Reformed & Expository Preaching

When Christians talk about man's free will and our coming to faith we end up with the old "Tastes Great.... Less Filling debate." We are not getting to the heart of the issue. The Canons of Dordt seeks to clarify how man comes to faith. The Canons also spells out that God's choosing does not deny our sincere call to respond in faith. The Canons affirms that we are called to obey God. The Canons also defends that christians are called to persevere in our faith. So, what is the fundamental problem? Is this merely a difference of preference or is there a substantive difference?

We can relate with a desire to return to normalcy, the things that bring us close to God, and our religious traditions that we cherish. The Lord has ripped these things from the Israelites, Daniel has confessed that Israel deserved this consequence, and now he waits upon the Lord. It is in the content of Daniel's confession that Gabriel comes to assure Daniel that the Lord is still working. Gabriel reveals that there is going to be strife and struggle throughout this age for God's people. If there is strife and struggle then why continue in the Christian life? What is so significant about the "strong covenant" in the 70th week?

We are told that persecution is a blessing. Persecution is suffering. Normally we do not associate suffering with blessing. However, Christ assures us that as we are persecuted we are blessed. Does this mean that Christ condones abuse? Is Christ saying that blessing and abuse are one and the same? Does Christ care about the abused and the persecuted? Clearly we know that our Lord does not defend the oppressor and the abuser so clearly Christ cannot condone such immorality. We know that our Lord is the shield and defender to the abused. So, how is persecution a blessing? How does persecution testify to our standing in Christ?

If we really understand our relationship to our God we should be humble. There is nothing about the story of redemption that leads man to be arrogant. However, we can think that we are a little more worthy than our neighbor. We might also think that maybe one of our friends is more worthy of God's affection than say a thief on the cross. The Canons of Dordt reminds us that not one single person deserves God's grace. How can our contemplation of God's grace draw us closer to God,, hope less in our selves, and actually cultivate a deep compassion?

Daniel has reported to us his visions that he received by the grace of God. It would seem that the vision would be the source of Daniel's comfort and contemplation. This is not the case, but we witness Daniel contemplating Jeremiah's promise. Daniel submits to the word of God rather than appealing to his vision. How does his submission to the word of God and his prayer teach us about confession?

Jeremiah gives a very severe warning that we are not to say , “peace, peace when there is no peace. “ Christ states in Matthew 10, ““Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.” If we are not to broadcast peace, and Christ does not bring peace then how can peacemakers be blessed? What is a peacemaker and can we know if we are one?

As human beings we have a tendency to be sentimental and make our judgements based upon our own bias. We can think that cute infants are unstained from sin because they are too adorable to be sinful. The harsh truth is that we are all sinners from conception. We are all estranged from God because of Adam's rebellion in Eden. If this is true, then how can we take comfort in the tragedy of infant death or a miscarriage? If infants are sinners before the Lord does that mean they are condemned to hell if they die in infancy? How does the covenant of grace give us rich comfort to console us in the midst of infant death?

Our perspective on the world is very limited and one sided. We cannot see the bigger picture of history and the ultimate guidance of the Lord. I am sure that there are times that we can see the Lord's providence at work, but we don't have a handle on the full picture. The Lord pulls back the curtain for Daniel so that he can see what makes history tick. Daniel is troubled and sick as a result of what he sees. How does Daniel's vision ultimately comfort us? How do we see the Lord's continual care for this creation? How do we know that our victory is secured in Christ?

Enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Jeffrey Karel who fills our pulpit while our pastor is on vacation.