Minister's Blog

The EBC Catechism and the Ordinary Means of Grace
It is hard to believe we are already nearing the end of the year! The busyness of November and December often make those last couple of months fly by. About this time each year I try to give a little time to looking over the Emmanuel Baptist Church Family Catechism to make any changes before publishing next year’s edition. Of course, the doctrines and truths do not change, but the language or the verses referenced might. This year I reached out to Sherwon Williamson for help making some of the questions and answers a little more concise. We want the catechism to be as readable and approachable as possible, but there are some terms I just cannot bear to set aside. One such term was in our question from last week, “ordinary means of grace.”
Last week our question and answer was: “What are the ordinary means of grace Christ uses to bring us the benefits of redemption? The ordinary means of grace are His instructions, particularly the Word, ordinances (Baptism and Lord’s Supper), and prayer, all of which are made effective for the salvation of His chosen ones.” Another definition of the ordinary means of grace is “the standard, God-appointed practices through which Christ communicates the benefits of redemption and spiritually nourishes His people.” (9Marks) This term is not used widely in evangelical circles, so why should we hold onto it? It was in use in Puritan and Presbyterian circles for some time before it was defined in the Westminster Shorter Catechism in 1647. This term is so helpful due to the depth of all it conveys. The term, “ordinary” conveys that these practices are ordained by God and regular. God has given clear instructions (commands) in His word regarding the importance and practice of Bible reading (hearing), the ordinances, and prayer. The regular nature of these means of grace reminds us that we do not move from one “mystical” experience to another in our Christian growth, instead we experience the sanctifying work of the Spirit in the everyday, moment by moment, week by week, rhythms of life as we read or hear the word, pray, and worship in the ordinances. They are means of grace because the Lord promises to give His grace to us through them. This is the grace we need for endurance and holiness! I do not have to wait on or seek after some “deliverance” or “breakthrough.” I am being delivered from the power of my own sinful desires as I humbly seek Christ through these ordinary means of grace!
Special Thanks and Prayer Request
I know God’s Word tells us to give thanks in everything, but as pastor here at Emmanuel that command is easy to practice! I thank the Lord for our loving congregation and your love shown continually to one another and to our community. I want to thank the Lord for a wonderful evening of outreach through our Fall Fest last Sunday night! So many of you participated in one way or another. The attendance was great and many heard a clear presentation of the Gospel and experienced the love of a great Christian community. Please continue to pray the seeds of the Gospel would germinate and grow to maturity. Thanks for the prayers, candy, and labors that made this event a great success!
Please pray for our group heading to Chauvin the weekend of November 13-15. This mission team will be conducting a community outreach and a Sunday service in town where there is no evangelical witness. We are going to be praying with a small group of Christians for the Lord to raise up a church planter to go there and minister in that place. Can’t wait to come back and report!