As the family of God, we are the recipients of countless graces in Christ Jesus. Two of the most special graces we’ve been gifted are baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which establish, shape, and strengthen us as God’s people. In today’s message, Patrick Blocker and Tyler Briggs not only refine and reinvigorate our perspective of the ordinances, but as we participate in them together we proclaim the glory of Christ to one another and to the world around us.

Patrick’s Main Points: Baptism

• Baptism is public identification.
• Baptism is public proclamation.
• Baptism is public reception.

Tyler’s Main Points: The Last Supper

• The Lord’s Supper proclaims the gospel to the church.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus died for the church.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we are not saved by works, but by grace through faith in Christ.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us that we have peace with God.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us that the death of Christ is a powerful means of killing sin.
• The Lord’s Supper reminds us of our common union with one another.
• Participation in the Lord’s Supper is an expression of our dependence on the death of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Baptism is the believer’s public identification of his/her private transformation from salvation in Jesus Christ.

• We follow both Christ’s example to be baptized and command (Matt. 28:19-20) to baptize. Our obedience takes place in the context of our relationship with Him and is motivated by our love for Him.

• Baptism is not a means of salvation. Baptism is a step of obedience, a one-time family event, and a post-salvific reception.

• In baptism, the believer identifies with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, while publicly committing to walk in newness of life.

• We want to participate in the Lord’s Supper not as empty ritual, but as a gift from Christ to remember the gospel, be spiritually nourished, and proclaim His death and resurrection to the world.

• If we are not continually reminded of the gospel, we will retreat to our former passions and desires or foolishly attempt to earn our standing with God by works.

• Salvation by grace in Christ is not a license to sin, but a lethal weapon to put sin to death in our lives.

• The Lord’s Supper invites the church to renew its commitment to Christ and to one another.

• Before we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we are called to examine our hearts and renounce sin, forgive one another, and resolve to wholeheartedly love God and love one another. We are to partake with celebration, reverence, and joy.

• According to Tyler, “The Lord’s Supper is a feast of celebration because the death of Christ is the source of the church’s highest joy.”

Discussion Questions/Application

Personal application:

• Have you been baptized as a believer? If not, what is your next faithful step in this area?
  
• Review all of the gracious reminders present in the ordinances as preached by Patrick and Tyler. How can you more reverently and joyfully view and value these special gifts to the church?
  

Discuss with your community group:

• In what areas are you struggling to walk in the newness of life found in Christ?
  
• Today, how will you remind one another of the good news of the gospel — past, present, and future?

Passages Referenced 

Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 6:1-11; 1 John 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30.

Worship Set List

God So Loved, A Thousand Hallelujahs, Worthy of Your Name, What He’s Done