Sacramental Living

36th Church Anniversary

Ephesians 5:32

While this church celebrates its 36th anniversary, compare that to the task of the Jewish historian who has to recount 5000 years of God’s faithfulness to Israel.  Those years are marked by several covenants, the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Davidic Covenants, consecrated by signs and sacraments.

1. Irregular Church Attendance Makes Sacramental Living Impossible.

Regular, faithful church attendance strengthens the capacity to keep all oaths.  If you are not constantly hearing the right thing, you will not do the right thing.  Our minds must be renewed by the washing of God’s Word to counter the constant influence of the world’s ungodly images, thoughts and practices.

2.  Sacraments Are Powers.

When the woman who had been long sick touched Jesus in the crowd, she became healed. His authority and powers present in that day are now present in His mystical body, the Church.

3. Sacraments Make Us Holy.

Prominent sacraments in this world are marriage and baptism. Marriage is a holy union.  Outside of marriage, sex is unholy, but within marriage, a husband and wife sharing sexual intimacy is holy.  Baptism places us in holy union with Christ and His Church, but without baptism, we cannot enter the Church as members.

4. Finally, Sacraments Are Signs.

Jesus performed great signs and wonders.  As we live out and proclaim His covenant signs of the sacraments, it will be a great witness to lead many to saving faith in Him.  Unfortunately, a sign of the times is that sacraments mean little to nothing to current society.  Our celebration of 36 years reflects the promise of members to live out their covenant oaths, the principal one of following Jesus.