Together, we have faith

Oct 2, 2025
Week #39 — Day 5
Communion As A Means of Grace
Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, Sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42, 46-47
“We see, touch, and taste the Lord’s Supper and know that as surely as we do so, so surely has Christ given Himself for our sins. The sacraments have therefore been called “visible words” because they make tangible the pledges of God in His Word.”
Excerpt FromGlorifying and Enjoying God: 52 Devotions through the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Boekestein & Cruse & Miller)
Communion as a means of grace. Kevin DeYoung points out in his “Daily Doctrine” the vast and today underrated importance of the Lord’s Supper — “The importance of the Lord’s Supper is so obvious in Scripture and in church history that it’s amazing the sacrament has become so unimportant in so many churches today. The celebration of the Last Supper and the corresponding institution of the Lord’s Supper (“Do this in remembrance of me”) occur in detail in all four Gospels.” He makes four observations concerning this sacrament or ordinance.
“The Lord’s Supper is a sign and seal—a sign of Christ’s death on the cross and a seal of the remission of sins we have by faith through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. The Lord’s Supper is a family meal and a covenantal meal. God not only gathers into his family those who were once strangers and aliens; he also feeds us as his children. The Lord’s Supper is for our help. It is a cup of blessing (1 Cor. 10:16). God supports our earthly life with physical bread and physical drink; he nourishes and strengthens our spiritual life with living bread and the cup of life.
The Lord’s Supper orients us in two directions. It orients us vertically as we remember the body and blood, give thanks for his sacrifice, commune with him by faith, and proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again. It also orients us horizontally as we are moved in grace toward our fellow believers. We discern the body of Christ upward in glory and outward in love.” Ponder and recall these four points the next time you observe the Lord’s Supper.
A Puritan Prayer —
“Lord, I thankfully obey thy call,
accept of thy goodness,
acquiesce in thy gospel appointments.
I believe that Jesus thy Son has plenteous redemption;
I apply to him for his benefits,
give up my mind implicitly to his instructions,
trust and glory in his sacrifice,
revere and love his authority,
pray that his grace may reign in my life.
I will not love a world that crucified him,
neither cherish nor endure the sin that put him to grief,
nor suffer him to be wounded by others.
At the cross that relieves my conscience
let me learn lessons of self-denial, forgiveness and submission,
feel motives to obedience,
find resources for all needs of the divine life.
Then let me be what I profess,
do as well as teach,
live as well as hear religion.”
Excerpt From
The Valley of Vision
Edited by Arthur Bennett