Confession on SermonAudio

Rev. Ophoff Our Father's Providence I. Its Idea II. Its Extent III. Its Comfort Scripture Reading: Genesis 50 Confessions: Belgic Confession art. 13 Text: Lord's Day 10 Psalter #s: 373, 286, 344, 248, 197

This episode explores the doctrine of the Trinity as defined in the Westminster Confession of Faith, emphasising the unity of substance among three persons of the Godhead. It warns against theological errors such as tri-theism and the misconception that Jesus left heaven upon his incarnation, affirming instead His immutable divine nature. The episode highlights the eternal processions, noting that the Father is unbegotten, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, and the Spirit eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son. This teaching shows the distinctiveness of each person, that the Father is not the Son, nor is the Father the Holy Spirit, nor is the Son the Father or the Son. The discourse encourages a deeper study of historic creeds and terms to foster a faithful and precise understanding of God's being.

WCF 1.9 Analogy of Scripture & Rejecting the Quadriga

Midweek Teaching Series - The Second London Baptist Confession, 1689 Chapter 24: Civil Government Section 1 "Its Purpose Under God" Pastor Bucky Erwin

Pastor Paul Takach teaches on Philippians 2:1-4, addressing the ever-present danger of disunity in local churches and the biblical command to preserve unity through humility and selfless love. He outlines the passage in two parts: the motivation for unity (verse 1) and the practice of unity (verses 2-4). The motivation rests on the believer's experience of God's grace—consolation in Christ, comfort of His love, fellowship of the Spirit, and affection and mercy from God—which Paul uses as "if" statements that are actually certainties for Christians. The practice of unity involves being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind, which Takach grounds in shared doctrinal confession. He warns against selfish ambition and vain conceit (empty glory), citing Diotrephes in 3 John and the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20 as negative examples, and calls believers to esteem others as more important than themselves, looking out for others' interests. He references John Owen's rule on maintaining unity and cites Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 10:24, and John 13:34-35. The practical application extends to marriages, giving, and daily interactions—listening attentively, deferring on secondary issues, and serving without seeking recognition. Takach emphasizes that true humility cannot be manufactured by self-effort; the resource is Christ Himself, who humbled Himself to death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Believers must meditate on Christ's person and work, flee to Him, and let His mind dwell in them, which alone produces genuine gospel transformation and...

The sermon explores the composition and function of the church by examining Matthew 16, establishing that the church consists of those who have experienced a genuine, voluntary profession of faith in Christ. It defines the church's role as holding the keys to the kingdom, which involves stewarding spiritual affairs through preaching, discipline, and administering ordinances rather than exercising executive power. The speaker emphasizes that this authority is legislative, meaning the church merely enforces what God has already determined in heaven, requiring strict adherence to Scripture for any binding or loosing actions. This theological framework supports the broader argument for religious liberty by delineating the distinct boundaries between the church, family, and government. Ultimately, the message calls believers to faithfully steward their union with Christ and uphold His reign in a dying world.

The sermon examines the spiritual stagnation of Israel during a twenty-year period where they lamented their condition without truly repenting. It distinguishes between mere regret for consequences and genuine turning away from sin, emphasizing that true repentance requires visible action such as removing idols and serving God exclusively. The preacher outlines four marks of authentic repentance: returning to the Lord with all one's heart, putting away strange gods, preparing the heart, and serving only Him. Through public confession and fasting, Israel finally acknowledged their specific sins against God rather than making excuses or blaming others. The message concludes by pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate intercessor who offers forgiveness and restoration to those who sincerely return to Him.

Grace Covenant Baptist Church is a Reformed Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. We are a confessional church subscribing to the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. We adhere to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation; Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria. Find more information about or listen to past sermons from Grace Covenant Baptist Church at https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gcbcwm/

In this lesson we work through Ch. 11, paragraph 3 of the Westminster Confession of Faith.