Introduction Last week we looked at the necessity of guarding our precious freedom from the opposing threats of legalism and license. We saw that both of these “yolks of bondage” were rooted in a lie that separated God’s law from His character. This means that for our sinful natures, the will of God is…
Guard Your Freedom: An Introduction to the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:1-15
Introduction Over the next ten weeks, we are going to be taking an in-depth look at the Fruit of the Spirit. In the Bible, fruit is an important evidence of our spiritual health. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:1-2: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in…
Third Sunday of Advent – Inexpressible Joy
Third Sunday of Advent: Inexpressible Joy Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; Luke 1:39-55 Introduction For the last two Sundays we have been looking at how the coming of the Lord, what the prophets call “the day of the Lord,” is both looked for and a surprise, revealing the One “in whom we delight,”…
First Sunday of Advent: The Coming of the Lord – Isaiah 64:1-9; I Cor. 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
Introduction: The season of Advent is about remembering and expecting the Lord’s coming. As we walk through the season together our Scripture readings will focus on preparing the way for Christmas by highlighting God’s promises to come and deliver his people. If you follow a Jesse Tree reading plan in your home, you will notice…
Introduction to Advent: The Importance of Gospel Memory – Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Ephesians 2:1-7, Matt. 18:21-25
Introduction: Advent is a season of remembering. Next week many of us will begin working our way through various advent devotionals that will guide us through the biblical story as a means of preparing the way for Christmas. As an act of memory, the season of Advent helps us put the Christmas story in its…
Presiding Ministers’ Report
The Session of Trinity Reformed Church sincerely thanks the committee for their labors on this report. We intend to consider their work here carefully as we continue to minister the gospel of Jesus in our community. In particular we will be using this report as we further develop and refine our counseling protocols. Note: One name…
Zealous for Good Works – Titus 3:8-15
Introduction In Chapter 3:1-7 we saw that the Christian’s posture toward the surrounding world is built upon the essential memory that we were once just like them. Yet, God manifested His goodness and loving kindness to us when we were His enemies. The language of “washing” and “renewal” (vs. 5) reminds us that our…
Living Before the World – Titus 3:1-7
Introduction In chapter 3, Paul turns his attention to the Christian’s relationship to the surrounding world. The grace of God that has appeared (2:11) in the coming of Jesus has “redeemed us from all lawlessness” and purified us to be a “people for His own possession” who are “zealous for good works.” Paul says…
Motivation for the Good Life: The Grace and Glory of God – Titus 2:11-15
Introduction Last week we saw that the lives of Christians are to be characterized by submission and self-control. This is the kind of life that is in “accord with sound (literally health-giving) doctrine” (vs. 1). Though the world sees this as pure restriction and slavery, to those who know God, submission and self-control are the…
Eucharistic Meditation – August 6th
When Jesus established this meal with his disciples, He said that this was the new covenant in His blood. What is this new covenant? Jeremiah promised this: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the…