Reformed & Expository Preaching

Introduction: Is the Lord’s Supper more than a memorial?

Christ says that we are to do this in remembrance of him.  We might think that the Lord’s Supper is merely a sentimental reflection of him. When Christ tells us to do this in remembrance of him, his intention is more than just thinkin...

Introduction

The stories of Aeneas and Tabitha can seem like small transitional narratives in the book of Acts. We can read Acts and note that the historical record is fine without these stories. Luke, the inspired writer and researcher, records these stories in his orderly account. These two stories testi...

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to fill our pulpit.

Psalm 43 gives voice to the weary soul that cries out to God in the midst of suffering, injustice, and apparent abandonment. David pleads for God to vindicate him, defend his cause, and deliver him from his enemies. Yet beneath the circumstances lies a deeper spir...

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit this Sunday.

Genesis 39 tells the story of Joseph in Potiphar’s house. Joseph experiences blessing, but also hardship. Joseph’s travel down to Egypt was an act of betrayal. His brothers sold him to Ishmaelites as a slave. His brothers were jealous of Jose...

In Philippians 3, Paul warns the church in Philippi to be on guard against false teaching and against the temptation to place their confidence in the flesh. The Philippians were a faithful and commendable church, yet Paul knew that even a strong congregation needed to be reminded of the danger of trusting in anything other than Christ. False teachers were adding confid...

We welcome Mr. Rudolph Gallegos to our pulpit Sunday morning.

In Luke 7:36–50, Jesus is invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee, where a woman known throughout the town as a sinner comes and pours out her love and devotion at Jesus’ feet. While Simon looks at the woman and sees only her reput...

People hear about infant baptism, and they have immediate questions when they are not used to this practice. How can we baptize an infant who has not yet made a profession of faith? Does baptism mean that the child is necessarily regenerate? Does the water itself wash away sin?

Baptism is not a magical ac...

Introduction

There are certain things in life that we simply like to stay the same. There is a certain comfort in consistency. We know what to expect. We know who people are. We know where we stand.

This is true until it is not. Things change, ...

Introduction: What Does Baptism Mean? A Reformed, Heidelberg Catechism View

Baptism can be difficult to understand because we do not want to fall into either extreme. We do not want to say that baptism is merely sentimental. This would reduce baptism down to a sentimental reminder of Christ’s work. ...

Introduction

God shows his grace in capturing an unlikely prisoner. Saul assumed that Christ was a failure. Saul’s goal is to do everything in his power to destroy Jesus. Saul sees Jesus as the failed liar who ended up on a cross.

Saul ...

How does the gospel advance? It advances not only as people come to faith, but as the church grows together as the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds us that we have been joined together by one Spirit, called to serve rather than compete, and to find our worth not in our gifts or accomplishments but in Christ alone. Through the preaching of the gospel an...

Introduction

We can easily fall into the mindset that if something is working, then we must have figured out the system. We look at the growth of the church in Acts, the conversions in Samaria, and the gospel going forward it seems like we figured it out. We want to look at the history and then figure out t...

Introduction

If salvation is by grace and our good works do not earn our redemption, what motivates us to live faithfully for Christ? Scripture speaks openly about rewards, crowns, and even Christ repaying his people for what they have done.At first glance, this can seem to conflict with the Protestant con...

Introduction

We would expect that Stephen’s death would halt the gospel’s advancement. One of Christ's faithful servants had been murdered, and the gospel agitators grow in boldness. The church is being persecuted. Yet what looked like defeat was actually another step in t...

Introduction

There can be a disconnect in the Christian life. We can become so focused on doctrine that we forget that we are called to live out the gospel. Or we can become so focused on living the Christian life that we lose sight of the doctrine that gives us the strength and assur...

Introduction

Stephen's trial draws to a conclusion. We are confronted with the hardship of living in a sin-cursed world. Stephen is doing everything right. He is faithful to the Lord. He speaks the truth. He boldly proclaims Christ. The apostles' faithfulness has been rewarded with thousands of converts. On...

Introduction

The Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that Christ's care for His people extends beyond this life. If God only shepherded us through our earthly journey, death would continue to threaten us. But Christ's resurrection changes everything. Because he lives, his people have the sure hope that he will ...

Introduction

Stephen stands falsely accused. He has been set up by false witnesses who claim that he has blasphemed Moses, the Temple, and God. These charges are serious and warrant death under Moses.

Stephen is invited to give a defense by th...

Introduction

Last week we considered God's promise to Abram that the Lord is our shield.  Lord’s Day 21 expands that promise from individuals to the community. It expands to his holy assembly.  While our culture prizes independence, Scripture reminds us that Christianity is never simply "my ...