Reformed & Expository Preaching

The Complexity of Forgiveness in the Christian Community

The concept of forgiveness is complex, balancing the call to forgive wholeheartedly with the need for wisdom and protection against enabling sin or specifically abuse. The catechism emphasizes bearing the cost of forgiveness, enduring whateve...

Recognizing the Reality of Spiritual Warfare

In reflecting on spiritual warfare, it’s tempting to either overemphasize or downplay Satan’s influence. While some traditions see every life event as a battle against demonic forces, there’s a risk of overlooking the profound impact of personal sin, whi...

Knowing Our God

When we pray for our daily bread, as taught in the Lord’s Prayer, we acknowledge God as the source of all good things, both spiritual and physical. Psalm 145, particularly verses 10–14, reveals God’s character as a loving provider who created us with physical needs. Far from being d...

Preparing for Turmoil in the Kingdom

In times of uncertainty and struggle, preparation is essential, much like keeping winter gear in vehicles during Montana summers to anticipate sudden snowstorms even at unexpected times. Jesus does not advocate for carelessness but acknowledges human responsibil...

The Nature of Redemption

When Christ institutes the Lord’s Supper, he captures the uniqueness of the Passover in contrast to the familiar myth-making found in "’ Twas the Night Before Christmas." While the poem crafts a benevolent Santa Claus who rewards the good, Christ’s Lord’s Supper, which buil...

In the Lord’s Prayer, the petition “Your kingdom come” may initially seem strange because Christ has already inaugurated His kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection. He also rules from heaven after ascending to the right hand of God.  Different theological perspectives interpret the kingdom differently.  There are some who anticipate a progressive i...

The Pattern of God’s Sovereignty in Scripture

The events surrounding Christ and the conspiracy against Him should not surprise us when we consider the broader biblical narrative. From Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden to the promise of a victorious offspring, Scripture consistently demonstrates humanity’s f...

Christ concludes with a call to maintain a perspective rooted in hope and perseverance, even in the face of suffering or discouragement. We see through history tha Christians face persecution.  We can think of postwar Europe and the commitment required of Christians under threat.  He highlights the continual need to evaluate priorities and find strength not i...

Understanding Our Heavenly Father

At first, the idea of calling God our Father can feel strange. This is because He seems distant or absent from us, being all the way in heaven. Yet Scripture and the catechism remind us that God’s fatherhood is not about abandonment, but about his personal majesty...

The Transition from Law to Prayer

The law of God is an invitation to examine the heart, and prayer is the heart turning to God. We need to see that prayer is our heart’s alignment with God, not simply outward behaviors, and the continuity of biblical teaching from law to intimate, hon...

Test the Teachers

Now it is Christ’s turn to ask a question of the leaders. He wants them to solve a riddle from Psalm 110. How is David a father and also a worshipper of his son at the same time? Christ is challenging the scribes and chief priests by questioning their understanding of the Messia...

The Law of God and the Heart

The Heidelberg Catechism concludes its teaching on the Law of God by showing that the Ten Commandments are not merely outward checklists but matters of the heart. The first commandment calls us to love and serve the true God.  We do this by discerning God’s will by the Spir...

Christ’s Mission and Unwavering Obedience

Christ enters his ministry fully aware of his mission and his fate: he must live a perfect life, die at the proper time as the true Passover Lamb, and be raised by the Father and the Spirit. His path is one of precise obedience, never deviating from the prophets or ...

The Ninth Commandment and the Weight of Truth

The Ninth Commandment warns against lying, gossip, slander, and twisting words. Though people often treat dishonesty as a "small sin," Scripture consistently elevates truthfulness as central to Christian love and faithfulness. The catechism emphasizes that decep...

The Challenge of Romans 6

Sinclair Ferguson’s Devoted to God highlights the difficulty of Romans 6, reminding us that even Peter admitted some of Paul’s writings are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:15). Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones once said he would preach Romans when he fully understood chapter 6. The challenge c...

The Deeper Meaning of “You Shall Not Steal”

We have to follow the Lord’s law to perfection because even a small amount of failure would condemn us. While many might limit “stealing” to obvious acts like robbery or shoplifting, the catechism reveals deeper implications, including deceptive business practices...

Authority Challenged

As Jesus teaches in the temple courts, the religious leaders approach Him with a pointed question: “By what authority are you doing these things?” Their inquiry appears sincere.  They should learn why Christ is teaching here.  He has just cleared out the temple.  Rather t...