Always Reforming

Tuesday is Halloween. Most people know that. We see costumes in Walmart, candy at the grocery store, skeletons and ghosts in people’s lawns, and pumpkins on every porch. Alongside this well known holiday lies another little known event. 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, in Wittenberg Germany, Martin Luther presented his 95 theses to the Catholic Church. This ended up being the spark that set the fire of the reformation. Today we are going to talk about the events leading up to Luther’s theses as well as what became the five pillars of the reformation. We will end our time together talking about the necessity of continual reformation.

We have three goals this morning. To display the sovereignty of God. To understand the five solas. To embrace the need to always reform.

When these things are understood and applied, the believer is enabled and empowered to seek God’s kingdom first.

Because seeking God’s kingdom first is the way to success, a firm grasp of these three goals will lead to peace, joy, and fulfillment in life.

You are going to hear a lot of Latin this morning. That is because the reformers stated their beliefs and desires in Latin. If the reformation had a slogan it would have begun with the words…

Display the soverignty of God. Understand the five solas. Embrace the need to always reform.

1. Ecclesia Reformata - The Church Reformed

This is the first half of a phrase that encapsulates all that the reformers desired to accomplish. The last half will be our seventh and final point. One of the things that is crucial to a proper understanding of the reformation is the awareness that the reformers never intended to created a splinter group. It was not their intention to break away from the Catholic Church. In fact, Martin Luther didn’t even believe it was possible to divide the church! The goal was to create conversation. Before we get to that we need to roll back the clock and see some of the preparation for the reformation accomplished by God. Earlier I likened Luther’s 95 theses to a spark. What we are going to look at now is the tinder that God had placed for this spark to light.

The first piece of tinder: John Wycliffe (1330-84)

Often called “the morning star of the reformation” Wycliffe was an Oxford trained preacher who became Oxford’s leading theologian. He taught that obedience to the often corrupt church leaders was not necessary. All that was needed was obedience to God and the Scriptures which should be studied by the individual. Because of this belief Wycliffe translated the Bible into the language of the people from the Latin Vulgate. His desire was for the people to read the Word and be converted.

Wycliffe also believed that Scripture was complete and served as the standard by which canon law, church tradition, and the papacy should be judged. As you can imagine, this was not popular. Wycliffe recruited his students to help make copies of his Bible translation, a process that could take one scribe us many as 10 months. He was condemned to be burned at the stake but collapsed and died while preaching before the sentence could be carried out. The church bought copies of his Bibles and burned them. However, so many had been made by this time that there are 170 still in existence today. Wycliffe’s teaching spread beyond England and eventually reached…

The second piece of tinder: John Huss (1369-1415)

Huss read Wycliffe’s works and agreed that the church needed to be reformed. He began preaching reformation in Prague. He taught against relics and indulgences. He believed that the Bible was the sole source of authority and guidance and therefore should be available to all. For his teaching Huss was excommunicated and commanded not to preach, a command which he ignored. Huss taught against indulgences so strongly that the Pope declared and interdict banning all sacraments from being performed in Prague. Since the people believed that the sacraments were necessary for salvation, they turned against Huss. Huss left the country and continued to write.

Guaranteeing him safe passage the pope invited Huss to attend the council at Constance, Germany. Huss reluctantly did so and was arrested, held and tormented in prison, and ultimately burned at the stake. At his trial he said he would only recant if he were shown how his writings contradicted Scripture.

With both Wycliffe and Huss we see a strong belief in the supremacy of Scripture. These two men paved the way for all that Luther did. However, there was a technological advancement that took place between Huss and Luther that really enabled the reformation. That technological advancement was…

The third piece of tinder: The Printing Press (1440)

The invention of the printing press was vital to the reformation. It was this tool that enabled the production and distribution of Luther’s writings. Also, in 1456 we have Johannes Gutenberg producing the first printed Bible. This was printed in Latin. This greatly reduced the time and cost necessary for reproduction of Bibles. Making Scripture more accessible directly impacted Luther.

God used Wycliffe and Huss, who were committed to Scripture, and the invention of something that made possible easy reproduction to enable…

The setter of the flame: Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Luther was the son of a mine owner who was initially intended to study law. After an encounter with lightening during which he promised to become a monk if spared, Luther entered the priesthood. Luther realized that even the smallest sin was enough to condemn him. Therefore, Luther became obsessed with confession. He spent hours confessing everything to the point that he was told to come back when he had something “big” to confess. At this time in church history the Catholic church and the Bible had become removed from one another. Luther noted that as a young monk he never even read Scripture! However, he was able to access the sermons of Huss.

