The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

I was in a plane flying into New Guinea where I was to teach a two week intensive course on preaching interpretation and theology for the Baptists in Port Moresby in 2019 . The previous week the same flight (not plane) had crashed into the ocean just short of the coast. We hit major turbulence. Even strapped in, it was beyond frightening. A young teacher about to begin work on a catholic mission sitting next to many wide eyed with fear, asked me, terrified "Do these planes crash often?" I replied "they usually only crash once!"

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...