Reformed & Expository Preaching

Persevere in God's Preservation (1 Peter 1:3-9; COD Head 5)

Introduction So often we think that once we are Christians, our lives will get easier. We need to realize that the Christian life isn't always easy sailing. We will taste the pain and struggles of this age. Afterall, this world is under sin’s curse even as Christ’s redemption stands firm. We need to see perseverance as our conscious pushing forward in this world. We must remember that it is God who preserves us through His power. However, perseverance is our conscious focus on our eternal inheritance secured in Christ. Peter is uniquely qualified to teach that we persevere through God’s preserving power. Peter struggled to persevere during Christ’s trial. However, he met with Christ and received his assurance that Christ will preserve him to the end. Saved by God's Power Our assurance comes from Christ, not our own worthiness or our faith in itself. We must look to Christ as our anchor and redeemer rather than constantly trying to prove ourselves worthy through works. Yes, as we take hold of Christ by faith, we are assured that the person of Christ is our redeemer. We proceed in His power. It is in his power that we move forward and conform to Christ. Preserved in God's Strength God guards both our inheritance in heaven and us through His power. Despite facing trials and persecution, believers are protected by God's strength, not their own. Our faith and hope must be in God Himself. We do not hope in our faith, but we hope in God. This is not my opinion, but this is Peter’s glorious reminder in 1 Peter 1:21. Persevering Through Fire Trials are God's way of refining our faith like gold, weaning us off worldly reliance, and teaching us to depend on Him. These difficulties aren't accidental but purposeful, purifying our faith and burning away what we trust apart from Christ. Conclusion Our victory is certain. This is not because of our competence or strength. We are assured that Christ guards and preserves us as our shield and defender. Let us continue to look with eyes of faith to our invisible Savior. He guarded Peter until the end. He guards our inheritance. He will guard you. Walk forward in that confidence, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice unto him.

God's Myrtle or Persia's Star? (Esther 2:1-18)

The Book of Esther shows how God works even in silence. From King Xerxes’ pride to Esther’s rise, the story reveals His providence through unexpected heroes. Even in exile, God protects His people, fulfilling His promises through the seemingly weak. This week we consider divine sovereignty, human ambition, and faithful courage in the face of uncertainty.

Is Holiness Up to You? The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification Explained

Confused about sanctification? You're not alone. For centuries, Christians have wrestled with what it really means to grow in holiness. Even 175 years after the Reformation, Walter Marshall had to write The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification because believers were still struggling with this fundamental question. The problem is our deep tendency toward self-reliance instead of resting in God's provision and power. We swing between two dangerous extremes: either we treat holiness as something we achieve through sheer effort.  This turns the gospel into Christian self-help. The other problem is that we work so hard that we get discouraged.  We are tempted to give up, and we say,  "I'm already righteous in Christ, so why bother trying?" Neither view captures the biblical picture. The Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 114) reminds us that even the holiest person in this life has only a small beginning of obedience. Yet with earnest purpose, we begin to live not only a few commands, but all the commands.  When we understand that we are united to Christ, then we press on. We need to remember that we'll never reach perfection in this life.  However, we do not give up, but we press forward in humble dependence on the Lord who sanctifies us. Here's the truth many have lost sight of: sanctification is a mystery. It's God's work in us by His Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16). Our obedience begins with faith.  We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith, it's impossible to please God. Faith is the instrument that takes hold of Christ and His benefits. Even our good desires are His gift. When we pursue holiness apart from Christ, it becomes a project of the flesh rather than the joy of communion with our Savior.  Sanctification is the byproduct of that union. Sanctification does involve self-denial, but with joy. We deny what harms us so we can delight in what is good and ultimately enjoy God Himself. Like the psalmist in Psalm 139, we should pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart," welcoming His refining hand. In this series, we'll walk through Sinclair Ferguson's Devoted to God, exploring the biblical mystery of how God transforms His people. Join us as we rediscover what it means to grow in holiness.  This is not by our grinning and bearing it, but in the joy of humble dependence on the God who sanctifies us.

Called to Persevere (Psalm 32; COD Head 5 Arts 1-8)

Introduction We can hear the slogan“Once Saved Always Saved!” as a summary of the Christian life.  This sounds like you go through life on easy cruis control as a mindless muppet.  The Canons of Dort, Reformed Theology, clarifies that believers can fall into serious sin, and God may allow us to experience the consequences. However, the assurance remains that God will ultimately bring His people out of darkness. We consider Psalm 32.  This is David’s reflection of his falling into sin.  David fell, was restored, and now he teaches us the wisdom of perseverance. The Joy of Forgiveness (Psalm 32:1-5) David begins with a celebration of God’s forgiveness.  There is blessing in knowing our sins are forgiven and covered by God. Yet he also describes the agony of unconfessed sin: bones wasting away, groaning all day long, feeling God's heavy hand pressing upon him.  David is describing the soul rot of unconfessed sin before the Lord. When David finally acknowledges his sin comprehensively, then he sees the joy that God forgives immediately. The lesson is clear: trying to hide sin or thinking it will bring satisfaction only leads to misery. The Spirit continues pressing on believers even in their darkest moments, pushing sin to the surface. True relief comes through confession and finding mercy in Christ. The Only Hope (Psalm 32:6-7) David shifts to instruction for the godly.  We might feel like the waters will destroy us.  However, as we continue to offer prayers to God we see that God is our hiding place.  , He is our shelter in the darkest valleys. Even when believers feel abandoned or alone, God remains present.  He hears our prayers and is our shield and defender. The Canons of Dort remind us of the church's vital role here: through the preaching of the gospel, the Spirit renews believers to repentance. We never outgrow our need for the gospel message. Each week, we need to hear again that we are new creatures in Christ, that our Savior is at work, and that not all is lost. God works in His timing through His Word, accomplishing His purposes even in those we might consider "lost causes." The Lasting Lesson (Psalm 32:8-9) David instructs believers not to be like horses or mules.  These are stubborn animals that need bits and bridles to control them. The warning is against testing the boundaries of God's grace. Christian liberty means understanding biblical boundaries and, in wisdom, sometimes setting additional boundaries for our own protection and God's glory. The example of Eve in the Garden shows both the danger of adding to God's commands.  She puts words in God’s mouth that he never said.  She should have said they had the wisdom not to touch the tree.  We need to remember that God does not deny us good things.  True wisdom calls us to see that God is calling us to good.  We do not just die in our sanctification, but we live in the Spirit.    God does not call us to fasting, but to the eternal feast of the Lamb. Conclusion David's instruction flows from lived experience: he pursued sin thinking it would bring joy, and tried to cover it up by his silence.  He suffered miserably under God's discipline.  He confessed his sin to God and found restoration. Now, on the other side, he teaches others the wise path.  He learned the wisdom to live within God’s boundaries and not test grace's boundaries.   The beauty of the Canons of Dort is its pastoral realism: believers may fall into serious sin and experience dark seasons, but God remains faithful. He will not forsake His people. Through the ongoing preaching of the gospel and the work of the Spirit, God renews, restores, and preserves those who are His until they reach their eternal home. Let us not be a people who seek to be the dumb animals who need constant restraint.  Let us live by the Spirit for Christ’s glory.  Let us persevere in God’s preserving power.

Intro to Esther: King of Kings? Or King Headache? (Esther 1:1-22)