When finally given access to the Word Luther all but devoured it. Though it raised questions in his mind, he was still desiring to trust the church. It was Luther’s trip to Rome in 1510 that began his serious disenchantment with the activities of the Catholic church. Priests who were coarse, debased, and vile horrified him with their attitude toward the things he considered sacred. As Luther continued as a priest and ultimately was placed in charge of 11 monasteries and taught at the school in Wittenburg, Luther’s disenchantment deepened. In 1513-15 he taught on the Psalms and was impressed with the necessity to treat them literally.

Luther himself dates his actual salvation to early in 1517 while dwelling on (S).

Romans 1:16–17 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16–17 NKJV

It was later in that same year that Luther struck…

The spark: The 95 Theses

The primary objection of Luther in writing his 95 Theses was the false hope that indulgences gave people of forgiveness of sin. He didn’t necessarily oppose indulgences per se, simply the teaching about what they accomplished. On October 31, 1517 Luther sent his Theses to the archbishop Albrecht of Mainz. Contrary to all the stories, it is unknown whether Luther nailed them to the Wittenburg church door or not. What we do know is that all he hoped to do was have a theological debate about the practice of indulgences. Luther also mailed them to some close friends one of whom, Christopher Scheurl, was so impressed by them that he printed and distributed them. In modern speech, Luther’s theses went viral. With the printing press being relatively new, this had never been happened before.

The theses were reprinted in other cities, translated into German in January 1518, and spread as far as England. In March, Luther wrote a letter to Scheurl indicating he wouldn’t have wanted them distributed so widely. Through debates, meetings, more debates, and more meetings Luther slowly realized that the Catholic church would not be reformed. On January 3, 1521 Luther was excommunicated. In March the infamous Diet of Worms was held. Luther was called to recant his teaching. His refusal has become famous.

“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or clear reason, for I do not trust in the Pope or in the councils alone, since it is well known that they often err and contradict themselves, I am bound to the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, since it is neither sage nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise. Here I stand. God help me. Amen.”

Do you see that hand of God here? From Wycliffe, to Huss, to the printing press, to Luther reading Huss who was burned at the stake but whose sermons were still accessible! God is sovereign in the affairs of men! Much more could be said about Luther and his impact on how we do church, our weddings and marriages, as well as much of the western way of life. But I want to turn our attention to the bottom line doctrines that came out of the reformation. The five solas that still distinguish Protestantism, of which we are part, and Catholicism. The first is…

2. Sola Scriptura

2 Peter 1:20–21 NKJV

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

This Latin phrase means Scripture alone. All of the other sola’s rest on this one. If we violate the principle of Scripture alone then we have no foundation from which to declare that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for God’s glory alone. This is the foundation and the clash that set off the reformation. You have Luther on one side and the pope on the other. The pope says that when Scripture and his opinion collide, the church must follow him. Luther declares that Scripture alone is the foundation for faith and practice and that the opinions of men must submit themselves to the Word of God! Where did Luther get this idea? From Scripture itself!

Turn with me first to .

(S).

2 Peter 1:20–21 NKJV

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The point in v. 20 is that Scripture is not the product of men. It was not made up, created, or produced by men! V. 21 stresses this point. Biblical prophecy never came by man’s will. Instead men who were set apart by God for this task wrote as the Holy Spirit directed. Scripture is a product of the Holy Spirit. It is not a product of men!

(S).

Now turn to .

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Inspiration means that it was breathed out by God. All means all. Therefore, every single word of Scripture is breathed out by God. If Scripture is breathed out by God, then it comes with God’s authority. This is the main point. Since Scripture comes with the authority of God, it is therefore to be obeyed above any man. If the pope or anyone else has an opinion or command that violates the Word of God, that opinion or command is to be rejected.

Here is the importance of this belief. If the opinions of men can be held as authoritative over the Word of God, then we inevitably end up with contradiction. Let me give you an example from just a few weeks ago. On October 11, 2017 Pope Francis declared that the death penalty was “contrary to the gospel”. The problem is that the catechism of the Catholic church adopted in 1992 and revised in 1997 doesn’t exclude the use of the death penalty. However, the catholic church doesn’t have a problem with new revelation. Pope Francis states this explicitly in his speech. “it’s not sufficient to find a new language to announce the faith of always; it is necessary and urgent that, faced with the new challenges and new horizons that are opening for humanity, the church can express the new things of the Gospel of Christ that, while enclosed in the Word of God, have not yet come to light.” What he is saying is that our interpretation of Scripture should change to match the culture! Worse, in stating that the death penalty is “contrary to the gospel” he is saying that God got it wrong in His Word! clearly demonstrates the authority of the government to take life.

