Come Sojourn with Us
This is where you will find sermons and updates for our church. Our mission is to preach expository sermons focusing on the gospel of Christ. We are a church that is tied to the reformed tradition and seeks to submit to the scriptures so we walk in the Lord’s wisdom rather than our own.
We would love to have you join us on our Christian sojourn if you are in the Belgrade, MT area. If you are not in area then join us by listening to our bi weekly free sermon podcast.
Stay informed by following us on Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or through our RSS feed. We would love for you to join us for worship every Sunday at 10 am and 6 pm. If you cannot join us in person then tune into our YouTube livestream.
The prophet Isaiah recounts the Lord's gracious work, and intercedes on behalf of God's people. We ultimate rest in God’s steadfast mercy. We are unfaithful, but He is faithful. We desire the potter to mold us as his redeemed.
Christ tells us that we are to turn the other cheek if someone slaps us. If someone takes us to court we give them more than they are asking in the settlement. If someone wants us to go one mile then we go with them two miles. If we take these words at face value they can become rather burdensome to the abused and the afflicted. We know that God defends the widow and the orphan so how can we care about injustice while hearing an exhortation to tolerate injustice?
If we really understand our relationship to our God we should be humble. There is nothing about the story of redemption that leads man to be arrogant. However, we can think that we are a little more worthy than our neighbor. We might also think that maybe one of our friends is more worthy of God's affection than say a thief on the cross. The Canons of Dordt reminds us that not one single person deserves God's grace. How can our contemplation of God's grace draw us closer to God,, hope less in our selves, and actually cultivate a deep compassion?
Our Lord gives the assurance that as we show mercy we will receive mercy. It this a relationship that is reciprical? It means that the more we show the more we receive? What does Christ mean that we have to show mercy to receive mercy?
The Apostle Paul gives the warning that if someone covets they are giving into idolatry. If someone gives into idolatry then they do not have the kingdom of God. So, as we all struggle with idolatry does that mean we do not have Christ? If we struggle with coveting does that mean we do not have Christ? How do we proceed to serve the Lord while having this propensity to struggle against his will?
It is easy to get discouraged when we read the news and wonder what is happening in the world today. We might wonder where is this mighty and majestic kingdom that Scripture communicates so clearly. So, where is this kingdom? Is the kingdom here right now or is the kingdom on its way? How does this impact our lives today?
The Lord promises that no matter what we face that God works all things for good. Does this mean that everything that we face as Christians is going to be good? Is this a declaration that sin is so eradicated that there will be no lasting consequence of sin? Does this really mean that all things are good or is the Apostle Paul teaching us something else about our Christian sojourn?
Acts 6 lays out a complaint which recalls for us the Old Testament tragedies when Israel complained against the Lord. It seems as if the New Testament church is just like the redeemed people of Israel who can only complain about the Lord’s shepherding care. Why is it that the Lord does not consume them? Why is it that the Apostles actually concede and act on this complaint?
If you desire to learn more about the office of deacon our federation did a great job studying the office. You can find a PDF version of the study report here.
There is no doubt that Christ is the standard of wisdom. He is the embodiment of wisdom and so we would expect his followers to embrace him. We find that not only do the pharisees question Christ’s credibility, but so do John’s disciples. What basis do they have to question them? Did Christ do something wrong or are they out of line?
The catechism makes a strong statement that we have only one comfort in life and in death. How can there be only one comfort rather than the top five or top ten comforts? Is it really possible to have only one comfort?
We conclude our study on the prophet Malachi. This is a prophet that we probably are not the most familiar so what is the prophet’s contribution to our canon? Is this only a prophet who is relevant during the Christmas season when he talks about the Messiah or does this prophet communicate the Gospel in a very profound and significant way?
At this point in our Malachi we might wonder if there are any faithful people. Has the Lord forgotten His people? Has the Lord failed to keep a remnant for himself? The Lord gives the assurance that the upside is that the Lord remembers His promise. So, what is the peace of knowing that God remembers His justice?
It is easy for fallen man to be judgmental. If we are honest we would much rather fix someone else’s problem than our own because overall we are doing pretty well right? This is not what Christ says, and Christ speaks in a parabolic way showing the absurdity of such a judgmental spirit. So, what is the problem of being judgmental and what is the solution?
Men have scheduled their time to meet with Job and encourage him. We have heard two of the counselors and now we have the opportunity to hear from a third counselor. The counselors have not successfully encouraged Job in the Gospel. Job is one who has claimed his own self-righteousness before the Lord claiming that he can hold God accountable. Is this new counselor going to be the voice of reason who lays out the gospel? Is there going to be someone who understands that Job is not fighting against God? Will this speech help Job understand that God is not His enemy, but the very strength of his life?
One of the challenges of the Christian life is not allowing our earthly perspective to get in the way of our heavenly perspective. We are people called to arrive at heaven. We are people called to have the orientation of heaven ever before us as we sojourn through this age. So, how is this worked out? On the one hand we are struggling sinners called to honor the Lord and on the other hand we are called by a perfect God. So, how are we to live our the righteous requirements of the law in light of our sinful struggle?
It is easy to judge the younger brother and to let him live with the consequences of his actions. It might be touching to think that the father still hosts the banquet for the younger brother. You can almost have a sentimental feeling that the father is a really good father. The parable hits home when the father explains to the older brother why this banquet is so significant. It also hits home when the father has to pursue the lost son. Which son is really the lost son in this parable? What is the significance of the father going out to meet with each of the sons?
Christ teaches from the sermon on the mount that murder is far deeper than just taking a human life. Christ teaches that if we desire to harm, avenge, or even hate then we are guilty of murder. What is the opposite of murder? How do we discover a Christian ethic as we consider the opposite of murder? How does the Christian ethic make us realize our glorious placement in this kingdom?
The Lord is a God who is serious about his justice. He will deal with the foreign people who make a mockery of His name and He will drive out His people who also make a mockery of His name. This is something that we expect a sovereign God to do. This expectation is not what makes God necessarily unique from all the other gods. What is the ultimate thing that makes God unique for the other gods? How do we have a relationship with this God? How do we know that he really is the Lord of lords and the King of kings?
Humanity has a funny way of conducting justice. We want justice, and want to see things done correctly. The reason why this is funny is because we want other people to do the right thing while missing our particular infractions. This is the crux of Christ’s question: is it better to heal or destroy? In other words if you are going to do an infraction would you want this to be done erring on the side of grace or contradicting justice?
We are a bible believing church in the Belgrade, MT. We are a Reformed Protestant church who desire to build one another up in love as we sojourn under the sun.
