Good Stewards

A fine sermon given by the Rev. Scott R. Wright on the occasion of elder and deacon ordination and installation at Redeemer Church (PCA).



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Lord's Day 44 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 44

Scripture Readings: Colossians 2:20-3:17; 1 John 5:1-4

Q. 113.What does the tenth commandment require of us?
A.That even the smallest inclination or thought, contrary to any of God's commandments, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate all sin with our whole heart,and delight in all righteousness.

Q. 114.But can those who are converted to God perfectly keep these commandments?
A. No: but even the holiest men, while in this life, have only a small beginning of this obedience; yet so, that with a sincere resolution they begin to live, not only according to some, but all the commandments of God.

Q. 115.Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?
A.First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin,and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavour and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.

For reflection:
What is different about this commandment from the other nine?

Accepting the Risk

John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life is a must read as we as American Christians spend an exceptional amount of time wasting away our lives. We spend inordinate amounts of time on an array of time consuming tasks and hobbies that are completely useless for the Kingdom. Conversely, we need to step out in faith and take the risks that we have been trained or simply innately feel we need to avoid. Yet those risks are the very tasks of life we should be contemplating. Consider just the following two sentences (of many just as powerful) from the chapter, Risk is Right - Better to Lose Your Life Than Waste It:

And what if a successful risk would bring great benefit to many people, and its failure would bring harm only to yourself? It may not be loving to choose comfort or security when something great may be achieved for the cause of Christ and for the good of others.

That should hit us like a ton of bricks. We usually consider risks in light of our family or employment which provides security and comfort. However, we are never promised comfort and no matter how we try to hide behind a perceived biblical call for security, it just can't be found in the pages of Scripture. Taking risks is. Stepping outside the camp, that is, outside our comfort zone and below our financial happiness target is within the Christians' mandate. We should all read this little tome and evaluate where we are lacking. What part do you & I play now in bringing in the kingdom? What part would you & I play if we would take that risk?

May we all count the cost and then take the risk.

Counting the Cost

Have we counted the cost to follow Christ? Or, is the Christian life a barrier against the outside forces of evil we don't like? Is worship a weekly gathering of saints or is it a social club that insulates you from the ugliness of those people you don't like? John Stott tells us in his Basic Christianity that....The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half-built towers - the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. For thousands of people still ignore Christ's warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so. The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so called "nominal Christianity." In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a descent, but thin, veneer of Christianity. They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved; enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable. Their religion is a great, soft cushion. It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place and shape to suit their convenience. No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism.

The message of Jesus was very different. He never lowered his standards or modified his conditions to make his call more readily acceptable. He asked his first disciples, and he has asked every disciple since, to give him their thoughtful and total commitment. Nothing less than this will do (page 108).

These are powerful words written to us in a time when we need to count the cost for following Christ. Is Christ your hobby or your passion?

T4G 2010

Together for the Gospel: T4G 2010 Conference from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Suffering Saints

One of the finest sermons on suffering I've ever heard given by Pastor Scott R. Wright of Redeemer Church (PCA) Hudson, Ohio.



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T. David Gordon Lectures at the Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Reformation Conference

Below are the lectures from the Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Reformation Conference featuring Dr. T. David Gordon.







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Lord's Day 43 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 43

Scripture Readings: Matthew 5:33-37; 1 Samuel 16; Ephesians 4:15, 25

Question 112. What is God's will for us in the ninth commandment?
Answer. That I do not give false testimony against anyone, twist any one's words, or gossip or slander, or join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without just cause. Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the devil uses, and they would call down on me God's intense wrath. I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to defend and advance my neighbor's good name.

For discussion and reflection:
What are we still tempted to lie and how do we deal with that?

Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Conference

There's still time to sign up for the Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Conference this weekend. Dr. T. David Gordon will be our speaker and will be talking about his book Why Johnny Can't Read and his forthcoming book Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns. Dr. Gordon is passionate about preaching and this should prove to be a thought provoking weekend. Please plan to attend. Click here for more information. Advance registration is not necessary but is requested.

Another One Bites the Dust...

The very fact that several different positions may be bound to Scripture means that we cannot assert one interpretation of Scripture over another but are called to respect consciences in the community of faith on this matter. The emphasis of "conscience-bound" is not on declaring oneself to be conscience-bound; rather it is that we recognize the conscience-bound nature of the convictions of others in the community of Christ. With those words, the presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Mark Hanson, took his stand on the homosexuality issue that the denomination voted on recently. However, as we read in Al Mohler's post from Monday, Luther had a very different view on a bound conscience:

The concept of being bound by conscience goes directly back to Martin Luther, the great Reformer who established what became known as the Lutheran tradition. On more than one famous occasion, Luther publicly took his stand and held his ground, claiming that his conscience was bound by the Word of God. He most famously made this case as he stood on trial before the Diet of Worms on April 18, 1521. Before the impaneled church leaders and the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Luther declared:

"Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason ..., I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."

