October 2017
Another Reformation
A. Lionel, General Overseer, Blessing Youth Mission
(Sermon delivered to the members of the 46th Annual
General Body Meet held in Chennai)
Wittenberg, Germany. This historical incident incited a
world-wide movement against the Pope and the Roman
Catholic Church. This reformation spread all over Germany
and later engulfed the whole of Europe. As a result of
reformation, people's understanding of the Gospel changed
drastically. It also affected how they related to the Lord. If
there would not have been such a reformation, we would still
be worshiping Mary and praying to the saints.
The meaning of the Greek word used for reformation
is, 'to make straight that which is crooked or bent.' Or in other
words 'getting back to the right path.' This is what Isaiah
prophesied several thousand years ago, “Your ears shall
hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”
when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isa
30:21).
As you read the Bible, you will be able to find a lot of
reformation movements among the people of God. Even in
the Old Testament times, there was reformation under kings
like Hezekiah and Josiah. There were also reformations
under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah. Jeremiah too
was a great prophet and reformer.
Let us meditate on the four areas that we need
reformation today.
Blessing Youth Mission is an interdenominational
movement raised by God in 1971 to bring about revival in
the churches and spur evangelism through the churches.
BYM has been giving a lot of corrective teachings and has
exposed the errors of the churches and denominations in its
publications. It has a ministry of reforming today's churches
and fellowships which are mired in controversial teachings
and doctrines.
This year i.e. 2017 is the 500th anniversary of
Protestant Reformation. During the early sixteenth century,
there were many Godly men who started to question the
practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther was
a Roman Catholic monk who fiercely preached against
indulgences, a practice by which one can buy forgiveness of
sins. He also preached against salvation through good
works. He took a strong stand and was not afraid of anyone.
It was on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-
five thesis on the doors of the All Saints Cathedral in
1. Reformation In Our Personal Lives
2 Chro 29:3 “In the first year of his reign, in the first
month, he (king Hezekiah) opened the doors of the house of
the Lord and repaired them.”
2 Chro 29:5 - “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate
yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of
your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place.”
Here we find king Hezekiah asking the Levites to
consecrate themselves. This is the first thing that we must
do. God wants His people to be sanctified and holy. Any
reformation starts with personal cleansing. Reformation will
bring revival which in turn lead to rebuilding and
restoration.
Only after personal sanctification, can we cleanse the
temple of the Lord. God always works from top-down. His
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