The sermon centers on the spiritual gift of exhortation as outlined in Romans 12:8, emphasizing its role in reproving, rebuking, and encouraging believers for spiritual growth, all grounded in a balanced, biblically faithful approach to ministry. It underscores that spiritual gifts, including giving, are divinely bestowed, not earned, and must be exercised with simplicity, cheerfulness, and sincerity—never for human recognition but for God's glory. The message challenges the misconception that only the wealthy can give meaningfully, using the widow's mite and the boy's loaves and fishes as powerful illustrations of how God multiplies small, sacrificial offerings into great spiritual and material abundance. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to a sober, humble, and obedient faith, trusting God's promise to supply all needs and reward faithful stewardship, both in this life and eternally.

This Sunday School lesson centers on Galatians 6:6, emphasizing the biblical principle that those who are taught in the Word should financially and practically support those who labor in teaching it, particularly pastors and other faithful ministers of the Word of God. It underscores the pastoral office as a divinely appointed role requiring spiritual qualification, faithful doctrine, and servant leadership, grounded in Scripture from Acts, 1 Timothy, and 1 Peter. The teaching calls for balanced support—proportional, cheerful, and comprehensive—not merely monetary, but including practical service and encouragement—while warning against both exploitation by unfaithful leaders and the misguided rejection of pastoral support. Ultimately, the motivation for such support is not only obedience but also love, appreciation, and the promise of shared spiritual reward, as seen in Paul's gratitude to the Philippians, whose generosity was deemed a sweet-smelling sacrifice pleasing to God.

Lord's Day May 17, 2026

The sermon stops on the verse where the Lord himself stands by Paul in the castle — "be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." Pastor Kevin walks the chapter through the council where Paul is struck on the mouth, the forty Jews bound under a curse to neither eat nor drink till they had killed him, the nephew sent by God who walks straight into the castle, and the four-hundred-seventy-troop escort the chief captain assembles at the third hour of the night. The sermon presses Psalm 33:10 as the doctrinal hinge — "the LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought" — and shows how God provides for his witness through pagans who have no idea they are doing his will. It lands on the assembly call carried over from the morning's Hebrews 10: the just shall live by faith, and the believer is called to bear witness in the house of God.

1. It's Call 2. It's Song 3. It's Cheer

Church Life, "Final Ministry, Pt. 1" Acts 28:1-16 A Miracle of Survival (vv. 1-6) Nu. 21:6-8 6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the Lord told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!" Jo. 3:14-16 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. 16 "For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. A Miracle of Healing (vv. 7-10) Ma. 16:17-18 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages.18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." Ja. 5:13-15b 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.... A

Jesus commands you to be of good cheer despite the hardships you will experience. I. The 1st reason to be of good cheer is because He has bought you your peace II. The 2nd reason to be of good cheer is because He overcame the world for you

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a daily devotional on Question 55 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This study explores the "communion of saints," highlighting how believers share in Christ's spiritual riches and are called to cheerfully use their gifts to serve one another. The devotional concludes with the classic hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord".