Philip G. Ryken Sermon at Nicholas T. Batzig’s Ordination Service
Last night I had the enormous privilege of having Philip Graham Ryken preach at my ordination service. Beginning in September 2007 I served as a pastoral intern under Dr. Ryken at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Having Phil at my ordination service was a great blessing. A little over a month ago Phil informed me of what passage he would be preaching at the service–1 Corinthians 16:1-9. I have to admit, at first thought I wondered how appropriate this text would be for an ordination service. Not only did Phil’s reason for choosing this message and content surpass my expectations, the Lord greatly moved my heart with the specific applications that Phil made from the text. There was a creative element to the sermon that made it especially memorable. Phil moved from the text, focusing on the church planting endeavors of the apostle Paul, to John Calvin’s church planting in and from Geneva, to the present and my call to plant a church in Richmond Hill, Ga. You can find this sermon here . You can listen to or download it here as well.
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Congrats again on your ordination. I’m looking forward to listening to this sermon. I hope that God blesses your ministry in GA.
Thank you for this kind comment Art. Please pray for me that I may open my mouth and boldly make known the mystery of the Gospel that I am now called to proclaim.
May the Lord bless you in this world Nick. Congratulations.
Well, in this world and in this work you are currently undertaking.
Thank you James! I knew what you meant the first time. It is good to be busy with the Lord’s work in the world!
Congratulations Nicholas. I am thrilled that you are planting a church in my home state. Every time I return home to rural middle Georgia I find old acquaintances who wish there was a Presbyterian church in the area. The closest to my hometown is still 30 miles away in Warner Robins.
May God grant you faithful perseverance in the difficult work of church planting. I pray you take comfort in Jesus’ declaration that he would build his church (Matt. 16:18).
Congratulations Nick. We’re praying for your ministry and rejoice in God’s work through you.
Congratulations. May His Spirit empower you as you head to Georgia to serve in the Kingdom.