The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

LORD'S DAY 24 Romans 3:21-31   62 Q. Why can't the good we do make us right with God, or at least help make us right with Him? A. Because the righteousness which can pass God's scrutiny must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law. Even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin. Roman Catholics:  Faith + Works = Justification Protestants:  Faith = Justification + Works  Acts 26:18 'to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers wit...

1 Then the Lord said to me, "Take a large tablet and write on it in common characters, 'Belonging to Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'  2 And I will get reliable witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah, to attest for me." According to plan, Isaiah went to a woman who is identified as a prophetess, a title that most likely identified his wife, and together they bore a son. God told Isaiah to give him the name on the scroll, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, which literally means Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty. First, a bit of ancient history. The name Immanuel was revealed to the prophet Isaiah seven centuries before Jesus was born (see Isaiah 7). King Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah were in deep trouble because the powerful Assyrian empire was threatening to swallow up the small kingdoms of Judah, Israel (the northern Jewish kingdom), and Syria. Israel and Syria wanted Ahaz to join them in an alliance against Assyria, but Ahaz refused. He had ...

🌿 Analogy: The Master Craftsman and the Untrained Helpers There was once a Master Craftsman who planned to build a beautiful wall in the center of the village. He invited volunteers to help, because he wanted them to share in the joy of building something meaningful together. The Master provided: • Good plaster • The right tools • A clear design • And gentle instructions But when the volunteers began working, something happened. Some became excited and rushed. Some didn't listen to the Master's instructions. Some played with the materials without thinking. Others simply wanted to be seen helping instead of actually helping. Soon the worksite was messy: • Plaster was poured out and wasted • Walls were uneven • Tools were not cleaned • The design was ignored The Master Craftsman didn't shout. He simply looked at the wall and sighed. He knew the volunteers meant well, but their hearts were not prepared. They wanted to participate, bu...

Lord's Day 21 Q & A 54 Q. What do you believe concerning "the holy catholic church"? A. I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word,1 out of the entire human race,2 from the beginning of the world to its end,3 gathers, protects, and preserves for himself a community chosen for eternal life4 and united in true faith.5 And of this community I am6 and always will be7 a living member. 1  John 10:14-16 ;  Acts 20:28 ;  Rom. 10:14-17 ;  Col. 1:18 2  Gen. 26:3b-4 ;  Rev. 5:9 3  Isa. 59:21 ;  1 Cor. 11:26 4  Matt. 16:18 ;  John 10:28-30 ;  Rom. 8:28-30 ;  Eph. 1:3-14 5  Acts 2:42-47 ;  Eph. 4:1-6 6  1 John 3:14, 19-21 7  John 10:27-28 ;  1 Cor. 1:4-9 ;  1 Pet. 1:3-5 Q & A 55 Q. What do you understand by "the communion of saints"? A. First, that believers one and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all his treasures and gifts.1 Second, tha...

The Gospel  According To Isaiah Qumran  Dead Sea Scrolls The whole first chapter of Isaiah is a court scene.  It's a crown case.   1. God's Arraignment Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken. "Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me." (Isaiah 1:2) Isaiah 1:7-8, Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a lodge in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. "The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand."  (v. 3) Man was made to live for God's glory but rebelled. This is why the world is in trouble.  Motyer: Isaiah sets this three-part analysis of the contemporary scene as if in a court of law. In verse 2ab t...

LORD'S DAY 20 53 Q. What do you believe  concerning "the Holy Spirit"? A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son,  is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me, and remains with me forever. John 14:16-31    Allos Paracletos    και αλλον παρακλητον δωσει υμιν The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person . Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19,20, 2Cor 13:14 John14-16 a Person, one with the Father and Christ Allos : Another Same  heteros : another different. The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian What is the role of the Holy Spirit? What does he actually do? There are many valid biblical answers to that question. The Spirit: • Regenerates us (John 3:6–7) • Convicts us (John 16:8) • Empowers us with gifts (1 Cor. 12:4 –7) • Testifies in our hearts that we are God's children (Gal. 4:6) • Leads ...