Madison Reformed Church

There are few things more challenging than estimating how long something will take. That challenge has led so many to deep frustration when it comes to the return of Jesus Christ. That frustration takes many forms, but the one Peter highlights in this passage is scoffing . There are those who begin to dismiss the idea of a day of judgment at all in order to justify living however they want. That’s...

Deut. 32:4–9  1 Chron. 17:11–15  Luke 11:1–13  Gal. 4:1–7   We have covered many practical things about prayer in this series so far. In this sermon, we take a step into deeper waters, looking to prayer as it relates to God the Father, and connecting prayer to the concept inheritance.

While Peter is aiming at false teachers in this passage, his purpose is to benefit ordinary Christians. He wants us to be discerning . False teachers promise a false view of freedom in Christ. We learn in this passage that the promises Jesus makes offer actual freedom—freedom from sin, from sin’s condemnation and from its power. And if that’s the case, then truly free people must be on guard again...

Deut. 31:16–18  Mic. 3:1–8  Luke 22:39–46  Jas. 4:1–10   There are instances in the Bible when God refuses to answer His people when they pray. So there is such a thing as bad prayer. In this message we learn how not to pray, what not to pray for, and what comforts compel us to pray anyway.

Peter continues his frontal assault on false teachers, now describing them as "unreasoning animals" and giving a description of the character, the ways they interact with churches, and the false prophet who inspires them even to this day—Balaam son of Beor (Numbers 22).

We commemorated Reformation Day (traditionally October 31) with our annual Reformation Lessons and Psalms. During this service, we we through the entire book of Galatians in stages, focusing on its teachings that inspired the solas  of the Reformation, responding with psalm-singing. This Scripture reflection meditates on the freedom we have in Christ.

Rev. Dr. Brandon Burks visits from our sister church plant, Christ Reformed Church of Bellevue, KY, and opens God's Word to the wonderful Gospel of John, where Jesus explains how eternal life begins in a person.

When God promises to do something, it's not hollow talk. In this passage, 2 Peter 2:4–10a, the Apostle Peter continues addressing the problem of false teachers in churches and the wicked living they bring with them. He reminds us all that God is able to judge the wicked and save the godly because He's done in before. By looking back at three striking examples of God's judgment, Pete...

Deut. 9:25–29  Ezek. 36:33–38  John 16:16–24  1 John 5:13–15  Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 116–117  One of the reasons we don't grow in prayer is lack of confidence. We aren't confident about what/how to pray and also sometimes aren't confident that the Lord will answer. In this message, we learn how to understand the wonderful promise of Jesus, "Ask, and you will receive&quot...

This is a time of spiritual gullibility in which Christians are susceptible to false teaching. In this part of Peter's letter to the churches, he equips Christian to stand guard against false teachers who disguise themselves as doing good, but actually exploit the people of God. In this message, we learn common marks of false teachers and to patiently wait for the day when Christ judges them.

Lev. 16:29–34  Joel 2:12–19  Matt. 6:16–24  Acts 13:1–3   Canons of Dort 5.7 What is fasting and how does it relate to prayer? As the Reformed churches prepare to participate in a day of prayer and fasting this coming week, we our attention on Scripture teaching on this Christian practice.

It's a dark world, but Scripture is the guiding light that will bring us to the glorious Day of Christ's return. Peter expresses this hope with amazing images in this passage from 2 Peter, showing us that even though Christ is in heaven, He has left behind the light of glory in the Word.

Gen. 4:25–26  Ps. 22:1–11  Mark 15:33–37  Acts 4:23–31   "Always Christ in the heart. Always a Psalm in the mouth." This saying that become common among ancient Christians helps us see the connection between the Psalms and the Savior. In this sermon, we learn that the Psalms should have a central place in our prayer life, enabling the deep and diverse prayers our souls long for, and help...

Exod. 17:8–16  2 Chron. 20:1–15  Matt. 26:40–46  Eph. 6:10–20  Having covered a lot of ground on the basics of prayer in previous sermons, this message aims those insights now at spiritual battle. We discover the defensive and offensive purposes of prayer against our enemies (the world, the devil, and the flesh), as well as how to achieve victory in the midst of temptation and doubt.

The Christian faith high, big-picture ideas like our election and calling. It also includes more detailed things like everyday obedience. In this passage, Peter wants these things united together in a Christian's life. For that reason, Peter doesn't just talk about election and calling as concepts, but calls on us to confirm them in our lives personally. This sermon explains how.

Deut. 9:22–30  Isa. 59:14–21  Matt. 5:43–48  Heb. 7:23–25  The in the famous A.C.T.S. prayer acronyms, the "S" is for  supplication,  when we ask God to meet our needs. But when we ask God to meet the needs of others, it becomes  intercession.  We act as a go-between, pleading with God on behalf of others. In this message, we scour Scripture to understand what this kind of prayer is and...

The Church today must emphasize the amazing news that Christ died for sinners. But the question still stands—what about virtue? Should we be virtuous people, filled with good qualities and good deeds? The answer is yes. Peter shows us how this happens. Through the word of the cross, God works His own excellence and virtue in us.

The first sermon in a new series on 2 Peter, where we learn Simeon Peter highlights the power of faith—how it gives us equal footing with all believer (even the apostles!), how it comes from Christ as a gift, and how it grows throughout the challenges of our Christian life.

Gen. 32:22–32  2 Chron. 6:18–21  Mark 8:1–10  1 Tim. 2:1–7   In the famous and very useful A.C.T.S. prayer acronym, we learn how to pursue a multi-faceted prayer like, like the Bible intends. In this message, we turn to 1 Timothy 2:1, and to prayers of thanksgiving and supplication.

Psalm 12 is the prayer of a believer caught between the claim that God’s Word is true on the one hand, but also that lies and hypocrisy are so prevalent on the other hand. He hears them everywhere and sees their effects everywhere. Christians have to reckon with this problem today as well. And Psalm 12 teaches us that even when the lies of the world invade the Church, you can trust God because He...

The great Reformed theologian and historian Hughes Oliphant Old said, “[T]here is something in our whole culture that makes us feel uncomfortable with the holy." In this message, we learn how to become comfortable with holy and transcendent things through meditation on God's Word for this great end: to adore our God, and to confess our sins to Him.

Rev. Lee F. Veazey visits MRC and opens God's Word to the great 23rd Psalm. Psalm 23 has the undisputed place of being the most well-known and well-loved Psalm, the most famous and most familiar of all 150 chapters in the Psalms.  This is not without good reason, for the six verses of Psalm 23 are full of confidence and trust in the Lord.  Indeed, Psalm 23 has been on the lips of the very you...

Psalm 143:1–12  Mark 8:27–38  Galatians 2:15–21  Here are some general comments regarding the theme. Paul wants the churches in Galatia (and in Madison, Indiana) to know that justification by faith in Jesus Christ is not just a doctrine “out there” but is good news “in here” when personally applied.  When it comes to justification by faith in Jesus Christ, “you’ve got to take it personally.”

Psalm 11 poses a very direct question in v. 3: “When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The destruction of foundations here refers to decay in Israel. If Israel was founded upon the covenant that God made with His people, then the foundations being destroyed refers to the way wickedness had gotten a hold of the nation. In other words, the central question posed here is How...

Deut. 6:4–9  Ps. 119:9–16  Luke 2:8–12  Jas. 1:22–25   The English Reformed minister Thomas Manton tells us, “Meditation is a middle duty between reading or hearting God’s Word and praying. The Word feeds mediation, and meditation feeds prayer.” In this message in our series on prayer, we discover Scripture's images for godly meditation, and how meditation is the engine for prayer.