Podcast appearances and mentions of hope opc

Rev. Douglas Clawson considered Matthew 28:20b, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Rev. Douglas Clawson unpacks the profound promise found in Matthew 28:20, where Jesus assures his disciples of His continual presence as they carry out the Great Commission. Rev. Clawson carefully traces this theme of God's presence from the Old Testament through to its fulfillment in Christ, emphasizing the deep continuity of God's dwelling with his people. Beginning with the genealogy in Matthew, Rev. Clawson explores how Jesus, as the fulfillment of both the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, is the ultimate expression of “God with us”—Emmanuel. This theme, introduced at the beginning of Matthew's gospel, is powerfully echoed in Christ's final words to his disciples, promising to be with them “to the end of the age.” Rev. Clawson highlights how this promise of presence goes beyond omnipresence or general providence, focusing instead on Christ's intimate, covenantal presence with his people. Through a rich biblical theology, Rev. Clawson ties Jesus' promise to God's presence with Israel in the wilderness, in the tabernacle, and through the prophets. He draws parallels between God's extensive and intensive presence among his people in the Old Testament and Jesus' presence with his disciples through the Holy Spirit. This promise is foundational for the church's mission, giving believers assurance that they never labor alone, but are always accompanied by Christ. This address encourages listeners to reflect on the deep theological implications of Christ's presence with his church, both now and until the consummation of the age. It is a stirring reminder that, as the church fulfills the Great Commission, Jesus—the Great “I Am”—is ever-present with his people, empowering and sustaining them.

Dr. James Cassidy considered Matthew 28:20a, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,” at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Dr. Cassidy offers a comprehensive exploration of the central role of preaching and teaching in the mission of the church. Rooted in the Great Commission, Dr. Cassidy emphasizes that the work of the church is inseparable from the task of proclaiming and teaching the Word of God. He challenges the common distinction between preaching and teaching, arguing that both serve the same ultimate purpose: the faithful execution of Christ's command to make disciples. Dr. Cassidy presents a biblical and theological case for viewing preaching and teaching as fundamentally the same activity within the church's mission. He turns to the New Testament to show how the apostles, including Paul and Timothy, understood their ministry as both preaching the gospel and teaching the whole counsel of God. In this way, the church is called to faithfully declare not only the imperatives of Jesus but also the entire redemptive narrative of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. This address also covers the broader implications of preaching and teaching, emphasizing that these activities must be biblical, systematic, and polemical. Dr. Cassidy encourages pastors and ministers to preach the whole counsel of God, to structure their sermons with theological coherence, and to boldly defend the Christian faith against false religions and worldviews. In conclusion, Dr. Cassidy underscores that preaching and teaching are the church's primary tasks in fulfilling the Great Commission, and any other activities must serve or flow from this central mission. This address is a profound reflection on the core identity of the church and its mandate to proclaim Christ to all nations.

Dr. Carlton Wynne considered Matthew 28:19b, “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Dr. Wynne shares the rich theological significance of baptism, tracing its roots through the Old Testament and highlighting its vital role in the church's mission today. Drawing on vivid biblical imagery and covenantal theology, Dr. Wynne explores how baptism functions as a visible sign of God's covenant faithfulness, pointing to both the blessings of salvation and the solemn warnings of judgment. Dr. Wynne begins by tracing baptism's deep well from the creation waters in Genesis to the flood of Noah, Israel's Red Sea crossing, and the ordination of the priesthood, showing how these Old Testament events foreshadow the New Covenant sacrament. Baptism, as part of Christ's Great Commission, not only initiates believers into the covenant community but also proclaims the gospel, confirms God's promises, and sanctifies the church. Furthermore, Dr. Wynne emphasizes the multifaceted work of baptism: it signifies salvation, summons sinners to Christ, seals God's covenant promises, sanctifies believers, and strengthens the bonds within the church. He illustrates how baptism serves as both a divine declaration and a summons to faith, culminating in the affirmation of God's grace and the call to live as disciples of Christ. By exploring these “lively works” of baptism, this presentation calls the church to cherish and uphold the sacrament as a means of grace, nourishing faith and encouraging spiritual growth. This is a theologically rich reflection on how the waters of baptism flow continuously through the life of the church, rooted in God's redemptive plan and vital for the spiritual vitality of God's people.

