Sin Is Unfulfilling (Hosea 4:10-19)

When Satan stood before Adam and Eve in the garden of eden he gave them the seduction and the allure of freedom. They could be like God and God would have to bow to their will. Adam and Eve discovered that Satan is a liar in that moment. We also discover that sin's appetite is never exhausted and it can never be quenched. Hosea gives the examples of this from Israel's depravity, but also teaches us that God's redeeming mercy can reach deeper than our depravity and sin.

A Psalm for the Christian Life (Psalm 119:1-16, 81-96, 169-176)

Mr. Aaron Chizmer opens the word of God for us on Sunday morning. We look at Psalm 119 as a Psalm that summarizes and walks us through the Christian life. We are reminded that we are called to live out of gratitude and we are empowered to do so in Christ.

Satan's Sifting (COD 5, RE 9; Luke 22:32)

Satan is the accuser and adversary against the Lord. Satan seeks to undermine Christ's work and the church. Peter warns us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Peter seems to know a lot about Satan's power. We might be tempted to be afraid. We might be tempted to doubt whether the Lord can prevail against such an adversary. However, Christ gives the assurance that he prays for Peter. We also know that Christ prays for us in the heavenly temple. So, we learn about the power of prayer, and in particular Christ's prayer for us to persevere.

The Sin Unto Death (1 John 5:16-18, COD 5 RE 4, 5)

John tells us that if we see someone sin we should pray for that person provided that they are not committing the sin unto death. This can result in us being concerned that maybe we committed the sin unto death and we might wonder if we are saved. The assurance that we have is that if we are concerned about committing the sin unto death then we need to be confident that we did not commit the sin.

Am I an Insider (Matthew 8:18-27)

When we consider the message of Matthew’s gospel the concern is that we discern whether or not we are insiders seeking to do the Lord’s will.  However, if I am not genetically tied to the Israelite people, Abraham is not a direct genetic descendant in my family tree, and I am not genetically tied to the prophets then can I be an insider?  What if my faith is not as strong as it should be does that mean I am excluded from the inside? How do I know if I am an insider who possesses the Gospel promises?

The Resurrection Reception (Luke 24:1-12)

We would not think that death could hold our Lord, but then we have the record of his resurrection.  Why is the resurrection of Christ so essential?  Why do we have such a huge problem understanding the resurrection of Christ?

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus tells his disciples that they are the salt of the earth and they are to be the light on the hill.  This sounds like Jesus is giving us very strong directives, but what does it mean to be salt and light?  What do these commands imply about our Christian life?  What does it look like for us to live out this ethic? 

The Sabbath’s Answer to Absurd Anxiety (1 Peter 5:6-11 (LD 38; COD Head 5 Art. 14, 15)

There are many things in this life that can upset us and even overwhelm us.  Peter affirms the reality of the hardship in the Christian life as he tells us that we have our own struggles, the world, and Satan is out to destroy us.  These things make it pretty difficult for us to maintain a positive outlook in our perseverance.  So, how do we know that we will arrive at the goal of heaven?  Where do we turn in our darkest moments?  Where is our hope in this Christian life?

Exhorted from Paul’s Purpose (1 Timothy 1:12-20)

There seems to be tension between Paul and Timothy.  The root of this tension is that Timothy has most likely requested to go to Macedonia to meet with Paul, but Paul wants him to stay in Ephesus.  We can see that one reason for Paul to write this letter is for Timothy to stay in Ephesus.  Why is Paul telling Timothy to stay?  Is this just a church that Paul does not want to put in order?  Is Paul merely making Timothy do something that Paul does not want to do?  Is Paul reminding Timothy that Timothy does not have enough clout because he is merely a preacher and not an apostle?

Needing the Spirit Beyond the Means (Romans 7 (LD 26; BC 15)

Romans 7 is a passage that is debated about its application.  Some say that this is Paul under judaism, Paul in a pre vs post conversion, a regenerate man looking at unregenerate man, and the theories continue.  How can Paul be talking about the issue of human sin and the law?  What if Paul is just laying out that fallen man is so sinful that fallen man cannot attain the holy God apart from Christ?

