The Semper Reformata Podcast

Clarity, Conviction and Confidence.Matthew 10:26-30The disciples are being sent into a world that contains great dangers for them. They will be hated by everyone in the world. Yet despite all of that, they are being tasked to preach the Gospel despite the fact that doing so will inflame and antagonise the world even more! Surely a better approach would be for the disciples to keep their heads down, preach behind closed doors, don't offend anyone. Jesus certainly didn't envisage that His disciples would do anything of the sort. Here he tells them to stand up and shout!Recorded live at Ballymacashon - Apologies for echo, poor sound quality and extraneous noise.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three Things that the World Needs but Hasn't GotText. 1 John 5:18-20.John is going to remind Christians of three things we know, three blessings of the Christian life and they are all found in Christ alone. They are freedom from sin, victory over the world and a new perspective on life and death, AND these are what every person in the world really needs! I know they won't admit it, for what they THINK they need is greatly different from what they REALLY NEED, but, you see, what we think people need, and even what they think they need, is nowhere near as important as what THE BIBLE says they need! Look again at the blessings we have in Christ, blessings that everyone needs to have, and which we should be telling them about...read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seek the Lord.Text . Isaiah 55:6-7. Luke 19:1. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.We are all to be seekers…. but who will search for God?recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational church.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PRAYER - A CASE STUDYText: 1 John 5:16-17.John has been speaking about prayer, and how we may have confidence in prayer, and then he adds this next verse, perhaps as a case-study for what he has just taught us; praying for sinners! What does John mean when he says that there is a sin not unto death, and a sin unto death?Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Living in a Hostile WorldMatthew 10:16-22Christians are living in a hostile culture But it's NEVER been any different, and it never will, until Jesus returns. In Matthew's account of the ministry of Jesus, he records the words of the Saviour as he sends his disciples out to witness for him. Let's see how he prepares them for the hostile environment they will be living and working in…This message was delivered at Ballymacashon - please excuse the sound quality, extraneous sounds and echo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearfully and WonderfullyPsalm 139:14-16In this special bonus episode, we look briefly at these very important verses from Psalm 139, verses 14-16, – to make a prophetic statement on events that have occurred over the past few days in our sovereign UK parliament, when MPs voted in strength for an amendment which will in certain circumstances, make legal the abortion of babies up to the moment of birth. In such times as these, we would want to raise a standard, publicly, for biblical truth and Christian ethics. Read the NOTES HERE.Recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Pray with Confidence.1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life, so as soon as John has established that we KNOW that we are eternally saved, with a heavenly destiny, through faith in Christ, he moves on to prayer… and that same confidence that we have in our eternal salvation applies to our prayers. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will... Listen for more!Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ministry EthicsMatthew 10:8-17Jesus has called his disciples, and now they get some really practical good advice for ministry, part of their ‘Seminary Evangelism Module' – and its not just good advice for them, but for us also as we seek to represent the Saviour in this godless world:-Wisdom in AccountingWisdom in AssociationWisdom in Abandoning Apologies for the sound quality of this recording. this sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, and there is some echo and extraneous noise.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Internal Witness1 John 5:9-12 V10 He that believed; on the Son of God hath the witness in himself…For this week's Bible Study I've reprised an episode from October 2024, recorded at TRC. No point recording the same thing again!Do you know for sure that you are saved and forgiven, through repentance and faith in Christ, and that because of his atoning death on the cross you have forgiveness of all your sins and a certain home in heaven? The record is there for us! The testimony is available for all to see! Changed lives, the Word of God, all the objective tests. But to be saved and have eternal life, we must know the Lord Jesus Christ personally!Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polycarp the MartyrIn this episode were going to be thinking about the persecution of the early church, and focusing in on the martyrdom of Polycarp, the pastor of the church at Smyrna, in what is now called Turkey. Polycarp's testimony for Jesus Christ led to his arrest and to his death in the city of Rome in the 2nd century AD. May his perseverance and steadfast determination to follow Jesus whatever the cost be an inspiration to us also, in these days, when many Christian throughout the world still face persecution for the faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ministering in Word and SacramentMatthew 10:5-8Christ's were being trained in the school of the master, and they were to go forth as ambassadors, and missionaries, sent out to represent Christ in their words and acts. Now we see a little more detail about that commission…The margins of their ministry. To LOST SHEEP.The message of their ministry. The KINGDOM is at hand!The method of their ministry. To minister in WORD and SACRAMENT.Apologies for the sound quality of this recording. this sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, and there is some echo and extraneous noise.READ THE NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Water and the Blood1st John 5:6-8What does John mean by ‘ Water and Blood?' There are four possibilities:The Wounded Side of Christ.The SacramentsA Witness to the Historicity of Christ's Baptism and Death - as an answer to gnosticism.The Application of the Cleansing Power of Christ to the believer.We look at these four possibilities - all of them views held by reformed evangelical commentators.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Day of PentecostActs 2:1-4We look at the account of how God poured out his Holy Spirit upon the first Christian disciples, and its effects and results.This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon Congregational Church, and contains some extraneous noise and echo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overcomers1st John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?We know that we are Christians because we have overcome the world, and we are overcoming the world! This is John's next point. So, what is the WORLD that we have overcome, how have we overcome it, and when did that happen?Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can We Die Before Our Time?Here's some seemingly opposed and contradictory texts:Ecclesiastes 7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy timeHebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Psalm 31:15 My times are in thy hand:Which statement is right? Or are both? Let's unravel the mystery of Ecclesiastes 7:17! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Victory1 Corinthians 15:50-58 It is only because Jesus rose from the dead, that we too will also rise – on that final day of this earth's history, when the trumpet of God shall sound, and the Lord Jesus will return to judge this world. The Apostle Paul turns his attention to the events and results of that last day.Bob's sermon for Easter Sunday morning, 2025.Recorded at Ballymacashon - so please excuse the echo.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian ObedienceText. 1 John 5:2-4a Is there an objective test for brotherly love? John suggests that there is. It is obedience. We will know that we love God's people, when we love God, and obey him. So we need to examine these verses and see what John is speaking about:The Legal Background to Christian Obedience.The Light Burden of Christian Obedience.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

REPARATIONS - Britain, the Bible, and the Slave Trade.You can't have missed the increasing demands for the British government to pay ‘reparations' for its part in the slave trade. It was an issue that confronted me when we were studying Ephesians, working our way through the book, verse by verse in an expository manner. When we came to chapter five, we were confronted by these verses, Ephesians 6:5-8 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Here's the issue, - when Paul wrote to servants (KJV), he was in fact writing to SLAVES! Slaves who mostly had horrendous working conditions, and who had no rights whatsoever of their own. So, in this lecture, delivered at Templepatrick Reformed Church (and reproduced here with their kind permission) we look at the issues surrounding this important subject and seek a biblical response to the demands for financial compensation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love Is… Text: 1 John 4:19-5:5 John has been spending much time and ink on the importance of love. God's love for us, and our love for God, and the resulting love that we have for each other. He tells us that:Love is a REACTION (To Christ's love for us)Love is a REVERSAL (Of the opinions and values of the world)Love is a RESPONSIBILITY (To obey the commandment even by Jesus)Love is a REINFORCEMENT (of sound doctrine)Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disciples in the School of Christ.Text. Matthew 10:1-4In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for ministry. Before we see his particular instructions to them, his teaching on their ministry, lets see how he chooses and calls them…Read the NOTES HERE,APOLOGIES - THIS RECORDING WAS MADE LIVE AT BALLYMACASHON AND CONTAINS ECHO AND BACKGROUND NOISE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John's Sermon on 4:12Text. 1 John 4:12-21John preaches a sermon, for the next few verses, v13-21 are actually a commentary and expansion on what he has taught in verse 12. Now, the biblical authors did not preach to amuse you or to tickle your ears – John is going to talk about the Christian's confidence in the day of judgement. That will require some explanation, – and it won't be casual listening. Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lazarus – Come Forth!Text: John 11:38-45In this last piece of the story there is a wonderful illustration of the Gospel – and that is exactly what we would expect. John 20:30-31, …but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Let's look for the Gospel, so that we too may believe in Him, and have eternal life…This message was preached at Ballymacashon Congregational Church and Templepatrick Reformed Church, and was recorded at TRC. It is used here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

