Reformed & Expository Preaching

The Law Goes Deep: God's Law in the Life of Grace | Romans 8:4 & Matthew 5:17 (Chapter 8)

If we're saved by grace and sanctified by the Spirit, what's the role of God's law? Romans 8:4 points us to the answer: Christ came so "the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk according to the Spirit." In this session we explore Chapter 8 of Sinclair Ferguson's Devoted to God, unpacking how law and grace work together. These are not ncessarily competing concepts in the Christian life. However, we need to be careful as we define this. Love and Law Aren't Opposites Some accused Paul of rejecting God's law (Acts 21:21), but Paul consistently upheld it (Romans 3:31). Love motivates obedience; the law directs love. As Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Three Ways Jesus Fulfills the Law Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17), Ferguson identifies three dimensions of how Christ fulfills the law for our sanctification: Permanent Significance — The law, especially the Ten Commandments, reflects God's own character and his original design for humanity. Its principles endure, shaping us as image bearers being renewed in Christ (Colossians 3:10). Obedience in Teaching — Jesus lived the law perfectly, not grudgingly but with delight. He also revealed its depth: adultery begins in the heart, murder with a word (Matthew 5:21–28). True righteousness flows from a Spirit-transformed heart, not external performance. Fulfilling All Dimensions — Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law through his once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1–4) and the civil law by building a global, multi-ethnic church. The moral law remains, now written on our hearts by the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33). Married to Christ, Not the Law Christians are not under the law as a system of condemnation, but under "the law of Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21) — united to him as a bride to a husband (Romans 7:4). The Spirit empowers what the law directs. As Ralph Erskine beautifully put it: "The gospel gives me feet and hands... it bids me fly, and gives me wings." This harmony transforms duty into delight. Takeaway God's law is not a burden. We need to see it as a guide reflecting his holy character. Our catechism states it well when the Heidelberg Catechism reminds us that the law is our guide for grateful living after being redeemed from our sin and misery. we are empowered to live it out through Christ and his Spirit. It is true that we will never achieve perfection in this age, however, we are undergoing a progressive transformation, metamorphosis, toward the heavenly calling God has placed on our lives.

Relationship in the Church (1 Peter 4:7-11)

The sermon reminds us that "the end of all things is at hand.” This might cause fear, but it should not. Rather, it should be a joyful declaration of the new reality we live in since Christ's ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are born again, brought into Christ's kingdom by grace alone, and called to live as pilgrims with one eye on the world around us and one on the glory to come. In light of this reality, the Apostle Peter urges believers to cultivate relationships within the church that glorify God. The message highlights four key imperatives for how we are to relate to one another: Be sober-minded for the sake of your prayers, which is a clear mind that frees us from sin's fog, enabling us to see the needs and dangers around us, rely on God, and intercede effectively for our brothers and sisters. Love one another earnestly, which means a constant, enduring love that forgives repeatedly ("70 times 7"), covering a multitude of sins through mutual forgiveness rather than alienation. Showing hospitality without grumbling is challenging because this is a genuine, open-hearted involvement in others' lives. We are called to share joys and sorrows, imparting wisdom and energy, and welcoming without expectation of return or hidden complaints. Serve one another with God's gifts. Every believer has received gifts from God's varied grace. We identify and use them not by self-focused assessments, but by looking to the needs of others—speaking God's words and serving in deeds as faithful stewards. Though we fall short daily, God is still glorified in our relationships through Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s perfect work, ongoing intercession, sanctifying Spirit, and example of sacrificial love. Our imperfect church community foreshadows the eternal fellowship awaiting us when Christ returns. We are called to live out our new identity in Christ, drawing us closer to our Savior and one another.

Our Eternal Problem (Matthew 25:35-46; LD 4)

