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5 Good Reasons to Celebrate Reformation Day

5 Good Reasons to Celebrate Reformation Day

The good news of Reformation Day

I had great history professors in high school. I only wish I had paid more attention in Modern European History. Then I might have understood the worldwide impact of the Protestant Reformation so much better than I do. Here’s what I do know—whether Martin Luther actually nailed his 95 Theses to a church door or not, he wrote them, and what he and other Reformers like Calvin and Zwingli wrote, changed history and Christianity forever.

The Catholic church and the Holy Roman Empire of the early 16thcentury, the formal representation of Christianity in that day, had become corrupt. Martin Luther and the other Reformers insisted on what are known as the five “sola’s” (don’t worry—you don’t need to know Latin to understand this blog post), and those five “alone’s” or “only’s” are very good news for Christians today, namely because they emphasize the major truths of the gospel.

Here are the five “alone’s” with an explanation of why they were such good news then and continue to be so today. I also included some Scripture that speaks to these “alone’s”:

Five Sola’s of Reformation

1. Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura).  (2 Timothy 3:16).

Good news: You can read and trust the Bible alone as the final authority on spiritual matters.

Before the Reformation, the Bible was not often read in the Roman Catholic Church, and when it was, it was read in Latin, then interpreted by Church leaders who often added to or changed the meaning. Because many common people didn’t understand what the Bible said, the corrupters of religion were able to twist its meaning.

Then, between 1440 and 1450, Gutenberg invented the modern printing press, and the first Bible was printed in 1455. The Reformers thought it would be a good idea for everyone to be able to read the Bible, and they began to translate it into languages people knew. So not only did the Reformers insist that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority for spiritual life, they also gave us the great privilege we have now – the ability to read the Bible in a translation we can understand!

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”2 Timothy 3:16:

2 and 3. Faith Alone and Grace Alone (Sola Fide and Sola Gratia)

Good news: You don’t have to be able to afford “indulgences” in order to be saved.

In the late 1400’s and early 1500’s, corrupt officials of the Roman Catholic Church sold indulgences. An indulgence was something anyone could purchase to obtain forgiveness of sins, for themselves, or especially for someone who had already died. As Joan Acocella explains, “the name was written in on a printed form: [name] was forgiven x amount of time in Purgatory. The more time off, the more it cost, but the indulgence-sellers promised that whatever you paid for you got.” (The New Yorker, How Martin Luther Changed the World, October 30, 2017)

As Martin Luther studied Paul’s epistles, he became convinced that the Bible teaches justification by faith alone and by grace alone—we are “justified,” that is, made right, only by God’s grace and through believing in Jesus Christ as Savior. We do not earn salvation by doing good works—or by purchasing indulgences.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” Ephesians 2:8

“We also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (v. 16).  Galatians 2:14–16

4. Christ Alone. (Solus Christus):

Good news: Only Jesus grants salvation, and you don’t need a priest to intercede on your behalf before God.

The corrupt practice of selling and buying indulgences had also corrupted the truth of how people were saved. As David Guzik explains here,

“The idea was something like this: “Men and women are not saved by Jesus, but through the pope and the institution of the Roman Catholic Church.”

The Bible is very clear that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through him.” (John 14:6). Jesus is also “one God and mediatorbetween God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5). Christ as mediator is great news for believers: Christ himself is mediating for us before the Father, beseeching him to forgive us because he died for our sins and made us righteous.

The church and priests and pastors and elder boards can guide, protect, and shepherd. They act as God’s servants in growing and discipling the body of Christ. But Christ alone saves us.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5

5. To God Alone Be the Glory (Soli Deo Gloria)

Good news: You don’t have to bow before anyone except the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who alone receives all the glory.

This final “alone” makes perfect sense in light of the four preceding principles. In the corrupt Catholic Church and Holy Roman Empire, “all glory, laud, and honor” was often misplaced, given to the Pope or the Holy Roman Emperor, not God, who alone deserves it. The Reformers helped Christians understand their true purpose: to glorify God. One of the most famous statements of this purpose is found in the Westminster Catechism, which declares, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24:10

A Prayer Celebrating the Reformation

Lord, thank you for the very good news that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thank you that you have explained all of this in your Holy Bible. We are so grateful, and indeed, we seek to give you all the glory for all you have done for us! In Christ’s name, Amen.

