I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am now working through 2017 devotionals. Each month of 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation.
- October - Sacraments (December 16, 2022 - March 7, 2023)
- September - The Reformation of Worship (July 20, 2022 - December 15, 2022)
- August - The Body of the Lord - the Church recovered in the Reformation (April 14, 2022 - July 19, 2022)
- July - The right use of God's Law (May 23, 2021 - April 13, 2022)
- June was justification by faith alone (February 14, 2021 - May 22, 2021)
- May, Christ Alone (September 3, 2020 - February 13, 2021)
- April, salvation by grace alone (March 6, 2019 - September 2, 2020)
- March, the sovereign providence of God (January 28, 2019 - March 5, 2019)
- February, the doctrine of revelation, Scripture (January 8, 2019 - January 27, 2019)
- January, the doctrine of God (December 16, 2018 - January 7, 2019).
The Efficacy of the Sacraments
Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace - Sacraments are signs that point beyond themselves to something else and convey the promises of grace and God.
The Sign and the Thing Signified - There remains an importance in participating in the sacraments. And in this participation a union or relation between the sign and the thing signified.
Word and Sacrament Together - These acts or rites we observe are empty without the words of God bringing these acts into significance with what Christ has done on our behalf.
Baptism
The Institution of Baptism - Baptism is commanded in Scripture following conversion and it is to be instituted in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, but the method can be any form with water over the person.
Baptism and Regeneration - Baptism has regenerated all who believe in Christ alone for salvation.
Baptism and Forgiveness - People who have repented need to be baptized. It confirms their new birth to the visible church.
Baptism and Union with Christ - Baptism gives us a sign but in being baptized there also occurs a mystery - union with Christ in his death and resurrection.
Baptism and Circumcision - Both circumcision and baptism are signs of the new life we have with God in Christ -- having been set apart from all the world to Him.
Baptism and Time - Is baptism a new covenant sacrament and regeneration the same today as it was with circumcision in the old covenant? The idea here is that since regeneration occurred separate from circumcision, then with baptism this is also so.
Baptism and Children - Baptism can include children of a believing parent to provide evidence of the sign of regeneration for the entire family.
One Baptism - We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper Commanded - The Lord's Supper has significance in light of the Passover. We are united with Christ and remember His Body and Blood Sacrifice.
The Lord's Supper as Remembrance - The Passover remembered God saving the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord's Supper remembers Jesus saving us all from eternal damnation because of our great rebellion to God.
The Lord's Supper and Proclamation - When I practice the Lord's Supper I am proclaiming Christ and what He has done for me in breaking His body and pouring out His blood to save me.
The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ - Jesus is the Bread of Life. Like bread and wine (drink) I need to want him every moment of every day and I need Him to nourish me.
The Lord's Supper and Examination - In coming to have the Lord's Supper, examine oneself, treat this meal as different from other meals and if there is a problem, don't partake of it till it is cleared up.
The Lord's Supper and Fellowship - The Lord's Supper is an offering to the Lord of thanksgiving, peace, and fellowship whereby we partake of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of his goodness and redeeming us.
The Preaching of God's Word
Preaching and the Preacher's Task - Sacraments must carry with them the study and preaching of God's Word.
Confident in the Truth - Life will shift, will ebb and flow, grass will wither, flowers fade, but God's word remains and we remain confident in the truth of God.
Law and Gospel - The Law shows us we are lost. Through faith we are saved or justified.
Novelty in Preaching - There is novelty in preaching to encounter God's word and discover truths that we have not seen before.
Our Highest Calling - We are to have a high value on our pastors and preachers who are our leaders in bringing the good news of the Gospel and God's word to the people.
The Power of the Gospel - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk magazine, copastor of Saint Andrew's chapel in Sanford, FL) - The apostles, the church fathers, and others were forerunners to the Reformation that Luther helped usher in 1517. And yet Luther himself voiced in a sermon in 1522 that we preach, teach, and write, but we do not force, "for faith must come freely without compulsion." It is a reminder that it is the Holy Spirit who brought revival and reformation to people.
