Reformation Day

Oct 30, 2017

I'm excited to be focusing on the Reformation and the importance of it. 500 yrs is nothing small, and how amazing what has happened in the world and church since Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg church. To celebrate, we watched Martin Luther, the black and white movie, and had a discussion about the fact that others before Luther also saw the corruption of the Catholic church, but Luther brought the issue to the masses. His studies gave voice and broadness to the problems within the Catholic church, starting with the selling of indulgences to control the people and keep the coffers full, and finally going to the heart of what it means to be in relationship with Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and nothing we do and no amount of money changes that. It is a sad and disgraceful reality that the Catholic church still sells indulgences today as a way of raising funds. This is wholly heretical.

I'm grateful for the freedom to stand contrary to our culture on October 31st and proactively promote the truth to my family. It is a prime day to be in the world and not of it, celebrating the deep spiritual heritage we have. I liken it to why a Christian college is ideal for a believer--not only do you miss out on the falsehoods being taught and the dangers of the world, but you also get solid years of Bible teaching that you may miss out on otherwise. Celebrating the Reformation keeps us from bad things and also gives us good things.

Focusing on the wonderful history of October 31st isn't lost on a worldly, wicked holiday. I want to take every opportunity to bring glory to God in truth, and not use unbiblical methods to bring people in to the church through substitutionary events. We are to use the Bible's methods to teach the Bible's truths, and trying to make people feel comfortable by hosting pseudo Halloween events in a church in the hope one day they'll come back is not the Bible's method. People don't cozy up to Christianity, nor do they soften to the idea of it. Realize that this is the issue plaguing the church in America. Far too many churches adopt the notion that looking like the world will draw people in, but it doesn't. It only weakens the body of believers, which is supposed to be set apart. Remember, it was Catholics who used psychology to learn to look the world to then attempt to draw those lost people in to the church. Looking like the world reduces the church to what it is never supposed to be, and while that is happening, who is acting like the church?

The cross is a stumbling block and the gospel is to be shared with people directly. We've been in a church that really knew how to play the 'maybe they'll catch Christianity' game...give them a backpack of school supplies and maybe one day they'll say, "Those people at the church cared about me, I'll go there...". No folks, we can't pretend we're one thing then do a little switcharoo. The purpose of the church is to openly proclaim the gospel. No other organization or group does that. If we stop doing that, or are seen as a fun social gathering place, we're diluting, or worse, denying, our purpose. Many groups and organizations run great social causes, but they will never be a CHURCH. Only one place can be a church, and it needs to stay true to its cause. We aren't going to be all things--we need to do what we're designed to do, and the purpose of the church is to edify the saints and equip them. It is a place to bring glory to God alongside fellow believers who then go out and share the truth through words, deeds, and by living a life for God. We will be different from all other places and people, and that is one thing God uses to draw the lost to Himself.

Nowhere in the Bible is there an example of a disciple pretending like they weren't a disciple, or striving to look like the lost in order to maybe later, someday, share the truth. It isn't how it was done.

Tomorrow marks a special day that should be recognized for what it is. The issues Luther dealt with are still issues today, and those who don't know history are bound to repeat it. We are missing out on a good opportunity as Christians when we fail to celebrate the Reformation and how it is still needed today.

Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness.