In this week's message, Pastor Scott celebrates Reformation Sunday by exploring the three foundational principles of the Protestant Reformation: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone. Through the story of Martin Luther and his rediscovery of God's grace, we learn that salvation is not something we can earn through good works, but a gift made possible entirely through Jesus Christ. Pastor Scott also explores what it means to embrace Scripture Alone—not by rejecting Christian tradition, history, or other sources of inspiration, but by recognizing the Bible as our ultimate authority for understanding God's truth. Above all, we discover that Scripture is not an end in itself, but a gift that points us toward Jesus, the true Word of God and the source of our salvation.

Bible Verses Referenced

Hebrews 12:1 | Pastor Scott quotes the passage about being surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” and running the race with endurance, emphasizing the importance of learning from Christians who have gone before us.
Luke 24:25–27 | Jesus' encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Beginning with Moses and the prophets, Jesus explains how the Scriptures point toward Himself. This is one of the sermon's central passages.
John 14:6 | Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Pastor Scott uses this to emphasize that salvation comes through Christ, not through Scripture reading itself.

Ephesians 2:8–9 | Salvation by grace through faith, not by works. This is the foundation of the discussion of Grace Alone and Faith Alone.
Romans 3:21–28 | Paul's teaching that justification comes through faith apart from works of the Law, central to Luther's understanding of salvation.
John 1:1, 14 | Jesus as the Word of God who became flesh. Pastor Scott repeatedly emphasizes that Scripture points us toward Jesus, the living Word.
Luke 2:7, 12 | The infant Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This imagery is used in Martin Luther's quotation comparing Scripture to the swaddling clothes that hold Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 | Christ's death for our sins, burial, and resurrection on the third day, reflected in the sermon's concluding description of the Gospel.

Books, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, etc. Referenced

The Indwelling Life of Christ — Major W. Ian Thomas

Pastor Scott describes this as an especially important book in shaping his personal understanding of the Christian life and his worldview. He explains that God can inspire authors to communicate spiritual truths, even though their writings do not carry the authority of Scripture.

The Shack — William P. Young

Pastor Scott briefly mentions this novel as another example of literature through which God can inspire readers and teach spiritual lessons. He distinguishes such inspiration from the unique authority of the Bible.

The Chronicles of Narnia — C. S. Lewis

Pastor Scott recounts a story about a young boy who wrote to Lewis because he worried that he loved Aslan, the lion in The Chronicles of Narnia, more than he loved Jesus. Lewis' response illustrates how a fictional character can help readers recognize and love the qualities of Christ. Pastor Scott enthusiastically recommends the series.

Other historical writings and references:

• Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses (1517). Pastor Scott recounts how Luther's challenge to the sale of indulgences spread rapidly because of the printing press, helping ignite the Protestant Reformation.
• Martin Luther's Old Testament commentaries. Pastor Scott quotes Luther's description of Scripture as the humble swaddling clothes containing the priceless treasure of Christ, emphasizing that the Bible's greatest purpose is to reveal Jesus.
• The Luther Rose (Luther's Seal). Pastor Scott displays this traditional symbol of Lutheranism while introducing the three Reformation principles.
• Johannes Gutenberg and the printing press. The development of movable-type printing is discussed as an important historical factor in spreading Luther's ideas.