The Semper Reformata Podcast

Wearying God With Our WordsMalachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:6, We are STILL working our way through the last of the Minor Prophets, - and indeed the very last book in the OT - the book of Malachi.  Malachi challenges the people with another serious indictment, one that is perhaps related to their desire to take pagan wives. The prophet thunders, in V17 Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. And the response of the people is typical, Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? READ: Malachi 2:17 to Malachi 3:6,

Children in Christian FamiliesEphesians 6:1-4  Let’s learn about what the apostle Paul teaches us about parents and children and their relationship in the family and in the church.Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon, - please forgive the poor reproduction - it's an echoey building!

Malachi Study #4 - Yet Ye Say “Wherefore?”Malachi 2:10-16In this passage Malachi deals with two sins which were besetting the people of Israel, and which were again, some of the causes of their being bereft of God’s blessing - which they certainly expected, and to which they thought they were entitled!  In verses 10-13, the people of God were causing God much grief, by intermarrying with the pagan people who lived in the land around them, - people were outside the covenant that God had established with Israel. In verses 14-16, The first sin is compounded with an even more heinous crime, for in order to bring these marriages with the pagans about, the men of Israel were actually divorcing their legitimate wives! Is it any wonder that God was refusing to bless these rebellious people.

The Biblical Origins of the Family.Ephesians 5:33-6:1In this sermon, we look at the origins of the family in Genesis 2 and 3, and see God's purposes in creating a family unit, - man, woman, child/ren. We then explore how the fall of man destroyed everything, sin entered the world and the family paradigm of intimate innocence within God's purposes, was shattered by guilt, same and blame, and that led to death, and murder. Even then, God was not finished with the family, - and it into a family, a mother, and a stepfather, that he sent his only begotten Son, the Saviour of the world.We noted that the effects of sin on the family - disfunctionality and breakdown, and various perversions of the family, are legislated for and encouraged by the wicked governments that rule western nations, and because every national authority finds is source in, and is an extension of the family, - the breakdown of the family has led to the moral and spiritual breakdown and decline of society.Finally, we seek to find out what a Christian and biblical family should look like, and we learn that such a family is characterised by love, respect and discipline.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is used here with their kind permission. Find more Templepatrick content HERE.Read the NOTES HERE.

The Minor Prophets - Malachi #3Malachi Chapters 1 and 2."In what way have we despised your name?" The people of Malachi's day had despised God, his salvation and preservation, by their half hearted, lukewarm religion. Let's make sure we don't fall into that same trap...Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Last Words of Marriage - Consanguinity and SinglenessText. Ephesians 5:30-31 Marriage is a reflection of the order that exist in the kingdom of God. Before we leave the subject of marriage, there are one or two more observations that we must make. There are those whom we must not marry, and of course there are those who never marry at all. READ Matthew 19:4-6 Read the NOTES HERE.

One Flesh - Implications for Marriage Ephesians 5:28ff Practical Help for HusbandsPaul goes a step further in his teaching on marriage. Not only must a man love his wife, as Christ loved the church, but he must love her as much as he loves himself. Your wife, (your husband is MORE than just a partner.) Paul tells us here that a man’s wife is part of his own body, his own flesh and blood. What does that mean, and what are the implications for married men?Read the NOTES HEREthis sermon was recorded at Ballymacashon, - apologies for the sound/echo.

The Minor Prophets - Malachi #1Malachi 1:1-5 (Part 1)Short introduction to the Book of Malachi, and then we ask, "How has God loved us?"