The Semper Reformata Podcast

Can We KNOW that We are Saved? Text.1 John 2:3-6 John, in this passage, four times uses the word KNOW. We can KNOW that we KNOW Him. we can see here how we will recognise, looking inwardly, that we are saved – the EVIDENCE that conversion has been effected in our lives by a divine work of God the Holy Spirit.  READ THE NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

The Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17 Why do we need this protection? A head wound or a bang to the head is a serious matter indeed. That’s why motor cyclists and bikers wear helmets. Brain injury is a very great danger. So it is for us, for it is in the brain, where all of our thought-life occurs – the mind. It is in the mind that the devil often strikes,  This sermon was recorded at T...

The Atoning Sacrifice Text: 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. John brings us back to the historic event of the Cross, where certain things happened – things that could be achieved by no other, things that had profound effects in heaven and earth, things that had eternal consequences, including our forgiveness from s...

The Shield of Faith Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. The soldier Paul had been watching and using as an illustration of our heavenly protection now rises, and lifts his shield. Paul likens it to the shield of faith!  This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here wit...

Our Brother in Heaven. Text 1st John 2:1  Do you see the tenderness in John’s voice here? He addresses the readers (and us!) as ‘My little children.’ John was in nature a very tender hearted man. He loved The Lord and was one of His closest companions. In his Gospel, John reminds us of his close friendship with Jesus, John 13:23 He’s not being egotistical, he’s j...

Christian Footwear Ephesians 6:14 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; READ ALSO: John 13:3-10 We are soldiers in a battle, and it is the fiercest battle of all, and we must ‘put on’ our personal protective equipment, – our armour, that God has provided for us. To help us understand this exhortation, Paul used an illustration, something that was very familiar to...

Theosophy and the New World Order A special address given at Templepatrick Reformed Church on Friday 17th January 2025. Theosophy - What is this ancient heresy and how might it be influencing global affairs today? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Confession of Sin and Forgiveness Text. 1 John 1:8-10.  John is not holding back. He is telling us that WE are sinful. He is speaking to Christians, and saying that we act sinfully because we are sinners by nature. It’s the way we are, it’s the way we are born, its the what separates us from God, who is sinless, whose primary characteristic is HOLINESS, – as John has already told us… God is L...

The Breastplate of Righteousness Text: Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;   READ  Romans 5:1-6 We need spiritual protection for the heart, and Paul calls it, ‘the Breastplate of Righteousness.’ So, we need to learn what this breastplate is, and how we employ it in our defence. But first,...

DARKNESS AND LIGHT 1st John 1:5-7 The first thing John wants us to learn about God is that he is LIGHT. That he is HOLY – morally pure, – so pure that we could never hope to come anywhere near him – God’s nature and character affects the relationship that we have with him for our sin affects our fellowship with a holy God. Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

The Belt of Truth Text: Ephesians 6:14   We have an enemy, – a deadly foe, one who attacks us with subtle tactics. This enemy is spiritual, it is Satan himself. So we must put on the whole armour of God. So Paul writes, in  Ephesians 6:12   1. Divinely Ordained PPE .  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the de...

Introduction to 1st John Text 1 John 1:1-4.   We begin our work on 1st John by looking at the first four verses. Like John’s Gospel it begins with a prologue, a natural introduction. So that’s where we start… Read the NOTES HERE . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

These Terrible Times 2 Timothy 3:1-5 A New Year message from Ballymacashon  We are living in the last days. Having said that, it is also clear that as these last days progress toward the end times, things on this ungodly earth will get significantly worse, both in the world and in the visible church. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except...

The Dark Side of 'Christmas.' Revelation 12 and Matthew 2:13 -22  Christmas is considered to be a happy time. Not for everyone of course. But for most people, it’s a time of happiness. It is after all, ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’ It’s great to have families together, to have a meal together, to hear the laughter of the children... For those of us who still remem...

The Wiles of the Devil Text. Ephesians 6:11, 2 Cor. 2:9-11.   Satan is a subtle enemy, and uses many types of subterfuge to deceive us; and we should not be ignorant of his schemes and plans. We too must be aware of the wiles of the devil. So what are Satan’s devices? Of course we saw one of these last time, when we were reminded that Satan often allows us, in our foolishness, to trivial...

Know Your Enemy Text. Ephesians 6:12  Paul, in Ephesians gives us valuable instructions on how to recognise our enemies, – and so to take precautions to protect ourselves from them, for how can we defend ourselves from an enemy we cannot recognise? In this passage we are taught both who our enemy is NOT, and who is IS. Read the NOTES HERE . This sermon as recorded at Ballymacashon - plea...

Behold the Lamb of God John 1:29 1. Christ Coming to John. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God 2. Christ Coming to Save.  3. Christ Coming to Us Read the notes HERE This sermon as preached at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Band Aid for the Soul? Bob's Christmas Day meditation for 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Glory of the Incarnate Christ. John 1:14 Three great biblical truths from John 1:14, His Incarnation Our Redemption God' Revelation to mankind This sermon was recorded at Templepatrick Reformed Church, and is reproduced here with their kind permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking a Stand Ephesians 6:120-14A There’s a battle taking place. It’s a battle against evil, and it is becoming clearer to all those who want to see. Conditions in this world are not getting better, they are getting worse as time moves on towards the end of this present age. We must prepare, spiritually for what lies ahead of us and that will involve Christians taking a stand for God, for Ch...

Finally Brethren... Text: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. In Ephesians, we have seen how basic gospel principles can be practically applied to everyday situations in which we will all find ourselves. Marriage, child-rearing and work are only examples of how Christian ethics work. Now, Paul comes to the final section in this book… Read the...

Who’s the Boss? Christian Management Strategies Text: Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him Paul is always balanced when he brings us these very practical examples of Christian doctrine and Christian faith being worked out in real life human situations. The ‘maste...

Work as Vocation Ephesians 6:5-9, Deuteronomy 15:12-18 Because we are called by God, in our daily labours, to be agents of his providence and sustaining grace, we are primarily answerable to him. And because work is a calling from God, it earns us a reward!  As Christians we are ‘slaves of Christ.’ In  1 Corinthians 7:22-23 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is...

How Do We Change the World? Text: Ephesians 6:5-9, Philemon read the NOTES HERE . The doctrine and theology of work is a complicated issue, raising lots of ethical and moral issues for the Christian believer. In this study we must address a very serious topic…  Did Paul Endorse and Support Slavery? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Servants, Masters, and Work Text: Ephesians 6:5  There is a Christian ethic of work. Paul is writing here to believers. We should not be surprised at that. For our experience of redemption reaches into every area of our lives. Certainly our Christian experience and our obedience to God extends well beyond an hour’s commitment on a Sunday morning. And our faith in God does not mean t...