Cut and Drowned in Christ (Colossians 2:11,12)

So often I hear that the sacrament of baptism is administered only after someone makes a profession of faith while circumcision is something that is applied to children in the Old Testament.  The reason that is given is that the Old Testament was a physical promise tied to a land while the New Testament is about the Spirit working in the lives of God’s people.  The appeal is by looking to the book of Acts where we see someone profess their faith and then they receive baptism.   If this case is so cut and dry then why is Christ circumcised and baptized?  How can these signs encourage a church that is flat scared of what will happen tomorrow?

A Nagging or Nudging Spirit? (Psalm 32 (LD 21; COD Head 5 Article 5)

As a Reformed person I believe that the Holy Spirit will not leave the people that God has chosen.  When someone who is not persuaded of perseverance of the saints hears such talk they immediately think that the Reformed view teaches that God leads people around on a string.  The concern with Reformed Theology is that man becomes a puppet, an empty shell, or a blind follower who has been deprived of a will.  Is Reformed Theology teaching that the Holy Spirit is merely God’s string? Do Reformed people really believe that man is emptied or relieved of his will/desires/decision making ability?  How can Reformed People account for man’s will while God overwhelms His elect people by His Spirit?

Struggling Sinners and Saints (Romans 8:18-25 (COD Head 5 Article 1)

There is no doubt that one would not be saved apart from the grace of God.  I think all Christians who have a grasp of Christianity would affirm the necessity of grace for our salvation.  We know that we are those who need grace, but how much grace do we need?  Is 90 percent enough or do we need more?  Is our confidence in that we will not fall away because we love the Lord enough or is it because know that the Lord loves us enough?

Providence and Election (Genesis 18:19 (Belgic Confession 13)

We as Christians can sometimes be discouraged when we survey the world.  We read the news and see what is happening to the world and at times it feels as if things are spiraling out of control around us.  What can we do in light of such discouragement?  How do we honor the Lord in the face of such a trying time?  What did the Lord tells us about Abraham in light of Sodom and Gomorrah?  What was Abraham to do in light of that tragic day when the Lord finally manifested His judgment on such blatant narcissism?

Why Move Forward? (Philippians 3:12-16 (LD 44)

We conclude the teaching on the law of God from the catechism.  The tenth commandment is that we are not to desire anything that goes against the law of the Lord.  So, we know that we are not to desire something contrary to God, but we do which is why we sin.  How do we move beyond sin?  Do we conform to the Lord because it is better to conform to Him rather than not conforming to Him?

The Keys of Restoration (Galatians 6:1-5 (LD 31)

The kingdom of God is something that is strong and powerful.  It is something that is also exclusive in the sense that not everyone is found in this kingdom, but only those who are Christians.  So, how does one get into this kingdom?  Why should someone want to be in this kingdom?  Are there benefits to being in this kingdom or not? What should the church do if someone is living a life that excludes them from the kingdom?

Beginning and Ending in Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:7)

The preacher is wrapping up his sermon on Solomonic wisdom.  The preacher is honest that we go through life and we experience the trials under the sun.  The preacher makes no mystery of the reality that we will experience many trials under the sun.  So, if we do suffer and experience pain under the sun then why do we continue to press forward? 

The Danger of Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 7:15-29)

We know that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.  If we are consistent it would seem that it is better to go through life being wise rather than being a fool.  So, why does the preacher warn us not to make ourselves too wise?  Is he contradicting the wisdom tradition or is he communicating something that is essential for us to remember as we pursue wisdom?

Contrasting Wisdom and Folly (Ecclesiastes 7:1-13)

The saying in this age is that “laughter is the best medicine.”  I grant that no one likes an Eeyore crashing the party.  We all know that such a pessimist is not someone very fun to be around or listen to complain all the time.  So, if this is true then why does the preacher tell us that it is better to be in the funeral parlor rather than wedding feast?  Are we not to enjoy the fruits of our labors?  How can we go through life with such a pessimistic outlook?  Where is the joy and wisdom in such pessimism?