(Sola's - Reformation Day) Why we still need the the Reformation

INTRODUCTION:

This week we celebrate an important date, but I am not talking about Halloween.

We celebrate many historical Holidays as American’s.

4th of July

Veterans Day

Presidents Day

Martin Luther King Day.

Thanksgiving.

As Christians, Easter and Christmas are important historical holidays.

But may I suggest, there is one other holiday that every Christian should take time to remember - including the reason behind the holiday.

nd,

October 31st is the 500th Anniversary of the start of the Reformation.

CAVEAT: Now I understand, many of us love history; but many more of us loath history. Please be patient with me because I do not intend to simply give a history lesson; but contend that this history is vitally important for us to remember today.

Also, By principal, I typically preach passage by passage; trusting in the sufficiency of Scripture to meet our needs as Christians. But today we will be looking at doctrinal topic which deals with the basic tennets of our faith.

What does it mean to be a believer?

What does it mean to be a believer.

So I ask for your patience this morning and a little bit of lattitude with the text.

Oct 31, 1517 is the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis on the Wittenberg Castle Church.

The 95 Thesis was an academic paper, in Latin, unreadable to most of the German people.

It was meant to post his debate points at an upcomming debate

- proposed a limit to the Pope’s Authorty to offer forgiveness.

- proposed a limit to the Pope’s Authorty to offer forgiveness.

- And identified true salvation by Faith in Jesus Christ; not works or grace from the church.

Now, in fairness,

Martin Luther never attended to actually start a mass Populist movement against the church of Rome. - this is why it was in Latin and not German.

The 95 Thesis was written in Latin, the Academic Language of the day, unreadable to the common German of the day, in preperation for a debate between scholars at the Wittenburg College.

However, there were a number of other factors that ignited the reformation.

At the same time as the 95 Thesis; the Gutenburg Press was providing more and more reading material to the public.

The demand for written, publishable material was so high; that Luther’s 95 Thesis was copied and translated into German for public sell.

So thanks to the invention of the Gutenburg Press; the common person begin to hear the true Gospel and the importance of Scripture as being the final authority.

Further,

Among the Academics there was a renewed interest in the Original languages and the original manuscripts;

- for the purpose of rendering the Latin Bible more accurate;

- and to translate the Bible into the common tongue of European people.

which meant that the Academics more focused on the truth found in Scripture.

These influences, along with considerable prolitical maneurving; are why the 95 Thesis started a Reformation of the Christian Church.

The 95 Thesis was essentially the match that started the fire.

With this understanding of Reformation Day, October 31st, I would like us to fast forward to the resulting outcome.

Today, we will be considering

Much more can be said to explain and clarify why the Reformation took off with the publication of Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis

But instead, I would like to focus on the major tenents that were formulated by the Reformation - and why they are important today.

Today, we will be considering

95 Thes

By the end of the Reformation - the reformers across Europe: Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and many others, had come to agree upon 5 major tenets of the reformation .

May I suggest, as true Gospel believers;

PROPOSITION: We Must Hold to the 5 Tennets of the Reformation.

TRANSITIONAL STATEMENT: And this morning we will look why the 5 Tenets are Essential for Gospel Believing Christians.

What I attend to do this morning; is to briefly -

Review Why the Reformers Sought Reformation in each of these Tenets.

The Scriptural Basis for these Tenets.

And Why we still need them today. - Why does this history matter.

EXPLANATION: Now as we consider these five tennets - may I also just mention that they are often referred to as the 5 “Sola’s” because they all include a word we would translate as all.

So if you hear someone say, the 5 Sola’s; then you know they are simply talking about the 5 tennets of the reformation.

The first tennet of the Reformation;

1. Scripture Alone

The Situation:

We might wonder; how was there a reformation at all.

A major diffirence between Protestant churches and Catholic churches - is that the Catholic church believes in Scripture and the Teaching of the church as being authortative.

In other words - who can officially speak for God.

The pope was selling forgiveness away. - So Why not just keep buying forgiveness.

The Catholic Answer - Scripture and the Church.

The Protestant answer - Scripture Alone.

The Catholic Church promosed forgiveness through Baptism, Communion, Confession, and Good Works. - So what do you need Christ for.

Only Scripture is truly the Words of God.

But the Reformers were astitute theologians.

Why was this important in the day of the Reformers.

Martin Luther for several years prior to 1517 had walked in fear and despair - why?

As he studied Scripture - he realized how great sin had sway over him.

It is not to say that the was slack in being monk; but that his dilligence forced him to recognize he was desperately sinful.

