Tomorrow is Halloween, but it is also a day that Lutherans recognize as Reformation Day. It was on All Hallows Eve in 1517 that Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Church Door in Germany. This small thing was a catalyst that sparked the Reformation that would forever change the Church and the world.
The Reformation was about going back to our roots. It was going back to the origins of the faith. Over the course of 1500 years of Church history, the core message of the Church had gotten lost. The Reformation was about recovering that message and going back to what it was all about. It was about going back to Jesus.
It is easy to look down on the Church of Martin Luther’s Day. We wonder how they missed the boat. How could they have gotten the core message of the Christian faith so badly confused?
But we must realize that we are not that different. We make it about so many other things than what it is about. The modern local church often becomes a social club focused on making members and paying the bills. But Christ calls us to make disciples and to advance the kingdom of God.
The Reformation is about theology, but it is also about living out that theology. How well are we making disciples as a Church? How well are you being discipled as an individual?
We have busy churches. I think about all we are doing at our church in New Jersey. This last week we had a Harvest Fest, Worship, Sunday School, Thanksgiving Donation Drive, Growth Groups, and Choir practice. But I always wonder that while we are doing so many good things, are we doing the right things? Are we doing what God would have us do? Do we need a Reformation?
Repentance
The call of the Reformation is a call of repentance. It is to examine our motives, our works, and our lives in the light of God’s Word. It is a call to return to the basics. It is a call to make it about Christ rather than all the other things we are so often tempted to make it about. Are we willing to ask the hard questions and examine ourselves in light of God’s Word? Are we willing to change our ways and leave behind our sacred works of religion to follow the calling of Christ?
Renewal
The Reformation is a breath of fresh air. It lifts many of the burdens that have been placed upon us. It takes the obligations of “Church” and replaces it with a relationship with Jesus Christ. In the end, that is all that matters.
Apple recently did an ad campaign for the iPhone. The tagline was “if it is not an iPhone, it’s not an iPhone.” With Jesus, if it’s not Jesus, then it’s not Jesus. Either you've got Jesus, or you don’t!
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (ESV)
Happy Reformation Day!
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you need a Reformation in your life?
- Where are places in your church where you have made it about more than what God intended?
- How do we live out the Reformation?
- Share your comments.
Marliss Laughridge says
What a diligent reminder about repentance in our lives, Pastor Phil.
It is true we tend to forget than an important part of our faith is having a sorrowful heart over the sins we committed or things we omitted doing. Do we daily acknowledge that we need forgiveness for those sins we commit? I think if you would on a Sunday morning, ask for a show of hands, how many people actually repented of their sins before they came to church, it would be surprising how many of us had forgotten to do that.
Phil Ressler says
It’s so nice to hear from you Marliss. Hope you are doing well. We miss you. Thanks for the comments.