Catechism Sermons 2010-2011 – Covenant United Reformed Church

It is sad to admit, but we are often too busy to really think about our prayers. For instance when is the last time you really questioned or wondered why you close your prayer with “Amen?” Have you considered how this word communicates an exclusive relationship between you and the Lord? Have you considered that […] The post Our Exclusive Amen (LD 52; Psalm 16) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We can see in scripture the description of our God as a faithful shepherd. We certainly need to praise the Lord for his faithful care in bringing us through this life, and there is no mistaking that Christ identifies himself as a Shepherd in John 10. So, if this is true, then why does Christ […] The post Lead Us Not into Temptation (LD 52; Psalm 141) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The Lord calls us to ask the Lord to forgive us our debts. Do we really stop to think about what this means? When we pray this we are confessing that we are indebted to the Lord. If this is the case, then how can we ask the Lord to provide for us? How can […] The post Forgive Us Our Debts (LD51; Psalm 143) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When we ask the Lord to give us our daily bread, do we really believe that he can really provide for us? I mean honestly ask yourself, do you pray this prayer out of desperation or out of sincere faith and reverence for the Lord? How does the Psalmist assure us that the Lord can […] The post Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread (LD 50; Psalm 104) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

I hope that Christians everywhere pray that God’s will be done. This is what Christ commands us to pray in our example of prayer found in the Lord’s prayer. What does this mean? How can we as humans really want to have the Lord’s will be done? How does this request, and our desire to […] The post Your Will Be Done (LD 49; Psalm 103) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We are those who are called by the Lord to pray, “Your Kingdom Come.” This is something that the Israelites would pray as well as us today. What is different about our praying this request verses the Israelites? How can we as Christians take Psalm 122 upon ourselves? If you are curious about these questions […] The post Your Kingdom Come (LD 48; Psalm 122) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

As Christian people we are called to live our lives before the face of God. When we consider the people of Israel we can wonder why they turn to idols made of hands. How do these idols also get in our way of living before the Lord? How are our idols parallel to the idols […] The post You Alone are Worthy of Glory (LD 47; Psalm 115:1) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We are those who are commanded to call upon God as our Father in heaven. This is something that we can easily take for granted. How come we should not take this for granted? What is so encouraging about knowing we can call upon God as our Father? What is so assuring that God is […] The post Our Father (Ephesians 3:14-21) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Do you consider yourself a wise person? If you do consider yourself wise how did you gain such wisdom? If you do not think you are wise what are you going to do to gain more wisdom? Our temptation is probably to read more or think more, but what does James challenge us to do? […] The post How Can I Gain Wisdom? (LD 45; James 1:5) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When we think of coveting we think it is desiring something we should not have. This is something that even a worldly person could affirm is wrong, but why is it wrong for a Christian? Also, why would the catechism move from this tenth commandment to prayer? What does prayer have to do with this […] The post Pray without Ceasing (LD 44; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

I hope as Christians we all affirm that we are to speak the truth and not be known as people who do any double talk. I hope that as Christians we affirm that when we say yes we really mean yes and when we say no we really mean no. I also hope that we […] The post Speaking the Truth in Love (LD 43; Ephesians 4:25) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The world is a place where people are content to live in immorality. This immorality might not be so blatant, but even one’s motivation in conforming to a law, principle, or a system is skewed because they are not seeking to glorify the true God. How is the church to live? Are we supposed to […] The post Paul's Countercultural Movement (LD 42; 1 Corinthians 5:11) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Society presents a causal physical encounter as something that is harmless. The presentation is that intimacy reserved for marriage is not really reserved for marriage. How do we know that we are to reserve physical intimacy for marriage? How do we know that the apostle Paul is not someone who just needs to be enlightened? […] The post Reserved for Marriage (LD 41; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

are the ones who have murdered and they are bearing the consequences for their sin. Do we think about our guilt in committing murder? Do we think about the consequences of our actions towards our brothers and sisters in Christ? More importantly, what do we think about our witness to the community as we conduct […] The post Did I Murder? (LD 40; 1 Peter 3:8-22) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The fifth commandment calls children to obey their parents. It also calls us to obey authority that is placed over us. Why should we want to obey authority? How are Christians supposed to function in their authority roles? How do Paul’s exhortations and motivations for conforming to Christ show us the power of heaven now? […] The post Heavenly Households (LD 39; Colossians 3:18-4:1) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

There is no doubt that we are saved by the gospel of message of Christ. So, if we hear the gospel of Christ to be saved then do we need to hear it again? In other words do we need to keep hearing the same message? Does hearing this same message become meaningless or are […] The post God's Means of Perseverance (LD 38; 1 Timothy 4:11-16) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The apostle Paul calls down curses upon himself so the Corinthian church knows that he is not lying. This is rather extreme for Paul to take such an oath. Why does Paul go to this extreme? What does this tell us about taking such oaths? Why is the Corinthian church in such a dilemma? What […] The post God as my Witness (LD 37; 2 Corinthians 1:23) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

