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Created: 1451624400000

Growing in the Gospel: sound doctrine for daily living

Links: Means of Grace

Notes

Book 3, Chapter 5 Means of Grace

• 76-77) Definition: Refers to the two instruments that the Lord normally uses to implant and cultivate faith in his children that is the preaching of his Word and the use of the sacraments, both baptism and the Lord's supper.

• 77. Matthew 28#19-20 & Mark 16#15-16. In both these passages the resurrected Christ tells his apostles before his ascension to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments, particularly Baptism. This is also demonstrated by Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4#2) as he passes the torch Preaching the Word stands as central.
• 78. CoD 1.7
  • "...he decreed to give to Christ those who were to be saved, and effectually to call and draw them into his communion through his Word and Spirit" Thus, Holy Spirit uses the Word to reconcile sinners unto God.

• CoD 1.16 Responses to the Doctrine of Reprobation

  • the pastoral context encourages us that when the children of God do not feel assured or encouraged they should not doom spiral. But they are to set their sight on the Spirit's working through the means of Grace. On the promises found in Scripture. While our own emotions shift, the Word remains the same yesterday, today, the same.
• 79. CoD 3&4.17 The Use of Means
  • Word is Central to how God confers grace his grace on his people. The proclamation of the Gospel through the power of the HS is able to regenerate the harden heart, and strengthen the souls of believers.
• 81. LD 25
  • This teaches that the means of grace have distinct roles in how God confers grace to his people. The word also strengthens.

• Why Sacraments?

  • Bearing in mind our weakness BC 33 God ordained sacraments that we can see, touch, taste. In order to build up the assurance of faith, which includes a LD 7 "firm confidence" Thus the primary role of sacraments is assurance of faith, while the word primarily brings about true knowledge of faith.

• 82-83) Why MOG? Why not just give faith, assurance, etc. all at once?

  • God uses means since creation of Man and women; he didn't need us, but he decrees it as good.
  • Second, as we receive the word and Sacraments we have to slow down and apreciate the work that God has done in the history of revelation and the work he has done in our own lives.
  • The weakness of men do not stop the work of Christ progressing 2 Timothy 2#9. God uses sinners to save sinners, it is a double miracle.

6. Preaching the Gospel

Why preaching the word?

• Why Preaching? Creation, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, he did not leave them in their estate but he called to them in their hiding and ultimately promised in Gen 3:15 that the offspring of Eve will defeat the serpent. So gospel preaching began by God himself. He often used prophets, to call his people to faithfulness and to guide them in further sanctification and obedience.