Celebrating Reformation Day: Solus Christus

@ Dr. Heinz Lycklama 1

Celebrating Reformation Day:

Solus Christus

Dr. Heinz [email protected]

www.osta.com/messages

Eph. 2:4-10


Reformation Day: Eph. 2: 4-10 Roots of the Reformation

Why, what, who, when, where Reformation Essentials:

Sola Scriptura – God’s Word our only foundation Solus Christus – Christ our only mediator Sola Gratia – Grace our only method Sola Fide – Faith our only means Soli Deo Gloria – God’s Glory

our only ambition The Basis of Our Faith in Christ Reformation Essentials for Today


Martin Luther Nov. 10, 1483 – Feb. 18, 1546 Theologian and church reformer Former RC priest Father of Protestantism Translated Bible into German language His hymns inspired

congregational singing Married Katharina

von Bora, a former nun Changed the course of

Western civilization


Luther Challenged Papacy Authority Held the Bible as the only infallible

source of religious authority All baptized Christians under

Jesus are a universal priesthood Salvation is a free gift of God,

received only by true repentanceand faith in Jesus as the Messiah

Salvation is by faith, a gift from God


Luther’s Methods Protested sale of indulgences

by the RC church Challenged the papacy with his 95

Theses on October 31, 1517 posted on door of church in Wittenburg

Theses translated into German, spread throughout Germany in 2 weeks, and Europe in 2 months

Sparked the Protestant Reformation Celebrated as Reformation Day


The Church’s Need For Reform Plagued by false doctrines,

superstition, ignorance & corruption Ordinary Christians had little

knowledge of the Bible Priests and monks taught unbiblical doctrines:

Purgatory Salvation through good works

Ordinary Christians tried to justifythemselves Charitable works Pilgrimages All kinds of religious performances


Essential #1 – Sola Scriptura Scripture is to be our only foundation for truth We have the Bible – that should be enough The RC church of Luther’s day believed that it

had absolute and final teaching authority The RC tradition was regarded as authoritative The Bible was written and read in Latin

Too obscure and confusing forthe layperson

The Word of God is sufficient No need for other “authorities”


Essential #2 – Solus Christus Christ is to be our only mediator

We have direct personal access to God God alone reveals Himself & saves us We do not find Him; He finds us – Christ alone Jesus is the only way of knowing what God is like Jesus is the only way of entering into a

relationship with Him as Father, instead of judge, and the only way of being saved from His wrath

Jesus is the only incarnate self-revelation of God


Essential #3 – Sola Gratia Grace is our only method of salvation Rom. 2:15, The Law is in us by nature – we were born

with a conscience telling us we are condemned by that Law But the Gospel is not in nature – it is not present in our

heart, mind, will or emotions We cannot save ourselves even by

our best works Only God in His character (kindness,

goodness, mercy, compassion) can save us People had believed that God saved them by grace, but

they believed that their own free will and cooperation with grace was their part in salvation


Essential #4 – Sola Fide Faith is our only means of salvation The purpose of grace is to transform a sinner into a saint Grace means to declare righteous, not to make righteous The latter was a Latin mistranslation God declares a person righteous before that person

actually begins to become righteous When a person trusts God, he is

clothed in His perfect righteousness This is the doctrine of justification

by grace alone through faith alone


Essential #5 – Soli Deo Gloria Giving glory to God is our only ambition Rom. 15:20, It has always been my ambition to preach the

Gospel where Christ was not known. The believer is free to worship, serve and glorify God and

to enjoy Him forever Is God’s glory the goal of our lives? When we put the Gospel first and

give voice to the Word, the effects inevitably follow

The Reformation had a far-reaching influence on transforming culture; it influenced the work ethic, public education, economic betterment, etc.


The Basis of Our Faith in Christ Our Faith is based on Fact, not feeling We do have evidence (Facts) that the Bible is Truth For the believer, we can show what the Bible

says (The Truth) corresponds to reality For the unbeliever, we can provide

evidence for the Truth of the Bible We can also challenge the unbeliever with the question –

Does what you believe (your truth) match reality? When you apply the same tests described below

to “your truth,” does it match reality? Let’s look at some highlights of the Evidence of The Truth


Evidence of Our Truth1. The Bible is God’s Word2. Jesus Is God – Solus Christus3. Prophecies Come True

Messianic + Others4. Christ Rose From the Grave5. Archaeology Verifies the Bible6. Science Supports Creation7. The Bible Is Reliable Scientifically8. If God is All-Loving and All-Knowing, Why

Do We have Evil and Suffering?


Jesus is God - Solus Christus Jesus, our only mediator Jesus claimed to be God Jesus’ attributes Jesus’ actions (miracles) Four possibilities – which one was He?