Dr. Camden Bucey considers Matthew 28:19a, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Dr. Bucey exegetes the core command of the Great Commission, revealing key insights often overlooked in English translations. By focusing on the singular imperative—"Make disciples"—the address clarifies the church's shared responsibility, guided by the authority of Christ, to bring the gospel to all nations. The theological depth extends to how the covenantal promises given to Abraham are fulfilled through Jesus Christ and now continue through the church's mission to make disciples of all nations. This address also emphasizes the holistic nature of disciple-making: it is not limited to evangelism but includes baptism, teaching, and nurturing believers into spiritual maturity. Dr. Bucey passionately explains how the church must rely on the power of Christ to carry out this mission, faithfully using the ordinary means of grace—word, sacraments, and prayer—to achieve extraordinary ends for the kingdom of God. Whether you're a pastor, missionary, or layperson, this presentation calls you to reflect deeply on your unique role in fulfilling the Great Commission and the broader redemptive narrative of Scripture. Join us as we engage in the task Christ entrusted to his church, confident in his empowering presence and his promise to be with us until the end of the age.

Dr. Lane Tipton considers Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,'” at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference held on September 28, 2024 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Dr. Tipton offers a rich exposition of Matthew 28:18, exploring the divine authority and mission given to the church by the ascended Christ. Focusing on the unlimited dominion of Christ as he reigns from heaven, this presentation intricately weaves together biblical theology and Reformed thought to highlight the present reign of Jesus and his work in the Great Commission.  Drawing heavily on the teachings of Geerhardus Vos, the address outlines five key propositions regarding Christ's kingship, his appointment as mediator in the Council of Peace, and his heavenly rule. Dr. Tipton emphasizes the “two-age” movement of Christ's kingdom—his current reign through the spiritual kingdom of grace and its final culmination in glory at the end of the age. With clarity and depth, the speaker explains how Christ's ascension to the right hand of God marked the initiation of the Regnum Potentiae (Kingdom of Power), where he now exercises comprehensive authority over heaven and earth. This address not only unveils the theological significance of Christ's exaltation but also challenges believers to reflect on their role in the ongoing work of the Great Commission. By exploring Christ's present unlimited dominion, Dr. Tipton critiques misunderstandings of future millennial reigns, affirming that Christ's kingship is fully realized now, and He will continue to reign until the last enemy is destroyed. The presentation concludes with an encouragement to the Church to engage faithfully in disciple-making, sustained by the powerful promises of Christ's authority and his abiding presence. This is a compelling call to embrace the Great Commission with confidence, knowing that Christ's rule over all creation guarantees the success of the mission entrusted to his church.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Patriotism: Good or Evil? Subtitle: Hot Topics Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/7/2024 Bible: Acts 17:26-27; Psalm 2:10-11 Length: 43 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Expect a Miracle? Subtitle: Luke Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 6/9/2024 Bible: Luke 4:38-44 Length: 48 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Perseverance of The Saints Subtitle: Hot Topics Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 6/2/2024 Bible: John 10:27-30 Length: 58 min.

In this episode of One Body Many Parts, produced by Branch of Hope OPC, the tables are turned as our regular host, John Clayton, is interviewed by Bob Parucha. If you would like to get to know John Clayton a little better, we invite you to listen in!

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: An Unlikely Sign Subtitle: Luke Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 12/31/2023 Bible: Luke 2:12-14 Length: 45 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Anatomy of Grace: A Framework for Discipleship Speaker: Dr. Eduardo Anorga Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/28/2022 Bible: Genesis 6:5-8; John 1:10-18 Length: 44 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The God - Denying Fool Speaker: Jason Vartanian Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/21/2022 Bible: Psalm 53 Length: 39 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Grapes of Wrath Subtitle: Revelation Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 8/7/2022 Bible: Revelation 14:14-20 Length: 49 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Home Front Subtitle: Revelation Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 5/15/2022 Bible: Revelation 12:13-17 Length: 48 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Revelation Review & Survey Subtitle: Revelation Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 1/2/2022 Bible: Revelation 1:3 Length: 57 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Q&A from The Foundation for Hope Conference Subtitle: Apologetics Conference Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/17/2021 Length: 46 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Foundation for Hope in the New Testament Subtitle: Apologetics Conference Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Conference Date: 7/17/2021 Length: 50 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Q&A from The Foundation for Hope Conference Subtitle: Apologetics Conference Speaker: Various Speakers Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 7/17/2021 Length: 46 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: The Foundation for Hope in the New Testament Subtitle: Apologetics Conference Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Conference Date: 7/17/2021 Length: 50 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Sunday | Rejoicing in Resurrection Hope || Eli Hirtzel. 1 Peter 1:3-12 Speaker: Eli Hirtzel Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 6/27/2021 Length: 34 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Shouts of Deliverance Speaker: Dustin Karzen Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 5/23/2021 Bible: Psalm 32 Length: 35 min.

