#1 - Sola Scriptura - The Unshakable Foundation

Moment of Tithing and Offerings

As we prepare to give our tithes and offerings today, let's remember the rich provision God has given us through His Word. He has equipped us, guided us, and spoken to us. Our giving is a response to His generosity and a commitment to advancing the truth found in Sola Scriptura.

Psalm 119:14 (NLT): "I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches."

Psalm 119:14 NIV

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

May our giving reflect the joy we find in His Word, and may it be used to spread that truth to others.

The Unshakable Foundation

The Five Solas

Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)

Good morning,

We live in a world that’s constantly buzzing with information, opinions, and "truths." Every scroll, every feed, every headline seems to offer a new path, a new perspective.

It’s exhilarating, yes, but let's be honest, it can also be incredibly confusing.

It's like trying to build a solid house on shifting sand – you need a firm foundation, something unshakeable, something you can trust when everything else feels uncertain.

For the next three weeks, we’re embarking on a journey to rediscover five ancient, yet incredibly relevant, truths – the Five Solas of the Reformation.

These aren't just historical footnotes; they are the bedrock for a life of purpose, peace, and clarity in a chaotic world. And today, we start with the very first, the foundation of all foundations: Where do we find the ultimate truth?

Get ready to anchor your soul in the unshakeable Word of God!

Introduction

Reformation Day is a holiday celebrated primarily by Protestants every year on October 31st.

In simple words, it celebrates the day in 1517 when a German monk and theology professor named Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany.

A little about Martin Luther's story:

Luther was a devout Catholic monk who was deeply troubled by his own sin and the question of how a person could be made right with a holy God.

He tried everything the church offered at the time – fasting, long hours in prayer, confession, even self-punishment – but he never felt he was "good enough" or truly forgiven. He felt huge spiritual torment, wrestling with the idea of God's righteous judgment.

Through his intensive study of the Bible, especially Paul's letter to the Romans, Luther had a profound breakthrough. He realized that righteousness before God wasn't something he could earn through his efforts or good deeds. Instead, it was a free gift from God, received solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

This was a revolutionary personal discovery that would shake the foundations of the religious world.

What was he going against?

At that time, the church had many practices that Luther and others felt were wrong and not based on the Bible. One of the main things he challenged was the selling of indulgences.

These were essentially "pardons" that people could buy to reduce the punishment for their sins (or for deceased loved ones), with the promise that it would get them or their relatives out of purgatory faster.

This practice directly contradicted Luther's newfound understanding that salvation and forgiveness came through God's grace and faith, not through money or human works.

His 95 Theses were a series of propositions criticizing this practice and inviting debate about the true nature of repentance and salvation.

Why is it important?

Luther's actions, initially intended to spark an academic debate within the church, accidentally ignited a massive movement called the Protestant Reformation. This movement led to huge changes in Christianity, emphasizing:

That the Bible is the ultimate authority .Sola Scriptura

That salvation comes by God's grace alone .Sola Gratia

That this salvation is received through faith alone in Jesus Christ .Sola Fide

So, in short, Reformation Day celebrates the beginning of a time when people, led by figures like Martin Luther who had a deep personal conviction grounded in Scripture, sought to reform the Christian church, bringing it back to what they understood as core biblical truths, particularly about salvation and the authority of Scripture.

It's often seen as a celebration of spiritual freedom and a return to the foundational messages of Christianity.

Have you ever seen a building with cracks in its foundation?

Or maybe you've tried to follow vague instructions for something important and ended up completely lost?

In life, everything depends on a solid foundation.

If our beliefs, our values, our very sense of purpose are built on unstable ground, they will inevitably crumble under the weight of life's challenges.

Over 500 years ago, a pivotal movement known as the Protestant Reformation called the church back to these essential foundations of faith.

They articulated five core principles, known as the "Five Solas," which means "five alones."

These simple, yet profound, declarations revolutionized how people understood God, salvation, and the Christian life. And they are just as vital for us today.

