When the reformers studied the Holy Scriptures, they were convicted, and then they unleashed the power of God's Word on the world. The Bible was so powerful to transform the life of the Catholic monk Martin Luther, so much so that when he was ordered to appear before the council at the Diet of Worms to recant what he had nailed, the 95 theses, his response was this: "Since your majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other. My conscience is captive to the Word of God…
Such was the power of God's Word. He could be killed just by saying these words, yet he was not afraid. "I cannot do otherwise. My conscience is captive to the Word of God." It has the power to transform you, whether you are 12 years old or you are 92 years old.
Just over 500 years ago, Martin Luther published a document that would spark the protestant reformation, and thus change the course of Christian history as we know it. This movement away from the teachings of the Roman Catholic church was and is still defined by the 5 solas: that the gospel of Jesus Christ, the salvation of all persons, is by scripture alone, by Christ alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, and to the glory of God alone. In today’s episode of ‘Tried and True’, Paul Cheng will explain the meaning and significance of the first of these sayings, sola scriptura. What makes this holy book that we hold in our hands the only book in the world that can direct us to the saviour? what powers does it possess, if any? if we’re using this book correctly, what effects are we supposed to experience? here’s Pastor Paul to lay this out for us, using the famous words of Hebrews 4:12-13, “
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Only the Scriptures can save us. These are the only words that are alive, powerful, penetrating, discerning and exposing. I supposed as Christians, these qualities of the Bible might occasionally get lost on us, through the routines of bible study, weekly sermonising, and so forth. Listening to Pastor Paul has been a good reminder to me that these words are no ordinary words, that they are supernaturally powerful to help me in my day to day.
If you’ve never experienced the bible have these effects on your life, we pray these weekly episodes will help you consider meditating on it in your own time, its why this podcast exists. If you know exactly what Pastor Paul has been talking about, but haven’t felt the searching, transforming power of the Bible in a while, perhaps it’s time to take it up again, and pray over these words. It’s astounding to think that the bible is God’s complete revelation to us, that it contains everything we need to know of Him and ourselves on this side of Heaven - that it’s not just all we need, but, in fact, it’s all that was have, in terms of instructions on knowing God.
For more sermons like this, as well as other weekly exhortations and devotionals, visit our website or youtube channel, under our church name, Bethel Bible Presbyterian church. Thanks you again for taking the time to listen. I’m your host, Joshua Nah, and next week, Pastor resumes our study of the epistle to the Philippians, explaining what it means for us Christians to stand fast in the Lord, what we’re supposed to stand on, and why we’re standing, rather than attacking in this spiritual warfare. That’s next week, here, on Tried and True.