Mediator on SermonAudio

Part 21 in the exposition of the 1689 2LBCF.

This podcast examines the unified Protestant stance against Roman Catholic Eucharistic theology, highlighting the shared conviction that Christ's sacrifice was a finished event rather than a repeated propitiatory offering. It argues that the Lord's Supper serves as a memorial and proclamation of redemption, grounded in the priesthood of the ascended Christ rather than the priestly mediation of the Mass. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of both elements for the congregation, the importance of congregational participation, and the requirement of faith and repentance for the sacrament to be spiritually beneficial. By appealing to Scripture and Reformed confessions, the message calls for a worship practice that prioritizes intelligible preaching, active participation, and a focus on Christ's promise over ritual performance. The sermon concludes by urging believers to approach the table with reverence, trusting in Christ's completed work and anticipating His return.

This Bible Study examines the office of Aaron to illustrate his role as a typological foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest. By contrasting Aaron's imperfect, temporary priesthood with Christ's eternal and sinless mediation, the message highlights how Christ fulfills the symbolic requirements of the Levitical system, including his consecration, clothing, and intercession. The teaching further extends this typology to the church, asserting that believers are called to be a royal priesthood through their union with Christ, sharing in his anointing and calling. While acknowledging Aaron's personal weaknesses, such as his susceptibility to peer pressure, the sermon emphasizes the need for believers to remain steadfast in their obedience to God rather than being swayed by external influences. The overall tone is instructional and pastoral, encouraging the audience to reflect on their identity as priests in Christ and their dependence on His eternal intercession.

Pastor Mark Hogan teaches on prayer in the general epistles, drawing from Hebrews 4:14-16 to show believers can come boldly to the throne of grace because Christ is a sympathetic high priest, and from Hebrews 13 to request prayer for ministry and restoration. He expounds James 1 and 4 on asking God for wisdom in faith and examining selfish motives, and James 5 on praying in suffering, praying for the sick, and the power of fervent righteous prayer. He also applies 1 Peter 3:7 about husbands honoring wives so prayers are not hindered, 1 Peter 4:7 and 5:6-7 on sober, watchful prayer and casting cares on God, and Jude 20-21 on building up faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. The application is to approach God confidently through Christ, pray with pure motives and faith, seek wisdom and help in suffering, maintain integrity in marriage, and depend on the Spirit in prayer.

This piece challenges Roman Catholic believers to examine their own Bible against traditional church teachings, arguing that Scripture contradicts doctrines such as apostolic succession, purgatory, and the intercession of saints. It asserts that the Bible explicitly forbids adding to or taking from God's word and emphasizes that salvation is found solely through faith in Jesus Christ, who is the only mediator between God and humanity. The text highlights specific biblical passages to refute the necessity of priestly mediation and the efficacy of prayers for the dead, presenting the gospel as a free and accessible truth. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging listeners to rely on the plainness of Scripture rather than human authority. Ultimately, it calls for a return to the apostolic standard of verifying all teachings against the written word to ensure doctrinal purity and personal assurance of salvation.

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Lord's Day 6 1. THE MEDIATOR'S SOLIDARITY 2. THE MEDIATOR'S SUPERIORITY 3. THE MEDIATOR'S SUITABILITY

This sermon explores the theological truth of the priesthood of all believers, rooted in the Protestant Reformation's recovery of justification by faith. It argues that every member of the body of Christ is appointed as a royal priest on earth, with Christ serving as the sole Great High Priest in heaven. The message outlines four key duties of this priesthood: offering oneself as a living sacrifice, participating in public worship, living in the immediate presence of God without segregating religion from daily life, and practicing personal renewal through direct confession and repentance. By rejecting the need for a human mediating priesthood, believers are liberated to approach God boldly, receive forgiveness directly from His Word, and live with the assurance of their secure standing in Christ.