The Lord starts us out with the best of authorities, so that we will learn to honor authorities as part of His means of bringing us into the blessings that He has promised us.

It can only be the last who will be first, because the reward of the kingdom is entirely of grace.

It can only be the last who will be first, because the reward of the kingdom is entirely of grace

What is the nature of the rewards of the kingdom? Matthew 20:1–16 prepares us for the sermon in the morning public worship on the coming Lord's Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the rewards of the kingdom are given not by merit, but by grace. The sermon explores the parable of the vineyard workers, illustrating that receiving grace from God is not earned through merit or labor, but freely given according to His benevolent will. Drawing from Matthew 20, the message emphasizes that God's goodness is the source of reward, even for those who begin late, contrasting this with the offense of those who believe they are owed recognition for their efforts. Ultimately, the sermon reveals that true blessing lies in recognizing God's generosity and accepting His gift, distinguishing between the external call to the gospel and the internal, effectual calling that leads to salvation, concluding that many are invited but few are truly chosen.

Pastor walks his children through Westminster Shorter Catechism question 89—especially explaining how God uses His Word in every part of saving us. Q89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation? The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation. The sermon explores the vital role of the Holy Spirit in making the Word of God effectual for salvation, emphasizing that reading and, particularly, preaching are transformed into instruments of conviction, conversion, and spiritual growth through divine agency. Drawing from Romans and 2 Timothy, it highlights how the Law reveals our sin and exposes us to God's wrath, while the Gospel proclaims Christ as a propitiation, justifying those who believe. Ultimately, the Spirit softens hearts, implants the Word, and empowers believers to live a life of holiness, comfort, and mercy, demonstrating that salvation is not achieved through human effort but through God's grace and the transformative power of His Spirit.

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 5—especially explaining how glorifying God is the purpose of both our creation and our redemption. Q5. Why ought you to glorify God? Because He made me and takes care of me. The sermon emphasizes that glorifying God stems from His role as both Creator and Provider, drawing heavily from Psalms 95 and 100 alongside Romans 11:31. It articulates that God's act of creation and ongoing providence—His care and provision—are foundational reasons for praise, particularly highlighting the intimate and adoring relationship established through redemption. The message underscores that God's purpose in reconciliation is to bring believers near, offering Himself as the ultimate source of joy and fostering a posture of humble worship and affectionate devotion.

What must we do in light of the end that is coming? Revelation 14:6–13 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must persevere in faith and obedience in light of the coming ends of the wicked and the righteous. The sermon explores the urgent call to worship the creator amidst the deceptive allure of a counterfeit trinity—the dragon, the sea beast, and the earth beast—which seduces humanity with promises of power and prosperity. It warns against identifying with worldly systems and taking on a mark of allegiance, emphasizing the inevitability of God's wrath for those who reject Him. Conversely, it highlights the blessedness of those who persevere in faith and obedience, enduring hardship and ultimately finding rest and reward in the presence of the Lamb, whose works will follow them into eternity, demonstrating that true worship leads to divine rest and eternal glory.

What is the lesson from God's judgment on Jerusalem and Samaria? Micah 2:1–5 looks forward to the hearing of God's Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord's Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God brought the judgment on Jerusalem and Samaria, in part, to warn us against the grief of committing similar sin ourselves.

The fear of the Lord produces correctability in those who have spiritual life

The fear of the Lord produces correctability in those who have spiritual life