On October 31, 1517, a day that continues to live in majesty, mystery, and meaning for the church on earth! On that day, a young Augustinian monk, by the name of Martin Luther, posted his 95 Theses (arguments) on the church castle door in Wittenberg, Germany. His only intention was to call into question certain doctrines and practices of the Church. He desired only the opportunity to openly debate questionable practices and doctrines. He had not thought of ever establishing a "new" church. Rather, he intended only to call the church of his day to reform their questionable practices and doctrines and to bring them in to accord with the clear teachings of Holy Scripture. Twelve years previously, it was a dark and stormy night in 1505. Martin Luther was returning to the University of Erfurt, where he was engaged in the study of Law. He was suddenly caught in the midst of a thunderstorm. The rain was pouring. The thunder echoed then, a bolt of lightning struck the ground it knocked him to the ground, off his horse. To say, Luther was terrified, would be an understatement! He was completely filled. His fear was so great and the stark reality of his own mortality so apparent that he cried out,"Help me, St. Anne! Help me and I will become a monk!" Luther survived the lightning, the thunder, and the storm. As a man of his word, Luther followed through on the vow he had hastily made to St. Anne. Much to the great dismay and displeasure of his father, Martin Luther entered a monastery and became a monk Eventually, his superiors directed him to pursue his doctorate in theology. The years passed and Luther became a professor at Wittenberg University. Yet, during his study and lectures, Luther changed. He was t changes by the power of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the clear teachings of the written Word of God. On day, while preparing a series of lectures on the book of Romans, Luther began to contemplate the theological implications of this phrase,"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" [Romans 1:17, ESV]. The words of Paul cut Luther to the core of his very soul. He examined the Scriptures. He compared Paul's letter to the Galatians with those words found in Romans. He explored the words of King David as recorded in the Psalms. As Luther was engaged in his studies, Pope Leo X commissioned the rebuilding of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. As Luther searched for God's eternal truth, Pope Leo X searched for money; money necessary to the rebuilding of St. Peter's. In order to raise money for its construction, a Dominican friar by the name of Johann Tetzel arrived in Germany. He came from Rome on behalf of Pope Leo X. Tetzel began selling indulgences (or declarations signed by the Pope). Tetzel proclaimed that these indulgences could free a soul from Purgatory and purchase special divine grace and favour including even the forgiveness of sins. The proclamations of Tetzel infuriated Luther so much that he formally objected to the sale of indulgences in his 95 Theses. With the advent and power of the printing press, only recently invented by Johann Gutenberg, Luther's 95 Theses spread throughout Germany and the whole of Europe like a wildfire. In only a matter of weeks, Luther's 95 Theses were everywhere. For the very first time, many of Luther's readers saw in print, the great biblical truths about forgiveness and salvation as the free gifts of God's grace. They, like Luther, came to understand that one cannot secure God's blessings and favour by their own works or by the works of any sinful human being [i.e., Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-31]. Luther's propositions ignited a firestorm of controversy. Quickly spreading and attracting the attention of academics and churchmen like himself, but also the wrath of Pope Leo X and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, as well! Martin Luther was summoned to appear before the Imperial Diet at the town of Worms. There he was challenged to withdraw his 95 Theses and repudiate all of his writings. On that day, the people remembered the fate of a similar church reformer, John Huss. Years before, John Huss had issued many similar propositions as Luther, now decades before, was proposing. He, like Luther, had challenged the power, practices, and doctrines of the church. As a result, Huss had been burned at the stake as a heretic. The eyes of the world were fixed upon Martin Luther. When called to answer the Imperial Diet, Luther replied:"Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen." Knowing what had happened to others, Luther stared death in the face. Yet, he stood unmoved. Luther stood firm squarely upon the clear teaching of Holy Scripture alone. He made his stand in life or in death on the Word of God alone. By God's grace, Luther survived the Diet of Worms and all those who attempted to silence him. The Almighty God of Heaven and earth held Martin Luther in the very palm of His hand and protect him. As a result, God used Luther as His very own divine instrument to once again bring the clear teachings of the Holy Scriptures to the life of His church. Luther's theology and those beliefs that put him in such conflict with the Roman Catholic Church of his day, are best summarized in what we call the Five Solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone Solus Christus - Christ Alone Sola Gratia - Grace Alone Sola Fide - Faith Alone Soli Deo Gloria - The Glory of God Alone Today, the Church of Christ again finds herself in great need of"reformation". The church in our day is no different from the church of Luther's time. The doctrines, opinions, and philosophies of men have once again twisted the clear meaning of holy Scripture. In our day, heresy, apostacy, and schisms abound. Each one seeks to replace the clear and revealed teachings of God's Holy Word with the doctrines and practices of devils. In the first century, St. Paul wrote these words to the Church at Ephesus:"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" [Ephesians 2:8-9]. This is the foundation of our life in Christ. Salvation comes from God. Forgiveness is a gift based only upon the merits of Christ and not our own. This is the message of the Gospel of God. During this month of October, we once remember and we celebrate our roots in the Protestant Reformation. Therefore, let us thank our gracious LORD for the godly men He has used throughout history to accomplish His purpose. It has always been and continues to be that the Lord our God brings glory and honour to His Holy Name through the lives of such men as the great Reformers, both past and present! Let us also praise God for the glorious grace by which He has called us to a holy and living faith; through which He has redeemed us and made us alive in Christ - to the glory of God alone! Amen! Blessings, Pastor Jim