The Semper Reformata Podcast

MarriageText: Ephesians 5:21-24Before we can examine the text in detail, we need to note that when Paul speaks about a Christian home-life, he is referring to marriage, – to a WIFE, and to a HUSBAND of that wife. One man, and one woman, in a married relationship. So, because of modern recent developments we must ask what, in biblical terms, before God, is MARRIAGE?This sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon - so please forgive the echo, it's an old building!Read the NOTES HERE.

Zechariah – The Gospel in the Old Testament!Zechariah 1:1-6Why would we want to study this book? Zechariah is God’s Word, just as much as is the Gospel of John! We shall see some very good reasons indeed, as we begin our study of Zechariah. Read the NOTES HERE.

The Minor Prophets - Haggai"Consider This..."The name means Festival or Festive and everything that we know about Haggai is found in his book and references in Ezra. With Zechariah he encouraged the Jews in rebuilding the temple.  The book is usually dated around 520 B.C. (the second year of King Darius – Hag 1:1) Throughout the book there is encouragement to complete the task – and a call to the people of God to THINK – one of the motifs repeated in the book is a call to ‘consider.’  Haggai’s message is delivered over a period of four months, and consists of 4 exhortations – CONSIDER YOUR WAYSCONSIDER GOD'S PURPOSESCONSIDER YOUR PURITYCONSIDER GOD'S POWER Haggai’s message to us is ‘let’s get this done!’   Let’s get motivated and do the Lord’s work, and play our part as he builds his kingdom!Read the NOTES HERE.

Our Duty to God - and BelieversText: Ephesians 5:19-20Paul tells us something of what the local church in Ephesus would have been like, teaches the Ephesians a little bit about worship and community, and gives us an inkling – a glimpse, of what a modern Christian fellowship should look like.Read the NOTES HERE.

Bonus Episode:- Divorce and RemarriageMatthew 19:1-9 Deuteronomy 24:1-4.Divorce is a dilemma for Christians of every denomination, and historically especially for evangelicals. Divorce has split churches, divided families, ruined testimonies, hindered evangelism. It’s a huge, complex subject, hundreds of books have been written on it, maybe thousands of sermons, conferences and colloquies… and we are still at odds about it. So in this short, inadequate study of the matter, we try to get just an overview of the Bible teaching about divorce. Read the NOTES HERE.This programme was recorded at templepatrick Reformed Church, and is used here with their kind permission.

History is HIS Story!Habakkuk Ch. 2Habakkuk observes the sins of mankind, and declares the certainty of the judgment of God. He teaches us that God has a purpose - a redemptive purpose, and that he is bringing that purpose to pass.

Be Sensible.Ephesians 5:17-19Another contrast between the Christian and the ungodly world in which the church is placed is introduced in verse 15. We are to be WISE, not to live like the FOOLISHNESS of the pagan world. In these verses Paul teaches us what it means to be a SENSIBLE CHRISTIAN. Read the NOTES HERE.

Habakkuk #4'Run with the Vision' - Habakkuk 2:2-4God answers Habakkuk’s second prayer: Then the Lord answered me and said. Habakkuk has been expecting that God would reprove him for his audacity! But God does not rebuke him or reprove him, instead he answers his prayer by giving him a task!Read the NOTES HERE.

The Stricken Shepherd Zechariah 13:7-9We know that verse 13 of this chapter is about the Lord Jesus, because He tells us so Himself. In Matthew 26:31-32.  Jesus is about to go to the cross, and the Passover has just been kept, and the Lord’s Supper has been instituted. He was singing a psalm from Psalms 113-118. Listen to find out what the prophet says about Christ and the scattering of His Sheep.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE.