Grace Protestant Reformed Church

The sermon emphasizes that true religion is demonstrated not through mere knowledge or belief, but through practical action rooted in faith. It highlights the importance of visiting the fatherless and widows, and keeping oneself unspotted from the world as tangible expressions of love for both God and neighbor. The message cautions against self-deception and underscores that genuine faith inevitably leads to a life of service and separation from worldly influences, ultimately revealing a life of covenant fellowship with God. 1. What It Is 2. Why It Is 3. How It Is

The sermon explores Jacob's journey toward confronting his brother Esau, highlighting the interplay of faith and fear within a flawed individual. Drawing from Genesis 32, it emphasizes God's provision and encouragement through the appearance of angelic hosts, reminding Jacob—and the listener—of divine promises and unwavering presence. The narrative underscores the importance of prayer and humble dependence on God amidst challenging circumstances, acknowledging the ongoing struggle between trust and human schemes, ultimately affirming that God's grace and faithfulness remain constant, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty. 1. Strong Encouragement 2. Pleading Cries 3. Continued Struggle

Romans 7:1-3 The sermon centers on Jesus' teaching regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage, emphasizing the sanctity of the marital bond as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church. Drawing from Matthew 19, Romans 7, and 1 Corinthians 7, the message defends a strict interpretation where divorce is permitted only in cases of fornication, and remarriage is forbidden while the original spouse lives, advocating for a disciplined adherence to this teaching as a precious treasure and a testament to God's grace, even when it demands personal sacrifice and challenges prevailing cultural norms. 1. Teaching It 2. Defending It 3. Receiving It

The sermon explores the significance of the Lord's Prayer, examining its presentation in both Matthew and Luke to highlight the importance of confident prayer. It emphasizes that while physical needs and spiritual struggles are real, true faith lies in trusting God's will and recognizing that unanswered prayers can ultimately serve His glory. Textual criticism is discussed to explain the differing versions of the prayer, ultimately reinforcing the belief that God preserves His Word and that prayer should conclude with a declaration of faith and a commitment to God's sovereignty, acknowledging that His kingdom, power, and glory are paramount. 1. The Father's Comforting Instruction 2. The Believer's Great Struggles 3. The Son's Blessed Doxology

The sermon explores a miraculous healing, highlighting the sovereignty and personal touch of the divine through a man born blind. It emphasizes that suffering is not always a punishment for sin but can be a means by which God's work is manifested, and underscores the importance of faith and obedience in receiving grace. The narrative connects the healing to the symbolism of the Pool of Siloam, portraying Jesus as the "sent one" and the source of living water, ultimately calling listeners to believe in Christ, embrace transformation, and share the light of the world with others, recognizing that knowing Jesus inevitably leads to a changed life. 1. Anointed and Sent 2. Healed at Siloam 3. Coming Seeing

The sermon explores the ongoing spiritual conflict between God and Satan, depicted through the imagery of a woman and a dragon in Revelation 12, emphasizing that the church faces relentless attacks but is ultimately protected by divine power. It identifies deception and persecution as the devil's primary methods, countered by the gospel's truth and the church's faithful adherence to God's commands. The message encourages believers to recognize the reality of this spiritual battle, find confidence in God's protection, and cultivate a loving commitment to the church as a place of spiritual nurture and safety, ultimately reminding the congregation that God's victory is assured. 1. The Dragon's Fury 2. The Church's Protection 3. The Lessons Learned

The sermon explores the nature of temptation and the Christian's responsibility to resist it, drawing heavily from Matthew 4 and the Heidelberg Catechism. It emphasizes that temptation is a deceptive tool employed by the devil to make sin appear appealing and obedience unappealing, highlighting the importance of constant vigilance and prayer to avoid falling prey to its influence. The message underscores God's sovereignty in allowing trials, not to punish, but to cultivate humility and dependence on His grace, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of sin's destructive power and a fervent plea for deliverance from both its guilt and its pervasive influence, ultimately seeking to live a Christ-like life. 1. Temptation and the Devil 2. Temptation and God 3. Temptation and Our Prayers

The sermon centers on the profound blessing of forgiveness, drawing from Psalm 32 and the Heidelberg Catechism's explanation of the Lord's Prayer. It emphasizes that true happiness and joy stem from recognizing one's status as a poor sinner with an unpayable debt, a debt ultimately satisfied by Christ's sacrifice. The message underscores the importance of both confessing sins and extending forgiveness to others, mirroring God's grace, and highlights that receiving forgiveness requires a firm resolution to forgive, ultimately leading to restored relationships and a deeper understanding of spiritual dependence on God's mercy. 1. For What We Ask 2. The Way We Receive It 3. Our Ability to Ask

The sermon emphasizes the necessity of spiritual strength and vigilance in the face of a relentless spiritual battle against forces beyond the physical realm. Drawing from Ephesians 6, it underscores the importance of donning the "whole armor of God," particularly the shield of faith, to extinguish the "fiery darts" of the enemy. The message clarifies that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a living, active trust in God and Jesus Christ, enabling believers to discern truth, resist temptation, and persevere through adversity, ultimately leading to spiritual victory and protection. 1. What It Is 2. How It Functions 3. How It Is Taken Up

The sermon emphasizes that love, or charity, is the most essential element in Christian life and ministry, surpassing even the use of spiritual gifts like prophecy or miraculous healing. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, it argues that without love, even the most impressive displays of spiritual ability are ultimately meaningless and profitless. The message highlights that true love, patterned after God's unconditional love demonstrated through Jesus Christ, seeks the welfare of others, is sacrificial, and is the foundation for genuine fellowship and edification within the church, calling believers to actively pursue and cultivate this love as the defining characteristic of their faith. 1. What Is Love 2. How Love Is Important 3. To What This Calls Us