Ordination on SermonAudio

This sermon examines the selection of the first seven deacons in the early Jerusalem church and introduces Stephen as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. It addresses the internal conflict between Hebrew and Hellenist Jews, arguing that communal sharing was a temporary necessity rather than a permanent divine ordinance, while emphasizing the importance of personal labor and spiritual discipline. The speaker distinguishes between the role of these early servants and the biblical office of deacons, highlighting the need for godly men who support the pastor's ministry of prayer, study, and teaching. Furthermore, the lesson explores Stephen's intellectual prowess and his confrontation with false accusations, illustrating how a deep knowledge of Scripture enables believers to withstand spiritual attacks and defend the truth with wisdom.

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

Every believer is a priest to God called to "offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). The Holy Spirit, who was given in special measure to Old Testament priests (Num. 11:25) has been poured out on all believers to make them "wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him." But while all Christians are priests, not all are ministers. The Lord still sets apart some of his men for vocational ministry. And it is beneficial for all of us to know how that happens.

The sermon examines the Reformed theological doctrine of the certain application of redemption, arguing that Christ's death secures salvation for a specific elect people rather than merely making it possible. By analyzing John 6:37, the text highlights key doctrines such as election, effectual calling, and perseverance, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit enables the dead to respond to the gospel through regeneration. The discussion extends to the sacraments, distinguishing baptism as a passive sign and seal of the covenant from the Lord's Supper, which requires an active, credible profession of faith. The preacher warns against sacerdotal views that treat sacraments as magical, while affirming that grace is truly conferred by the Spirit to those who belong to Christ. The tone is instructional and pastoral, aiming to provide confidence in the certainty of salvation while encouraging worthy participation in church ordinances.

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.

For our glorious calling, Christians have been given a grace as big as Jesus, which He applies through His ordinances, including the ministry, especially of the Word.

For our glorious calling, Christians have been given a grace as big as Jesus, which He applies through His ordinances, including the ministry, especially of the Word.

The sermon centres on the urgent distinction between spiritual life and death, asserting that this division is more profound than any earthly categorization and determines eternal destiny. It argues that true life is found exclusively in Jesus Christ, who is the sole key to salvation, rather than in religious ordinances, good works, or intellectual knowledge of Scripture. The text highlights the tragedy of those who, despite having ample opportunity and witness to Christ's works, refuse to come to Him, thereby remaining dead in their sins. The tone is convicting and pastoral, challenging the listener to examine their own spiritual state and accept Christ's offer of life before it is too late. The message concludes with a call to immediate repentance, warning against the folly of prioritizing temporal wisdom over eternal security.

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.

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.

Gathering with the local church is more than attending a weekly religious event. It is one of God's appointed means of strengthening, encouraging, and sanctifying His people. Dave Jenkins explains why the preaching of God's Word stands at the center of the church gathering, how baptism and the Lord's Supper visibly proclaim the gospel, and why physical presence cannot be fully replaced by a livestream. He also considers how corporate worship moves Christians from being consumers to active participants in the life of Christ's body. The gathered church is not another obligation on the Christian's spiritual checklist. It is a gracious gift through which believers worship God, encourage one another, and grow together in Christ. For more from Equipping You in Grace, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/equipping-you-in-grace-2/

Grab your Bible and join us from the Savannah Mission Bible Training Center. We are commanded in the third commandment to not take the name of the Lord our God in vain. This study breaks down that commandment and we discover that the Third Commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.

Join us tonight at 4pm for a special evening service at Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church, including the ordination and installation of Bradley Chwastyk as Pastor of Saint's Haven Presbyterian Church. Pastor Emeritus John "Arch" Van Devender will be preaching from Hebrews 12:1–2, 12–14 in a sermon entitled "A New Sphere of Life." Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), devoted to the pursuit of Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship as we seek to faithfully reach our community for Christ.

This sermon examines the institution of the Lord's Supper in Matthew 26 as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant Passover, identifying Christ as the substance behind the shadow of the law. The teaching emphasizes that the bread and cup are symbolic representations of Christ's body and blood, which were shed specifically for the remission of sins for the many who believe. It outlines the theological purposes of this sacrifice, including redemption, adoption, sanctification, justification, and glorification, while rejecting the notion of universal atonement. The message concludes by urging believers to view the ordinance as a memorial of Christ's death and a promise of His return, challenging listeners to examine their personal relationship with Jesus and pursue holiness.

For our glorious calling, Christians have been given a grace as big as Jesus, which He applies through His ordinances, including the ministry, especially of the Word

For our glorious calling, Christians have been given a grace as big as Jesus, which He applies through His ordinances, including the ministry, especially of the Word.

This instructional sermon examines the theological practices and historical views surrounding the Lord's Supper, emphasizing its role as a unifying act for the entire body of Christ rather than a private or factional ritual. The speaker contrasts four major ecclesiological positions—transubstantiation, consubstantiation, spiritual presence, and memorialism—arguing that the biblical mandate for frequent observance serves to proclaim Christ's death until He returns. Central to the discourse is the concept of covenant renewal, where the physical act of taking the elements symbolizes a spiritual recommitment to the new covenant and a renewed resolve for holy living. The sermon concludes by framing the ordinance as a memorial of past redemption, present fellowship, and future hope, ultimately serving as an appetizer for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

(AI Generated Summary) This sermon explores the theological concept of baptism and the Lord's Supper as visible signs that point to invisible spiritual realities. By referencing the Catechism and Scripture, the message explains how these ordinances function as pictures that validate God's promises and remind believers of Christ's work. The teaching emphasizes that while humans are physical beings who understand tangible actions like washing and eating, God uses these visible acts to illustrate inner cleansing and spiritual nourishment. The central intent is to direct attention away from human effort and toward the sufficiency of Jesus, encouraging trust in His finished work for salvation and growth in faith.

This lesson is part of a series through selected Psalms, and this lesson introduces Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible. The lesson also exegetes the first stanza (the Aleph stanza).

The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people, to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants; but to none who are not then present in the congregation.

This sermon examines the biblical and confessional standards for the appointment of church officers, specifically elders and deacons, emphasizing that their calling is appointed by Christ and executed through the local congregation. It argues that the selection process must involve the common suffrage, or vote, of the church rather than external ecclesiastical bodies or self-appointment, grounded in the qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy and Titus. The discourse highlights the necessity of solemnity in this process, advocating for fasting and prayer as acts of humility before God, distinct from modern misconceptions of spiritual discipline. Furthermore, it clarifies the role of the imposition of hands, asserting that while it is a symbolic act of setting apart, the essence of ordination lies in the concurrence of the congregation and the acceptance of the candidate. The sermon concludes by urging believers to actively participate in examining candidates and seeking God's will, rather than delegating this responsibility solely to the leadership.

Ordination and Induction of Luke Rowcroft as Pastor of St Mellons Baptist Church

This sermon examines the theological significance and proper observance of the Lord's Supper, arguing that it is a central act of worship rather than a mere memorial. It critiques modern practices that diminish the ordinance's spiritual weight or treat it as a casual convenience, emphasizing instead the need for reverence and communal unity. By analyzing passages from 1 Corinthians, Luke, and Acts, the text highlights that the bread and cup represent participation in Christ's body and blood, requiring believers to examine their relationships with one another to avoid judgment. The instruction calls for distinct actions for the bread and the cup, faithful to the original institution, and advocates for frequent, likely weekly, observance to maintain the spiritual health of the church.

The sermon explores the theological foundation of the Sabbath as a day designed for delighting in God through communion with Christ. It identifies two primary reasons for keeping the Sabbath holy: remembering God as Creator and celebrating His work of redemption in Jesus Christ. The preacher argues that the Sabbath serves as a weekly reminder of human dependence on God and the believer's deliverance from sin, countering the world's tendency to despise this commandment. By focusing on these truths, believers find spiritual fortification for the rest of the week and anticipate eternal rest. Ultimately, the day is presented not as a burden but as a joyful opportunity to give thanks for the gospel.

In this message, Brother Dean Stuart continues a study of Fair Haven Primitive Baptist Church's Articles of Faith by examining the ordinance of baptism. He considers the biblical mode of baptism, who should be baptized, when and why baptism should be observed, the authority to administer it, and the question of rebaptism. Drawing from passages throughout the New Testament, the message emphasizes baptism as an act of obedience, a picture of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and an entrance into the fellowship of the church.

The sermon examines the biblical structure of church government, emphasizing that Christ alone appoints and authorizes the officers of the local church. It distinguishes between the universal invisible church and the visible local body, arguing that while a church exists by covenant, it requires elders and deacons for proper organization and function. The speaker clarifies that there are only two enduring offices, rejecting hierarchical titles like archbishops or distinct categories of ruling versus teaching elders. Elders are tasked with the administration of ordinances and executive power, while deacons serve to relieve them from administrative burdens so they can focus on prayer and the word. The transcript concludes by affirming that officers must be recognized and set apart by the local congregation in response to Christ's internal calling.

We will go over Psalm 22 and take part in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper.

