Hebrews 11:3

1. Today, I'd like to begin the sermon with a question: Is Christianity a religion? When I posed this question to Bible college students, the unanimous response was, "It's not a religion, it's the religion."  While I commend their conviction, I gently told them their answer was only half right. You see, my intention wasn't to quiz them on the world's religions or Christianity's place among them. Rather, I wanted to delve deeper into the very meaning of the word "religion." For this, I turned to the Britannica Dictionary...

Religion, human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. It is also commonly regarded as consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death (Britannica Online Dictionary , 2024 https://www.britannica.com/topic/religion)

2. The Britannica dictionary definition spoke of religious activities and matters of faith, but it also included this intriguing phrase: "consisting of the way people deal with ultimate concerns about their lives and their fate after death." This suggests that religion isn't just only about rituals or beliefs, but also about how we perceive and approach life itself – our worldview. And in these times, when discussions about the end of days are prevalent, our worldview becomes even more crucial. So today, we can delve into the Christian worldview, starting with a passage from Hebrews 11:3.

Hebrews 11:3 NRSV

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

3. This verse encapsulates the essence of the Christian perspective.  For those who believe in Jesus, the world was framed by the Word of God. This means the foundation of the Christian worldview is not tradition, personal opinion, or even well-intentioned religious practices. It is the Word of God itself. History bears witness to the consequences when this foundation is neglected. Time and again, when the Church strayed from the centrality of Scripture, it lost its way. Focus shifted to man-made traditions, human authority was elevated above God's, and the true path became obscured.

Romans 1:18–19 NKJV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

Romans 1:20–21 NKJV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

4. In the 16th century, Europe was in a state of upheaval. The established Church, often referred to as the "Old Church," was facing financial strain due to the prolonged Crusades. This led to dilapidated buildings and inadequate compensation for clergy. Simultaneously, the European populace was grappling with the psychological aftermath of war, Crusade. The guilt of killing and losing loved ones had shaken their faith. This is one of the reasons why I firmly oppose war; its very nature inflicts deep wounds on the human spirit. Recognizing this crisis of faith, the Church devised a new practice, or doctrine, called "indulgences." Essentially, these were certificates promising forgiveness for sins, a way to alleviate the guilt that weighed heavily upon people's hearts.

5. There was a priest who had long grappled with a profound sense of sin. The fear of God's wrath haunted him, hindering him from walking in righteousness. One day, on his way to church before his ordination, he witnessed a tree struck by a powerful lightning bolt. In that moment, he prayed fervently and resolved to become a priest, hoping to find solace from his guilt. Yet, even after entering the priesthood, his inner turmoil persisted. He may have even purchased an indulgence, seeking relief, but to no avail. Then, as he immersed himself in the Word of God, a single word leaped out at him, piercing through the darkness of his soul.

Romans 1:16–17 (NET Greek)

Οὐ γὰρ ἐπαισχύνομαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, δύναμις γὰρ θεοῦ ἐστιν εἰς σωτηρίαν παντὶ τῷ πιστεύοντι, Ἰουδαίῳ τε |πρῶτον| καὶ ῞Ελληνι. δικαιοσύνη γὰρ θεοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ ἀποκαλύπτεται ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν, καθὼς γέγραπται· ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται.

Romans 1:16–17 NIV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

6. The priest's name was Martin Luther. In that pivotal moment, as he encountered this specific verse, he was struck by a profound realization: his sin and guilt could not be erased by any religious ritual or act of self-denial. Salvation, he understood, could only be attained through faith in Christ. Emboldened by this revelation, he boldly nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church on October 31st, 1517, inviting debate with fellow scholars and clergy. These theses challenged the sale of indulgences and questioned the authority of the Pope himself. As we know, this act sparked the monumental movement known as the Protestant Reformation, which swept through 16th-century Europe.

Proverbs 16:1–2 (NLT)

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

7. Luther never sought to ignite a revolution, yet one was ignited nonetheless. This teaches us a profound lesson: when an individual stands firmly on the Word of God, transformation is inevitable. This very principle became the bedrock of the 16th-century Reformation, encapsulated in its powerful slogans: Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone).

