From The Pulpit - sermons by Pastor Aaron

The people are complaining and wanting to go back to slavery in Egypt again, even when seeing miracle after miracle to deliver him. God announces to Moses that he is going to destroy the whole nation and make a bigger nation from Moses. Instead of agreeing, Moses prays that God would pardon the people's sin. The first words out of Moses' mouth: "Then the Egyptians will hear of it." Why would God c...

God announces to Abraham that he is heading down to Sodom to see if the city is as wicked as he has heard. Since God is all knowing, this is not a fact-finding mission. God is inviting Abraham to pray. Abraham's nephew, Lot, lives in Sodom, so Abraham intercedes on behalf of the city. Like Abraham, God invites us to pray also. January 7, 2024 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church Th...

Whether you are Christian or not, the birth of Jesus was a turning point for the world. Because of him, all human life would begin to be seen as valuable. Women would be treated with dignity. Slavery would fade into history. The poor and sick would be worthy of help. Everyday work would be respected. Education would be for everyone. Most of all, he would pay for our sins in full, making all believ...

Before Jesus was born, the poor and the sick only received help from families. The Romans would only help another if reciprocity could be expected. Jesus healed anyone who came to him. He identified with the poor, the weak and the sick. Thus began the notion that every fellow human being is worth our help. Hospitals, nursing, the Red Cross were all Christian innovations. December 24, 2023 AM sermo...

Before Jesus was born, slavery was everywhere in the world. Owning slaves was considered the natural order of society. Then Jesus was born as God voluntarily becoming a slave. In doing so, he turned the social order on its head. The institution of slavery was destined to fade. Outlawing slavery was a distinctly Christian initiative. December 17, 2023 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed C...

"Angels From the Realms of Glory" is a familiar Christmas carol with key connections to Philippians 2, but its origin is surprising. Its text and tune together is a picture of how Jesus brings opponents together. December 10, 2023 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,...

Before Jesus was born, women were not treated well. Women were not given schooling. Women were given in marriage at a young age and legally a husband's property. Men could cheat on their wives all they wanted but wives faced severe punishments for cheating. Jesus, the world's salvation, entered the world by the virgin Mary and treated women with dignity. Wherever Christianity spread, women began t...

"O Holy Night" is a favorite Christmas carol with key connections to Hebrews 2, but its origin is surprising. December 3, 2023 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

Before Jesus was born, the Gentile world had little value of human life. Infanticide was common. Gladiators fought to the death for entertainment. Many ancient cultures practiced human sacrifice. When God assumed a fully human person in Jesus Christ, human beings had demonstrated value. Those who followed Jesus built cultures and societies that valued each individual person. December 3, 2023 AM se...

1 Samuel chapter 29 tells of David marching out to battle against his fellow Israelites alongside the Philistines and how he was sent back home when other Philistine leaders recognized him. We are supposed to see in the story how God rescued David from an impossible situation from being on the wrong side of the battle lines. God can use others' rejections to steer believers back to God's path. Nov...

God speaks to his people in Psalm 50, encouraging believers to be thankful and sternly warning the double-minded who go through the religious motions but are actually selfish. Ultimately, God doesn't want our gestures or tokens but our hearts. Are we placating God in selfishness, or are we truly thankful? November 23, 2023 Thanksgiving Day AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This...

We live in a world where we are the masters. Automobiles and appliances, furnaces and faucets, Alexa and Siri all obey our every command. In this environment, it is easy to envision God to be about us, meeting our needs, answering our prayers, giving us a fulfilling life by our standards. However, Jesus is not only our Savior but also Lord. He is the Master and we exist to serve him. November 19,...

1 Samuel chapter 28 tells of Saul going to a medium to contact the dead, specifically the late prophet Samuel. A scary paranormal story that turns to sheer horror when Samuel gives his message, Saul's downward spiral turns into a crash and burn scenario here. His actions become simply nonsensical in a depiction of a life without faith descending into the horrors of what Jesus Christ experienced on...

Imagine you got everything you wanted. According to Solomon in Ecclesiastes, if you had everything you wanted, you would find it empty. In the end, only knowing Jesus Christ will give what is truly meaningful. November 12, 2023 AM 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, vis...

1 Samuel chapter 27 tells of David joining his archenemies and pretending to be an ally while living by deceit and violence. Was David sinning in doing this or was he getting the better of Israel's enemies? In a confusing chapter, there is some clarity that can be reached. November 5, 2023 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss t...

We live in a time of unprecedented love for self. 2 Timothy 3.1-9 speaks of this. We are lovers of self, lovers of money, unappeasable, irreligious, seeking pleasure over God. Unlike the phones, restaurants, stores and products we use, Jesus does not cater to our preferences. Instead, he calls us to deny self, take up our cross and follow him. November 5, 2023 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian...

1 Samuel chapter 26 tells of Saul coming after David again and David again sparing Saul's life. Saul does not learn from his past foolishness and David's mercy and trust of God is seen again. Like Saul, we do not learn our lessons and repeat our sins while Jesus Christ continually intercedes for us. October 29, 2023 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If...

The Bible describes three enemies in following Jesus, one of which is the Devil or Satan. The enemy of enemies, Satan is a master deceiver who uses our doubts, fears, anger and ignorance to get us to disobey God. Only Jesus Christ has overcome him and only our trust in Jesus Christ gives us victory over Satan. October 29, 2023 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public e...

1 Samuel chapter 25 has a wise woman named Abigail stop David from doing something both foolish and sinful. She saves her household from a furious David and she redirects David to trust God instead of getting his own justice. As such, Abigail is a Christ figure in how she brought salvation through intercession. October 22, 2023 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public...

The Bible describes three enemies in following Jesus, one of which is the world and its opposition to Jesus Christ. The world under sin constantly gives us temptations to sin and pressure to conform to its own ideas about how life is best lived. Jesus said if we follow him, we will not fit in. October 22, 2023 AM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you wo...

1 Samuel chapter 24 has David with a chance to kill the wicked king who has been hunting him down for so long. David’s friends encourage him to take the opportunity because it is from God, they say. David refuses to harm Saul but cuts off the corner of Saul’s robe. David then calls out and shows Saul the corner of the robe. David shows respect for a ruler who deserved no respect. David entrusted h...

The Bible describes three enemies in following Jesus, one of which is our own sin nature, commonly called "flesh" in the Bible. While our flesh was originally created good, sin has spoiled our desires and inclinations. The flesh is the spoiled, selfish side of us that does not want to obey God or cooperate with others. Jesus Christ came in the flesh to redeem our flesh. Because Christ sent his Spi...

2 Thessalonians encourages harassed Christians with a reminder that God's righteous judgment is coming when Christ returns. On that day, some will enter eternal life (Heaven) and others eternal punishment (Hell). Like it or not, these two final destinations are mentioned frequently in the Bible. It's our responsibility to tell people about salvation in Jesus. October 8, 2023 AM sermon at North Ble...

1 Samuel chapter 23 contrasts David's attentiveness to God that results in others being delivered with Saul ignoring God and wanting to kill David. Desperation and stress fill David's every move as it is evident that God is orchestrating the events. Both David and Jesus show the path of salvation is difficult but well worth it. October 1, 2023 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church T...

1 Samuel chapter 22 shows how King Saul is more paranoid and delusional. Because Ahimelech the priest assisted David, Saul kills Ahimelech and everyone in the city. David then takes responsibility for the killings even as Jesus Christ has taken responsibility for our sins on the cross. September 17, 2023 PM sermon at North Blendon Christian Reformed Church This is a public episode. If you would li...