Confession on SermonAudio

When the love of Christ is supreme, the fear of man is overcome, and the life of discipleship is sustained. 1. Overcoming the fear of man a. Words received b. Words spoken c. Falling unseen 2. Sustaining the life of discipleship a. Confessing Christ b. Loving Christ c. Following Christ

The sermon contrasts the futile cycle of reincarnation with the redemptive power of Christ's incarnation, emphasizing that God humbled Himself to become man. By examining Matthew's genealogy, the sermon highlights how Jesus fulfills ancient covenant promises while interrupting the lineage of sin through His virgin birth. This unique origin establishes Him as the true Son of David and Abraham, offering salvation not through human merit but through divine grace. Rev. Oosthuizen further illustrates that this theological truth has practical implications, as the incarnate Christ sympathizes with the ordinary struggles and weaknesses of daily life. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to abandon self-reliance and place their faith in Jesus, who dwells near them to provide strength and forgiveness.

This sermon explores the critical role of forgiveness in biblical counseling, positioning it alongside the loving sovereignty of God as a foundational remedy for the soul. The speaker defines forgiveness not as an emotional state but as a deliberate choice to cease using past sins against another person and to pursue reconciliation. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of sincere repentance, distinguishing true confession from superficial apologies, and highlights that refusing to forgive indicates a lack of genuine faith. The message encourages believers to embrace their hurts as part of God's sovereign plan for sanctification while actively working to restore broken relationships within the church community.

1. His Act of Crucifying Christ 2. He Began to Contemplate Christ 3. He Confessed Christ

The sermon emphasizes the critical need for believers to diligently discern between the true and false churches using Scripture as the ultimate standard. Drawing from Matthew 7 and Article 29 of the Belgic Confession, it outlines three primary marks of the true church: the pure preaching of the gospel, the correct administration of sacraments, and the practice of church discipline. Conversely, the false church is identified by its elevation of tradition over God's Word, the corruption of sacraments, and the persecution of those who uphold biblical holiness. The preacher warns against relying on cultural relevance or personal preference, urging the congregation to test all teachings against the whole counsel of God. This discernment ensures that believers join a community centered on Christ rather than falling for deceptive appearances.

COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS, PART 2 SUMMARY: As believers in communion with Christ, we are bound to maintain a fellowship and communion in the worship of God and to serve one another according to our abilities, performing spiritual services and relieving one another in outward things in the community wherein we stand. 1689 CONFESSION, "COMMUNION OF THE SAINTS," PARA. 2: "All Saints are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities: which communion, though especially to be exercised by them in the relations wherein they stand, whether in families or churches, yet as God offereth opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the Name of the Lord Jesus." I. "BOUND TO MAINTAIN." A. and Communion in Worship II. "ACCORDING TO ABIITIES." A. Performing Spiritual Services. B. Relieving One Another in Outward Things III. "WHEREIN WE STAND." A. Families. B. Churches. C. Every Place.

What the witnesses learned about the Servant, and about themselves.

WHAT IS A TRUE CHRISTIAN? 1.    Their Qualities 2.    Their Weaknesses 3.    Their Trust