The Reformation – Its Results
Pastor Tan Thai · Oct 28, 2017
This sermon examines the significant results of the 1517 Reformation, focusing on the abuses of power within the Catholic Church during Martin Luther's time. The pastor explains the sale of indulgences, the clergy-laity divide, and the restored doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.
This sermon was preached on Sunday, October 29, 2017, marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. The pastor opens with the account of Jesus washing His disciples' feet (John 13:3-5) to establish the model of servant leadership and humility, in sharp contrast to the conduct of Catholic Church leadership in the 16th century. Jesus explicitly taught that the greatest must be as the least (Luke 22:25-27), yet church officials of that era did the opposite, accumulating wealth, land, and political power.
One of the most serious abuses was the sharp division between clergy and laity, where only priests could celebrate Mass, distribute Communion, pronounce absolution, and intercede for souls in purgatory. Luther discovered through careful study of the New Testament that after the temple veil was torn in two, every believer became a priest before God (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10). The doctrine of the priesthood of all believers became one of the foundational teachings restored by the Reformation and embraced by Protestant churches today.
The sermon details the sale of indulgences, tracing the story of Albert of Brandenburg, who borrowed 21,000 ducats to purchase the archbishopric of Mainz from Pope Leo X. To repay his debt, Albert commissioned the friar Tetzel to travel across Germany selling indulgences with the famous slogan: 'As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory upward springs.' Half the proceeds were to go to the Pope for the construction of St. Peter's Square. This was the immediate cause of Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church on October 31, 1517.
The pastor explains that the first two theses focused on genuine repentance as a lifelong posture, distinct from the sacrament of confession administered by a priest. He also honestly acknowledges that not all 95 theses were fully aligned with Scripture, because at that point Luther had not yet fully grasped salvation by grace through faith alone. The sermon includes Luther's own testimony about his 12 years of monastic self-mortification through fasting, cold, and bodily suffering, yet still finding no peace of conscience before a holy God.
The sermon closes with the observation that throughout Scripture, God consistently seeks one faithful person to stand in the gap for His purposes, even if that person begins weak or fearful. Citing Ezekiel 22:30, the pastor challenges the congregation: God is still looking for someone willing to stand in the breach, even within the local church today. The practical question posed to every listener is whether they have the faith and courage to take a stand for truth, as Martin Luther did five centuries ago.