Worship 10 am & 6 pm
Belgrade United Reformed Church
17333 Frontage Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
Our Eternal Problem (Matthew 25:35-46; LD 4)
We are tempted to solve sin the same way we solve everything else — with strategy, discipline, or distance. But as Luther reportedly said of his time in the monastery, "I went to escape the rascal, only to find that the rascal followed me there." The problem isn't out there. It's in here. And only one solution reaches that deep.
God's Glorious Projection (Esther 8:1-17)
Haman is dead — but his decree isn't. The villain has been removed, but his villainy still stands. In Esther 8, we're confronted with a sobering reality: one evil man can be toppled, yet the damage he set in motion keeps moving. So what does God do? He doesn't cancel the decree. He issues a better one. This is the pattern of redemptive history — God doesn't simply undo the enemy's work, He overwhelms it.
Chapter 7 - “In For the Kill”
Are you ready to fight sin with gospel hope? In this powerful message on sanctification, we explore Chapter 7 of Sinclair Ferguson's "Devoted to God" titled "In for the Kill"—learning how to actively put sin to death through the Spirit's power.
God’s Fault? (LD 3; Genesis 3)
Why does life often feel frustrating and broken? Genesis 3 reveals the deeper story behind our world: God’s perfect creation, humanity’s rebellion, and the lasting consequences of the fall. Yet even in the midst of judgment, God gives the first promise of the gospel—a Redeemer who will defeat the serpent and restore His people.
The New Rhythm of Grace: How Sanctification Transforms Your Christian Life | Colossians 3 (Chapter 6)
Sanctification is not self-effort but a new rhythm of grace. In this episode, we explore Colossians 3 and Sinclair Ferguson’s teaching on union with Christ, renewal, and learning to put on Christ in daily life.
Misery or Mercy? (Psalm 19:7-14; LD 2)
If God’s law reveals our sin and misery, why does Psalm 19 celebrate it as life-giving? The Heidelberg Catechism teaches that the law exposes how deeply we fall short, yet Scripture also describes God’s instruction as perfect, joyful, and renewing to the soul. This study explores how God’s law leads us not to despair, but to Christ—our Redeemer—who enables us to live in gratitude, reverence, and dependence upon Him.
Comforted or Controlled? (John 10:28, 29; LD 1)
Most comforts belong to certain moments—a warm blanket for a cold night, a favorite flannel for a casual afternoon. But the Heidelberg Catechism begins with a startling claim: there is one comfort that fits every circumstance, in life and in death. That comfort is not found in self-determination or achievement, but in belonging—body and soul—to our faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He redeems, preserves, and intercedes for his sheep so that they will never perish and can never be snatched from his hand.
Procrastinator or Strategic Planner?(Esther 5:1-14)
As Esther enters the king’s court uninvited, the fate of God’s people hangs in the balance. After a three-day fast, she stands between courage and compromise, strategy and fear. What appears to be hesitation is actually wisdom at work, as God quietly moves his plan forward. Even when his people seem weak and his name is unspoken, the Lord’s decree still stands.
Elite Doctrine or Rich Comfort? (John 3:1-21; COD Conclusion)
The Canons of Dort addresses critical questions about God's sovereignty and human free will, but its true purpose is pastoral: to provide genuine consolation in knowing that God desires, chooses, and gives life to His people. This teaching leads believers toward Scripture, submission to God's Word, and ultimately to His glory.
The challenge is navigating the tension between God's universal call and particular work. John 3 shows us both truths: the general call is real ("God so loved the world"), and the particular application of Christ's work to God's people is also real (one must be "born again" to respond). Like the wind, the Spirit "blows where it wills"—we cannot control God's work, which is both humbling and liberating.
Our hope rests in Christ, not ourselves. When we bow the knee to Christ, it's because we've been born from above by the Spirit. Our confidence is in His power to uphold us until the end.
All of Me (Chapter 2)
What does it mean to be devoted to God with all of life? In Chapter 2 of Devoted to God, Sinclair Ferguson unpacks Romans 12:1–2 to show how sanctification flows from the gospel, transforms our bodies and minds, and reveals the goodness of God’s will as we are conformed to Christ.