If someone stopped you on the street and asked you, “What is blasphemy?” What would you tell them? Would you have a very canned answer where you simply say that blasphemy is taking the Lord’s name in vain? Or would you say that it is misusing the Lord’s name? Would you agree that whenever we […] The post The Joy of the Lord (LD 36; Col. 3:17) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The book of Hebrews is a great book that provides wonderful Christian encouragement. However, when we turn towards the end of the book there is the warning that our God is a consuming fire. This language does not invite us to draw near to God, and so how can this book be a wonderful treatise […] The post Our God is a Consuming Fire (LD 35; Hebrews 12:28, 29) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We know that it is wrong for us to commit idolatry. I hope that we see it as a sin to trust in anything for our life, sustenance, or contentment other than the Lord. However, why is it really wrong to commit idolatry? How is idolatry such a smack in the face of the living […] The post Why Not be Idolatrous? (LD 34; Ephesians 2:11-18) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Hebrews 11 is a great passage as we see the many things that the saints have done in ages past for the glory of the Lord. What does this passage tell us about how we please the Lord? What does this text tell us about the sovereign power of the Lord? How does this text […] The post Is it Possible to Please God? (LD 33; Heb. 11:1-6; 39-40) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

I hope that as Christians we all want to live a Godly life. We all should want to conform to Christ by God’s holy standard. However, how do we say this without falling into legalism? How do we believe in a true call to conform to Christ without working out our salvation in our strength? […] The post Always Striving and Never Failing (LD 32; 2 Peter 1:3-11) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

So, we know that there are different churches that exist. We also know that there are churches that continue to face persecution, hardship, and sometimes even cease to be. Will the church continue to exist until Christ comes again? How can we be assured that the church will continue to exist? What is the power […] The post A Triumphant Church? (LD 31; Matthew 16:13-23) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We conclude our series on the sacrament of communion. We continue with the issue regarding whether children should come to the Lord’s table since they are members of the covenant community. How come Reformed churches do not allow children to come to the Lord’s table? Does scripture forbid them from coming to the table? Are […] The post Examine Yourself (LD 30; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The Corinthian church has many problems. One of their main problems is that they have lost their focus on the God who has called them, secured them, and given them His Spirit. They have lost sight of the Trinitarian God, and most of all how Christ is the only way of salvation. How does Paul […] The post Fellowshipping and Feasting (LD 29; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When Christ reclines with his disciples before going to the cross we refer to this meal as the last supper. Obviously, Christ is here with his disciples having this last supper before his arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. Is this really a last supper or a first supper in the kingdom? Does it really matter that […] The post The Last Supper or the FIrst Supper? (LD 28; Luke 22:14-23) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When we engage in the discussion of infant baptism I think that people on both sides of the debate have to realize that scripture is not explicit as to whether it is infants who are baptized or adults who are baptized after a profession of faith. Both sides are building their case from implications of […] The post A Sanctifying Sign (2) (LD 27; Misc. Texts) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When we think about the sacrament of baptism we probably think about the debates. For instance we think about why children should be baptized or not be baptized. We might think about how Rome says that baptism is the infusion of the Spirit starting toward justification. However, do we think of baptism in the terms […] The post A Sanctifying Sign (LD 26) Romans 6:1-4 | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

One of the summaries of doctrine that we claim to be a Christian truth refers to a sacrament as a seal. When we think of a seal in our society we think of something that is sealed up. It is something that is closed off so that there are no contaminates that can enter. Is […] The post The Seal of Righteousness (LD 25; Romans 4:11) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

It is good to want to be good. I think it is good that as Christians we have a sorrow for our sins, and desire to conform to Christ. Do we ever really stop to think about a good work? What is a good work? Do we ever ask ourselves how it came about that […] The post Why Do we Need Christ? (LD 24; Galatians 3:10-14) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We might like a particular product, but not like the marketing for that product. We might think that the commercials do not do it justice. Nevertheless, we know that the marketing of the product does not impact the value or use of that particular product in our lives. This is how the Corinthian church views […] The post Christianity Without Paul (LD 23; 2 Corinthians 5:16-23) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

When Christians come together for Easter Sunday we make a big deal about the resurrection of Christ. If you think about the resurrection it is something that is hard to believe, it is something that is wholly future, and so does it really matter? This is sort of the attitude of the Corinthian church where […] The post Does Christ’s Resurrection Matter? (LD 22 1 Corinthians 15:50-58) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

If we are honest it is a challenge to trust in the Lord all the days of our life. Many times when we face hardship we cry out to the Lord. However, many times when we experience blessing we are quick to attribute that blessing to ourselves. What are we to do in the midst […] The post Ironically Persevereing with Ease (Psalm 32; Rom. 4:7, 8; LD 21) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We can read about the armor of God and genuinely be encouraged that the Lord has clothed us with the weapons of defense in holy war. When we think about the armor of God we do not normally think about the Holy Spirit in this context. What does the Holy Spirit have to do with […] The post Knighted by the King (LD 20; Isa. 11:1-5; 59:15-21; Eph. 6:10-20) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