INTRODUCTION The Book of Esther is often misread as a heroic tale, but it's better understood as divine satire. The heroes in the story would be similar to the story of Samson in Judges. He is the judge that Israel deserves. He is the judge that Israel receives when they fail to cry out to God. Samson delivers Israel, but his commitment is on par with where Israel is spiritually at the time of the Judges. Esther reveals "God's B-team": pragmatic people living in exile who have lost their clear focus on God. Daniel, Joseph, or others conduct themselves in foreign places/exile with an unwavering orientation toward God, regardless of consequences. We see the characters in Esther are marked by compromise and pragmatism. Yet despite this, God remains faithful to His promises, demonstrating His providence even through imperfect people. The book teaches us that God is bigger than His people's failures, and His faithfulness prevails even when His people are teetering. THE PRESTIGIOUS KINGDOM (ESTHER 1:1-9) King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) is on the center stage. His name Xerxes means "king of kings" and "lord of lords.” He takes titles that belong to God alone. His name in Hebrew sounds like "headache," revealing the book's satirical tone from the start. He sees himself as a worthy warrior against God, but at best, he is merely a (Aha-sh-wer-osh/Ya Rosh sound similar) headache or an inconvenience. Xerxes is not a worthy opponent against God. God can defeat him using his B or C team. King Headache rules over 127 provinces. This communicates a certain completion and sabbath. This man rules the entire world. He has brought in the sabbath rest. So, he hosts a 180-day banquet to consolidate power before warring with Greece. This is the banquet that is a jubilee that is sabbath plus one. This man will save the world, as the book opens. The opening verses deliberately emphasize the king's wealth, power, and glory to intimidate readers into thinking God's promises have fallen flat. However, subtle humor throughout reveals this emperor has no clothes. Despite all his pomp and circumstance, King Headache cannot control his own impulses, remember his own decrees, or even manage his household. The text invites us to see the irony: this is the best Satan can do to oppose God? A king so consumed with ego that he needs advisors to tell him what to think? The "prestigious kingdom" is actually a house of cards, setting the stage for God's sovereignty to shine through human weakness. The serpent seed will not prevail against the seed of the woman. THE OUTLANDISH REQUEST (ESTHER 1:10-12) In his drunken state, King head ache commands seven eunuchs to bring Queen Vashti (empty beauty/beautiful drinker are just some puns) before all the intoxicated men. The request is for her to parade her beauty. It is an appalling request, and it would seem that with the show of force, she would comply. You would think that 7 officers of the herem coming to escort you to the king would break your spirit. Clearly, this king is able to control and triumph over the woman. Her response is remarkably simple: she said no. This single act of refusal exposes the king's impotence despite all his claims to absolute power. The irony is profound. This is the king of kings, but he cannot control one woman in his own household. One woman can show that the emperor has not clothes. Vashti's refusal echoes back to Genesis and the fallen dynamic between men and women, where power struggles replace unity. Even this seemingly "empty" queen demonstrates more principle than the mighty king. Her defiance enrages Xerxes, revealing him as someone ruled by his emotions rather than wisdom. The text mocks the king's pretensions: he's identified himself as lord of lords, yet he cannot rule himself, let alone his wife. This man is not just preparing to make war with Greece, but he is making war with God. He will not dominate the seed of the woman. The Lord will be victorious through his champion seed. The Lord will overpower this man demonstrating that the woman’s seed will rise. THE ETHICAL DILEMMA (ESTHER 1:13-22) Rather than sobering up and quietly handling the embarrassing situation, the king calls his advisors together to address this urgent crises. If women learn they can refuse their husbands, chaos will ensue! The comedy intensifies as these men, who should be focused on the impending war with Greece, instead obsess over maintaining male authority in households. The king of kings who cannot enforce his word is going to really carry out his will. Their solution reveals their foolishness. The king’s word in Susa has been disobeyed. Now, they think that if they issue a royal decree they'll issue a royal decree all roayl provinces, own language to written in the people’s language. The absurdity reaches its peak when they broadcast this domestic squabble throughout the entire empire in every language and dialect. What should have remained a private matter in the capital of Susa becomes publicized across all provinces, ensuring everyone knows about the king's humiliation. This perfectly illustrates how to turn a small problem into an enormous public relations disaster. The irony is complete: a decree meant to demonstrate male authority actually advertises the king's weakness and loss of control. The scene demonstrates that no amount of human posturing can establish true authority. No human will over rule God’s decree that the seed of the woman will triumph. CONCLUSION The Book of Esther reveals that the true hero is not Esther, not Mordecai, and certainly not King Xerxes, but the true hero is God Himself. God is working silently but sovereignly behind the scenes. Even when God's name is never mentioned in the text, His providence orchestrates events from potential genocide to the celebration of deliverance in the Feast of Purim. The book demonstrates that God can be just as powerful in His silence as Moses was dramatic in the Exodus. Despite His people placing themselves in problematic situations through compromise and pragmatism, the Lord remains their shield and defender. The Lord promised Abraham that the Lord will lead and protect. Esther makes clear that the Lord is leading them through this dark season despite themselves. We are called to trust and cling to our sovereign God, finding confidence not in human heroes or our own faithfulness, but in His unchanging character and His faithful rule over all history. He is our shield and defender.