The Semper Reformata Podcast

TableTalk - Where is God When We Are In Despair?Genesis 42:25-38In this episode we will think aboutJoseph's Kindness to His Brothers.Fear of God and Conviction of Sin.Despair and Desperation.Read the notes here.

Monday Extra - Dr Thomas BarnardoIt's been a long time since we had a podcast dedicated to Christian History, so in this short Monday Extra edition we are going to look at the life of a famous Irish Christian, Protestant and Philanthropist - Dr Thomas John Barnardo.And there's an unexpected twist at the end, given recent events in Northern Ireland!Read the TRANSCRIPT HERE.(Cover photo is AI generated)

Joab's JudgementText: 2 Samuel 18:19–19:8Here’s another of David’s rebukes, in this case from his military general, a man called Joab, and this rebuke will highlight for us a very difficult moral dilemma, – tears of sorrow – or responsibility before God. In David’s case to his office as king.Read the NOTES HERE.Recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational church, 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down, Northern Ireland.

TableTalk: His Ways Are ALWAYS PerfectGenesis 42:1-24 …And he turned himself away from them and wept.When the famine came, the land of Canaan was ill prepared. They were starving… Egypt has grain, and Jacob’s family are starving. Read Genesis Chapter 42:1-24 to find out what happened. Let’s try to apply some of the lessons from this part of the narrative.Read the NOTES HERE

Ballymacashon Harvest - Morning ServiceJeremiah 8:20-24A solemn warning by the prophet Jeremiah: "Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved."Recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational Church, 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down,Read the NOTES HERE.

Harvest Service at BallymacashonRev Jackie Brown, the Chairman of the Congregationl Union of Ireland, preaches on Proverbs 30:24-28.Recorded live at Ballymacashon Church, 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down.

Abigail's Advice1 Samuel 25 and 2 Timothy 4:2 The Christian must speak the truth in love even when it costs us, even when it means confronting power, because Scripture alone is the final authority, Christ alone is Lord, and God’s glory alone is our only purpose.There is a marvellous illustration of this in the life of King David, and we find it in 1st Samuel 25. It’s that period in history when the young David is being hunted by King Saul, and David has been driven to live the life of an outlaw. This time the rebuke came from a woman called Abigail, whose husband Nabal had refused sustenance to David's men, and had insulted David himself. Should David enact revenge upon the scoundrel Nabal, or should he wait for God's timing, for, "Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay..." Romans 12:19 That's where Abigail intervenes.Recorded LIVE at Ballymacashon Church, 78 Saintfield Road, Killinchy, Co.Down BT23 6RNRead the NOTES HERE.

Michal's Rebuke2 Samuel 6:1–23Is it ever right to challenge those who are in authority?  If it is, then with what spirit should we issue that rebuke or challenge. We have a case study in King David, who despite his kingly authority was challenged over and over again. In this study we see:The ACT David did,The ACCUSATION Michal made,The AFFLICTION that resulted.And we even, in passing, note that this passage is not a description of the inclusion of dancing in our corporate worship!Recorded LIVE at Ballymacashon Congregational church, Killinchy, Co.Down, BT23 6RN.Read the NOTES HERE.

When Believers Doubt. Psalm 73:23-28 Asaph (who wrote this psalm) was having a crisis – a huge spiritual problem. His feet had almost slipped. I wonder how many Christians have had the same experience, when life seems unfair, and when earthly, temporal desires tempt us? For us, when we find ourselves lacking in faith, and tempted to stumble, these verses in Psalm 73:23-28 are the remedy.Recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church and used here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE.