“Your Will Be Done” (Matthew 6:9-15)
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 6 “Your Will Be Done” (Matt. 6:9-15) The Reformed community has a wealth of resources to turn to for guidance in prayer. Typically, the instruction follows the pattern of the Westminster Larger Catechism. Books on prayer take the subject and expound upon the examples and topics we find throughout Scripture. This is not meant to turn our prayers into a simple reading of God’s Word. Prayer is communication with God in our own words. But…
“The Sound of Silence” (Revelation 8:1-5)
The Sound of Silence (Rev. 8:1-5) I have loved Simon & Garfunkel ever since my mom chose “Bridge Over Troubled Water” for her brother’s funeral back in 1990. Since then, they have been one of my favorite musical artists. Hands down, their best song is “The Sound of Silence”. Paul Simon wrote the song at the age of 21 in 1963. It was recorded in March 1964 and included on their debut album. The song was a flop until a…
“Your Kingdom Come” (Luke 11:1-4)
Part 5 “Your Kingdom Come” We continue our series on the Lord’s Prayer where we have been taking the teaching of the Westminster Larger Catechism and expounding upon it with the Scripture proofs. The Larger Catechism is rich with biblical wisdom to guide us in prayer. I hope you are encouraged and that you are becoming more aware of your dependence upon God. Like evangelism, we oftentimes spend more time talking about prayer than actually praying. Several weeks ago we…
“The Church Triumphant – Part 2” (Revelation 7:9-17)
The Church Triumphant – Part 2 (Rev. 7:9-17) How does the Church Militant become the Church Triumphant? How does our experience on earth, translate to our experience in heaven? Last week we looked at the first two points in your outline. 1. The Salvation of the Church Triumphant (9-10). 2. The God of the Church Triumphant (11-12) . We noted the several allusions to the Exodus out of Egypt and their preservation and suffering in the wilderness. In heaven, everything…
“Hallowed Be Your Name” (Luke 11:1-4)
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 4 “Hallowed Be Your Name” Last week we considered the preface to the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father in heaven”. We considered his Fatherly goodness and our childlike reverence. We talked about coming before God with “heavenly affections” that give us hope for the future and confidence in the present. We recognized that we are praying to a God who is Sovereign and full of grace. This does not weaken our responsibility to prayer but strengthens…
“The Church Triumphant” (Revelation 7:9-17)
The Church Triumphant – Part 1 (Rev. 7:9-17) I spend time each week wrestling over the purpose of the passage I’m going to preach because I want to be faithful to present that purpose to you in a way that you can understand and apply immediately. I want to do justice to the author’s intent, both the human author and especially the divine Author of Scripture. As I began thinking about how to do that for this passage, I was…
“Our Father in Heaven” (Luke 11:1-4)
The Lord’s Prayer – Part 3 “Our Father In Heaven” Read Luke 11:1-4; Matt. 6:9-13 WLC 189. WHAT DOTH THE PREFACE OF THE LORD’S PRAYER TEACH US? The preface of the Lord’s Prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven,) teaches us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions, heavenly affections, and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty,…
“The 144,000 Sealed” (Revelation 7:1-8)
The 144,000 Sealed (Rev. 7:1-8) Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that prior to 1935 144,000 people were anointed to enter heaven. Latter Day Saints believe there are 144,000 high priests who have been ordained according to the holy order of God. Christians have their own confusion about this number. With so many confusing interpretations, we must remember the context of the original audience. Late in the first century John received a revelation from God of which he was to make a written…
“The Great Day of Wrath” (Revelation 6:9-17)
The Great Day of Wrath (Rev. 6:9-17) We must not lose sight of the big picture as we make our way through Revelation. John is describing what he saw. Revelation paints vivid pictures for us, but not precise photographs or videos of reality. Revelation is about the victory of the Lamb. As we consider the breaking of these seals keep in mind chapters four and five, namely, that God is on his throne and that Christ is worthy to execute…