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Lesson
11 — The Means of Grace
Catechism Questions 165-168, 236-238, 249, 277-278, 279
(OLD: 165,168,191,254,276,315);
Koehler pp. 76-77, 93-94,137
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I.
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How the
Gospel comes to us (Koehler p. 76-77)
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A.
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Objective
Justification teaches us there is forgiveness for all. This
does not benefit the individual unless he or she accepts it.
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B.
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The channels
through which God's power flows into our lives we call "Means
of Grace".
There are three:
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1. |
The Word
of God - Romans 1:16, 10:17
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2. |
Baptism
- Acts 2:38-39
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3. |
Holy
Communion - 1 Corinthians 11:26-29
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C.
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Two of
these are called "sacraments". A sacrament is:
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1. |
A sacred act instituted by God,
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2. |
using
earthly elements,
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3. |
bringing
us spiritual blessings
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II.
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The relationship
of the Means of Grace
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A.
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Each
brings the full blessings of salvation, but in a different
form with a different emphasis. A good comparison is that
at birth a child has life, but to live and grow, needs nourishment
and education. So at baptism a child of God is born spiritually,
but to grow and live, he needs nourishment (Communion) and
education (Word of God).
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B.
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God has
nowhere promised to work through any other means!
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