Reformed & Expository Preaching

Introduction The Book of Esther presents characters driven by passion rather than clear devotion to God, much like Samson. The narrative tension goes deeper than simply replacing Queen Vashti. The real challenge is whether God can fulfill his redemptive promise. God promised in Genesis 15, "I am your shield and defender." Abram is to have his confidence in God alone. Now the book of Esther recalls...

This week we explore Ferguson’s teaching through the lens of 1 Peter 1:1-7.  We seek to answer the question, “What does it truly mean to be holy?” Ferguson defines holiness as being entirely God’s possession.  This means that all we do and possess belongs to Him.  This impacts every thought and consideration. We consider Peter the stumbling disciple.  He saw Christ’s beauty.&nb...

Introduction So often we think that once we are Christians, our lives will get easier. We need to realize that the Christian life isn't always easy sailing. We will taste the pain and struggles of this age. Afterall, this world is under sin’s curse even as Christ’s redemption stands firm. We need to see perseverance as our conscious pushing forward in this world. We must remember that it is God wh...

The Book of Esther shows how God works even in silence. From King Xerxes’ pride to Esther’s rise, the story reveals His providence through unexpected heroes. Even in exile, God protects His people, fulfilling His promises through the seemingly weak. This week we consider divine sovereignty, human ambition, and faithful courage in the face of uncertainty.

Confused about sanctification? You're not alone. For centuries, Christians have wrestled with what it really means to grow in holiness. Even 175 years after the Reformation, Walter Marshall had to write The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification because believers were still struggling with this fundamental question. The problem is our deep tendency toward self-reliance instead of resting in God's provis...

Introduction We can hear the slogan“Once Saved Always Saved!” as a summary of the Christian life.  This sounds like you go through life on easy cruis control as a mindless muppet.  The Canons of Dort, Reformed Theology, clarifies that believers can fall into serious sin, and God may allow us to experience the consequences. However, the assurance remains that God will ultimately bring His...

The Book of Esther is more than a heroic tale—it's divine satire revealing God's faithfulness through imperfect people. From King Xerxes’ pompous vanity to Queen Vashti’s principled defiance, the story exposes human weakness while highlighting God’s sovereign control. Even in exile, when His people compromise and stumble, God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises, demonstrating that true del...

Introduction Human beings love simplicity. The instinct to “keep it simple” can be helpful, but when applied too rigidly to theology, it can flatten realities that Scripture itself presents with depth and tension. This is especially true when thinking about salvation, grace, and the human will. The Canons of Dort push us to look beneath the surface.  We are invited to ask not only what happen...

Introduction We conclude our series of God’s family.  We focus on Christ’s baptism as presented in Luke and Matthew . While critics often point to differences between the Gospel accounts as contradictions, Scripture itself treats multiple witnesses as a strength, not a weakness. Each evangelist emphasizes different aspects of the same event to reveal deeper theological meaning. Luke and Matth...

Introduction In this exposition of 1 Corinthians 2, Paul’s contrast between the natural (fleshly) person and the spiritual person is carefully unpacked in light of the Canons of Dort. The goal is to correct common misunderstandings.  We might want to be very moralistic where we impose our will on someone else because we are more Spiritual. We might want to make a distinction in the church.&nb...

Introduction Luke’s Gospel invites us to hear a story that turns the world upside down. Kings reign, empires boast of peace, and yet heaven quietly enters history through a peasant couple in a crowded town. What Luke gives us is not a story of political triumph or cultural success, but divine irony. The true King arrives when the world’s rulers appear to have everything under control. As we follow...

We are not puppets but renewed people shaped by grace. The gospel’s sincere call both invites and transforms, revealing a sovereign Savior worthy of our trust and worship.

Introduction There are two kinds of people in God’s kingdom.  Some are in the covenant line, and others are outside the covenant line.   Matthew captures this by showing us that there are insiders (God’s covenant people) and outsiders (those who are not directly tied to Abraham by their family line).  Matthew addresses the issue of whether or not the outsiders can be part of the fam...

