and was coming again tomorrow. Martin Luther said, “I live as though Jesus Christ had been crucified yesterday, had risen this morning and was coming again tomorrow.

Sola Fide Faith Alone

Diet of Worms

Diet of Worms

Diet of Worms “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. May God help me. Amen."   Martin Luther 1521

How did we get here?

The Common Bible…in Latin The Vulgate

Jerome translating the Bible into Latin 405 AD

Justifacario The Latin Legal term means to be made righteous Roman Catholicism holds that at Baptism the person receives an infusion of the Righteousness of Christ.

Justifacario If we are righteous then we would never sin

Justifacario But we do sin and fall from the state of grace so this requires three things

Justifacario But we do sin so this requires three things 1) Confession to a Priest 2) Absolution 3) Penance (Works of Satisfaction)

Do Catholics believe in Justification by works?

Do Catholics believe in Justification by works? Not Exactly

Do Catholics believe in Justification by works? Not Exactly They believe in justification by faith and works

Who’s in Charge Here? The Kings or the Pope?

Innocent III

The Vicar of Christ “The successor of St. Peter is the Vicar of Christ; he has been established as mediator between God and man, below God but beyond man; less than God but more than man; who shall judge all and be judged by no one.” Pope Innocent III 1198 AD

Pope Boniface VIII

Unam Sanctam—One Holy “We are compelled, our faith urging us, to believe and to hold—and we do firmly believe and simply confess—that there is one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, outside of which there is neither salvation nor remission of sins” Pope Boniface VIII 1302 AD

Indulgences Linked to Justifacario

Luther’s Personal Struggle

Thesis Number 5 The Pope will not, and cannot, remit other punishments than those which he has imposed by his own decree or according to the canons.

Thesis Number 75 To consider papal indulgences so great that they could absolve a man, even if he had done the impossible and had violated the mother of God, is madness.

How can I know I am good enough? Luther’s Struggle How can I know I am good enough?

Luther’s Struggle What do we do with personal guilt? How can I stand before a righteous God?

Luther’s Personal Struggle Romans 1:17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Luther’s Personal Struggle Psalm 31:1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

Dikaiosune We are declared Righteous by God based on the righteousness of Christ on our behalf.

John Calvin “…a man will be justified by faith when, excluded from the righteousness of works, he by faith lays hold of the righteousness of Christ, and clothed in it apppears in the sight of God not as a sinner, but as righteous. Thus we simply inpret justification, as the acceptance with which God recieves us into his favor as if we were righteous; and we say that this justification consists in the fogeivness of sins and the imputation of the righteousnsess of Christ.”

Dikaiosune Our sin is transferred to Jesus and His righteousness is transferred to us. God views us as righteous not because we are actually righteous but because the righteousness of Christ covers us.

Dikaiosune Philippians 3:8-9 …that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 

God is both Just and Justifier God does not merely wink at our sin and let us slide by. God looks at us through Jesus. He sees us through the righteousness of Christ

Romans 5 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Sola Fide- What is that faith? Know the content of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf

Sola Fide- What is that faith? Know the content of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf Acceptance that the content is true

But we are not saved by a doctrine we are saved by faith in Christ!

Sola Fide- What is that faith? Know the content of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf Acceptance that the content is true Put personal trust or confidence in Christ. This true faith will result in production of fruit. It is a faith that is alive and vital and shows itself by faithfulness

Romans 5 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

John Calvin Christ given to us by the kindness of God is apprehended and possessed by faith, by means of which we obtain in particular a twofold benefit; first , being reconciled by the righteousness of Christ, God becomes., instead of a judge, and indulgent Father; and , secondly, being sanctified by his Spirit, we aspire to integrity and purity of life.

From the Depths of Woe From the depths of woe I raise to Thee  The voice of lamentation;  Lord, turn a gracious ear to me  And hear my supplication;  If Thou iniquities dost mark,  Our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O who shall stand before Thee?(Who shall stand before Thee?)  O who shall stand before Thee?(Who shall stand before Thee?)

From the Depths of Woe To wash away the crimson stain,  Grace, grace alone availeth;  Our works, alas! Are all in vain;  In much the best life faileth;  No man can glory in Thy sight,  All must alike confess Thy might,

From the Depths of Woe Therefore my trust is in the Lord,  And not in mine own merit;  On Him my soul shall rest, His word  Upholds my fainting spirit;  His promised mercy is my fort,  My comfort and my sweet support;

Reformation Reflections 1) Balance your doctrine with your walk

Reformation Reflections Balance your doctrine with your walk 1 Timothy 4:16 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Reformation Reflections Don’t take death lightly

Reformation Reflections Don’t take death lightly Hebrews 9 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Reformation Reflections 3) Church drift is unavoidable

Reformation Reflections 3) Church drift is unavoidable Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.