For a wonderful graphic on the Sola’s of the Reformation, go here: https://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/downloads/5-solas-infographic.png

When Church Leaders Fail: Four Healthy Responses

When Church Leaders Fail: Four Healthy Responses

Church Leader Fails

Pastor Bars Co-Pastor from Missionary Journey after Heated Argument!

Phillippi Community Church: Beloved Female Leaders Hurl Twitter Barbs. Pastor Steps In!

Can you imagine the headlines that would have been written about just these two stories of church leader failures from the Bible (Acts 15:36-41Philippians 4:2-3)?! The twitter wars among Christians and the dog and cat fights of local congregations may be fought differently these days, but they are not original with the 21st Century church.

As we come to the end of this (I hope) encouraging and informative series on the church, we need to consider one more crucial topic – how to respond when church leaders fail us.

Church leader failures aren't a new thing: they date all the way back to Adam and Eve. #church #gospel #ministry Share on X

Unhelpful Responses to Church Leader Failure

How do we, as the church, respond when our leaders fail – us and one another? Here are some unhelpful strategies I’ve tried in the past:

  1. The ostrich response: I want to bury my head in the sand. I don’t like conflict among people I love and respect, and I just want everyone to get along.
  1. The mosh pit response: I want to jump in the melee of all the tweets by favoriting witticisms that defend one party or the other.
  2. The in-the-know response: I want to learn all I can about the conflict so I can share my vast knowledge and profound opinion.

4 Helpful Responses to Church Leader Failure

As the Holy Spirit daily sanctifies us and as we are led by wise gospel-breathing souls who scent the social media air with gospel aroma and godly counsel, we move to a sounder approach. Consider these four helpful ways to respond to conflict between church leaders:

1.  Begin with Scripture: Where leaders are differing over theological doctrine, study Scripture yourself to find out what it says.

  • If the public dissension is about law and grace, for example, read what the Bible says about it. Find and review Scripture passages that tell about law and grace, obedience and good works, justification and sanctification.
  • Pray that the Holy Spirit would enlighten your mind as you read.

2.  Pray for all parties concerned. Rather than taking sides or favoriting witty remarks or writing witty remarks, humble yourself and pray.

Here are some things to pray for your church leaders, failed or not:

  • Thank God for these ministers of the gospel.
  • Pray that they will work through their division.
  • Pray for their personal spiritual growth.
  • Pray for protection from temptation. Do you ever stop to think how many temptations must face “big-name” Christian leaders? I realized I don’t — not often enough.

 The ostrich response: one unhelpful way to respond to church leadership failures. #churchleader #church #ministry Share on X

3. Pray for yourself, for humility and repentance. Try praying Philippians 2:1-5.

  • Pray for humility.
  • Repent of idolatry of Christian leaders and writers. Remember that they are redeemed sinners, just as we are. Many of us tend to place unrealistic expectations on such leaders.

4. Love fallen leaders well. Let’s not forget that Satan loves to attack unity, and failure by a church leader is a prime target for the entire congregation and for each individual.

  • If the harm is deep, don’t gossip or grow bitter. Talk to a wise and trusted friend or counselor about the harm. Walk with another through the process of forgiveness.
  • When and if the time is right (the Holy Spirit will be your guide), tell the leader how they have harmed you, don’t accuse them. Invite them to look at their sin and to return to fellowship with you.
  • Seek reconciliation, but know that you may have to wait for it. (Romans 12:17-18).

A Prayer about Fallen Church Leaders

Lord, Jesus Christ,

You are the only leader of the church who has never failed your followers. Forgive us, we pray, for our failures to love well when the church fails us. Help us to run to your outstretched arms, to hear your wise counsel, and to move toward others with your strength, mercy, and love. Amen

Do Kids Need Church Today?

Do Kids Need Church Today?

Church, A Child, & A Story

It was the summer of Y2k. The world was still intact, and my 11-year-old son was in our study, deeply engrossed in the computer. With him sat the current VBS director, a woman who had “understood” his “energy” when he was just a little tyke in her Children’s Church class. Now they were compiling photos for a Powerpoint slideshow for the VBS finale.

