Podcasts about Heidelberg Catechism

Christ went up into heaven as our great High Priest, who showers blessings upon us.We'll see how Christ:- Went up into heaven as our High Priest.- Showers blessings upon us.Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Joe PoppeTexts:Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 18Luke 24:36–53Romans 8:28–39Series:The Heidelberg Catechism

Welcome to our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals! In this episode, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church wraps up Week 22 by exploring Question #65. If we are made right before God by faith alone, where does that saving faith actually come from? Pastor Jason unpacks how God doesn't just demand faith, but actively provides it. In this episode, we cover: The Source of Faith: How the Holy Spirit actively works faith into our hearts. The Word and the Spirit: Why faith isn't generated by our own willpower, but is birthed through the preaching of the Gospel (Romans 10:17). The Power of the Sacraments: How Baptism and the Lord's Supper serve as visible, tangible confirmations to strengthen the faith God has given us. A Covenant Confirmation: Looking at how signs like circumcision and the Lord's Supper act as a seal of the righteousness we have by faith. To learn more about our church, visit: foresthillpca.org

1. Glorious Church 2. Active Members 3. Divine Assurance The sermon presents a reflection on the Church as Christ's beloved bride, emphasizing her glory, unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolic foundation, rooted in God's eternal election, Christ's redemptive sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit's work through the Word. It calls believers to embrace their identity as active, living members of this divine community, rejecting cynicism and complacency while affirming the necessity of church membership, mutual service, and spiritual accountability. Drawing from Ephesians, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Psalms, the message underscores that the Church's permanence and security are grounded in God's sovereign grace, assuring believers of their eternal belonging and compelling them to live in joyful, self-giving fellowship. The sermon concludes with a call to reverence the Church, not as a flawed institution, but as the redeemed body of Christ, worthy of love, defense, and unwavering loyalty.

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-05-31_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--31-32.mp3

Creeds & Confessions, The Heidelberg Catechism (Brett McNeill) Brett McNeill Download

IntroductionPeople bring criticism against the Reformed people's love for doctrine. People claim that if you go to a Reformed church, you will see that we are people concerned with the head, not the heart. That our catechisms and confessions are cold documents. These are documents fueling intellectual exercises that keep doctrine tidy but leave the soul unmoved. That we know about God without actually knowing him.The Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 13, communicates to us that God is very personal. In fact, we are brought into the Lord's family. We are adopted as sons for the sake of our faithful Savior. We were the estranged children who had been brought near to God through the faithful son. So, is it fair to say that we are people who love doctrine and not the Lord? Is it fair to say that the Reformed faith makes one distant in relation to God? Children by AdoptionThe catechism is careful to distinguish between Christ's sonship and ours. Christ is the Son from eternity who is not created, not adopted, but of the same essence as the Father. When we confess the only begotten Son, we are saying that Christ is of the same nature as the Father. He has not sinned or done anything wrong. He is eternal, having the same attributes and nature as the Father. We are sons by adoption. And we need to be very encouraged by this. In the ancient world, adoption was not a consolation prize. In Roman law and in the Old Testament background, an adopted son received full inheritance rights. Abram understood this in Genesis 15, when he offered Eliezer of Damascus as an option to be an heir. Eliezer was not merely a faithful servant, but Abraham requested him to be the heir. Abraham is offering God an easy option, and not the challenge to bring a son through two elderly people without children. And Paul presses this further in verse 14. He declares that all who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. This language is important because all in the Spirit are sons possessing full inheritance. Note that firstborn sons are the ones who receive the greatest portion. Whatever your gender, whatever your genealogy, if you have the Spirit, you share in the inheritance of the eternal firstborn Son of God. You have done nothing to earn it. You have done everything to forfeit it. However, Christ, as a faithful son, secured His people to be coheirs with him as firstborn children. This love that the Father has for his children goes clear to the core of our heart. Why Submit to God? The Freedom of the RedeemedOur culture does not love submission. Even the word sounds like loss. But Paul reframes the question entirely in verse 15: you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.Paul has already named the alternative. Living by the flesh is death. We see that in the fall. No, they did not fall dead, but they immediately broke fellowship with God. They were naked and ashamed. They thought they would find freedom in their rebellion, but they discovered that being estranged from God is a problem. Christ, washing the disciples' feet in John 13, says something remarkable to Peter: “ You are already clean.” Christ makes this declaration even before Christ is raised from the dead. Christ's work is so certain that he assures his disciples of its benefit before it is officially confirmed. The disciples consciously know who Christ is, but they need to rest in his cleansing. John Murray captured it well: in Christ, we have moved from the courtroom to the family room. The legal question is settled. Yes, affirming with the head, but resting in the heart. Honoring God without TerrorIf submission sounds like an obligation, honoring God can sound like performance. We can think that we better make sure we earn our Lord's favor. We have to make sure that we are doing the right things to prevent the Lord smiting us or harming us in some way. Paul does not want people to have this mindset of the Lord's grace and mercy. He tells us in verse 15 that we have received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry Abba, Father. This is the same word Christ uses in Gethsemane. This is the time of his greatest anguish, of going to the cross. Christ is vulnerable; this is his darkest moment as he is about to face hell, and in this time of need, he cries out, “Abba.” We call on our heavenly Father as Christ calls on His Father. This is more like Dad rather than “master” or “Father.” It is communicating to us that we are brought near in the family in such a way that we have God's attention. The reason we want to honor God is not out of dread. Rather, when we consider the inheritance, we see that we are: heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ. Not servants who have earned their way up. Not subordinate sons who receive a smaller portion. Fellow heirs. Co-heirs with the one who never sinned, never failed, and never rebelled. Christ does not gloat over his success, but rather freely shares everything he has merited with those who deserved none of it. Yes, we do consciously profess this with our minds, but the Spirit works in our hearts to see the joy of the new life. So, we cannot divorce the head from the heart. ConclusionThe Heidelberg Catechism seeks to bring out the implications of being brought near to God. The Heidelberg Catechism is not a cold document. It is a document written for people who need to know who they are. People who feel the weight of sin and ask whether God is really on their side. People who wonder whether submission to Christ is freedom or just a nicer version of slavery.The Heidelberg Catechism summarizes Romans 8 with the assurance that you are not a servant who performed well enough to be elevated. You are not an orphan who has been adopted by an abusive or lonely father. You are an adopted child of the living God, a co-heir with his faithful Son, indwelt by the Spirit who prods you toward life and away from death.We honor God, then, not because we have conceded that a terrible master is preferable to a really abusive one. We honor him because he is ours, and we are his, and the inheritance is already secured in the one who went to the cross knowing exactly what the wrath of God costs. He knows the cost and went anyway. He did so in order to make sure we all share in his inheritance. Our life lived before the face of God is not an obligation, but a joy.