The Trauma of Holiness - RC Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) - This article begins with RC telling us about 19th century atheists like Sigmund Freud who tried to figure out why there is religion at all. It seems to be because people have fears. People that murder can be dealt with somewhat through advancements of technology as well as bargaining with people through peace treaties. But nature is a natural terror and how do you bargain with nature. Granted, science can help us anticipate hurricanes and get us ready but still it comes. And so Freud argued that humans personalized nature and made gods so they could try and negotiate with these gods through pleading, praying, making sacrifices, repenting before. And eventually humans consolidated all gods into one. It is possible there could be religion without God. And yet the God of the Bible inspires far greater trauma than nature. Uzzah was struck dead by God when trying to steady the ark (
2 Samuel 6:1-10). Isaiah was undone by meeting the God of Israel. So why would we create a God of terror when our aim is to combat terror? Thus, why would man create a holy God? Thus the reformers saw that the only way to endure God's judgment was being covered in the holiness and righteousness of Christ.
Why the Reformation Still Matters - Michael Reeves (President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology) - On October 31, 2017 Pope Francis said that after 500 years Protestants and Catholics can mend the fences and move beyond disagreements. And yet, still to this day there remains a difference in theology. The reason the reformation occurred was at the start of the 16th century Europeans had been without a bible they could read for 1000 years. Instead of a gift they were led to believe that one had to earn their salvation and it would be presumptuous for anyone to believe they knew for certain their eternal outcome. It was Martin Luther who had a similar angst wondering if he died if he was really going to heaven. He was terrified of death. Thus the reformation gave people the good news that God saves sinners by His grace. 500 years ago it was not simply a reaction to a problem of the day. Yet today we still succumb to the idea that to be loved, we need to be attractive. And our culture of positive thinking and personal self-esteem has wiped away a need for a sinner to be justified. But Luther states that
sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive. We need to continue to hold scripture and the Gospel high for all to see.
Luther and His Significance - Stephen J. Nichols (President of Reformation Bible College and chief academic officer for Ligonier Ministries) - Prior to 1544, protestant churches in Germany had been converted Roman Catholic sanctuaries but the Castle Church in Torgau, Germany was possibly the first protestant church. At its dedication, Luther declared that the only reason for the church is that the Lord will speak to us through His word in this place. 27 years had passed since he posted his Ninety-Five Thesis and had taken a stand on being saved by grace through faith alone and yet this moment committed people to worship God. Luther had committed his life to God and at first this commitment was a struggle as he saw the sinner that he was. It was not simply recognizing that he had sinned but that his sins were so numerous so he had no chance before God to be declared righteous. But he didn't have to earn it as righteousness was imputed to him (Romans 4:3). Interesting, but once he discovered this and was about this, preaching became what he loved and he did it often. After establishing that church, he would die 2 years later. And yet the Light of God's word continues to shine forth.
Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide - Guy Prentiss Waters (Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi) - Even before the reformation the Bible was seen as authoritative. The Reformation challenged the idea that other authorities in the church were seen as equivalent to Scripture: veneration of Mary and saints, purgatory. Calvin upheld creeds and councils of the church. He simply wanted to surrender these to Scripture. Justification by faith has been taught by Roman Catholic church but it is seen as a lifelong process rather than a point in time justification. Thus, grace is progressive throughout a person's life, even leading up to advancing more after they die in purgatory. Reformers taught that our justification is not based on our deeds, but what Jesus has done. This justification produces good works and not a license to sin.
The Geography of the Reformation - Ryan Reeves (associate professor of historical theology and assistant dean of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) - The land of the reformation speaks to how our nations have embraced or rejected the Reformation. Germany was still the Holy Roman Empire in the 1500s. The emperor was elected by seven electors throughout Germany. It was the Habsburg dynasty that held title then and later to Napoleon. Luther went on trial at the Diet of Worms and yet Frederick, an elector believed his condemnation was not just and Luther was allowed to remain leader of the Lutheran church for 25 years rather than being executed. Nearby what we know as Switzerland today was Geneva, a city somewhat separate from rulers. The Netherlands was also separate from the influence of foreign rulers. A separation occurred with the North kind to Calvin and the South largely Roman Catholic. The biggest rival to Germany was France led by Francis I, a humanist initially kind to Calvin but later mocked him. England seemed least likely to embrace Protestantism if not for Henry VII taking the crown. He wanted to root out Protestantism, but he had conflict with the Roman Catholic church when he wanted to divorce his wife after her miscarriages and marry his brother's wife. England's rival to the north was Scotland. Jon Know fled to Scotland but then had an adversary in Mary, Queen of Scots until she had to flee to England after the murder of her husband. Reform began and King James VI supported the English Bible translation that bears his name. Presbyterian was established in Scotland by Knox's death in 1572.
