If the first impression following an experiential acquaintance with the King of kings is an acute sense of estrangement, the second would be confrontation. Again in the words of the 19th century German pastor, F.W. Krummacher, The Lord calls you by name, and while the relation in which you have
Continue readingExperiential religion is knowing the Triune God personally. It is described by F.W. Krummacher in his sermons on the life of David in the sermon on David calling Mephibosheth to himself in 2 Samuel 9. Krummacher writes, Until that time he [the sinner awakened out of his death-sleep]] knew Him
Continue readingThis is such a challenging question to answer, what is the essence of who we are? Some churches strive to be known for inclusion, some for social activism, others for the broad impact on culture…we desire to be known as a congregation which experiences the God of truth and the
Continue readingAugustus Toplady wrote the hymn “Rock of Ages” which contains this verse Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to Thee for grace: Foul, I to the fountain fly, Wash me, Savior, or I die. Christ teaches
Continue readingIn thinking about the Spirit’s work in peoples’ hearts when confronting them about the way of salvation, Dutch-reformed pastor Gerard Wijsse wrote, Already from the very outset, the natural man rebels against the way which is pleasing to God when he asks the question which has arisen in all of
Continue readingThe calling of the believer in Christ while interacting with unbelievers and adherents to other religions is to strive to get to the conviction of sin, which only the Holy Spirit can work, but also should guide our approach. Stating it simply, in the unregenerate person’s religious life and efforts,
Continue readingR.C. Sproul has written, Protestantism affirms that all sin is serious. Even the smallest sin is an act of rebellion against God. Every sin is an act of cosmic treason, a futile attempt to dethrone God in His sovereign authority. (Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, 1st edition, page 144)
Continue readingThe end of the year of our Lord, 2024 is quickly approaching. “End-of-years” supply us with an opportunity to reflect on end-of-life. Numerous blessings are found in living lie “backwards” to have the days of our lives illuminated by the reality of our mortality. The Heidelberg Catechism, a 16th-century reformed
Continue readingWe often think of repentance as something we ‘do’ – after all, we are called to repent. It, like faith, is a gift to us that flows from the cross of Christ and is worked in fellowship with the Risen Christ. It goes against all that we are by nature
Continue readingTaken from the chapter entitled “The Devout Widow” from a book available on Google Play called Pastoral Reminiscences by Shepard Kollock we have very helpful insight into the importance of direct views of Christ for daily piety. “How true it is that “the just,” the righteous in Christ Jesus “live,”
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