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church leads a study on Question 61 of the Heidelberg Catechism. He explores the theological concept of imputed righteousness, explaining that believers are justified before God not because their faith itself has intrinsic saving merit, but because faith is the instrument used to lay hold of Jesus Christ's perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness. The session includes an opening prayer, a reading of relevant scriptures (1 Corinthians 1, Romans 10), and concludes with a closing prayer and the hymn "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness."

Sunday evening service, looking at the Heidelberg Catechism, or the Orthodox Catechism, Lord's Day #4, questions 9, 10, 11: 9) BUT DOESN'T GOD DO US AN INJUSTICE BY REQUIRING IN HIS LAW WHAT WE ARE UNABLE TO DO? No, God created humans with the ability to keep the law. They, however, tempted by the devil, in reckless disobedience, robbed themselves and all their descendants of these gifts. 10) WILL GOD PERMIT SUCH DISOBEDIENCE AND REBELLION TO GO UNPUNISHED? Certainly not. He is terribly angry about the sin we are born with as well as the sins we personally commit. As a just judge He punishes them now and in eternity. He has declared: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11) BUT ISN'T GOD ALSO MERCIFUL? God is certainly merciful, but He is also just. His justice demands that sin, committed against His supreme majesty, be punished with the supreme penalty-eternal punishment of body and soul.

Christ died in order to give us life.Through his death Christ:- Restores us to life again.- Grants us a life that never ends.- Allows us to share in new life already now.Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Joe PoppeTexts:Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 161 Corinthians 15:50–581 Thessalonians 4:13–18Series:The Heidelberg Catechism

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-05-17_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--29-30.mp3

Christ bore God's wrath against our sins so that we might inherit his blessings.We'll consider:- What we deserved.- How Christ suffered.- Why we're blessed.Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Joe PoppeTexts:Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 15Exodus 10:21—11:10Matthew 27:45–54Series:The Heidelberg Catechism

The Forgiveness of Sins | Heidelberg Catechism Q. 56 | Week 20 Welcome to Week 20 of our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals! Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church as we continue unpacking the Apostles' Creed. Today, we focus on Question 56: What do you believe concerning the forgiveness of sins? This devotional explores the incredible promise that our sins and sinful nature are forgiven entirely through Christ's satisfaction. Because we are granted the righteousness of Christ, we will never face condemnation. We close today's devotional by preparing our hearts to sing the classic hymn, "And Can It Be?" - Video Link: https://youtu.be/th7PfDoRmaM?si=pcYfKibitbvGOCBq Scriptures Referenced in this Devotional: 1 John 1:6-7 & 2:1-2 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 103:10-12 Romans 7:21-25 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Romans 4:4-6 Romans 8:1-2 John 3:17-18

