#2 - Sola Gratia & Sola Fide - The Unshakeable Foundations

Moment of Tithing and Offerings

As we prepare to give our tithes and offerings, let’s remember the incredible generosity of God’s grace, freely given to us through faith. Our giving is a tangible act of worship, a response to that amazing grace, and an opportunity to partner with God in His work.

2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT): "You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich."

Let us give generously, out of a heart rich in God’s grace.

Sermon 2:

The Gift of Righteousness - Sola Gratia & Sola Fide

Good morning, church!

Last week, we launched our series on "The Unshakeable Foundations" by exploring Sola Scriptura, reminding us that God's Word Alone is our ultimate authority, divinely inspired and completely sufficient for life and godliness. I hope you’ve been letting that truth anchor you this week! Today, we’re moving from where we find truth to how we can actually be right with God.

Have you ever felt that nagging pressure to be "good enough"? To work harder, try more, prove your worth?

We all have. The world constantly whispers, "earn it, achieve it, deserve it." But what if I told you there's a radically different way? A way that liberates you from that exhausting treadmill of performance?

Today, we’re unpacking two mighty truths that work hand-in-hand: Sola Gratia – Grace Alone, and Sola Fide – Faith Alone. These aren't just theological terms; they are the keys to freedom, peace, and true security in God’s love. Get ready to discover the radical, liberating gift of righteousness!

Introduction

We concluded last week by establishing God’s Word as our unshakeable foundation for truth.

But knowing what’s true doesn’t automatically make us right with God.

In fact, if we truly read God’s Word, it reveals a profound gap between His perfect holiness and our undeniable imperfection.

So, how does a broken, imperfect person like you and me become righteous in the eyes of a holy God?

This question tormented people for centuries, and it continues to trouble many today who feel they can never measure up.

The Protestant Reformation, guided by Scripture Alone, rediscovered the liberating answer to this eternal dilemma. It's not about what we do; it's about what God has done.

Today, we’re looking at the twin pillars of salvation: Sola Gratia – "Grace Alone" and Sola Fide – "Faith Alone."

These two truths explain that our salvation is not earned by our efforts but is a free, undeserved gift from God, received solely through trust in Him.

This message is revolutionary; it frees us from the impossible burden of earning our salvation and allows us to live in the abundance of God’s love.

Let's explore the stunning truth of God's grace and the simple act of faith that receives it.

Point 1: Sola Gratia – Grace Alone: God's Undeserved Favor

(Warmth Moment)

Have you ever received a truly unexpected gift? Not a birthday present you knew was coming, but something completely out of the blue, just because someone thought of you? Maybe a friend paid for your coffee, or a stranger paid for your meal. That feeling of undeserved kindness? That's a tiny glimpse of grace.

Our first profound truth is Sola Gratia – "Grace Alone."

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT): "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God."

Context:

The Apostle Paul is writing to the Ephesian believers, many of whom came from a pagan background. He has just described their former life as "dead in trespasses and sins," children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3).

His purpose in these verses is to highlight the incredible, radical contrast between their desperate state and God’s rich mercy. Salvation is not a transaction where we contribute; it is entirely an act of God’s sovereign love and undeserved favor.

This message of Sola Gratia was a bombshell during the Reformation. For centuries leading up to Luther, the medieval church had increasingly emphasized human works, penance, and even the purchase of indulgences as means to earn God's favor, reduce punishment for sins, or even free loved ones from purgatory.

It was the blatant selling of these indulgences – "pardons" that promised forgiveness for sins in exchange for money – that ignited Martin Luther's outrage.

His 95 Theses primarily challenged this practice.

He saw it as a perversion of God's grace, implying that salvation or forgiveness could be bought or earned, directly contradicting the biblical truth that salvation is given by God's grace alone, a free gift.

Original Greek Term:

The key word here is "grace," charis (χάρις). It means "unmerited favor," "undeserved kindness," or "benevolence."

It's God giving us what we absolutely do not deserve, and withholding the judgment we do deserve. It’s the ultimate divine generosity, flowing from God's very nature.

Biblical Characters:

Think of the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).

After squandering his inheritance and hitting rock bottom, the son returns home, ready to beg for a servant's position. But before he can even finish his rehearsed speech, his father runs to him, embraces him, and throws a celebration! The son did nothing to earn this; in fact, he deserved nothing. This is a vivid picture of Sola Gratia – the Father's overwhelming, undeserved love poured out on a repentant, undeserving child.

Matthew Henry comments on Ephesians 2:8, "We are saved, not by our own skill or power, but by the free, rich, and undeserved grace of God; that it was this grace that designed our salvation, that wrought it out, and that it works it in us."

Warren W. Wiersbe adds, "Grace is not cheap. It cost God everything. But it is free to us. We cannot earn it; we can only receive it."

Quotes:

The hymn writer John Newton, a former slave trader, captured this truth perfectly when he penned "Amazing Grace," declaring, "Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."

He understood that grace is the sole initiator and sustainer of salvation.

