URC Learning » What does it mean to be a Protestant?

What does it mean to be a Protestant? | part 5: To God be the glory

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:49:44 +0000

Since God has redeemed sinners by sovereign grace, then He not only receives all the glory for their salvation, but He has the right to receive glory from all that Christians do. Paul proclaims that the aim and goal of Christian living is the glory of God. Whether it is eating, drinking, engaging in commerce, or eating meat offered to idols outside the temple, God’s is to be glorified.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

What does it mean to be a Protestant? | part 4: Faith alone

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:46:52 +0000

If a contemporary person were to ask any of the Protestant Reformers what the Reformation was all about, to a man, they would say it was about justification by faith alone. Justification by faith alone was so central to the Reformation that Protestants boldly called this the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls. Paul teaches this great doctrine to the Galatians, explaining that justification is by faith in Christ alone, apart from any works.

Galatians 2:16

What does it mean to be a Protestant? | part 3: Grace alone

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:45:16 +0000

The wonder of salvation by grace alone can only be grasped by first realizing not only the sinful condition of men apart from Christ, but the spiritually dead condition of men in Adam. Since man is dead, he cannot take a single step toward salvation, unless God first makes him alive in Jesus Christ. Paul explains that salvation by grace alone is God making us alive when we were dead in sin. Because salvation is a gift of life to spiritually dead people, it follows that men don’t perform any works in order to save themselves, and therefore, they have no grounds for boasting.

Ephesians 2:1-10

What does it mean to be a Protestant? | part 2: Christ alone

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:43:37 +0000

Protestants insist that salvation is in Christ alone. The church doesn’t supply salvation and men don’t work for it, rather, Christ alone secures salvation and applies it to his elect. Paul grounds the argument for Christ Alone in the two-Adam structure of redemptive history, showing how all of God’s dealings with humanity are through these two men. Those in the 1st Adam are assured of eternal condemnation, while those who are in the second Adam, Jesus Christ, are assured of justification and eternal life.

Romans 5:12-19

What does it mean to be a Protestant? | part 1: Scripture alone

Rev. John Sawtelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:30:34 +0000

Luther’s pithy response at the Diet of Worms, “Here I stand on the Word of God alone. I can do no other. So help me God” summarizes the foundational truth of Protestantism, scripture alone. The final and objective authority for the church is the word of God alone. This message examines the meaning of this Protestant sola and shows its basis in scripture.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:3