For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered (Psalm 92:9). Growing up, my family rested on Sundays. As farmers, we needed to ensure our animals were sufficiently cared for. This work rarely took more than an hour in the morning and another in late afternoon. Much of Saturday was set aside for preparation, both on the farm and in the house. Often, by mid-afternoon everything was ready and we slowed down. We didn't go out Saturday nights; we went to bed early. Sundays we rested. But it was the preparation that made it possible. This was a good rhythm. When I started in ministry, like most pastors, Monday was my Sabbath. However, when our children started school, I began to take Saturday's off so that we could do family stuff. I still take Saturdays off. I have discovered that it is good to take a day to clear my head. I'm feel refreshed on Sunday mornings. Saturday is my prep day by not working. This matter of preparation for Sunday has largely disappeared. I think we should recover it. Recently, I came across the phrase, "Sabbath worship is the week's fulfillment and inspiration". It suggests that Sabbath ought not to be an interruption in our lives, but rather the main event, both our source and our goal. Our text is a move in that direction, which comes to fuller expression in the book of Hebrews and is articulated well in the Heidelberg Catechism. It teaches us that one purpose of the Sabbath day is "that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through his Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath" (A 103). Our text anticipates this eternal Sabbath when all God's enemies are no more. For many Christians today, Sabbath keeping has become family time and/or not work time. These things are good, but they do not give us Sabbath. Sabbath is moving away from evil, by being justified by the blood of Christ, purified by the Word of God and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What would happen if we saw this as the focus of our lives? What if longing for the eternal Sabbath, in which evil is fully vanquished, was our highest goal? As Hebrews tells us, this kind of living is entered by faith and the obedience that faith evokes in us. The Israelites missed out on this rest because they did not believe God could give it to them. They rebelled against Moses and God, refusing to go into the promised land. Now we are encouraged not to miss out on that rest, but rather to commit our lives to entering it. Can we find the way? Here, the writer of Hebrews introduces Jesus as the greatest high priest. He has gone before us by entering heaven. His nail scarred body sits beside the throne of God. There, Jesus never ceases to intercede for his people. The way is open, we may enter boldly. We are invited to see Sabbath rest not as an interruption to our self-focused lives. Rather, it refocuses us and becomes our fulfillment and inspiration. When we long for the end of evil, especially in our own lives, Sabbath keeping will not be duty but delightful. It will be an anticipation of the eternal Sabbath. What attitudes and practices need to change to embrace this kind of Sabbath rest? As you journey on, receive Jesus' invitation into this rest: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a daily devotional on Question 55 of the Heidelberg Catechism. This study explores the "communion of saints," highlighting how believers share in Christ's spiritual riches and are called to cheerfully use their gifts to serve one another. The devotional concludes with the classic hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord".

The doctrine of providence gives us unspeakable consolation. Scripture Lesson: Psalm 139 http://media.urclearning.org/audio/tm-providence-05-10-2026.MP3

Our conscience, informed by the Word of God, will keep us going in the right direction in life. Old Testament Text: Psalm 1 http://media.urclearning.org/audio/tm-conscience-05-10-2026.MP3

Week 19: Heidelberg Catechism Question 53 - The Holy Spirit Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel as we continue our devotional journey through the Apostles' Creed portion of the Heidelberg Catechism. This week, we dive into Question 53 to explore what we believe concerning the Holy Spirit. Discover the profound comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit is the true, eternal God—co-equal with the Father and the Son—and that He is given to every believer to unite us to Christ, assure us of our adoption, and dwell with us forever.

Behold, your sinless Brother!- An Unprecedented Man.- An Unprecedented Miracle.- An Unprecedented Mediator.Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Adrian TamsTexts:Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 14Psalm 24Hebrews 2:14–18Hebrews 4:14—5:10Hebrews 7:23–28Series:The Heidelberg Catechism

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand… (Psalm 92:4-6). These verses make me wonder if we aren't all a little senseless and maybe more than a little foolish. I'm thinking about Christians. Often, when we read such verses, we rarely wonder if we are in this category. After all, who wants to think of themselves as senseless and foolish? But let's take a moment to consider if we ought not to start with ourselves. As mentioned last Friday, this is a Sabbath Psalm. Our reflections on rest must include the creation story with which the Bible begins. In the pause between the two accounts of God creating the cosmos, we find the Creator resting. Was he tired? Was he exhausted from his creating out of nothing? Did he need a little nap? No God followers have seriously considered an affirmative answer to these questions. The consensus is that God took time to delight in his creative work. With the Heidelberg Catechism, we confess that God "out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them, and still upholds and rules them by his eternal counsel and providence" (A 26). However, this upholding and ruling does not require the kind of grinding work and attention many of us are accustomed to in today's economy. God could rest and enjoy; creation did not fall apart. Caring for his creation does not overtax him. He has more than enough energy and lots to spare. Therefore, with the Catechism we also believe that this Creator "is my God and Father because of Christ his Son. I trust him that he will provide whatever I need for body and soul… He is able to do this because he is almighty God; he desires to do this because he is a faithful Father." These are some of the deeds that make his people glad. They cause us to sing for joy. When we pay attention, we discover how profound God is. But here is the rub, many of us are too foolish and too senseless to pay attention. We miss Sabbath because our noses are always pressed against the grindstone. We have not paid attention to who our God is. He is not just creator, but also provider. In Christ, he is our father. Moreover, he sends the rain and the sun on all people. God invites us to be like him: to rest, to delight, to step away from the grindstone of work in a sin filled world. Enjoy him. Sing to him. If you cannot do it on Sundays, find other times. Trust him. He loves you and cares for you. Let's leave behind our senseless and foolish ways. As you journey on, receive Jesus' invitation into this rest: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church as we wrap up Week 18 of our Heidelberg Catechism devotionals. In this episode, we focus on Question 52 and Article 7 of the Apostle's Creed: Christ's return to judge the living and the dead. Discover the deep gospel comfort believers find amidst sorrow, persecution, and loss, knowing our Savior will return to vanquish all enemies and bring His chosen ones into everlasting joy.

Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for Week 18 of the Heidelberg Catechism devotionals. In this episode, we explore Question 51, discussing Christ's ascension and His session at the right hand of God the Father. Discover how the glory of Christ our head benefits believers through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit's gifts and His power to defend and preserve us against all enemies.

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-05-03_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--27-28.mp3

As God's children we confess that God's only begotten Son is our Sovereign Lord.We'll consider:- Christ's identity.- Christ's authority.Time:AfternoonMinister:Rev. Joe PoppeTexts:Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 13Luke 9:18–36Colossians 1:15–23Series:The Heidelberg Catechism

"Why do you call him our Lord? Because he has ransomed us, body and soul, from all our sins, not with silver or gold but with his precious blood, and has freed us from all the power of the devil to make us his own possession." Heidelberg Catechism, 34

This talk to the Upper Salford Historical Society follows the spiritual and historical journey of the Palatinate settlers who founded Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church. At the heart of it all is their deep, simple faith in the Heidelberg Catechism—especially that wonderful line: "I am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."These pioneers left everything behind. They survived terrifying sea voyages, buried loved ones along the way, and faced harsh persecution, yet they never stopped trusting God's sovereign grace. The message also speaks honestly about the church's early struggles—divisions, leaders without proper ordination, and the tensions of a new world.

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-04-19_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--26.mp3

1. Honoring Him 2. Profiting from Him In the midst of suffering and despair, Job's declaration 'I know that my Redeemer lives' stands as a triumphant testament to faith in the resurrection, pointing forward to Christ's victory over death, sin, and the grave. This confession, based in the certainty of a living Redeemer, finds its fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which the Heidelberg Catechism affirms as the foundation of Christian hope, righteousness, and new life. The resurrection is not merely a future promise but a present reality, granting believers justification, spiritual renewal, and the assurance of bodily resurrection, all of which are to be celebrated and honored every Lord's Day. Through Christ's triumph over death, believers are given confidence, joy, and a living hope that transforms their present lives and fuels their witness to a world in darkness. The sermon calls the church to live in the light of this truth, embodying the resurrection life now and proclaiming the hope that only Christ can provide.

Recorded live at the Kuyper Conference in Grand Rapids, this episode features a conversation with Greg Parker Jr., a theologian and scholar of Herman Bavinck, reflecting on his academic journey, current work in theological education, and research in neo-Calvinism. Parker discusses his engagement with Abraham Kuyper's pastoral theology, particularly his exposition of the Heidelberg Catechism and the Lord's Prayer, highlighting themes of ascent and descent as a framework for understanding prayer, the Christian life, and communion with God. The conversation also explores the importance of translating and retrieving Bavinck's works for the church, the pastoral dimension of systematic theology, and the need for careful theological engagement with contemporary questions such as human identity, bioethics, and artificial intelligence. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content just like this at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wm.wts.edu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his global church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wts.edu/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thanks for listening!

IntroductionRedemption has a purpose beyond just our personal salvation. Yes, that is part of it, but there is more. The Heidelberg Catechism makes clear that we are redeemed by a specific God who personally reveals himself. He is one God and three persons. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these persons shows their connection to creation and our redemption. His goal is not just to save, but to commune with his people. The driving question is: what does it mean to be set apart as disciples of the Trinitarian God, and why does that designation matter?The Father of All CreationThe Father is the source of all life. This means that generally He gives life to all creation. He is the one who brought this world into existence through the word: Christ (Col. 1:15-20). This whole creation knows God. He sustains even those who reject him, which speaks to his patience and character. The Father specifically gives life to his people. More specifically, the Father is the one who elects and calls his people before the foundation of the world. The Father sent Christ on Christ's successful mission. Thus, he is the father of his creation and the father of his redeemed people. The Son of Our DeliveranceChrist is both the means of creation and the agent of redemption. We mentioned in the previous point that this whole world has its existence in Christ. Christ is the word. Christ is also the one who secures our life. His resurrection is the precedent for eternal life. He moves from asserting God's promises to fulfilling them with authority. "All authority has been given to me" is not a tyrant's boast; it is the declaration of a risen Redeemer who has accomplished the work he set out to do. The beauty of Christ's farewell speech in Matthew is that Christ secured the authority for the church to exist, and Christ is with his church until the end of the age.The Holy Spirit of Our SanctificationHe gives life to this creation. This means that all creatures, all creation, and humanity receive their life from him. (Psalm 104:29-30)The Spirit also gives life to God's people. The Spirit indwells Christ's people. You cannot have Christ without the Spirit. Christ is with His people, and Christ is with his church until the end of the age. So, when we have the Spirit, we have Christ dwelling with us individually and as the body of Christ. ConclusionOur redemption is carried out by the Trinitarian God. God does care for this creation, but how much more for his church. The Great Commission belongs to the church, not just to individuals, and it is carried out under Christ's authority while he remains present with his church. The call to make disciples begins with prayer and humility, trusting that it is the Father who calls normally through Gospel preaching, the Son who redeems, and the Spirit who gives life. Our identity is secure in Christ, and nothing will annul what he has decreed. Let us be empowered by our God, and let us walk in him.

