The Semper Reformata Podcast

The Shepherd and the SheepJohn 10:22-30 …My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”Heidelberg Catechism LD19 Q51, How does the glory of Christ, our Head, benefit us? A. First, by his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly gifts upon us, his members. Second, by his power he defends and preserves us against all enemies.In this message preached at TRC, we learn that when you have been rescued from your sin, by our Lord Jesus Christ, it is Christ Himself who calls you, brings you into his flock, and like a shepherd guards the flock, watches over you, until you arrive safely in heaven. Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

The Prodigal SonJesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson, about the need for repentance and trust, in conversion, - but to repent and believe requires a spiritual awakening that only the Holy Spirit himself can bring about. In the pig-sty of sin, a young man 'came to himself...'This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon, so please excuse the poorer than usual sound quality.

Malachi #8 - Rewards for A Faithful RemnantRead: Malachi 3:13 to 4:6This is the last of studies in the Book of Malachi, and the last in the series of studies in the Minor Prophets. Malachi has accused the Jews of disobedience to the God who created them, and who rescued them from slavery. Yet God does promise rewards to those who serve him, - who serve him for the right reasons… Who serve him because they love him, and are grateful for his mercy and his salvation.  What we want to ask in this podcast is, what are those rewards - rewards for the faithful people of God right here in this world? Malachi will help us to find out. -oOOo-Thank you for listening to this series of Bible Studies on the Minor Prophets, and I hope you have found it helpful. I’m taking a few weeks off, - (the Saturday sermon slot will continue), and I’ll be back soon on Tuesdays, with a new series on human sexuality - perhaps THE biggest challenge faced by Christians in these last days. Our theme music for the Minor Prophets series is called TRISTE, and it was written and performed by Ori Vidislavski, and licensed for this podcast by www.neosounds.com. I hope you enjoyed it!

Eternal Life and the Life Within1 John 5:9-12V10 He that believed; on the Son of God hath the witness in himself…Do you know for sure that you are saved and forgiven, through repentance and faith in Christ, and that because of his atoning death on the cross you have forgiveness of all your sins and a certain home in heaven? The record is there for us! The testimony is available for all to see! Changed lives, the Word of God, all the objective tests. But to be saved and have eternal life, we must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally!This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

How Have We Robbed God?Read: Malachi 3:4-12Malachi says, in verse 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”“You have robbed me!” What an accusation. the people of Malachi's day were astonished! "How have we robbed you?" - But they had, by withholding the tithes and offerings needed to maintain the order of faith and society, and which were mandated by God for the OT nation of Israel. - A bit like paying our taxes to the present day government, only not so onerous.But have WE robbed God? In this podcast, Bob explores the idea of tithing, and concludes that in the NT Church, WHY we give is much more important than how much! So, just what is the motivation for Christians to support the Lord's work?

The Unchanging Faithful GodA Sermon on Malachi 3:6Text.  Malachi 3:6.  “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.God never changes!   The Bible warns us about trusting in men, even powerful men.  Psalm 118:9   Psalm 146:3    That’s why we depend only upon him.  But what does it mean to say that God is ‘immutable' - that he never changes, - and what are the implications of that for us?Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is used here with their kind permission.

Return Unto the Lord. Malachi 3:6When we think of the state of Israel in Malachi’s day, we are forced to consider the spiritual state of God’s people in our modern age and to conclude that some sections of the modern visible church are no better than the defiant, perverse people of Judah.Yet even for the OT Israel, there was hope. God calls upon them, through the prophet, to repent, to return unto the Lord, and he will return to them. Will they heed his command? Will we?

The Unique Role of a FatherEphesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  We cannot ignore the fact that verse four is specifically addressed to FATHERS. In addressing the FATHER, Paul is calling the whole household to be ruled in conformity with God’s Word.Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon. Please excuse the poor sound quality - it's an old building!

Wearying God With Our WordsMalachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:6, We are STILL working our way through the last of the Minor Prophets, - and indeed the very last book in the OT - the book of Malachi.  Malachi challenges the people with another serious indictment, one that is perhaps related to their desire to take pagan wives. The prophet thunders, in V17 Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. And the response of the people is typical, Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? READ: Malachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:6,