Sola Scriptura

Welcome

Announcements

Just Started our New Reformation Study this morning. Join us next week

We started a new phase in our Puritan Study last Wednesday. We looked at the forming of the Westminster Confession, and this week we begin to look at specific theological aspects of Puritan thought.

Starting Next Sunday I will begin my first special series as we spend 6 weeks exploring The 5 Solas of the Reformation. Learning how it was that the faith that we practice today was rediscovered through trial and turmoil beginning 504 years ago. This will culminate in a Reformation Day Celebration on the evening of Oct 31st. 504 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the castle door in Vittenburg.

Our farmers market concludes this Saturday, the 25th of Sept. So come out and support our vendors. On Oct 10th, we will be inviting all the vendors to join us for worship, and then having a potluck dinner as a means of thanks to all of them. So plan for dinner after church that day.

Prepare for Worship

Call To Worship

Responsive Reading pg 370 Hebrews 4:11-16

Song - pg 19 - To God be The Glory

Confession

Prayer of Confession

Almighty God, since you have with much patience endured our sins against you and delayed the punishment which we deserve and daily bring upon ourselves, grant that we may not indulge ourselves but carefully consider how often and in how many different ways we have provoked your wrath against us. May we learn humbly to present ourselves to you for pardon, and with true repentance beg your mercy. With all our heart we desire to submit ourselves to you, whether you rebuke us, or according to your infinite goodness, forgive us. Let our condition be ever blessed, not by flattering ourselves in our indifference, but by finding you to be our kind and bountiful Father, reconciled to us in your only-begotten Son. Amen.

Assurance of Faith

Psalm 103.8,10-12

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He has not dealt wit us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Confession of Faith - Join me in the back page of the Westminster Handout as we read our Confession of faith

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church*, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Worship

Song 1- Pg 177 In Christ Alone

Song 2 - pg 353 O Church Arise

Prayers of the People

Prayer Request

Hollinger Family, Lewis Family, All those facing mandatory vaccinations

Lords Prayer: Found on the back cover of the Westminster Hand out

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy

kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us

this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our

debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

Scripture Alone

Introduction to the concept of Reformation

October 31st, 1517, Marin Luther, 95 Theses

Reformation began earlier, but most attribute to Luther, Ulrych Zwingli, and of course John Calvin

Reformation was not a desire to break off from Catholic church, but rather to reform it, remake it, in the image of what was found in Scripture

The ultimate catalyst of Reformation was the rediscovery of the Greek text of Scripture (Erasmus), and the printing Press

Introduction to the 5 Solas

The five underlying theological principles of the reformation

Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria

Not necessarily presented by any of the reformers in one collective work, but ultimately served as the key points upon which Protestant faith was born

They provide us with a gerat framework to understand what the reformation was about

Introduction to the Reformers and the Puritans

Along with the 5 Solas we are going to look at five key historical figures whose writings and live corresponded to the principles of reformation

The 5 Johns: Calvin, Knox, Bunyan, Owen, Edwards. Our order will be determined by the Solas not the Johns

Look at who these men were, their dedication to the faith, and what we can learn from them today

Why The reformation?

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santanyana

Gods has worked in the church and in the world much in the same way EH works to sanctify each of us.

Through History He has given us great learning, we must strive to repeat those things that are in accord with His word, and discard those who are not.

When fighting and enemy we are to learn from past battles, and apply those techniques to the present

Sola Scriptura

This is the foundational theological point of the reformation, Scripture Alone

Like the foundation we discussed in Eph 2:20

Ephesians 2:20 ESV

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

What it is

Simplest summary is that Scripture alone is our only infallible rule of faith and practice.

