Madison Reformed Church

Lev. 10:1–7  2 Kgs. 18:1–8  Matt. 18:15–20  1 Tim. 3:14–16   In this message, we explore Paul's wonderful claim that the Church is a "pillar and buttress of the truth." With this authority, the Church applies the Word of God to maintaining order among God's people and regulating our worship of the living God.

In this Good Friday meditation, we consider the meaning of the name Gethsemane ("olive press") and its significance as the location of Jesus' prayers before His crucifixion. For those hard-pressed on every side, Jesus is the Savior in Gethsemane, who shares His anointing with us.

Deut. 1:9–18  1 Kgs 3:5–15  Matt. 20:20–28  Acts 6:1–6   Christ raises up officers to serve His churches. But how does that happen "on the ground"? In this message, we examine Scripture's design for identifying men to church office, and the immense privilege it is to select them.

Everyone loves a good story. Peter wants Christians to realize that their story is the same as ancient Israel, and for that reason, all who believe in Christ have the same status and privilege as those who came before. Your story is that you're a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people of God who have received His mercy. And this is the story we proclaim.

Exod. 18:13–27  Prov. 11:14; 15:22  Matt. 23:1–4  1 Tim. 3:1–13   Every group on earth has to get organized in order to get anything done. It's the same with the Church. But the difference is that the Church is a heavenly institution that also exists on earth. In this sermon, we learn that Christ's care for and rule over His people is experienced in the order and officers of the Church.

Most of us are familiar with the idea of "getting saved." But have you ever said, "I need to grow up in salvation"? That's how Peter speaks about our walk with Christ here in the second chapter of his letter. Using two wonderful images—the nourishment of milk, and the building up of stones—Peter shows Christians the way to taste and keep on tasting that the Lord is good.

Exod. 30:1–10  Isa. 29:11–16  Matt. 15:1–9  Acts 7:51–60  In Acts 7, Stephen brings down an indictment on the Pharisees, who were the leaders of the church in that day, saying, “You…received the law as delivered by angels, but did not keep it.” In fact, they did the opposite. They opposed and persecuted the prophet, they resisted the Holy Spirit. Stephen strong words shows us there is such a thing...

Isaiah 40:6–11 & 1 Peter 1:22–25. "Love one another" is one of the most repeated commands in the Bible. But we run out of steam in obeying it. Peter shows us where the power comes from: the Word of God.

Rev. Dr. Brandon Burks ( Christ Reformed Church , Bellevue, KY) joins us to open God's Word from Daniel 5.

Num. 5:5–10  Prov. 4:20–27  Luke 9:21–27  Gal. 5:16–26  There are such things as hypocrites in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is to say, that in the visible church, there are people who are “physically there,” but “nonetheless are not part of it.” Some people hear this and it fills them with a kind of dread. In this message, we learn Scripture's marks of the true Christian, and wha...

So many of our problems were handed down to us. In our families, nation, and culture, we have sinful habits and dispositions that we've inherited from those who came before us. Is being a Christian just...learning how to stop acting up? Or is it something more? In this message, we learn that nothing less than our liberation is required. And Christ has paid the price for that liberation, not w...

Deut. 13:1–5  1 Kgs 12:25–33  Mark 13:9–13  2 Tim. 4:1–5   Are there such things as false and true churches, and is there a way to tell the difference? When we open Scripture, we see three things prioritized in Christ's assembly: the preaching of the gospel, the administration of the sacraments, and church discipline.

Christians are guaranteed to face trials and hardships, so how should we respond when they come? In this section if his letter, the apostle Peter encourages us to continue rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord. This salvation is "top-to-bottom" a work of God, and by meditating on Christ, it comes powerfully to encourage us during times of distress.

Lev. 14:1–9  Joel 2:28–32  Matt. 11:25–30  Eph. 4:1–16   What's it mean to be a member in Christ's church? Everyone united to Christ is a member of His universal church, as members of a body belong to one Head. But that membership expresses itself visibly in local churches with particular people. In this message, learn three particular ways that we maintain this unity.

Rev. Zac Wyse (Ascension Reformed Church) completes our series on Christian giving by opening to Philippians and Acts. He shows that the  act of giving is a spiritual sacrifice, like the fellowship offerings of the Old Testament, and therefore is best place in the actual worship service.

The Christian life is lived in exile. We are not home yet, but live in a world often hostile to Christ and His Church. How do we live in such a world? The apostle Peter has written a letter that shows us the way. In this first sermon in a new series through 1–2 Peter, we discover that although we are exiles, we've been chosen by God, are guided by the Spirit, and are cleansed by Christ.

Gen. 12:1–3  1 Kings 19:9–18  John 4:19–26  1 Cor. 1:1–3  The doctrine of the Church has fallen on hard times. Many wonder what the Church actually is, who belongs to it, and whether or not it has any real authority. We confess the biblical teaching that the Church of Jesus Christ is  catholic —not Roman Catholic—but "universal," which is all that the word means. We discover in Scripture...

Num. 16:41–50  Ps. 103:20–22  Luke 16:19–31  Heb. 11:39–12:2   What is the "cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us? Are they the saints who have gone before us, can we interact with them? In this message, we look at the Roman Catholic practice of praying for and to the saints, and respond to this teaching.

In this short series on giving in the Christian life, we've identified the main purposes for giving are to extend mission of the church and relieve of poor. This last message now addresses the heart of the one who gives to these causes. We learn how to steer clear of prosperity gospel nonsense and rest firmly in God's generosity in the gospel.

Gen. 18:22–33  Job 9:28–35  John 17:20–26  Heb. 7:23–28   Some say doctrine doesn't matter. It's all about devotion to God. But you have to know who God is and what He says about Himself in order to be devoted to Him—and that's what doctrine is. The doctrine of Christ's intercession shows this perfectly. In this message, we learn how to overcome the fears we have in approaching...

How does the church support those in need? In this messages in our series on Christian Giving, we look to the early Church's pattern of generosity to learn that through Christ's own poverty, we have become rich. We also touch on practical considerations, like who counts as "the poor" in our day, and how do Christians best help them?

Exod. 29:38–46  Hos. 6:1–6  Matt. 5:17–20  Col. 2:16–3:6  Many are exploring movements like the Hebrew Roots, or traditions like Eastern Orthodoxy, both wildly different but filled with ceremonies. What does Scripture teach about such ceremonies? We look together at Christ's claim to fulfill the Law, and how that teaches us to seek Him in heaven, not in the earthly ceremonies of the Old Coven...

God has designed for His Kingdom to advance on earth through the ordinary ministry of the gospel. This spiritual work comes with material costs. In this message, we look at one of the main reasons why God's people are called to give generously—keeping up our churches up and spreading them where they're needed.

Deut. 6:1–3  Ruth 2:8–16  Luke 17:5–10  1 Cor. 3:5–15   We continue in the doctrine of sanctification by focusing in on Scripture's teaching on works and rewards. How can it be that God promises to reward our good works if sanctification is by grace? The answer is that even the rewards are by grace.

This message begins with several intro comments about this new and quick series on giving in the Christian life. In this message, we turn to Scripture's instruction on the tithe. What was it? What did it mean? And does it still apply for Christians today?