Sermon 27th October 2024 – The Reformation Text: John 8:31-36 – Set free

 Sermon 27th October 2024 – The Reformation

Text: John 8:31-36 – Set free

Today, we gather to reflect upon the great movement in the church known as the Reformation. The Reformation was a period of profound change and transformation within the Church, led by a courageous and visionary monk known as Martin Luther. Luther sought to cleanse the Church of what he called abuses in the church and restore it to its true biblical roots – the Gospel. Salvation by grace through faith for Christ’s sake. 

But Luther couldn’t find that comfort from what his church was teaching. Much like St Paul in Romans 7 where he says - I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! That is THE GOSPEL - Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

And so the Reformation was born out of Luther’s deep desire for spiritual renewal and a return to the authority of Scripture. That would also deliver his body of death through Jesus Christ his Lord.  Luther challenged the practices and teachings of the Church of his day, calling for a more personal relationship with God with Christ at the centre. That salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The cry of the Reformation was sola scriptura – Scripture alone for all faith and doctrine. The reformers believed that the Word of God was the ultimate authority in matters of teaching, doctrine and practice. The Reformers encouraged Christians to read and study the Bible for themselves as Christians had become quite illiterate regarding what the Bible actually said. They relied on their priests and authorities coming from the Pope who exploited the people through fear to give money in exchange for what were known as Indulgences – certificates assuring the fearful people of forgiveness and time out of purgatory – a place that had no biblical teaching. Purgatory was a place where people’s sins were purged after death before entering eternal life in Heaven.

The Reformation also removed many of the unnecessary rituals in worship emphasising in the worship service the importance of preaching the Word and the right administration of the sacraments. Getting back to what was central to salvation and comfort of the soul. But the Reformation was not just a historical event but a continual reflection that continues to shape the Church today as the church easily falls back into error – which is where the Latin term originates - Ecclesia semper reformanda est (Latin for "the Church must always be reformed". It reminds us of the importance of remaining faithful to the truth of God’s Word, and of standing up against false teachings and practices.  It challenges us to be constantly reforming and renewing our faith, seeking to grow closer to God and more fully live out our Christian calling.

Reforming the church doesn’t mean changing the church or modernising the church but returning the church back to the true Gospel – saved by grace through faith for Christ’s sake.

The Reformation is about returning to the Truth and allowing the Truth to set us free. And, as Jesus reminds us, he is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through him. And that’s what the Reformation focused on – coming to God only through Jesus Christ. The church had lost its way like the Jews that Jesus had spoken to.

Their way was “We are descendants of Abraham” which was the way back to slavery even though they felt they had never been slaves to anyone. Likewise, we don’t realise how much of a slave to sin we are until we have tasted the sweet Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The way of the Jews was not the road to freedom. Jesus was - if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. Jesus is the only way because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; But the good news is that we are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, That’s the Good News – that the Reformation focus.

As we reflect on the Reformation, let us be inspired by the courage and conviction of the reformers through the centuries and be reminded of the power of God’s Word to transform lives and bring about renewal and revival of faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

And let us commit ourselves to continue the work of reformation in our own faith, our churches, and our communities by returning to God’s Word and what it teaches about God’s grace. May we be faithful stewards of the rich legacy of the Reformation, and be bold and uncompromising in our witness to the truth of the gospel.  And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.