From The Pulpit - sermons by Pastor Aaron

From the beginning of time, God has promised to fix the mess of our sin. As the Old Testament progresses, prophesies begin to show a Savior is coming. In 1 Chronicles 17, God promises King David a dynasty that would endure forever. Around 400 years later, Babylon conquered Jerusalem and removed the last king of David's line. The people wondered if God had broken his promise. Then, Jesus Christ was...

Is anyone good enough to earn God's favor? The Bible answers a hard "no." All people are sinners who need to be saved. This is why Christmas is a time of rejoicing. Jesus came into the world to save us. Everything that is wrong with the world, Jesus came to fix it forever. December 8, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss t...

From the beginning of time, God has promised to fix the mess of our sin. As the Old Testament progresses, prophesies begin to show a Savior is coming. In Deuteronomy 18, Moses says a prophet is coming who will speak God's own words. Today, we know that this was talking about Jesus Christ. December 8, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to...

Psalm 126 is a community lament that looks back on how God had restored the fortunes of Israel in the past and asks for this to be done again. The words display a confidence that God will turn their weeping into joy, a confidence that Christians have because Christ rose from the dead. November 24, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like...

1 Timothy closes with some instructions to the wealthy. In the USA, even people at the poverty line are in the richest 14 percent of the world, this passage is to us. Notably, it does not command that the rich give up everything, but it does urge the rich to invest in eternity by being liberally generous and willing to share. Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reform...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. Mark ends abruptly. The women arrive at the empty tomb. A "young man" tells them Jesus has risen from the dead. They flee. The end. Mark's abrupt end seems to be for a reason. He wants to leave us hanging so we will focus on the empty tomb. Jesus' tomb was empty - let that sink in! Novem...

Psalm 17 is about an innocent person pleading with God to be rescued from enemies. They are merciless and the call for help is urgent. November 17, 2024 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

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. Mark chapter 15 presents Jesus convicted under Pontius Pilate for being "King of the Jews" and crucified. Crucifixion is supposed to be a humiliating defeat, but Mark shows how Jesus' suffering and death is a victory over humanity's greatest enemies. November 17, 2024 AM at North Blendon...

Psalm 2 is about how the world's rulers are in rebellion against God and his Anointed. From heaven's perspective, this is laughable. Instead of rebellion against God, he is our place of refuge. November 10, 2024 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...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. Mark chapter 14 begins the passion or suffering of Jesus as he is betrayed, arrested, abandoned, accused and denied. He didn't conquer in the expected way but he conquered by staying faithful even when every manner of evil is thrown at him. Those who follow Jesus conquer by staying faith...

Psalm 21 is a song of praise to God after a military victory. The song is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ who conquered by the cross. October 27, 2024 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

A sermon for the election season. Reports show that many Christians will not vote at all from "lack of interest" while other reports show people are making religion out of politics. We are to vote and participate in our government, but we are not to put our trust or hope in human rulers. They rule for a brief time but the Lord reigns forever. November 3, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In Mark chapter 13, Jesus talks about how he will return. The best is yet to come. October 27, 2024 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.substa...

Psalm 52 contrasts the wicked who arrogantly boast in deceit and those who trust in the steadfast love of God. The righteous will see the downfall of the wicked and give thanks to God forever. October 20, 2024 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.s...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In Mark chapter 12, Jesus squares off with the religious leaders. They attempt to shame him but he outwits them at every turn. They used religion as a mask for pride and greed, while the chapter ends with an extraordinary display of faith. We are not to put our ultimate trust in any othe...

2 Samuel 24 presents a difficult story. God is angry with Israel and incites David to conduct a census. We are not told why God is angry nor why a census would be immoral. David conducts the census and God brings pestilence on the nation until David offers himself on behalf of the people. A difficult story to understand, it shows how Jesus Christ offered himself on behalf of his people. October 13...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In Mark chapter 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem with all the signals that he is the coming king and Messiah. The people respond with excitement because they think Jesus will deliver them from the Roman oppressors. Instead, Jesus came to deliver from sin that is in all of us. The same people w...

2 Samuel 23 records David's final words and lists David's top soldiers. In David's words, we see the inspiration of Scripture and David's assurance in God's promise. In our final moments, we will have to let go of everything, but believers will still have God's promises to grasp. September 29, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In Mark chapter 10, Jesus continues to teach his disciples that his kingdom is radically different than the kingdoms of this world. Jesus' kingdom is where the least are the greatest and where sacrifice and service are the highest honors. September 29, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian...

Suddenly in the narrative of 2 Samuel, there appears a whole chapter that is a psalm or song about God delivering David from his enemies. The song is supposed to be David's testimony but there are indications that the song is actually about Jesus Christ. September 22, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In this chapter, Jesus shows how he is the glorious Son of God but then explains that greatness means humility and being the least. In a world of pride, the Son of God overcame by humility. September 22, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you...

A difficult Bible story. A famine in Israel leads King David to hand over seven of King Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites for revenge. A number of Old Testament laws were violated here and yet God seems to respond favorably. All of this anticipates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. September 15, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. At this point, Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ and Jesus then declares that his true mission is to suffer, be crucified and resurrected. This is not what they (or we) wanted to hear. September 15, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you w...

Another rebellion erupts against David, this time by someone named Sheba. David's commander surrounds the city where Sheba is hiding and is about to destroy the city except a wise woman intervenes. The city gives up the rebel and the city is spared. Like this woman, Jesus intercedes on our behalf and saves us from certain destruction. September 1, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed...

We invent superheroes and their stories but Jesus is an actual superhero who has defeated our greatest enemies. In this part of Mark's Gospel, Jesus heals deafness and blindness, also feeding 4000 from 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. His disciples are witnesses to all these miracles but remain obtuse about who Jesus is. September 1, 2024 AM at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a pu...