Christian: The Office of Believer

"Christian: The Office of Believer"

Sermon by Rev. Barry Gritters
Preached in Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church, August 3, 2003 AM
Psalter numbers: 71, 91 (second tune), 283, 313
Lord's Day 12 (Read: Isaiah 61)

   A. Though given in derision, believers bear the name "Christian" gladly. HC: "you are called a Christian"
   B. This is one main element of what it means to be a Reformed believer: I am called a Christian
                                            "CHRISTIAN: THE OFFICE OF BELIEVER"

I. We are Anointed with Christ
   A. God's people are partakers of Christ'
      1. Three texts bring this truth out clearly.

      2. By this anointing, believers may and can serve as God's officebearers in the world

   B. As we saw last week in connection with Christ's anointing, believers have been anointed:

      1. In eternity, in the decree of election

      2. In time, signified by our baptism

      3. By the Spirit of Pentecost, in the church

II. We Labor in Christ's Labors
   A. The position of God's officebearer is (as Christ's) a position of:
      1. A real labor to perform.

      2. A labor of service for the church and the people of God

      3. A labor of service to the glory of God

   B. The labor we perform as officebearers is (partly) through the special offices in the church
      1. This does not mean that elders, deacons and ministers labor because we give them the right.

      2. But that:

   C. Especially the HC refers to our labor we perform as prophets, priests, and kings.

      1. Prophets:

    2. Priests:

      3. Kings:

III. We Anticipate a Glorious Future as Christians
   A. The office of believer does not cease when we enter glory

   B. And every believer who is active in these offices and labors now may be assured that they will continue that work in glory.
Lord's Day 12: Parallels in Reformed Creeds

Westminster onfession of Faith, Larger Catechism
Q. 42: Why was our Mediator called Christ?
A. 42: Our Mediator was called Christ, because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of his church, in the estate both of his humiliation and exaltation.
Q. 43: How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. 43: Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in his revealing to the church, in all ages, by his Spirit and word, in divers ways of administration, the whole will of God, in all things concerning their edification and salvation.
Q. 44: How doth Christ execute the office of a priest'?
A. 44: Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.
Q. 45: How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. 45: Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.
Westminster confession of Faith, Chapter 8, Articles 1 and 8
I. It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man, the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Savior of his church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom he did from all eternity give a people, to be his seed, and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
VIII. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same; making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation; effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit; overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.
Calvin's Catechism of 1538, Article 20, Paragraph 2
     …The title "Christ" designates that he was endowed with all the graces of the Holy Spirit, which are marked in the Scriptures with the name "oil" for the reason that without them we waste away, dry and barren.
     Now, by this anointing he was first appointed King by the Father, to subject to himself all power in heaven and on earth, that in him we might be kings, having sway over the devil, sin, death and hell. Then he was also consecrated priest to placate by his self-sacrifice and reconcile the Father to us, that in himself we might be priests, with him as our intercessor and mediator, offering our prayers, our thanks, ourselves, and our all to the Father.