The Semper Reformata Podcast

Paul at ThessalonicaActs 17:1-10aWe are moving on from 1st Thessalonians to 2nd Thessalonians, - but before we do, it might be a good idea to reprise this episode from 2021, where we learn about Paul's visit to Thessalonica, the establishment of the local church there, and the reaction it provoked. This is important, because the opposition and persecution and suffering that began at that time continued, and that's what Paul deals with in 2nd Thessalonians chapter one.So, listen to this 'old gold retold' before you begin to learn about the book of 2nd Thessalonians.And you can read the NOTES HERE.Oh, and for the record, - this episode was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, Carnage Road, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland, and is used here with their very kind permission.

The Great Deception. Genesis 27:1, to Genesis 28:5.We’re still looking at the life of Jacob, the son of Isaac and we’ve already considered, briefly, his birth, and his character and how he struck a deal with his brother Esau, to deprive him of what was rightly his, his birthright. But still, old Isaac, had to be persuaded to go along with the new family dynamic Jacob had just engineered. But how? That would require an act of cunning - a great deal of deceit. There were one or two factors that were in Jacob’s favour. Number one was his mother - Rebekah. Jacob was Rebekah’s golden boy and in her eyes, Jacob could do no wrong. Genesis 25:28 Mummy would help for sure. The second fortuitous circumstance was that in his latter years, old Isaac had devastating sight loss… Circumstances converged and a plot was hatched…Read the NOTES HERE.

The Nature of Our Fellowship in Christ.READ 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28Paul must bring this letter to a close, and he does so by summarising what Christian fellowship looks like:-Fellowship is SupportiveFellowship is SincereFellowship is Scipture-based,Read the NOTES here.This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Old Reformed Church, (Congregational) 78 Saintfield RoadKillinchyCo Down,BT23 6RN

Who Was Jacob? #1 A Mess of PotageGenesis 25:19-34Let’s learn about Jacob. Jacob is the third of the three great Old Testament Patriarchs. - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and the story of his life takes up a vast amount of ink on the pages of Genesis. We shall look at his life over two episodes, but even then we will only skim the surface of the narrative. In this lesson, we’ll briefly see the circumstances of his birth, his relationship with Esau and the ‘mess of potage.’ So keep your Bible open at Genesis 25 and let’s get started…Read the NOTES HERE.Can you help to keep the podcast going? We will soon have to pay our annual fees to Acast and Wordpress. Even the smallest donation can help. Respond by clicking this link:DONATE

Our Preservation Depends Upon God’s FaithfulnessRead 1st Thessalonians 5:23-24 Paul’s prayer is that God would sanctify completely, the believers at Thessalonica. But there is a second part to this prayer. He prays that the Thessalonians would not only be completely sanctified, but that they would be PRESERVED until Jesus comes again.Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Church,

Paul Prays for their Sanctification.1st Thessalonians 5:23What does it mean to be ‘sanctified’ – in fact, to be sanctified wholly – completely? Let’s ask… What is Sanctification?This message was recorded live at Ballymacashon.Read the NOTES HERE.Can you help to keep the podcast going? We will soon have to pay our annual fees to Acast and Wordpress. Even the smallest donation can help. Respond by clicking this link:DONATE

Paul's Liturgy - Part 21st Thessalonians 5:16-22Paul adds the fourth essential of Christian worship. It is the exegesis, the expository preaching of the inspired Word of God, the Bible. The Bible is the VERY TRUTH OF GOD. It is ABSOLUTE TRUTH. So, what is our obligation to the truth? What does God expect of us regarding the reception of truth, and that which proves to be error? From the exhortations in our text, let us see what Paul says here about the Word:...Read the NOTES HERE.Recorded live at Ballymacashon.Can you help to keep the podcast going? We will soon have to pay our annual fees to Acast and Wordpress. Even the smallest donation can help. Respond by clicking this link:DONATE

Finishing Well2 Chronicles 16:9In this special podcast episode recorded at Ballymacashon Reformed Church (Congregational) Rev Raymond McLarnon one of retired ministers from Ballymena, Co.Antrim looks at 2nd Chronicles, and the backsliding of Asa, noting that he started well, but finished badly. He relied on the help of man, and failed to fully trust in the Lord - but God seen him, not just his outward actions, but what was in his heart, - for he sees and knows everything in this world. He is omniscient. May we be sure no finish well!

Paul's Liturgy Part 1.Text Thessalonians 5:16-22. Paul turns his attention to the WORSHIP of the church. He tells us to rejoice and to pray and be thankful.Read the NOTES HERE.Can you help to keep the podcast going? We will soon have to pay our annual fees to Acast and Wordpress. Even the smallest donation can help. Respond by clicking this link:DONATE