The Semper Reformata Podcast

Nathan’s Rebuke – #2, Conviction, Repentance and Forgiveness2 Samuel 12:1-15In our last talk we laid the groundwork for our understanding of Nathan’s Rebuke of David. Just when David thought he had got away with his crimes, and was settling down to a life of newly married bliss, the conclusion of chapter 11reminds us that “the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” But David is God’s chosen man, and His displeasure with David was soon going to be made very plain to him, – very plain indeed.Read the NOTES HERE.

Monday Extra: James UssherIn this short church history lesson, we are going to look at the life of a 17th century Irish Puritan Anglican! I’m speaking of course, about the former Archbishop of Armagh, Rev James Ussher, a very important figure in the promotion of the Protestant faith and a man most kindly disposed towards those Scottish Presbyterian settlers who began to move across the Irish Sea into Ulster at that time. (As we shall learn in the next Monday Extra)

Nathan's Rebuke #1 - Prosperity Does Not Make People GoodText 2 Samuel 11, We MUST be aware of the depth of our sin and its abhorrence before God – and its consequences, both in this world and in eternity. The narrative leading up to Nathan’s rebuke begins in chapter 11, in the springtime of the year, when kings go to war…This podcast was recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. t contains references to events that were current at the time of recording.Read the NOTES HERE.

Halloween.What does 31st October mean to you? Halloween or Reformation? Here's what God says:- Deuteronomy 18:9–12 When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Pride and Punishment2 Samuel 24:11-142nd Samuel 24:11-14 is another occasion when David is rebuked, – and this time the rebuke is brought by a man called Gad, described in the text as David’s ‘Seer.’ It is a stern personal rebuke from God himself delivered in the words of the prophet.Read the NOTES HERE.Recorded LIVE at Ballymacashon Church.

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.