This is a transitional Lord's Day. It connects our faith with the sacraments. They are Holy, visible signs and seals that show and seal unto us the promise of the Gospel! Where does faith come from? And what does it do? Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and it is nourished and strengthened in the sacraments. There is no grander testimony than to say I believe. That is eternal life! God uses these sacraments (foolishness) whereby He strengthens our living faith (which is salvation!)

It is the lifeline and continuation of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. God imparts His grace to us through means. That means is faith!!! How does that happen though? Righteousness is imparted to us by a true and living faith. Means of grace are the preaching of the Word, Lord's Supper, and Baptism. Note also that these three are essentially one. Christ preaches to us about salvation as baptism pictures our filth washed away. And the Lord's Supper is Christ's body broken for us. This is the heart of the Gospel and our salvation....freeing us from bondage, the curese, and our guilt.

This is worked through the preaching of the Gospel. Regeneration. The Spirit blows where it listeth. God first gives a living faith. I believe children are regenerated at a very early age, perhaps at conception. That is why there are susceptible. God quickens us and then brings us to a living, vibrant faith in the preaching of the Word! Faith- the regenerated life line working. God works living faith though the Word and confirming it in the sacraments. The preaching of the Word is the power of God unto salvation! THe Spirit pushes the Gospel so we are called and we respond to that Gospel! (How shall they believe except they hear?!) God demands sincerity in the preaching of the Gospel, accompanying it with Holy Spirit. The means of God whereby He calls unto salvation and a living faith!

It is pleasing to God. For the glory of God! We MUST make sure where our children are and where we raise our children are UNDER the preaching of the GOSPEL (church membership.) He calls us with HIS WORD and also continues to direct us and confirms it with the sacraments. When you are baptized you ARE a member of the church! That's why we have infant baptism. We promise to raise them in an atmosphere where the Lord can pull out of them FAITH! The same is done in the Lord's Supper!

These things have FAR REACHING consequences...even until we enter into the Father's abode.