Embracing Our Journey: The Sacraments as Grace

 

Summary

In our journey as Christians, we are reminded that we are pilgrims, sojourners, and aliens in this world, longing for our true home with God. This morning, we explored the sacraments as essential aids provided by God for our spiritual journey. The sacraments, along with the Word and prayer, are the means of grace that God has ordained to sustain and strengthen us. They are not just rituals but are deeply significant in making Christ known to us and confirming our faith.

The sacraments serve as a multimedia presentation of the Word, making the invisible grace of God visible to us. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are not merely symbolic; they are tangible expressions of God's promises and our union with Christ. They remind us of our identity as children of God, adopted into His family, and united with one another as the body of Christ. These practices are ordinary in their simplicity but extraordinary in their constancy and the profound truths they convey.

In baptism, we see our union with Christ, being buried and raised with Him, signifying our new life in Him. The Lord's Supper, on the other hand, is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, pointing us to the future glory and the return of Christ. It is a reminder of the covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus, who is God with us, and it strengthens our hope and anticipation for His coming again.

As ministers, our primary calling is to the ministry of the Word and sacraments. These are the places where God's blessings are found, and they are the means by which we are nourished and sustained on our journey home. In a world that often seeks the extraordinary, we are called to embrace the ordinary means of grace, trusting that God works powerfully through them to mature and edify His people.

Key Takeaways:

- Pilgrims on a Journey: As Christians, we are reminded that we are pilgrims in this world, longing for our true home with God. The sacraments serve as essential aids in this journey, providing us with the grace needed to persevere and grow in faith. [25:25]

- Means of Grace: The sacraments, along with the Word and prayer, are the means of grace that God has ordained to sustain and strengthen us. They are not just rituals but are deeply significant in making Christ known to us and confirming our faith. [30:56]

- Visible Signs of Invisible Grace: The sacraments serve as a multimedia presentation of the Word, making the invisible grace of God visible to us. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are tangible expressions of God's promises and our union with Christ. [47:19]

- Identity and Unity in Christ: Through the sacraments, we are reminded of our identity as children of God, adopted into His family, and united with one another as the body of Christ. They signify our new life in Christ and our communion with His people. [57:13]

- Foretaste of Future Glory: The Lord's Supper is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, pointing us to the future glory and the return of Christ. It strengthens our hope and anticipation for His coming again, reminding us of the covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus. [01:01:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [24:42] - Introduction to the Sacraments
- [25:25] - Christians as Pilgrims
- [28:12] - Source of Our Help
- [29:08] - Means of Grace
- [31:49] - Simplicity and Constancy
- [35:16] - Seeking God in Ordinary Ways
- [38:27] - Multimedia Word
- [41:12] - Preaching and Sacraments
- [45:42] - Visible Word in Sacraments
- [51:06] - Christ Made Known
- [54:15] - Baptism and Union with Christ
- [56:35] - Sacraments and Covenant Promises
- [01:01:56] - Foretaste of Future Glory
- [01:07:37] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 84:1-2
2. Psalm 121:1-2
3. Acts 2:42

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how do the sacraments serve as a "multimedia presentation" of the Word? ([47:19])

2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of the sacraments in confirming our identity and unity in Christ? ([57:13])

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the sacraments and the covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus? ([56:35])

4. What are the three headings under which the sermon discusses the sacraments, and what do they signify? ([28:49])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the imagery of being "pilgrims, sojourners, and aliens" in this world shape a Christian's understanding of their spiritual journey? ([25:25])

2. In what ways do the sacraments make the "invisible grace of God visible" to believers, according to the sermon? ([47:19])

3. How does the sermon explain the significance of the Lord's Supper as a "foretaste of the heavenly banquet"? ([01:01:56])

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of embracing the "ordinary means of grace" in a world that seeks the extraordinary? ([34:58])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. In what ways do you feel like a pilgrim or sojourner in this world? How do the sacraments help you in this journey? ([25:25])

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the sacraments in confirming our identity as children of God. How do you personally experience this confirmation in your life? ([57:13])

3. Consider the idea of the sacraments as a "foretaste of future glory." How does this perspective influence your anticipation for Christ's return? ([01:01:56])

4. The sermon discusses the ordinary means of grace, such as the Word, sacraments, and prayer. How can you incorporate these into your daily routine to strengthen your faith? ([34:58])

5. How do you perceive the role of baptism and the Lord's Supper in your local church community? Are there ways you can engage more deeply with these sacraments? ([51:54])

6. Reflect on a time when you sought extraordinary experiences in your faith journey. How can you shift your focus to appreciate the ordinary means of grace that God provides? ([34:58])

7. The sermon mentions the importance of community in the practice of sacraments. How can you foster a deeper sense of unity and community within your church? ([01:01:37])

Devotional

Day 1: Pilgrims in a Foreign Land
As Christians, we are reminded that we are pilgrims, sojourners, and aliens in this world, longing for our true home with God. This perspective shapes how we live our lives, understanding that our ultimate destination is not here but with God. The sacraments serve as essential aids in this journey, providing us with the grace needed to persevere and grow in faith. They are not just rituals but are deeply significant in making Christ known to us and confirming our faith. As we partake in these sacraments, we are reminded of our identity and purpose, encouraging us to live as citizens of heaven while we navigate our earthly journey. [25:25]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself today that you are a pilgrim in this world, and how does this perspective change your daily priorities and decisions?


