Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Illus: If you were asked about certain aspects of the Christian religion could you answer them?

There is story of a pastor who sent out an e-mail to the congregation about the upcoming celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Her response might surprise us:

What do I bring?

Is there a sign up sheet?

Who do I contact to learn which food group is needed.

This shows us that there is a need for us to teach and be prepared to teach some basics of the Christian faith.

We live in a world where generations of people do not know.

Paul was up against this same problem:

Disciples who had not received the HS with their Baptism.

Progressive revelation: John prepared the way, Jesus had his ministry on earth, HS came at pentecost, Now God was using Paul to bridge the gap during this odd time between Jesus ministry and the giving of the HS

Shows us the need for Paul and the Apostles to have these special gifts during this time to be the giver of the HS in this unique situation.

problem: Having a wrong understanding about the things we practice in the Christian religion.

Doctrine

What happens if we have a wrong understanding of our religion and why we practice it.

God has everything set up so that we practice what we believe.

There is consistency in theses, unlike the world.

Errors if we are not consistent:

We end up focusing on man rather than Jesus

Baptism - purpose

Outward sign of the inward work of the HS

application of the gospel

Covenant promises (future) that are spiritual - salvation

Sign - Represents a washing and renewal of the old man

Seal - of the future resurrection

Baptism of John

Repentance without the gospel

HS was absent as He had not yet come.

It was half a Baptism

Application of the work of Christ by the HS

Acts 10:

The Baptism we practice should not be associated with anyone other than Jesus.

Paul to the Corinthians:

Our understanding of our faith and religion must be consistent, and they must be focused on Jesus or we end up focusing on men.

Illus:

We end up focusing on the practice rather than Jesus

These men were baptised for the repentance of sin and were disciples who were going about with only half of the truth

They focused on the law aspect of the plan of salvation

People were realizing they were sinners and needed a savior

Then they were baptized as if this were the answer

At the time of John it was, but Jesus shows that that is not enough

John 3:1-8

Jesus shows us that being born again is the focus and not the baptism.

The washing that happens is a spiritual washing that is represented by the outward sign.

Without Jesus and a completed understanding of the gospel, then we might be left with:

Moralism - a sense that we are obeying to earn our salvation

Misapplication of the sacrament - focusing on the sacrament as if it is what saves

Illus: Baptism is a big deal in the life of a Christian.

It may happen in our infancy or it may happen after we confess and believe.

Conclusion

It is important to note that these men had no idea about the HS.

That is why Paul was there to teach them and to impart the HS.

Yet, we have no excuse for ignorance.

What we have is a complete gospel - yes a conviction for our sin, and a salvation through faith in the work of Jesus

In order for us to avoid these major errors we must:

always look for Jesus Christ in all that we believe.

Not to earthly men

Not to our own work

Not even to the HS

His role is to glorify Christ

always practice our faith in light of the complete gospel truth.

It isn’t Baptism that saves us, it’s the work of Jesus

It isn’t our faith that saves us, its the work of Christ through faith

We should be clinging to the work of Christ

Paul explains that they should be looking at Jesus:

4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Without Jesus folks, none of what we say or do will make any sense.

Illus:

Lord’s Supper

Therefore, let it be regarded as a settled principle that the sacraments have the same office as the Word of God: to offer and set forth Christ to us, and in him the treasures of heavenly grace.

But they avail and profit nothing unless received in faith.

eAs with wine or oil or some other liquid, no matter how much you pour out, it will flow away and disappear unless the mouth of the vessel to receive it is open; moreover, the vessel will be splashed over on the outside, but will still remain void and empty.

Calvin goes on to show that what is important in the LS, as in the baptism we just read about is the presence of the HS who brings the graces of God upon us:

They do not bestow any grace of themselves, but announce and tell us, and (as they are guarantees and tokens) ratify among us, athose things given us by divine bounty.

The Holy Spirit (whom the sacraments do not bring indiscriminately to all men but whom the Lord exclusively bestows on his own people) is he who brings the graces of God with him, gives a place for the sacraments among us, and makes them bear fruit.

There is a spiritual presence associated with these sacraments:

This sacrament is only understood rightly when we focus on Christ and his work.

And, when the graces are applied by the HS.

So, we practice today that which Christ instituted concerning His work for salvation and the HS application of that grace yet again.

I invite you to come and receive that which Jesus offers to you: His body and HIs blood.

Let us approach the table understanding that we come empty handed and cling only to Jesus Christ.

And, we receive these as we again put our minds on the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ, in spite of our sin, invites us to commune with him in forgiveness and grace.

Come and receive these tangible elements that reflect these spit=ritual truths as pointed out by Calvin:

Thus, when bread is given as a symbol of Christ’s body, we must at once grasp this comparison: as bread nourishes, sustains, and keeps the life of our body, so Christ’s body is the only food to invigorate and enliven our soul.

When we see wine set forth as a symbol of blood, we must reflect on the benefits which wine imparts to the body, and so realize that the same are spiritually imparted to us by Christ’s blood.

These benefits are to nourish, refresh, strengthen, and gladden.13

We don’t participate in these things as ignorant men and women.

We don’t come putting our faith in men or the element itself.

We again put our faith in Jesus Christ and hear his words:

Luke 22:

Matt 26

“Which is given for you” Which is shed for you”

As we approach the table today let us think upon Jesus and His work for us.

Let us consider Jesus this morning in all things.

AMEN