Of course, Luther was not merely claiming to be bound by conscience. He was specifically claiming that his conscience was bound by the word of God. Luther, unlike the ELCA, believed that the Scriptures offer a very clear presentation of the Gospel and of moral and theological teachings. Luther affirmed the inspiration, authority, sufficiency, and clarity of the word of God and he took his stand on the authority of Scripture alone. The Word of God bound his conscience by its clear teaching.

How disappointing but not totally unexpected. Another denomination bites the dust. We live in a world of compromise and what's worse is that it seems "Christians" take the lead and show the world how to compromise with our deepest beliefs - the Word of God. May our consciences be bound completely and exclusively by the Holy Scriptures that the Lord has so graciously given to us. Read the entire article here.

Jonathan Edwards Gravesite

Short but superb video...

Covenant Theology Study #1

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Gospel Joy

A sermon delivered by the Rev. Scott R. Wright, PhD. on Isaiah 12. Excellent!



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Lord's Day 42 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 42

Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Question 110. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
Answer. God forbids not only the theft and robbery which civil authorities punish, but God also labels as theft all wicked tricks and schemes by which we seek to get for ourselves our neighbor's goods, whether by force or under the pretext of right, such as false weights and measures, deceptive advertising or merchandising, counterfeit money, exorbitant interest, or any other means forbidden by God. In addition God forbids all greed and pointless squandering of his gifts.

Question 111. What does God require of us in this commandment?
Answer. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor's good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.

For reflection:
In what other ways an we describe "pointless squandering of gifts"?
How far should we go to "share with those in need"?

Five Ways to Grab 'Em

Kevin DeYoung, in his post here, suggests five ways to grab the attention young people for the church. In his insightful article he frankly admits that it is easier in some ways and harder in others to reach the next generation. However, he boils it down to five necessary suggestions:

1. Grab them with passion
2. Win them with love
3. Hold them with holiness
4. Challenge them with truth
5. Amaze them with God

Ultimately, if we're not oozing with passion ourselves for the Lord, we won't engage them. He concludes, If we are to grab the next generation with the gospel, we must grab them with passion. And to grab them passion, we must be grabbed with it ourselves. The world needs to see Christians burning, not with self-righteous fury at the sliding morals in our country, but with passion for God. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones put it, “I’m not looking for someone to set the world on fire. I want to know that if I dropped you in Thames it would sizzle.”

Swine Flu and the Common Cup

Swine Flu and the Common Cup

Some good thoughts on the common cup from Russell Moore.

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Too Much Time on Facebook?

Ed Stetzer summarizes the data on Christian college students and social networking this way:

So what's the outcome? Over half admit that they were "neglecting important areas of their life" due to spending too much time online. Over 12 percent believe that they are addicted to some form of electronic activity. 21 percent felt that their level of engagement with electronic activities at times caused a conflict with their Christian values.

Interesting stuff? How much time do you & I spend on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or blogging or some other means of social networking? We need to ask ourselves this question and then ask ourselves if the time we spent was biblically wise or foolish. Are we wasting time or being productive for the Kingdom?

The Branch Isaiah 11:1-16

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Lord's Day 41 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 41

Scripture Readings: Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-7; Philippians 4:8

Question 108. What is God's will for us in the seventh commandment?
Answer. God condemns all unchastity. We should therefore thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live chaste and decent lives.

Question 109. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery?
Answer. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why God forbids everything which incites unchastity, whether it be actions, looks, talks, thoughts, or desires.

For study and reflection:
What can you eliminate from your life to reduce "looks, talks, thoughts, or desires" that would lead you to break this commandment?

Fireflight - Forever

Carl Trueman on J.I. Packer

Free Grace and Hard Trials

I know no sweeter way to heaven, than through free grace and hard trials together, and none of these cannot well want another. Taken from The Loveliness of Christ, by Samuel Rutherford, pg. 75).

If you don't have this little tome may I suggest you purchase one today. It's full of encouragement and helps for the Christian walk. In Sinclair Ferguson's foreward he shares that this small book is the one he has most often lent and quoted. And so it should be.

Can We Trust The Bible?

Excellent...

