Solas Sermon Series

Ryan put together a description for the Solas Sermon Series to give context for why this is such an important topic for the church. If you have missed any of the Solas series, check it out here to get all caught up.

On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther pinned his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. Luther was disturbed by the state of the church and wanted all Christians to get back to living how God desires. He saw a lack of respect towards God’s word and a teaching that was based on human effort rather than God’s grace. Luther’s theses created important conversations and actions that led to the formation of the protestant church that is still proclaiming Jesus today. The protestant Christian church wants to continue to focus on the fact that scripture tells us we are saved through faith in Christ because of His grace and for His glory.

The first of these solas is "Sola Scriptura," which means "Scripture alone." It emphasizes the authority of the Bible as the ultimate and only source of religious truth, rejecting other authoritative sources such as church tradition or human reasoning. We believe that Scripture is sufficient to guide us in matters of faith and practice. The second sola is "Sola Fide," or "faith alone," which emphasizes the role of faith in salvation. We believe that a person is justified, or made right with God, solely through faith in Jesus Christ and not through any human effort or good works.

The third sola is "Sola Gratia," or "grace alone." This principle underscores the belief that salvation is purely an act of God's grace and is not obtained by any human works or effort. We believe that salvation is a free gift of God, given solely out of his mercy and love towards humanity. The fourth sola is “Sola Christus,” which means “Christ alone.” This underscores the work of Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity. It proclaims that salvation is found exclusively in Christ, rejecting any notion that other individuals, saints, or religious figures have a role in mediating between God and humans. We believe that Jesus' perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection provide the only means of reconciliation with God.

Finally, “Sola Deo Gloria” emphasizes that all glory and honor belong to God alone in the Christian life. This sola rejects any form of self-glorification or the elevation of human achievement over God's sovereignty. We strive to live our lives in a way that brings glory and honor to God, recognizing that the purpose of our existence is to worship and serve Him.

These five solas serve as enduring pillars of protestant theology, shaping the understanding of Scripture, faith, grace, Christ, and the purpose of a Christian's life. They remind believers of the central tenets of the Reformation and continue to inform protestant practices and beliefs, allowing them to engage with God's word, experience His grace, and live in devotion to His glory.

-Ryan Balbi - Interim Teaching Pastor