Grace Protestant Reformed Church

The sermon explores the ongoing spiritual conflict between God and Satan, depicted through the imagery of a woman and a dragon in Revelation 12, emphasizing that the church faces relentless attacks but is ultimately protected by divine power. It identifies deception and persecution as the devil's primary methods, countered by the gospel's truth and the church's faithful adherence to God's commands. The message encourages believers to recognize the reality of this spiritual battle, find confidence in God's protection, and cultivate a loving commitment to the church as a place of spiritual nurture and safety, ultimately reminding the congregation that God's victory is assured. 1. The Dragon's Fury 2. The Church's Protection 3. The Lessons Learned

The sermon explores the nature of temptation and the Christian's responsibility to resist it, drawing heavily from Matthew 4 and the Heidelberg Catechism. It emphasizes that temptation is a deceptive tool employed by the devil to make sin appear appealing and obedience unappealing, highlighting the importance of constant vigilance and prayer to avoid falling prey to its influence. The message underscores God's sovereignty in allowing trials, not to punish, but to cultivate humility and dependence on His grace, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of sin's destructive power and a fervent plea for deliverance from both its guilt and its pervasive influence, ultimately seeking to live a Christ-like life. 1. Temptation and the Devil 2. Temptation and God 3. Temptation and Our Prayers

The sermon emphasizes the necessity of spiritual strength and vigilance in the face of a relentless spiritual battle against forces beyond the physical realm. Drawing from Ephesians 6, it underscores the importance of donning the "whole armor of God," particularly the shield of faith, to extinguish the "fiery darts" of the enemy. The message clarifies that faith is not merely intellectual assent but a living, active trust in God and Jesus Christ, enabling believers to discern truth, resist temptation, and persevere through adversity, ultimately leading to spiritual victory and protection. 1. What It Is 2. How It Functions 3. How It Is Taken Up

The sermon centers on the profound blessing of forgiveness, drawing from Psalm 32 and the Heidelberg Catechism's explanation of the Lord's Prayer. It emphasizes that true happiness and joy stem from recognizing one's status as a poor sinner with an unpayable debt, a debt ultimately satisfied by Christ's sacrifice. The message underscores the importance of both confessing sins and extending forgiveness to others, mirroring God's grace, and highlights that receiving forgiveness requires a firm resolution to forgive, ultimately leading to restored relationships and a deeper understanding of spiritual dependence on God's mercy. 1. For What We Ask 2. The Way We Receive It 3. Our Ability to Ask

The sermon emphasizes that love, or charity, is the most essential element in Christian life and ministry, surpassing even the use of spiritual gifts like prophecy or miraculous healing. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, it argues that without love, even the most impressive displays of spiritual ability are ultimately meaningless and profitless. The message highlights that true love, patterned after God's unconditional love demonstrated through Jesus Christ, seeks the welfare of others, is sacrificial, and is the foundation for genuine fellowship and edification within the church, calling believers to actively pursue and cultivate this love as the defining characteristic of their faith. 1. What Is Love 2. How Love Is Important 3. To What This Calls Us

The sermon emphasizes contentment as the key to navigating earthly concerns, particularly financial ones, and living in accordance with God's will. Drawing from 1 Timothy 6 and the Heidelberg Catechism, the message cautions against the pursuit of wealth, highlighting that true gain lies in godliness and a stable heart, regardless of outward circumstances. It encourages believers to pray for daily bread, understanding this to encompass all necessary provisions, and to flee the temptations of covetousness, overwork, and a desire for status, ultimately laying hold of eternal life through righteousness, faith, and love. 1. Contentment Felt 2. Contentment Lived 3. Contentment Prayed For

The sermon emphasizes the vital importance of faithfully passing down apostolic doctrine to subsequent generations, particularly through the training and commissioning of ministers. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:2, it underscores the responsibility of the church and its leaders to identify, equip, and encourage men to embrace the demanding work of ministry, recognizing a critical shortage of qualified individuals. The message highlights the enduring nature of this task, connecting the present need to the historical continuity of the church and affirming the commitment to preserving and propagating the gospel for the salvation of others, while also urging the congregation to actively support the seminary and pray for the Lord to raise up faithful men. 1. The Command 2. The Purpose

