The Semper Reformata Podcast

Taking a StandEphesians 6:120-14AThere’s a battle taking place. It’s a battle against evil, and it is becoming clearer to all those who want to see. Conditions in this world are not getting better, they are getting worse as time moves on towards the end of this present age. We must prepare, spiritually for what lies ahead of us and that will involve Christians taking a stand for God, for Christ, for His Word. for Truth and for what is good and moral. It will also involve taking a stand AGAINST...Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission.

Finally Brethren...Text: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.In Ephesians, we have seen how basic gospel principles can be practically applied to everyday situations in which we will all find ourselves. Marriage, child-rearing and work are only examples of how Christian ethics work. Now, Paul comes to the final section in this book…Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

Who’s the Boss?Christian Management StrategiesText: Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with himPaul is always balanced when he brings us these very practical examples of Christian doctrine and Christian faith being worked out in real life human situations. The ‘masters’ to whom he is referring here are slave-masters who would want to get the most productivity from their human assets, the slaves that they have paid for and have to feed and clothe. The usual way of doing this was to beat them, punish them severely, torture them, threaten them. But what if the person who owned those slaves was a Christian?Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at. Ballymacashon - and is therefore a bit ‘echoey.’

Work as VocationEphesians 6:5-9, Deuteronomy 15:12-18Because we are called by God, in our daily labours, to be agents of his providence and sustaining grace, we are primarily answerable to him. And because work is a calling from God, it earns us a reward! As Christians we are ‘slaves of Christ.’ In 1 Corinthians 7:22-23 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. (Slave) 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. We are servants (slaves) of Christ, – not by coercion, but because we love him, – because he first loved us, and we want to serve him, to acknowledge his complete Lordship over us. Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, Carnage Road, Templepatrick, Co.Antrim, and used here with their kind permission.

How Do We Change the World?Text: Ephesians 6:5-9, Philemonread the NOTES HERE.The doctrine and theology of work is a complicated issue, raising lots of ethical and moral issues for the Christian believer. In this study we must address a very serious topic… Did Paul Endorse and Support Slavery?

Servants, Masters, and WorkText: Ephesians 6:5 There is a Christian ethic of work. Paul is writing here to believers. We should not be surprised at that. For our experience of redemption reaches into every area of our lives. Certainly our Christian experience and our obedience to God extends well beyond an hour’s commitment on a Sunday morning. And our faith in God does not mean that we should withdraw from the world.Read the NOTES HERE.

Introduction to the Theology of WORK (Labour)Text: Ephesians 6:5-9, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13Christians are live differently from the unconverted world. Ephesians 4:17. There is one area of the Christian life, upon which Paul has not yet touched, but where there are huge challenges for us. That is in our employment, our everyday work and labour where we must be careful not to sully our testimony. We begin this section of Ephesians with a simple biblical overview of work, as a divine command, to lay the groundwork before we examine the text of Ephesians 6:5-9.Read the NOTES HERE.

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.