Celebrating Reformation Day...
"For by GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
For we are what HE HAS MADE US, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be OUR WAY OF LIFE."
Ephesians 2:8-10, NRSV
"Therefore, since we are JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have PEACE with God THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have OBTAINED ACCESS to this GRACE in which we stand; and we BOAST in our HOPE of SHARING the GLORY of GOD."
Romans 5:1-2, NRSV
PREPARING OUR HEARTS for the WORD...
This coming Sunday's morning sermon
PARABLES: SOWER, SEED, AND SOIL (1) | Scripture: Luke 8:1-15
Evening sermon
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT | Scripture: Daniel 3:1-18 | Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 39
Being REFORMED according to the Word of God...
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that YOU DESERVE death and hell, tell him this: "I ADMIT that I DESERVE death and hell, WHAT OF IT? For I KNOW ONE who suffered and MADE SATISFACTION on my behalf. His name is JESUS CHRIST, Son of God, and where He is there I SHALL BE ALSO!”
- Martin Luther
Being REFORMED according to the Word of God...
“This GRACE OF GOD is a very GREAT, STRONG, MIGHTY and ACTIVE thing. It does not lie asleep in the soul. Grace HEARS, LEADS, DRIVES, DRAWS, CHANGES, WORKS all in man, and lets itself be distinctly felt and experienced. It is hidden, but ITS WORKS are EVIDENT.”
- Martin Luther
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Good works are the LIVED OUT ACTIONS of one who has been RELEASED from the bondage of sin and SET FREE to love God and love our neighbor. We have been released to LIVE in the rhythm of GRACE in the KINGDOM of GOD.
From Sunday's morning sermon | REFORMATION: YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN | Scripture: Luke 4:14-21; 7:36-50 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
At the heart of Reformation is FORGIVENESS. We are RELEASED from the bondage of sin...by GRACE ALONE...through FAITH in CHRIST ALONE. We are SET FREE from a life of slavery to sin, to a life of FREEDOM in CHRIST.
From Sunday's morning sermon | REFORMATION: YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN | Scripture: Luke 4:14-21; 7:36-50 | Listen to sermon online
PREPARING OUR HEARTS for the WORD...
This coming Sunday's morning sermon
REFORMATION: YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN | Scripture: Luke 4:14-21 ; Luke 7:36-50
Evening Service
Combined Reformation Day Service @ 6pm (BJ Haan Auditorium, Dordt College)
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
EVERY DAY is holy for those who belong to the LORD, who live out His calling each day. We LIVE in the LIGHT of GOD'S GRACE, so we live IN SUCH A WAY as to HONOR HIS NAME and look forward to an ETERNAL SABBATH REST from sin, secured for us by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT | Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14 | Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 38 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
The SABBATH is not about idleness, but is a DAY of PREPARATION for the days that lie ahead of us.
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT | Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14 | Heidelberg Catechims Lord's Day 38 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Jesus demands the AFFECTION of our HEARTS and the FAITH of our MINDS. This is the way to LIFE in the KINGDOM of GOD.
From Sunday's morning sermon | PARABLES: IMPOLITE COMPANY | Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Jesus is the ultimate impolite intruder into this world's time and space, calling us to LOVE GOD and LOVE our NEIGHBOR. He alone gives us the GRACE we need to obey this command.
From Sunday's morning sermon | PARABLES: IMPOLITE COMPANY | Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 | Listen to sermon online
PREPARING OUR HEARTS for the WORD...
This coming Sunday's morning sermon
PARABLES: IMPOLITE COMPANY | Luke 7:36-50
Evening sermon
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT | Matthew 12:1-14 | Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 38
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
IN CHRIST, WE HAVE A NAME by which we have an ETERNAL INHERITANCE and by which we can bring GLORY to the NAME of our God and Father.
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE THIRD COMMANDMENT (PART 2) | Scripture: Joshua 7 | Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 37 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Achan was guilty of robbing God of His glory when he kept some of the devoted things from the Battle of Jericho. We know we are JUST AS GUILTY of robbing the glory of God's Name whenever we sin. Our sin deserves death...but, thanks be to God for the Gospel Word - we are SAVED by the NAME of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE THIRD COMMANDMENT (PART 2) | Scripture: Joshua 7 | Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 37 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
The parable of the good Samaritan drives us to Christ. We will NEVER ON OUR OWN "Go and do likewise" (as Jesus told the lawyer) ...CHRIST has done it FOR US and, through GRACE ALONE, gives us life.
From Sunday's morning sermon | PARABLES: THE GOOD SAMARITAN | Scripture: Luke 10:23-37 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Loving God and loving our neighbor is a DAILY CALLING we must answer as we live out the Kingdom of God.
From Sunday's morning sermon | PARABLES: THE GOOD SAMARITAN | Scripture: Luke 10:23-37 | Listen to sermon online
PREPARING OUR HEARTS for the WORD...
This coming Sunday's morning sermon
PARABLES: THE GOOD SAMARITAN | Scripture: Luke 10:23-37
Evening sermon
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT (PART 2) | Scripture: Joshua 7 (text: verse 19) | Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 37
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
We must show HONOR, RESPECT, REVERENCE and AWE for the Name of the LORD our God and Jesus Christ (who is I AM), so we can properly CONFESS, PRAY, SERVE, and PRAISE Him in everything we do. Our God is LIVING and ACTIVE and as people who are baptized into His Name, we CARRY His NAME and live our life in His holy Name.
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE THIRD COMMANDMENT | Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11; Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 36 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
I AM - the name by which God reveals Himself - is simple, yet mysteriously incomprehensible. It says ONE THING and EVERYTHING about Him. We are never to be flippant with His Name, but must treat it with REVERENCE and HOLY FEAR, so that His NAME will be GLORIFIED.
From Sunday's evening sermon | THE THIRD COMMANDMENT | Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11; Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 36 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
Living for the Kingdom of God is NOT easy living. It requires SACRIFICE and daily re-evaluation of our goals, dreams and pursuits.
From Sunday's morning sermon | PARABLES: THE RICH MAN AND THE OTHER ONE | Scripture: Luke 16:19-31 | Listen to sermon online
CARRYING the WORD into the week...
God is bringing about a Kingdom that cannot be measured or contained ...but is ruled, guided and protected by His Holy Spirit...NO evil will prevail. "Lo, I AM with you always..." - the first sermon at First CRC was based on this passage...it is true today and will continue until Christ comes again.
From Sunday's afternoon sermon | A KINGDOM VISION WITHOUT MEASURING TAPES | Scripture: Zechariah 2 | Rev. John Hellinga, former pastor of First CRC | Listen to sermon online