QUOTES FOR REFLECTIONQuestion 31: Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”?Answer: Because he has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teacher who fully reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our deliverance; our only high priest who has delivered us by the one sacrifice of his body, and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom he has won for us. Question 37: What do you understand by the word “suffered”?Answer: That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race. This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, he might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.~Heidelberg Catechism (1563) “When Christ entered into Jerusalem the people spread garments in the way: when He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ's feet but even trample upon it ourselves.”~Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778), English clergyman and hymn writer “God, of your goodness, give me yourself; you are enough for me, and anything less that I could ask for would not do you full honor. And if I ask anything that is less, I shall always lack something, but in you alone I have everything.”~Julian of Norwich (c.1343-c.1416), medieval anchoress and author “By thus riding through the streets in state, Jesus Christ claimed to be a king. That claim had been to a great extent kept in the background until now; but ere he goes to his Father, when his enemies rage has reached its utmost fury, and when his own hour of deepest humiliation has just arrived, he makes an open claim before the eyes of all men to be called and acknowledged a king.”~Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher “Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.”~John Stott (1921-2011), English clergyman and theologian SERMON PASSAGELuke 19:28-40 (ESV) 28 And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?' you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.'” 32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. 36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. 37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

The sermon centers on the Trinitarian nature of God as revealed in Scripture, particularly through Matthew 3:16–17 and the Heidelberg Catechism's Lord's Day 8, emphasizing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons yet one in essence, with their external works—creation, redemption, and sanctification—undivided and co-active in salvation. It affirms that Christianity is fundamentally structured around the Trinity, with the Father as Creator, the Son as Redeemer who fulfills divine righteousness through incarnation and sacrifice, and the Spirit as Sanctifier who applies Christ's work to believers, all working in unity for the believer's life, growth, and ultimate glorification. The sermon underscores that while the Trinity is beyond full human comprehension, it is revealed through Scripture, worship, baptism, and the church's historic faith, calling believers to live, pray, and worship in a consciously Trinitarian way, recognizing that salvation and true Christianity are impossible apart from the triune God.

IntroductionWe know that we are in deep trouble. Adam had the chance to do what was right, and he failed to do it. The problem is that we can only dig the hole deeper. We think that credit card debt is bad, but our debt is far worse. Our debt will never go away, even in death. We can't out-work it, out-live it, or out-think it. So our problem is very severe and beyond overwhelming. Lord's Day 6 of the Heidelberg Catechism helps us to see the eternal solution. Only God can implement this solution. Sin's Problem: We Need a MediatorThe catechism reminds us that we need a mediator. The very thought of a mediator means that something has gone wrong. A mediator means two parties are at odds. The very introduction of the concept of a mediator introduces an admission of our guilt. God is 100% righteous. We are 100% at fault. There is no way we can work to please God when we are 100% in debt. There is no payment plan. And the mediator's task is staggering: take people who have fully offended a perfect God and bring them into his presence as fully righteous. This is the greatest laundering effort ever in history! In fact, it is not hiding dirty money, but fully redeeming it to remove all controversy that surrounds it. Our cleansing requires someone who is both truly human (because it was humanity that offended God) and truly God (because no mere human can bear an infinite, eternal penalty and survive it). A human enduring his own sin would be in hell forever and never get out. There is no way that a person could pay the debt on behalf of another. This is why we need a person who is divine to endure an eternal punishment. The person also has to be human to stand in the place of the creature that offended. Only a divine person united to a human nature can absorb eternal wrath in a moment of time. Only Christ is such a mediator. God's Solution: The Folly of the CrossPaul addresses a church drunk on elitism. They love their gurus. They love how they can flaunt their spiritual gifts. Ironically, Paul, who had every credential to out-elite them all, goes straight to the cross. He does not call his accomplishments to their attention as he does in Galatians. No, he goes straight to the cross.That's a jarring move, because the cross was not a sentimental symbol like we make it today. No, the cross is a declaration of shame. In Roman culture, crucified criminals weren't even officially recorded. In Jewish culture, to be hung on a tree meant you were a covenant breaker, cursed by God. When the disciples watched Jesus die on the cross, they had every reason to think they'd been deceived. In their mind, God declared a messianic fraud who transgressed God's holiness. Paul knows all of this! He preaches it anyway. Why? Because the "foolishness" of the cross is precisely the point. Christ, who never broke the covenant, was publicly displayed as though he had, and that is why we need him. And because death could not hold him, the resurrection vindicates him completely. At Christ's weakest moment, he won the greatest victory. Worldly wisdom missed the cross. The Jews demanded signs and missed the sign of the cross. The Greeks sought wisdom and missed the wisdom of God standing right in front of them.Thus, the wisest people of this age did not see the wisdom of the cross. This is why Paul calls attention to the cross. If we do not see the wisdom of God's plan, then we will not see redemption. God's Proclamation: The Gospel Must Keep Being PreachedKnowing the facts about Christ isn't enough on its own. Calvin puts it plainly: as long as Christ remains outside of us, he is of no benefit to us. The work of Christ has to become our work. The Lord uses Gospel preaching that lays out Christ's cross to bring his people into their new relationship with Christ. The Corinthians had witnessed extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit, and probably interviewed eyewitnesses of the resurrection. However, Paul still keeps going back to the gospel. This message is not a one-and-done message. It is a message that is continually preached, and we continually need this message. The catechism traces this same pattern across all of redemptive history: the gospel was announced in Genesis 3:15, repeated to the patriarchs, foreshadowed in every sacrifice and ceremony, proclaimed by the prophets, and fulfilled in Christ. Generation after generation, God's people were sustained by this same message. It was repeated and repeated because we so easily forget Christ's message. We fail to see that without the gospel message, we have nothing. The cross of Christ is the message that Christ had to suffer for an insufferable people. We are such people. We don't outgrow the gospel. We need to hear it continually, because it is the ongoing means of grace by which God keeps his people alive and moving toward glory. It is in Christ, going to the cross, that God's wisdom is shown. It is in the cross that Christ is ultimately vindicated in his resurrection and ascension. His work was so perfect that the heavenly courts vindicated him. ConclusionSo how do we solve our unsolvable, eternal problem? We don't. We can't. But God has.He sent his Son. His son, who is fully God, fully man, stands in our place as the covenant breaker. We transgressed, but Christ did not. Christ bore what we deserved, was raised to prove he'd conquered it, and now the gospel goes out as the living word that unites us to him. The world will call it foolishness. Paul's response: “Fine. Call it folly. In that folly is life.”So let us not be ashamed of the Gospel. Let us keep hearing, submitting to the preaching, and clinging to the substance of the message: Christ. Let us exude the joy that we have been redeemed by the living God. That is our significance, our credibility, and our only boast is in Christ. Let us find it there, and live in it. Amen.

