Reformed & Expository Preaching

Christ continues to instruct the disciples on the mountain regarding life in this kingdom. His presentation now is that the law of God has more meaning than just a few external commands that are easy to follow. Christ goes through the command to murder which we might think is pretty easy to obey. I mean there are a lot of people who have gone through this life without taking another human life. Our temptation might be to skip over this command and to move onto a commandment that is probably a little more challenging. So, what is the real challenge for us not to murder someone?

This is a very short speech in the book of Job. The counselors are those who are very wordy, but now we find that they are starting to fade away. Why are the counselors no longer talking? Have the counselors run out of words or is something else happening?

Christ stands on the mountain and tells us that in order for us to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven our righteousness has to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the pharisees. That is pretty serious because they really understood the Lord’s Word and seemed to take it seriously. So, how can one enter into the Kingdom of Heaven?

Many people inquire at our church about infant baptism. This is a summary of many discussions I have had with people who are trying to wrap their minds around this doctrine.

Job is frustrated that the counselors will not see things the way that Job sees things. Job is frustrated that God will not see things the way that Job sees them. Job thinks that if God, the counselors, and wisdom would follow his lead than all would be well. If we are honest there are times when we might have this struggle or thought as well, but is it in line with the Word of God? What could be the issue in such thinking?

The Apostle Paul exhorts children to obey their parents for this is pleasing to the Lord. It is not a surprise to us that Paul would exhort children to obey their parents, but what does this imply about their status in the church? Why is the context of their exhortation so significant? Why is it important that this exhortation seems to echo the Old Testament? What could this imply about children being in covenant with the Lord?

Christ takes his stand to teach his disciples after doing great things like healing people. Why would Christ waste time teaching like this when he could heal people of their infirmaries? What is the point of this teaching? What is this teaching communicating to us regarding our Christian Sojourn?

Please enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Paul Freswick who filled our pulpit last Sunday.

Please enjoy this exhortation from Mr. Paul Freswick who filled our pulpit last Sunday.

We have seen that Israel had a unique calling in the land of Canaan. They were to subdue the land, and they were to be engaged in holy war for the glory of God. The problem has been Israel remembering this goal and truly waging war against those who tempt them to be distracted from the Lord. We have seen examples where Israel has not conform to the Lord as Israel is called to conform to the Lord as we considered Samson, the levite, and even a little bit of Saul’s life. So, what happens to Israel when Israel looses sight of their goal? They are to go into exile and how are they to live in exile away from the promised land? What could their life away from the promised land teach us in our particular context?