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
Romans 3:21–31 (NIV84)
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.
28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Text
Luke 7:1–10 (NIV84)
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
2There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.
3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this,
5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.
7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
10Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
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Heidelberg Catechism
Lord’s Day 30
81 Q. Who are to come to the Lord’s table?
A. Those who are displeased with themselves because of their sins, but who nevertheless trust that their sins are pardoned and that their continuing weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ, and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and to lead a better life.
Hypocrites and those who are unrepentant, however, eat and drink judgment on themselves.1
1. 1 Corinthians 10:19-22; 11:26-32
82 Q. Are those to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper who show by what they say and do that they are unbelieving and ungodly?
A. No, that would dishonour God’s covenant and bring down God’s anger upon the entire congregation.1
Therefore, according to the instruction of Christ and His apostles, the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such people, by the official use of the keys of the kingdom, until they reform their lives.
1. 1 Corinthians 11:17-32; Psalm 50:14-16; Isaiah 1:11-17
