What’s So Special About
October 31st?
For many, October 31st is a day associated with costumes, candy, and Halloween. But October 31st also marks an important moment in church history, one that helped recover and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
October 31, 1517
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther famously posted his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. This may seem insignificant but it was anything but that. His writings challenged serious abuses within the Catholic church and helped spark what became known as the Protestant Reformation.
At the heart of the Reformation was a recovery of the biblical truth that sinners are made right with God not through their own works, religious achievements, or merit, but by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
The Reformation pointed people back to the authority of Scripture and to the glorious truth of the gospel, a message just as necessary today as it was more than 500 years ago.
What Is the Gospel?
The word gospel means good news, and that good news is found in Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches that we are all sinners who have fallen short of the glory of God. We cannot make ourselves right with God through good works, religious activity, or our own efforts. We need grace.
And that is exactly what God has provided through His Son.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and lived the perfectly righteous life that we could not live. Though He was without sin, He willingly died the death that sinners deserve, bearing the judgment for sin upon Himself. As Scripture tells us, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
But death did not have the final word.
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, just as the Scriptures had promised. As the Apostle Paul writes, Christ “died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,” was buried, and “was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
Because of what Christ has accomplished, everyone who places their faith in Him and turns from their sin can be forgiven and stand completely justified before God. This is not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus Christ has done for us.
That is the gospel. And that is very good news.
COME HEAR MORE
We would love to have you join us as we gather to worship Jesus Christ, hear His Word, and learn more about the glorious truth of the gospel.
Sunday School — 8:30 AM
Sunday Worship Service — 10:00 AM
Sun Valley Church
2004 E. Mead Ave.
Union Gap, WA 98903
Whether you have been following Christ for years, have questions about Christianity, or simply want to know more about why the gospel matters, you are welcome to join us this Sunday.