Reformed & Expository Preaching

When Christ enters history we expect Christ to bring peace, life, and joy in this age. However, this is not what we see with Christ. Christ speaks of casting fire and creating division. This is the messiah who is supposed to bring the kingdom of peace, shalom, that is a kingdom of wholeness for his people. So, if this is true then why is Christ bringing division on this earth? Secondly, why is Christ so overwhelmed by his baptism?

Christ does not follow the program for church growth, but rather does everything in his power to discourage people from following him. Christ exhorts us to bear our cross making clear that we are to be continual disciples in Christ and of Christ. We understand that Christ is more than merely a self-help guru. He is a redeemer and teacher.

Hosea continues to prove and prosecute the sins of Israel. There is a lot of immorality in the midst of Israel. They are a people who claim to return to God, but they are not really willing to repent of their sin. Hosea reminds us that as Christians we continually seek to pursue the Lord as we die to self.

James assures us that God does not tempt us. Christ commands us to pray that our Father would not lead us into temptation. Does this show that James contradicts Christ? We know that he does not because temptation also means testing. So, we are praying that the Father would not test us beyond what we can bear.

We hear the apostle Paul exhort us to live as living sacrifices before the Lord. David confesses that the Lord does not want burnt offerings and Hosea echoes David's confession. So, how do we live as living sacrifices and honor our God? We will see that our God calls us to live before him with a sincere heart tuned into his purpose.

Jacob declares that Christ is going to be the lion of Judah. This is a lion who is going to fight on behalf of his people. However, what happens when his people lose the sight of God? Is he merely vindictive seeking to destroy? We will see that God is not vindictive, but seeks to shepherd his people even in the midst of discipline.

Christ commands us forgive, but what about Paul calling attention to Alexander the Coppersmith who did him great harm? What does it mean to forgive?

We thank Mr Grant Sims for filling our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder takes a week off after classis and to attend a wedding.

We thank Mr Grant Sims for filling our pulpit while Pastor Paul Lindemulder takes a week off after classis and to attend a wedding.

We can loose sight that God provides for this while creation. The Apostle Paul reminds the mission field that God's continual care demonstrates his commitment to this creation. We think of the Lord reminding Job in Job 38:13-18 about the Lord's care for the careless ostrich. This is not an invitation for us to take God's faithfulness for granted, but to be even more confident to place all our requests before his throne of grace trusting in his provision.