Sola Scriptura must be able to be derived from Scripture

That statement rest on a few basic principles that we need to look at:

First is authority. Scripture is the ultimate authority. All of life must be examined through the lens of Scripture

The Westminster Confession of Faith Study Book: A Study Guide for Churches Of the New Testament

The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

2 Peter 1:19–21 ESV

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Second is Sufficiency. Scripture is sufficient for all of life

The Westminster Confession of Faith Study Book: A Study Guide for Churches Of the New Testament

The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture:

The Westminster Confession of Faith Study Book: A Study Guide for Churches Of the New Testament

All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them

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,

Scripture interprets Scripture. Where Scripture is clear, must be used to interpret where Scripture is unclear Look back to 2 peter 1

Final judge in all controversy

The Westminster Confession of Faith Study Book: A Study Guide for Churches Of the New Testament

The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture

Jesus applied this standard of Scripture in Matt 22:31

Matthew 22:31 ESV

And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:

Scripture is infallible. Scripture because it is the actual Word of God, is truth, therefore, there can be no error in it, otherwise God is a liar. God cannot lie. Heb 6:18

Hebrews 6:18 ESV

so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

What it is not

Sola Scriptura often misrepresented. We must realize what it does not mean

Authority. It does not mean that Scripture is the only authority.

it is the only infallible authority

It is the supreme authroity by which all other authroities must be tried

Family, Church, and Government, or anyone making truth claims

Sufficiency. Scripture is sufficient for life and practice. All we need to live a godly life is contained in Scripture.

We are not saying that all knowledge is contained within Scripture, and we need no other investigation into the world.

However, all other knowledge if found to be in conflict with the truth of Scripture must be challenged

It may not tell us how to do the math to balance the ledger at our business, but it does provide us with the principles of equal weights and measures

Interpretation. Scripture interprets Scripture.

Does not mean that no interpretation by man is necessary.

All interpretation must be tested against all of Scripture. No cherry picking.

Does not mean that all truth is revealed to every reader in the same manner.

Infallible. Means that Scripture as written down by the original authors in the original autographs is without any error.

Does not mean that at this present time we have a single collated perfect copy of Scripture

You will find differences between the KJV and the ESV. Differences are negligible and do not in any way negate any orthodox teaching of the church.

Does mean that God has preserved His word in such a way that we may someday recover the exact wording of the autographs.

Does not mean infallible translations. Originals in Greek and Hebrew.

Living Sola Scriptura

We must investigate every aspect of our faith and practice and seek out through Scripture if what we believe and how we practice that belief is actually in accordance with Scripture

We often lean heavily on tradition. Those traditions must be subject to Scripture. The ones who gave us those traditions are not infallible.

We must realize that the authority of Scripture does not stop in the heart of the Christian, or in the confines of the Christian household or business, or even the four walls of the Church. Gods word is a sword and is to be brought to bare on the entirety of existence.

John Calvin

We move on to the first of our 5 John’s

This John is probably the most instrumental of all of them in the Reformation and into the Puritan movement.

He was the one that produced all the others.

History

July 1509-May1564, 55 years old

Frenchman, born in Noyon, France, father was a notary in the church

Entered the service of the churhc at the age of 12, went to collegein Paris, first as a philosophy student, and later as a law student

His conversion was from a nominal Catholic, to a deeper faith in Christ in 1533:

Being exceedingly alarmed at the misery into which I had fallen, and much more at that which threatened me in view of eternal death, I, duty bound, made it my first business to betake myself to your way, condemning my past life, not without groans and tears. And now, O Lord, what remains to a wretch like me, but instead of defence, earnestly to supplicate you not to judge that fearful abandonment of your Word according to its deserts, from which in your wondrous goodness you have at last delivered me

Abandoned all other Studies proceeded to embark on study of faith.

Systematic Theology. Institutes of the Christian Religion

Sola Scriptura

1st book of the Institutes, treatment on the Knowledge of God.

Notes that though God reveals himself in nature, we require greater knowledge unto salvation. Found in Scripture.

In chapter 6 of the first book Calvin lays out the idea that Scripture is needed as the guide and teacher for anyone who would come to God the Creator. In the 7th He goes on to treat the authority and self authenticating nature of Scripture. The 8th the proofs of scripture, and in the 9th and 10th chapters he addressses the multitude of errors arising from a commitment to Scripture

Being the first chapter of his institutes, all doctrines after this flow from the concept of Sola Scriptura.

