Mercy & Missions - Romans 15

Baptismal Regeneration? - Heidelberg Catechism #73

Title: Washed by Baptism? Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos Date: June 24, 2026 If water baptism doesn't itself wash away sin, why does the Bible use the kind of language it sometimes does about baptism? Pastor Jason explains in this devotional from Heidelberg Catechism Question #73. www.foresthillpca.org

The Danger of Compromise - 1 Corinthians 5 Devotional

Title: The Danger of Compromise Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel Series: Unpacking Corinthians Date: June 23, 2026 Bible: 1 Corinthians 5 Purity in the Church & The Danger of Compromise 1 Corinthians 5 In today's devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores the challenging but necessary instructions given in 1 Corinthians 5. When the Corinthian church began boasting about their tolerance of gross sexual immorality, the Apostle Paul delivered a strong message about church discipline and the danger of compromising with worldly influence. In this episode, we cover: Church Discipline: Why the church must not tolerate or celebrate unrepentant sin, and how excommunication is ultimately aimed at the restoration of the individual. The Danger of Leaven: How tolerating just a little bit of immorality acts like leaven, spreading negative influence and cheap grace throughout the entire congregation. Christ Our Passover Lamb: A look at how Jesus fulfilled the Passover, calling believers to live spiritually as "unleavened bread" in sincerity and truth. Judging Inside vs. Outside: Understanding our call to be salt and light in the world without completely isolating ourselves, while maintaining strict boundaries against scandalous sin within the church family. Thank you for watching! www.foresthillpca.org

Does Water Baptism Cleanse? Heidelberg Catechism #72

What's the difference between a Gospel sacrament and an idolatrous sacramentalism? It's found in today's vital question, Heidelberg Catechism #72. Q. Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins? A. No, only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.

Christ's Promise of Cleansing - Heidelberg Catechism #71

Pastor Jason's devotional on Heidelberg Catechism Question #71

Already, But Not Yet - 1 Corinthians 4

In this devotional on 1 Corinthians 4, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel addresses the danger of adopting a worldly worldview within the church. The core issue for the Corinthian church was that they evaluated people and ministries based on how culturally impressive they were.Key takeaways from the text include:Confronting Worldly Pride: The gospel does not conform to the value systems of the surrounding culture. Instead, it directly confronts human pride, arrogance, and the worldly cravings defined as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.The Contrast of Christ and Pilate: Believers are called to imitate the humble and meek nature of Jesus Christ rather than worldly models of power. During His trial, Jesus appeared helpless and beaten, while Pontius Pilate held all the power of Rome. Yet, it was Pilate who was truly helpless to accomplish his goals, whereas Jesus successfully went to the cross.The "Already, but Not Yet" Kingdom: The Corinthians were guilty of an "over-realized eschatology," meaning they tried to pull the glory of the future kingdom into the present age. While believers will eventually inherit the new heavens and earth and be perfected in glory, that consummation has not yet arrived. In the present life, Christians are called to endure suffering, labor, and live by faith and hope rather than expecting immediate eternal treasures.Misjudging Faithful Ministry: Because they desired worldly glory now, the Corinthians risked misjudging faithful, ordinary Bible teachers. Pastors who preach about suffering and taking up the cross can appear unimpressive to a culture seeking secret insights and immediate power.The Path of the Cross: Just as Jesus rejected Satan's offer to claim the world's kingdoms without the cross, believers must recognize that true glory requires enduring the cross first. Exaltation comes after the grave.