From The Pulpit - sermons by Pastor Aaron

Psalm 120 is a song that is peculiar at first glance, beginning with thanks and ending with war. The singer deals with deceit and is far from home, surrounded by people who hate peace. This is ultimately about Jesus Christ who was far from his heavenly home and surrounded by people who wanted him dead. Yet, Jesus himself is God’s peace with us. November 2, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian...

Jacob is a biblical hero of faith and his name becomes the defining title for God’s people. Yet, Jacob was ungodly for most of his life, terrible as a son, brother, husband and father. God entered his life every so often and nudged him each time until Jacob was a man of faith by the end of his life. His vast story shows how God plays the long game with people, saving them by grace alone. November...

Psalm 82 is a song about the need for justice in a world of exploitation. God is over all rulers and his justice will prevail. Jesus Christ is God’s justice to the world now and the bringer of justice into eternity. October 26, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

Sarah is a biblical hero of faith, but she was also deeply flawed. She is a picture of God’s grace given to us in Jesus Christ. October 26, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 54 is a song asking for justice and deliverance, appealing to God’s name. Because David knows and trusts the Lord, he declares the Lord is the upholder of his life and justice will be done. Ultimately, Psalm 54 is about Jesus Christ who declared “It is finished” from the cross even before the resurrection. October 19, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public...

Abraham is considered a giant of faith. He was also deeply flawed and a sinner. As such, he is a picture of God’s grace given to us in Jesus Christ. October 19, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 76 is a song to God as a warrior who fights for his people. The imagery of God as a lion who dwells among his people and brings thundering judgment to save the humble is a rousing reassurance of divine power against evil. Jesus Christ’s victory over evil by the cross is the ultimate expression of this song. October 12, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a publi...

Disciples of Jesus make other disciples of Jesus. In Acts 26, Paul gives a legal defense where he also presents the gospel of Jesus Christ to the king. Paul is told he is out of his mind. Nobody is recorded to have believed as a response. The point was not success but faithfulness. October 12, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...

Psalm 129 is a song by David while hiding from King Saul in the cave. It is a cry for deliverance that also expresses confidence because of God’s unfailing nature. Ultimately, Psalm 129 is about Jesus Christ who also had deadly enemies but had confidence in facing challenges. Like Christ, we can also have confidence in the pain. September 28, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Chur...

Disciples of Jesus make other disciples of Jesus. In Acts 20, Paul gives a sermon to the elders of Ephesus. They are to be exemplary followers of Jesus Christ as leaders in the church. September 28, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 129 is a song by a nation reflecting on its afflictions and survival. Israel had a difficult history. Historically, it is a miracle that they endured as a nation. They credit their survival to God’s goodness. Ultimately, Psalm 129 is about Jesus Christ our salvation. He had a difficult history and miraculously rose from the dead. September 21, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reform...

All of us are ministers who disciple others in something - from being a fan of a sports teams to physical health to financial efficiency. Disciples of Jesus make other disciples of Jesus. Acts 17 has Paul preaching to Gentiles in Athens. He quotes their own literature to confront idolatry, which is a challenge we all need to hear about our own idols. September 21, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christia...

Psalm 6 is a song by someone in dire straits, near death, and dealing with enemies. At the end, the song has great confidence that the Lord hears and accepts the prayer. Psalm 6 is ultimately about Jesus Christ who is our salvation. His prayers were answered (Hebrews 5.7) and our prayers are received by his name (John 14.13). September 14, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church...

All of us are ministers who disciple others in something - from sports teams to physical health to financial efficiency. Disciples of Jesus make other disciples of Jesus. Acts 13 has Paul preaching Jesus Christ to a Jewish audience, quoting frequently from the Law and Prophets to show that Jesus is the coming Messiah. September 14, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a publi...

Psalm 85 is a song by a community calling upon God to restore them. Jesus is God's answer to this prayer. September 7, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" is a familiar saying. Is it biblical? The closest that the Bible comes to this saying is some verses in Proverbs. For sure, more often than not, there is wisdom in silence. Keeping confidentiality, not returning an insult, and refraining from spreading dubious information about others are wise actions. However, sometimes we need t...

Psalm 3 is a song by someone who is being chased and under threat of death. It is about looking to heaven for protection and remembering God is almighty to take fear away. Ultimately, Psalm 3 is about Jesus Christ our salvation who also faced enemies and death. August 31, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...

"We're all God's children" is said by celebrities and leaders. Is it biblical? John 1 and Acts 17 are helpful for evaluating the saying. August 31, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 93 is a power song about the Lord who is sovereign over all things, even the sea and primordial chaos. God is the one who holds back chaos. Jesus Christ is the Lord who calmed the sea with his voice and brought salvation. August 24, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bon...

"Let go and let God" is a saying in Christian circles. Is it helpful? Matthew 11 is helpful for evaluating the saying. There it talks about how Jesus both gives "rest" and also a "yoke." In some ways Christians are called to "let go" but not in others. August 24, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

Psalm 69 is an individual lament. It is an anguished cry to God for help by someone whose experience is like drowning while surrounded by a swarm of enemies. At the end, the psalmist finds comfort in God's grace and affirms that God responds and saves. Psalm 69 is ultimately about Jesus Christ who suffered affliction on our behalf. August 17, 2025 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Chur...

"God helps those who help themselves" is a saying in Christian circles, but is it true? These words are not in the Bible. The closest the Bible comes is probably 2 Thessalonians 3. August 17, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 58 is a call for God's justice on cruel and ruthless rulers of the earth. The call for justice is quite harsh. Verse 10 is shockingly graphic. Realistically, some of the evil in this world is sick and twisted. But nothing in history compares to crucifying the divine Son of God. There will be a final judgment when righteousness will finally triumph and wickedness will ultimately fail. August...

"You're Never More Safe Than When in God's Will" is a saying in Christian circles, but is it true? Jesus' words in Luke 21 are instructive. August 3, 2025 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aaronvriesman.substack.com

Psalm 74 is a lament over the destroyed temple and a call for God to act. God seemed to be silent as enemies desecrated and destroyed the sacred ground. The song recounts God's mighty acts of the past and calls for God to stand up for himself. Psalm 74 is ultimately about Jesus Christ, who is the true temple of God's presence on earth, destroyed for a time by crucifixion before a glorious resurrec...