The sermon emphasizes trusting God as the ultimate provider, urging listeners to lay up treasures in heaven rather than accumulating earthly possessions, as true security lies in divine care, not material wealth. Drawing from Matthew 6 and the Heidelberg Catechism, the message cautions against equating blessing with possessions and encourages a life of diligent work, generous giving, and freedom from worry, rooted in the understanding that God's sovereignty and grace are paramount, and that seeking first the kingdom of God will ensure all other needs are met. 1. An Attitude 2. A Life 3. A Carefulness

The sermon explores the transformative encounter between Jacob and God at Peniel, emphasizing the necessity of wrestling with divine sovereignty to achieve spiritual maturity. Drawing from Genesis 32 and Hosea 12, it highlights Jacob's initial reliance on his own strength and ingenuity, contrasted with the ultimate need for brokenness and dependence on God's grace. The narrative underscores that true blessing arises not from self-sufficiency, but from a desperate clinging to God's promises, a posture of faith that allows for divine shaping and ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of God's character and purpose, exemplified by the renaming of Jacob to Israel, signifying a life marked by striving with God and prevailing through unwavering faith. 1. The Match 2. The Victory 3. The Blessing

The sermon explores the Israelites' immediate lapse into idolatry after receiving the Ten Commandments, highlighting the gravity of their sin against a covenant relationship with God. It examines Moses' intercession on their behalf, emphasizing the striking need for forgiveness and the surprising answer God provides, which ultimately reveals a profound truth about substitutionary sacrifice. The narrative underscores the importance of recognizing that true forgiveness isn't merely the avoidance of judgment but a divine act of lifting the burden of responsibility, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ and challenging listeners to place their trust in Him rather than relying on human mediators. 1. A Striking Need 2. A Clear Request 3. A Surprising Answer

The sermon explores the psalmist's struggle with envy towards the wicked, grappling with the seeming prosperity they enjoy while facing personal hardship. It emphasizes that true understanding and help are found not in questioning God's justice, but in entering into His sanctuary, where the psalmist gains insight into the wicked's ultimate destruction and recognizes God's steadfast guidance and future glory. Ultimately, the message underscores the importance of seeking God's presence and trusting in His sovereignty, even amidst life's difficulties, and finding solace in His unwavering love and promise of eternal reward.

The sermon explores the profound significance of submitting to God's will, particularly through the example of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane. It emphasizes that true faith involves renouncing personal desires and embracing God's plan, even when it appears painful or incomprehensible, recognizing that His will is inherently good and ultimately beneficial. The message encourages listeners to actively study and obey God's commands, understanding that their station and calling in life, whether joyful or challenging, should be met with willing submission and trust in His divine purpose, mirroring the unwavering obedience of the angels in heaven.

The sermon centers on the gospel as the power of God for salvation, emphasizing its revelation through Scripture and its proclamation by those called to ministry. It highlights the gospel's content—the person and work of Jesus Christ—and its transformative power to bring righteousness and eternal life to all who believe. Prof Cammenga underscores the importance of unwavering commitment to the gospel, even amidst opposition, and calls for a personal and communal embrace of its message as the sole means of reconciliation with God, urging listeners to prioritize its faithful preaching and reception. 1. What It Is 2. Its Saving Power 3. The Apostle's Regard for It

The sermon emphasizes the importance of praying for the coming of God's kingdom, clarifying that this isn't about observing external signs but rather about submitting to God's rule within individuals and the church. Drawing from Luke 17 and Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 48, the message highlights the spiritual nature of the kingdom, contrasting it with the kingdom of darkness and emphasizing the need for personal submission, faithful discipleship, and fervent prayer for God's victory, ultimately affirming that God's promise of a perfected kingdom will prevail despite earthly struggles and disappointments. 1. God's Kingdom 2. God's Work 3. God's Promise

