Next Tuesday will mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This event is important for all Evangelical churches because it was during this time that the Spirit of God moved ordinary men to recover the truth of Scripture. Prior to this point the church around the world had embraced some very unbiblical ideas about salvation and true worship of the Lord. The reformers came to adopt 5 important Latin statements which help define the essence of the Reformation. These statements are commonly known as the “Solas.”
Sola Scriptura – “Scripture alone” – The Bible alone is our highest authority. Sola fide – “faith alone” – we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Sola Gratia – “grace alone” – we are saved by the grace of God alone. Solus Christus – “Christ alone” – Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. Soli Deo Gloria – “to the glory of God alone” – this is the overarching principle of the reformation, that we live for the glory of God alone.
These are fundamental tenants of our Christian faith that every believer must understand in order to truly follow Christ and confess him as Lord. It is good for us to look back to and remember what happened during the Reformation. One of those reasons is that it is a vivid representation that Jesus Christ will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Another very important reason is that when we study history it helps us not to repeat some of the mistakes of the past. Without our theology and worship being grounded in the Word of God any church could revert back to the unbiblical practices that many churches assumed prior to the Reformation.
In honor of the 500th anniversary we will be singing songs in our worship service this Sunday to help remind us of this important occasion in church history. One of those songs will be a new song that we will introduce called Reformation Song by Bob Kauflin and Tim Chester. This song is based on the five solas of the reformation as mentioned above. You can find sheet music for the song by clicking HERE. I will provide an audio link below. Here are the words:
Your word alone is solid ground,
the mighty rock on which we build.
In every line the truth is found,
and every page with glory filled.
Through faith alone we come to you,
we have no merit we can claim,
sure that your promises are true,
we place our hope in Jesus’ name.
Chorus:
Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone.
Gloria, gloria, glory to God alone.
In Christ alone we’re justified,
his righteousness is all our plea.
Your law’s demands are satisfied,
his perfect work has set us free.
By grace alone we have been saved,
all that we are has come from you.
Hearts that were once by sin enslaved,
now by your pow’r have been made new.
For this Sunday:
This Sunday we will be singing:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Before the Throne of God Above
Choir and Orchestra Offertory: Soli Deo Gloria
Reformation Song
This I Believe
Just As I Am
Pastor Mark will be preaching from Mark 12:28-34. The title of his sermon will be “The Greatest Commandment.” Take some time to read through this passage with your family. Likewise, take some time to listen to the songs that we will be singing so that you will be familiar, especially our new song – Reformation Song. Please pray for your church family and consider, once again, how to stir up one another to love and good works.
See you Sunday!
