The church reformed and always reforming

Now that can sound like we are just changing. But the complete statement was Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda, secundum verbi dei! Which translates, "reformed and always being reformed according to the Word of God.

Today we're going to go through the 5 solas of the reformation or the 5 Alones of the reformation, they are:

By Scripture Alone

In Christ Alone

By Grace Alone

By Faith Alone

To the Glory of God Alone.

The first of those is Scripture alone - sola Scriptura

1. Sola Scriptura

(By Scripture Alone) – asserts the Bible must determine church traditions and interpretations. All church practices and doctrines must be in unity with the teaching of Scripture, the divinely inspired Word of God.

It was not by Scripture and tradition, it was by Scripture alone. This does not mean that the Roman Catholic church of the time did not believe in Scripture, the problem was that Rome over many centuries had gradually adopted a view of the relation between the church, Scripture, and tradition that effectively placed the final authority somewhere other than God. Tradition was conceived of as a second source of revelation, and the pope then became the final authority on matters of faith and practice. In this SOLA of the reformation, the reformers were saying it is not Scripture AND ______________ fill in the blank, it was by Scripture alone, it was a call back to Scripture as the final authority.

Joshua 1:8 ESV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

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.

Hymn #571 Trust and Obey vs. 1 (Refrain twice)

2. Solus Christus or Solo Christo

(Christ alone” or “through Christ alone”) This expression indicates that Christ is the exclusive mediator between God and man. In other words, there is salvation through no other person, or on account of no other person’s intervention or intercession. The phrase is sometimes rendered, solo Christo, since salvation is “by Christ alone.”

The problem was not that the Catholic church disagreed on the person of Christ. The debate centered on the sacramental system that Rome had constructed, a system in which the grace of Christ was mediated to the people through an elaborate system of priests and sacramental works. Through this sacramental system, the Roman church effectively controlled the Christian’s life from birth (baptism) to death (extreme unction) and even beyond (masses for the dead).

Martin Luther and other Reformers realized that this elaborate system of works obscured the person and work of Christ as it is so clearly taught in Scripture.

Romans 8:1–4 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Colossians 1:15–20 ESV

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Hymn #151 A Mighty Fortress is Our God vs. 1-2

3. Sola Gratia

(“by Grace Alone”) - These words express the idea that a person’s merit is excluded from having any part in salvation. Salvations comes by divine grace, God’s “unmerited favor,” and not as something offered, exchanged, or sacrificed by the sinner. Salvation is a gift, an unearned blessing from God for Christ’s sake.

The doctrine of grace underlies everything said regarding the state of the fallen sinner, election, calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, and more. The point the reformers were making is that we are not saved by pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. The sinner is not a drowning person who merely needs to do their part by reaching out to grab the life preserver tossed by God. No, the sinner is in a far more serious condition. They cannot grab a life preserver because they are not merely drowning. They are a cold, dead, lifeless corpse at the bottom of the sea. If the sinner is to be saved, cooperation with God is impossible, salvation will be an act of pure grace, and grace alone, on the part of God.

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.

Titus 3:4–5 ESV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Hymn #11 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing vs. 1 & 3

4. Sola Fide

(“by faith alone”) – these words declare that good works are not the means by which salvation is attained; neither are they required nor accepted by God for granting salvation. Sola fide is the teaching that justification is received by faith alone, without the need for good works on the part of the believing individual. Good works are viewed as evidence of saving faith; they do not determine salvation. Justification is entirely the gracious work of God. Good works are the result of the righteousness of Christ having been received by faith; they are the evidence of that righteousness having been reckoned by God to the believer. It is only as a justified person that one is enabled to do anything acceptable in the sight of God.

Romans 4:20–21 ESV

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hymn #147 How Great Thou Art vs 1 - 4

5. Sola Deo Gloria

(glory to God alone) – teaches that all glory is due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished through his will and his action. Not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross, but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit, is the sole work of God.

Soli Deo gloria is not precisely parallel to the other four solas because in one sense, it is both the beginning and the end of the other four. The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures to the glory of God alone. Christ humbled Himself to the point of death and was raised and exalted to the right hand of the Father to the glory of God alone. Grace and mercy are offered to rebellious sinners to the glory of God alone. Justification is by faith alone to the glory of God alone. Soli Deo gloria, therefore, is central.

It is important to understand that when we talk about God’s glory, we are talking first and foremost about an attribute of God. As the Westminster Confession of Faith explains: “God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself.” He is the God of glory (Acts 7:2). He also manifests His glory in the works of creation and redemption, most significantly in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:8).

God also glorifies Himself in and through the church. We as believers are called to do whatever we do to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). We are to use our gifts to serve one another “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 4:10–11). The Psalms are filled from beginning to end with ascriptions of praise to the glory of God, and this demonstrates where the focus of the church’s worship should be. Worship does not exist for our entertainment. Worship exists for the glory of God alone.

Psalm 115:1 ESV

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Isaiah 42:8 ESV

I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Revelation 15:4 ESV

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Hymn #3 Holy, Holy, Holy vs. 1 & 2

Communion (we will go straight into Communion from the hymn).

Closing Hymn

Hymn #151 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God vs. 3 – 4.

Related Media

Related Sermons