Member of the Society of Reformed Podcasters SEASON 2 EPISODE 9 Dr. Camden Bucey is the Founder and the primary host of Reformed Forum. He's an ordained minister in the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) and served as pastor of Hope OPC in Grayslake, IL from 2013 - 2019, and was then called to be an evangelist laboring full-time running Reformed Forum. He's been producing podcasts since 2008, being one of the first in the Reformed tradition to do so. He has a passion of bridging the gap between Sunday School and Seminary, and is producing courses, newsletters and the Reformed Academy to provide a further theological education for members of the wider church. Join us as Dr. Bucey speaks on the use of theological education outside the Sunday morning service, what resources exist for new believers to learn the faith, and how we can continually bridge the gap between evangelicalism and the Reformed tradition. Resources from Dr. Bucey/Reformed Forum Reformed Academy Courses Reformed Forum Podcasts Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah No Uncertain Sound Have Feedback or Questions? Email us at: guiltgracepod@gmail.com Find us on Instagram: @guiltgracepod Follow us on Twitter: @guiltgracepod Please rate and subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you use! Looking for a Reformed Church? North American Presbyterian & Reformed Churches --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gggpodcast/support

December 2, 2020 PAUL VIGGIANO, Pastor @ Branch of Hope (OPC), Torrance, CA on: “ONE CHURCH’s JOURNEY OUT of PENTECOSTALISM INTO REFORMED THEOLOGY”   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

October 30, 2020 PAUL VIGGIANO, Pastor @ Branch of Hope (OPC), Torrance, CA & BILL SHISHKO, Pastor @ The Haven (OPC), currently meeting in Bohemia, NY: DAY #5 of 5-Day Tribute to Dr. GREG L. BAHNSEN (1948 – 1995): “APOLOGETICS & PASTORAL MINISTRY”   Subscribe: iTunes  TuneIn Android RSS Feed Listen:

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Sweet Dreams are Made of This Speaker: Daniel Parkins Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 5/24/2020 Bible: Psalm 16 Length: 34 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Branch of Hope OPC is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Decision- Making and the Will of God Speaker: Paul Viggiano Broadcaster: Branch of Hope OPC Event: Sunday Service Date: 5/17/2020 Bible: Hebrews 10:24-25, Luke 4:16 Length: 44 min.

https://youtu.be/w6t1Xa3sDoA Jeff Waddington, Lane Tipton, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, and Camden Bucey answer questions at the Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois on October 12, 2019.

https://vimeo.com/367496587/11eeeeaf02 Dr. Jeffrey C. Waddington delivers a plenary address at the 2019 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois.

https://vimeo.com/367292125 Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers his first plenary address at the 2019 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Lecture outlineDownload

https://vimeo.com/369888962 Dr. Lane G. Tipton delivers his second plenary address at the 2019 Reformed Forum Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. In this address, he discusses Paul's Christological interpretation of the new beginning in 1 Corinthians 15:45–49. Lecture handoutDownload

https://vimeo.com/366860600 Camden Bucey speaks at our 2019 Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. The theme of the conference is “The Law Is Spiritual,” which is a phrase that comes from Romans 7:14. This is a verse that has been a perennial challenge for interpreters. What does it mean for the law to be “spiritual”? In this opening lecture, Dr. Bucey offers several exegetical, hermeneutical, and biblical-theological suggestions for approaching this difficult verse and its immediate context, namely Romans 7. This is a sketch of what could be developed in due course. There is a typological and eschatological difference post-Pentecost. This is a fundamental point of Paul’s epistle to the Galatians. There is deep congruence between Galatians’ structure and that of Romans. It is interesting to compare the flow of Paul’s argument in Galatians with that of Romans. If that is true, you should be able to look to one letter for assistance when the other is particularly difficult to understand. Romans 7 is one of those chapters, particularly with regard to the so-called “schizophrenic I.”[1] When Paul uses the first-person singular pronoun, what does he mean? The ancient church held the view that Paul was referring to himself when he was an unbeliever. The Augustinian and Reformational tradition viewed it as the struggle of a believer battling with indwelling sin in this age. Others have argued for a redemptive-historical view that Paul describes life under the Old Covenant. We will consider consider the hypothesis that Romans 7:14a is explained in part by Galatians 3:19 and Galatians 3:22–24 sheds light on Romans 7:14b. The struggle of Romans 7 is that of the earthly/dust (χοϊκός) man (1 Corinthians 15:47–48). The law originates from heaven and guides us as a pedagogue unto the precipice just as Moses brought the people to the Jordan. But to cross over into the promised land, we need the man of heaven, the life-giving Spirit. Once there, we can offer the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5), which was the goal of the law in the first place (Romans 8:4). [1] See Dennis Johnson’s chapter in Resurrection and Eschatology: Essays in Honor of Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.

On this episode of Apologetics.com, brought to you by Branch of Hope OPC (www.branchofhope.org), daniel adrean talks to us about talking about God. Should we argue for God's existence? Can we? Should we prove God's existence? Is that possible? He also introduces us to various discussions regarding the "cosmological arguments" and "teleological arguments" for the existence of God and advances the Biblical method of defending our faith.

