I’m not Lutheran and Martin Luther had ample faults - as we all do. But I remembered something I read once, searched for it, and found it posted. I think it is very relevant for this thread - and a warning to many mega-churches. Although it IS longer than some people are supposed to be able to focus:
In regard to doctrine we observe especially this defect that, while some preach about the faith by which we are to be justified, it is still not clearly enough explained how one shall attain to this faith, and almost all omit one aspect of the Christian faith without which no one can understand what faith is or means. For Christ says in the last chapter of Luke that we are to preach in his name repentance and forgiveness of sins.
Many now talk only about the forgiveness of sins and say little or nothing about repentance. There neither is forgiveness of sins without repentance nor can forgiveness of sins be understood without repentance. It follows that if we preach the forgiveness of sins without repentance that the people imagine that they have already obtained the forgiveness of sins, becoming thereby secure and without compunction of conscience. This would be a greater error and sin than all the errors hitherto prevailing. Surely we need to be concerned lest, as Christ says in Matt. 12:45 the last state becomes worse than the first...
...We are to teach the people diligently that this faith cannot exist without earnest and true contrition and fear of God, as it is written in Psalm 110 and Prov. 1, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” And Isaiah says in the last chapter: “On whom does God look except on the trembling and contrite heart?”...
...For many who hear that they should believe, so that all their sins will be forgiven, fashion their own faith and think they are pure. Thus they become secure and arrogant. Such carnal security is worse than all the errors hitherto prevailing....
-Luther’s Works; Volume 40; Church and Ministry II
http://afellowtruthseeker.blogspot.com/2014/07/martin-luther-on-sanctification-and.html
Worth repeating for emphasis:
“It follows that if we preach the forgiveness of sins without repentance that the people imagine that they have already obtained the forgiveness of sins, becoming thereby secure and without compunction of conscience.”
He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” - Luke 24
“...and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations...”
Not sure how you obey Jesus if you skip repentance and just preach forgiveness of...sin? And what is sin? You mean, God may be upset with you? God may actually...not be pleased with you?
“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” - Ephesians 2
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” - Galatians 6
Contrast that with :
“I’m not worried about your sexuality right now. I’m not worried about what you did Saturday night. I’m worried about what do you know about Jesus and how can I tell you more about him. Not let me tell you why God is upset at you.”