Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

When we think of “missions” we typically think of getting our shots and passport in order, traveling to far away foreign lands, and preaching to natives in steamy jungle huts. This type of missionary effort is certainly encouraged by our Lord (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). But, perhaps our overall paradigm for “missions” needs to be expanded to a much broader and deeper perspective.

There is a mission field that is much closer to us than Japan, Guatemala, or India–it is within our own families and to our own family members. Missionary efforts in this area could truly be considered “home missions” or “covenantal missions”.

How unfortunate it would be if we were so consumed with winning others to Christ in far away places, that we neglected to bring up our own children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 4:6-7; Psalm 78:4; Ephesians 6:4). What also of those aged family members who do not know the Lord?

These are sobering thoughts not designed to produce evangelical guilt, but to cause us to reexamine our priorities in the light of Scriptural truth. Let us purpose in our hearts to thoroughly acquaint our “little ones”, and all others within our family, with the Bible—for it always points to Christ.

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Text: Ephesians 2:4-10

One of the central tenets of the Christian faith is expressed by the phrase, “salvation by grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8-9). Sadly, this precious doctrine was completely covered-over by erroneous human traditions at an earlier point in Church History.

If one thinks of Christ’s Church as a great ship plowing through the oceans, it would be absolutely necessary from time to time to take that vessel into dry dock and scrape its hull free of barnacles. Once freed from that negative influence, that ship could then sail ahead without hindrance.

In this respect, the Lord raised-up godly men and women during the Reformation to “scrape the hull” of his Church so that it would be freed from an accumulation of false doctrines. Moreover, it is good for all Christians to be reminded of the absolute necessity of God’s sovereign grace in our salvation.

In short, we could not be saved apart from it! Lastly, this passage shows us how God’s grace fits into the remainder of the Christian life—its fruits are manifested in our attitudes, conduct, and speech.

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Since we sin against God every day, we must repent of our sins. True repentance brings life. However, we must repent in a way that pleases God—not in a worldly way. This is sometimes difficult, because it is easy to confuse true repentance with a false, worldly repentance. So, we must study what the Bible says about repentance. The Holy Scriptures say a great deal about repentance. In the Bible, which is the only rule of faith and practice, we discover what repentance truly is, and we learn how to distinguish it from every counterfeit. We can find a good definition of repentance in the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

Since true repentance brings salvation from death, we must repent in a godly way, not in a false and worldly way.

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Text: Psalm 101

How should the Christian family live during these troubled times? If a current trend toward evil continue unabated within our culture, then what should we do? Throughout the history of Christ’s Church three classic answers to this question have been put forward:

• Complete removal from the world
• Full participation in the world
• Selective engagement with the world

This last answer is known as the Reformed World and Life View. It means that we boldly affirm that God is the sovereign King who rules and reigns over all things. Therefore, Christians should call all individuals, families, and civil magistrates to live under God’s eternal Law. Secondly, Christians should live as an antithesis to the darkness by becoming “children of light” in their worship, ethics, and personal conduct. Thirdly, Christians should create organizations that are like “cities on a hill”–churches, businesses, political parties, media outlets, etc. By living in this way we selectively engage fallen culture and point the way to righteousness during these troubled times.

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Text: Matthew 16:19, 18:17-20

What role does the Lord’s Supper play in discipline and judgment? It’s very simple—exclusion from the Lord’s Supper is a tool the Lord gives to his church to encourage godly behavior. The State utilizes the sword to enforce civil law (cf. Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-17), and the Family utilizes the rod to enforce parental authority (cf. Prov. 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 29:15, 17). Why then should it surprise us that the Lord has instructed his Church to utilize the keys of the kingdom to enforce proper Christian behavior (cf. Matt. 16:19, 18:17-20)? The Larger Catechism summarizes the point in this way,

Q. 173: May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, be kept from it?
A.: Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s Supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in His church, until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.

The Reformers rightly understood that participation in the Lord’s Supper is a privilege given to Christians within the context of the local church assembly. The church officers—and not just one man—have the solemn responsibility to exercise church discipline. It is within the local church that the Christian is held responsible for his sinful behavior and urged to repent. Moreover, it must be remembered that the goal of church discipline is reconciliation and restoration. Yet, if the unrepentant Christian refuses correction then it is right for the Church to exercise discipline and exclude him from the Lord’s Table.

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The Larger Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith gives some very clear and helpful instruction on how to prepare for the Lord’s Supper, as well as how to receive it and apply it. Take careful note,

Q. 171: How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to prepare themselves before they come into it?
A: They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves of their being in Christ, of their sins and wants; of the truth and measure of their knowledge, faith, repentance; love to God and the brethren, charity to all men, forgiving those that have done them wrong; of their desires after Christ, and of their new obedience; and by renewing the exercise of these graces, by serious meditation, and fervent prayer.

