Baptized and Looking Forward to the Resurrection

Baptized and Looking Forward to the Resurrection

Dr. Estelle explores the final lines of the Nicene Creed, demonstrating how our baptism points to the definitive reality of justification by faith. By distinguishing between a judgment of justice and a judgment of mercy, he provides a robust defense of why Christians can face the end of the age with confidence.

One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church

In this sermon on the attributes of the church, Dr. Kim Riddlebarger examines the Nicene confession of the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church."  Dr. Riddlebarger distinguishes the Reformed understanding of these attributes from Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox models, emphasizing that these characteristics are not merely descriptive, but also exhortational and eschatological.  He explores the church’s unity as a spiritual reality rather than a papal institution, its holiness as an objective status in Christ, its catholicity as the universal body of the elect across time, and its apostolicity as a foundation of doctrine rather than a succession of persons. Drawing on Herman Bavinck, Louis Berkhof, and the Reformed confessions, this episode concludes with an exposition of 1 Corinthians 1:1–2, demonstrating how Paul affirms all four attributes as both a present gift and a calling for believers.

To Your Advantage

Dr. Craig Troxel, Robert G. den Dulk Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary California, examines John 16:4-7 and the Nicene Creed's doctrine that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son. In this devotion, Dr. Troxel addresses Jesus's teaching that His departure would be advantageous for the disciples. Dr. Troxel explains that Christ's ascension was necessary for the Holy Spirit to come—the two events are inseparably connected. The Spirit is both the proof and prize of Christ's completed messianic work, and it is the ascended Christ who sends the Spirit to His church at Pentecost. This demonstrates the creedal truth that the Spirit proceeds not only from the Father but also from the Son.

Lord and Life-Giver

In this sermon on the third article of the Nicene Creed, Dr. Michael Horton examines the Holy Spirit as "the Lord and giver of life." Dr. Horton traces the Spirit's work through three stages: creation, redemption, and consummation, focusing on the recurring biblical image of the Spirit "brooding" or "hovering" over waters to bring forth life. He connects the Spirit's movement over the formless deep in Genesis 1:2 to the Spirit's overshadowing of Mary's womb and the Spirit's work in regenerating and sanctifying believers today. Drawing on patristic sources, Calvin, and Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "God's Grandeur," this episode develops the theme that all of God's works flow "from the Father in the Son by the Spirit," with the Spirit consistently completing and perfecting what the Father speaks and the Son mediates.

He Will Come Again

Dr. Godfrey focuses on the closing line of the Christological section: "he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead." Dr. Godfrey underscores that the work of Jesus is not finished, pointing out that approximately one in every thirteen New Testament verses addresses His second coming.