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 …
That’s Him All Right
One time a young boy came to his mother with a question that was troubling him. He had an acquaintance at school who was trying to make friends with him, and he was not at all sure about it. As it turned out, his suspicions were quite correct, but the problem was that he could …
Ezra Nehemiah 21
Introduction: The two chapters we are considering today are filled with many strange names (which we have already encountered), but we also learn some important lessons on the place and role of music in the work of reformation. The Text: And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also …
It Is A Throne After All
We are called to worship, meaning that we are called to see God seated on a throne, high and lifted up. If we do not see God high and lifted up, then we shall shortly conceive of ourselves, together with all our opinions, to be high and lifted up. And whenever we do this, especially …
Well, At Least Somebody Understood Us
I finally got around to reading Joseph Minich’s paper on the Federal Vision and the New Perspective on Paul. Maybe you heard about it too. I ran it off when it first came out, and then after that I threw it in my briefcase and hauled it around for a while (trying to earn me …