I bring this up to emphasize that sola scriptura is not something that was only necessary in 1517. It is necessary today! As the people of God we must know and submit ourselves to the Word of God!

Scripture alone is our authority and must always remain our authority.

The second pillar mandated by the first is…

3. Sola Fide

This Latin phrase means faith alone. With this assertion we get into the soteriology (belief about salvation) of the reformation. The point of this phrase is that salvation is by faith alone. We will repeat ourselves a little but with faith alone and grace alone. Please bear with me.

We will repeat ourselves a little but with faith alone and grace alone. Please bear with me.

Turn to .

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We are saved by faith in Christ! Salvation is not of ourselves. It is a gift of God. It does not come by works. Therefore, we have no basis from which to boast. To be clear. It is not the presence of faith itself that saves us. It is the object of our faith. This is made abundantly clear in (S).

Romans 4:5 NKJV

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Faith is credited as righteousness when we believe in Jesus Christ! He is the one who declares the ungodly to be righteous based on their faith! No amount of good works can ever lead to salvation. Why not? Apart from Christ we do not have any good works! Isaiah says our righteousness is like filthy rags (). Paul says it is all like dung ().

My works cannot accomplish my salvation! It is by faith alone.

There are today segments of “Christianity” that continue to claim the necessity of works for salvation. For example, the catholic church demands adherence to the sacraments. However, this is nowhere demanded in Scripture, hence sola scriptura, and it violates clear statements in the Word of God, hence solo fide. The third pillar is…

The third pillar is…

4. Sola Gratia

This Latin phrase means by grace alone. With Sola fide and sola gratia, Martin Luther and the other reformers were contending against the practice of indulgences. The pope at the time was selling forgiveness of sin or time off of purgatory that could be purchased for oneself or others. This money was then used to fund the various pet projects of the pope. Through their study of the Word of God, the reformers concluded that forgiveness of sin came by grace through faith. This is stated right here in .

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Salvation is by grace through faith. Grace, but its very definition, cannot be something that is earned or purchased. Therefore, the selling of indulgences was an abhorrent practice that left people with a false feeling of safety and security. While indulgences are no longer sold, they are still given in return for certain works. The belief that grace and faith plus works is needed for forgiveness of sin remains a strong teaching of the Catholic church. This teaching is also found in Seventh Day Adventism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and many other organizations that are lumped under the “christian” banner. Turn to , .

Romans 4:1–5 NKJV

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Romans 4:20–25 NKJV

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

Abraham didn’t work, He believed. If we are saved by our works, then we are receiving a wage, not a gift. Since salvation is by grace, it must be by grace alone or it is not grace at all! Vv. 23-25 state that righteousness is imputed or credited to us who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Since salvation comes by grace through faith alone, works can have nothing to do with it.

The fourth pillar is…

5. Solo Christo

The Latin phrase is sometimes listed as solus Christus, either way the meaning is Christ alone or through Christ alone. This point has to do with the priesthood of the believer and the high priestly role of Christ. Catholic doctrine states that while Christ is the mediator between God and men, there must also be a mediator between Christ and men. Into this role of mediation they have traditionally placed Mary. However, with the exalted position given to Mary by the church there arises a need for there to exist a mediator between man and Mary as well. This role is filled by the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. From the Pope to Cardinals to archbishops to Bishops to priests to deacons and finally to the people.

In answering this doctrine we are taken back to sola scriptura. The biggest and most glaring failure of this teaching is two fold. First, this is nowhere taught in Scripture. Second, this is directly contradicted in Scripture. Turn to .

Revelation 1:4–6 NKJV

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Has made us kings and priests Revelation 1:4-6

John states here that we have been made priests. This is past tense! We don’t need priests to intercede or mediate for us because we are priests! says that we are a royal priesthood! We are priests! Connected to this is the High Priestly ministry of Christ. Consider (S).

We are priests! Connected to this is the High Priestly ministry of Christ. Consider (S).

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We are priests! Connected to this is the High Priestly ministry of Christ. Consider (S).