- He was afraid that he might forget to confess a sin he was blind to.

- More than once he had a sinful thought while leaving confession - and thus needing more confession.

For literally hundreds of years; the Catholic church taught that simply belief in Christ was not enough.

But that you could go to pergutory - a place of punishment - until you could work your sin off.

Latter; the church began to sell forgiveness.

In 1514 - 3 years before the 95 Thesis - the Pope (Leo X) grants the right for all of a person’s sin to be forgiven for a certain price. In other words; skip pergutory.

And so he releazed that Baptism, Communion, Confession, and Good Works was not enough to save him -

and so he was in despair.

In 1515, 2 years prior to the 95 Thesis he began to teach on the Book of Romans.

In the course of that study he read - .

But is there a Scripture that declares a doctrine of Pergutory? And the answer is none - but the Catholic church declares pergutory exists and so there is the final answer.

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

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

Does Scripture allow a church or church leader to sell forgivenss?

declares -

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

1 Corinthians 15:3 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

John 14:6 ESV

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

The answer is No - Forgiveness happens only by the shed blood of Christ upon Calvary.

And so church teaching - and Scripture are apposed to each other.

The debate is which is

S

And so the reformers opposed the church teaching by siding Scripture - thus the doctrine of Scripture alone.

Think of How sad this was? That sinners needing to hear the Gospel; instead are clutching on to the hope that the Pope can grant forgiveness because I paid him - only to find himself at death; standing before God still in his guilt, in eternal punishment.

The reformers had to declare - by Scripture alone we ought to live before God.

Now this is not only a reformation idea. Or just a practical wisdom.

gives us the Scriptural reason for Scripture alone.

The Scriptural Basis for Scripture Alone: .

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Timothy 3:16 ESV

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

2 Timothy 2:16–17 ESV

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

-1

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

I know this is a familiar passage to many of us; but may I suggest 3 implications.

a. All of Scripture is God’s Word.

b. All Scripture is fully able to change us.

c. Scripture as a whole gives us everything we need.

We realize the answer to every life question and every life problem begins and ends in Scripture.

We are in need of no other truth to answer the questions of eternal life or for help in the time of struggle.

Sinners in the 1500s didn’t need the pope - they only needed the Word of God.

May I suggest, sinners in 2017 also need the Word of God alone.

The Importance in the Modern World:

Now as American’s, 500 years latter; we don’t struggle with whether to listen blindly to the teachings of the pope or not.

In fact, we are more likely to ignore him then listen to him.

But we still need to hold to Scripture Alone - just like the reformers.

In our day, deffection from the truth of Scripture alone is just as big of a problem as in the middle ages.

How do we add other sources besides Scripture to our lives?

How do we struggle?

We listen and look for solution to our suffering, our needs, and our idols - outside Scripture.

For example;

Just like people in the reformers day could look outside

We cover up our sin and our need for Christ - with false phsyods of righteousness,

Spiritual exercises void of Christ, but rich in Spirituality;

or we just plain deny our problems.

We live in pluraltiy world where we can say; You main need Christ, but I am just fine. I am really not that bad of a person

- when in fact we are exactly that bad of a person.

Another way,

We think pop pschology can fix our marriages, our parenting, and our suffering better than Christ.

Who needs Christ and His Word; when I can just take more time for myself, remember to breathe, and channel anger.

and knievly We think we think we actually have solved our marriage, parenting, depression, financial, self-control, and anger problems through quick tricks of Psychology.

When in reality; we have either delayed or just rechanneled our selfish idoltrious love of things;

In all of those cases, what we truly need is the transformative purfying power of His Word..

But we live in a day in which

-Idolatry is ignored.

AND

- The igenuity of man is exalted.

Christian and unbeliever alike.

Which means we are more likely to look to the world for help - then to run to our Bibles, or to other believers for help.

Even as Christians; I caution you. Look to Scripture Alone.

Remember, tells us we have everything we need for faith and Godliness.

That doesn’t mean there is not good medical help; good financial books, Good business books that can we use.

But also do not pretend for a second that the real need you have is not the new life, the incredible peace, the blessed hope found in Scripture.

Many have noted; it is the Word the fueled the reformation more than anthing else.

ILLUSTRATION:

We think if we absorb ourselves into hobbies, jobs, or

Imagine being someone who realized the religous practices of his day; lef thim needing forgiveness.

And when Martin Luther read that Passage.

It clicked.

I can’t get salvation through works. - It was by Grace Alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone that Salvation could be found.

We need to remember to live by Scripture alone.

2. 3 Tennets of Salvation.

