached, wrote God's Word. Otherwise, I did nothing. The Word of God did it all.” But that wasn't his most famous quote.

The most famous quote?  In early 1521 Luther stood before the emperor of the Roman Empire. He was given the opportunity to renounce his beliefs. And Luther said this: 

• "Unless I am convicted of error by the testimony of Scripture; or, since I put not trust in the unsupported authority of the pope and councils, since it is plain that they have often erred, and often contradicted themselves - By manifest reasoning, I stand convicted by the Scriptures to which I have appealed. And my conscience is taken captive by God’s Word. I cannot, and I will not recant anything. For to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me.”

What was that which was underneath this, his most famous quote?  What was underneath? “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” What was underneath that quote was the authority of God's Word that formed his beliefs. He could not go against God's Word. 

• Martin Luther also said, “If the Bible were a large mighty tree, and all its words were little branches, I have tapped at all the branches eager to know what was there and what it had to offer. First, I shake the whole tree, that the ripest may fall. Then I climb the tree and shake each limb, and then each branch, and then each twig. And then I look under each leaf."

Let us in the freshness of this New Year shake the tree of the Word of God….for here we stand on God's solid Word.

Let's pray: Gracious Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for your Holy Word; for your Word is truth. Gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for this treasure, and we pray that day after day we might become a people who know your Word more. Empower us Lord in our study.  May you be glorified. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God bless you today as you live in His Word. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel