Small Town Theologian

Is conversion a sensational experience that happens only one time in someone's life? Is conversion repeating a prayer after an evangelist or preacher and walking an aisle? Having a Biblical understanding of conversion is comforting and encouraging. Conversion is more than what many Christians think. Much more in some cases. May this episode clarify conversion a little bit for you and encourage you in your walk with Christ. 

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Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) How would you define conversion? (2) What is the danger of understanding conversion as repeating a prayer, committing your life to Christ, and walking an aisle? (3) How is it comforting and helpful to understand conversion to include perseverance in faith and ongoing repentance and growth in godliness? (4) How does Heidelberg 88-91 help us understand true repentance or conversion? 

We should fear God. But should the fear of losing our salvation motivate us to good works or should confidence in the grace of God motivate us to good works? In sanctification, thankfulness for receiving God's grace motivates us to live for Christ. The gospel at work in us produces fruit. Tune in to better understand why good works are necessary and how they comfort and assure believers.  

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) How does grace (gospel) lead to gratitude (sanctification)? (2) What is sanctification? (3) Is sanctification (gratitude) your work or God's work? (4) How does the assurance of eternal security motivate good works? (5) What does Ephesians 2:10 mean?    

When it comes to worship, if we are primarily thinking about unbelievers, we are not primarily thinking about Christ. Our desire for unbelievers to attend worship to hear the gospel may sometimes get us into trouble in this way. We may want to avoid offending them, to make them comfortable, and in doing this, we may want to talk a lot about God's love without talking much about God's justice, judgment, and wrath. Seeker-sensitive worship can be dishonest and unhelpful.

Listen to the Small Town Theologian SPECIAL (002), Rev. George Gregory's message on the keys of the kingdom. Also, HERE is a sermon on Matthew 18 and the keys of the kingdom. 

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) Do you believe that God's law exposes our sin and misery? (2) Is God's law necessary in Christian worship services? (3) How will unbelievers come to know the depth of their sin and misery? (4) Is preaching faithful without both law and gospel? (5) How might a church go astray if its focus is on making worship appealing to unbelievers? (6) Is there a way to be seeker-sensitive and faithful to proclaim the law and gospel clearly and compellingly for the salvation of sinners?   

Unity is amazing, and we should strive for it and enjoy it. However, there can be no true unity where there are irreconcilable differences about the gospel. Are Protestants and Romanists (Roman Catholics) together? Do we have unity in Christ? We should not forget why the Reformation happened and that there still exist irreconcilable differences. One of those differences is the Lord's Supper versus the papal mass.  

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interested in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) What do Reformed Christians believe happens in the Lord's Supper? (2) What do Romanists believe happens in the papal mass? (3) Can there be true unity where there is a fundamental disagreement on the gospel? (4) What must be agreed upon to have true unity in the church? 

Do you struggle with the assurance of salvation? If so, where do you look expecting to find comfort? Do you look at yourself or at Christ? Tune in for encouragement to look to Christ for the assurance of salvation. God has given wonderful places to look!

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interested in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) Why do you think Christians often struggle with the assurance of salvation? (2) What means has God given His children to bolster their assurance? (3) What is happening in the Lord's Supper that heartens believers? 

In this episode, Rev. Rob Hill unpacks James 1:2-4 and gives comfort to those facing trials. We all face trials sometimes, and sometimes they are significant trials. What is God doing? Why is this happening? Will I make it through this? We need a comforting word from God that He is sovereign and working in our trials to preserve us to the end. Listen in as Rev. Hill preaches for your comfort in Christ.

Check out West Springfield Covenant Community Church and listen to some more of Rob's sermons. If you're in the area, swing by and worship with them. Check out other churches in the Presbyterian Church in America.   

I mentioned a cool vintage black and white picture of Donut Dip in the 1950s. Check out Donut Dip HERE. 

As mentioned, Rob's wife is Megan Hill who is the Managing Editor of The Gospel Coalition. Check out Megan's books HERE.

ALL SERMONS FROM OTHER PREACHERS AIRED ON SMALL TOWN THEOLOGIAN ARE USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PREACHERS. 

Sometimes commands leave a bitter taste in our mouths. Why is that? If God's good commands leave a bad taste in our mouth, perhaps we don't love what is being commanded. God commands the Lord's Supper; we must obey Him by participating. That said, do we love the promises God gives us in the Lord's Supper? 

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interested in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) What commands of God do you yawn or bristle at? (2) Do you delight in Christ's command to observe the Lord's Supper? (3) What is Christ promising believers in the Lord's Supper? (4) How do Christ's promises received by true faith in the Lord's Supper helpful on our wearying way to the celestial city? 

The ecumenical creeds and Reformed catechisms greatly help us understand how to think about the Bible. They were not created or accepted by one person but rather by many discerning Christians. Millions of Christians through the centuries have confessed them. If we act like we're the first ones to read the Bible, we'll fall into many errors. Baptismal regeneration is one of those errors which the Reformed confessions and catechisms clarify. Tune in to think carefully about the comfort of your baptism.  

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interested in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) Why are creeds (incl. catechisms and confessions) inevitable and necessary? (2) Why are "No creed by Christ" and "No creed but the Bible" bad creeds? (3) Does the idea of baptismal regeneration provide true and lasting comfort? (4) How does it glorify God that the blood and Spirit of Jesus alone cleanse us from our sins? 

Do you realize that baptism is an ongoing part of how God encourages and strengthens you on your wearying road to eternal life? It will help you to slow down and think about what God is promising you in your baptism, and how He will comfort you through this divine gift. 

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interested in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) As you run your race, what are you looking for God to provide along the way to strengthen and help you? (2) How often do you think about your baptism and does it comfort you when you do? (3) Is your baptism more about God's promise to you or about you "going public" with your faith?

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are often not as valued as they ought to be. Do you realize how important the sacraments are for your ongoing strength and growth in Christ? The sacraments are God's big gift to you; unwrap them and benefit from them.

To learn more about the sacraments and how to benefit from them, check out these GREAT resources: Heidelberg Catechism 65-82; Westminster Shorter Catechism 88-97 and Westminster Larger Catechism 161-177; Belgic Confession articles 33-35. Also, you may be interest in The Book of Praise: Anglo Genevan Psalter from the Canadian Reformed Church. Perhaps this will interest you for family worship.       

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc. and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you!

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received (besides Jesus)? (2) How does knowing that true faith comes from the Holy Spirit comfort you? (3) How does knowing that the Holy Spirit works faith by the preaching of the gospel shape your view of preaching? (4) Since the sacraments are God's good gift to strengthen our faith (not create it), how should we think about and cherish the sacraments? (5) What promise does God communicate through the sacraments to all His covenant people?