God's Deliberate Discipline (Hosea 11:12-12:14)

We can wonder as God's people if God is for us or against us. We should see that Israel is certainly a unique place in covenant history. They model heaven on earth, but demonstrate that we need a savior. Israel shows that despite the Lord's redemptive mercy their hearts can still wander from the true God. Israel is the model of heaven on earth, but communicates we will never bring heaven on earth. Israel also reminds us that the Lord can discipline his people. We might feel as if God is distant, but Hosea reminds us that the Lord is shaping his people even when he feels distant.

Unlikely Witnesses (Luke 2:28-38)

Moses received revelation from God that Israel is redeem the firstborn male. Payment had to be made for certain animals and for sons. Mary and Joseph do the ordinary task of paying this redemption because Jesus is their firstborn son. As they go to the temple to pay the redemption they receive revelation from two prophets about Christ's revelation. Mary and Joseph continue to marvel at the Lord's plan rather than understanding the necessity of Christ's advent.

Our Simple God (John 4:1-24;BC 1)

When we consider God we do not think that God is simple. In fact when we try to comprehend who God is we realize that he is rather majestic. In fact, he is beyond our comprehension. So, why would we say that God is simple and why does it matter so much for God to be God?

The Humble Shepherd (Luke 2:1-21)

The shepherds gather round the messiah to see this thing that has happened. It is magnificent that such a thing has happened. However, we can grow so familiar with the Christmas story that we lose the humanness behind this story. Please join us as we look at this familiar story once again on Christmas Eve.

Matthew's Account of Christ's Birth

This is a reading of Matthew’s account of Christ’s birth. Please enjoy this reading as we ruminate on Christ’s birth.

God’s Almighty Word (BC 5, 10; John 1:1-18)

We wrap up our series on the means of Grace. We hear now that Christ is the action of God. He is not merely the word, but the one who confirms the Lord's word. He is the one who brought in the first creation, and he establishes us as a new creation. This means that word is more basic and prior to the sacraments. The preached word is not divorced from the true word. The sacraments are no divorced from the word. They all call our attention to the one true Christ.

Discerning the Lord's Banquet (BC 35; 1 Cor. 11:23-31)

When we come to the Lord's table we are reminded that we are coming into the Lord's presence. There is something frightening about Paul exhorting the Corinthians church and telling them that some have died because of their sin. Paul correlates the eating of communion to this death. This can make us terrified to come before our Lord and we can think that the elements have a magical power. However, what Paul is calling us and exhorting us to see is that we partake of Christ, we dine at his table, and we eat his supper. We are called to discern that we do not come to this meal because we are worthy, but because we are made worthy in Christ. It is the call to come to the heavenly banquet table in humility.

Elijah is Coming (Luke 1:1-25)

Luke desires to present to us an orderly account of Christ, and why Christ is the messiah. We begin our Christmas series with Luke's account of John. We are going to cover Luke's gospel for Christmas, and then we will head back to Luke's gospel after we finish Hosea.

Tasting the Lord’s Banquet (BC 35; Luke 14:12-24)

Luke presents Christ as one who is moving through this world, through Jerusalem, and eventually to heaven. Feasting communicates who has table fellowship in Luke's writings. The Lord's Supper is a taste of that heavenly feast as we gather together in the Lord's presence.

And His Entire Household (Acts 16:25-40)

Paul and Silas are put in prison for casting out a spirit of divination. While they are in prison the Lord sends an earthquake. This event opens the doors and knocks the shackles off their limbs. They are free to escape, but they do not leave. Instead, we have record of a jailer being converted. He is converted, baptized, and his entire household. This is very significant in terms of the covenant sign of Baptism.

Why the New Covenant in my Blood? (BC 35; Luke 22:20)

Christ celebrates passover with his disciples. We would think that this is just a passover meal, but Christ provides a twist. He is the passover lamb, the sacrifice, the one who confirms the covenant, and the one who feasts with his people. Certainly, passover is part of the Lord's Supper, but passover is part of the Lord's Supper.

Out of Egypt I called My Son (Hosea 11:1-11)

Hosea makes explicit that the Lord is upset with his people pursuing other gods. Israel tries to baptize their immorality as "worship." However, the Lord knows the substance of their worship. One would think that the Lord's purpose has failed. One would think that his promise to Abraham has failed. However, the Lord is not a man. The Lord is able to establish and create new life.

Put on the King's Yoke (Hosea 10:1-15)

There is the warning to Israel that they are going to be carried off. They will be yoked and carried off. We might think that the Lord's purpose is finished. However, Christ exhorts us to put on his yoke that is light and easy. We need to see that coming under Christ's domain is freeing rather than domineering.

Why the Sacraments? (Romans 4:11; BC 33)

The Belgic confession assures us that the sacrament are given to us to strengthen our faith. However, the sacraments also communicate to us that we are weak. We are prone to wander, and testify to the reality that we need a savior. The sacraments communicate to us the truth of the gospel and cannot stand apart from it.

God Reflects on Israel's History (Hosea 9:10-17)

The Lord was refreshed by his people. He found them as a needy people needing redemption, and the Lord took pity on them, nurtured them, and loved them dearly. However, Israel crossed the line failing to see that God truly can protect his people. It sounds as if the Lord's purpose is concluded for his people, but we need to realize that redemption only comes through death. It is through death that there is true everlasting life.

Is Scripture Finished? (1 Corinthians 14:1-25)

In our previous sermons we have seen that the word of God has power, we have seen that church receives the canon of Scripture, and now we see that all we need to know about God and his saving work is in his scriptures. Our goal is to show that there is no longer any new revelation because we do not need new revelation.

Feast of Mourning (Hosea 9:1-9)

Hosea gives a warning that Israel will not be celebrating their feast. The feasts are supposed to communicate Israel fellowshipping with God. They are in the presence of the most high God, but what do they do? They celebrate division, and feast in the presence of false gods. Truly, idolatry is a very irrational sin. It is a sin where we protect the gods we serve rather than seeing our God protects us.

Declare or Receive Scripture? (BC 5; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Paul commends the Thessalonians church because they "received the word of God." This is a very important point that Paul is making. The church did not declare the scriptures and Paul did not declare the scriptures. He is an apostle, but even an apostle has to submit to the scripture. So we see what the Belgic Confession is teaching us that scripture testifies to its own authority, and the Holy Spirit also continually bears witness to the word of God.

The Eagle Has Turned (Hosea 8:1-14)

The Lord protected his people as an eagle hovering over its young. The Lord saw to it that he continued to protect his people so that they survived their wilderness time. The Lord is the great protecting Eagle. However, the Lord now uses the nations to come against Israel. They are the eagle poised to attack God's people. We might think that God has given up his purpose for his people. However, Hosea gives a subtle reminder that the Lord will use Egypt again to reshape and mould his people.

Why is Christ’s Baptism Stressful? (Luke 12:49-59)

When Christ enters history we expect Christ to bring peace, life, and joy in this age. However, this is not what we see with Christ. Christ speaks of casting fire and creating division. This is the messiah who is supposed to bring the kingdom of peace, shalom, that is a kingdom of wholeness for his people. So, if this is true then why is Christ bringing division on this earth? Secondly, why is Christ so overwhelmed by his baptism?