Sacraments are simply signs and seals symbolizing salvation. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 66 Q. What are sacraments? A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put his seal on that promise. And this is God’s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ’s one sacrifice finished on the cross. Summary Jesus uses very interesting terminology when instituting the Lord’s Supper. He says to his disciples when they are eating the communion bread, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then when he gives them the wine to drink, he says, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant.” Why would Jesus use those terms? This builds on what we started to look at yesterday when we studied how the sacraments confirm our faith in Jesus Christ. When we eat the bread of the Lord’s Supper, we are not eating the physical body of Christ. When we drink from the cup of the Lord’s Supper, we are not drinking the physical blood of Christ. While Jesus is present spiritually in the Lord’s Supper through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are not eating his body or drinking his blood. Jesus uses these terms because the sacraments are signs and seals of God’s promises in Jesus Christ. Dig Deeper When we baptize an infant or a new convert, we know that baptism does not save them. We are only saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, baptism is a sign and seal of God’s gospel promise. As surely as water washes away dirt from our bodies, the blood of Christ, shed on the cross, washes away our sins. Baptism is a sign and seal because it points to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, and shows us how we are saved through faith. It is why we can sing a song like Nothing But the Blood of Jesus so fervently. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. When we eat of the bread and drink of the cup of the Lord’s Supper, it too is a sign and seal of God’s gospel promise. Communion points to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ body was broken and his blood shed for our salvation. Not only that, just as bread and juice physically nourish us, Jesus nourishes us spiritually through his presence. The sacraments are a physical way for God to confirm a spiritual reality. We celebrate them to confirm our faith in Jesus and be nourished by him. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Amazing God, who shows us, as well as teaches us of your power and grace; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would contemplate the meaning of the sacraments as you are celebrating them; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Colossians 1

providential activity in creation (17:24), in providing (17:25), sustaining and directing human life (17:26, 28

His always perfect love for you "remains the same, yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)."

God not only can provide for you, but He desires to because He's your Father! Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 26 Q. What do you believe when you say, “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth”? A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, who still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence, is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him so much that I do not doubt he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and he will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends me in this sad world. He is able to do this because he is almighty God; he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father. Summary Today's passage comes in the context of a letter written to brand new Christians who lived in a very pagan world. Much of their economy centered around the idol temple industry. In fact for most people, the only source of meat was the markets selling the meat that had been killed in sacrifice in an idol temple. In response to the Corinthians' query, Paul said that in most cases, this wasn't a sinful transaction, since the idols were "nothing at all in the world (v4)." Certainly the Corinthians' meat sourcing issue isn't one we face, especially since most of us live in the heart of the finest meat production region in the world! But what Paul writes next in v5-6 has massive implications for us. We might not have pagan temples in our towns, but American society is filled with all sorts of people and products positioning themselves as de facto "gods" and "lords." Yet regardless of society, "for us there is but one God." God is the sovereign creator and the uncaused cause "from whom all things came," but once again the reminder comes that He's not just a distant detached force that created the universe but has no real interest in your particular life. Rather, He's your Father. We read yesterday that He is actively orchestrating all things for your good! This results in an obligation on your part. Just as your Father is actively interested in you, you must be actively interested in Him. So much, in fact, that He is the reason "for whom you live!" Dig Deeper While it's comforting to be reminded that God is our omnipotent Father and not just an impersonal deity, the comfort would quickly fall flat without the final clause in v6. You were born sinful, unable to fulfill your obligation to live for God from the very moment you were conceived. The good news today is that God remains your Father because of Christ His Son! Just as all things came from God through Jesus, you can now fully live for God through Jesus, since you live in Christ! As you finish another week, thank your Father for redeeming your life through the obedience, death and resurrection of Jesus, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to live for God through Christ. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Thank God for sending Jesus, and ask for strength & perseverance to live for God through Christ. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Hebrews 1

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives the Christian Church our marching orders. For example, the Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments: Baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance

Jesus tells us in the Great Commission (Matthews 28:19-20) to go and make disciples of all nations and

believe because you are not my sheep. 27  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Index for Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control,

5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11 Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8- Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg?

5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Or Else Luke 15:11 Warrior Who Saves Lamentations 3:19-23 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness John 3:16-18 - Simple Beauty 1 John 4:8- Faith James 1:13-18 - The Devil (didn't) Make You Do It Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 - Many Schemes Ephesians 2:8 John 17:1-5 - Sovereign Submission John 17:6-12 - Given Psalm 115 - God Does What He Pleases ​ Article 8: A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg?

Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Articles 1-8 Article 1: God’s Right to Condemn All People Romans 5:12-14 - Mis-Markmanship Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Not A Tame Lion Genesis 2:15-17 - Article 6: God’s Eternal Decree Isaiah 45:21-25 - Irrevocable Ezekiel 36:24-27 - A Whole New Reality Romans A Single Decree of Election Romans 4:1-8 - One and the Same Romans 4:9-17 - Chicken or Egg? Romans 4:18-25 - Faithfully Face the Facts Hebrews 11:39-40 - Promises Kept Psalm 33 - God's Control,