An exposition of Chapter 30 of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith, covering the institution, nature, and right administration of the Lord's Supper. The sermon works through all eight paragraphs of the chapter, addressing the memorial and covenantal character of the ordinance, the refutation of Roman Catholic transubstantiation and the Mass, and the spiritual feeding of worthy receivers upon Christ crucified by faith. Main points: - the institution and purposes of the Lord's Supper as a perpetual ordinance - what the Supper is not — refuting transubstantiation, the Mass, and related corruptions - worthy and unworthy reception, and the spiritual benefit of the ordinance to believers Scripture references: - Exodus 12:14 - Psalms 22:26-29; 50:12-16 - Matthew 26:26-29 - Mark 14:22-25 - Luke 22:17-23 - Acts 2:42 - Romans 10:16 - 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 11:17-34 - Hebrews 9:22-28 - 1 Peter 2:5 Free Grace Baptist Church — https://www.freegrace.ca Full transcript & sermon notes: https://sermons.freegrace.ca/sermons/sunday-school-2lcf-chapter-30-of-the-lords-supper Description generated by Tyrannus.ai: https://www.tyrannus.ai

The sermon argues for the biblically proper observance of Christian sacraments, specifically baptism and the Lord's Supper, by prioritizing Scripture over church tradition. It emphasizes that baptism serves as the initial marker of faith and must follow the New Testament pattern of immersion in water, as demonstrated by Jesus and practiced in the book of Acts. The speaker critiques infant baptism and sprinkling, asserting that these practices do not align with the command to make disciples who hear, believe, and repent. By examining passages such as Matthew 28 and Acts 2, the message establishes that valid baptism requires conscious faith and full immersion, distinguishing it from Old Testament signs like circumcision. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to return to the authority of the Bible for defining how these ordinances should be conducted within the church.

This sermon argues that infant baptism lacks biblical warrant because the New Covenant establishes distinct ordinances determined by Christ rather than continuing Old Testament physical descent rules. The author contends that historical precedent for infant baptism is insufficient to override Scripture, especially when compared to the rejection of infant communion by later theologians. It clarifies that while historic Christian figures may have held erroneous views on baptism, their salvation remains secure through faith in Christ alone. The central challenge shifts from demanding a cancellation notice for infant membership to finding positive scriptural authority for including unprofessing infants in the visible church. Ultimately, the text asserts that true covenant privileges require personal faith and regeneration, not merely inherited status or early sacramental administration.

Questions On Church Ordinances 9/9/2026 PM

This sermon clarifies the biblical purpose of baptism, defining it as an act of immersion that symbolizes unity with Christ and the church rather than a requirement for salvation. The speaker emphasizes that salvation is received through repentance, which involves believing in and confessing the gospel, not through religious rituals or works. Key scriptures such as Matthew 28:19 and Romans 6:3 illustrate baptism as a public declaration of faith and obedience to Jesus' command. The transcript addresses common misconceptions, particularly regarding Acts 2:38, arguing that water does not wash away sin but serves as an outward sign of an inward spiritual change. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to view baptism as a unifying ordinance that identifies them with the body of Christ and publicly declares their new life in Him.

The sermon explores the biblical mandate for Christians to submit to governing authorities, grounding this instruction in Romans 13 and supporting texts like 1 Peter 2. It defines specific obligations such as paying tribute and custom, fearing appropriate powers, and honoring positions of authority as duties owed rather than optional gifts. The preacher emphasizes that all earthly power is ordained by God, meaning resistance to authority is ultimately resistance to God's ordinance. By examining the distinction between personal preference and spiritual duty, the message encourages believers to submit out of both fear of wrath and a clear conscience. Ultimately, the teaching aims to help listeners apply these principles to daily life, ensuring their conduct reflects obedience to God's will in all societal relationships.

The sermon addresses the neglect of the Sabbath in modern Protestantism and calls for a recovery of its biblical doctrine as a creation ordinance and moral law. It argues that keeping the Lord's Day is essential for resisting worldly slavery and maintaining the spiritual health of the church. The central message emphasizes that true Sabbath-keeping requires an internal delight in God rather than mere external compliance or drudgery. By honoring the day as holy and setting aside worldly pleasures, believers experience restored communion with Christ and divine blessing. Ultimately, the preacher urges the congregation to align their affections with God, viewing the Sabbath as a foretaste of eternal rest and joy.

The sermon outlines a comprehensive study on the doctrine of the church, beginning with three primary distinctives that define its identity in redemptive history. It establishes that the church is a unique entity formed by the union of Jew and Gentile into one new body, a mystery revealed through Christ's work and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that true adherence to the gospel is the defining mark of Christian community, distinguishing it from mere religious organizations or historical traditions. Furthermore, the transcript asserts that a valid church must practice specific internal ordinances and leadership structures while simultaneously engaging in external evangelism and discipleship. Ultimately, the church is presented as a spirit-filled community called to worship internally and fulfill the Great Commission externally.

Missionary Peter Halliman gave updates about mission work in Malawi and Papua New Guinea, including the rigorous training of Jacob Wallace. He emphasizes strict adherence to biblical principles regarding work ethic, financial accountability, and submission to authority as essential components of discipleship. The narrative highlights the harsh realities of missionary life, including physical labor, cultural challenges, and spiritual warfare involving witchcraft. A significant portion of the account describes the historic ordination of seventeen pastors in Papua New Guinea, marking a pivotal moment for the local church.