Feb 22, 2024
This sermon was originally presented on May 17, 2015
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Theologians sometimes refer to five 'solas' upon which the Christian faith rests. The wording used in the days of the Reformation is Latin and that wording is often still used today to name these great doctrines. These five doctrines are sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), sola gratia (grace alone), sola fide (faith alone), and soli Deo gloria (glory to God alone).
Imagine a magnificent, ancient temple and a foundation upon which everything rests. That is sola Scriptura. Everything that we believe, obey, embrace deep in our souls is based on the foundation of sola Scriptura. Upon this foundation are three massive pillars, framing and upholding the gospel in its most basic form: sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus - salvation is from grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. And finally, when the foundation is in place and these three immovable, sturdy pillars are in place, then the roof and the pinnacle rest above the structure, pointing upward. That is soli Deo gloria, "for the glory of God alone."
The foundation for everything we know about God and His salvation is in the Bible. Because the Bible was inspired by God (cf. 2 Tim 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:21,22), the Bible is a unique book. It is different from every other religious book. It is the only unerring source of specific information concerning the person of God. The Bible is our ultimate authority for faith and life. The Bible, alone, is absolute truth and thus it is the final and decisive judgment on every aspect of our lives. Let us learn to say genuinely, with David, "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psa 119:97).