“Sola 5: Through Christ Alone” by Rev. Cody Sandahl – February 5, 2017
Introduction
We are still looking at the five solas, the five slogans that were used during the Reformation to help Christianity get back to the core message of Jesus. Last week we talked about Scripture Alone, how the Bible is far and away the main way God speaks to us. This week we are looking at “solus christus” or “Through Christ Alone.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures,4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
1 John 4:9-10
9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Who’s In the Spotlight?
I have performed quite a few weddings in my time as a pastor. And I always tell the bride and groom that there are only two non-negotiables when we’re planning their ceremony: Scripture has to be read and vows have to be exchanged. Everything else is up for grabs. And so I like to spend some time getting to know the couple so we can figure out what style of service they want. I default to simple yet meaningful. But one couple wanted something a little different. They looked a bit sheepishly at each other, and then the groom-to-be asked, “Can you make people laugh throughout the whole ceremony? We’re thinking stand-up comedy style.”
Now those of you who know me know that I am competitive, and so I was up for a challenge. And I used to run a humor website, so I thought I was capable. That was and still is a unique request for one of my weddings. Luckily their humor and mine had significant overlap, so when the time came I had them all rolling. I’m not sure the groom’s parents fully appreciated it, but everyone else at the ceremony was loving it!
After a wedding I typically get the standard responses – “Thank you so much, pastor.” “Nice service, pastor.” But after this wedding people were telling me their favorite lines, they were joking with me, it was like I was part of the family.
But I felt very uncomfortable. Not because I didn’t like the ceremony – it was a blast. I felt uncomfortable because people remembered what I said, not what the bride and groom were doing. The ceremony became about me, not the promises made by the bride and groom. Now the bride and groom were happy – they got what they wanted, but I felt like something was off. The wedding ceremony shouldn’t put the spotlight on me. It should put the spotlight on the couple.
Something similar was happening 500 years ago at the time of the Reformation. The spotlight was clearly trained on the priests, the bishops, the cardinals, the Pope, the monks and nuns – all the professional clergy. If you needed forgiveness from Jesus, you had to go to the priest to get it. If you wanted to go to heaven, you had to attend the Church every week so the priest could see you and give you credit. When you prayed to God, you prayed through saints or Mary or some other intercessor, because you weren’t good enough to pray to God directly yourself. The worship services were in Latin, because that’s what the professionals used. The Bible was in Latin, so only the professionals could read it. You had to trust whatever they said was in the Bible. When it came time for Communion, many churches wouldn’t serve wine to anyone other than the priest because they were worried that the common people would accidentally spill it.
Do what we tell you to do. Stand when we say stand, sit when we say sit, speak these words even though you don’t know what they mean. And trust us, we’re the professionals. The spotlight was shining brightly on the priests and bishops and other clergy. Sometimes the people in the pews even had to watch the proceedings through a veiled curtain so they couldn’t get a clear look at the holy mysteries happening up front.
And so the Reformers saw this, and they said that it was, to use a theological term, hogwash. When Jesus was walking around on earth, did he celebrate the priests and religious leaders? No, he had harsh words for them. When Jesus died, what happened? The curtain that hid the inner Temple was torn in two, revealing it for all to see. Who did Jesus choose as his followers? Were they professional priests and rabbis? No, they were fishermen and tax collectors and sinners.
In our texts today, what does Paul say is of first importance? Is it to go to church every week and listen to your priest? No, it is of first importance that Jesus died for our sins, Jesus rose again, and he appeared to a bunch of people. And our second text from 1 John. Did God reveal his love for us by sending professional religious clergy? No, “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”
The spotlight is supposed to be on the relationship between the sinner and the Savior, not the priest standing in the middle like an unwanted chaperone at a sixth grade dance.
So the slogan “Through Christ Alone” means that the professional clergy need to get out of the way. People need to connect with Jesus directly, because Jesus is the one who saves. The priest can’t save anyone. Jesus saves. I can’t give you a backstage pass to heaven. Well, I could, but you have to promise not to haunt me when St. Peter doesn’t take it at the pearly gates.
Cheerleader
Really, if you think about it, I’m wearing the wrong uniform. I shouldn’t be wearing robes or a suit and tie. I should have pom-poms, because one of my main roles is to be a cheerleader.
We have a class going on right now reading the book “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves, and other things the Bible doesn’t say.” Susan Graham is leading it, lots of people have attended, I’ve heard great things. And do you know what I did to make it happen? I said, “Sounds great!” and got out of the way. It wasn’t my idea. I haven’t given Susan any advice on leading it. I had nothing to do with it other than waving some pom-poms. And am I sad that I’m not a part of it? No! People are growing in their faith and I didn’t have to lift a finger! That’s efficiency! That’s like coasting downhill in my electric car, watching the battery recharge.
Or how about the Community Dinner? We just had our first one of the year last Tuesday. And do you know what I had to do to get that going? I had to say “yes” when Lynda Kizer asked if she could make it happen. They don’t need me to cook – which is probably wise anyway. They don’t need me to be a greeter. Charlie and I come and talk to people and wave some pom-poms, but Lynda and the Community Dinner team make it happen.
How about quilt show for Western Welcome Week and the hot dog stand we have on our lawn? My job is to show up and watch the parade and greet people. Jennie Staritzky and Dave LeMay and so many others make those things happen. I’m just waving pom-poms.
Next week our children are going to have a meal and write letters to the shut-ins of our church as an activity between services. I didn’t come up with that. But I have my pom-poms ready.
Many of the best things in our church happened because people in the pews had an idea, got reinforcement in prayer from Jesus, and then the church got behind them. And the pastor just needed to be a cheerleader.
You won’t grow in your faith by following me. You’ll grow in your faith by following Jesus. The community of Littleton isn’t going to be helped by you following me. You’ll help the community of Littleton by following Jesus. This church won’t become more vibrant and effective by following me. It will become more vibrant and effective by following Jesus.
My job is to help you hear what Jesus is saying to you. My job is to encourage you to follow where he’s leading. My job is to be a cheerleader to help us rally together for where Jesus is leading. My job isn’t to tell you what to do. Because I don’t know that. Jesus does. He has way better ideas than I do. He should get a patent or something.
What is Jesus Saying?
So what is Jesus saying to you? How often are you intentionally trying to LISTEN to him, not just TALK AT him?
The spotlight is on your relationship with Jesus. That’s where the action is.
Sometimes Jesus wants to do something through you at your work.
Sometimes Jesus wants to do something through you in your family or at your home.
Sometimes Jesus wants to do something through you in this church.
Sometimes Jesus wants to do something through you in the community.
What is Jesus saying to you? How are you listening, not just talking at him?
When Jesus wants to impact the world, he doesn’t usually start it by talking to the professional clergy. He usually talks to you first. Then it’s your job to actually do it.
Summary
Sisters and brothers, I can’t save you. Jesus saves you. I can’t tell you what you’re supposed to do. Jesus does that. This church won’t become more vibrant and effective by following me. It will become more vibrant and effective when YOU follow Jesus. The spotlight is on you and your relationship with Jesus, not the professional clergy, not the institution of the church. Just you and Jesus. As Paul says, that’s of first importance.
But what starts with you and Jesus can change YOUR world. And if others rally behind it, it can change OUR world, too. How will you LISTEN? And what will you DO? Amen.
