The Semper Reformata Podcast

Great Joy in Times of SadnessLuke 2:8-17 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.we are in December, the darkest time of the year, and for many, this time is all darkness and gloom. people sometimes become depressed and downcast. They’ve even got a name for it, - they call it ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ - with the appropriate acronym ‘SAD.’ But for the believer reading the account of the birth of Christ there is the story of the angels and the shepherds, and the wonderful message - behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy! Great joy at the darkest time, the very opposite of SAD. A message that the world really needs to hear.Read the NOTES HERE.

Gifting SolutionsBob's Christmas Day Message

Who Was Lot?Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, and our topic this week is “Who was Lot?” Open your Bible at Luke 17:28-33, and put a bookmark there, then turn back to Genesis, chapter 19:1-30. Pause the recording, and read the story of Lot, in Genesis 19:1-30. We’ll go through that chapter together. When you have read the story of Lot, start the recording again. Read the NOTES HERE.

Human Brokenness, Lesson 14 What on Earth is Concupiscence? WARNING: This lesson contains explicit language and sexual terms and it may not be suitable for children and younger teenagers. Begin with reading Colossians 3:1 Pay particular attention to verse 5.Paul is speaking to Christians, - who have been given new life in Christ John 11:24-25 If such a wonderful change has taken place, then surely we cannot continue to live as though nothing at all has happened! We keep one eye upon eternity, knowing that the pleasures that this world offers us are momentary, - and soon will be gone forever. V2 And in eternity - in heaven, we shall be without sin - glorified bodies! V4 Before we met the Lord, we lived in ignorance of our sin, but now, we know better! V10 Paul gives us, in verse 5, a list of those old sins and immoral ways in which we walked before conversion, and which we need to be aware of, and deal with as Christian believers, seeking to be Christlike in our lives. Read the NOTES HERE.

REPRISE: Christmas Trees in Worship – An Idolatry?First recorded in 2022.Should we allow a Christmas Tree to be displayed in a place where the worship of God is taking place? It’s a question recently asked by a Christian friend. It’s important to remember, firstly that this question is ‘adiaphora’ – it is not a matter of saving faith, it is something over which Christians can disagree with each other without being disagreeable! Is there a specific verse that says, “You shall not have a Christmas tree…” NO! And having, or not having a Christmas Tree in church will not result in eternal loss, neither are those who take one position or the other in any way apostate or heretical.Read the NOTES HERE.

The Practical Christian Life1st Thess 4:9-12Paul turns from teaching on chastity to teaching on charity. Teaching about LOVE. His words are extremely practical. He deals with three areas in which we must abound in love:The OBJECTS of our Christian Love.The OUTLINE of a Christian Lifestyle.The OBLIGATIONS of a Christian Testimony. A Christian is someone who knows and has experienced the love of God, and shows that love in his attitude to other believers, in our own lifestyle, and in our witness to our neighbours.Read the Notes HERE.

TableTalk: "Who was Abraham."Welcome to this digital version of Table-Talk, and our topic this week is “Who was Abraham?” Open your Bible once again at Genesis - this time at Genesis 12, and then Hebrews 11, and be ready to read. Pause the recording while you look for those two passages, and start it again, when you are ready.Read the NOTES HERE.

HS13 Following Your Heart?The implications of our fallen nature are that all our emotions, thoughts and desires have been distorted by sin. Jesus told the Jews of his day, the religious people, in John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. Jeremiah preached to the Hebrew people of his day, saying Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?That’s why telling people, especially children and young adults to ‘just follow your heart’ is pure folly.Listen on...Read the NOTES HERE.

Service of Lessons and CarolsRecorded LIVE at the Old Reformed Church, Ballymacashon 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down, BT23 6RN, Norther Ireland Readers:Janette: Isaiah 9:6-7David: Matthew 1:18-21Bob: Luke 2:1-7 Sam: Luke 2:8-14Harvey: Luke 2:15-19 Jim: Matthew 2:1-6 Rueben: Matthew 2:7-12 Malcolm: Luke 1:6-35Fergus: John 1:1-13 Address (and out of tune song-leading) by Rev Bob McEvoy.Some items have been shortened for the podcast.