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-03-22_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--24-25.mp3

If we're saved by grace and sanctified by the Spirit, what's the role of God's law? Romans 8:4 points us to the answer: Christ came so "the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk according to the Spirit."In this session we explore Chapter 8 of Sinclair Ferguson's Devoted to God, unpacking how law and grace work together. These are not ncessarily competing concepts in the Christian life. However, we need to be careful as we define this. Love and Law Aren't OppositesSome accused Paul of rejecting God's law (Acts 21:21), but Paul consistently upheld it (Romans 3:31). Love motivates obedience; the law directs love. As Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).Three Ways Jesus Fulfills the LawDrawing from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17), Ferguson identifies three dimensions of how Christ fulfills the law for our sanctification:Permanent Significance — The law, especially the Ten Commandments, reflects God's own character and his original design for humanity. Its principles endure, shaping us as image bearers being renewed in Christ (Colossians 3:10).Obedience in Teaching — Jesus lived the law perfectly, not grudgingly but with delight. He also revealed its depth: adultery begins in the heart, murder with a word (Matthew 5:21–28). True righteousness flows from a Spirit-transformed heart, not external performance.Fulfilling All Dimensions — Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law through his once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1–4) and the civil law by building a global, multi-ethnic church. The moral law remains, now written on our hearts by the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33).Married to Christ, Not the LawChristians are not under the law as a system of condemnation, but under "the law of Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21) — united to him as a bride to a husband (Romans 7:4). The Spirit empowers what the law directs. As Ralph Erskine beautifully put it: "The gospel gives me feet and hands... it bids me fly, and gives me wings."This harmony transforms duty into delight.TakeawayGod's law is not a burden. We need to see it as a guide reflecting his holy character. Our catechism states it well when the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that the law is our guide for grateful living after being redeemed from our sin and misery. we are empowered to live it out through Christ and his Spirit. It is true that we will never achieve perfection in this age, however, we are undergoing a progressive transformation, metamorphosis, toward the heavenly calling God has placed on our lives.

