This sermon examines the third of the Five Solas: Scripture Alone (based on 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Knowing what Paul meant when he states that all Scripture is "God-breathed" gives us confidence that God's Word is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
By the time the Reformation was in full swing, everyone knew the gospel could be reduced to the "Five Solas" (think of them as the Reformation's "five spiritual laws," but in Latin). Now Latin has a way of making things sound truly impressive, but the word "sola" simply means "alone" or "only." Herein lies the glory of the Reformation. They proclaimed that the gospel came by grace alone, was embraced by faith alone, by Scripture alone, through Christ alone and for the glory of God alone. Five short statements. And in these we hear the very essence of the gospel. This sermon examines the second of these "solas": By Faith Alone (based on Romans 1:17 and James 2:14-19).
Does history shapes who we are? I want to think so, but my inclination today is that when we want it to, it doesn’t, but (and here’s the kick in the pants) when we don’t want it to affect us, it does. Here’s the history I want to shape me. Not surprisingly, it’s from Paul Revere and the American Revolution. For those who don’t know, on “April 18 in 1775” (“hardly a man is now alive”), Paul Revere set off on his historic ride to my hometown. His goal was to warn the minutemen in Lexington and Concord that the regulars were coming to steal their military supplies and arrest Hancock and Adams (they were busy keeping a low profile in a tavern in Lexington – you know that Sam Adams!). If you know the poem (“Listen my children and you shall hear. . . .”), you get the feeling
By the time the Reformation was in full swing, everyone knew the gospel could be reduced to the "Five Solas" (think of them as the Reformation's "five spiritual laws," but in Latin). Now Latin has a way of making things sound truly impressive, but the word "sola" simply means "alone" or "only." Herein lies the glory of the Reformation. They proclaimed that the gospel came by grace alone, was embraced by faith alone, by Scripture alone, through Christ alone and for the glory of God alone. Five short statements. And in these we hear the very essence of the gospel. This introductory sermon in our series examines the first of these "solas": By Grace Alone (based on Ephesians 2:1-10).
Based on Colossians 3:12-14, consider how we can build up stronger relationships by forgiving one another as a conclusion to our series, The Other Approach.