A life lived according to Scripture

Calvin’s desire for life was one resigned to that of intellectual study and writing.

God pulls him into ministry in Geneva by William Faurel

He helps Faurel to reform the Church in Geneva

Institutes a Confession of Faith in 1536 with the following Statement as the first article:

Calvin: Theological Treatises 1. The Word of God

First we affirm that we desire to follow Scripture alone as rule of faith and religion, without mixing with it any other thing which might be devised by the opinion of men apart from the Word of God, and without wishing to accept for our spiritual government any other doctrine than what is conveyed to us by the same Word without addition or diminution, according to the command of our Lord.

Calvin held fast to his conviction on this topic. Even to the point they drove Him out of the pulpit in Geneva.

Only to later call Him back when they realized that He was correct

How Then Shall We live?

Examine Ourselves and our view of Scripture

Self- Examination

Do I see Scripture in the same way as Calvin?

Is it the absolute standard of truth in my life?

Am I open to correction on how I view and understand Scripture?

Family

Am I managing my household according to Scriptural standards?

Does our family see the story of the Bible as central to all we do?

Do we go to Scripture to establish right and wrong in our home?

Church

Do we see Scripture as central to the management of the church?

Are we willing to investigate our traditions in light of Scripture?

Do we seek out our purpose in light of the story of Scripture?

Apply Scripture in Every Facet of Life

Home -

we must not be afraid of our homes looking and functioning differently than those of the world.

Our standard of right and wrong will look far different than our unbelieving family and friends

Our faith will be the central factor of educating our family

Work

Abide by God’s law in all of our business dealings

Remembering that our purpose in doing business is to bring glory to God, to expand the Kingdom, not to enrich ourselves

Church

The expounding of Scripture and its truth is the central facet to all we do as a church.

We as a family must be assured that all we do is done in accord with Scriptural truth.

Government

We must assert that God’s word and God’s law is supreme over every form of earthly government. Any government that directs believers to go against God’s law must be rebuked by Scripture, by the believer.

Bring the Sword to Bear

Scripture is a Sword . The Apostle Paul was found of referring to the word of God as a sword. The author of Hebrews said that the word was sharper than any two edged sword. (Which can come back and cut you).

Its obvious that the word of God serves multiple purposes. It can heal, it can train, it can correct, but it can also cut down God’s enemies.

Jesus Came to bring the Sword - Matt 10:34

Matthew 10:34 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Jesus has given commands for His church. Those orders were to bring the gospel to bear on the entire world. We are called to make disciples of all the nations, teaching them all Christ has commanded. That can only be accomplished by His Word proclaimed over every aspect of the world, unashamedly.

We must not fear Men - They will hate you for bringing the truth. No one wants to hear they are a sinner. No one wants to hear that there is a standard of truth above them that they are subject to.

Truth always hurts people, but it never injures them. We must know the difference.

Our standard for bringing the truth must be found in an absolute, infallible, unchangeable source.

Conclusion

The Reformation began by God in His providence equipping man to go back and recover the NT and OT in their original languages, rather than relying on the corrupt interpretation by the Church who desired power over men’s salvation. Then in His providence He equipped man to mass produce written material for consumption by far more than just the academia that the church controlled.

We too must take advantage of the provision that God has given to us today. He has simplified our ability to access all of the knowledge that He has brought into the world in the palm of our hands, and then allowed us the ability to share it far and wide across the array of people that we have collected in our lives. We must now honor that and learn and share all that God has for us without fear. Bringing sound teaching, reproof, correction, and all that man needs to be equipped for every good work.

Christ said His church would storm the gates of Hell. So we must ask ourselves now, are we on the offense or defense. Are we bearing the sword as we are called to do?

Doxology

Closing Prayer

If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to catch me afterwards. And a quick reminder we do have plates in the back for anyone who desires to worship through giving today. The plate to the right is general giving, and the one to the left is specific for our missions giving.

Join us as we sing the doxology:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.