Story of Reformation; 改教故事

10/31/10 Sermon by Rev. Moses Ka-Un Li, translated by Elder Howard Chang followed by a series of skit written and directed by Jui-Lin Ou Yang, litany, and songs

Reformation Anniversary

Sermon by Rev. Moses Li on 10/31/10

Bible verses: Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11

Today is the anniversary for the Protestant Reformation (10/31/1517). In 10 days, it will be the 527^th birthday for Martin Luther. Both Martin Luther and John Calvin are the major figures for the Reformation. Last year, we celebrated Calvin’s 500^th birthday, therefore, there is 26 year age difference between them. Later on, we are going to see a skit, put together by the Children Sunday School principal, about these 2 figures and the Reformation.

Do Luther and Calvin remind us any figure from the Bible? Although they were living in the medieval era, but the combination of these 2 theologians reminds me of a person in the Bible, who is the Apostle Paul. Through the revelation from Jesus Christ, Paul had written down these 2 verses that we read today. He believed the only way we can be reconciled with God is through our faith. What is the Faith? It is the belief that God had sent his Only Son, Jesus Christ, for our salvation. Through him, we can be justified as righteous and we will be able to have a harmonious relationship with our Lord. If we try to seek other ways to justify ourselves, all those efforts will be in vain. Paul also made it clear that Christians, unlike Jews, do not need circumcision in order to be justified by God. He had spread this revelatory teaching throughout the early churches in the Mediterranean area.

Why do I compare Luther and Calvin to Apostle Paul? Because Martin Luther stood up to the false doctrine just like Paul had done. In the Medieval times, Christians had fallen into the belief that they could just purchase Indulgence certificate to receive redemption instead of believing in Jesus Christ is the only to achieve salvation. This kind of false doctrine is very similar to the Jewish teaching that by abiding the Mosaic Law, one can gain righteousness. Reformation is the religious revolution to correct the false doctrine and brings us back to Jesus’ original teaching: we can only be justified by faith.

How about Calvin? He also emulated Paul by writing down the revelations he received from Jesus Christ to help us not to fall back into false teaching again. His major work: The Institution of the Christian Religion has been the foundation of the Reformed Church, and we will see it mentioned in the skit.

Now let us prepare our hearts to enjoy the skit. Please pay attention and I also hope that you will use your imagination to put yourself into the play as well.

REFORMATION DAY CELEBRATION SKIT BTCC 2010 10 31

SKIT--LITANY--SONG

Romans 1:17

Gal 3:11

Songs: 1. A mighty fortress is our God. Psalm 46

2. Spirit of the Living God

Casts for skit:

Martin Luther ( Rev Lu )

John Calvin ( Pastor Li )

Yuting

Sunday school teachers and students

Start of the skit:

Yuting: Good morning, children. Today, we are celebrating Reformation day. We talked about Martin Luther and Reformation on Oct 17. Who was Martin Luther? Why was he such an important person in church history?

Edwin: On Oct 31, 1517, Martin Luther, who was a Catholic monk posted his 95 Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This act started the movement in world history known as the Reformation.

Yuting: Can anyone tell me about re-formation? What was mal-formed therefore needing re-form?

Ethan and Jasmine:

The Reformation was the great rediscovery of the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. At that time, the Roman Catholic Church had become

corrupt and was teaching false doctrines like salvation through good works. Some were selling “indulgences.” They said if you purchased these indulgences, you would gain forgiveness for sins.

Yuting: Do you think the Bible teach us we can buy indulgences tickets to gain forgiveness from God?

John and kids: No, Jesus died for our sins.

Kurt: What a weird idea they had.

Nathan and Alex: Didn’t they read their Bible?

Anna: May be they did not pay attention to their Sunday school teacher!

Helen and Jasmine: I do. I read my CONNECT paper and preview it with mom at home!

Sabrina: What a pity they did not read Bible. I love my Sunday school. My father prepares a lot to teach Sunday school.

Jasmine: No, they could not read Bible. Only priests could read Bible, not everyone. It was in Latin. Luther translated it from Latin to German, and only after printing industry, then Bible become popular.

Calvin: Brother Martin, look at those children in this church! Look at those books they have with them. What are those thick books?

Luther: Monsieur Calvin, you have good eyesight. I am very curious about this church too! The kids are trained in godliness. Let’s ask them about those thick books they hold in their hands.

Luther: (to kids) Let me introduce myself: they call me Brother Martin. I don't suppose any of you would remember my last name?

STUDENTS shout out "LUTHER"

Edward and Justin and Nathan: King!

