As you come to worship, always remember the romance of orthodoxy. By this we do not mean romance in the popular sense, romance having to do with mere sentimentalism. Rather, we are referring to truth in the sentiments, love in the affections, and deep courage in the battle – we are thinking of true adventure. …
Bitterness
Bitterness is something which tempts us to be distracted, and this keeps us from looking where God’s Word requires us to look. And because bitterness has deceived many, it is our responsibility to pray that the God of heaven would teach us to be wise about this great evil. And when they came to Marah, …
Pentecost Sunday 2006
Introduction: It is characteristic of the Holy Spirit that He draws attention away from Himself. Sometimes, the Spirit of God is neglected because of a deficiency in theology. But other times this happens precisely because He is active and doing His work. The Text: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will …
Why Do You Now Not Intervene?
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Precise my judgments all have been According to Your law. So do not now abandon me, Do not allow oppression here, I trust Your kindness promised me. Assure Your servant in all good, Rebuke the proud who press . . . My …
No, He Said
Once there was a man who was racked with guilt, but he did not know that this is what it was. All he knew was that he was frightfully unhappy and miserable, and that no one else ever seemed to treat him as he thought he deserved to be treated. He had never really heard …
Personal Antithesis
Many theological problems are created by turning certain issues into theological problems. As Yogi Berra might have said. One of the central sticking issues in the Federal Vision stuff is the question of personal regeneration. But this is only a problem because we are dealing with it on the blackboard, as a theological problem involving …
Beyond the Five Solas
It is important for us to consider recent events in our town and around the country in the light of God’s Word. The Lord has been very kind to us thus far, but part of our responsibility is to understand His kindness, and not just to receive it. The Lord has given us the great …
The Weight of the Fruit, Not the Weight of the Tree
This call to worship is addressed to the children and young people who are privileged to grow up in the midst of the covenant, to those who are in covenant with the God of their parents. God calls us to this, and so we rejoice in it. At the same time, always be wary of …
Ascension Sunday 2006
Introduction: One of the great difficulties that modern Christians have is that we do not let the two testament inform one another. Because of this neglect on our part, we miss many visions of coming glory that the Old Testament prophets set before us. The Text: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one …
My Shield and Hiding Place
Minister: Lift up your hearts! Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord! Oh, how I hate all vanity Because I love Your law. You are my shield and hiding place; I hope and trust in Your right Word, I give myself to all Your ways. Depart from me, you evil ones, For I will …