Liar, Lunatic, Legend, or the Truth Jesus, the author of our faith Jesus’ sufficiency


Jesus – Our Only Mediator Heb. 12:2, “The author and finisher of our faith” Eph 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved

through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Jesus MUST be God and without sin, or He could not save us

Scripture reveals Jesus to us More evidence for the historical Jesus …


Christ’s Human Development Conceived in His mother’s womb

Matt. 1:18,20; Luke 1:34-35 Born of a woman after full term

Luke 2:6-7 Grew up as a normal boy, developing

physically, mentally, emotionally Luke 2:40-52

Grew into a man John 8:57, “ … you are not yet fifty … “


Christ’s Affections Physical traits

He hungered, Matt. 4:2 He became tired, Mark 4:38

Emotional traits Expressed sorrow, Matt. 26:38 Expressed wonder, Mark 6:6 Wept, John 11:35

Tempted to sin Did not yield to temptation, Matt. 4:1-11;

Mark 1:12-13; Heb. 2:18; 4:15


Christ’s Death Died a human death Witnessed by many people – John, women

followers, soldiers, mocking crowd Luke 23:48-49 John 19:25-27

Confirmed by professionalexecutioners John 19:32-34

Buried according to local customs John 19:38-41


Christ’s Impact He confounded scholars and rabbis in

the Jerusalem synagogue Luke 2:49, “Didn’t you know I had to

be in my Father’s house?” Matt. 7:29, “He taught as one who had

authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

His coming changed the calendar and the course of history


Jesus Claimed To Be The Son of God

Jesus Christ is the only religious figure who ever claimed to be God in human flesh, Mark 14:61-64

Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Confucius – no other ever made this claim

6th century mosaic,Ravenna, Italy


Jesus Claimed To Be THE Truth Matt. 16:15, “Who do you say I am?” Matt. 16:16, Peter answered and said

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This did not shock Jesus

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” A very exclusive statement!


Jesus Claimed To Forgive Sins Jesus claimed and demonstrated attributes

that only God has Mark 2:5, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:7, “Why does this fellow talk

like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

The Pharisees considered this blasphemy


Jesus Healed The Sick Mark 2:5-11, Jesus proved His deity by

demonstrating His divine power Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sins Jesus healed the paralytic The Scribes considered this blasphemy

His authority, miracles, teaching, sinlessness and character were traits true only of God


Jesus Claimed To Be Equal With God

John 5:1-18, “ … The Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making himself equal with God.” Jesus healed on the Sabbath Jesus did what the Father did (maintenance)

John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:33, “We are not stoning you for any

of these, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”


Jesus Claimed To Be The Christ Mark 14:61-64, At His trial the high priest

asked Him directly: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus calmly answered “I am.” See also Matt. 26:63-65;

Luke 22:67-70 Jesus was

condemned and executed for his alleged blasphemy


Jesus’ Claimed To Be “I AM” John 8:23-24; 56-58, “And He said to them, ‘You

are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. … Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” See also John 18:4 References to Ex. 3:14

“I AM” was the name of the Self-existing God who had revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush This was an assertion of absolute, timeless existence


Jesus Claimed To Be “I AM” Jesus quoted from the OT Ex. 3:14, “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM

WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’” Jesus was claiming to be “I AM.” To the Jews this was blasphemy

The Jews took stones to throw at Him


Jesus Accepted Worship The OT Law forbid the worship of any being

other than God, Ex. 20:1-6 Jesus accepted worship on numerous occasions

Matt. 2:11; 14:33; 28:9; 20:28-29 John 9:38; 20:28-29

John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” Jesus before the Creation of the world


Jesus’ Claims Summarized To know Him was to know God, John 8:19; 14:7 To see Him was to see God, John 12:45; 14:9 To believe in Him was to believe in God,

John 12:44; 14:1 To receive Him was to receive God, Mark 9:37 To hate Him was to hate God, John 15:23 To honor Him was to honor God, John 15:23


Jesus’ Attributes Jesus is Eternal

John 8:58, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Jesus’ Omnipresence John 3:13, “No one has ascended to heaven but

He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.”

Matt. 28:20, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matt. 18:20, “"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”


Jesus’ Omniscience John 16:30, “Now we are sure that You know all

things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

John 21:17, “He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’“

John 2:24-25, knowing what was in man John 4:29, knowing life history of Samaritan woman


Jesus’ Omnipotence Jesus’ omnipotence

Matt. 28:18, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

Heb. 1:3, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

His miracles (37 of them recorded) Jesus is Immutable (unchanging)

Heb. 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”


Recognized by Satan & Demons Matt. 4:1-11, “If You are the Son of God,

command that these stones become bread.” Mark 1:24, “Now there was a man in their

synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!"

Matt. 8:29, “And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us beforethe time?”