LUTHER: King? No, no. Martin Luther KING! That was one of your modern day heroes in America (his mother must have named him after me). My roots go back 500 years ago -- to Germany. (Holds up Bible) As a priest and student of the Bible, I became aware of how much the church had departed from God's Word. What angered me most was this selling of indulgences, and using the money from these poor peasants to pay for the building of St. Peter's cathedral in Rome. In fact, it was exactly on October 31 in 1517 that I drew up a list of 95 theses -- points for debate about the church -- and nailed it on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Joshua Mei: 2010 minus 1517, that almost was 500 years ago? You must be a brave warrior of God.

Kurt, Nathan: He fought the good fight!

Luther: What are the big books you have with you? I see each of you have one.

All Students: our own Bible! We have different English translations!

Mine is NIV; Mine is NLT; NCV.

Luther: can you read? How old are you? Do you really read your Bible?

All kids sing: B—I—B—L—E, the Bible is for me.

Luther: Do you know the books of the Bible?

All kids ( loud but clear and united ) Joshua & Nathan lead : Bible book song. New Testament only.

Calvin: Brother Martin, they seem to really love their Bible!

Jean /Sabrina/Ashley: of course! I am now reading 1 Timothy, the letter Paul wrote to Timothy.

Calvin: Do you know Brother Martin was taught by Apostle Paul too? Paul’s letter was forwarded by the Holy Spirit to Brother Martin across centuries.

Edwin and Jean: Was it when Martin Luther was reading the book of Romans?

LUTHER: Yes, the precious word by Paul to Romans in Romans 1:17: "THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH"! We can't earn God's forgiveness -- we simply have to ACCEPT it! By our faith we receive that wonderful gift FREE! And from my beloved Galatians 3:11: "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the LAW; for 'He who through FAITH is righteous shall live. These verses were the turning point in my life! "Justified" by our faith in Christ!

Luther: did I forget to introduce Monsieur Calvin?

Calvin: Good morning My name is John Calvin; spelled as Jean Cauvin because I am French. Anyone of you has same name with me? I worked in Geneva, Switzerland. You know, the country famous for chocolates!

Like Brother Martin Luther, I lived and worked at the time of the Protestant Reformation. I look at you and wonder about my church kids. Like you, they were involved in worship and sat near the front. His Holy Spirit spoke to many reformers in different parts of Europe to bring about corrections in church. The most important corrections were salvation by grace; priesthood of all believers. Martin wrote church music that everyone could sing and understand. You sang his song just now. Many of you might know that Pilgrims are actually people who followed my teaching. And my idea helped to lay the foundation of Democratic government. Few of you know that I poured my energy for deeper participation of congregation: developing a comprehensive program of catechism classes, encouraging prayer in the home, encouraging congregational singing, and teaching and preaching about the meaning and purpose of worship. Ah, I see someone holding up THE INSTITUTE! I wrote that big book, 80 chapters in all!

(Elder Sen Lee hold up Institute from the pews.)

Luther: But, do remember, the reformation is not done yet. We learned from your church website that BTCC is under the Reformed Church in America. So my dear children, keep the reformation spirit, we are still reforming. Pray the Holy Spirit to lead you in areas that needs reform for this church.

Calvin: yes, in the spirit of reformation. We are always On Being Reformed. And we need the living spirit to guide us, as He has been guiding us across the generations.

Directly go to Litany for reformation day:

Luther and Calvin: Brothers and sisters,

the words and the life and the power of Jesus

have tunneled through the tomb

and have flown through time and culture

and continue to live for us today.

Yuting, Jui-Lin, Daiann: The Spirit continues to speak

Cindy, Howard Fass and Nelson: in visions and voices, in images and ideas,

Elders: in all languages and all times, to all people in all places,

Deacons: inviting the people of God to discover new revelation.

Jasmine, Ethan :

The Spirit has spoken to people like Abraham ,Moses, David, Isaiah, Peter and Paul.

Edwin and Ashley:

To Philippians believers, to Timothy, To Luther and Calvin, and to Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King.

All ( kids and grown ups ): The Spirit continues to speak. To you and to me. To me and to you.

The Spirit came as a reformer’s fire, blazing in our hearts, in my heart.

Pastor Li and Pastor Lu:

And still the Spirit comes to us today in visions and voices, in images and ideas,

All ( kids and grown ups ):

in new visions and new voices, and in new understandings of the visions and voices passed on to us from yesterday.

Leader Mike Johnson:

It may burn in our hearts like fire or whisper in the silence as a still, small voice. It may sing to us from the stars or sneak up on us from within, or embrace us in the touch of another child of God.

Pastor Li:

We are here today because the Spirit speaks to us to reform and we respond!

All: We are here today because the Spirit speaks to us to reform and we respond!