Madison Reformed Church

Deut. 32:4–9 1 Chron. 17:11–15 Luke 11:1–13 Gal. 4:1–7  We have covered many practical things about prayer in this series so far. In this sermon, we take a step into deeper waters, looking to prayer as it relates to God the Father, and connecting prayer to the concept inheritance.

There are few things more challenging than estimating how long something will take. That challenge has led so many to deep frustration when it comes to the return of Jesus Christ. That frustration takes many forms, but the one Peter highlights in this passage is scoffing. There are those who begin to dismiss the idea of a day of judgment at all in order to justify living however they want. That’s a temptation that all Christians face, and so in this sermon we ask the question, “Why does the Lord delay?”

Deut. 31:16–18 Mic. 3:1–8 Luke 22:39–46 Jas. 4:1–10  There are instances in the Bible when God refuses to answer His people when they pray. So there is such a thing as bad prayer. In this message we learn how not to pray, what not to pray for, and what comforts compel us to pray anyway.

While Peter is aiming at false teachers in this passage, his purpose is to benefit ordinary Christians. He wants us to be discerning. False teachers promise a false view of freedom in Christ. We learn in this passage that the promises Jesus makes offer actual freedom—freedom from sin, from sin’s condemnation and from its power. And if that’s the case, then truly free people must be on guard against anything that will lead them back to the life enslavement they left.

We commemorated Reformation Day (traditionally October 31) with our annual Reformation Lessons and Psalms. During this service, we we through the entire book of Galatians in stages, focusing on its teachings that inspired the solas of the Reformation, responding with psalm-singing. This Scripture reflection meditates on the freedom we have in Christ.

Peter continues his frontal assault on false teachers, now describing them as "unreasoning animals" and giving a description of the character, the ways they interact with churches, and the false prophet who inspires them even to this day—Balaam son of Beor (Numbers 22).

Rev. Dr. Brandon Burks visits from our sister church plant, Christ Reformed Church of Bellevue, KY, and opens God's Word to the wonderful Gospel of John, where Jesus explains how eternal life begins in a person.

Deut. 9:25–29 Ezek. 36:33–38 John 16:16–24 1 John 5:13–15 Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 116–117 One of the reasons we don't grow in prayer is lack of confidence. We aren't confident about what/how to pray and also sometimes aren't confident that the Lord will answer. In this message, we learn how to understand the wonderful promise of Jesus, "Ask, and you will receive" (John 16:24).

When God promises to do something, it's not hollow talk. In this passage, 2 Peter 2:4–10a, the Apostle Peter continues addressing the problem of false teachers in churches and the wicked living they bring with them. He reminds us all that God is able to judge the wicked and save the godly because He's done in before. By looking back at three striking examples of God's judgment, Peter makes his case.

This is a time of spiritual gullibility in which Christians are susceptible to false teaching. In this part of Peter's letter to the churches, he equips Christian to stand guard against false teachers who disguise themselves as doing good, but actually exploit the people of God. In this message, we learn common marks of false teachers and to patiently wait for the day when Christ judges them.