Hey Church!

While the masses are busy staging candy and costumes for October 31st, we have something far more significant to celebrate. This weekend is Reformation Sunday! For centuries, the Church has marked the last Sunday of October as a time to remember its heritage and be called to greater boldness in the faith, as exhibited by reformers like Martin Luther. 

On October 31st, 1517, Luther set the world on fire by posting 95 theses against doctrinal errors and corrupt practices within the Roman Catholic Church. It was his sincere desire to begin a dialogue with the Church authorities concerning the inconsistencies he observed between their practices and scripture’s teachings. To his dismay, the Church did not share his high regard for the Word and, instead, deemed him an extremist, a heretic, and a threat to societal order.

Luther felt that unless someone could prove his propositions wrong on the basis of God’s own Word, then he had no other choice but to dig in, whatever the cost. From our own cultural moment, we might say that truth mattered to Luther more than feelings, or the fear of being cancelled. With a faithful reading of scripture, Luther’s convictions would be summarized in five Latin phrases: 

Sola scriptura: Scripture alone is the rule of faith and practice. 
Sola fide: Faith alone is needed for salvation. 
Sola gratia: Grace alone compels God to grant salvation. 
Solo Christo: Christ alone is our Priest, granting access to God.
Soli Deo gloria: To the glory of God alone be all of our life and work. 

As you prepare your heart and mind for worship this Sunday, take some time to meditate on Ephesians 2:1-9, one key passage for the above “solas.” Also listen to Martin Luther’s “battle hymn of the Reformation,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” As you read and listen, marvel at the riches of God’s mercy and love toward us, sinners! We did nothing to earn His favor and, therefore, there is nothing we can do to lose it, if we are in Christ. He delights in you! Let us delight in Him together this Sunday. 

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Verse 1
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow’r are great, and armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

Verse 2
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus it is He!
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

Verse 3
And tho’ this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure for lo his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

Verse 4
That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours thru Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go this mortal life also
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever