Signed, Sealed, and Delivered
The Sign that Seals
January 3, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
Over twelve Sundays we will unpack the Lord's Supper as a costly gift of God's grace that—like Abraham's righteousness by faith before circumcision—shows salvation is received by grace, not earned by works, and that the sacraments deliver covenant blessings both as signs and as seals that bring real grace when received in repentance and faith.
Summary
This series invites the congregation to receive, not merely judge, the Lord's Supper as a costly gift of God's grace. Using Abraham as Paul's example (righteousness counted before circumcision), the sermon emphasizes that righteousness is a gift received by faith, not earned by works. Because our appreciation can fade, we are called to repent and cherish our salvation. Paul explains that covenant blessings come through the sacraments in two ways—as signs of the covenant and as seals that actually convey God's grace to the faithful—and the Lord's Supper, which reminds us of Christ's body and blood, is an indispensable, God‑appointed means of receiving that grace when we trust it.
Key Points
- A 12‑week series will unpack the Lord's Supper as a costly gift of God's grace.
- We must receive the sacraments in faith rather than judge them in sermons.
- Abraham's righteousness was counted by faith before circumcision, showing covenant is by God's gift, not human works.
- No one is made righteous by works; righteousness is a received gift—call to repentance and renewed faith.
- Our appreciation for salvation can dim; we should make our salvation precious through repentance and faith.
- Paul teaches sacraments deliver covenant blessings in two ways: as signs and as seals.
- Covenant seals do more than promise: they bring grace to the faithful.
- The Lord's Supper specifically reminds us of Christ's body and blood and, when believed as God's appointed means, conveys covenant grace.
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