From the writings of Dr. John R. W. Stott
Word, Worship and Sacrament (cont’d.)
653. Sermon and sacrament
Strictly speaking, the sacraments are not themselves worship, any more than the sermon is worship. Sermon and sacrament are both manward rather than Godward in their direction. They set forth, the one audibly and the other visibly, the [...]
A Commentary by John Stott.
Ephesians 4:1-16. Conclusion.
Here then is Paul’s vision for the church. God’s new society is to display charity, unity, diversity and growing maturity. These are the characteristics of ‘a life worthy of the calling’ to which God has called us, and which the apostle begs us [...]
From the writings of Dr. John R. W. Stott
Word, Worship and Sacrament (cont’d.)
652. Scripture and sacrament
God speaks to his people through his Word both as it is read and expounded from Scripture and as it is dramatized in the two gospel sacraments, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Perhaps ‘word and sacrament’ is not the [...]
A Commentary by John Stott.
Ephesians 4:13-16. 4). Christian unity demands the maturity of our growth (continued).
In contrast to doctrinal instability, which is a mark of immaturity, we should be *speaking the truth in love* in order that we may *grow up in every way into him who is the head, [...]
From the writings of Dr. John R. W. Stott
Word, Worship and Sacrament (cont’d.)
651. Heart and mind
The first characteristic of heart-worship is that it is rational; the mind is fully involved in it. For the ‘heart’ in Scripture is not simply equivalent to the emotions, as it usually is in common parlance today. In [...]
A Commentary by John Stott.
Ephesians 4:13-16. 4). Christian unity demands the maturity of our growth.
The apostle goes on to elaborate what he means by *building up the body of Christ*. It will evidently be a lengthy process, leading (in three pregnant phrases) to * the unity of the faith [...]
From the writings of Dr. John R. W. Stott
Word, Worship and Sacrament (cont’d.)
650. Loss of a dimension
Some of our services are far too formal, respectable and dull. At the same time, in some modern meetings the almost total loss of the dimension of reverence disturbs me. It seems to be assumed by some [...]
A Commentary by John Stott.
Ephesians 4:7-12. c). The purpose of spiritual gifts is service. (continued).
I saw the principle of the every-member ministry well illustrated when I visited St. Paul’s Church, Darien, Connecticut, a few years ago. It is an American Episcopal church, which has been influenced by the charismatic [...]
From the writings of Dr. John R. W. Stott
Word, Worship and Sacrament (cont’d.)
649. Unconditional praise?
The strange notion is gaining popularity in some Christian circles that the major secret of Christian freedom and victory is unconditional praise; that a husband should praise God for his wife’s adultery and a wife for her husband’s drunkenness; and that [...]
A Commentary by John Stott.
Ephesians 4:7-12. c). The purpose of spiritual gifts is service.
In verse 12 Paul states clearly why Christ gave these gifts to his church. The RSV first edition (1946) read: *for the equipment of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the [...]