The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

      I was speaking with a fellow recently who said, "All I want from God is Justice!" I replied, " I know you, if you get Justice from God it won't end well. What you really need is mercy!" Today we are thinking about the Grace of God. Packer 'In the New Testament, 'grace' is a word of central importance – the keyword, in fact, of Christianity. Grace is what the New Testament is about. Its God is 'the God of all grace' (1 Pet. 5:10); its Holy Spirit is 'the Spirit of grace' (Heb. 10:29); and all the hopes that it sets forth rest upon 'the grace of the Lord Jesus' (Acts 15:11), the Lord who upheld Paul with the assurance, 'my grace is sufficient for you' (2 Cor. 12:9). 'Grace,' says John, 'came by Jesus Christ' (John 1:17); and the news about Jesus is accordingly 'the gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20:24).'   LORD'S DAY 24 62. Q. But why can our good works not be our righteousness be...

The Grace of God LORD'S DAY 24 62. Q. But why can our good works not be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it? A. Because the righteousness which can stand before God's judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God, whereas even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin. 63. Q. But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?1 A. This reward is not earned; it is a gift of grace. 64. Q. Does this teaching not make people careless and wicked? A. No. It is impossible that those grafted into Christ by true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness   It is Electing Grace Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love5 He ...

here is an excerpt from the sermon John Wesley preached on the occasion of Withfields funeral and some other quotes, many have heard or read the story of Wesleys answer regarding if he though Withfield would be in heaven. here it is, and dispite the dipute they had for many years concerning "free grace" and other things, how they reverenced one another and was ruled by love. It has blessed me and worked as an example to follow. [i]"One day, after Whitefield's decease, John Wesley was timidly approached by one of the godly band of Christian sisters who had been brought under his influences and who loved both Whitefield and himself: "' Dear Mr. Wesley, may I ask you a question?' "' Yes, of course, madam, by all means.' "' But, dear Mr. Wesley, I am very much afraid what the answer will be.' "' Well, madam, let me hear your question, and then you will know my reply.' "At last, after not a little hesitation, the in...

1 Corinthians 15:35-58   You Can Have A Certain Hope I believe in the resurrection of the body,    and the life everlasting. A sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life Some fixed points are needed. I believe in the Holy Spirit, in the holy catholic Church, in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.   LORD'S DAY 22 57. Q. What comfort does the resurrection of the body offer you? A. Not only shall my soul after this life immediately be taken up to Christ, my Head, but also this my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, shall be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body. 58. Q. What comfort do you receive from the article about the life everlasting? A. Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived – a blessedness in which to praise God...

Corinthians 15:35-58   You Can Have A Certain Hope Slide 1 I believe in the resurrection of the body,    and the life everlasting. A sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life Our society has determined that everyone should be open- minded, except about those things the shifting currents of the society says you can't say! Open minded people, some are so open minded that the wind just blows straight through. There are some things we must not be open minded about.  The Apostle's creed tells us those things that are fixed.  Navigation.. by stars  fixed!  Or light houses! Fixed!  Don't fly by the seat of your pants, or you will fly into a mountain! Slide 2 Cartoon! Slide 3  Some fixed points are needed. The Apostle's Creed tells us the things that are important to hold.  In essentials Unity, in non essentials liberty in everything charity was a saying that emphasized how reformed churches could work together in our world of varying opinions.  Here in the Ap...

Forgiveness and Justification If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. 56. Q. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins? A. I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life, but will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation.   "How can a man be in the right before God?" (Job 9:2). Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Ch...

Psalm 130    "I believe in … the forgiveness of sins" 56. Q. What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins? A. I believe that God, because of Christ's satisfaction, will no more remember my sins, nor my sinful nature, against which I have to struggle all my life, but will graciously grant me the righteousness of Christ, that I may never come into condemnation. " But there is forgiveness with You ." Forgiveness Is The Best News Because Those who know the depths know their need! "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord." Praying people are awakened to their need. "Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications." You must feel that your iniquities condemn you. "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" But there is forgiveness with You..   Forgiveness Is Possible Because 1.It is consistent with God's very nature. "He delights in mercy." 2.God has ...