Introduction
Chapter 28 of the Baptist Confession of Faith presents a summary of the church’s two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Table. Two chapters devoted to the individual ordinances follow. Our sermon plan will follow this scheme, this Lord’s Day looking at two key passages to explain the general character of the ordinances. In the following two Sunday services, we will return to these passages to look at the individual ordinances, explaining each one in greater depth.
Since the ordinances, among other things, remind us of the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ, the elements of our service will express the joy and devotion that comes from knowing Christ.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship: Psalm 77:11-14
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 38 All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Note: Our first hymn is a joy-filled anthem of praise that declares the sovereign power of the Lord Jesus. It calls all people of God (angels, martyrs, believing Israel, and Gentiles throughout the world) to unite in praise and crown him Lord of all! It reminds us of the union shared by believers across generations.
Worship through Giving
Hymn 462 Be Thou My Vision
Note: The “high King of heaven” is the subject of this hymn. Genuine Christians may fail for a time, but they always embrace this prayer: that he will fill our vision and will take his rightful place, “Thou and thou only, first in my heart.”
Scripture Reading Ephesians 2:1-10
Note: The ordinances represent the saving work of Christ—a work accomplished for us and by us. This classic passage from the Apostle Paul reminds us of our inability to save ourselves and of the gracious gift we have received from the Lord.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 141 Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
Note: Isaac Watt’s timeless hymn begins with the humbling thought that the Lord of all would choose to die for “such a worm as I.” We respond with an expression of unreserved commitment: “Here, Lord, I give myself away—‘Tis all that I can do.”
Message: The Ordinances: Where Our Past and Future Meet
Text: Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn (Insert) Here is Love
Note: This hymn is a wonderful reminder of the salvation we remember in the ordinances. The first two verses were written during the Scottish revival of mid-1800s. They rejoice at God’s vast love for us displayed in the crucifixion and death of Jesus. The third verse expresses the priorities of those who receive this redeeming love, “Let me seek Thy kingdom only, And my life be to thy praise.” The final verse describes the evidence of saving faith, “In Thy truth Thou dost direct me, by Thy Spirit, through Thy Word.”
Prayer Response: Eric Hicks, Jr.
Benediction: Mark Williams