We might wonder; how there was a reformation at all.

Faith Alone

We might wonder; how was there a reformation at all.

The pope was selling forgiveness - So Why not just keep buying forgiveness.

The Catholic Church also promoted forgiveness through Baptism, Communion, Confession, and Good Works. - So what do you need Christ for.

Just follow the ordiances of the church - be a good person - and buy forgiveness as your whole life insurance policy.

But the Reformers were astitute theologians.

Martin Luther for several years prior to 1517 had walked in fear and despair - why?

As he studied Scripture - he realized how overwhelmingly controlled by sin

It is not to say that the was slack in being a monk; but that his dilligence forced him to recognize he was desperately sinful.

- He was afraid that he might forget to confess a sin he was blind to.

- More than once he had a sinful thought while leaving confession - and thus needing more confession.

And so he realized that Baptism, Communion, Confession, and Good Works was not enough to save him - for he was exceedingly sinful

and so he was in despair. He was frustrated, scared, and lost - in the sense of a lost sheep; knowing he could not live a life good enough to stand before a Holy Just God.

APPLICATION:

May that be a warning to us - if a devote monk like Martin Luther realizes he has many holes in holiness - I guarantee we all have many holes in our holiness requiring the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1515, 2 years prior to the 95 Thesis he began to teach on the Book of Romans.

In the course of that study he read - . This passage is litterally the passage the made Martin Luther a believer in Christ Alone by Grace alone through faith alone.

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

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

Imagine being someone who realized the religous practices of his day; left him with a debt of sin needing forgiveness.

And then reading this passage.

It clicked.

I can’t get salvation through works. - It is by Christ alone by grace alone, through faith alone that Salvation could be found.

Remember - the Catholic church in his day listed Baptism, commiunion, and the selling of forgiveness as the means to be cleansed from sin.

Good works helped both remove the debt, but also add righteousness to our account.

But Martin Luther realized he could never meet God’s standard. - He was to wicked.

But in reading this verse; he realized 3 major tennets of salvation had nothing to do with works to remove sin or add righteousness.

You see - he had looked at all the other places, but found empty.

But when he looked to Scripture he found the answers to life’s questions.

What kind of salvation did Luther discover as he studied Scripture?

As we consider the tennets of the Reformation - 3 of the tennets are directly related to salvation. And are so intertwined that to talk about one is to talk about the other 2.

First, let’s consider

a. Grace Alone.

Our Scriptures are flooded with a new Testament word we call “grace”.

A proper definition is the unmerited blessing upon a person.

And our Scriptures declare over and over that the Salvation found in the Gospel - is grace; the unmerited blessing upon humanity.

Titus 2:11 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

”11

When Christ entered the world; God was intervening with grace among humanity.

God was reaching down; and pulling us back to him.

Which - given it is grace; What does that mean?

We are not pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps - this is the unmerited merciful gift of God.

In fact, we can make the case of that broadly in ; but that is exactly what tell us.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

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.

We are saved by Grace alone.

There is nothing in this world or after this world that can save us - it is purely the grace of God.

Which causes us to consider the next tennet.

b. Faith alone.

By what means is the grace of God applied to sinners?

It is by Faith.

That is the point of that Luther read; and of that we read.

Now we have already affirmed Salvation is by Grace alone.

But how do we muck grace up in our faith?

Application:

the grace of faith can be mucked up when we think it depends on how hard, or how pure, or how much I believe in Christ.

it is amazing to consider how louldy we proclaim that salvation is by grace alone;

yet in contradictory we all at times question whether our we believed enough.

Or in the millenial way of putting it - do I have authentic faith in Christ.

Thus we turn faith into works.

Isnt that the error of Pentacostalism, Charismaticism, and the Word-Faith movement?

They have turned faith into works.

Now certainly, grace alone clarifies that we ought to have faith alone.

But the next tennet really makes this struggle philisophicall, theologically, and practically obvious.

Our salvation is by:

c. Christ Alone.

If we struggle with doubting our salvation; than probably the greatest correction to that error is to consider Christ.

The reason we can be assured that our faith is not based on our works; grace alone - is because of the object of our faith.

Both because of who Christ is and what he has done; we can declare with confidence we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb.

If you would consider Colossians again.

Just over a year ago we completed the book of Colossians.

Colossians is one of my favorite Epistles.

declares;

Colossians 1:15 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

In other Words; Christ is God with all his attributes.

By the time we get to ; we learn that Christ did not simply die for our sins on the cross.

He did that, praise God.

But he did more than that.

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The one we call God, is the one who died for us, rose again, and will return in glory.

