Reformed & Expository Preaching

The Lord is a good shepherd. So, if the Lord is good why is it that people who have not contributed to the problem in Israel still face exile? How does this show that God is good? We can see that exile is part of the punishment for Israel, but what is encouraging about exile?

Dr. David Van Drunen preaches a 4 part series on Mark 10 while Pastor Lindemulder is away on vacation.

Dr. David Van Drunen preaches a 4 part series on Mark 10 while Pastor Lindemulder is away on vacation.

Dr. David Van Drunen does a 4 part series on Mark 10 while Pastor Lindemulder is away on vacation.

Mr. Shaun Murray encourages us to bear witness to the truth as we have been redeemed in Christ.

Mr. Shaun Murray opens the Word of God from 1 Corinthians to encourage us to love in a Christ like manner.

We are exhorted to strive to enter the Sabbath rest of the Lord. Does this mean that we have to work really hard to please God? Was the problem with Israel that they just did not understand the gospel? Was it that they did not have Christ? Why would the letter to the Hebrews appeal to Israel when we are being exhorted through the words of this letter? What can we possibly learn from the Israelites that is relevant today?

I am sure that you have heard before that if we hold out the gospel too much then people will not seek to honor the Lord because they will not be afraid of Him. In other words, if we do not really show the justice or the judgement of God then we will have a people that just live in rebellion. What does Micah teach about the real issue or the real problem that confronts us? What is the real issue that is before us, and what is the message that is to be proclaimed?

As a Reformed person I believe that the Holy Spirit will not leave the people that God has chosen. When someone who is not persuaded of perseverance of the saints hears such talk they immediately think that the Reformed view teaches that God leads people around on a string. The concern with Reformed Theology is that man becomes a puppet, an empty shell, or a blind follower who has been deprived of a will. Is Reformed Theology teaching that the Holy Spirit is merely God’s string? Do Reformed people really believe that man is emptied or relieved of his will/desires/decision making ability? How can Reformed People account for man’s will while God overwhelms His elect people by His Spirit?

The people of Israel are facing the wrath of the Lord that is coming against them. They will experience this wrath, but what did they do that was so wrong? Why does the prophet mention a series of place names that are difficult for us to pin on a map? How do those cities communicate the punishment that is coming? What is the hope in the midst of the promised punishment? What could this punishment possibly teach us?