Q. 90 How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effectual to salvation---A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer- receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.--As you can see, the reception of the Word is a very serious matter. There are four soils, and only one of them receives the Word for salvation- Only the soil that is said to -hear the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it, and bear fruit with patience- bears fruit for eternal life. God must give us such a heart because none of us has it on our own, but if we are to be saved, we must have such a heart. The parable of the lamp shows that we must receive the Word instead of avoiding it. Jesus' command summarises it all when He says, in verse 18- Take heed how you hear.

Whenever we receive new members, and especially when we receive a covenant child by baptism, it draws attention to the fact that we are all citizens of heaven if we are in Christ. For this reason, I began a two-part sermon series last time called -Citizens of Heaven.-

Q. 89 How is the Word made effectual to salvation---A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the Word, and effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith, unto salvation.--This afternoon we are going to look at how God uses the Bible in our lives.

Before we begin our new sermon series in Hebrews, we will have a few more sermons on various matters. This week, I want to have the first of two sermons from Philippians 3-20 on being citizens of heaven. I chose this Citizens of Heaven theme partly because we are having a baptism and receiving new members, but also because I want to remind you of what a great privilege it is to be a citizen of heaven.

Q. 88 What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption---A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are His ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer- all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.--He Himself uses these means to bring the benefits of His redemption to us.

Today, I want to look at how we as believers handle tribulations or hardships. It might seem a little shocking because it says that we glory in tribulations.