From The Pulpit - sermons by Pastor Aaron

2 Samuel chapter 8 tells of King David defeating one nation after another. The victories sound smooth and even easy, but Psalm 60 was written at this time and it is about military setback and asking for God's help. It shows how moments of anxiety become accounts of God's faithfulness. May 12, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

It is faith that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. A believer's entire salvation rests on the person of Jesus Christ. John chapter 1 tells about the Word becoming flesh, meaning the Son of God took upon himself all the raw aspects of being human but was without sin. Being fully human and fully God in one person, he is the one and only salvation. May 12, 2024 AM sermon at North...

2 Samuel chapter 7 is a pivotal moment in the history of salvation. It tells of David wanting to build a house for God. God responds that he will build a house for David and that his throne will endure forever. But there is a problem. David's throne ended with the Exile to Babylon. When Jesus was born, Mary was told that Jesus would have his father David's throne and his kingdom would never end. B...

It is faith that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. Sin is not a popular topic but it is all over the Bible and critical to grace and salvation. All people everywhere are sinners in need of salvation in Jesus Christ. But I'm a good person who loves friends and family and does good things for others, so how could I be so bad? Glad you asked. Let's talk about that. May 5, 2024 AM...

2 Samuel chapter 6 tells of King David bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. A joyous event turns into a tragedy when someone touches the ark and then dies. David's second attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem led to him dancing for joy and a confrontation with his wife. She thought David acted undignified as a king because he danced like a commoner. April 28, 2024 PM sermon at North Bl...

2 Samuel chapter 4 tells of David becoming king over all Israel, showing how God takes many years to fulfill his promises but he does come through. David then takes Jerusalem in spite of the odds, showing how success is in God's hands. April 21, 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...

It is faith that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. Psalm 104 is a poem of marvel at God's creation and rule over all things. God did not abandon creation to chance or fortune but leads and governs in such a way that nothing happens without his orderly arrangement. This gives unspeakable comfort, knowing that even the struggles and pains of life are part of a grand loving plan....

It is faith/belief that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. The trinity - one God in three persons - is one such belief. Many religions dismiss the trinity as illogical and even many believers mistakenly think Jesus is not divine and the Holy Spirit is not a person. Nevertheless, the trinity is how the Bible presents God, however mysterious it might seem. If you take away the be...

2 Samuel chapter 4 tells of the murder of David's rival king and how David punished those who murdered their ruler. They thought they would be rewarded because they killed David's rival, but they didn't know David. Likewise, on the last day, many will expect to be rewarded but don't know Jesus Christ. April 14, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If...

It is faith/belief that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. While we can get a vague idea of God from the created order, it is Scripture that gives a clear view of God. The Bible is God’s written word: Divine writings by mortal pens. Surprisingly, the church never had a big gathering to decide which books would be in the Bible. The 27 books of the New Testament emerged organical...

2 Samuel chapter 3 tells of Abner defecting to David and bringing the rest of the kingdom under David's rule. Then David's military commander kills Abner and David orders a national mourning. This should have divided the kingdom but instead it solidifies respect for David as king. God's plans to make David king over all Israel prove to be unstoppable. April 7, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Chris...

It is faith/belief that saves, so the content of our faith is no small matter. When it comes to our belief about God, this has direct impact on our daily lives. If there were many gods, we would have to be on the good side of many deities. As it is, there is only one God to serve. If God were temperamental, we would have to worry about God's mood from moment to moment. As it is, God is immutable a...

2 Samuel chapter 1 tells of Judah anointing David and in response Abner anointed Ish-bosheth. Then a civil war ensues. Asahel notably dies at Abner's hand. All of this bloodshed over two big egos. Likewise, the ego of humanity resisted the reign of Jesus Christ and killed him for being "King of the Jews." March 24, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode....

Looking at Jesus' prayer at Gethsemane, we see many lessons about what prayer is and is not. It is an amazing opportunity of talking to our heavenly Father. It is not a magic formula to get what we want, but it is a powerful means of salvation. March 24, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or g...

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul says a prayer for the believers in the city of Ephesus. Instead of praying for their health or safety, he prays for their spiritual growth. Particularly, he prays they would comprehend the incomprehensible love of Christ. This knowledge is powerful enough to change our lives in every way and equip us to overcome anything life throws at us. March 17, 2024...

2 Samuel chapter 1 tells of David learning his enemy King Saul has died. David's best friend Jonathan has died. David brings justice to the one who claimed to have killed the king, which is a picture of those who attempt to leverage benefits from God instead of trusting his grace. Then David mourns his enemy and his friend together, an example of honoring our rulers - even the terrible ones. March...

In the book of Habakkuk, he asks God a question about why there is so much evil in the world. Habakkuk gets an answer but it only confuses him more. Habakkuk asks again and God responds once more. Habakkuk's prayers teach us to talk to God even when disappointed or confused by God. We can also see how the ultimate response to our questions is God essentially saying, "Trust me." March 10, 2024 AM s...

1 Samuel chapter 31 tells of Saul's rejection of God culminating in the ultimate self-destruction. Though Saul was a terrible king, the story is told with a somber tone for the tragic end that it is. Saul's bitter end is not unlike the bitter end that Jesus Christ suffered on the cross. Except, in the case of Jesus, those moments became his finest hour when he rose from the dead. March 3, 2024 PM...

Isaiah is ministering in a bleak time. God's people are about to take a nosedive into idolatry, which would lead to an exile to Babylon. Isaiah chapter 40 is written to the future exiles. He gives encouragement to those who "wait" on the Lord. Waiting on the Lord is like soaring on eagle's wings or running without tiring and walking without exhaustion. This is a message for us today also. March 3,...

1 Samuel chapter 30 tells of David and his soldiers returning to his hometown to find the place destroyed and everyone's wives and children abducted by the Amalekites. David inquires of the Lord and they rescue their families. Everyone and everything taken was recovered. The whole episode is a picture of how Jesus Christ rescued his people. February 25, 2024 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Re...

In Isaiah 36, the fierce King Sennacherib conquers all of Judah's cities and then surrounds Jerusalem. Sennacherib has overthrown many cities and nations whose gods did not save them. King Hezekiah of Jerusalem goes to God in prayer and asks for deliverance. God dramatically answers Hezekiah's prayer and Sennacherib is forced to retreat. February 25, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Refor...

Back in the fourth century, a certain pastor named Arius started teaching that Jesus Christ was not equal with God the Father and was actually a creature. Called "Arianism," this view became very popular but was vigorously denounced by the Christian bishops of the time. The Nicene Creed was written to combat the idea that Jesus Christ is not fully God as well as fully human. The truth of Jesus' fu...

In Psalm 51 David confesses a terrible sin in a prayer to God. Our prayers are a mirror on our spiritual health. If we never ask for forgiveness, it reveals an assumption that we have nothing to forgive. The Psalm 51 prayer says a lot about what it means to turn from sin. Especially potent is how God wants our hearts. February 18, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a...

Hannah is financially secure but has no children. She desperately wants a child so she prays and makes a vow to God. It would be this prayer that would begin a series of events leading to David's reign as king of Israel and fulfilled by Jesus Christ as King of kings. February 4, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wi...

Ephesians 3 uses an agricultural picture (rooted) and an architectural picture (grounded) to describe a believer's connection to love. But what sort of love? Romantic love? Love for family? Love for ice cream? Christians are rooted in a particular brand of love that is Christ's way of showing love. January 28, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If y...