Why is the Reformation Relevant To Me?
Speaker: Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo
Date: 27 Oct 2019

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Sermon notes taken by:

Anthony Cheng

On Reformation Sunday we remember what God did in the 16th century. The 16th century reformers preached the truth, contended for the faith, and were not afraid to die for their Saviour. Without the 16th century Reformation, we would still be living in spiritual darkness. The Reformation is relevant today because the Church and God’s Word are still being attacked. We must always be ready to earnestly contend for the Bible. In the 20th century, Dr Carl McIntire defended the VPI doctrine. In the 21st century, the VPP doctrine was attacked. Today we still have the Word of God in our hands because God Himself preserves it.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul warned about the perilous time of the last days. Today, immorality, idolatry and the false gospel prevail. The self is highly promoted: self-esteem, self-worth, self-love, self-worship, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (v 4). They are covetous, loving and worshipping money, with no sense of godliness (v 5). They consider the true gospel as hate speech and will persecute true believers. They are “despisers of those that are good” (v 3).

In John Calvin’s time, he encouraged the civil authorities in Geneva to set up good laws based on God’s law, e.g. punishment against rioting, gambling, fornication, drinking, adultery, etc. Thank God that Singapore adopted the British laws which were founded on Roman laws, which in turn were founded on God’s laws. Thank God for His laws that lead us to the true gospel of salvation.

The 16th century Reformation is still very relevant today because it reminds us to be vigilant against idolatry, immorality, and heresy. 2 Timothy 3:13 speaks of deception which can include today’s liberals, neo-evangelicals, charismatics, the health-and-wealth gospel, etc. Today’s seminaries teach falsehoods like higher criticism (man can question the authorship of the Bible), the JEDP theory (man is the author of the Bible, not God), and textual criticism (man can decide which text is correct and which has mistakes, thus rendering the Bible imperfect).

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” Today, we have the preserved apographs (copies). The same original words, given by inspiration of God, are perfectly preserved by God Himself for us today. The Reformation saints believed that too. God has preserved His own Word, just as He has promised. May the Lord help us to hold on to this truth of God’s Word.



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