Day 2: The Power of Ordinary Means
The sacraments, along with the Word and prayer, are the means of grace that God has ordained to sustain and strengthen us. They are not just rituals but are deeply significant in making Christ known to us and confirming our faith. In a world that often seeks the extraordinary, we are called to embrace the ordinary means of grace, trusting that God works powerfully through them to mature and edify His people. These practices, though simple, are profound in their ability to convey God's grace and truth to us, reminding us of His promises and our identity in Him. [30:56]

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the ordinary means of grace, such as prayer and the sacraments, into your daily routine to strengthen your faith and relationship with God?


Day 3: Visible Signs of Invisible Grace
The sacraments serve as a multimedia presentation of the Word, making the invisible grace of God visible to us. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are tangible expressions of God's promises and our union with Christ. They remind us of our identity as children of God, adopted into His family, and united with one another as the body of Christ. These practices are ordinary in their simplicity but extraordinary in their constancy and the profound truths they convey. Through them, we experience the reality of God's grace in a tangible way, reinforcing our faith and commitment to Him. [47:19]

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience with the sacraments. How did it make the grace of God more tangible and real to you, and how can you carry that experience into your daily life?


Day 4: Our Identity and Unity in Christ
Through the sacraments, we are reminded of our identity as children of God, adopted into His family, and united with one another as the body of Christ. They signify our new life in Christ and our communion with His people. This unity is not just a spiritual concept but a lived reality that calls us to love, serve, and support one another as members of the same family. As we participate in the sacraments, we are reminded of our shared identity and mission, encouraging us to live in harmony and unity with our fellow believers. [57:13]

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the unity and well-being of your church community, recognizing your shared identity in Christ?


Day 5: A Foretaste of Future Glory
The Lord's Supper is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, pointing us to the future glory and the return of Christ. It strengthens our hope and anticipation for His coming again, reminding us of the covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus. As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the future glory that awaits us and the fulfillment of God's promises. This hope encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that a glorious future with Christ is assured. [01:01:56]

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" (Revelation 21:3, ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of future glory and the return of Christ influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles? How can you keep this hope alive in your daily life?

Quotes


Friends, Christians are traveling people. We're on a journey. The Bible teaches that we are pilgrims, sojourners, and we are aliens. No matter how comfortable we are here and now and the homes that you find yourself returning to after this conference, we recognize and the scripture continues to teach that this is not our home and that we are homeless, homesick people ultimately desiring to be where God is. [00:25:29]

What we come to recognize in our life's journey as pilgrims on a pilgrimage, God has graciously given us the aids needed for this journey home, and the aid that he provides to us is the sacraments. We will discuss this under three headings: means of Grace, multimedia word, and making Christ known. [00:28:38]

The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation are all his ordinances. These are all God-ordained means of teaching us, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer, all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. [00:30:32]

God not only saves, he also sustains. He communicates to us what it means for us to live for him, and he gives us the aids necessary to mature, to strengthen, and edify his people on this journey. Jesus is not only the way himself but also the means by which we get home. [00:31:53]

The means by which our Lord guides implies simplicity. Simplicity. God's means of maturing and strengthening his people may be overly simple to our eyes and unimpressive in the eyes of the world. Preaching, after all, why aren't there better ways of communicating sacraments? [00:34:17]

The word tells us where God is and what God will do, and these means of Grace are constant for a reason. We know exactly where the Lord's blessings may be found. Who doesn't want to experience something spectacular or something extraordinary in terms of the presence of God? [00:35:19]

The sacraments are God's multimedia PR presentation of the word. Augustine famously referred to the sacraments as visible words and elsewhere visible signs of invisible Grace so that not only do we hear but we see. When children are learning, they often need pictures or tangible objects to help them understand better. [00:47:15]

Baptism shows that you and I who are believers in Christ Jesus are united to Christ Jesus, clothed with Christ Jesus, as Galatians 3 argues, baptized into his death and raised with him as Colossians 2:12 argues, and enter the kingdom by the water and the spirit as John 3 says. [00:54:15]

The sacraments display the Fulfillment of the Covenant Promises of God. We are told that this is my body which is given for you and this cup is the New Covenant in my blood poured out for many. Matthew records he said I will be their God and they will be my people. [00:56:35]

The sacraments make visible what we have become in Christ Jesus, being united to Christ Jesus and furthermore communing with the newly created Community of Christ Jesus, the church. Paul emphatically reminds the church that we were all baptized into one body. [00:59:11]

The sacraments beautifully point us to the coming Glory, the certain and soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ and a gathering to be gathered unlike anything you have ever seen. This is nothing as great as it seems to us. [01:01:56]

Whenever we come to the Lord's table, we see the banquet Feast prepared for us, come elements that point us to the reality of the feast to come. Both baptism and the Lord's Supper are means of Grace on our journey home to signify to the reality that we have in Christ Jesus. [01:04:52]

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Transcript
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