The Semper Reformata Podcast

Boldness of Access.Text Ephesians 3:11-13  Paul has begun his dictation with the intention of praying for the Christians in the city of Ephesus. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles… He fears that they have heard about his arrest in Jerusalem and that this news will unsettle them, that they will begin to ask why! So he wants to pray for them, but just as he introduces his intention in verse one, moved by the Holy Spirit, he begins this long digression, in which he talks about how he came to be the bearer of such Good News, So let’s explore these final verses of the chapter…(This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon and at Templepatrick Reformed Church. it was recorded at Templepatrick, and is used here with their kind permission)Read the NOTES here.

Catechism Class: Lord's Day 42 Greed and InjusticeIn LD42, Q110, the Catechist deals with the eight commandment:- “Thou shalt not steal.” And specifically, with what is FORBIDDEN by God. But what do we mean by ‘stealing?’ There is the obvious answer of course; robbing a house, shoplifting, mugging, armed robbery, etc, – all of those activities are easily identified as theft or robbery, what the catechist refers to as ‘outright theft.’ The Law of God takes theft seriously. Exodus 22:1 But the catechist doesn’t stop with armed robbery. He speaks about ‘other wicked schemes and devices.’ We might call them ‘injustices.’ He gives some examples of what they might be...Read the NOTES HERE

Preaching and PersuadingIn Ephesians 3 verses 8 and 9, we see that Paul’s ministry has a twofold strategy, (It is a divine strategy!). It involves:Declaration. In verse 8 that I should PREACH So Paul is a preacher. Preaching is essential in God’s plan of salvation, READ 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 Preaching is the authoritative declaration of God’s Word. It is to open the scriptures, and read them and explain them and to declare that they are the authoritative word of God, as did the prophets of the OT when they declared, “Thus saith the Lord…” But there is this second aspect to Paul’s servanthood…This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon and at Templepatrick Reformed Church. It was recorded at Templepatrick, and is used here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE.

Catechism Class: LD41B, Q109 Singleness and Marriage.Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-11 Q109. Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery and similar shameful sins? A Since we, body and soul, are temples of the Holy Spirit, it is God’s will that we keep ourselves pure and holy. Therefore he forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever may entice us to unchastity. The catechist is still dealing with the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” How will the seventh commandment affect me, and my life? His answer is simple. It is God’s will that we keep ourselves pure and holy.Read the NOTES HERE

Worldview UpdateShocking events in politics and ethics that Christians cannot ignore:-The proposed 'Energy Bill' and the erosion of personal freedoms to appease the 'net-zero' madness.The case of 'ST' a seriously ill girl who desperately wants to die fighting for life...

Catechism Class: Adultery – What is it?Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 41AWe live in a deeply sexualised society. We need to remember that God hates adultery, marital unfaithfulness and sexual promiscuity of any kind, and that’s the very point that the catechist drives home in Lord’s Day 41, Q108. To read the NOTES CLICK HERE

Made a MinisterText Ephesians 3:7-8  Paul describes himself as a ‘minister.’ The word simply means a servant, διακονος – a deacon, someone who serves others. Paul serves them be preaching the good news, by expounding to them the ‘mystery of Christ,’ – how and why he has redeemed us, – worthless sinners. It was a form of service to which he had been specially chosen and equipped by God. Galatians 1:15  Paul was ‘called by God’s grace.’ And here he speaks of that again. But notice that he was MADE a minister.  Read the NOTES HEREThis sermon was preached at both Ballymacashon and Templepatrick Reformed Church. It was recorded at TRC and is used here with their kind permission,

The Mystery of ChristText Ephesians 3:4-6We continue to look at the Apostle’s digression of thought in Ephesians 3 and Paul refers to this amazing revelation that he had received directly from God, as ‘the mystery of Christ.’ What does he mean? Read the NOTES here.NOTE: This sermon was preached at both Ballymacashon Congregational and Templepatrick Reformed Church. It was recorded at Templepatrick, and is used here with their kind permission.

The Uniqueness of Paul's KnowledgeGod speaks to Paul - but differently than He speaks to us.Ephesians 3:3-4 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) READ also Galatians 1.Our question in this study is, ‘what did Paul mean, in these verses, when he spoke of ‘revelation’ - how did Paul train to be an apostle, - how did he receive that special knowledge of God that ranked him with the other great apostles - and why does God not reveal the mysteries of heaven, in a similar fashion, to us?’This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon - there is some echo and background noise.To READ THE NOTES, CLICK.