Introduction: When faced with a problem, our instinct is to solve it. This does not mean we fully understand the problem. We can rush to judgment, minimize the problem, and then come up with the wrong solution. This is a not a great way to problem solve. The same temptation applies to the problem of sin. We reach for strategies. We can minimize the depth of sin through antinomianism. We can claim that the problem of sin is outside of us so we try to escape it through monasticism where we hide away. The most common way is to just have more gfit and manage it through better personal discipline. But none of these approaches touch the root of the issue. As Luther reportedly said of his time in the monastery, "I went to escape the rascal, only to find that the rascal followed me there." The point: the problem is not outside of us, but it is deep within us. We are sinful creatures because of the fall. So the catechism presses the question: how much trouble are we really in? We Robbed Ourselves of Glory God created humanity with the full capacity to obey him. Man was not lacking anything nor did man need an extra gift to obey. Man had everything that he needed to obey God. Yet through his own willful disobedience, instigated by the devil Adam and Eve freely rebelled against God by deciding for themselves what was right. They forfeited the good gifts of their creation. They had goodness, peace, and communion with God, but immediately after the tree death meant losing these gifts. Satan may have sparked the rebellion, but Adam and Eve stoked the fire. The consequence of that choice is tragic. Christ's words in Matthew 25 are not easy ones: “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (v. 41). The image of Gehenna, Jerusalem's ever-burning garbage heap, is the metaphor for the unquenchable fire. It never stops burning. We have chosen for ourselves a very horrible fate. We Are Called to Bear the Fruits of Christ God is holy, and he cannot look away from sin. He is angry with the sin we inherit from our representative Adam. We are also responsible for the sin we commit. God will punish sin. That's a sobering reality. But the catechism doesn't leave us there; it turns to the question of what faithfulness actually looks like in the life of someone who is in Christ. The picture Christ paints in Matthew 25 is a shepherd separating sheep from goats. The sheep are those who fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, clothed the vulnerable, and visited the sick and imprisoned. It is important that thgey did not even know that they were going to receive any recognition. Most of all they never thought of this as a doing this for Christ. It was simply the natural outflow of a heart shaped by him. The goats, by contrast, saw no benefit in caring for those who couldn't return the favor. The emphasis is on the least of these. Christ's point is clear: the ones in Christ have a radically different value system. The sheep care for those who will not give them mutual benefits. The sheep and the goats bear fruit of their eternal destiny. There Are Eternal Consequences The catechism teaches that we begin to taste the fruit of what we sow in this life. We might say that this is a health and wealth type of message. However, there is another way to think about this. Those who tear others down find themselves isolated; those who exploit others will find few willing partners. When Christ says that you reap what you sow there is a call to do some self reflection. If life is not going the direction we want then we might consider what seed we are sowing. But the stakes don't end here. The warning is also going out to the eternal consequences. There is the language of the worm that never dies (Isaiah 66), John the Baptist speaks of the unquenchable fire (Matthew 3), the eternal fire (Matthew 25), the smoke that rises forever (Revelation 14). These are not casual metaphors. They are intended to be sobering because they communicate that a life outside of Christ in his age ends with eternal torment. This is not something that we should take lightly. When we take hold of Christ by faith we are assured that the same Christ who describes the eternal fire is the one who walked through it on our behalf. The cross was Christ enduring the eternal consequence of sin in our place, so that when he returns as the glorious Son of Man he returns to gather his sheep to himself. The goats are cast away, but the sheep will live in him because they are in Christ. Conclusion: Only Christ Can Solve This We are in a great deal of trouble if we stay the course after the fall. This is not a problem we can solve in our own strategy or strength. No technique, no strategy, no monastery will solve sin’s deep rooted problem. Even those who have walked with Christ for decades still feel the weight of sin at the end of their lives. If we struggle that much in the Spirit, how could we possibly overcome this on our own? The catechism's answer is not a program. It's a person. God knew the problem, God solved the problem, and God meets us with a call to life which is the call of the Gospel. So let us not minimize the fall with creative human solutions. Let us cling to our Savior who issues his gracious call. Let us find our life in him. And let us do the ordinary things of the Christian life to glorify our savior. Let us be a people who honor him.

God's Glorious Projection (Esther 8:1-17)

Introduction The book of Esther shows that God’s word is the only word and decree that stands. His word cannot be overturned. This is true even when it appears that evil has seized the upper hand. Throughout Esther’s story, it seems as though Satan has declared “checkmate” against God’s people. Haman’s decree threatens the destruction of the Jews. If his decree stays in effect, then his decree overrules God’s decree. We see from Esther that God is sovereign over history. The book of Esther assures us that His B team is more powerful than Satan’s A Team. The Transfer of Power The first development in Esther 8 is the transfer of power from Haman to Esther and Mordecai. Haman has been executed. His estate and authority are given to Esther and Mordecai. This is deeply ironic. The man who sought to destroy the Jews loses everything, and his wealth and position are handed to the very people he tried to annihilate. This is done despite the decree that “no woman should rise above a man.” Esther’s rise in status shows us that the decrees may be uttered, but they are only as weak as the men who made them. This reversal reminds us that God’s promises will prevail. Though the enemy boasts victory, we see that God quietly overturns their victory. God demonstrates that He controls history and that the seed of the woman will triumph over the seed of the serpent. Esther and Mordecai are God’s chosen instruments that he uses to publish his victory. Transferring the Decree Despite Haman’s fall, a serious problem remains: the original Persian decree to destroy the Jews cannot be revoked. This is why the king cannot take Vashti back to the palace. Daniel confirms this truth by telling us that the laws of the Medes and Persians cannot be overturned (Dan. 6:8). The Jews are to be exterminated, and the royal decree cannot be annulled. This means that one villain is removed from the story, but his villainy still stands. Esther pleads with the king for a solution. The king hears her plea. He gives the signet ring to Mordecai to issue a new decree. This new decree allows the Jews to defend themselves against those who would attack them. God works within the limitations of the Persian legal system to preserve His people. The danger is real, but God provides a means of deliverance. Even when circumstances seem impossible, God preserves His people and protects His people while working out His redemptive plan. God’s word and his decrees stand in him. The Truncated Reversal The first decree is never cancelled, repealed, or annulled. The Jews are allowed to fight against those who would attack them. The solution is not a true resolution. There are two opposing decrees existing side by side. This situation exposes the absurdity of human kingdoms that claim to bring a worldly utopia. The Persian Empire cannot resolve its own contradictions. It cannot create the perfect world it promises. This reminds us that true shalom or peace will not come in this age. Human kingdoms cannot establish the final utopia; only Christ’s consummated kingdom will bring lasting shalom. Conclusion The story of Esther reminds us that God’s decree will always stand above the decrees of earthly powers. When it seems that evil has won and God’s promises have failed, God is already working behind the scenes to build his eternal kingdom. For believers today, this story teaches us how to live in the present age. We do not expect this world to become our ultimate utopia. Instead, we live faithfully. We discern what is pleasing to our Lord, seeking to walk humbly before his face. No, we are not in glory, but we taste its power as we walk by the Holy Spirit. Just as God preserved His people in Esther’s day, He continues to do so today. Our hope rests in the Lord who has conquered sin, death, and hell in Christ. We do not walk humbly as a defeated people, but a people whose victory is secured in the king who was cut off. The king who passed through hell, and the king who has prevailed.

Chapter 7 - “In For the Kill”

Are you ready to fight sin with gospel hope? In this powerful message on sanctification, we explore Chapter 7 of Sinclair Ferguson's "Devoted to God" titled "In for the Kill"—learning how to actively put sin to death through the Spirit's power. Romans 8:13 declares: "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Sanctification is a battle, but it's rooted in our union with Christ and fought with His strength, not ours.