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15–16 NKJV

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Christ is our high priest. We are priests. With these two truths we are able to come boldly before the throne of grace! Paul writes to Timothy and makes it abundantly clear that there is only one mediator between God and men (). One God, one mediator. This is an exclusive statement. There is only one mediator.

One mediator between God and men. 1 Timothy 2:5

1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

One God, one mediator. This is an exlusive statement. There is only one mediator.

A second aspect to this is the reality that salvation is found in Christ alone. We have seen this explicitly stated in (S).

A second aspect to this is the reality that salvation is found in Christ alone. We have seen this explicited stated in (S).

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jesus Christ Himself left no illusions about the exclusive nature of salvation. Consider His words in (S).

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

There is salvation in no other! No other name by which we must be saved! He is the way the truth and the life!

Salvation comes by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone!

This brings us to the fifth and final pillar…

6. Soli Deo Gloria

This Latin phrase means “to the glory of God alone”. I’m going to give you a big word to remember, doxological. This last sola has to do with the doxological purpose of God. This simply means that everything God does is ultimately for His glory. The final supreme purpose of man, of life, of salvation, creation, and even our glorification is the glory of God! We are not saved for our own glory. We are not sanctified merely for our own good. All things are about the glory of God! To be really transparent here, this is a point that back in Bible school myself and several other students debated and struggled with. To say that everything is about God’s glory makes God sound selfish and self serving. However, that flows from an insufficient view of God. When we state that God does all things for His glory, that His glory is His highest purpose; we must not forget that it is also our highest good! The reality is that purpose, meaning, joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life have their ultimate realization in the glorification of God! What do I mean by that? I find purpose in my life when I live for His glory. Joy regardless of circumstances is found when I realize that even my trials bring God glory as I rely on His strength! Fulfillment, satisfaction, and meaning come when I recognize and embrace that I exist for the glory of God!

Because we exist for the glory of God, our lives are not ours to do with what we want! We are purchased possessions of the King of kings and we must glorify Him! makes this abundantly clear (S).

1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Everything is to be done to the glory of God! Everything means just what it says. Do all things to the glory of God! Turn to , .

Turn to , .

Ephesians 1:3–6 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:11–14 NKJV

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

We are saved for His glory! Given grace for His glory! Redeemed for His glory!

Everything is about the glory of God!

Our final point this morning is the second half of the reformation slogan…

7. Semper Reformanda - Always Reforming

This may be better translated, “Always being reformed”. The reformers were not naive or conceited enough to believe that their reforms would be all that was ever necessary. They simply believed that the reforms they were espousing would be the first in a continual reformation that would seek to always be more closely aligned with Scripture.

This is where we find ourselves today. In need of the reforming grace of God to draw us ever closer in conformity to the Word of God. I am very thankful for the reformers. I shudder to think where the church would be if not for them. However, we must always remember that it is the Word of God that is our final authority, not the reformers. We respect and honor these men who put their lives on the line to bring reformation, but they are not our authority. We love history, but history is not our final authority either. Our authority comes from the Word of God! The church does not reform itself, “the church is the object of God's reforming work.”

The close of 2 Peter sums this point up well. (S).

As we submit and yield to the Holy Spirit, He will reform us. As the individuals who comprise the church are reformed, so the church will be. May we be drawn ever closer in conformity to Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:17–18 NKJV

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

As we submit and yield to the Holy Spirit, He will reform us. As the individuals who comprise the church are reformed, so the church will be.

May we be drawn continually closer in conformity to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

God's sovereignty is displayed as we see Him working through Wycliffe and using his writings to influence Huss who in turn influenced Luther. We see God’s sovereignty as we consider the invention of the printing press and its use to spread the truth. God is sovereign in the affairs of men! He is in control and He is orchestrating the events of my life and yours! He is working all things to the praise of his glory!

I trust we have seen the importance of Scripture alone. Of salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ alone and for the glory of God alone! Any other method of “salvation” leaves you hopeless and helpless! Scripture is the foundation for everything. Everything that came out of the reformation was founded on the Word of God. As we continue to cling to the Word, may we experience continual reformation. We neglect this book to our peril.

Now just as much as any other time we need an unrelenting adherence to the truth of God’s Word.

We must seek continual reformation, continual growth, continual conformity to Christ.

When God’s glory is our highest priority, our greatest satisfaction, safety, security, peace, joy, and fulfillment is found.

Live on the basis of Scripture alone. Walk by grace through faith alone in Christ alone for God’s glory alone, always being transformed.

#363 “More Love To Thee” verse 1

Ephesians 2:1–10 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

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