Madison Reformed Church

We commemorated Reformation Day (traditionally October 31) with our annual Reformation Lessons and Psalms. During this service, we we through the entire book of Galatians in stages, focusing on its teachings that inspired the solas of the Reformation, responding with psalm-singing. This Scripture reflection meditates on the freedom we have in Christ.

Peter continues his frontal assault on false teachers, now describing them as "unreasoning animals" and giving a description of the character, the ways they interact with churches, and the false prophet who inspires them even to this day—Balaam son of Beor (Numbers 22).

Rev. Dr. Brandon Burks visits from our sister church plant, Christ Reformed Church of Bellevue, KY, and opens God's Word to the wonderful Gospel of John, where Jesus explains how eternal life begins in a person.

Deut. 9:25–29 

Ezek. 36:33–38 

John 16:16–24 

1 John 5:13–15 

Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 116–117 

One of the reasons we don't grow in prayer is lack of confidence. We aren't confident about what/how to pray and also sometimes aren't confident that the Lord will answer. In this message, we learn how to understand the wonderful promise of Jesus, "Ask, and you will receive" (John 16:24).

When God promises to do something, it's not hollow talk. In this passage, 2 Peter 2:4–10a, the Apostle Peter continues addressing the problem of false teachers in churches and the wicked living they bring with them. He reminds us all that God is able to judge the wicked and save the godly because He's done in before. By looking back at three striking examples of God's judgment, Peter makes his case.

Lev. 16:29–34 

Joel 2:12–19 

Matt. 6:16–24 

Acts 13:1–3  

Canons of Dort 5.7

What is fasting and how does it relate to prayer? As the Reformed churches prepare to participate in a day of prayer and fasting this coming week, we our attention on Scripture teaching on this Christian practice.

This is a time of spiritual gullibility in which Christians are susceptible to false teaching. In this part of Peter's letter to the churches, he equips Christian to stand guard against false teachers who disguise themselves as doing good, but actually exploit the people of God. In this message, we learn common marks of false teachers and to patiently wait for the day when Christ judges them.

Gen. 4:25–26 

Ps. 22:1–11 

Mark 15:33–37 

Acts 4:23–31  

"Always Christ in the heart. Always a Psalm in the mouth." This saying that become common among ancient Christians helps us see the connection between the Psalms and the Savior. In this sermon, we learn that the Psalms should have a central place in our prayer life, enabling the deep and diverse prayers our souls long for, and helping us to enjoy our union with Christ.

It's a dark world, but Scripture is the guiding light that will bring us to the glorious Day of Christ's return. Peter expresses this hope with amazing images in this passage from 2 Peter, showing us that even though Christ is in heaven, He has left behind the light of glory in the Word.

Exod. 17:8–16 

2 Chron. 20:1–15 

Matt. 26:40–46 

Eph. 6:10–20 

Having covered a lot of ground on the basics of prayer in previous sermons, this message aims those insights now at spiritual battle. We discover the defensive and offensive purposes of prayer against our enemies (the world, the devil, and the flesh), as well as how to achieve victory in the midst of temptation and doubt.