But the one we called God also made us one with Christ.

So that when he died, we died.

he rose again, we rose again.

he returns with glory, we return with glory.

We are like this with Chirst.

For my salvation to fail; God has to fail.

Which is why is such a powerful statement.

Romans 8:31–35 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

When we consider the scriptures that declare our salvation is:

Christ Alone

Grace Alone

Faith Alone

Is there any way my works can save me? NO

Is there any way my works can cause me to loose my salvation? NO

Which a subordinate question:

Can I do any religious acts to save me? NO

Can my faith in the Gospel fall short of saving me? NO

Have Peace;

We are saved in Christ Alone, By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone.

The final major tenet of the Reformation is:

3. Glory of God Alone

The Situation:

The Situation:

This is perhaps the most forgotten and most neglected tenet of the reformation.

The Situation:

The Church of Rome was noted by many to be ridiculously lavished.

These clergy are literally living like kings.

There building like palaces.

Socially they act like Kings.

The Church of Rome - at the time of Luther - was noted for being worried about it’s own majestic glory.

The reformers liberated themselves from this way of life - because they recognized their need to give God the Glory.

This is perhaps the most forgotten and most neglected tenet of the reformation.

Yet, the Word glory is used all over the place in the NT.

It is so common; it is one of the standard words memorized by NT Greek students.

Not because of it’s theological significance; but it is just so common.

The Situation:

The Church of Rome was noted by many to be ridiculously lavished.

These clergy are literally living like kings.

There building like palaces.

Socially they act like Kings.

The Church of Rome - at the time of Luther - was noted for being worried about it’s majestic glory.

Ephesians 1:11–12 ESV

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

Why did Christ die for our sins?

Partly he loved sinners - .

Partly because God desires the praise of you and me.

Our Salvation according to this passage is to: be to the praise of his glory.

John Calvin said this,

“We never truly glory in him until we have utterly discarded our own glory. . . . The elect are justified by the Lord, in order that they may glory in him, and in none else.” (John Calvin)

VanDrunen, David. God's Glory Alone---The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life: What the Reformers Taught...and Why It Still Matters (The Five Solas Series) (p. 13). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

VanDrunen, David. God's Glory Alone---The Majestic Heart of Christian Faith and Life: What the Reformers Taught...and Why It Still Matters (The Five Solas Series) (p. 13). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

So as we consider all matters of life.

How do we worship? Is it to the Glory of God.

How do we live in and outside the church? Is it to the Glory of God.

Should I take this job or that job? Does it bring God glory.

Am I parenting correctly? Does it bring God glory.

His glory should cause us to consider our sin - whether anger, bitterness … selfishness…pornography....

What ever it is, his glory should cause us to desire to change.

Further,

Now we live in McDonald Consumer world.

We live in McDonald Consumer world.

We as Americans almost always make our life choices on if it is the best gig for me.

But is that really our calling?

To often we make life choices based on what I get out of it.

Yet, If I understand this verse.

There many activities people can do, churches can do.

God saved us so we can go out and glorify Him.

Our primary choice making criteria should be the glory of God.

Whether we are talking about our church services; or we are talking about major life choices or and the everday decisions.

Our primary motivation ought to be - does it bring Glory to God.

Application:

Consider this,

If we truly believe that God has saved the helpless - that is us - by his Grace through the incredible act of the Gospel

Should we not respond by giving him praise with our thoughts, lips, and choices?

God deserves glory - and his glory should change the choices we make.

CONCLUSION:

So in light of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation; let us consider the major tenets of the reformers.

As we considered:

the reformers struggle.

the Biblical basis for championing the tenets.

and the modern significance.

We ought to conclude,

PROPOSITION: We Must Hold to the 5 Tenets of the Reformation with all our hearts, souls, and mind.

That is:

Many theologians have

To deny:

Scripture Alone

Grace Alone

Faith Alone

Christ Alone

Glory to God Alone

Many Theologians have noted -

To deny one of these - in the end becomes the denial of them all.

These are the essentials of being a Christian.

If you deny these - than you are not a believer in Christianity.

This is why Mormonism, Catholicism, and host of other religions are not apart of Christianity.

Because they deny one or more of these basic truths.

Further,

These truths should govern our everyday lives.

From the fears and anxieties we experience in the loneliness of night -

to controlling our sinful hearts as God allows our idols to be challenged.

onto the major life choices we must make

and of course the question of eternal life.

These tenets must be apart of your everyday Biblical thinking.

May we stand firm, through prosperity and persecution, to these Biblical tenets.