The Semper Reformata Podcast

John’s Sermon on 4:12Text. 1 John 4:12-21John preaches a sermon, for the next few verses, v13-21 are actually a commentary and expansion on what he has taught in verse 12. Now, the biblical authors did not preach to amuse you or to tickle your ears – John is going to talk about the Christian’s confidence in the day of judgement. That will require some explanation, – and it won’t be casual listening. Read the NOTES HERE

Lazarus – Come Forth!Text: John 11:38-45In this last piece of the story there is a wonderful illustration of the Gospel – and that is exactly what we would expect. John 20:30-31, …but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Let’s look for the Gospel, so that we too may believe in Him, and have eternal life…This message was preached at Ballymacashon Congregational Church and Templepatrick Reformed Church, and was recorded at TRC. It is used here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE.

God’s Love, Its Source, Satisfaction and StrategyText. 1 John 4:7-12According to James Montgomery Boice, John has applied three tests, by which a person may know that they are a child of God: The moral test – RIGHTEOUSNESS, the social test -LOVE, the doctrinal test – TRUTH, which is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as God incarnate. For John, the greatest of these tests is the test of love. So, John does that now. In these next few passages, he goes on to draw practical conclusions from his teachings on the importance of God’s love.Read the NOTES HERE.

DiscernmentText: 1 John 3:24b – 4:6John draws a series of stark contrasts, to draw the believer’s mind to the great differences that pertain between Christians and unbelievers. Let’s just see some of those sharply clear contrasts…Different ConstraintsDifferent ConfessionsDifferent CitizenshipsDifferent CaricaturesRead the NOTES HERE.

The Raising of Lazarus - Part 4John 11:28-37When we are broken-hearted, Jesus knows and cares.This sermon was preached and recorded at Templepatrick reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE

Assurance Before the Lord1st John 3:19-23Reading through this passage will remind you that there are perhaps some very special times in your Christian life, when your conscience may convict you more than any other time. It is when we come before the Lord to pray and to read his word. Whether at Church or in the prayer meeting or in the quiet place…. something deeply spiritual is happening when we commune with God.READ THE NOTES HERE.

Lazarus - Part 3.John 11:17-24Jesus and His disciples have left the safety of Galilee and gone to Bethany, and the narrative now moves on to the arrival of the travellers at Bethany. What will they find when they get there?Read the NOTES HEREThis message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission.

Love’s Amen!Text. 1st John 3:16-18 Our love for others is the outworking in our lives, of his love for us… it is our response, – our practical Amen to what Christ has already done for us. So, let’s get things in the correct order, Read the NOTES HERE.

Raising of Lazarus, (Part 2)Where Jesus Calls His Disciples to Witness God’s Glory at WorkText: John 11:11These verses show the tenderness in Christ’s heart for his disciples. He speaks with great affection about Lazarus, and words of comfort for Hs disciples, but they misunderstand, ...Recorded at Ballymacashon - apologies for the poor sound quality.Read the NOTES HERE.