This morning, we begin with the first Sola, the bedrock upon which all others rest: Sola Scriptura, "Scripture Alone."

In a world saturated with voices, opinions, and fleeting trends, we desperately need a singular, authoritative source of truth that we can trust implicitly.

This isn't just about reading a book; it's about encountering the living, breathing, God-breathed Word that provides our ultimate guidance.

Let's dive into the divine origin, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture.

Main Point 1: The Divine Origin – God's "Breath" in Human Words

(Warmth Moment)

You know, I once tried to assemble a complex piece of LEGO without reading the instructions. Big mistake. I ended up with what looked like a modern art sculpture, not a lego toy ! We laugh, but isn't it true that in life, we often try to navigate complex situations without consulting the ultimate instruction manual

Our first truth about Sola Scriptura is its divine origin – it is God's very breath.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT): "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."

Context:

The Apostle Paul, an intellectual giant and missionary pioneer, is writing his final letter to his beloved mentee, Timothy, who is pastoring the church in Ephesus.

Paul knows his time is short, and he wants to equip Timothy to face theological challenges and cultural pressures. His purpose in these verses is to remind Timothy, and us, where ultimate authority and truth reside for faith and life.

Original Greek Term:

The crucial phrase here is "inspired by God." In the original Greek, it's theopneustos (θεόπνευστος), literally meaning "God-breathed."

This isn't just human wisdom, moral philosophy, or good advice; it is the very exhalation of God Himself.

Imagine God breathing out, and His truth, His nature, His will, comes forth in the words we hold in our hands.

Biblical Characters:

Think of King David, often called "a man after God's own heart." He knew the power and origin of God's Word.

In Psalm 19:7-8 (NLT), he declares, "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living."

Psalm 19:7–8 NIV

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

David understood that these weren't just human rules; they were divine declarations designed to bring life.

Matthew Henry beautifully notes, "The Scripture is given, not to gratify our curiosity, but to guide our conscience; not to fill our heads with notions, but our hearts with grace."

Warren W. Wiersbe adds, "The Bible is not merely a collection of good thoughts from good men, but God's divine revelation to mankind. It is God speaking to us."

Quotes:

Billy Graham famously stated, "The Bible is not an option. It is a necessity. You cannot grow spiritually without it."

He recognized that our spiritual life is directly connected to consuming the very breath of God.

(Competence Moment)

From a historical and literary perspective, the Bible is an unparalleled collection of 66 books, written by over 40 authors, spanning thousands of years, across three continents, in three different languages – yet presenting one cohesive, unfolding story of God's redemptive plan.

The internal consistency, prophetic accuracy, and endurance through millennia of persecution and scrutiny are staggering.

When skeptics have tried to disprove it, its core message remains. This isn't a coincidence; it points to a singular, divine authorship guiding human hands, demonstrating an unmatched literary and historical competence.

(Awe Moment)

Consider the story of a young man named Alex. Growing up in an atheistic household, he dismissed religion as fairy tales. One day, out of sheer curiosity, he picked up a New Testament. He expected dry, ancient texts. Instead, he found himself captivated by the words of Jesus. He described it as "like reading words that were written directly to me, in my own heart."

He said, "It wasn't just information; it was like God was speaking directly to my soul, breathing life into me." That personal encounter with the theopneustos Word radically transformed his worldview and led him to faith. It’s the God-breathed nature of Scripture that pierces hearts and changes lives.

Reflective Question:

Do I approach the Bible as merely an old book, or as the very breath of God speaking directly to me?

Main Point 2: The Ultimate Authority – Above All Other Voices

(Warmth Moment)

Imagine you're watching a soccer game, and the referee makes a call. The players might argue, the coaches might object, the fans might boo. But at the end of the day, the referee's decision is final. Why? Because they hold the ultimate authority within that game.

Our second truth is that Scripture holds ultimate authority, above all other voices.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT): "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."

