The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

A reading of Colossians 1: 1: 5-23. Paul has assured his readers in the Lycus Valley that when they received the preaching of Epaphras, they had received the true grace of God in receiving his gospel which was Paul’s gospel. This was in the context of their being visited by teachers of other versions of “the gospel” who came with additional “knowledge, rites and seasons”. These were unnecessary because Christ was supreme in creation and redemption and they had been reconciled to God by his Christ. Firstly, Paul reminded them that Christ is supreme in creation. As the Son of God, he is not only the image of the invisible God but also the whole fullness of God dwells in him. He is both the creator and the heir of all things. Through him all things were created, both on earth and in the heavens. This included what could be seen and not seen. It included all things earthly and all things spiritual. Angels and demons were created through him. Moreover, he is eternal when all other things ...

When God visited the Lycus Valley 07 By the heralding of Christ’s supremacy A reading of Colossians 1: 1: 5-23. Paul has assured his readers in the Lycus Valley that when they received the preaching of Epaphras, they had received the true grace of God in receiving his gospel which was Paul’s gospel. This was in the context of their being visited by teachers of other versions of “the gospel” who came with additional “knowledge, rites and seasons”. These were unnecessary because Christ was supreme in creation and redemption and they had been reconciled to God by his Christ. Firstly, Paul reminded them that Christ is supreme in creation. As the Son of God, he is not only the image of the invisible God but also the whole fullness of God dwells in him. He is both the creator and the heir of all things. Through him all things were created, both on earth and in the heavens. This included what could be seen and not seen. It included all things earthly and all things spiritual. Angels ...

Dr. F.B. Meyer counsels, "We make a great mistake in trying always to clear ourselves; we should be much wiser to go straight on, humbly doing the next thing, and leaving God to vindicate us. 'He will bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday.' In Psalm 105:19 there follow words which, rightly rendered, read thus: 'The word of the Lord cleared him.' What a triumphant clearing did God give His faithful servant. There will come hours in our lives, when we shall be misconstrued, misunderstood, slandered, falsely accused, wrongfully persecuted. At such times it is very difficult not to act on the policy of the men around us in the world. They at once appeal to law and force and public opinion. But the believer takes his case into a higher court, and lays it before his God. He is prepared to use any means that may appear divinely suggested. But he relies much more on the divine clearing than he does on his own most perfect arrangements...

Intimacy With God  Philippians 3:1-17 This is the heart and essence of Christianity. Other religions are content with ornate rites rules, regulations and religion. Christianity is a real relationship. HONESTY  Philippians 3:7-9 'One day,' says Bunyan, ' as I was passing into the field, and that too with some fear dashed on my conscience, fearing lest yet all was not right, suddenly, this sentence fell upon my soul, " Thy righteousness is in Heaven," and methought withal, I saw with the eyes of my soul, Jesus Christ at God's right hand: there was my righteousness ; . . . I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame of heart that made my righteousness worse ; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, "The same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."' Moses Exodus 33 18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodne...

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is  from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,14 I press t...

Your Opinion Matters by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Adrian Rogers said, “Everyone has a right to his own opinion, but no one has a right to be wrong about the facts.” He also said, “Tolerance was once a good virtue, an entitlement to your own opinion. Now, tolerance is an unreasonable thought that all opinions are correct.” Matthew 16:13-19 provides an account of the exchange between Jesus and His disciples about His identity. Opinions varied then as they do today. This passage reveals three ways opinions need to be addressed. Some opinions need to be challenged. Matthew 16:13-14 reads, “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’” Matthew 16 records what is called “the most significant case of mistaken identity in history.” Paul warns about those who erroneously preach “another Jesus” in 2 Corinthi...

Phil 3  Finally! Rejoice in the Lord Philippians 3:1-9 ESV - Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and co...

HOW TED PRINGLE CAME BACK Christmas, 1949 ‘The worst of our work is that nothing ever comes of it!’ pensively observed Archie Harrington, the handsome young minister of Rocky Glen. Neatly attired in a grey suit with a flowing blue tie, Archie seemed to be speaking quietly to himself rather than addressing the men around him. We were away in the depths of the Australian bush at a spot, close to the water’s edge, at which three huge gum-trees had fallen, their prostrate forms completing a perfect triangle. To this romantic and secluded rendezvous, the men who were attending the Summer Retreat at Silver Falls often came of an evening after the programme of the day had been completed. Many of them mounted the prostrate trees; some lounged against the gigantic trunks that clustered round; whilst others squatted or sprawled among the fern. On hot nights, it was very pleasant, before retiring, to saunter down to this leafy paradise. As soon as the last session of the day had closed,...