reformed church

God's will for every believer is their sanctification. That is the purpose of this life, with all of its trials and temptations. God has given us His word as a means of sanctification, but to gain from it, we must first put away our sins. Putting away sin and desiring God's word is impossible apart from the regenerating, converting work of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the gospel, we are made new creatures, fully capable of warring against our sins, loving God's word, and moving upward to conform to the likeness of our Lord. An exposition of 1 Peter 2:1-3

Peter commands believers to love one another fervently and from the heart. This kind of love is not without sacrifice, but this investment of love is guaranteed to result in eternal benefit. Because our new life has its source in God's word, and because God's word endures forever, we can have confidence that the relationships we build with other believers are also eternal. We will forever share in the benefits of the sacrificial love we share on this side of eternity. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:23-25.

Every Christian loves other believers. By living in obedience to the truth of God's Word, we grow in sanctification, increasing in our love for one another to the point where our love can be described as sincere. We are commanded to push that love to its limits, both in its depth and breadth outward toward other believers, and also inwardly through all of the faculties of the inner person. We are to love one another comprehensively, and that love is not to be done against our affections, reason, or will. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:22-25.

This passage provides further comfort to suffering saints by providing assurance that the pactum salutis, God's eternal plan of redemption, and all that arises from that plan, including the sanctifying trials of life, are for the sake of those of us who are believers in Christ. For this reason, we may trust completely in Christ not only for our ultimate salvation but in and through all of the otherwise mystifying events of our short lives on this planet. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:20-21.

Hannah gives Yahweh praise and adoration for His glorious answer to her petition for a son. An overview of 1 Samuel 2.

Hannah's barrenness and answered prayer from Yahweh to have a son. An overview of 1 Samuel 1.

Christians have been purchased from slavery to sin at an incredibly high price, the death of the eternal Second Person of the Divine Trinity, our Lord Jesus Christ. Contemplation of this reality is great motivation for lives of obedience. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:18-19.

An overview of Saul’s continuous failures to obey God. Jonathan and his armor-bearer carry out an attack on the Philistine Garrison in Michmash. An exposition of 1 Samuel 14:1-15.

Four questions regarding what it means to be justified through faith. An exposition of Galatians 2:15-16.

Christians address God rightly as their Father, but that doesn’t mean that the impartial judge of all mankind will not judge the works of His children.  We are to live in fear of shame or loss at the judgment seat of Christ.  We are to fear the loving discipline of God.  We are to fear grieving the God of our salvation. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:17.

Everyone obeys someone.  We either obey the god of this age or the sovereign God of the universe.  Christians are characterized as “children of obedience” and the child of God must and will reflect the character of the Holy One who called him, living in obedience to the will of God as revealed in His word. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:14-16.

The Philistines positioned themselves for battle against Israel. Many of Saul's soldiers have deserted, leaving him with minimal force. An exposition of 1 Samuel 13:13-23.

Johnathan conquers the Philistine garrison in Geba. The Israelites are outnumbered and Saul violates God’s Law by offering a burnt offering in Samuel’s absence. An exposition of 1 Samuel 13:1-12.

Samuel gives the Israelites encouragement not to fear following their repentance. He then exhorts the people to continue to serve God in obedience and concludes his exhortation with a clear admonition of the consequences of disobedience. An exposition of 1 Samuel 12:19-25.

Samuel admonished the Israelites for their turning away from their true King and demanding a human king to lead and protect them. An exposition of 1 Samuel 12:12-18.

Samuel defends his role as Judge and Prophet over Israel and rebukes the Israelites. An exposition of 1 Samuel 12: 1-11.

The Ammonites led by King Nahash besieged Jabesh-gilead & sought to threaten the people and demanded that they mutilate themselves to bring shame upon Israel. The Spirit of God came upon King Saul to bring all of Israel together to defeat their enemies. An exposition of 1 Samuel 11:1-15.

Israel had rejected their true “King” and demanded an earthly king to rule over them. An exposition of 1 Samuel 10:17-27.

In order for this life to accomplish its intended purpose of sanctification for the good of the believer and the glory of God, we must obey the command to set our hope completely on the grace that is promised to be ours at the revelation of Jesus Christ. An exposition of 1 Peter 1:13.

Keeping the gospel message of one in Christ pure. An exposition of Galatians 2:11-14.