Context:

The entirety of Psalm 119 is a passionate hymn to the Word of God, celebrating its perfection, trustworthiness, and power to guide. The psalmist, likely a devout Israelite, expresses complete reliance on God's statutes, commands, and laws as the supreme guide for life.

For the Reformers, this meant that Sola Scriptura was not just about the source of truth, but its supreme authority.

In Luther's time, the Church taught that its authority, particularly that of the Pope and church tradition, stood equal to or even above the authority of Scripture.

This allowed for practices like selling indulgences (pardons for sins, even for the dead) to flourish, based on papal authority rather than biblical teaching.

Luther's 95 Theses, directly challenged the Pope's power and the church's practice regarding indulgences.

By questioning indulgences, Luther was fundamentally questioning the Church's interpretation of salvation and its claim to absolute authority.

His refusal to change his mind unless proven wrong by Scripture, famously declared at the Diet of Worms, perfectly summarized this commitment to the Bible as the final court of appeal, above any human institution or leader.

Original Term:

While Psalm 119 is Hebrew, the concept of "light for my path" comes from the Hebrew ner (נֵר - lamp) and 'or (אוֹר - light).

This imagery signifies the Word as the sole, reliable source of illumination in darkness, having ultimate authority to direct our steps.

No other light source is needed, or as reliable.

Biblical Characters:

Think of Jesus Himself. When tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus didn't appeal to His own divine power, personal opinion, or popular philosophy. Three times, He simply declared, "It is written!" He relied solely on the authority of God's Word to resist temptation. If Jesus, God incarnate, submitted to the written Word, how much more should we?

Charles Spurgeon famously proclaimed, "The Word of God is like a lion. You don't have to defend a lion. Just open the cage and it will defend itself."

William Barclay adds, "The Bible is not merely a book of information; it is a book of transformation. It guides us into truth and equips us for life."

Martin Luther, when confronted by the most powerful religious and political authorities of his day at the Diet of Worms, declared,

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not renounce anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."

This is the epitome of Sola Scriptura – God's Word as the ultimate authority.

(Awe Moment)

I once heard a missionary recount a story from a closed country where Bibles were illegal. A small underground church had only one copy of Scripture, painstakingly handwritten. Every week, people would walk for miles, under cover of darkness, just to hear a few verses read aloud.

They would then discuss it, memorize parts, and live by it, even risking imprisonment. For them, it wasn't just a book; it was the ultimate, life-giving authority – more precious than gold, more vital than food. They understood, in a profound way, what it means for God's Word to be their only lamp and light.

Reflective Question:

What sources do I instinctively turn to for guidance and truth in my life?

Is God's Word my first and final authority?

Main Point 3: The Sufficiency – Equipping Us for Every Good Work

(Warmth Moment) Have you ever started a DIY project, only to realize halfway through that you don't have all the right tools? It's frustrating and often leads to a messy, incomplete job. What a relief when you have everything you need, perfectly suited for the task!

Our third truth is that Scripture is sufficient – it equips us for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:17 (NLT): "God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."

Context:

This verse flows directly from Paul's declaration of Scripture being theopneustos. Not only is it divinely given and authoritative, but it is also complete for its purpose.

It's not a partial guide; it's a comprehensive training manual, perfectly tailored to make us fully ready for whatever God calls us to do.

It lacks nothing necessary for life and godliness.

The Reformers emphasized this sufficiency of Scripture not just as a theological point, but as a practical necessity.

Before the Reformation, the common person rarely had access to the Bible, and even if they did, it was often in Latin, a language few understood.

The Church was seen as the necessary interpreter and dispenser of spiritual truth.

Luther's 95 Theses, by challenging doctrines not found in the Bible, implicitly argued for the Bible's sufficiency. He and other reformers believed that ordinary believers, guided by the Holy Spirit, could understand the essential truths of the Bible for salvation and holy living without relying solely on church tradition or the interpretations of priests.