There is this mysterious figure in scripture by the name of Melchizedek. He is only mentioned a couple of times in the Old Testament, but yet the book of Hebrews mentions his name 8 times. In fact, there is no other mention of his name outside Hebrews. Why is this figure so important for the […] The post A Priest in Melchizedek’s Line (LD 19; Psalm 110; Hebrews 7:11) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The apostle Paul has experienced some rough Christians and rough churches. The apostle Paul is a man who was remarkably faithful to his calling. How does Paul exhort the church? What can we learn from Paul’s pattern of exhortation? How does Paul call us to walk through this trying age when it seems that our […] The post Setting Our Minds Above (LD 18; Colossians 3:1-4) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The doctrine of Justification is one of the things that sparked the Reformation. Rome believed that Christians are justified by the grace of God enabling one to be justified. The reformers said that justification is a one time declaration that is ours through faith alone in Christ alone. There is a sense in Paul’s theology […] The post Did Christ Really Need to be Raised? (LD 17; Romans 4:25) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

If God is for us who can be against us? This is a question that Paul raises and provides a very assuring answer. We have probably asked this question in many different ways, and have had different answers depending on the situations we face. What is the answer that Paul gives? Why is Paul’s answer […] The post How Much Does He Love Us? (LD 16; Romans 8:31-38) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

So, there is the promise of knowing that our priest can sympathize with our weaknesses as we heard from Hebrews 4. This is great news, but how do we know that we really are in a better position than Israel? How do we know that our priest provides a greater security than the priests of […] The post Our Cursed Priest (LD 15; Hebrews 9:21-28) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We are told to hold fast our confession. This is rather depressing when we consider the context of this exhortation is Israel not entering her rest. How are we supposed to hold fast to our confession? How are we to endure through this age when Christ is so far from us? Where are we to […] The post Confessing to our Priest (LD 14; Hebrews 4:14-16) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

So we have heard that Christ is the lamb of God. It is reassuring to know that not only was the cross planned by the Lord, but also that the cross secured our redemption. So, we know that Christ definitively secures us, that He is the Son of God, but how are we sons of […] The post sons of God and Son of God (LD 13; John 1:12-14) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We imagine that the apostle Paul would be rather discouraged to know that his ministry will end in death. We do not know exactly how he died, but tradition has passed down to us that Paul was beheaded. How does this pharisee turned apostle encourage the church? How does he encourage Timothy? Why does Paul […] The post How Do we Fight the Good Fight? (LD 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:1-8) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

James exhorts us to have the tenacity of Job. James tells us to endure through trials because the Lord is compassionate and merciful. If James is right then why does the Lord bring such a trial upon Job? What does Job come to learn? How can James call us to learn from this man Job? […] The post Are we Content with God? (LD 10; Job 1:1-12, 42:1-17) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We are at the dawn of a New Year. It is always interesting to me how the world speaks of making New Year’s resolutions year after year. We think that because the world has always been that it will always continue to be. Is this a safe assumption? How is this assumption an old attack […] The post Looking Forward to Our Last New Year's Day (2 Peter 3:1-13) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Thank you for downloading our sermon preached on Sunday December 19, 2010. We know that when Christ entered history by taking on the flesh that he was not going to stay on this world and establish a worldly kingdom. Afterall, Christ says to Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. Christ rebukes Peter […] The post Why Do we Only Have the Helper? (LD 8; John 15:26) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

As human beings we want to be self-made people. However, when can this hope of being self made interfere with our Christian life? How does the gospel call us to complete and utter humility? How does knowing Christ call us to renounce ourselves, our wisdom, and call us to humble service? Is this salvation a […] The post Is Salvation or Faith a Gift from God? (LD 7; 1 Corinthians 3:1-15) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

We know that when Christ entered history he took on the flesh. As John’s gospel begins he clearly states that the second person from all eternity took on human flesh. Why would Jesus Christ do this? Why is this necessary? Does Christ in some sense cease being God? Is God doing this just for some […] The post Helpless Before a Just Judge (John 3:16; LD 6) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

One of the things that is so unbelievable about Christianity is that Christ died, and was raised from the dead. This is unbelievable because Christians believe that when Christ died, after living a perfect life, and he was raised that He is completely victorious. How can we say that Christ is victorious when He dies? […] The post The Only Priceless Payment (Heb. 2:14-18; LD 5) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

Non Christians often look at Christianity as having a god who is so demanding. There is always that question that can be asked, “how can a just God demand something of man that man cannot do?” The question is intended to make us think that God is not really just. So, what is your answer […] The post Can God Require what Man Cannot Do? (Romans 3:19-29) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.

The debate regarding man’s freewill and choosing Christ is a debate that is still active today. The substance of the debate is whether man is holy enough, good enough, or capable to choose God? My answer from John 3:3, 5 is that man cannot choose God. However, is there a sense in which man can […] The post Does Man Do Good? (Gen. 8:20-9:17; 1 Peter 2:13-18; 1 Cor. 12:1-6) | 2010-2011 Catechism Sermons appeared first on Covenant United Reformed Church.