“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel.” — Luke 2:25 What are you expecting for this new year, 2014? Where will you find your comfort this year? “Comfort” is what the word consolation in our text means. Simeon was waiting […]
In 1941 Winston Churchill stood before an eager audience at an all-boys school in war-torn England and spoke these famous words, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in.” Churchill’s words echo the message of the writer to the Hebrews. While Churchill rested his […]
Several important motifs in the book of Hebrews set it apart from the rest of the New Testament. Most prominent among them is the epistle’s unique emphasis on Jesus Christ’s priestly office as a fulfillment of the old covenant priesthood and the accompaniments of its religious order. In general, the writer of Hebrews offers resources […]
One of the chief dangers for a Christian is spiritual backsliding. Many people who grow up in the church take the gospel for granted; therefore, they often neglect the relationship they are to have with God. They know and love the doctrines of the Reformed faith but do not know how to apply them to […]
In Romans 13, Paul encouraged Christians to fulfill their obligations to the state. In this way, the church would be a positive influence to the world as she reflected the love of Christ in her activities. In Romans 14, Paul turns his attention to conflicts that arise within the church. Converted Jews still observed Mosaic […]
Where are all the young people going? Why do the visitors never seem to stick? Why have there been so many fights in our church history? Unfortunately, these are common questions in the Reformed tradition. In my years as a pastor, I have been shocked over how much antipathy there has been toward Reformed churches. […]
The Canadian and American Reformed Churches (CanAmRC), more commonly referred to as the Canadian Reformed Church (CanRC), consists of fifty congregations in Canada and four congregations in the United States. History1 The Netherlands The Canadian Reformed Churches are rooted in the Protestant Reformation as it developed in the Netherlands. The cause of the Reformation made […]
I do not have a Facebook account. Go ahead and laugh if you want! I’m secure with who I am. I know who my friends are, and my friends know me. I don’t have a Facebook account, nor do I want one, but I don’t think the Bible forbids it. (You can take […]
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV) An imitation is a copy of the original that is considered a success when the difference—between the copy and the original is indistinguishable. […]
If you had asked me, I would have said that I knew about the Jews. I thought they were just Israelites waiting for their Savior, but they did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. I thought Judaism did not have any great reforms or thinkers. In my eyes, they were a paused religion, an inactive […]