The Semper Reformata Podcast

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.

Malachi #8 - Rewards for A Faithful RemnantRead: Malachi 3:13 to 4:6This is the last of studies in the Book of Malachi, and the last in the series of studies in the Minor Prophets. Malachi has accused the Jews of disobedience to the God who created them, and who rescued them from slavery. Yet God does promise rewards to those who serve him, - who serve him for the right reasons… Who serve him because they love him, and are grateful for his mercy and his salvation.  What we want to ask in this podcast is, what are those rewards - rewards for the faithful people of God right here in this world? Malachi will help us to find out. -oOOo-Thank you for listening to this series of Bible Studies on the Minor Prophets, and I hope you have found it helpful. I’m taking a few weeks off, - (the Saturday sermon slot will continue), and I’ll be back soon on Tuesdays, with a new series on human sexuality - perhaps THE biggest challenge faced by Christians in these last days. Our theme music for the Minor Prophets series is called TRISTE, and it was written and performed by Ori Vidislavski, and licensed for this podcast by www.neosounds.com. I hope you enjoyed it!

Eternal Life and the Life Within1 John 5:9-12V10 He that believed; on the Son of God hath the witness in himself…Do you know for sure that you are saved and forgiven, through repentance and faith in Christ, and that because of his atoning death on the cross you have forgiveness of all your sins and a certain home in heaven? The record is there for us! The testimony is available for all to see! Changed lives, the Word of God, all the objective tests. But to be saved and have eternal life, we must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally!This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.

How Have We Robbed God?Read: Malachi 3:4-12Malachi says, in verse 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”“You have robbed me!” What an accusation. the people of Malachi's day were astonished! "How have we robbed you?" - But they had, by withholding the tithes and offerings needed to maintain the order of faith and society, and which were mandated by God for the OT nation of Israel. - A bit like paying our taxes to the present day government, only not so onerous.But have WE robbed God? In this podcast, Bob explores the idea of tithing, and concludes that in the NT Church, WHY we give is much more important than how much! So, just what is the motivation for Christians to support the Lord's work?