The Means of Grace

1. Their Identity 2. Their Purpose 3. Their Function This sermon explores the origin and nourishment of Christian faith through the means of grace, specifically the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. Drawing from Psalm 85 and the Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 25, it explains that faith is a gift worked by the Holy Spirit rather than a human achievement. The preaching declares God's covenant peace and forgiveness secured at the cross, while baptism and the Lord's Supper serve as visible seals confirming these promises to believers. The text emphasizes that continuous engagement with these ordained means is essential for strengthening faith and sustaining the believer in their spiritual life. Ultimately, the message directs attention away from self-reliance and toward the sufficiency of Christ's sacrificial work for salvation.