"Daily Washings" Sunday Morning Sermon at Redeemer church (PCA) 10-11-2009

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Lord's Day 40 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 40

Scripture Readings: Genesis 9:5-7; Matthew 5:21-26, 43-48; Romans 13:1-7

Question 105. What is God's will for us in the sixth commandment?
Answer. I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbor not by my thoughts, my words, my look, or gesture and certainly not by actual deeds and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.

Question 106. Does this commandment refer only to murder?
Answer. God's prohibition of murder teaches us that God hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God's sight all such are hidden murder.

Question 107. Is it enough then that we not murder our neighbor in any such way?
Answer. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness towards them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

For study and discussion:
Does this commandment forbid all killing? What would be an exception?
Should convicted murders sill be put to death? How about a pedophile?

Horatius Bonar on The Anchor of the Soul part 6

Horatius Bonar concludes his article on The Anchor of the Soul this way:

My anchor lies within the veil,
No wind can make it drive;
It lies where Thou art landed, Lord,
And where we shall arrive.

Poor sinner, the night is near, and appearances are very gloomy on the face of sea and land. The sea and its waves are roaring. Men’s hearts are beginning to fail them for fear(Luke21:26). The whirlwind which the Son of man is to send over the earth, as the herald of His coming, seems ready to burst forth. At present there is an ominous stillness — the stillness that precedes the thunderstorm. Are you meditating to flee? Is your hope this, that the storm will blow over at last? Alas! Alas! It never will; for the Living God will never die. Is it your hope that perhaps you may be drifted on the shores of heaven, though you were not directing your sails thitherward? This, too, is vain; for this storm is sent forth in order to drive vessels to the shoals of hell. Do you hope that you may brave it out, because you are not so heavily laden as others? Ah! But it is too true that one sin attracts the lightning, and one stroke of the thunderbolt will make way for the rushing flood. Oh, flee to the hope set before you! Flee from the wrath to come! Anchor on the sheltered shore! Rest on the Savior, who rests on the Father’s bosom! Return through Christ to God; and then, returning sinner, you will be welcomed to the Father’s bosom with the very welcome thatmet the returned Savior!

May we observe Bonar's call to flee the wrath to come and Anchor our souls on the sheltered shore!

The Cross of Christ is Not a Secular Symbol

Below is a link to an excellent article on one more constitutional messy situation we as Christians are facing - is the Cross a Christian symbol and if so should it be permitted on public land. With his usual clarity Mohler follows the twists and turns of the case which goes to the supreme court this week. The situation involves a 6 ft. cross on the Mojave National Preserve in California. I found the statement by lawyers for the American Center for Law & Justice quite interesting: This case is only the most extreme example of a phenomenon that has plagued the federal courts for the past three decades. Ideologically motivated citizens and public interest groups search out alleged Establishment Clause violations, almost always in the form of a passive religious symbol or display of some sort, and make a federal case out of offense at the display. The basis for standing is typically that the religious display offends the sensibilities of the plaintiffs. The offense may be characterized as an affront to religious values, or as one in which plaintiffs feel stigmatized as political or community outsiders. But the sum and substance of the injury is that the display bothers the plaintiffs.

Yes, someone's sensibilities have been offended and it turns into a court case. As Mohler aptly points out, This raises one of the central constitutional questions faced by the Court: Is being offended or bothered by a display sufficient cause to be granted standing for a federal lawsuit? As numerous observers have recognized, the only claims accepted by the courts in this regard are those related to religious expression or symbolism. "Offended observer" status is a legal disaster. Moreover he points out, At this point, Christians should pay particular attention. While the government's lawyers try to press their case, Christians should reject any argument that presents the cross as a secular symbol. There is nothing remotely secular about the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Arguments for the constitutionality of religious language and symbolism based in the supposedly secular character of the speech or imagery may win in the courtroom, but the arguments are devastating to authentic belief.

Of all people, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ must be the first to insist that the cross is a symbol of Christian faith, pointing directly to the cross on which Christ died as our substitute. The cross must not be reduced to a generic symbol of death and the memory of loved ones.

Read the entire article by clicking on the link below.

The Cross of Christ is Not a Secular Symbol

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Providence and the Ungodly

Great sermon...