Shaun Furniss didn't grow up in the church. A Roman Catholic mass enthralled him at age seven, a confirmation class confused him at twelve, and the Heidelberg Catechism converted him in college. Now he's co-pastor at Trinity CRC in Sparta, Michigan—holding a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy alongside his MDiv—and he's convinced that most churches have quietly abdicated one of their most important responsibilities: the care of souls. This episode is a candid look at what Christian counseling actually is, why the reflex to "refer it out" is often a failure of pastoral nerve, and what it looks like to do it right. The conversation covers hard ground honestly. Both Jason and Shaun have counseled people through suicide, abuse, and grief—and both have learned the hard way that the biggest mistake pastors make is walking into a crisis ready to solve it. Before any wisdom lands, trust must be built. People don't care what you know until they know that you care. The most powerful diagnostic framework is also the simplest: nearly everyone who comes to a pastor is wrestling with guilt, fear, anger, or loneliness—and the scriptures give us the answers to all four. The episode closes with one of the most important statements about pastoral ministry you'll hear: when you walk into that counseling room, you are not the true counselor. The Holy Spirit is. He has given us his Word as the means of healing, and the pastor is simply the instrument. "I've never fixed anyone, I've never saved anyone, but by the grace of God, he's allowed me to be a part of what he's doing." Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro and Shaun's family, Trinity CRC Sparta, co-pastor model 0:43 — How the 50-50 co-pastoring structure works with Pastor CJ DenDulk 2:40 — Shaun's story: did not grow up in the church 3:04 — Dad drops him at a Roman Catholic mass with a quarter 3:37 — Confirmation class, Philippians, and "I'm reading someone else's mail" 4:28 — College and career Bible study leads to conversion 4:51 — Heidelberg Catechism: the Lord drew me to faith 5:38 — Reformed Theological Seminary: Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy 6:23 — Jason's first pastoral care crisis: suicide attempt five months into youth ministry 7:45 — True Christian counseling is discipleship on a one-on-one basis 9:16 — The church's heartbreaking habit: farming out what it should keep in-house 9:54 — When to bring in outside help (abuse, opposite sex) 13:53 — Often what passes for Christian counseling is humanistic counseling with a prayer at the end 16:52 — The seminary culture: one class on pastoral care and one joke — just refer it out 17:31 — Counseling as worldview formation: who shapes how your congregant sees the world? 19:33 — The biggest misconception: thinking you need to instantly give an answer 21:39 — The four root issues: guilt, fear, anger, or loneliness 23:56 — People don't care what you know until they know that you care 26:57 — The ministry of presence: what a hospice chaplain learns 30:07 — The Holy Spirit is the true counselor — you're simply the instrument Join and support us on Substack: https://themessyreformation.com/ Intro music by Matt Krotzer

https://media.urclearning.org/audio/janbazian/msj-2026-03-08_heidelberg-catechism--part-ii--grace--q--20-23.mp3

If God's law reveals our sin and misery, why does Psalm 19 celebrate it as life-giving? The Heidelberg Catechism teaches that the law exposes how deeply we fall short, yet Scripture also describes God's instruction as perfect, joyful, and renewing to the soul. This study explores how God's law leads us not to despair, but to Christ—our Redeemer—who enables us to live in gratitude, reverence, and dependence upon Him.

IntroductionMost things that bring us comfort are only appropriate in proper situations. For instance, a warm blanket, a favorite flannel shirt, a pair of pajamas. Each has its place. You do not wear a blanket or pajamas in public settings. You do not wear an old comfy flannel shirt to a wedding. But the Heidelberg Catechism opens with a striking claim: that there is a single comfort appropriate in every circumstance. In fact, this is a single comfort in life and in death. This raises an honest question: can any comfort truly be that universal? So we look at the claim of Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1. What is our ONLY comfort in life and in death? "I Give Them..”At first glance, Christ's claim to give eternal life sounds more like an imposition than a comfort. If it's not something we opt into, is it really a gift? To answer this, the catechism points us to a hard truth: we are not neutral recipients. Like those enslaved by debt or victims of war, we are slaves. We are either slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness. We are slaves. (Romans 6:18) The catechism reminds us that Christ is a faithful savior and not a tyrannical master. It's the portrait of a redeemer who pays the debt we couldn't pay and frees us from a master, the tyranny of the devil, who sought to destroy us. We learn that the Devil's marketing pitch for Adam and Eve did not end well. It turns out that it is a good thing that Christ is overbearing, that he overwhelms us with His grace, as He gives us eternal life. This is the gift that we do not naturally want, but the gift that we need to live life to the fullest in this age. Truly, living life for Christ is the highest and greatest thing we can do rather than pursuing our own independence. "They Will Never Perish" This promise seems false. We go to Christian funerals, which means that Christians do die. Is Christ overpromising and underdelivering? When we look deeper into Scripture, we see that "perish" implies something deeper than a mere physical death. In Mark 1:24, Christ encounters demons. They cry out, inquiring if Christ is going to destroy them/perish them. To perish is to be undone, destroyed, stripped of your identity and purpose. It is much more than death. What Christ promises is that the forces that assemble against his people will not succeed. We think of our sin or the sins that tempt us outside of us. We think of Satan and his satanic army. We think of any influence that pulls us from Christ. The assurance is that we will not be undone or overcome. We will never perish."No One Can Snatch Them”We hear the promise that he knows all the numbers of the hair on our heads. This might sound creepy or overbearing. But when we read this statement in light of Christ as faithful Shepherd, it becomes something else entirely: an assurance that nothing in our lives escapes his notice or his care. He is not the hired hand who flees when the wolf appears. He is the Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The high priestly prayer in John 17 reminds us that he intercedes on behalf of his people. The fourth servant song promises that: “yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” So when Christ promises that no one will snatch them out of the Father's hand, he is assuring us no one will seize us from our shepherd. The "snatching" language describes a forcible seizure against one's will. Christ's answer is that even this cannot prevail. The same one who prayed for his disciples on the eve of the cross still intercedes for those who believe through their word, two thousand years later.We cannot see Christ as a creepy stalker. Rather, we need to see him as the empowering savior who protects his people. He does not empower us to live for ourselves, but to live for him. It is only as we live in communion with our Savior that we truly have life. ConclusionSo, can there be only one comfort that is appropriate in every situation, season, and circumstance? Yes! The catechism's opening answer assures us of our value. Our value doesn't rest in our accomplishments, our reputation, or our self-determination. It rests on the fact that we bear the image of God. Our value rests in the fact that Christ has redeemed us. Our joy is living as slaves of righteousness as we walk in the Holy Spirit. We have been redeemed by Christ. The communion we once pushed away has been restored because the Good Shepherd sought us. He shepherds us through this life, through death itself, and into the age to come. The comfort of belonging to Christ isn't a soft sentiment for easy days. It is the one comfort sturdy enough for every circumstance because his sheep will not be undone. His sheep will never perish. His sheep will never be snatched. Let us proceed in the confidence that our Lord is our definitive redeemer.

