Reformed Christian Studies

Published on Oct 12, 2015 Almighty God, who gave to your servant John Huss Boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Link: https://youtu.be/0Vr04TNrbt4

By Dr. R. Scott Clark - Posted at The Heidelblog : It is a general, if unstated, assumption among moderns that whatever the causes of the Reformation might have been, they must be long past. Often, however, that assumption is ill-founded. In fact, the fundamental causes for the Reformation (e.g., the Roman denial of the perspicuity, and of the final and unique authority of Holy Scripture; the Roman corruption of grace, and the Roman denial of the unique office of faith in salvation) still remain. Rome still sells indulgences . She also still has relics. Despite what people may assume about Vatican II and despite the appearances created by documents like Evangelicals and Catholics Together and the agreement on justification between Rome and the Lutheran World Federation (not exactly a bastion of Lutheran orthodoxy) and despite the appearance created by a socially and theologically “progressive” pontiff, Rome has not changed her dogma. Neither has she changed canon law (confe

Posted at Reformation Scotland : Zeal is not cool in our culture. Most people picture a wild-eyed fanatic when they think about religious zeal. In a world that pursues the shallow and values self-satisfied composure, zeal is odd. The world is at best cool towards it. When being pragmatic and popular are of greatest value, the Church too is less comfortable with zeal. Of course, there is a false religious zeal: being zealous in the wrong way or about the wrong things. The Bible speaks about that, yet most often it emphasises that zeal is vital. Zeal is essential in spiritual things. It is being single-minded towards the glory of God – to see God glorified in every possible way. It is a burning desire to please God and that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Had Luther and the other Reformers lacked zeal, they would not have pursued Reformation. Christ Himself had an all-consuming zeal (John 2:17) and we often read of the zeal of the Lord in Scripture. Do we have the s

By Pastor Geoff Ingrum - Posted at Sermon Audio : Series: Judges - 3 of 26 Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=73161322562

By Pastor Geoff Ingrum - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series: Judges - 2 of 26 Details: Israel was not faithful to take what the LORD had been faithful to give, so the LORD was faithful to give what Israel did not want. This is the big idea of our sermon today. Listen in to hear Pastor Geoff unfold this concept. (50:08 Minutes) Scripture Text: Judges 1:11-2:5 (KJV) 11 And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher: 12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 14 And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? 15 And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of w

Posted at The Christian's Report : J. C. Philpot Today’s Daily Words for Zion’s Wayfarers “But when the Comforter has come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father–he shall testify of me.” John 15:26 The special work and office of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus, to glorify him, to take of the things that are his, and to show them to the soul; and therefore without these teachings and testimonies of the Holy Spirit we have no true, no saving knowledge of Christ, no living faith in him, no sweet communion with him, no tender and affectionate love toward him. And are not these the marks which peculiarly distinguish the living family of God from those dead in sin, and those dead in profession? A bare knowledge of the letter of truth–can communicate no such gracious affections as will warm, soften, melt, and animate the soul of a child of God, under the felt power and influence of the Holy Spirit–can create no such

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Bucer Posted at The Reformed Reader : Martin Bucer’s (d.1551) pastoral theology book Concerning the True Care of Souls is a wonderful resource.  I recently came across this section that I had marked up – it’s a good reminder for those of our readers who are pastors! When St. Peter is asked for the third time if he loves the Lord, and himself for the third time protests his love, then for the third time the Lord says to him: ‘Feed my sheep.’  It is as if he were saying: ‘If you love me so much and want to show this by your actions, feed my sheep, because there is nothing you can do for me which is preferable or more pleasing to me.’  If we really love Christ, he is everything to us; therefore if anyone is called to this ministry, whatever unpleasantness, sufferings and crosses he may have to bear in the course of his ministry, he will be upheld and strengthened against all unpleasantness, sufferings, and crosses only by the fact that the

By Pastor Geoff Ingrum - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series: Judges Scripture Text: Judges 1:1-7 (KJV) 1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. 3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him. 4 And Judah went up; and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. 5 And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. 7 And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having t

From Grace Gems Daily E-Devotional for February 13, 2017: ( The Preacher's Book ) Frankincense, when it is put into the fire --gives off the greater perfume. Spice, if it is pounded and beaten --smells the sweeter. The earth, when it is torn up with the plough --becomes more fruitful. The seed in the ground, after frost and snow and winter storms --grows the thicker. The nearer the vine is pruned to the stock--the larger grapes it yields. The grape, when it is most pressed and beaten --makes the sweetest wine. Linen, when it is washed and wrung and beaten --is so made fairer and whiter. In the same way, the children of God receive great benefit by affliction--for by it God washes and scours, trains and nurtures them. "Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!" John 15:2   Source: GraceGems.org

"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." - Psalm 24:4 "Lord cut, Lord carve, Lord wound, Lord do anything that may perfect Thy Father's image in us and make us meet for glory." - RUTHERFORD Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean let us wash them in Jesus' precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But "clean hands" will not suffice unless they are connected with "a pure heart." True religion is heart work. - SPURGEON ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "The Saint and the Prince" compiled and edited by Rev. Stanley Barnes. © 2015 - All Rights Reserved. Source: Free

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 16 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 134 (KJV) 134 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. 3 The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3271411445010

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 15 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 133 (KJV) 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=317141629300

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 14 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 132 (KJV) 132 Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions: 2 How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; 3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, 5 Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. 7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. 8 Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. 9 Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. 10 For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 13 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 131 (KJV) 131 Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever. Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=226141017520

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 12 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 130 (KJV) 130 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=217141130485

By Pastor Sam Powell - Posted at Sermon Audio: Series:  Psalms of Ascents  · 11 of 16 Scripture Text: Psalm 129 (KJV) 129 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say: 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth: yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows. 4 The Lord is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. 5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. 6 Let them be as the grass upon the housetops, which withereth afore it groweth up: 7 Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. 8 Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we bless you in the name of the Lord. Link: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2101414322610