God's Love, Its Source, Satisfaction and StrategyText. 1 John 4:7-12According to James Montgomery Boice, John has applied three tests, by which a person may know that they are a child of God: The moral test – RIGHTEOUSNESS, the social test -LOVE, the doctrinal test – TRUTH, which is belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as God incarnate. For John, the greatest of these tests is the test of love. So, John does that now. In these next few passages, he goes on to draw practical conclusions from his teachings on the importance of God's love.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DiscernmentText: 1 John 3:24b – 4:6John draws a series of stark contrasts, to draw the believer's mind to the great differences that pertain between Christians and unbelievers. Let's just see some of those sharply clear contrasts…Different ConstraintsDifferent ConfessionsDifferent CitizenshipsDifferent CaricaturesRead the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Raising of Lazarus - Part 4John 11:28-37When we are broken-hearted, Jesus knows and cares.This sermon was preached and recorded at Templepatrick reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assurance Before the Lord1st John 3:19-23Reading through this passage will remind you that there are perhaps some very special times in your Christian life, when your conscience may convict you more than any other time. It is when we come before the Lord to pray and to read his word. Whether at Church or in the prayer meeting or in the quiet place…. something deeply spiritual is happening when we commune with God. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lazarus - Part 3.John 11:17-24Jesus and His disciples have left the safety of Galilee and gone to Bethany, and the narrative now moves on to the arrival of the travellers at Bethany. What will they find when they get there?Read the NOTES HEREThis message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love's Amen!Text. 1st John 3:16-18 Our love for others is the outworking in our lives, of his love for us… it is our response, – our practical Amen to what Christ has already done for us. So, let's get things in the correct order, Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising of Lazarus, (Part 2)Where Jesus Calls His Disciples to Witness God's Glory at WorkText: John 11:11These verses show the tenderness in Christ's heart for his disciples. He speaks with great affection about Lazarus, and words of comfort for Hs disciples, but they misunderstand, ...Recorded at Ballymacashon - apologies for the poor sound quality.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love is a Task and a Test.Text. 1 John 3:11-15 (OT Text: Gen 4:1-16)Is there any hatred, down inside us? Do we love our brothers and sisters as we ought? Only by serious self-examination in the light of God's word, can we know that there has been a work of grace done in our hearts.read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story of Lazarus, Part 1.The one where Jesus loves Lazarus so much that he waits two days!Text: John 11:1-10In this short series, we are looking at an incident from the earthly ministry of Jesus, one that brought great glory to God, so amazing was it.Click this link to read the notes.This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon, and at Templepatrick Reformed Church, was recorded at TRC, and is used here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this PurposeText: 1 John 3:4-10The key to understanding this passage is to grasp the meaning of two verses, verse five and verse eight. And those verses are specifically about PURPOSE. But when John talks about purpose here, he doesn't talk about himself, or me or you, he talks about Jesus! What was HIS purpose?Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Piece of Metal that Floated?REPRISE - First broadcast in 2013.Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and used here with their kind permission, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian Ethics in a benefits SocietyExploring the Biblical Doctrine of WorkIn this talk, we attempt to establish a biblical basis for Christians to examine the important issue of work, and the place of work in our society. It's about the ethics of work, and the biblical doctrine of work, and about attitudes to work in our our nation. And that's where we start, for Christians are to live in a manner that is contrary to the prevailing culture in every respect. That includes our attitude to employment and to the current benefits culture.This episode was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Christian's Parentage, Potential and PurityText: 1 John 3:1-3. We turn the page in our study of 1st John, and we come to chapter 3, and John talks about what we already are, as Christians, – what we will be, and what we ought to be.read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeking the Lord?Isaiah 55:6-7We are all to be seekers…. but who will search for God?This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Survive the Last Days. Text. 1 John 2:26 -29. John has already declared that we are living in the last days – that long period between the ascension of The Lord Jesus into Heaven after his resurrection, and before he returns in glory to judge the world. The period when there would be antichrists, inside the church and without, and Christians need to be wary. In this passage he gives those Christians some really practical teaching to help them to persevere in these days.Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arthur Guinness – An Irishman and a ChristianGalatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.I'm wondering have you ever seen a bottle of Guinness? There's a signature on that bottle, or can, ARTHUR GUINNESS. The Guinness company have been promoting that in recent years with their ‘Arthur's day' advert, every September, when we are all invited to raise a glass of Guinness ‘To Arthur.' I would venture to suggest that Arthur Guinness would be turning in his grave at that! So, who was Arthur Guinness? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ONLY Way to HeavenJohn 14:1-6This sermon was preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The REAL St PatrickMany Roman Catholic people hold Patrick in such esteem that they will accept little or nothing about him which runs counter to their perceived opinion. Many Protestants have, traditionally, been so apathetic about Patrick that they have bee content to ignore him, and leave it to their Roman Catholic friends to celebrate his life in whatever way they have chosen. This podcast seeks to challenge both positions and to encourage us, in this modern age, to consider our soul's welfare, as Patrick did in bygone days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antichrists in the Church. Text: 1 John 2:18-27.John turns from Christian behaviour, in the earlier verses of the chapter, to Christian BELIEF in these verses, and the first point he makes is a warning against false teachers in the church – he speaks of The antichrist. What exactly does the Bible say about the antichrist in this passage?we examine this passage under three headings:The Age for AntichristsThe Appearance of these AntichristsThe Antidote to Antichrist's Activities in the Church.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian ConcernText: Ephesians 6:21-24. (Cf Colossians 4:7-9)Here we have Paul's final words, in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, as he brings his epistle to a close and in closing he brings them a word of consolation, a word of commendation, and a word of blessing. It is an expression of Christian fellowship and love.This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, - please excuse the sound quality.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do Not Love The WorldText: 1 John 2:15 Christians must be wary, for the present world holds much attraction, and they will be tempted to take of its goods and trust in its promises, but it is a false hope, for this world and everything in it is passing away. Don't be beguiled by its empty promises and false hopes...Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul's Prayer Request.Text: Ephesians 6:19-20 – 2 Corinthians 12:9ffThe Christian has a ‘prayerful lifestyle' – a basic disposition to prayer, a heart that will turn to God for help in whatever circumstances, seeking His guidance and help, whatever might come our way. And we are to pray for others. So, having made that point, Paul now puts them to work, – admitting HE needs prayer and asking them to pray for him, in the difficult situation in which he finds himself. Read the NOTES HERE.This message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who We Are and What We Have in Christ. Text: 1 John 2:12-14This is a ‘greeting' of sorts, perhaps a hymn – or even a ‘transition' – like between the slides on a powerpoint! Certainly it's an exhortation to the Christians to show them who they are, and what they have in Christ.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Fundamentals of PrayerText: Ephesians 6:18 In our last study we saw how important it was that every Christian should read and meditate upon the Bible, God's infallible word, and so submit to the work of God the Holy Spirit, in applying God's Word to our lives (Ephesians 5:25-26). Just as the armour of God is a defence against satanic attacks, so prayer is our greatest weapon against the enemy. In one single sentence Paul gives us the Bible's most comprehensive advice on how to pray. Read the NOTES HERE.This sermon was recorded live at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How's That LOVE Thing Going For You?In the podcast we look at 1st John 2:7-11, and note that John is teaching us that to be loving, - to be predisposed to love others, is a reflection of Christlikeness in us, and that we can use our assessment of our love for others, - our 'love quotient' as a means to know if we have really experienced God's grace in our lives.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sword of the Spirit. (Extract)Text: Ephesians 6:17 The warrior now lifts his final piece of equipment, – his sword. It will be used in defence, to ward off the onslaught of the enemy, but also in attack, to inflict mortal blows upon the adversary of the soul, for after all, sometimes attack is the best form of defence. The Sword of the Spirit is a dual purpose weapon. Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can We KNOW that We are Saved?Text.1 John 2:3-6 John, in this passage, four times uses the word KNOW. We can KNOW that we KNOW Him. we can see here how we will recognise, looking inwardly, that we are saved – the EVIDENCE that conversion has been effected in our lives by a divine work of God the Holy Spirit. READ THE NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Helmet of SalvationEphesians 6:17Why do we need this protection? A head wound or a bang to the head is a serious matter indeed. That's why motor cyclists and bikers wear helmets. Brain injury is a very great danger.So it is for us, for it is in the brain, where all of our thought-life occurs – the mind. It is in the mind that the devil often strikes, This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission.Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Atoning SacrificeText: 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.John brings us back to the historic event of the Cross, where certain things happened – things that could be achieved by no other, things that had profound effects in heaven and earth, things that had eternal consequences, including our forgiveness from sin, and John can't leave this subject without focussing on what made it all possible. Every sermon must return to the Cross. Here's three great facts simply stated…1. The Exclusivity of the Sacrifice. HE is the propitiation for our sins:2. The Effectiveness of the Sacrifice. He is the PROPITIATION for our sins.3. The Extent of the Sacrifice. and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.Read the NOTES HERE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.