Reformation Weekend: Careful Keeping — God’s Word Above All

This weekend, we celebrates the Festival of the Reformation —a time to give thanks for the mercy of God in reforming His Church. The Reformation was not a moment of pride, but a profound call to repentance and renewal. In His mercy, God turned His people back to the pure and certain truth of His Word, reminding the Church that Scripture alone is our sure foundation, our final authority, and our greatest treasure.

As we continue our Kingdom Currency series, this week’s message, Careful Keeping (Luke 16:19–31), speaks powerfully into this Reformation theme. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who carefully keeps his wealth but neglects God’s Word, and Lazarus, who has nothing yet trusts in God. When eternity comes, the contrast could not be clearer: earthly wealth cannot cross the great divide, but God’s Word could have bridged it long before.

The parable challenges us to consider: What are we keeping in our hearts and lives? Are we storing up treasures that fade, or are we carefully keeping God’s Word—the one treasure that lasts forever? Jesus calls us to a different kind of keeping: a faithful, intentional holding onto his promises, allowing them to shape our decisions, our generosity, and our lives.

This weekend, as we reflect on the Reformation, we focus on sola Scriptura—Scripture alone. In a world filled with competing voices and shifting truths, we cling to the voice of our Shepherd, who speaks to us through His Word. God’s Word is not simply information; it is life, light, and guidance. It directs our steps, guards our hearts, and secures our hope—not in temporary wealth, but in the eternal riches of His kingdom.

We close with a prayer inspired by the cherished Reformation hymn:

God’s Word is our great heritage,
And shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way,
In death it is our stay;
Lord, grant while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.

May the Spirit who once reformed His Church reform our hearts again this weekend—so that we might love, learn, and live by God’s Word above all things, using the temporary to pursue the eternal.