Sermon Tone Analysis

Three days ago, it was the 502th anniversary of the beginning of what is called the Protestant Reformation.

On 10/31/1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian Hermit monk, nailed the famous 95 Thesis on the door of the church at the castle of Wittenberg, a town in Saxony (now part of Germany) that then was part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Such nailing did not have the purpose of rebelling against the Roman Catholic Church, but of expressing some of the theological findings Luther had made as he studied the Scriptures.

His studies of the Word had led him to experience a personal encounter with Christ, and as a consequence, to an understanding of them.

“At last meditating day and night, by the mercy of God, I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that through which the righteous live by a gift of God, namely by faith.

Here I felt as if I were entirely born again and had entered paradise itself through the gates that had been flung open.”

He was illuminated by the Holy Spirit and could understand the Scriptures.

His findings could be summarized as the Five Solas.

Which are the Five Solas of our Faith?

Sola Fide (By Faith Alone).

Initially, as a typical Roman Catholic, he was taught that man, through his good works, had a role in salvation.

In others words, man would do his part, and God would do His.

But a closer examination of , led him to an understanding of the righteousness of God, and to conclude that, without grace, man is unable to respond to God, and can be justified only through faith by the merits of Christ imputed to him.

Rom 1:1

Regarding the righteousness of God, for years, Luther had hated that concept.

He said, “I hated that word, ‘the righteousness of God’, by which I had been taught according to the custom and use of all teachers… that God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner.”

Of course, he knew that he was not righteous!

Finally, he had understood it!

In his new understanding of Scripture, Luther believed that justification is a work of God within man and not a work of God within God’s heart.

But such new theological position was contrary to one of the practices of the Church of that time: the sale of indulgences (the money used to finish building the St Peter’s church in Rome).

Also against the belief that donations to the Church would grant favor toward salvation to the wealthy donors.

The study and understanding of the Book of Romans would give Luther a solid support for his new belief.

Verse such as became very clear to Him:

The study and understanding of the Book of Romans would give Luther a solid support for his new belief.

Verse such as became very clear to Him:

Rom 5:1

Sola Scriptura (By the Scriptures Alone).

The phrase describes the theological principle that the Scriptures are the final norm in all judgments of faith and practice.

Throughout the centuries, the Bible and its authority had been placed in the same level of human teachings (the Traditions and the Popes’ teachings and decrees).

Illust.

Conversation with a Pentecostal lady about requirements for pastors.

The answer was: “But, I think…!”

It was obvious that, by holding this “Sola Scriptura” position, Luther was declaring that neither the Pope nor the Church Councils were the authority in matters of faith.

The reaction of Pope Leo X (Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici), a member of one of the wealthiest families in Florence and son of the ruler of the Florentine Republic, could have been, “Who is this man to question my authority?”

Leo X instructed the order of the Augustine to judge him for heresy.

The punishment was to be burned alive.

They could not condemn him because he was supported by many priests.

Luther appeared before the Diet of Augsburg, but the Church leaders could not convinced him to retract.

Frederick of Saxony gave him his support, protected him, and helped to flee to Wittenberg.

Man and tradition are fallible, but Scripture, the Word of God, is perfect and cannot fail:

When Luther was asked to recant of his declarations, he appealed to the testimony of the Scriptures, saying:

“Unless I can be instructed and convinced with evidence from the Holy Scriptures or with open, clear, and distinct grounds of reasoning … then I cannot and will not recant, because it is neither safe nor wise to act against conscience.”

Then he added, “Here I stand.

I can do no other.

God help me!

Amen.”

Sola Gratia (By Grace Alone).

For Luther, the only reason for which man is saved is God’s grace.

Sin has depraved man and he cannot do anything to deserve or achieve salvation.

His efforts or good works are not enough.

Grace cannot be deserved either!

psa 32:1-2

The book of Romans taught him that, regarding salvation, grace and works cannot be mixed.

Rom 9:30-33

Solo Christus (In Christ Alone).

The phrase summarizes the belief that salvation is by faith in Christ alone; that is through the atoning work of Christ, apart from individual’s works, and that Christ is the only mediator between God and man.

Christ took our sins and died in our place.

His obedience is imputed to us, his righteousness is also imputed to us,

5

Such belief rejected the teaching that saints were intermediaries and that the Pope was the Pontifice (builder of bridges between man and God).

Such belief rejected the teaching that saints were intermediaries and that the Pope was the Pontifice (builder of bridges between man and God).

Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone).

This is the logical result of the previous Solas.

If man’s works had to do with salvation, man could boast, but if it has nothing to do with the work of salvation, then the glory can be only for God.

God is the only one who does the entire work of salvation.

Therefore, all glory is for Him:

If man has nothing to do with the work

11

Conclusion: Review, and give glory to God for your salvation.