October 31st of this year will mark the 500 year anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg, Germany in order to protest the sale of indulgences as well as various other practices of the Roman Catholic Church. This event is recognized by many as the official beginning of the Protestant Reformation, one of the most important events in the history of the Christian Church. As we commemorate this momentous event together, we also want to take time to consider the history of the Reformation as well as the important doctrinal distinctives which define us as Protestants.
Our series will have a two part structure, examining first the historical circumstances and theological issues within the Roman Catholic Church which ultimately led to the Reformation. In the second part of the series we will consider the five key beliefs which the reformers emphasized in light of their return to the study of Scripture as the final authority for believers.
The sermon schedule will be as follows:
9/3 – “The Necessity of Reform: The Church’s Crisis of Authority”
9/10 – “The Necessity of Reform: The Church’s Crisis of Salvation”
9/17 – “The Necessity of Reform: The Church’s Crisis of Holiness”
9/24 – “The Doctrines of Reform: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)”
10/1 – “The Doctrines of Reform: Solus Christus (Christ Alone)”
10/8 – “The Doctrines of Reform: Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)”
10/15 – “The Doctrines of Reform: “Sola Fide (Faith Alone)”
10/22 – Fall Bible Conference
10/29 – “The Doctrines of Reform: Soli Deo Gloria”
6:00 PM – Reformation Celebration – “The Reformation Today”
11/5 – “Semper Reformanda (Always Reforming)”
We look forward to these times together studying God’s Word and considering His powerful working within human history to build His Church!
Soli Deo Gloria.
-Thomas