Does The Reformation Matter? (PM Lesson Outline)
GIST: Yes. This is a crucial point in our history because God used some ordinary people to turn the Church, the body of Christ, back to the Bible, His Word!
SCRIPTURE: Various.
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany. This year marks the 500th anniversary of that event, but does it still matter? Yes, because that event effectually started what has become known as the Protestant Reformation. This is a crucial point in our history, not because it resulted in a divide between Protestant and Catholic churches, but rather because God used some ordinary people to turn the Church, the body of Christ, back to the Bible, His Word!
The emphasis, or rather re-emphasis, on God’s Word has long been summarized using what are called the “five solas”. Sola is the latin word for “only”, so these are emphasis doctrines. Here’s the list: “Sola Scriptura”-Scripture Alone; “Sola Gratia”-Grace Alone; “Sola Fide”-Through Faith Alone; “Solus Christus”-In Christ Alone; and “Soli Deo Gloria”- To God Alone Be Glory (Monergism).
Judy Forbes is going to be leading a women’s Bible study on this starting in January. When she approached me about this, I was beyond excited. Not only will this be an awesome study, but it’s also vital one. I recently read an article in Facts and Trends (if you’re not reading this, please start; it is fantastic!) that laid out just how few Americans know these core teachings. Therefore, as the 500th anniversary is just two days away, I thought it would be beneficial to talk through these 5 doctrines briefly tonight.
1. SOLA SCRIPTURA: Scripture Alone
“16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
-2 Timothy 3:16-17
POINT: The Bible is our authority, alone. It is the inerrant and inspired Word of God. While sometimes instructive, we do not need church tradition or external teaching to add to our understanding of Scripture. In fact, these external factors are only of any benefit in so far as they help illuminate the truth of Scripture. Anything that contradicts Scripture is wrong.
COMMENT: This is a big deal, and one I think is very much misunderstood today. I have had many conversations with Christians who feel obligated to “admit” there are contradiction in Scripture. This simply is not true. Yes, it’s frequently said, but repetition of a statement does not, in itself, prove anything. Several years ago, I walked through as many of these supposed contradictions I could find with our youth Sunday School class. The end result? There are no contradictions in the substance of what the Bible teaches. AND that is with the vast quantity of the manuscript evidence we have for the Biblical texts. Now, that does not mean for a second that there are no passages which are difficult to understand. But difficulty and truth are not mutually exclusive.
2-3. SOLA GRATIA & SOLA FIDE: By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8-9
Additional Scripture (Ephesians 1:3-8, Galatians 3:6-11)
POINT: We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. This is God’s gifts and is not dependent upon works or any good deeds.
COMMENT: Again, this is vital to remember. According to that Facts and Trends article, “23 percent [of Americans] know that only Protestants traditionally teach salvation comes through faith alone…[and] “77 percent say people must contribute their own effort for personal salvation. And more than half (52 percent) say good deeds help someone earn a spot in heaven” (Facts and Trends).
4. SOLUS CHRISTUS: In Christ Alone
“5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”
-1 Timothy 2:5-6
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 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.
-Colossians 1:13-18
“12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men[a] by which we must be saved.”
-Acts 4:12
POINT: Christ did EVERYTHING. He is sufficient. We need no other man or symbol or deed.
COMMENT: “60 percent agree that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of their sin” (Facts and Trends). So...40% don’t.
5. SOLI DEO GLORIA: To God Alone Be Glory
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 4:11
POINT: No one else is worthy of Glory, and ultimately our salvation is to point to His Glory (The revelation of His character).
TAKEAWAY:
By Scripture alone in Christ alone by Grace alone through Faith alone for the Glory of God alone we are saved. Praise the Lord!
RESOURCES:
- *Reasonable Theology Article (All of the following linked resources were provided first by this article.)
- Grace Alone by R.C. Sproul (Article)
- What Do You Believe About Justification By Faith Alone? (Audio interview with John Piper)
- Christ Alone by Joel Beeke (Article)
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