What is the Heidelberg Catechism? Is the Heidelberg Catechism a good summary of Christian doctrine? Are there any doctrinal problems with the Heidelberg Catechism?

Romans 4:13-25 and Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 7

It's Thursday, January 22nd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Chinese-American Christians pray for those in China Chinese-American Christians are praying for their persecuted brothers and sisters back in China. Earlier this month, Harvest Chinese Christian Church in Los Angeles held an event called “Fasting Prayer Meeting for Persecuted Churches in China.” The event comes shortly after Chinese authorities detained the leaders of Early Rain Covenant Church. The congregation, like many “unregistered” churches in China, faces relentless persecution. International Christian Concern commented, “Please pray for these house church members in China, especially those who have been imprisoned or are missing after the police raids.” 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” China's birth rate plunged to a record low in 2025 Speaking of China, the country's birth rates plunged to a record low in 2025. New data from China's National Bureau of Statistics found there were 7.92 million births last year, down 17% from 2024. The birth rate in 2025 was 5.63 per 1,000 people. Meanwhile, the death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000 people. Despite China's recent attempts to incentivize families to have children, the population has now fallen for the fourth consecutive year. In Genesis 1:28, God commanded, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the Earth and subdue it.” British Christian nurse vindicated for calling a man “Mister” In the United Kingdom, a National Health Service hospital recently dropped its case against a Christian nurse. Jennifer Melle worked at St. Helier Hospital in south London. She faced suspension after referring to a man, pretending to be a woman, as “Mister.” Listen to comments she made after her vindication. MELLE: “I am deeply relieved and grateful to hear that St Helier [Hospital] has confirmed it would no longer take further action against me. This has been an incredibly long and painful journey.   “Today, I want to give thanks, first and foremost, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has sustained me every step of the way.” Young Canadians are planning to vote conservative Young adults in Canada are planning to vote conservative in the country's next election. A survey by Abacus Data found 50% of Canadians aged 18 to 29 would vote for the Conservative Party. Only 27% of that demographic would vote for the Liberal Party. The strongest support for the Liberals comes from people over 60. A decade of liberal polices has led to higher living costs, higher inflation, and higher taxes. Trump: “I will not use force” to get Greenland Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.  Notably, he announced that the United States would not use force to acquire Greenland. TRUMP: “We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that. Okay. Now everyone's saying, ‘Oh, good!' “That's probably the biggest statement I've made because people thought I would use force. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force.” President Trump also announced he will not be imposing tariffs on Denmark over the acquisition of Greenland. He wrote on Truth Social, “We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.” Arrests coming for Minneapolis leftists who invaded church service The Trump administration is investigating anti-ICE protesters who disrupted a house of worship in Minneapolis on Sunday. Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, wrote on X, “Arrests coming. … The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly – not rioting. … These agitators will be held accountable.” The Department of Justice is also investigating the incident at Cities Church. Major snowstorm hits East Coast to Rocky Mountains The National Weather Service is expecting a significant winter storm to hit a large portion of the U.S. starting Friday. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain is forecast all the way from the southern Rockies to the East Coast.  Much of the U.S. is already experiencing dangerously cold weather. Over 40 million people were under cold weather alerts as of Tuesday. Even parts of Florida are under alert. 463rd anniversary of Heidelberg Catechism And finally, this week marks the 463rd anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism. The Protestant catechism was commissioned by Frederick III, the ruler of Germany's most influential province of Palatinate. The purpose of the catechism was for instructing the youth and for guiding pastors and teachers The catechism was the product of two young Protestant scholars—Zacharius Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus. The catechism was approved by a church synod in Heidelberg, Germany and published in German on January 19, 1563. It would become the most widely used catechism of the Reformation period.  The catechism's opening question reads, “What is your only comfort in life and death?” The answer begins, “That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” Romans 14:8 says, “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.