The Semper Reformata Podcast

Catechism Class: Lord’s Day 44A Q113 Covetousness.Text. Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbours’ house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.”Catechism Q.113. What is required in the tenth commandment? A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any of God’s commandments should ever arise in our heart. Rather, with all our heart we should always hate all sin and delight in all righteousness. Read the notes HERE

Paul Bows His KneesPaul bowed his knees in humble submission before God. Here's why I think You should emulate him...Because of the OBJECTIVE work of God. Because of what God has done FOR us, and for you and me as individuals. Because he created us, sustains us, and gave his son to die for us, because of what God has DONE.Because of the SUBJECTIVE work of God. Because of what God has done IN us, as individuals. Because of MY personal salvation, – God has applied the saving work of Christ to my sinful life, and brought me from death to life, and given me His Holy Spirit, to indwell me.Because of the ESCHATOLOGICAL work of God. Willingly, my knee will bow, and my tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The unconverted, Christ-rejecting world rejects those claims, but there will come a day when the whole of mankind will stand before him in his risen, eternal splendour, and will admit his sovereignty. Sadly, it will be too late. Philippians 2:9 It is ‘for this cause’ that I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Will you?This sermon never got finished! You can rad the notes for the full version here. It was preached at both Ballymacashon and Templepatrick reformed Church, and was recorded at Templepatrick. It is used here with their kind permission.

Catechism Class: Lord's Day 43 Q112 Lying and LiarsTelling lies – is it a sin?Text. Psalm 15.Catechism Q.112. What is required in the ninth commandment? A: I must not give false testimony against anyone, twist no one’s words, not gossip or slander, nor condemn or join in condemning anyone rashly and unheard. Rather, I must avoid all lying and deceit as the devil’s own works, under penalty of God’s heavy wrath. In court and everywhere else, I must love the truth, speak and confess it honestly, and do what I can to defend and promote my neighbour’s honour and reputation. In Q112 the Catechist discusses a real flaw in our fallen human nature, – our innate impulse to tell lies. He is expanding and explaining the words of the ninth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” I mean who would do that? The answer is simple! ME! And you. And if you say that you wouldn’t ever bear false witness against your neighbour, you are a liar! To read the notes click this link.

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