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Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Conference

Northern Ohio Reformed Fellowship Conference

October 30-31, 2009

Biblical Worship in the 21st Century

Friday, 7-9PM, Saturday 9:00AM - 2PM

Speaker: T. David Gordon

Held at:

Evangelical Covenant Church,

Hudson, Ohio

Contact me for more details

Horatius Bonar on the Anchor of our Soul part 5

The anchor is sure. That is, it can never fail nor break, for its nature is divine. It is also steadfast. It remains fixed whatever storm assails, because it is fixed “within the veil.” Let us survey the shore on which it is cast. This shore is the region within the veil. This adds to our grounds of faith, and brightens the confidence of our hope. This Savior on whom our hope rests is an accepted Savior. He is within the veil. The anchor has entered into that within the veil, that is, into the holy region within. The Father examined His work and found it faultless; and as a token of His well-pleasedness received Him within the veil, and placed Him at His right hand in all power and glory. Oh, how great is the consolation here! Our anchor rests, not on shifting sands, but in the bosom of the Father. It is “hid in God” (Col. 3:3). Sure anchor, and firm ground on which it is sunk! What storm will drag it up from that mooring? O my soul, keep to this anchor, and neither earth nor hell shall ever move thee from thy safe station on the shore of heaven! True,the vessel is worthless — my vessel with all its freight is worthless — yet nevertheless it is safe! “He bringeth me to my desired haven, and I am glad because all is peace” (Ps. 107:30).

And praise God that our Anchor is sure for where would we be as poor sinners without our Anchor.

Lord's Day 39 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 39

Scripture Readings: Ephesians 6:1-9; Romans 13:1-7

Question 104. What is God's will for us in the fifth commandment?
Answer. That I show honor, love, and loyalty to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and correction; and also that I be patient with their failings, for through them God chooses to rule us.

For study and reflection:
How do we honor our parents if they are not believers?

The five points of Calvinism part 5

The five points of Calvinism part 5

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The _______ Driven Life

Just too funny....



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"Turn and Inquire" Sermon on Isaiah 9:8-21

"Turn and Inquire" given by the Rev. Scott R. Wright, PhD.

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Spiritual Leadership Qualities

I was investigating spiritual leadership on the 'net and came across this gem from John Piper. He lists 18 qualities that he feels should embody those in leadership. I found number 3 to be especially good:

Intense
The great quality I want in my associates is one of intensity. Romans 12:8 says that if your gift is leadership, "do it with zeal." Romans 12:11 says, "Never flag in zeal, boil in the spirit!" When the disciples remembered the way Jesus had behaved in relation to the temple of God they characterized it with words from the Old Testament like this, "Zeal for thy house has eaten me up" (John 2:17). The leader follows the advice of Ecclesiastes 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." When Jonathan Edwards was a young man he wrote a list of about seventy resolutions. The one that has inspired me the most goes like this: "To live with all my might while I live." Count Zinzendorf of the Moravians said, "I have one passion. It is He and He alone." Jesus warns us in Revelation 3:16 that he does not have any taste for people who are lukewarm: "Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." Spiritual leaders must go out alone somewhere and ponder what unutterable and stupendous things they know about God. If their life is one extended yawn they are simply blind. Leaders must give evidence that the things of the Spirit are intensely real. They cannot do that unless they are intense themselves.

I'm not a particularly intense person myself so the point here is well taken. I think we often, too, allow others to drag us down in this area even when we feel especially empowered by the Spirit. This was a great encouragement to me as I will be shortly stepping back into the role of deacon. I hope you find it helpful as well.

(HT: Mark Altrogge)

Lord's Day 38 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 38

Scripture Readings: Acts 20:1-16; 1 Corinthians 16:2: Revelation 1:10

Question 103. What is God's will for us in the fourth commandment?
Answer. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God's people to learn what God's Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through the Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal Sabbath.

For study and reflection:
How do we "turn off" our busy lives and allow the Lord's Day to be what God desires it to be for us?

Falling in Love with the Church -- again - Reformation21 Blog

Falling in Love with the Church -- again - Reformation21 Blog

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The five points of Calvinism part 4

The five points of Calvinism part 4

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Horatius Bonar on the Anchor of our Soul part 4

The anchor must be something out of ourselves: not our duties, nor our saintship, nor our walk with God, nor our evidences of the Spirit’s work within us, nor our strength of love — not any, nor all of these together! The anchor of a ship is something that lies without, and by being without secures it. That which quiets and assures the uneasy conscience and troubled soul of a sinner, is what he hears in the glad tidings. It is something said or shown to him by God. It is something that tells him, not of the feelings of his own heart, but of the heart of God. It is something that shows him the face of God, that he may read there, “God is love.” The work of Jesus, or rather Jesus Himself, in this way becomes the sure “anchor of the soul.” - Horatius Bonar

What a humbling way of expressing it - the anchor must be something out of ourselves. We can truly do nothing to soothe our souls on our own. Our surety must come from elsewhere.

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:18-20

The five points of Cavinism part 3

The five points of Cavinism part 3

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The Messiah Isaiah 9:1-7

An exceptional sermon preached yesterday at Redeemer Church (PCA) in Hudson, Ohio by the Rev. Scott R. Wright, PhD. Enjoy.

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Preaching Morality vs. Preaching Christ

In T. David Gordon's book, Why Johnny Can't Preach (see sidebar for link), he discusses the virtues of preaching Christ rather than morality. Gordon drives home the point in the following quote from page 78:

No; preach Christ and you will have morality. Fill the sails of your hearers' souls with the wind of confidence in the Redeemer, and they will trust him as their Sanctifier, and long to see his fruit in their lives. Fill their minds and imaginations with a vision of loveliness and perfection of Christ in his person, and the flock will long to be like him. Impress upon their weak and wavering hearts the utter competence of the meditation of the One who ever lives to make intercession for them, and they will long to serve and comfort others, even as Christ has served and comforted them.

Let us all pray for our preachers, and for the next generation of preachers in seminary now, that preaching Christ would be the foundation of their preaching ministries.

How do we handle denominational differences?

How do we handle denominational differences?

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Lord's Day 37 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 37

Q. 101. May we then swear religiously by the name of God?
A. Yes: either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects; or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm a fidelity and truth to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbour: for such an oath is founded on God's word, and therefore was justly used by the saints,both in the Old and New Testament.

Q. 102. May we also swear by saints or any other creatures?
A. No; for a lawful oath is calling upon God, as the only one who knows the heart, that he will bear witness to the truth,and punish me if I swear falsely; which honour is due to no creature.

For discussion and study:
What circumstances require us to swear by the name of God?
Should we ever not swear by the name of God if asked to do so?

The five points of Calvinism part 2

The five points of Calvinism part 2

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under the rose

The music below is free to download. All they ask is that you consider giving to Direct Aid Iraq. (I'm not promoting an opinion on the war here - just on the music - it's beautiful.) Thanks to Shaun Nolan for bringing this to my attention.

Horatius Bonar on the Anchor of our Soul part 3

Who is our anchor?

Jesus is the anchor. He has been at the bottom of the depths of wrath, and His strength was tried and found perfect. Nothing can keep your souls from being tossed but this only; for nothing else resists the storm of God’s wrath. Your duties are not the anchor: can they endure the fierce blast of Divine displeasure? Your feelings and frames are not the anchor: can they stand the sudden dash even of one wave from the world, far less from the Holy God? The Spirit’s work in you is not your anchor; it is the cargo, or the vessel stores, which the sure anchor preserves from damage. Some mourn and say, Ah, if I had sinned less I should have had less difficulty in finding peace. Now, are you not forging an anchor out of your supposed goodness? If you could put so many acts of holiness in the place of those many sins, you would straightway form an anchor out of these. Others say, Oh, if I could only see that I had faith, I should then be at rest. Now you are just trying to make your cable your anchor; for faith is the cable that connects the anchor with the soul. Instead of distressing yourself about your own faith, be occupied with observing the soundness and steadfastness of the anchor, and your soul will be no longer tossed.

The anchor must be something out of ourselves: not our duties, nor our saintship, nor our walk with God, nor our evidences of the Spirit’s work within us, nor our strength of love — not any, nor all of these together! The anchor of a ship is something that lies without, and by being without secures it. That which quiets and assures the uneasy conscience and troubled soul of a sinner, is what he hears in the glad tidings. It is something said or shown to him by God. It is something that tells him, not of the feelings of his own heart, but of the heart of God. It is something that shows him the face of God, that he may read there, “God is love.” The work of Jesus, or rather Jesus Himself, in this way becomes the sure “anchor of the soul.”

How sweet it is that our anchor is not of ourselves and does not rely on our performance.

Confidence in God Sermon from Isaiah 8:1-22

An outstanding sermon given by the Rev. Scott R. Wright yesterday at Redeemer Church in Husdon, Ohio.

Lord's Day 36 Heidelberg Catechism

Lord's Day 36

Q. 99. What is required in the third commandment?
A. That we, not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God;nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and, briefly,that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that he may be rightly confessed and worshipped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works.

Q. 100. Is then the profaning of God's name, by swearing and cursing,so heinous a sin,that his wrath is kindled against those who do not endeavour, as much as in them lies,to prevent and forbid such cursing and swearing?A.It undoubtedly is, for there is no sin greater or more provoking to God,than the profaning of his name;and therefore he has commanded this sin to be punished with death.

For discussion and reflection:
Why is it so difficult for us to control our speech?
Have you considered lately that by keeping quiet that you could also be in sin?

Remembering 9/11 and the sovereignty of God

Remembering 9/11 and the sovereignty of God

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