For They Were Not of Us (1 John 2:18-25; COD Head 5 RE)
The Canons of Dort remind us that perseverance is not grounded in our spiritual strength, but in Christ’s preserving power. When some depart from the faith, John does not tell believers to look inward for hidden signs or elite knowledge. Instead, he directs us outward—to Christ, who continues his priestly work by interceding for his people. True assurance does not come from the quality of our faith, but from the faithfulness of our Savior, who prays that our faith will not fail.
When God’s Promises Seem to be Failing (Esther 2:19-3:15)
The book of Esther confronts a haunting question: when God seems silent and His people face destruction, can His promises still stand? Set in a foreign empire ruled by absolute power, Esther reveals a hidden battle between the decree of man and the decree of God. As Haman plots genocide and Mordecai refuses to bow, the story presses one central tension—has the Lord forsaken His role as shield and defender? Yet even through imperfect people and unseen providence, God proves faithful, triumphing over the serpent’s seed and preserving His redemptive promise.
What is Biblical Holiness? (The Ground Plan)
What does it truly mean to be holy? Exploring 1 Peter 1:1–7 through Sinclair Ferguson’s teaching, this post unpacks holiness as belonging entirely to God. From God’s eternal purpose to the refining role of trials, we discover how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to bring about our sanctification and preserve us for glory.
Persevere in God's Preservation (1 Peter 1:3-9; COD Head 5)
The Christian life is not easy sailing, but a journey of perseverance upheld by God’s preserving power. Anchored in Christ, refined through trials, and guarded by God’s strength, believers press forward with confidence, knowing their inheritance is secure and their Savior faithfully preserves them.
Is Holiness Up to You? The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification Explained
Confused about sanctification? Discover how God transforms His people as we explore Sinclair Ferguson’s Devoted to God, growing in holiness through faith, not effort, and resting in the joy of His Spirit.
Called to Persevere (Psalm 32; COD Head 5 Arts 1-8)
Psalm 32 shows us that perseverance is not spiritual cruise control. David knew the misery of hidden sin, the crushing weight of God’s discipline, and the joy of restored fellowship. His story teaches us that God does not abandon His people when they fall, but lovingly presses them toward repentance and renewal. The Canons of Dort echo this same hope: believers may stumble, but the Lord faithfully brings them back, preserving them by His grace until the end.
Intro to Esther: King of Kings? Or King Headache? (Esther 1:1-22)
The Book of Esther is more than a heroic tale—it's divine satire revealing God's faithfulness through imperfect people. From King Xerxes’ pompous vanity to Queen Vashti’s principled defiance, the story exposes human weakness while highlighting God’s sovereign control. Even in exile, when His people compromise and stumble, God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises, demonstrating that true deliverance comes not from human heroes, but from the Lord Himself.
What is a Spiritual Person? (COD Heads 3,4; 1 Cor. 2:14-16)
Explore the profound contrast in 1 Corinthians 2 between the natural person, who sees the gospel as folly, and the spiritual person. The spiritual person is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and begins to conform to Christ's mind. Drawing from the Canons of Dort, this teaching dismantles misconceptions of "carnal" vs. "super-spiritual" Christians, revealing that true maturity rests in humble dependence on Christ's cross and resurrection. Grace doesn't merely assist; it radically renews hearts for joyful obedience. Discover how to live a discerning life through the gospel, for God's glory alone.
God’s Family: Simple and Lowly People (Luke 2:1-20)
Luke’s birth narrative turns expectations upside down. The true King enters history unnoticed by insiders but welcomed by outsiders. Through mangers, shepherds, and quiet faithfulness, Luke shows that Christ comes not to the worthy, but to make the unworthy worthy.
Passive and Mindless Muppets ? (COD Head 3,4; Acts 13:48)
We are not puppets but renewed people shaped by grace. The gospel’s sincere call both invites and transforms, revealing a sovereign Savior worthy of our trust and worship.