In this episode Daniel Adrean (deacon at Branch of Hope OPC in Torrance, California) interviews the Reverend Kent Moorlach, minister of the historic Richland Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Shelby County, Tennessee, about the Bible as the only (and therefore the super) standard for the lives, loves, thoughts, feelings, and actions of believers. They explore with us what a standard is; what it means for the Bible to be our supreme, preeminent standard; and how the Bible is to be used in apologetics by the members and officers of Jesus's church. Pastor Moorlach brings valuable insights from his own experiences, studies, and labors as the minister of a growing congregation that has roots that are quite literally more than one hundred fifty years old. Please listen to learn more about how essential it is that the Bible be the center of our apologetics, and of every aspect of our lives and be blessed as you seek to learn more about and serve the true and living God who perfectly reveals Himself in its pages.

Jeff Waddington spoke at the fifth annual Reformed Forum Conference, which was held October 5–7, 2018 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. The theme of the conference was “Seeing God: The Deeper Protestant Conception.” The speakers addressed important theological challenges and controversies facing the contemporary Reformed church by exploring the theologies of Thomas Aquinas, Karl Barth, and Geerhardus Vos on the beatific vision and glorification of man. Watch on YouTube

The fifth annual Reformed Forum Conference will be held October 5–7, 2018 at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. Our theme will be, “Seeing God: The Deeper Protestant Conception.” We will address important theological challenges and controversies facing the contemporary Reformed church by exploring the theologies of Thomas Aquinas, Karl Barth, and Geerhardus Vos on the beatific vision and glorification of man. The beatific vision captures the glorious reality believers will experience when Christ returns. “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). This presents an important theological question: How shall we be like him? Is it by participating in the divine essence? Is it by being identified with God in a revelatory Christ-event? Does God change his being in some manner to accommodate this new relationship? Reformed orthodoxy demands a deeper conception. Our conference theme may sound esoteric, but these are critically important matters facing the Church today as an age-old theological controversy is rising once again. We seek to present a clear thesis that Vos offers the biblical way forward between two forms of divine-human univocism. These are represented by consistent Thomism and modernist Barthianism. Ostensibly, these systems are diametrically opposed to one another, yet Vos’s insights will help demonstrate how Thomism and Barthianism eventually converge in what Cornelius Van Til termed the “Aristotle-Christ-Kant Synthesis.” Through the biblical doctrines of divine immutability, covenant, and the image of God, Vos demonstrates how God enters into a glorious communion bond with his people without deifying them or becoming a creature himself. We plan to devote several episodes of Christ the Center to this subject leading up to the conference and develop a pre-conference reading list for those who want to get the most out of their experience. We look forward to seeing you in October. Register Now

While atheists and non-believers can live outwardly “good” lives, do they have any rational basis or justification for loving their neighbor and expecting others to do so? If we are alive today and then gone forever does it really matter how we behave? Sponsored by Branch of Hope OPC, join host Jason Gallagher and guests as we discuss these questions and expose the utter inability of the unbelieving/evolutionary worldview to account for any sort of objective morality and show that the Christian worldview is the only rational basis for truly loving your neighbor as yourself.

This is one of our most interesting conversations, yet.  First, we pick back up with why glorification is necessary.  Next, we talk about technology and culture.  Finally, we talk about the glorification God would have clothed upon Adam and Eve's mega-family if they had not fallen into sin. Show Notes: Give us a 5-star rating on iTunes!  (Click “View in iTunes” and “Ratings and Reviews”) Kingdom Prologue by Meredith G. Kline Kingdom Prologue pp. 99 - 101 Pentateuch 29 – Eschatological Sanctions & Probation [Meredith G. Kline] Genesis 1:1 Episode 48 (Meredith Kline on the Glory-Spirit compared to Eastern Orthodox Theosis) Genesis 1 and 2 Mark 14:58 Hebrews 9:11 2 Kings 6:8-17 1 Corinthians 15:50 Revelation 21 and 22 Metaculture Metapolis “Understanding Meredith Kline” by Lee Irons (Bahnsen Conference at Branch of Hope OPC)   Connect with us on: Facebook Twitter YouTube Spotify iHeartRadio Feedburner  Stitcher Libsyn iTunes

In this episode of One Body, Many Parts, we finish up our conversation with Pastor Paul and learn about his journey to becoming Pastor at Branch of Hope OPC in Torrance, CA.

Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. preaches during the morning service at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois at the 2015 Reformed Forum theology Conference.

We welcome Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. and Dr. Lane G. Tipton to speak about Geerhardus Vos's seminal article, "The Eschatological Aspect of the Pauline Conception of the Spirit," which is found in Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos. This episode was recorded live as part of the pre-conference festivities at our 2015 Theology Conference held at Hope OPC in Grayslake, Illinois. You can also watch the videos from each of our main conference sessions.