Jesus’ Miracles Christ demonstrated power over natural

forces (Miracles) This could only belong to God, the

Author of these forces He stilled a raging storm of wind and

waves on the Sea of Galilee, Luke 8:22-26 Mark 4:35-41, “Who is this? Even the

wind and the waves obey Him.” He turned water into wine, John 2:1-11


Jesus’ Miracles – 2 He fed 5000 people from five loaves and

two fish, Luke 9:12-17 He raised the dead to life, “Lazarus, come

forth!”, John 11:43 Jesus’ enemies did not deny His miracles John 11:48, “If we let Him go on like this,

everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”


Jesus’ Miracles – 3 Jesus demonstrated the Creator’s power

over sickness and disease He made the lame to walk, the dumb to speak,

the blind to see John 9:25, “One thing I do know. I was blind

but now I see!” John 9:32, “Nobody has ever heard of opening

the eyes of a man born blind.” But the religious leaders didn’t recognize his

healer as the Son of God 37 miracles recorded in the NT


Evidence ForThe Truth of Jesus’ Claims

Jesus claimed that He was THE Truth, John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the

life, … “ Jesus performed many miracles (37) He fulfilled prophecies (100+) He lived a sinless life on earth He rose from the dead, as he said He

would, Matt. 12:40; John 2:19,21


The Apostles TaughtThe Deity of Christ

The leaders of the first generation church taught that Jesus is God

Matt. 1:23, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Reference to Is. 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will

give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

John 1:1-2, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”


Paul’s Teaching Col. 2:9, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of

the Godhead bodily.” 1 Tim. 3:16, “And without controversy great is

the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”

Titus 2:13, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”


Peter’s Witness Matt. 16:16, “He said to them, ‘But who do you

say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’"

2 Pet. 1:1, “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Further confirmation that Jesus claimed to be God

The Apostles were in fact willing to die for their testimony (they believed)


Who Is Jesus Then? Four possibilities:

Liar Lunatic Legend The Truth

Only one of these can be true


Jesus Spoke The Truth He was God come to earth John 10:38, “but if I do [the works of My

Father], though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”

Evidence – miracles, fulfilled prophecies, crucifixion, resurrection, sinless nature

Credentials – character, sinless, power over natural forces, power over disease


Jesus’ Resurrection His resurrection from the dead

Five times Christ predicted He would die and that three days later He would rise from the dead and appear to His disciples

Matt. 16:21; 17:22-23; Mark 8:31; 10:32-33; Luke 9:22

If the Resurrection happened, No difficulty with any other miracles Validates His character Verifies His power as the Creator


Our Experience Today We can experience Jesus today

Experience in itself is not conclusive But combined with the historical reality of

Jesus’ resurrection, … All the data we have corroborate the fact

that Jesus Christ is God the Son Jesus is our Redeemer and Creator Jesus is Our Only Mediator (Solus Christus)


Conclusions Jesus did live on earth 2000 years ago Jesus claimed to be God Evidence in His nature and His actions The Apostles believed that He was God Eyewitnesses have verified His birth, sinless

nature, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, fulfillment of prophecies

The church was founded based onHis Truth claims

Jesus and 10 of His apostles died for the Truth Jesus is God!


Jesus – Author of our Faith Heb 12:2 – “looking unto Jesus, the author and

finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus is: Our Apostle Our Great High Priest The Author and Finisher of our faith

Let us remember and celebrate Reformation Day Heb. 12:1 – “ … so great a cloud of witnesses … “


Reformation Essentials For Today Don’t forget the lessons of the Reformation

(Sola) Scriptura, Christus, Gratia, Fide, Deo Gloria We are heirs to the Reformation

Don’t fall back into pre-Reformation errors Tradition, works-based salvation False doctrines

The Essentials in Keeping The Faith: Roadblocks to Faith in Christ Evidence of Our Faith Confidence in Our Faith


Roadblocks to Faith in Christ1. Lack of intellectual knowledge of God2. Other Christians – their perceived hypocrisy3. Sin: accepting Christ would require turning away

from sin4. If God is all-loving and all-powerful, why is there

so much pain, suffering, and evil?5. Perceived conflict between Science and the Bible,

e.g. Creation v. Evolution6. No answers from the church to the hard questions


The Statistics! According to pollster George Barna:

Only 9% of “born again” teenagers believe that absolute truth even exists

At least 60% of the children from evangelical homes are estimated to leave the church once they leave home

Reasons: No answers from the church for the hard

questions asked by our youth Indoctrination of our youth in

secularism and evolutionism


Evidence of Our Faith1. Jesus’ Credibility – He Is God2. Prophecies Come True – Messianic + Others3. Christ Rose From the Grave4. The Bible is God’s Word5. Archaeology Verifies the Bible6. Science Supports Creation7. The Bible Is Reliable Scientifically8. If God is All-Loving and All-Knowing, Why

Do We have Evil and Suffering?


Keeping Our Faith 1 Pet. 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your

hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Matt. 22:37, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

1 Th. 5:21-22, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

2 Cor. 10:5, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”


Defending God’s Word Col. 4:5-6 – know how to answer

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Tit. 1:9 – be able to exhort and convince “holding fast the faithful word as he has been

taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

James 1:22 – be doers of the Word “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,

deceiving yourselves.”


Confidence In Our Faith The Truth of the Bible matches reality We do have supporting evidence The Christian faith is rational Believers can be confident in their faith Believers can defend their faith boldly

Know what you believe Know why you believe what you believe Learn how to defend your faith

Date post:	18-Feb-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	lynsey
View:	50 times
Download:	3 times

Celebrating Reformation Day: Solus Christus

Documents