The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

REACHING MEN, GROWING MEN: VIBRANT CHURCH Many churches say they want to reach men, but their approach often works against that goal. Men are not looking for a watered-down message, religious code language, or a service stripped of urgency. They respond to truth, purpose, challenge, and a clear mission. Reaching men does not require changing the gospel. It requires communicating the gospel with clarity, courage, and conviction. POINTED PREACHING Stop apologizing for what the Bible says. Men need preaching that identifies sin, demands change, calls for faith, and insists upon obedience. Preaching should confront the conscience—not merely soothe the emotions. Speak directly. Make the issue clear. Press for a decision. Men respect a preacher who knows what he believes, says what he means, and refuses to soften the truth to avoid offending people. This does not mean preaching with arrogance or cruelty. It means preaching with biblical authority. A trumpet that gives an uncert...

States, borders, Only one sovereign :God Sov: Over. Reign. Total control Self determination in nations. God is over all. Infinite power rule reign Who is in charge ? PM? Divides denominations Psalm 99:1 PSA 103 PSA 115:3 135:6 This should comfort us. A biblical truth at odds with humanism autonomy and independence. Genesis 11. The tower of humanism. God was in control. Or Joseph Gen 45-50 God meant it for good. 50:20,21 Because God is sovereign 1. I will reverence Him. Prov. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom 1:8 2. I Will respond in obedience to Him It promotes obedience. Eli had 2 rebellious kids Shiloh. Samuel. Speak Lord for your servant hears. 1Sam 3:11-13, 18. Genesis 18:25 3. I will worship Him David wanting to build temple. 1Chron 22:8 Instead he raised the money. Then worshipped 1 Chron 29:10-12 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 ESV Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. A...

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Some of you are facing what could easily be called an unsolvable problem today. I know because I've walked those paths too, both personally and alongside countless others in ministry. It's in these very moments—when human answers fail—that God often does His most beautiful work. The impossible becomes His canvas. Job's life gives us a rare glimpse behind heaven's veil. A man God Himself described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil." His authentic faith was tested through unimaginable loss—home destroyed, family perished, health ruined, finances wiped out, reputation questioned. What if God were describing you to Satan right now? What words would He use? Through his long journey of questions and struggles, Job finally resolved: "I accept what God has sent. I have accepted good, now I accept adversity." Read that once more. Acceptance became his anchor. Like someone shaping clay on a potter's wheel,...

Got Strength? Deuteronomy 33:25b reads, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” These words are part of Moses’ blessing on Asher. Genesis 30:13 reads, “Then Leah said, I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed. So she called his name Asher. The name Asher literally means Happy. Genesis 49:20 reveals “Bread from Asher will be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.” Moses’ blessing upon Asher reads, “And of Asher he said: ‘Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil. Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25). The oil refers to an abundance of olives and oil wells. Iron and bronze under foot speaks of mineral wealth. The capstone of the blessings upon Asher’s life is strength for every day. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). “Day by day the manna fell; Oh, to learn this lesson well, ‘D...

One new church plant was evangelising abusively in the Newcastle Hospital and most disconcertingly the two Americans doing this were both claiming to be me. They claimed they were Steve Grose! I was back at the hospital a few weeks later when I was stopped by the business manager of the hospital in a corridor “we have received complaints that you were going bed to bed evangelising patients in an abusive way over the last three weeks!” I and my wife were both shocked and confused. “But I was a patient in the John Hunter hospital for the last four weeks! The surgeon was going to cut my foot off after an accident. I only came home yesterday“ The manager replied, “oh we know. We saw that on the hospital admissions report.” He smiled, “ You didn’t authorise anyone to claim to be you and do this did you?” I replied I hadn’t and knew nothing of it. He said “if you ever track them down tell them it is reported to the police as identity theft.” I did track them down. I spoke to them ...

I Can Do All Things Through Christ Philippians 4:10-23 I. Let Christ be your strength. 1) Be content in God’s plan. 2) Be confident in God’s power. 4:10-13 4:10-12 4:13 II. Let Christ be your supply. 4:14-20 1) God will prosper you. 4:14-17 2) God will be pleased with you. 4:18 3) God will provide for you. 4:19-20 III. Let Christ be your satisfaction. 4:21-23 1) We are His saints. 2) We have His grace. 4:21-22 4:23

Philippians 4:9-20 ESV - 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you ...

Philippians 4:4-23 ESV Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. [10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learne...

If not you, who? by Dr. Frankln L. Kirksey The saying, “If not you, who? If not now, when?” is attributed to Rabbi Hillel. Someone explains, “Hadassah, better known by her Persian name Esther, is a central figure in the Old Testament Book of Esther. Her account is one of courage, faith, and divine providence, illustrating how God can use individuals to fulfill His purposes.” King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia chose Esther to become Queen. These words from Mordecai to Esther come from Esther 4:14, a key verse in this book, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Let’s note three movements in this biblical account. First, Esther faced a pressing need. Her people, the Jews, were in peril, and they were about to encounter a terrible ordeal. The situation was desperate, filled with a sense of urgency and emergency. But does a need alone constitute a call? On a worldwide scale that would be impossible for one person. Edward Everett Hale penned thi...

Alone, yet not Alone by Dr. Vance Havner "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me." - John 16:32 Blessed paradox of the Saviour and the Saint! Our Lord was a solitary soul, yet not alone. And the Christian who presses into the deeper things of God will often be lonely but never alone. Paul was lonely in the Roman prison: “All men forsook me.” (2 Timothy 4:16) But he was not alone: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me.” (v. 17) Jacob may fancy himself alone in a strange land, with a stone for a pillow, but he will make a discovery: “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.” (Genesis 28:16) Jesus said, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone." (John 8:29) Live as though He were with you, for He is. You have His word for it and you can be confident of His promise, though you may no...

Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of...