The ordinary means of grace are central to our ministry at All Saints because we believe they are the answer to the question, “How does God ordinarily provide for his Church?” Are we mourning and in need of comfort? Are we afraid and in need of reassurance? Are we meek when we need to be bold? Sinning and in need of repentance? Whatever we need, it is God who provides, and it is the ordinary means by which he ordinarily provides it!

Let’s consider, then, the first of the ordinary means: God’s Word, and particularly the preaching of God’s Word. God’s Word is a powerful thing when it is at work by the power of the Spirit in a person or a community. It has the power to condemn and the power to restore. It can bring the spiritually dead to life! It is also the fountain to which we should retreat when we need wisdom and comfort and assurance. It is God’s Word alone that provides these things perfectly and with full authority. I can tell you on Sunday morning that your sins are forgiven, but reading this truth to you from God’s Word has full authority and therefore gives full assurance. God works through his Word when you read it, meditate upon it, study it, and memorize it. However, throughout the history of the people of God, we have consistently seen God at work when his Word is read aloud to his people, and its meaning is explained. When that Word is preached, God gives all we need, from the beginning of our very life in the Spirit, through all the trials and joys of life, until the day Christ himself returns.

So, rather than expect God to do extraordinary things by extraordinary means—an expectation that all too often leaves us discontented—let’s rejoice in this ordinary means by which God works: his Word, and particularly the preaching of his Word.

Pastor Matt