Cruciform Ministry of Word and Sacrament

"The public ministry of Word and sacrament is first and foremost a vertical, eschatalogical event of the Spirit's disrupting grace that generates a horizontal extension of covenant succession in history while also drawing in outsiders by that same ministry.

Christ is serving us, building his kingdom, drawing people by his Spirit from the dominion of sin and death, leading them in ever-richer understanding of the gospel, extending that message and acts of love outward to the neighbor. The Triune God is the one creating a new world in the midst of this fading evil age, not simply keeping the old one going or dressing it up in perpetual innovation" (italics mine).

- Michael Horton in "All Crossed Up" (Touchstonemag.com)

[HT: Gospel-Driven Church blog]