Reformation

Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone

These are the readings for the First Sunday of End Time—Reformation.

God’s Word for This Week

By grace alone, by faith alone, by Scripture alone—these are the three “watchwords” of God reforming his church.

First Lesson – Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Grace Alone

God says to Israel that he will make a new covenant with them. Where will he write that covenant? (See 31:33.)

God promised to write his covenant in believers’ hearts and minds. (His main concern is our insides—our attitudes, beliefs, etc.—not merely our appearance.)

The heart of God’s new covenant is found in 31:34. What does God graciously do for you and me?

God forgives our sins and remembers them no more.

Second Lesson – Romans 3:19-28 – Faith Alone

Paul first points out the main purposes of God’s law. What are those purposes? (See 3:19‒20.)

God did not give us his law to work our way to heaven. He means it to remove all our rationalizations and excuses. (“What do you have to say for yourself?” Silence.) God’s law is a mirror clearly showing our ugly sin, showing that we cannot save ourselves.

There is righteousness. Whose is it? From where does it come? (See 3:21‒22.)

Perfect righteousness before God is God’s: It comes from God. It is not from us.

We have fallen woefully short, but we are also justified, innocent in God’s courtroom. Why? How? (See 3:24.)

Our justification is free, by God’s grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God piles up descriptives to say, “This is my work, my work, my work, not your work.”

Gospel – John 8:31-36 – Scripture alone

What does Jesus say is the mark of his disciples? (See 8:31.)

One of the marks of Jesus’ disciples is that they hold on tightly to God’s Word.

What blessing does God give as we hold on tightly to the Word? (See 8:32.)

We will know the truth, and the truth sets us free.

God has blessed you with full freedom in Christ. How does knowing that it comes from his Word lead us to reprioritize our lives?

What joy! God’s Word brings us freedom. Knowing that freedom from sin and death comes from God’s Holy Word motivates me to keep focused on the Word. I want to keep hearing it, reading it, and studying it. God brings me great blessings through it.