(Competence Moment)

From a psychological perspective, constantly striving for perfection or external validation leads to high levels of anxiety and burnout. The human need for acceptance is profound, but when tied to performance, it creates an unsustainable burden.

Research consistently shows that feeling truly accepted and loved unconditionally significantly reduces stress and enhances psychological well-being. Sola Gratia offers this unconditional acceptance – a complete release from the exhausting pressure to "earn" love or salvation, promoting genuine peace and mental flourishing.

Reflective Question:

Am I truly resting in the freedom of God's undeserved grace, or am I still trying to earn His love and favor through my own efforts?

Point 2: Sola Fide – Faith Alone: Our Means of Receiving

(Warmth Moment)

Imagine you’re skydiving. You’ve got a parachute strapped to your back. Do you need to do anything to make it work?

No, you just need to trust that it will open when you pull the cord, or when your instructor pulls it for you. You rely on it completely.

You don’t jump and then start sewing the chute; you simply put your faith in its design and purpose.

Our second profound truth is Sola Fide – "Faith Alone."

Romans 3:28 (NLT): "So we are made right with God in his sight by faith and not by obeying the law."

Context:

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, meticulously builds a legal argument demonstrating that both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin (Romans 1-3). Therefore, no one can be justified, or declared righteous, by obeying the Law. His purpose here is to present God’s alternative, God’s solution: a righteousness that comes through faith, completely apart from human works or efforts to keep the Law.

This was the "aha!" moment for the Reformation. For centuries, the church taught that faith was necessary, but it had to be supplemented by good works, sacraments, and penance (voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong) – like pilgrimages, veneration of relics, or the purchase of indulgences.

Martin Luther’s intense personal struggle with sin and his inability to feel righteous through good works drove him to a deep study of Scripture. He discovered the truth of "the righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).

His 95 Theses, by attacking the notion that an indulgence could remit guilt or punishment for sin, were also attacking the idea that faith needed to be supplemented by these human "works" for salvation. Luther realized that justification is by faith alone – Sola Fide. It’s not faith plus works; it’s faith as the sole instrument by which we receive God's grace and are declared righteous. This was a radical break from the prevailing theology of his time.

Original Greek Term:

The key word here is "faith," pistis (πίστις). It's more than just intellectual assent; it means "trust," "belief," "conviction," "reliance," or "persuasion."

It's an active, personal surrender and dependence upon something or someone. In this context, it is our confident trust and reliance on Jesus Christ and His finished work.

Biblical Characters:

The ultimate example of Sola Fide is Abraham.

Genesis 15:6 declares, "And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith."

Abraham didn't earn his righteousness through perfect obedience or religious rituals; he simply believed God's promise. And God, by His sheer grace, declared him righteous. It wasn't his works, but his faith, trusting God’s grace.

Martin Luther, a central figure in the Reformation, famously stated, "Faith alone makes righteous and fulfills the law."

Charles Caldwell Ryrie clarifies, "Faith is the channel, the empty hand that receives the gift of salvation."

Quotes

Dr. Dharius Daniels often speaks about the power of belief. While not exclusively about salvation, he underscores that "what you believe determines how you behave."

For us, believing in Jesus Christ by faith shapes our entire life and standing before God.

(Competence Moment)

In medicine, when a patient receives a prescription, they don't earn the medicine. They simply take it, trusting that the doctor's diagnosis and the pharmaceutical science are correct. The medicine then does its work.

Trying to "earn" the medicine by doing extra push-ups or eating more vegetables won't make it effective. The act of "taking" or "receiving" through trust is the critical component.

Our pistis in Christ is like taking the divine medicine He offers; we simply trust Him to do what He promised.

(Awe Moment)

I remember a story from a missionary friend who was working among a tribe that had a very complex system of appeasing angry gods through elaborate sacrifices and rituals. They lived in constant fear and exhaustion, always trying to earn favor. When my friend explained the simple concept of salvation through Sola Fide – trusting in Jesus’ one, perfect sacrifice – it blew their minds.

An old woman, with tears streaming down her face, said, "You mean I don’t have to do all those things anymore? I just have to believe in Jesus?"

The simplicity and power of faith alone to save brought incredible joy and freedom to an entire community.

Reflective Question:

What (or who) am I ultimately placing my trust in for my acceptance before God?

Am I truly relying on faith in Jesus alone, or am I still adding other things?

Point 3: The Fruit of Grace and Faith – A Life Transformed

(Warmth Moment)

Think of a seed. You plant it, water it, and trust that it will grow. You don't try to pull the sprout out of the ground; you simply nurture it. The growth, the fruit, is the natural result of the life within. It's not something you force, but something that emerges from the life already present.

Our third point acknowledges that while salvation is by grace through faith alone, this faith is never alone; it leads to a transformed life.

Galatians 2:16 (NLT): "Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law."

Context:

Paul is forcefully confronting those who were trying to add works of the Law to faith for salvation. His purpose is to clarify that justification is solely by faith in Christ. However, this doesn't negate the importance of good works; rather, it places them in their proper context: as the result and evidence of genuine faith, not the means of earning it. This distinction is crucial.

