Reformation Day: The Legacy of an Open Bible

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, as we mark Reformation Day, we reflect on a legacy that is both joyful and tragic—a day that commemorates not the birth of a new church, but a call to faithfulness and a return to the heart of the gospel. The Reformation is not about division for its own sake, but about the gifts handed down to us: the open Bible, the truth of Christ, and the freedom of the gospel. We are stewards of this legacy, holding it for a time before passing it on to those who come after us, just as generations before us did.

We stand on the shoulders of apostles, saints, reformers, and faithful families who sacrificed to ensure that God’s Word would have a permanent place among us. Their greatest gift is the open Bible—a treasure that was once closed to ordinary people. Through the work of Martin Luther and others, the Scriptures were translated into the language of the people, making God’s Word accessible and alive for all. This was not just a linguistic achievement, but a declaration that the authority of the church rests on the Word of God, not on the traditions or decrees of men.

Yet, even in a world where Bibles are everywhere, the challenge remains: do we open it? The Reformation’s legacy calls us to abide in Christ’s Word, to read and meditate on the Scriptures, and to let them shape our lives. In a time when truth is increasingly hard to discern, the unchanging Word of God stands as our anchor. The Scriptures reveal the greatest truth: Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who became man, suffered, died, and rose again for our salvation. He is not a distant judge to be appeased, but our merciful Savior and brother, near to us and ready to hear our prayers.

Our heritage is the free forgiveness of sins through Christ alone—not by our works, not by our goodness, but by His grace. This is the gospel the world still desperately needs, for though we may enjoy many freedoms, we remain enslaved to sin apart from Christ. The Reformation also shaped our schools and society, emphasizing the importance of everyone being able to read the Bible and know the truth. As we celebrate today, may we keep the Bible open in our homes, our church, and our hearts, and freely share the gospel with all, until the day Christ calls us home.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Open Bible as Our Heritage The Reformation’s most enduring legacy is the open Bible—God’s Word made accessible to all people in their own language. This gift is not merely historical; it is a living invitation to encounter God daily. We are called to keep the Scriptures open in our lives, letting them guide, comfort, and correct us, rather than letting them gather dust or remain a closed book in our homes. [31:27]
• 2. Scripture Alone as the Church’s Authority The question of authority—whether the church is governed by men or by the Word of God—remains central. The Reformation insists that all teaching and practice must be rooted in Scripture; where the Bible speaks, we listen and obey, and where it is silent, we are free. This principle guards us from the shifting opinions of culture and tradition, anchoring us in the unchanging truth of God. [32:44]
• 3. Christ Alone: The Heart of the Gospel At the center of the open Bible is the revelation of Jesus Christ—not as a distant lawgiver, but as our perfect Savior who draws near to us. He is both God and man, who suffered, died, and rose again to redeem us. This Christ is not to be approached through intermediaries or by our own merit, but is present, merciful, and hears our prayers as our brother and redeemer. [39:05]
• 4. Free Forgiveness, Not Earned by Works The subtle lie that we can earn God’s favor through our own goodness persists even today. The Reformation reminds us that salvation is a gift, not a transaction; we are not “good enough” for heaven, but Christ has accomplished everything for us on the cross. Our confidence rests not in our performance, but in the finished work of Jesus, freeing us from the slavery of self-justification. [41:02]
• 5. Passing the Legacy Forward The Reformation’s impact extends beyond the church to education and society, shaping schools so that all might read and know the Scriptures. We are entrusted with this legacy—not to hoard it, but to pass it on, opening the Bible in our homes, teaching it to our children, and proclaiming the gospel freely. Our calling is to ensure that the Word remains open and living for generations yet to come.
  
  ** [44:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:10] - The Meaning of Reformation Day
• [28:47] - Luther’s Excommunication and the Tragedy of Division
• [29:26] - Legacy and Stewardship: Passing the Faith Forward
• [30:05] - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
• [30:46] - The Reformation Legacy: Truth and Freedom
• [31:27] - The Open Bible: A Gift for All
• [32:06] - Translating Scripture for the People
• [32:44] - Authority: Scripture or Tradition?
• [33:21] - Luther’s 95 Theses and the Viral Reformation
• [34:36] - The Centrality of Christ’s Teaching
• [35:08] - The Challenge of Keeping the Bible Open
• [37:07] - The Unchanging Truth in a Changing World
• [38:26] - Christ: Our Redeemer, Not a Distant Judge
• [39:45] - Free Forgiveness: Salvation by Grace Alone
• [41:44] - The Reality of Slavery to Sin
• [43:00] - The Reformation and the Birth of Public Education
• [44:21] - Keeping the Bible Open for Future Generations
• [44:59] - Living and Sharing the Legacy
• [46:07] - Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Bible Reading

John 8:31-36 (ESV) — > So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

2. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
> For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Observation Questions

1. According to the sermon, what was the main legacy of the Reformation for ordinary people regarding the Bible? [[31:27]]
2. In John 8:31-36, what does Jesus say is the result of abiding in His word?
3. What subtle lie about salvation does the pastor say is still present today, even among Christians? [[41:02]]
4. How did the Reformation influence not just the church, but also education and society, according to the sermon? [[43:00]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the pastor emphasize that the Reformation was not about starting a new church, but about returning to the heart of the gospel? [[28:10]]
2. What does it mean for the Bible to be “open” in our lives, and why is this still a challenge even when Bibles are everywhere? [[35:08]]
3. How does the idea of “Scripture alone” as the church’s authority protect us from the “shifting opinions of culture and tradition”? [[32:44]]
4. In what ways does the belief that salvation is a free gift through Christ alone change how we view our own efforts and good works? [[41:02]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor said that even though Bibles are everywhere, they often remain closed. How often do you actually open and read your Bible? What keeps you from doing it more regularly? [[35:08]]
2. Think about your home. Is the Bible visible and accessible, or does it tend to get lost among other things? What is one practical step you could take this week to keep the Bible “open” in your daily life? [[36:28]]
3. The sermon mentioned that the Reformation’s legacy is not just for us to keep, but to pass on. Who in your life—children, friends, neighbors—could you intentionally share the gospel or the Scriptures with this month? [[44:21]]
4. The pastor described the subtle lie that we can earn God’s favor by being “good enough.” Are there areas in your life where you still try to earn God’s approval? How can you remind yourself of the truth of grace this week? [[41:02]]
5. The Reformation led to the creation of schools so everyone could read the Bible. How can you support or encourage Bible learning in your family, church, or community? [[43:00]]
6. Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” What does “abiding” in His word look like for you personally? Is there a new habit or practice you want to start? [John 8:31]
7. The pastor said we are “stewards” of the gospel and the open Bible. What does it look like for you to be a good steward of this legacy in your current season of life? [[29:26]]