Ordination on SermonAudio

1 Corinthians 1:12 "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." King James Version

We deeply believe that we were made to bring glory to God by lifting high the name of His Son. We gather regularly to observe the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, to sit under the teaching of God's Word, and to respond with songs, offerings, and confession; encouraging one another as we glorify Jesus together.

The sermon centers on Ephesians 2, explaining how Christ has broken down the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles to create one new man in the body of Christ. It distinguishes between the covenants of Israel and the mystery of the Church, emphasizing that this unity is achieved solely through the cross, which abolished enmity and the ordinances that separated humanity from God. The message urges believers to find their true identity in this spiritual unity rather than in cultural or ethnic divisions, warning against the instability of building life on anything other than Christ. By referencing Isaiah 53 and the cost of Christ's sacrifice, the preacher highlights that Jesus is the ultimate source of peace, providing a secure foundation for believers to withstand life's tribulations and maintain unity within the household of God.

The sermon explores the Reformed doctrine of the certain application of Christ's redemption, emphasizing that salvation is secured for the elect through the Holy Spirit's effectual calling. By analyzing John 6:37-38, the text outlines key theological themes including election, limited atonement, and perseverance, asserting that those given by the Father will inevitably come to Christ and never be cast out. The discussion extends to the role of special revelation in salvation, distinguishing it from general revelation, and illustrates the miracle of regeneration through the metaphor of Ezekiel's valley of dry bones. Furthermore, the sermon differentiates between the passive nature of baptism as a sign and seal of the covenant and the active requirement of faith in the Lord's Supper, arguing against sacerdotal views that treat sacraments as magical instruments. This pastoral instruction encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign grace while maintaining a credible profession of faith and active participation in the church's ordinances.

The sermon explores the theological foundations and practical implications of observing the Lord's Supper, specifically addressing the practices of closed communion and the use of wine. Drawing from the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith and John Gill's commentary, the message clarifies that the ordinance is a symbolic remembrance of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice rather than a re-offering or transubstantiation. It emphasizes that worthy participation requires genuine faith, spiritual hunger, and a life consistent with the gospel, distinguishing between those who partake in faith and those who do so unworthily. The tone is instructional and pastoral, urging believers to examine themselves, maintain church discipline, and approach the table with gratitude and reverence. The discussion concludes by highlighting how these practices foster church purity and encourage believers to align their lives with their profession of faith.

The sermon provides an instructional defense for observing the Lord's Supper with unleavened bread and wine, arguing that these elements best represent the sinlessness of Christ and the cleansing power of His blood. It addresses the historical shift to grape juice, asserting that the biblical context and the symbolic meaning of fermentation support the use of wine. The teaching further explains the necessity of closed communion, linking it to the maintenance of church discipline and purity as outlined in 1 Corinthians 5. Participants are encouraged to approach the table with self-examination and gratitude, recognizing their worthiness not through personal merit but through their union with Christ. The overall tone is pastoral and doctrinal, aiming to clarify the proper mode and participants of this sacred ordinance.

The sermon explores the divine self-revelation in Exodus 3, focusing on God's name, Yahweh, as a conjugated verb signifying His eternal existence and sovereign independence. It highlights the theological implication that God is the source of all being, contrasting His unchanging nature with the non-existence of false gods. The text emphasizes God's active intervention in human history, using the concept of 'visiting' to describe His purposeful acts of blessing and judgment, such as the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The preacher connects this Old Testament narrative to the New Testament, illustrating how God's sovereign decree works through the free agency of men, including both sinful acts and righteous obedience, to accomplish His redemptive plan. Ultimately, the sermon presents God's presence as the guarantee of His promises, offering comfort and assurance to believers that their suffering is meaningful and their deliverance is secured by the God who is.