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Reformation Sunday - What is It?

 

Reformation Sunday

By Pastor Paul

 What exactly is Reformation Sunday, you may ask, and why do we celebrate it each year? Those are two good questions that I will try to succinctly answer in just a few paragraphs.

Reformation Sunday is observed on the last Sunday of October by many Protestant churches, including the Presbyterian Church USA. It commemorates the Protestant Reformation, which began on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg (pronounced VIT-ten-burg), Germany. This bold act challenged the church's practices and set into motion a movement that shaped the course of Christianity.

On Reformation Sunday, we celebrate the truths that were rediscovered during the Reformation: salvation by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), in Christ alone (solus Christus), based on the authority of Scripture alone (sola scriptura), all for the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria). These principles remind us that our relationship with God is not based on human efforts or merit but solely on God's grace.

This Reformation Sunday's Sermon, “See for Yourself,” reminds us that the Reformers risked everything so we could have unfettered access to Scripture. Today, we can open the Bible in our own language and read what God’s Word truly says, without relying on others to tell us. In a world where opinions, traditions, and even social media can distort truth, we are called to return to the source. As Jesus reminded the Pharisees, faith begins with hearts aligned to God, not with words or customs passed down unexamined. May this Reformation Sunday renew our commitment to Scripture and inspire us to see for ourselves the living Word that still speaks truth today.

Blessings,

Pastor Paul

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