Did God Annul His Promise? (Hosea 13:12-16)

The Lord's people have lost their fight for the Lord. In fact, Hosea rebukes Israel for turning away from the Lord. They do not want to turn back to the Lord, but continue to plunge headfirst into their sin. They have failed to build the model and replica of heaven on earth. Now, the Lord comes against his people. Does this mean that the Lord is too weak to save? We find out that God really is gracious. He does not go back on his promise even as National Israel will be exiled from the land.

God Reviews Israel’s Case (Hosea 13:1-11)

Hosea rehearses the Lord's case against Israel. They have failed him, they have pursued Baal, and they have failed to have an exclusive relationship with the Lord. This prophet is warning us that we might think that we are fine because we can trust in everything other than the Lord. This is why John the Baptist calls Israel to turn away from their confidence and to turn unto Christ. Hosea is fundamentally exhorting God's people to find their contentment and fulfillment in the Lord and His kingdom.

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.

A Deviant Name with Divine Purpose (Luke 1:57-80)

John's name is a source of controversy for Zechariah and Elizabeth. Their relatives think that this couple needs a family name. However, we see in a subtle way that the Lord is overturning Adam's fall. The Lord is raising up a new humanity. Truly the Lord remembers his oath as he demonstrates his grace and mercy once again.

Singing the Magnificent Humble Song (Luke 1:39-56)

When Scripture opens we are told that the Lord created this world good. We read of the adversary, Satan, who enters the garden of Eden. He wants to challenge whether or not God created this world good. Satan is arrogant, Satan thinks that he can humble the great God of heaven, and he tempts Adam and Eve to sin. Adam and Eve sin joining this Satanic community. They soon discover that God will not be humbled, man will not be worshipped, and man's exaltation is only found as man submits to God. This is the very theme that Mary celebrates.

Removing Our Reproach (Luke 1:26-38)

Our Lord enters history through a very unlikely person. This is Mary, a person who is easily discarded. She has no genealogy, she is from a no nothing town, and she is a young peasant. However, she is the vessel that the Lord uses to bring about his redemptive purpose. She demonstrates the true essence of Christ's mission that we have to humble ourselves for our reproach to be taken away.

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.

Why the Word and Sacrament? (Eph 5:26; BC 33)

We look at Paul's encouragement to the Ephesian church to live out of gratitude. We see that the word and sacrament go together. The Lord is pleased to work through this means to grow us in Christ. We cannot separate them as they both hold out the same Christ.

Put on the Kings 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.

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.

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.