The Reformers emphasized that while good works do not save us, a truly saving faith will inevitably produce good works.

As James 2:17 states, "faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

The transformed life is the natural fruit of grace received by faith, demonstrating the reality of one's salvation. Luther, in his 95 Theses, was not against good works. In fact, Theses 41-45 argue that Christians should be taught that giving to the poor is more important than buying indulgences. He wanted to re-establish that true good works are a response of love and gratitude for God's free grace, not a payment for it.

Original Greek Term:

The phrase "obeying the law" (erga nomou - ἔργα νόμου) is consistently contrasted with faith throughout Paul's letters.

This highlights that human effort to keep the Mosaic Law is not the path to righteousness. True faith, however, will naturally produce good works, not as a requirement, but as a loving response.

Biblical Characters:

Consider the transformation of Paul himself.

Before his encounter with Christ, he was a zealous Pharisee, trying desperately to earn righteousness through his meticulous adherence to the Law. After his Damascus Road experience (Acts 9), he understood Sola Gratia and Sola Fide.

His life was radically redirected, not away from good works, but into a life of unparalleled service, suffering, and evangelism – all flowing from his faith and God's grace, not to earn it, but to express it.

Warren W. Wiersbe clarifies, "Our works are not the root of our salvation, but the fruit of it. They do not earn us a place in heaven, but they demonstrate that we are truly God’s children."

Quotes:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke powerfully about "costly grace," stating, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."

This doesn't mean earning salvation, but rather that true faith, true grace, demands a radical, life-altering response that produces good works and costly discipleship.

(Competence Moment)

In ecological systems, the health of an environment is not determined by its ability to produce life but by the presence of life which then produces flourishing. A fertile soil doesn't become fertile because plants grow; plants grow because the soil is fertile.

Similarly, good works are not the cause of our spiritual life but the natural, observable evidence of the spiritual life that has been given to us by grace through faith. Data often shows that genuinely transformed individuals, freed from the burden of earning, become the most generous, compassionate, and impactful members of society.

(Awe Moment)

I remember a young man named Michael. He grew up in the church but always felt like he was faking it, trying to be "good enough" for everyone. His faith was based on performance, not peace. After hearing a sermon on grace and faith alone, he broke down. He described feeling a profound sense of relief, realizing that God loved him unconditionally. This wasn't a license to sin, but a liberation from sin's power. His life completely changed. He started serving tirelessly, not out of obligation, but out of a overflowing gratitude for God’s grace. His grades improved, his relationships healed, and he started sharing his faith with passion. His works didn't save him, but they undeniably demonstrated the saving grace and faith that lived within him.

Reflective Question:

Does my life reflect the transformative power of God’s grace and genuine faith, producing good works as a natural outflow?

Conclusion

Today, we have explored the heart of the Gospel: Sola Gratia – Grace Alone, and Sola Fide – Faith Alone. We’ve seen that salvation is God’s undeserved gift, flowing from His boundless love, and received solely through our trusting reliance on Jesus Christ. This means we are freed from the impossible burden of earning our way to God, and instead, we are empowered to live a transformed life that flows from gratitude, not obligation.

(Star Moment - Last Minute)

Church, this is not just ancient theology; this is your freedom! Stop trying to earn what has already been freely given. Get off the exhausting treadmill of performance and step into the radical, liberating truth that God loves you, accepts you, and saves you by His Grace Alone, received through Faith Alone.

This isn't a passive belief; it’s an active, daily trust that transforms everything. It’s the peace that grounds you, the love that fills you, and the power that sends you.

Embrace this gift, live in this freedom, and watch how God uses your life, not for your glory, but for His. Let His grace fuel your faith, and let your faith lead to a life that testifies to His incredible love!

Appeal

This morning, if you have been burdened by the weight of trying to be "good enough," or if you have never truly embraced the simplicity and power of God’s grace through faith, today is your day.

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

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we are overwhelmed by Your generous grace. We confess that we often try to earn what You offer freely. Forgive us for our pride and our striving. Today, we embrace Sola Gratia and Sola Fide, resting completely in Your undeserved favor, received through our trust in Jesus Christ. We thank You for the gift of salvation that is ours by Your grace, through faith, apart from any works of our own. May our lives be a living testimony to this glorious truth. In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.

You may be seated.

Practical Applications

Daily Gratitude: Start and end your day by thanking God for His grace. Make a list of ways His undeserved favor has shown up in your life.

Confession and Forgiveness: When you stumble, remember God’s grace. Confess your sins, receive His forgiveness, and don’t dwell in guilt, but return to His amazing grace.

Act of Trust: Identify an area in your life where you are trying to control or earn an outcome. Today, consciously choose to release it to God in faith, trusting His provision and plan.

Share Your Story: If you’ve experienced the liberation of grace through faith, share your testimony with someone. Your story can bring freedom to others.

Serve Out of Love: Find a way to serve others this week, not to earn God’s favor, but as a joyful response to the grace you have received.