The Women of the Reformation - Rebecca Vandoodewaard (mother and blogger and author of several books) - Interesting article that is a good reminder that while the men of the faith tend to get all of the notoriety because of their writings, there are women there supporting them, teaching children, and ministering as well to men that come to visit. In many ways, a man's vocation is singular while a woman's is much more multi-faceted and engaging in many different activities. Katharina Luther (1499-1552), wife of Martin Luther; Anna Bullinger (1504-1564), wife of Heinrich Bullinger (head of the church of Zurich); queen Jeanne d' Albret (1528-1572); Katharina von Zimmern (1478-1547); Marguerite de Navarre (1492-1549); Katharina Zell (1497-1562); Charlotte de Mornay (1550-1606).
Continuing the Reformation - W. Robert Godfrey (President and Professor of Westminster Seminary California) - We need to continually be about "reformed and always reforming." "We also agree with the Reformers that various traditions of the church, from ancient and medieval times, drifted away from the Word of God and therefore had to be reformed or corrected by the Bible." We do make changes in history of how the message of truth engages with culture. John Calvin believed in a state religion while others today believe in a separation. Remember, the great commission is the program for the church. Christ has authority always over the church. We are to preach, teach, and baptize. We are to preach all of Christ and His teachings. Jesus will always be us.
The Examined Life - Rev. Jason Helopoulos (senior pastor of Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan) - We must always examine our ways and life. Socrates stated, "The unexamined life is not worth living." Our adversary distracts us with the cares of this world. It is okay to enjoy things, but don't let that enjoyment take over your life. "What am I living for?" "What is the final destination of my soul?" Death will impact everyone. May we examine the state of our soul.
When Temptation Comes Knocking - Melissa R. Kruger (women's ministry coordinator at Uptown Church in Charlotte, NC) - I Corinthians 10:13 remains a great verse reminder about temptation. Today I want to focus on the phrase, "common to man" and how much my pride doesn't want to know this. Instead my pride wants to think that my experiences are unique, different from others, so that people will sympathize more when they hear my circumstance and also understand better when I give into sin. But the Spirit wants to show me that others have faced this and I can be like them and get out of the sin. The key is that in our temptation, Christ is there, and I can choose instead to walk in His ways.
What Should I Do - Thomas Brewer (Managing editor of Tabletalk magazine) - We ask ourselves this question in many different forms a lot. God gives us freedom but we need to stay in His parameters even when it comes to eating, working, traveling, and living. Remember I Thessalonians 5:16-18, "
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Do the basics at the very least.
Love the Church Over Its Health - Dr. Jonathan Leeman (editorial director of 9Marks; elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC) - As leaders and people in church we need to remember people are at church and they need our love. We need to not be so shut off towards people that disobey or do things in an unorthodox way, like allowing their unregenerate children to observe the Lord's Supper. This should mean to us that we need to do a better job educating them, but in the meantime people still need to be loved. We do this because of what Christ has done for us, not because of what they do.
Daily Gifts - Nathan W. Bingham (vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries) - My oldest daughter is having a birthday. Birthday signs are overhead and she will receive gifts. Parents will experience this joy of seeing this from their kids. Gifts are free, but often we receive gifts with ingratitude, preferring something else or boasting, very proud that we have it. We often boast in life, over our achievements and yet scripture says, "
Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord (I Cor. 1:31)." The Christian life is a gift. Every breath is a gift. Prayer is a gift as well, giving thanks to God. This is the Christian's daily anthem.
