Confession on SermonAudio

Grace Covenant Baptist Church is a Reformed Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. We are a confessional church subscribing to the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. We adhere to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation; Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria. Find more information about or listen to past sermons from Grace Covenant Baptist Church at https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gcbcwm/

The sermon explores the narrative of Thomas in John 20, highlighting how his physical absence from the first appearance of the risen Christ led to eight days of doubt and isolation. It argues that the gathering of the church is essential for receiving the assurance of the Savior's presence and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, contrasting Thomas's initial skepticism with his eventual confession of "My Lord and my God." Drawing on passages from Romans 8, 1 Peter 1, and Habakkuk 3, the message emphasizes that true faith is not dependent on empirical evidence or favorable circumstances but is a trust in God's sovereignty and purpose even amidst suffering and darkness. The preacher encourages believers to remain present in the assembly, continue in prayer and Scripture, and hold fast to the lively hope of resurrection, trusting that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.

This sermon explores the theological foundations of the Reformation through Christ's promise in Matthew 16 to build His church upon the rock of Peter's confession. It argues that the church is not built by human ingenuity or institutional authority, but by the living and active Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The text emphasizes that Scripture is the supreme rule for faith and life, rejecting the idea that human tradition holds equal authority with divine revelation. The preacher highlights the dynamic nature of God's Word, describing it as energetic and effective in convicting, converting, and sanctifying believers. Ultimately, the message calls for trust in Christ's sovereign work through the ordinary means of grace, encouraging diligence in personal devotion, family worship, and evangelism while relying on God's power rather than human effort.

The Canons of Dort The Fifth Head of Doctrine – The Perseverance of the Saints ARTICLE 12 – This doctrine of perseverance (that the saints may never be lost) does not work pride in man, but works humility, reverence, piety, patience, prayer, endurance in suffering, confession of the truth, and rejoicing. This certainty of perseverance, however, is so far from exciting in believers a spirit of pride, or of rendering them carnally secure, that on the contrary it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God; so that the consideration of this benefit should serve as an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as appears from the testimonies of Scripture and the examples of the saints. Not the source of pride. The source of humility. Canons of Dort: Certainty of perseverance does not make us careless. It makes us humble. Childlike reverence. Fervent prayer. Gratitude and good works —for the glory of the God who holds us. Not fire insurance.

Happiness does not come from projecting a positive image or from covering sin, but from confession. By uncovering our sin, we experience the relief of having been covered in Christ's righteousness. BLESSING THAT IS SECURE SILENCE THAT WASTES AWAY CONFESSION THAT RELIEVES DELIVERANCE THAT GLADDENS

On Reformation Sunday the congregation hears seven movements instead of a single sermon, each one a recovery God gave His church in the 16th century. In every movement a reader reads Scripture, then the words of a reformer, followed by a short word on what was recovered and why it matters. The service moves through Martin Luther and the conscience recovered (Romans 1:16-17), Zwingli and the Word of God opened to the people (Nehemiah 8), the Anabaptists and believers' baptism (Acts 2:38-42), John Calvin and the knowledge of God (Isaiah 6), the Baptists and the gathered church (Matthew 28), William Tyndale and Scripture in the language of the people (Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 119:105), and the Westminster Assembly and the church confessing together (1 Timothy 3:14-16). The congregation confesses the Apostles' Creed, shares what these recoveries mean to them, and returns to Romans 1:16-17: seven recoveries, one gift, the gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. The service closes by inviting believers to come to the Lord's Table by faith, as participants and not spectators.

Grace Covenant Baptist Church is a Reformed Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. We are a confessional church subscribing to the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. We adhere to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation; Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria. Find more information about or listen to past sermons from Grace Covenant Baptist Church at https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gcbcwm/

This sermon explores the theological significance of the Lord's Supper by examining John 6 and Article 35 of the Belgic Confession. It emphasizes that the sacrament is a means of grace reserved for the regenerate, requiring true faith as the 'hand and mouth of the soul' to receive Christ's spiritual nourishment. The teaching distinguishes the Lord's Table from a mere memorial, presenting it as a seal of salvation that sustains the believer's spiritual life just as physical bread sustains the body. The preacher encourages the congregation to view this covenant meal not with somberness alone, but as a joyful banquet that fosters communal fellowship and reaffirms the believer's secure place in God's family.

This episode addresses the theological necessity of creeds, confessions, and catechisms by affirming the sufficiency of Scripture while distinguishing it from the church's responsibility to preserve and teach revealed truth. It argues that these doctrinal standards are not additions to the Bible but human instruments that help the church articulate, defend, and transmit the faith, citing passages like 2 Timothy 1:13-14 and 1 Timothy 3:15-16. The episode clarifies the definitions and subordinate authority of these documents, emphasizing that they must always remain under the supreme authority of the Holy Spirit speaking in Scripture. The episode further explores the historical context of these standards, from the early church's rule of faith to the Westminster Confession, highlighting their role in guarding against error and fostering doctrinal unity. Finally, it encourages believers to use these tools for personal growth, family discipleship, and congregational integrity, ensuring that sound doctrine leads to living faith rather than dead orthodoxy.

(1) The rich confession in this prayer; (2) The sincere request in this prayer; (3) The solid pleading ground in this prayer; (4) The practical fruit from this prayer.