Lutherans are:

1) Scripture oriented.  Luther was a biblical and linguistic scholar who translated scripture into the language of the people so that they could read it.  His Bible translation was the first mass produced Bible, called the Gutenberg Bible.  Luther wanted scripture to be in the hands of the people.

"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."  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

And while Luther was a trained Augustinian monk and a seminary professor, who appreciated history, tradition, and reasoning, Luther made scripture the center of the immerging Protestant Church. 

2) Christ centered.  We know God in three persons: God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all a part of the Trinity, one God in three persons.  Yet, Lutherans tend to emphasis Christ. (The ordering of our windows in Zion's sanctuary demonstrates this, with Jesus being over the altar.)  Some denominations emphasize God’s sovereignty and providence, while others emphasize the mystical and empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Lutherans primarily focus on Jesus Christ because we hold that Jesus Christ is the only way to truly know God.  (God, the Father, without Jesus Christ, is aloof and unknowable; the Holy Spirit, without Christ, tends to become self-serving mysticism.   But only through Jesus Christ, do we come to truly know God’s compassion and will.)  

Jesus said to Thomas, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’   (John 14:6-7)

3) Fully recognize our own sinfulness.  Jesus’ biggest complaint against the religious people of his day was that they were self-righteous and hypocritical.  This is one of the greatest temptations we face as Christians, the downfall of a self-righteous attitude.  This is why we frequently begin our service with a confession, to remind ourselves that we continue to be sinners.  Even the greatest saint at Zion, whoever that may be, is sinful and in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (1 John 1:8-9)

The Apostle Paul, one of the most devoted Christians of all time wrote:

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. …24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? But thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
(Romans 7:14-16, 24-25)

Lutherans have a good sense of our own sinfulness.  After Luther died a piece of paper was found in his pocket, probably being the last words he wrote, which said, “It is true, we are all beggars.”  In other words, if you think you’ve arrived on your spiritual journey, then in actuality, you are far, far away.

We come to the throne of God with opened hands begging for table scraps of God’s mercy and forgiveness.  Luther explained how every person is subservient to sin in some form or fashion (this is called “Bondage of the Will”), therefore the only way to be truly free is to actually give up your freedom and become subservient to Christ.  As we read in John 8,

“If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:34-35) 

4) Saved by faith through God’s grace.  We are not saved by faith, and a little good works; nor are we saved by faith, and a lot of good works.  No, we are made right with God by faith through the gift of Jesus Christ.  The good deeds we do are not done to earn God’s favor, but done simply out of gratitude for God’s favor. 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast."
(Ephesians 2:8-9)

And because we are justified by faith, then we are freed to serve and love those around us.  Luther said it this way:

"A Christian is the freest lord of all, and subject to no one; yet, a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one." – Martin Luther

5) Understand the role of Law and Gospel.

Moral instruction is very important, but it does not save us.  Only the Good News of Jesus Christ has the power to save and transform us.  Does this mean that we need not worry about sinning?  Of course not!  The “Law” is meant to protect us from harming ourselves and others.  The Law also shows us how far we miss the mark of truly being children of God, but the Law does not give “new life.”  Only the Good News of Jesus Christ has the power to transform.

"From the fullness of (Christ) we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17)

A simple example of the difference between Law and Gospel can be understood by what best motivates us.. -- I can try to motivate you to do something out of guilt, and for the most part, guilt can motivate us for a short period.  But we are best motivated by love.  Love motivates us to go beyond the call of duty.  As it says in 1^st Corinthians 13, love does not keep score.  Love will even motivate us to lay down our life for someone else, as Jesus did for us.  So Lutherans teach the Law and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, not confusing the role of each.

6) Live the “priesthood” of ALL believers.  

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)

Lutherans teach that every believer has been called by God to some ministry. In a sense, we are to be priests to one another, ministering to one another, Christ to one another.  Pastors are not special; pastors are simply called by the Church to a special office of preaching the Word and administering the sacraments.  Pastors preside at Holy Communion and Baptism, not because the laity can’t, but only for good order.  

So Lutherans believe in the high calling of all people.  If you’re a teacher, do it to the glory of God; if you deliver the mail, do so knowing that your work is a calling; if you’re a janitor, clean as if you were doing it for Christ himself.  All work that is done honorably and for the benefit of others is noble and holy.