Here We Stand.

Brief history of the day on which we gather.

End with the Here I Stand line.

Transition here.

But brothers and sisters, I do not want to spend our time this morning merely celebrating the boldness of a German monk who lived five hundred years ago. Martin Luther cannot save you. John Calvin cannot save you. Being Baptist cannot save you. Being Protestant cannot save you. Mike Stafford cannot save you. There is but one name by which we must be saved.

As we reflect on the rich history of our faith, the question for us is not, “What did Martin Luther stand for?” Instead, the question is “What do we stand upon?”

We will look to Paul for the answer here.

Please turn in your Bibles to the book of Ephesians, chapter 2, and rise as we stand under the authority of the Word of God.

Starting at verse 1.

Ephesians 2:1–10 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Let us pray.

Lord, we humbly come before you now, and we ask and petition that you would speak your word so boldly and clearly through the Holy Scriptures and through what you have helped me prepare to bring to your people. We know that all understanding comes from you, all authority comes from you. Let us hang on to every word that you have spoken through the apostle Paul this morning. We know that every word you have spoken to us through your Holy Scriptures is breathed out by you and profitable for your people. Let it stir our affections toward you, and allow our lives to be living sacrifices for you as we bear this journey with our brothers and sisters whom you prepared beforehand for us to be joined to in Christ and in this local body. We pray this in the matchless name of Christ, Amen.

You may be seated.

I. We Stand Upon the Word of God - Sola Scriptura

II. We Stand Only Because God Has Raised Us - Sola Gratia – Sola Fide – Solus Christus

III. We Stand So That God Alone Might Receive the Glory - Soli Deo Gloria