Ephesians 2:8–9 MSG

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing!

8. When we delve into the concept of worldview, there's a common pitfall we must be wary of: the tendency to shape our perspectives solely based on tradition. Traditions, while often well-intentioned, can be influenced by human biases and fleeting trends. They are rooted in human endeavor, and as such, cannot fully encompass the breadth and depth of true understanding.

9. Recently, a friend asked me to define love, not using the well-known passage from 1 Corinthians 13. I responded that

love is the coming together of two or more beings to share and expand the worlds within each other.

10. This definition encompasses relationships between individuals, but also the profound connection between God and humanity. When two beings share their worlds, the love between God and a person is inherently greater than that between two individuals. This is because humanity, in its finite nature, is infinitely smaller and less than the boundless nature of God.

Isaiah 40:26 (NASB 2020)

Raise your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who brings out their multitude by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.

11. Therefore, it is only by anchoring ourselves in the Word of God that we can truly cultivate a steadfast perspective. His Word is infinitely greater and more enduring than our limited knowledge or fallible traditions. Just as the Reformers found their worldview transformed by embracing Scripture, so too can we gain insight into God's grand design for our lives and the world around us.

12. In the first century, the disciples of Jesus faced immense persecution and hardship for their faith. Yet, their perspective was not defined by their circumstances, but rather by the teachings of Jesus himself. With Christ as their unwavering foundation, their worldview remained steadfast. They eagerly anticipated His return, filled with hope and unwavering faith.

Hebrews 9:28 NRSV

so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

12. After Martin Luther nailed the Theses, he was threthened by the church and the counciled summoned before the Diet of Worms in 1521 to recant his criticisms of the Catholic Church. He was afraid and hesitated some days to meet them. but finally, Martin Luther refused to recant. He declared his conscience was captive to the Word of God and he could not go against it. According to the Word of God, he concluded his defense with the powerful declaration, "Here I stand, I can do no other."

Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – and not by Popes and councils who have so often contradicted themselves – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen. (Martin Luther, Diet of Worm, 1521)

13. If our perspective is anchored in the firm foundation that is Jesus Christ our Lord, as Luther so boldly proclaimed, our faith will remain unshakeable. It will not be swayed by shifting traditions or fleeting opinions, but rather grounded in the eternal truth of God's Word. So, during this summer season, I encourage you to reflect deeply on the Word of God as your bedrock. So, we can cultivate a godly perspective, shaped and molded by the very words of our Creator. For truly, God is good, all the time.

Follow-up questions

The sermon explores the idea that Christianity is not just a religion but a worldview based on the Word of God. It emphasizes the importance of anchoring our perspective in Christ, rather than relying on traditions or human opinions.The message also highlights the transformative power of standing firm on God's Word, as exemplified by Martin Luther during the Reformation.

Here are some follow-up questions that could stimulate further reflection and discussion:

1. How can we ensure that our worldview is truly shaped by the Word of God, rather than by cultural or personal biases? This question encourages individuals to examine their own beliefs and motivations, and to actively seek a deeper understanding of Scripture.

2. In what ways can we apply the principles of Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura, and Sola Gratia to our daily lives?This question prompts individuals to consider the practical implications of the Reformation slogans and how they can live out their faith in a meaningful way.

3. How can we, like Martin Luther, stand firm on the Word of God even in the face of opposition or challenges?This question encourages individuals to develop courage and conviction in their faith, and to be prepared to defend their beliefs.

4. The sermon mentions the importance of eagerly awaiting Christ's return. How can we cultivate a sense of anticipation and hope in our lives today? This question invites individuals to reflect on their own eschatological views and to consider how they can live in light of Christ's promised return.

5. In a world filled with competing worldviews, how can we effectively share the Christian perspective with others? This question challenges individuals to think about how they can engage in meaningful conversations about their faith and share the Good News with those around them.