What is the church?

God chooses and preserves for himself a community elected for eternal life

and united by faith, who love, follow, learn from, and worship God together.

God sends out this community to proclaim the gospel and prefigure Christ’s

kingdom by the quality of their life together and their love for one another.

In this powerful message, we're reminded of Jesus' crucial command to 'watch and pray' from Matthew 26:41. As believers, we must be spiritually vigilant, recognizing that challenges and temptations are inevitable in our faith journey. Just as Jesus warned His disciples in Gethsemane, we too must stay alert to the spiritual battles surrounding us. The imagery of Satan as a roaring lion seeking to devour us emphasizes the need for constant spiritual awareness. However, we're encouraged to remember that through Christ, we have the power to overcome. By watching for temptations and praying fervently, we tap into God's strength, enabling us to stand firm in our faith. This message challenges us to examine our spiritual alertness and prayer life, urging us to rely more fully on God's grace in facing life's trials.

Q46

What is the Lord’s Supper?

Christ commanded all Christians to eat bread and to drink from the cup in

thankful remembrance of him and his death. The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of the presence of God in our midst; bringing us into communion with

God and with one another; feeding and nourishing our souls. It also anticipates the day when we will eat and drink with Christ in his Father’s kingdom.

Q47

Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ’s atoning work?

No, Christ died once for all. The Lord’s Supper is a covenant meal celebrating Christ’s atoning work; as it is also a means of strengthening our faith as

we look to him, and a foretaste of the future feast. But those who take part

with unrepentant hearts eat and drink judgment on themselves.

Q44

What is baptism?

Baptism is the washing with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the

Holy Spirit; it is a picture of our adoption into Christ, our cleansing from

sin, and our commitment to belong to the Lord and to his church.

Q45

Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself?

No, only the blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can cleanse

us from sin.

Are we truly prepared for the end times? This powerful message challenges us to examine our readiness for Christ's return. Drawing from prophecies in Daniel and Revelation, we're reminded that while we can't predict the exact moment, we must always be vigilant. The focus on Jerusalem, the temple, and the rise of the Antichrist serves as a sobering reminder of God's intricate plan. But more than just recognizing signs, we're called to action. Our preparedness isn't just about personal salvation, but about sharing the gospel with urgency. We're challenged to consider: are we as ready as the devil seems to be? This thought-provoking question urges us to step out of our comfort zones, to witness boldly, and to love others sacrificially, just as Christ loved us.

What are the ordinances?

The ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely

baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs that we are bound

together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of

them the Holy Spirit more fully declares the promises of the gospel

to us.

In this powerful message, we're reminded that as followers of Christ, criticism and opposition are inevitable parts of our journey. Drawing from John 15:18-20, we're challenged to expect and embrace criticism as a sign that we're truly living for Jesus. Just as the world hated Christ, we too may face hostility for our faith. But rather than being discouraged, we're called to see this as confirmation of our discipleship. The message urges us to stand firm in our convictions, responding to criticism with grace and love, just as Jesus did. It's a sobering yet inspiring call to live counter-culturally, valuing humility over power and righteousness over wealth. As we navigate a world that may not understand our faith, we're encouraged to view persecution not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love and to grow stronger in our faith.

How is the Word of God to be read and heard?

With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith,

store it in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.

In this powerful message, we're invited to explore the profound concept of being 'Kingdom Minded: Harvest Reapers.' Drawing from Matthew 9:36-38, we're reminded of Jesus' compassion for the multitudes and His call for laborers in the spiritual harvest. The sermon beautifully weaves together Old Testament agricultural practices with New Testament spiritual truths, showing us how sowing, reaping, threshing, and winnowing parallel our spiritual growth and evangelism. We're challenged to see the world around us as a ripe harvest field, ready for the gospel. This message urges us to not only receive salvation but to actively participate in God's work, nurturing others with the Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to continually refine us. It's a stirring call to action, reminding us that every believer is called to be a laborer in God's harvest, preparing and producing fruit for His kingdom.

Q40

What should we pray?

The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us.

Q41

What is the Lord’s Prayer?

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your

will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And

forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not

into temptation, but deliver us from evil.