This conviction led to a massive effort to translate the Bible into common languages (like German by Luther and English by Tyndale), so that everyone, not just priests, could access and be equipped by God's Word directly.

Original Greek Term:

The word for "equip" or "furnish completely" is exartizo (ἐξαρτίζω). It means to "make ready," "to fit out," or "to complete." Bring to an end; Finish It implies that nothing essential is lacking; the Scripture provides all the necessary tools and training for the Christian life and service.

Biblical Characters:

Consider Jesus' disciples. They were ordinary men – fishermen, tax collectors – without formal theological training. Yet, through their immersion in the Old Testament Scriptures (which Jesus constantly taught them from) and His direct teaching, they were equipped to turn the world upside down.

After Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit, they relied heavily on the Old Testament, interpreting it through Christ, to preach the Gospel and lay the foundations of the church. They had all they needed in God's Word.

Charles Caldwell Ryrie states, "Sufficiency means that the Bible contains all the words of God he intended for us to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it contains everything we need for salvation, for trusting him, and for obeying him."

Quotes:

John Calvin declared, "The Scripture is not some obscure oracle, but a clear and open voice of God." He believed that while deep, its essential message is clear enough to guide every believer.

(Awe Moment)

There's an incredible story of a man imprisoned for his faith in a country where Bibles were forbidden. For years, he had no access to Scripture. One day, a sympathetic guard slipped him a tiny, torn piece of paper with just a few verses from Romans 8. Over months, through careful exchanges, he managed to acquire more and more fragments, painstakingly piecing together sections of the New Testament. He said that each new fragment was like finding pure gold. These scattered verses were sufficient to fuel his faith, to give him hope, and to equip him to minister to other prisoners. He didn't have a whole Bible, but what he had, God used to fully equip him.

Reflective Question:

Do I believe the Bible is truly sufficient to equip me for every good work God calls me to, or do I constantly feel the need to look elsewhere for answers?

Conclusion

This morning, we’ve laid the very first, and most foundational, brick in our journey through the Five Solas: Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone. We’ve explored its divine origin as God's very breath, its ultimate authority above all other voices, and its complete sufficiency to equip us for every good work.

(Star Moment - Last Minute)

In a world that constantly bombards you with competing narratives, shifting morals, and fleeting fads, where will you stand? Where will you find your anchor? The timeless, God-breathed, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God is not just an ancient text; it is the living voice of your Creator, speaking directly to you. Don't let it sit on your shelf collecting dust. Pick it up, read it, wrestle with it, hide it in your heart. Let Sola Scriptura be the compass that guides your feet, the light that illuminates your path, and the truth that sets you free. Build your life on this unshakeable foundation, and you will not be moved! May God help us to cling to His Word Alone!

Appeal

This morning, I want to challenge each of us to make a renewed commitment to the Word of God as our ultimate authority. If you’ve neglected it, allowed other voices to overshadow it, or doubted its power, today is the day to return.

Will you stand with me for a moment? (Invite congregation to stand)

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible gift of Your Word. We confess that we often seek truth and guidance in places other than Your inspired Scripture. Forgive us for our neglect and our doubts. Today, we recommit to Sola Scriptura, believing that Your Word is truly God-breathed, our ultimate authority, and completely sufficient to equip us. Open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to receive Your truth. Help us to hide Your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

You may be seated.

Practical Applications

Daily Immersion:

Commit to a daily Bible reading plan. Even 5-10 minutes consistently can transform your life. Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) or a challenging book like Romans.

Journaling and Reflection:

Don't just read, but reflect. Keep a journal to write down what God is speaking to you through the text, questions you have, and how you can apply it.

Engage in Community:

Join a small group or Bible study where you can discuss Scripture with others, share insights, and grow in understanding together.

Memorize Key Verses:

Choose a verse each week or month to memorize. Hiding God's Word in your heart provides a ready source of truth and comfort in times of need.

Pray for Understanding: Before you open your Bible, pray for the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to understand God's truth.