Q. 174: What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in the time of the administration of it?
A: It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in the ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord’s body, and affectionately meditate on His death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on Him by faith, receiving of His fullness, trusting in His merits, rejoicing in His love, giving thanks for His grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.

Q. 175: What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper?
A: The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success; if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it, beg continuance of it, watch against relapses, fulfill their vows, and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance; but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament; in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, that they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time; but if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled, and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence.

I highly commend the study of these questions and answers–and especially your examination of the Scripture proofs that go along with them. They will greatly assist you in your preparation, reception, and application of the Lord’s Supper.

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Text: John 6:52-59

What does our Lord give his disciples as they partake of the Lord’s Supper? Or, stated more plainly–what are the blessings received by the Believer from the Lord’s Supper? In answer, this text from the Gospel of John enumerates three blessings:

• Experiencing the Abundant Life, vs. 53, 57.
• Anticipating Eternal Life, vs. 54-55, 58.
• Enjoying Union with Christ, vs. 56.

This teaching from Jesus gave his disciples a great deal of trouble when he first uttered it, especially when he said that his disciples must “eat his flesh” and “drink his blood”. Jesus though, was not promoting cannibalism–instead, he was speaking of the union between his disciples and himself.

Some of his men responded by calling this a “hard saying” (vs. 60), and then abruptly left him (vs. 66). Jesus did not seem overly troubled by the departure of these people. Instead, he pointedly asked the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” (vs. 67)

But, they did not go away and Peter gave the memorable reply–”Lord, to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (vs. 68-69)

In time, these disciples would experience the very blessings that Jesus had promised would come once they ate his flesh and drank his blood.

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Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper? Some churches have an open Communion where any who wish to participate are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Other churches have a closed Communion where only those who are members of the local church are welcomed to the Table. Our own church practices a close Communion where all baptized Christians who are members in good standing of any evangelical church are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Table. What do we mean by this?

• Baptized = meaning that they have received the sign and the seal of entrance into the visible church (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2: 37-39; Rom. 4:11-12; Col. 2:11-12).
• Christian = meaning that they have given a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ to the church leaders (Matt. 10:32-33; Mark 8:38; Rom. 10:9-10; 2 Cor. 13:5).
• Members in good standing of any evangelical church = meaning that they are accountable to Christ and His Church; they are not under the discipline of the church leaders (Matt. 16:19; 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 5:4-5; Gal. 6:1; Tit. 3:10-11).

Why is it important to “fence” the Lord’s Table? Paul tells the Corinthians that those who participate in an “unworthy manner” are “guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.” These are very serious words. In essence, those who partake “unworthily” will be judged by our holy god–through weakness, illness, and even death. Therefore, Christ’s Church is responsible to admit to the Lord’s Table and when necessary to exclude from the Lord’s Table. This is the proper jurisdiction of Christ’s Church and its officers.

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The church in Corinth was a very troubled congregation. As a result, Paul’s first epistle reads more like a laundry list of maladies, than a letter of spiritual encouragement. Nevertheless, the Lord was busily building his church in Corinth—even through the intense fire of schism and selfishness.

It is also evident that the church combined a fellowship meal, or “love feast”, with the Lord’s Supper. In theory there was nothing wrong with this practice, but in reality it proved to be a stumbling-block in the life of the church.

Here was the basic problem—wealthy Christians would bring a sumptuous meal to church and refuse to share it with their poorer brethren. Thus, some went away full and others went away hungry. Moreover, some of the weaker brethren began drinking the wine served at the fellowship meal and actually became drunk! All reverence in the Lord’s Supper was lost, and it became a mockery of what the Lord intended it to be.

Therefore, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for these detrimental practices and instructed them in the proper manner of observing the Lord’s Supper.

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The Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples that there were only two Sacraments in the Bible—the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Consider what the Westminster Confession of Faith (Larger Catechism) says about baptism,

Q. #165 – What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ hath ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s.

Q. #166 – Unto whom is baptism to be administered?
A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, and so strangers from the covenant of promise, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience of him, but infants descending from parents, either both, or but one of them, professing faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are in that respect within the covenant, and to be baptized.

These are precious truths that should be measured by Scripture and treasured when we see that they have the ring of truth.

Baptism is not only an external symbol of the forgiveness of sins and our identification with Christ, it is an internal impetus to each and every recipient for spiritual rebirth, life-long repentance, and daily renewal.

Additional verses for study: Genesis 17:7, 9-10, Genesis 18:19, Psalm 78:3-8, Psalm 103:17-18, Psalm 112:1-2, Luke 18:15-16, Acts 16:15, 33, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Colossians 2:11-12, Titus 3:5-7

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