The Semper Reformata Podcast

Discernment Text: 1 John 3:24b – 4:6 John draws a series of stark contrasts, to draw the believer’s mind to the great differences that pertain between Christians and unbelievers. Let’s just see some of those sharply clear contrasts… Different Constraints Different Confessions Different Citizenships Different Caricatures Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

The Raising of Lazarus - Part 4 John 11:28-37 When we are broken-hearted, Jesus knows and cares. This sermon was preached and recorded at Templepatrick reformed Church and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assurance Before the Lord 1st John 3:19-23 Reading through this passage will remind you that there are perhaps some very special times in your Christian life, when your conscience may convict you more than any other time. It is when we come before the Lord to pray and to read his word. Whether at Church or in the prayer meeting or in the quiet place…. something deeply spiritual is happening when w...

Lazarus - Part 3. John 11:17-24 Jesus and His disciples have left the safety of Galilee and gone to Bethany, and the narrative now moves on to the arrival of the travellers at Bethany. What will they find when they get there? Read the NOTES HERE This message was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church and is used here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...

Love’s Amen! Text. 1st John 3:16-18  Our love for others is the outworking in our lives, of his love for us… it is our response, – our practical Amen to what Christ has already done for us. So, let’s get things in the correct order,  Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising of Lazarus, (Part 2) Where Jesus Calls His Disciples to Witness God’s Glory at Work Text: John 11:11 These verses show the tenderness in Christ’s heart for his disciples. He speaks with great affection about Lazarus, and words of comfort for Hs disciples, but they misunderstand, ... Recorded at Ballymacashon - apologies for the poor sound quality. Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See...

Love is a Task and a Test. Text.  1 John 3:11-15 (OT Text: Gen 4:1-16) Is there any hatred, down inside us? Do we love our brothers and sisters as we ought? Only by serious self-examination in the light of God's word, can we know that there has been a work of grace done in our hearts. read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story of Lazarus, Part 1. The one where Jesus loves Lazarus so much that he waits two days! Text: John 11:1-10 In this short series, we are looking at an incident from the earthly ministry of Jesus, one that brought great glory to God, so amazing was it. Click this link to read the notes. This sermon was preached at Ballymacashon, and at Templepatrick Reformed Church, was recorded at TRC, and...

For this Purpose Text: 1 John 3:4-10 The key to understanding this passage is to grasp the meaning of two verses, verse five and verse eight. And those verses are specifically about PURPOSE. But when John talks about purpose here, he doesn’t talk about himself, or me or you, he talks about Jesus! What was HIS purpose? Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

A Piece of Metal that Floated? REPRISE - First broadcast in 2013. Recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and used here with their kind permission, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian Ethics in a benefits Society Exploring the Biblical Doctrine of Work In this talk, we attempt to establish a biblical basis for Christians to examine the important issue of work, and the place of work in our society. It’s about the ethics of work, and the biblical doctrine of work, and about attitudes to work in our our nation. And that’s where we start, for Christians are to live in a m...

The Christian’s Parentage, Potential and Purity Text: 1 John 3:1-3. We turn the page in our study of 1st John, and we come to chapter 3, and John talks about what we already are, as Christians, – what we will be, and what we ought to be. read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seeking the Lord? Isaiah 55:6-7 We are all to be seekers… .  but who will search for God? This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Read the NOTES HERE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to Survive the Last Days . Text. 1 John 2:26 -29. John has already declared that we are living in the last days – that long period between the ascension of The Lord Jesus into Heaven after his resurrection, and before he returns in glory to judge the world. The period when there would be antichrists, inside the church and without, and Christians need to be wary. In this passage he gives those...

Arthur Guinness – An Irishman and a Christian Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. I’m wondering have you ever seen a bottle of Guinness? There’s a signature on that bottle, or can, ARTHUR GUINNESS. The Guin...

The ONLY Way to Heaven John 14:1-6 This sermon was preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The REAL St Patrick Many Roman Catholic people hold Patrick in such esteem that they will accept little or nothing about him which runs counter to their perceived opinion. Many Protestants have, traditionally, been so apathetic about Patrick that they have bee content to ignore him, and leave it to their Roman Catholic friends to celebrate his life in whatever way they have chosen. This podcast se...

Antichrists in the Church.  Text:  1 John 2:18-27. John turns from Christian behaviour, in the earlier verses of the chapter, to Christian BELIEF in these verses, and the first point he makes is a warning against false teachers in the church – he speaks of The antichrist. What exactly does the Bible say about the antichrist in this passage? we examine this passage under three headings: T...

Christian Concern Text: Ephesians 6:21-24. (Cf Colossians 4:7-9) Here we have Paul’s final words, in his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, as he brings his epistle to a close and in closing he brings them a word of consolation, a word of commendation, and a word of blessing. It is an expression of Christian fellowship and love. This sermon was recorded live at Ballymacashon, - please excuse the...

Do Not Love The World Text: 1 John 2:15  Christians must be wary, for the present world holds much attraction, and they will be tempted to take of its goods and trust in its promises, but it is a false hope, for this world and everything in it is passing away. Don't be beguiled by its empty promises and false hopes... Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Paul's Prayer Request. Text: Ephesians 6:19-20 – 2 Corinthians 12:9ff The Christian has a ‘prayerful lifestyle’ – a basic disposition to prayer, a heart that will turn to God for help in whatever circumstances, seeking His guidance and help, whatever might come our way. And we are to pray for others. So, having made that point, Paul now puts them to work, – admitting HE needs prayer and askin...

Who We Are and What We Have in Christ.  Text: 1 John 2:12-14 This is a ‘greeting’ of sorts, perhaps a hymn – or even a ‘transition’ – like between the slides on a powerpoint! Certainly it’s an exhortation to the Christians to show them who they are, and what they have in Christ. Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Fundamentals of Prayer Text: Ephesians 6:18  In our last study we saw how important it was that every Christian should read and meditate upon the Bible, God’s infallible word, and so submit to the work of God the Holy Spirit, in applying God’s Word to our lives ( Ephesians 5:25-26 ). Just as the armour of God is a defence against satanic attacks, so prayer is our greatest weapon against t...

How's That LOVE Thing Going For You ? In the podcast we look at 1st John 2:7-11, and note that John is teaching us that to be loving, - to be predisposed to love others, is a reflection of Christlikeness in us, and that we can use our assessment of our love for others, - our 'love quotient' as a means to know if we have really experienced God's grace in our lives. Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on A...

The Sword of the Spirit . (Extract) Text: Ephesians 6:17   The warrior now lifts his final piece of equipment, – his sword. It will be used in defence, to ward off the onslaught of the enemy, but also in attack, to inflict mortal blows upon the adversary of the soul, for after all, sometimes attack is the best form of defence. The Sword of the Spirit is a dual purpose weapon.  Read...