Why We Protest - R. Albert Mohler Jr. ((President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky) - 500 years ago, the Reformation affirmed that the Bible alone is the final, infallible authority for life and doctrine (Sola Scriptura). This gave reformers courage to separate from Rome. The inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture was under attack then and it continues today. After the Reformation came the Enlightenment period which dominated Europe (17th and early 18th centuries) with the claim that only scientific data (not scripture through special revelation) can be objectively understood, objectively defined, and objectively defended; it did not allow for special revelation or the possibility of supernatural intervention in history. The church in crisis, it continues. In the US, pragmatism voiced that truth is relative to the time, place, need, and person. Truth is a matter of social negotiation. Ideas are tools and their truthfulness determined whether it meets the particular needs of the time. And then postmodernism continues the assault on truth. Postmodernists are committed to total war on truth itself -- a deconstructionist project bent on the casting down of all religious, philosophical, political, and cultural authorities. But as Christians, we must return to the doctrine of revelation - having confidence in God's word in spite of the philosophical and theological problems of the age. God speaks. And He speaks to us in a way we can understand, revealing Himself. As such, the people of God remain in crisis; the war against the authority and truth of Scripture remains. Even in our evangelical institutions, the full truth of the Bible is challenged. For the Christian, the Reformer, the disciple, the Christ follower, scripture is the ultimate authority for life and doctrine. We must stay adhered to Scripture in our preaching. And so we protest - for Scripture to be rightly proclaimed, the church built up, and the message of the gospel reach to every corner of the earth. The health of the church is directly connected to the strength of our commitment to the authority and truthfulness of Scripture.
The Ninety-Five Theses - Martin Luther, October 31, 1517 - 1,2,3 - a life of repentance, not penance, inward, but also outward. 4,5,6,7 - Penalty of sin continues; the Pope cannot remit penalties or guilt, but pope can grant remission. God remits guilt. 8 - Penitential (penances) canons only on living. 9 - Holy spirit works through the Pope. 10,11,12. no Purgatory penances. 13,14,15 - The Dying freed from all penalties; imperfect love of dying brings fear. 16, 17, 18, 19 - Hell, Purgatory, Heaven differ; souls in purgatory; outside of ability to increase love or able to increase blessings; 20, 21, 22, 23 - Pope has limit to full remission of sins. Pope cannot free all. Pope remits not for those in purgatory. Remission only granted to most perfect (few). 24, 25, 26, 27 - People deceived to hear promise of release (by Pope) from penalty. No power over purgatory. Pope can only intercede. The soul can't be fly out of purgatory. 28 to 32 - Only power of God to intercede for church. no one can be sure of his own contrition. true repentant man is rare. those who think they are pardoned or sure of their salvation will be condemned eternally. 33, 34, 35, 36 - men must guard against thinking the pope reconciles people to God. only grace pope gives is sacramental pardons. every person must be truly repentant to be have full remission. 37, 38, 39, 40 - God grants benefits, not letters of pardon. 38 - Yet church remission and participation still needed by the pope; most educated it is difficult to grant pardons; true contrition seeks and loves penalties; 41, 42, 43, 44 - papal indulgences with caution; people should not think they are preferred; pope does not intend buying of pardons; better to give to poor or lend to needy; love works; 45, 46, 47, 48 - if see a man in need and passes him to give him money for pardon is an indignation; use money wisely, free will buying of pardons only not commandment; the pope needs prayer more than money; 49 to 54 - do not trust in pope's pardons; keep fearing God. no value in indulgence preachers; assurance of salvation by letter of pardon in vain; need to preach the Word of God not prefer preaching of pardons; 55 - the gospel is the greatest thing to be preached; 56, 57, and 58 - treasures of church, temporal treasure; grace inner, cross, death, hell for outward man; 59, 60 - St. Laurence treasure is church's poor; keys of church are that treasure; 61 to 66 pope power is sufficient for remission of penalties; most treasure is Holy Gospel of grace of God; makes first last; treasure of indulgences makes last first; so treasure gospel; fish for men; 67 to 72 - indulgences preachers cry are to promote gain; but actually smallest graces; admit papal pardons with reverence; pope's commission valued; don't preach against papal pardons; guard against lust/license of pardon preachers; 73 to 78 - harm to traffic pardons; madness to consider papal pardon of an impossible sin; pope does not remove venial sins; pope should focus on gospel. 79 to 89 - the work of the cross is greatest value; then mentions questions voiced that are voiced by the pope instead of gospel. 90 to 95 - Christians are to be diligent in following Christ, enter heaven through tribulation rather than false assurance of peace.