Introduction We spend another week considering the doctrine of Limited Atonement. We examine this doctrine using John 17 and the Canons of Dort. Christ’s pristly work and his compassion is evident as he goes to the cross. Our problem is that we can have a “scarcity mindset” regarding Christ’s work. We might think that limited atonement teaches that there is just enough of Christ’s work to go aroun...

Introduction Matthew’s genealogy prompts listeners to think about family legacy, reputation, and spiritual lineage. Just as we may judge someone by their family’s reputation, Matthew opens with Jesus’ lineage to show both the brokenness and faithfulness found in God’s people. He highlights deeply flawed individuals.  There are high performers and not-so-high performers. Matthew shows us that...

Introduction Limited atonement sounds as if the Lord is setting up an excluvie group or there is not enough for everyone. Far from portraying Christ’s atonement as scarce or exclusive, Scripture presents it as infinitely sufficient for the whole human race. However, Christ’s work is only applied to the sheep. So, Christ’s work is not a scarce resource, but it is only applied to the elect. This is...

As we conclude our study of Luke’s Gospel, we see Christ revealing His glorified body to His disciples, offering peace, fellowship, and assurance. Even in doubt and human failure, His mercy endures. Christ fulfills God’s promises, opens the Scriptures, and invites us into communion with Him. Today, we live in the reality of His resurrection, drawing near to Him and anticipating the eternal feast a...

Introduction As we continue through the Canons of Dort, it is important to remember how this confession is structured. Each head of doctrine has a positive section, where the churches state what they believe, and a “rejection of errors” section, where they clarify what they do not believe. The goal is not to be reactionary or merely negative, but to confess positively what Scripture teaches about...

Introduction The crucifixion, intended as a deterrent by Rome, is intedened to kill people in a demeaning, painfully slow way.  The intention was to deter anyone from rebelling against Rome. A successful execution is when someone stays dead.  A really successful crucifixion is when one is deterred and broken against any hope of rising above the empire. The irony of the cross is that Chri...

Introduction The doctrine of unconditional election, as presented in the Canons of Dort, is often misunderstood as unfair. However, the Canons argue that it is a loving doctrine because it guarantees the fulfillment of God’s redemptive decree, ensuring that His people will enter His rest despite our rebellion. Election by Grace The Canons of Dort affirm that God’s election is a gracious choice mad...

We often sanctify Christ’s cross. The Cross serves as a reminder of humanity’s sinfulness and the need for redemption. The shock of the cross is that it testifies to a failure. It shows a failed attempt to overthrow Rome. However, the irony of the gospel is that the cross is the very basis to undermine all competing authority and establish God’s redemptive purpose. Cross Bearing Disciple When Luke...

We welcome Rev. Austin Britton to our pulpit. He preaches about Christ’s ascension. The ascension of Christ is not abandonment but a strategic move for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ departure allows the Holy Spirit to empower the church, making Christ’s presence accessible to all believers. This expansion of Christ’s presence enables the church to fulfill its mission and empowers believ...

We welcome Rev. Austin Britton to our pulpit this morning. We hear his message exhorting us not to be Pharisees who cling uncritically to tradition, but to draw the boundaries where our Lord draws the boundaries. We are encouraged to discern what is pleasing to the Lord as we conduct ourselves. Rev. Britton recalls that the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of a significant boundary, much...

This week we began a series on the Canons of Dort, exploring the five points of Calvinism. These doctrines—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints—show God’s sovereign, transforming grace. Far from prideful or fatalistic, they call believers to humility, worship, and confidence in God’s faithful work.

Circumcision and baptism are not opposing signs but complementary marks of one covenant promise. Both point to the same gospel and the same Savior—Christ Himself. Circumcision looked forward in faith to the Redeemer who would be “cut off” for His people, while baptism looks back in faith to His finished work on the cross and resurrection. Each sign declares that God consecrates His people to Himse...