Lord’s Day 25: Q&A 65-68: Signed and Sealed

And now we have arrived at a seven week stint where Matt will be very happy: The Sacraments. Within the Protestant tradition, we have two sacraments: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Both of these, in addition to the Preaching of the Word are means of grace that we get to experience on a regular basis as part of corporate worship.

The Holy Spirit confirms our faith in Jesus through the sacraments. When we partake in Communion, we share in Christ’s body and blood at his table, and when we are baptized, we symbolically are plunged into the waters of death with Christ and raised to new life in him (or alternatively we are washed in the blood of Christ who takes away our sins).

The point of the sacraments, according to today’s Lord’s Day (and Scripture, of course) is to point us to Jesus in a special symbolic way, that these signs may seal our faith in Christ. Through the sacraments, which are visible signs of God’s promises to us, God covenants with us, his people. We’ll get a bit more into Covenant Theology in a couple weeks when we get to Q&A 74 and Infant Baptism, don’t worry.

Lord’s Day 25

Q&A 65

PRAYER OF PREPARATION (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)

Sovereign God, you speak to us by your word and instill faith in our hearts. Holy Spirit, work in our hearts today, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. As we hear your word preached, God, let the words be not human wisdom but words taught by your Holy Spirit. We pray we do not consider these words foolish, but, Holy Spirit, you give us the discernment to understand your wisdom. Father God, give us faith through your Holy Spirit, so that we might share in all of Christ’s benefits today. In his name we pray, Amen. 

Q&A 66

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Covenantal Father, 

You desire to be in relationship with us,

But we fall short of being your children.

We reject the seal you have on our lives each day.

In our work and relationships,

We go against your will for our lives.

We misunderstand your gospel and grace,

And we distort your signs and seals.

Often, we fall into legalism.

We impose unrealistic standards on others,

But we do not have the same standard for ourselves.

Uniting God, 

We even use the signs and seals you give us

As a way to divide your children 

Rather than to unite us. 

Father God,

Forgive us and helps us to be united

As your covenant children.

Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Hebrews 10:10)

One: People of God, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

All: Not by our work, but by grace because of Christ’s one sacrifice accomplished on the cross.

One: And this is God’s gospel promise: to grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

All: God has sealed this promise on our hearts. Hallelujah. Amen.

Q&A 67

ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Galatians 3:27)

One: For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

All: Yes! The Holy Spirit teaches us and by the holy sacraments confirms that our entire salvation rests on Christ’s one sacrifice for us on the cross.