“Miss Katherine” is part of the church village that helped raise our child. That story is just one of many that explains why I am passionate about kids being in church. Though we do have some confusing and hard stories related to kids and church, by far, the redemptive ones win out. We are called to…

tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders. Ps. 78: 4

As studies reveal that 35% of people aged 20-35 are leaving the church, we need to know why church is so crucial in forming followers of Christ who love the story of God’s grace.

Here are 5 things we need to know about children and church.

1. The purpose of church for children.

Healthy ministry to children and youth seeks to come alongside their parents in growing and equipping followers of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many parents like me at times have mistaken notions of what church should offer our children. We want…

  • moral development programs
  • free babysitting with animal crackers and lemonade (with gluten-free options, of course)
  • the coolest youth program in town that somehow manages to fully entertain while it also enlightens.

Many parents puzzle at the oft-recited Proverb 22:6,

“Bring up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.”

That verse is no guarantee, but studies reveal that children who have been taught in the “way” of the GOSPEL, learning that they are saved by GRACE, not by what they do (make all –A’s, share their toys) or what they don’t do (go to raves, hit somebody on the playground), are more likely to continue in it.Gospel-centered church teaches our children they are saved by grace, not by what they do (make all –A’s, share their toys) or what they don’t do (go to raves, hit somebody on the playground). Share on X

2. The community of church for children.

As parents, we are called “to grow our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” And yet, God has so designed the cosmos that we are “stronger as a pack.” What would we do…

  • without the Sunday school teacher who understood that our high-energy child focused best when given greater responsibility?
  • Or without the single young woman who met my teenage daughter for coffee?
  • Or without that aged grandmother whose love for Jesus shone on little second graders every week?

Where else can you get an entire group of people who promises to help you raise your children in the love of Christ? Church is the body designed to support the parent in our overwhelming task.

3. Church, by faithful preaching and teaching of the Word, grows our faith as parents.

As desperately as our children, we parents need the constant reminder of the redemption story God is writing. Even on the worst days,

the days when we worry that our child will never quit biting the other toddlers,
the days when we worry that our senior will never figure out what comes next in life,

church reminds us through preaching, teaching and example that God is sovereign. He is mighty and merciful. And he is restoring all broken things.

%

Number of Millennials Who Identify No Religious Affiliation

4. Church strengthens parents to live authentically before our kids.

It is sadly true that some churches at some times have given the mistaken impression that you should get your act cleaned up before you go to church. Gospel-centered teaching and preaching frees parents to live the calling of the gospel.

Because we are forgiven, we live a lifestyle of repentance with our children. We forgive and ask our children’s forgiveness. God works in our repentance and forgiveness to grow our children in this lifestyle.

As we are being transformed, we long to teach our children the commandments (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) — not to force them to become obedient children, but to help them live the disciple’s life of loving and serving the God who first loved and served us.

Our children learn moment by moment, day by day, what we value…

  • As we read the Bible and pray – alone and with our children.
  • As we feast together over good food and good stories.
  • As we discuss and pray over their hard stories like losing a best friend, not making the team, failing Chemistry tests.
We teach children obedience, not for its own sake, but to help them live the disciple's life of loving and serving the God who first loved and served us. Share on X

5. Church offers the help we need to defeat sabotage.

Parents trying to get their kids to church will face fierce opposition — the Church body and means of grace help us fight — the devil, the flesh, and the world.

  • Satan wants to kill and destroy, and tearing up a family sharing life together in church will take priority.
  • Our flesh tells us we work hard all week and we need to sleep late on Sundays.
  • The world says, “People who go to church are judgmental!”

But there’s good news. Church supplies us with the primary weapons we need to fight that sabotage:

  • the TRUE STORY that God loves us, even if our teenager doesn’t…
  • the prayers of the saints that calm us when our child refuses to walk into Sunday school.
  • the gospel reminder that we are forgiven when we all start yelling at each other on the drive to church.

Church is the place that grows us all in grace, the capacity to love and turn from our sin and live a new story. It is worth every battle we will face to be there with our children.