“The Means of Grace: Baptism: How Baptism Changes Us”

Romans 6:1-11 Associate Pastor Bill Harritt

What makes baptism worth remembering?

What Makes Baptism worth continually remembering? (Improving our baptism WLC Q.167)

Remembering our baptism helps us...

· Grow in our identity (vs. 3-5)

· Grow in our security (6-10)

· Grow in our holiness (1-2,10-11)

James 1:2-4

“The Means of Grace: Trials”

Introduction:

I. Rejoicing in Trials (2)

A. The Meaning of “trials”

B. The Certainty of Trials.

C. The Suddenness of Trials “Fall into”

D. The Variety of Trials – (“multi-colored”)

II. The Result of Rejoicing in Trials (3)

A. Trials Purge Faith

B. Trials Produce Endurance

III. The Ripeness of Rejoicing in Trials (4)

Matthew 20:20-28

“The Discipline of Service and Giving: Downward Mobility”

20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

Introduction:

I. The Self-serving Attitude of Would-be Sovereigns (20-21) (24)

II. The Sacrifice Required of True Servants (22-23)

III. The Substance of True Service (25-27)

IV. The Standard of Service Represented in the Death of Jesus (28)

Evangelism...

1. grows our trust in the Holy Spirit (vs. 2,3)

2. grows our knowledge of God and His word (vs. 3,4)

3. grows us in wisdom (vs. 5,6)

4. grows us in our boldness(vs. 3,5)

"The Means of Grace: Reconciliation"

Ephesians 2:11-18

I. Alienation (11-12)

1. Without Christ

2. Without Church

3. Without Covenant

4. Without Hope

5. Without God

II. Reconciliation

A. Hostility Cancelled (13, 15, 16)

B. Harmony Created (13-16, 18)

Acts 2:42-47

“The Means of Grace: Fellowship”

Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

I. Fellowship in the Word (42) [the content for change]

II. Fellowship in Togetherness (42, 44, 46) [the context for change]

III. Fellowship in Worship (42, 46, 47a)

IV. Fellowship in Prayer (42)

V. Fellowship in Sharing (45) [1 Cor. 12:26]

VI. Fellowship in Reaching the Lost (47b)

The Means of Grace: Prayer, Part 2

Matt. 7:7-10 “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

I. The Posture of Prayer (spiritual posture) ... Child-like

Childlike qualities in prayer:

Sincere

Simple ... no need to impress ... direct, uncomplicated, uncontrived ...

dependent

delighted

determined ... asks persistently ...

daring

II. The Place of Pain and Loss in Learning to Prayer

III. The Pattern or Practice of Prayer

Gratitude: Fixing our Broken Spiritual Compass

Colossians 3:12-17

Intro: A Broken Compass

By grace we are growing in gratitude….

A. Through what we’ve received (15).

B. Through growth in word and worship (16).

C. Through Christ’s reign in all of life (17).

“The Means of Grace: Prayer, Part 1”

Illustration:

Matthew 6:5-8 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I. The Purpose of Prayer

II. The Problem of Prayer (Isaiah 64:7)

Prayer Resistors:

1. Addicted to accomplishing ...

2. Addicted to feelings ...

3. Addicted to entertainment / amusement ...

4. Addicted to noise ...

5. Addicted to things ...

6. Addicted to religious fantasies that don’t disturb our comforts rather than religious realities that demand change.

Prayerlessness is Theoretical Sonship

“Meditation Molds Us”

Psalm 1

Introduction:

I. The Saints Prosper (1-3) / Sinners Perish (4-6)

God-Centered Life:

Prohibits modeling the wicked (1)

Promotes meditating on the Word (2)

Promises mature works (3)

A. EVADE the Way of the Wicked (1)

B. ENJOY the WORD of the Lord (2)

MEDITATION ...

II. The Sinners Perish (4-6)

A. Outcome (4) – “chaff”

B. Outcasts (5-6) – Condemned