SOLA
FIDE GRATIA Scriptura
Martin Luther inadvertently set off the Reformation and influenced the entire Western world when he nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. The Reformation’s effects were soon seen in many areas: academics, the media, interactions between church and state, and the beginnings of many Christian denominations such as Lutherans. Because of this, it can be difficult to summarize what truly drove the Reformation to its far-reaching effects. Martin Luther says it best in a sermon from 1522, “I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word; otherwise I did nothing….the Word did everything.” It was God’s working through his Word, as rediscovered by Martin Luther, that propelled the Reformation to its global influence. As we celebrate what God did through Martin Luther and the Reformation, we do well to revisit on the three sola statements that came out of the Reformation: sola fide, sola gratia, and sola scriptura. In so doing, we rightly focus on God’s Word and join with Martin Luther and countless others to thank God for what he did through the Reformation.
SOLA Fide
Faith Alone
But now, completely apart from the law, a righteousness from God has been made known. The Law and the Prophets testify to it. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and over all who believe.
(Romans 3:21-22a)
In your opinion, which is the best definition for “righteousness”? A) To be right with God. B) The change from the condition in which a person is born as a child of the first Adam into a state of grace and adoption among the children of God through the Second Adam, Jesus Christ our Savior. C) Sinlessness; moral perfection. God has righteousness and demands righteousness from us. Through faith in Christ, his righteousness is given to us.
What illustration would you use to describe faith?
God saves me from my sins ____________________________________________
Sola Gratia
Grace Alone
In fact, there is no difference, 23because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:22b-24) What is the difference between grace and mercy?
God saves me from my sins ____________________________________________
Sola Scriptura
Scripture Alone
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, 7which is really not another gospel at all. There are, however, some who are trying to disturb you by perverting the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven would preach any gospel other than the one we preached to you—a curse on him! 9As we have said before, so I now say again: If anyone preaches to you any gospel other than the one you received—a curse on him! (Galatians 1:6-9) Why does the Apostle Paul give such a strong condemnation?
God saves me from my sins ____________________________________________
A uniquely Lutheran stance? Evaluate – Lutherans are unique in all of Christendom in how they understand sola fide, sola gratia, and sola scriptura.
Witnessing Opportunity – How would you describe the Lutheran faith in 30 seconds or less to another person?