Do You Personally Need a Reformation?
* Today I want to start with interesting facts about the Reformation… Reformation Day is a national holiday in Chile. While much of Europe and North America have become more culturally secularized, Protestantism, especially with the growth of “Evangelicals”, has exploded in Latin America. Yes, South America which used to be primarily Catholic… like much of the region, has seen a rapid rise in Protestant believers.
* Oh… in Southern Brazil, which is primarily European, some cities also have October 31 (Reformation Day) as a holiday. The city I grew up – Novo Hamburgo – has great celebrations during this holiday.
* Here is one more… Four-hundred and ninety-nine years ago, Luther was neither a Protestant nor Lutheran. When he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church, Luther was still Roman Catholic. He was looking to reform a faith tradition in which he was a clergy member and theological teacher at the University of Wittenberg. Luther posted his theses, which spread throughout Europe rapidly, so there could be debate on the matter. Luther stated confidently that he thought the whole matter would be cleared up after the Pope Leo X corrected those whom Luther believed had erred. Later, Luther preferred to be called "Evangelical" and did not like the term "Lutheran." So, what are you? _______________________________________________________________
* So let’s go to our topic… It happens with me quite often. Does it happen with you as well? You may ask: “What are you talking about?” Let me explain. There are times that I need to make adjustments to my life. That happens when certain indicators give evidence that a correction of course is needed. Sometimes it has to do with how I behave, sometimes it is my attitude, and other times it has to with core beliefs I have held dear for many years.
* “Oh, but the great majority of people see nothing wrong with the way I live” you might say… Sorry, but that is no proof that you are living correctly… Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause to reflect).”
* But why should I subject myself to this recycling/reformation process? Because I want to grow! I want to be more and more like Jesus, or as Paul says in Ephesians: “…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.” Ephesians 4:12-14. I want to grow, change, get better! Don’t you? But changes in life are not easily accomplished because people don’t like to change their attitudes, their thoughts and especially their behavior. But sometimes they are NECESSARY!
* We need to make sure that changes take place only in areas where there is a dissonance between God’s Word and what is happening in our life. Do not change just for the sake of change, or for the worse… always for the better.
* Reformation is needed in our life, in society, in the country and even in the church – and that happens because as years pass often there are deviations from the truth and we, our society, and the church need to come back to the “Truth that sets us free.” We cannot pretend that we always and perfectly stand in the truth in our personal life. Only God can claim that. Checking and rechecking our life and the life of the church against the Word of God is our continuous obligation. Remember… when Paul preached… the Bereans checked if he was being biblical…
* Well, when Martin Luther became a monk he first wanted to make adjustments within the church… But as you know, when there is a firmly established status quo, it is hard to bring changes into effect. When they are suggested, people and institutions will resist and often react negatively.
* We want to celebrate the Reformation this month, but not without checking if our own life needs some spiritual, emotional, behavioral adjustments. Please take a hard look at yourself and see what needs to be “reformed”. You will be blessed if you do!
* Be at peace.
Rev. Don Sonntag
* Today I want to start with interesting facts about the Reformation… Reformation Day is a national holiday in Chile. While much of Europe and North America have become more culturally secularized, Protestantism, especially with the growth of “Evangelicals”, has exploded in Latin America. Yes, South America which used to be primarily Catholic… like much of the region, has seen a rapid rise in Protestant believers.
* Oh… in Southern Brazil, which is primarily European, some cities also have October 31 (Reformation Day) as a holiday. The city I grew up – Novo Hamburgo – has great celebrations during this holiday.
* Here is one more… Four-hundred and ninety-nine years ago, Luther was neither a Protestant nor Lutheran. When he nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church, Luther was still Roman Catholic. He was looking to reform a faith tradition in which he was a clergy member and theological teacher at the University of Wittenberg. Luther posted his theses, which spread throughout Europe rapidly, so there could be debate on the matter. Luther stated confidently that he thought the whole matter would be cleared up after the Pope Leo X corrected those whom Luther believed had erred. Later, Luther preferred to be called "Evangelical" and did not like the term "Lutheran." So, what are you? _______________________________________________________________
* So let’s go to our topic… It happens with me quite often. Does it happen with you as well? You may ask: “What are you talking about?” Let me explain. There are times that I need to make adjustments to my life. That happens when certain indicators give evidence that a correction of course is needed. Sometimes it has to do with how I behave, sometimes it is my attitude, and other times it has to with core beliefs I have held dear for many years.
* “Oh, but the great majority of people see nothing wrong with the way I live” you might say… Sorry, but that is no proof that you are living correctly… Mark Twain once said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause to reflect).”
* But why should I subject myself to this recycling/reformation process? Because I want to grow! I want to be more and more like Jesus, or as Paul says in Ephesians: “…so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.” Ephesians 4:12-14. I want to grow, change, get better! Don’t you? But changes in life are not easily accomplished because people don’t like to change their attitudes, their thoughts and especially their behavior. But sometimes they are NECESSARY!
* We need to make sure that changes take place only in areas where there is a dissonance between God’s Word and what is happening in our life. Do not change just for the sake of change, or for the worse… always for the better.
* Reformation is needed in our life, in society, in the country and even in the church – and that happens because as years pass often there are deviations from the truth and we, our society, and the church need to come back to the “Truth that sets us free.” We cannot pretend that we always and perfectly stand in the truth in our personal life. Only God can claim that. Checking and rechecking our life and the life of the church against the Word of God is our continuous obligation. Remember… when Paul preached… the Bereans checked if he was being biblical…
* Well, when Martin Luther became a monk he first wanted to make adjustments within the church… But as you know, when there is a firmly established status quo, it is hard to bring changes into effect. When they are suggested, people and institutions will resist and often react negatively.
* We want to celebrate the Reformation this month, but not without checking if our own life needs some spiritual, emotional, behavioral adjustments. Please take a hard look at yourself and see what needs to be “reformed”. You will be blessed if you do!
* Be at peace.
Rev. Don Sonntag