WHAT IS A SACRAMENT?
Sacraments - What is that?
A sacrament is a sacred act
ordained (established) by God
With visible means With God’s Word
Water
Bread and Wine
What is a sacrament?
An act of God’s grace, started and commanded by God,
and offers the forgiveness of sins.
Visible Means
God’s Word
Is marriage a sacrament?
Is it a sacred act? Yes
Is it instituted by God? Yes
Any visible means? Yes
Is there forgiveness through marriage? No
NOT A SACRAMENT
Is confirmation a sacrament?
Is it a sacred act? Yes
Is it instituted by God? No
Any visible means? No
Is there forgiveness through confirmation? No
NOT A SACRAMENT
Is ordination a sacrament?
Is it a sacred act? Yes
Is it instituted by God? Yes
Any visible means? No
Is there forgiveness through ordination? No
NOT A SACRAMENT
Is baptism a sacrament?
Is it a sacred act? Yes
Is it commanded by God? Yes
Any visible means? Yes
God’s Word joined to this? Yes
Is there forgiveness through baptism? Yes
THEREFORE A SACRAMENT
Is the Lord’s Supper a sacrament?
Is it a sacred act? Yes
Is it commanded by God? Yes
Any visible means? Yes
God’s Word joined to this? Yes
Is there forgiveness through the Lord’s Supper? Yes
THEREFORE A SACRAMENT
What is offered, given, and sealed in the sacraments?
Forgiveness of sins
Life
Salvation
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
IS ALL ABOUT GOD IN ACTION
The Hard Truth
Psalm 51:5: “Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (NIV)
The Significance of our Sin
Sin makes a great big gap between us and God.
Don’t miss the magnitude of this separation!
-Rom. 8: Whole creation groans because of our sin
–Eph. 2:1ff: We were dead in our sins
–Eph. 4:18: Separated because our hearts were hardened
–I Cor. 2:13ff: With sin, the words of God are foolishness
Jesus Came to Tackle our Sin
All that we need was purchased for us on the cross: Eph. 2:16, Phil. 2:8: Col 2:13-15
Even though these were purchased they’re still “far away” from us. They need to be delivered.
How God Delivers His Gifts to us.
-All we need Christ won for us on the cross.
-We need God to deliver those gifts to us.
»The Gifts: Forgiveness, Life, Peace, Mercy, etc…
God uses the means of grace to do this.
»Like a delivery truck: The MoG truck!!
Means of Grace: How God Delivers His Gifts to Us
All we need Christ won for us on the cross.
Where are His gifts achieved? The cross
Where are His gifts received?
–Baptism
–Lord’s Supper
The Means of Grace
What is grace? _______________________
-The Means of Grace: the tools God uses to bring His Grace to us. (Baptism & Lord’s Supper)
God uses the Means of Grace (MOG)—the sacraments-- to bring His gifts & blessings to us!