A series of sermons which is currently underway. Sermons will be added when available.
Series Theme:
This series looks at the doctrines of Scripture while following the outline of the Heidelberg Catechism.
This catechism is divided into 52 Lord’s Days as it was intended for one Catechism Lord’s Day section to be covered each Sunday in the worship of the congregation.
The first question and answer deals with the theme of what is our only comfort in life and death. The answer given centres on the fact of ‘belonging to Christ’. It is this focus that provides the title for this sermon series.
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Ephesians 1:11–23 (NIV84)
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,
20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Text
Ephesians 2:1–10 (NIV84)
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9not by works, so that no one can boast.
10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Heidelberg Catechism
LORD’S DAY 17
QA. 45
Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?
A. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, so that He might make us share in the righteousness He won for us by His death.1
Second, by His power we too are already now resurrected to a new life.2
Third, Christ’s resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection.3
1. Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:16-20; 1 Peter 1:3-5
2. Romans 6:5-11; Ephesians 2:4-6; Colossians 3:1-4
3. Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:12-23; Philippians 3:20-21
