Christian Liberty - Romans 14

Works of Gratitude: Heidelberg #64

In this Heidelberg Catechism Devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church explores Question #64. If salvation is completely by grace, doesn't that make people careless and wicked? Pastor Jason answers this age-old question by delving into the nature of true, living faith. He unpacks why true faith cannot be dead and must produce the fruit of thankfulness, and why it is so much more than mere knowledge or agreement—it's active trust in Jesus Christ. In this episode, we cover: The transition from Grace to Gratitude in the Heidelberg Catechism The true nature of saving faith: Knowledge, Assent, and Trust The contrast between a "diseased tree" and a "healthy tree" in the life of a believer To learn more about our church, visit: foresthillpca.org

Mercy & Missions - Romans 15

Welcome to Exploring Romans! In this episode, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church walks us through the powerful message of Romans Chapter 15. In this study, we cover: Supporting the Weak: The biblical mandate for "strong" believers to bear with the weak, contrasting modern culture's heavy focus on "self-care" with the Christian call to selflessly build others up. Church Unity: How Christ's sacrifice fulfilled God's promises to the Jewish patriarchs while simultaneously bringing hope to the Gentiles, uniting them into one unified body. Missions and Mercy: A look at the Apostle Paul's foundational ministry from Jerusalem to Illyricum, his future ambitions to preach in Spain, and his immediate mission to deliver financial aid to struggling saints in Jerusalem. This devotional was originally recorded as part of Forest Hill's three-year journey through the Word of God, "Walking with Jesus through the Bible" (2022–2024). 🌐 Learn more about our church: ✉️ Questions or feedback? Email Pastor Jason at: Pastor@ForestHillPCA.org

Our Good Works Are Not Enough - Heidelberg Catechism #62-63

Grace to Gratitude: Why Our Good Works Aren't Enough | Heidelberg Catechism Week 22, Day 1, Questions 62-63 Welcome to Week 22 of the Heidelberg Catechism Devotionals with Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church. This week, we pivot from the topic of God's grace to our response of gratitude, specifically exploring Questions 62 and 63. Join us as we explore why our good works—even our best efforts—cannot serve as our righteousness before God. We will dive into Scripture (including Galatians, James, Isaiah, and Luke) to understand why salvation is through faith alone and how any reward for our works is simply a gift of God's amazing grace.

Righteous by Faith - Heidelberg Catechism #60

Pastor Jason Van Bemmel of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church leads a study on Question 61 of the Heidelberg Catechism. He explores the theological concept of imputed righteousness, explaining that believers are justified before God not because their faith itself has intrinsic saving merit, but because faith is the instrument used to lay hold of Jesus Christ's perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness. The session includes an opening prayer, a reading of relevant scriptures (1 Corinthians 1, Romans 10), and concludes with a closing prayer and the hymn "Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness."

Christian Liberty - Romans 14

Exploring Romans: Day 171 – Christian Liberty and Matters of Conscience (Romans 14) Join Pastor Jason Van Bemmel from Forest Hill Presbyterian Church for a morning devotional set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Blue Ridge, Georgia. In this episode of Exploring Romans, we read and study Romans 14, where the Apostle Paul addresses the early church's struggles with "adiaphora"—matters of indifference, such as dietary laws and holy days. Discover how we can navigate modern disagreements over matters of personal conscience by applying Paul's two overriding rules: always act in faith as unto the Lord, and always act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have any questions or feedback, please email pastor@foresthillpca.org or visit foresthillpca.org to learn more.