Grace and Peace Episode 2
Presbyterian Church of Easton
September 8, 2020
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Heidelberg Catechism Question 2. What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort? A. Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.
We Christians believe that our only comfort in life and death is that we belong to Jesus Christ. And belonging to Christ gives us enormous benefits. Our sins are forgiven. Christ frees us and protects us from the devil. We are promised eternal life. And our hearts are transformed so that we desire to live our lives for Christ. We believe all of this to be true. It brings us great joy.
To experience this joy we must live as people who belong to Christ. How do we go about living like this? According to the second question of the Heidelberg Catechism, we know how to live as people who belong to Christ by our rational understanding. It is through teaching and learning that we come to know that we belong to Christ.
The resurrected Christ talked about the preaching and teaching ministry of the church this way. He told us to help people understand what is written in the Bible. Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
It is the responsibility of the church to provide this teaching and learning. Though biblical sermons and Bible studies the church learns to live as people who belong to Christ and experience great joy. What must the content of that preaching and teaching be to achieve this wonderful joy? What should the church preach and teach its members?
There are three things that must be taught. These are, first, the sorry, sinful, miserable state we find ourselves in. Second, what Christ is doing about all of our problems. And third, the gratitude we own Christ for what he has done for us. If the church preaches and teaches about these things then it will begin to live as people belonging to Christ and the church will receive great joy. Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, bless your church with your Spirit so that in our preaching and teaching people will learn and accept the truth that we belong to you. Help us to experience the great joy of belonging to you. Amen.
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