The sermon explores the contrasting figures of Cyrus, the Persian king, and Jesus, highlighting Jesus's unique gentleness and saving power. Drawing from Isaiah 41 and 42, and Matthew 11 and 12, the message emphasizes that Jesus, unlike Cyrus who crushed his enemies, tenderly binds up the brokenhearted and protects the vulnerable, offering rest and salvation to all who come to Him. This compassion extends not only to the immediate healing of physical and spiritual ailments but also promises a future triumph over sin and injustice, culminating in a final victory where all suffering is eradicated and God's justice prevails. 1. Who We Are 2. Jesus' Gentleness 3. Until Justice Is Brought to Victory

The sermon centers on the importance of hallowing God's name, drawing from Numbers 6 and John 12 to explore its theological significance. It emphasizes that knowing God involves understanding His attributes revealed through His works, particularly creation and the life of Jesus Christ, and that prayer should begin with a sincere desire to honor and glorify God above all else. The message underscores the connection between personal conduct, the reputation of God, and the responsibility of believers to ensure their lives reflect His character, ultimately seeking to elevate God's name through faithful living and prayer. 1. The Meaning 2. The Practice 3. The Importance

Reading: James 1 1. The Need 2. The Request 3. The Expectation The sermon emphasizes the vital importance of seeking wisdom from God, particularly when facing trials and temptations. It clarifies that true wisdom isn't merely knowledge but the skill of applying theological understanding to practical life, distinguishing it from earthly wisdom focused on carnal desires. The speaker underscores that prayer is the key to receiving this grace, urging listeners to approach God in faith, recognizing His generous nature and avoiding a double-mindedness that hinders true understanding. Ultimately, the message calls for a commitment to acting on received wisdom, distinguishing genuine faith from a superficial understanding that fails to produce transformative action.

Reading Isaiah 55 1. A Wonderful Sign 2. A Powerful Word 3. A Prosperous Result The sermon centers on God's abundant grace and the power of His Word, drawing parallels between the natural cycle of rain and seed to illustrate spiritual nourishment and renewal. It emphasizes the urgency of seeking God while He is near, urging repentance and faith as pathways to forgiveness and abundant mercy. The message underscores that God's ways and thoughts transcend human understanding, promising that His Word will not return void but will accomplish His divine purpose, bringing forth spiritual fruit and ultimately leading to joy and restoration for those who seek Him.

Reading: Isaiah 55:1-7, Revelation 3:14-22 1. His Opening Warning 2. His Wise Counsel 3. His Call to Fellowship

Reading: Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 46, Romans 8:9-27 1. What 2. Why 3. How

Reading: II Samuel 17:25-29; 19:9-12, 31-40; I Kings 2:7 1. Barzillai's Confession 2. It's Powerful Witness 3. The Anointed's Kiss

Reading: Matthew 6:1-18, Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 45 1. Necessary 2. Proper 3. Continual

Reading: I Corinthians 15:35-58 1. What It Is Like 2. Realized In the Last Adam 3. The Hope We Have

Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 44 & Romans 7 The Tenth: Requiring Inner Perfection 1. Strict 2. Humbling 3. Blessed

Reading: Genesis 6; 7:6-11; 8:13, 14 Text: Hebrews 11:7 1. The Activity 2. The Testimony 3. The Blessing

Reading: Proverbs 26:27ff; Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29; 5:4 Heidelberg Catechism Lords Day 43 1. What God Requires 2. What God Hates 3. What We Learn

Angels as Christ's Ministering Spirits 1. Their Office 2. Their Beneficiaries 3. Their Role

Sacrament of Baptism, Pentecost Holy Spirit of Baptism 1. The Meaning of It 2. The Results of It 3. The Judgement of It

The Father's Joy at the Prodigal's Return I. How He Views His Son II. How He Receives His Son III. How He Reassures His Son Read: Luke 15:11-32 Text: Luke 15:25-32

Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 42 1. What is Required 2. What is Forbidden 3. What I Learn