Reformed & Expository Preaching

Christ commands us to pray, “Our Father who art in heaven.” This is not something that initially seems comforting to us earth dwelling Christians. If God is in heaven while we are here on earth how can His heavenly dwelling be a benefit to us? However, Christ is teaching us to pray this prayer so this is something good. So, what we are we missing? What is the bigger picture that we so often fail to see as struggling humans? How is our praying to our Father in Heaven far more comforting than we could imagine?

Paul tells us that Godliness is a mystery in 1 Timothy 3:16. Saying that Godliness is a mystery is a pretty profound statement because Paul is encouraging Timothy to stand against agitators in Ephesus. How can such a statement encourage Timothy? How can such a statement help Timothy refute the false teaching that is entering the church? So, what happens if we lose sight of Christ being our life blood and nourishing us in our redemption? What happens if we fail to see that Godliness is a mystery?

Our catechism moves from the law of God that we obey out of gratitude to teaching us about prayer. It does seem a bit strange that as Calvinists we would pray and that our confessional documents would have strong language regarding the necessity of prayer. Why pray if everything is determined? What can prayer do for us in our Christian life? Do we pray to change the will of God or do we pray for another reason?

The apostle Paul has exhorted the church to use the law of God in a lawful manner. How do we know if we are using the law of God lawfully? How do we grow in our Christian life if Paul himself states that Godliness is a mystery? If it is a mystery how do we know if we are growing?

Please enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Paul Freswick as he opens 2 John for us.

Please enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Paul Freswick as he fills our pulpit.

The Christian life is something that ebbs and flows with ups and downs. There are times when we face tests and struggle to persevere through those tests. There are also times when we face temptations in the weakness of our flesh making it challenging to persevere through this life. How do we keep a proper perspective on heaven? How do we keep our focus on the goal of heaven and glory? Where do we find our strength and power? What can we learn from Christ interacting with his disciples?

What is the office of deacon? How are we to view this office, and who is qualified to serve in this office? Is this an office that is for women, men, men and women, or just men? How does Paul prescribe the duties for this office?

In our day and age we do not esteem truth. This is not to say that our days are worse than other days in history, but philosophically there are those who do not believe we can understand truth. In fact, people have appealed to history showing that the winner of a battle is the one who controls the narrative of the battle. So, if this is true then what about the Bible? What do we do with people having different understandings of the Word of God? Is there truth and can we know truth?

The leaders of the church should desire to rule their lives and the church by the Lord’s standard. If the Lord’s standard is perfection then how can we be qualified to lead if we are struggling sinners? If Timothy is serving a church that has struggles then how can Timothy ordain leaders? What qualifications should he look for in a leader? How do we know if we should aspire to hold leadership in a church?