Are We Disciples?

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 18th of January, 2026.  This service is the third of our hybrid series - part traditional and part modern.  If all went well, a recording of the service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

In our responsive reading a few minutes ago, we listed many ways we Christians can show our love for each other.  We said that true fellowship is close communion with God and with one another.  That word “communion” means more than sharing the body and blood of Jesus a few times each year.  A communion is also an association, a close group of like-minded individuals having a common religious faith or shared interest.  While we are all unique persons, often with differing opinions and from different backgrounds, the one thing we have in common is Jesus, our belief in Jesus.

But being a Christian – a real Christian – requires more than just believing in Jesus, even more than affirming Him as the Son of God.  Demons know exactly who - and what - Jesus is, but they’re not Christians.  Being a Christian means being a disciple of Christ Jesus, and being a disciple means following Him, following the example of His life, and living it.

Not long after feeding the 4000, Jesus and His disciples traveled by boat to the region of Magdala.  Some Pharisees and Sadducees came there and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign, too, like He had done for the 4000 and so many others.  He refused, telling them they’d already received signs, including the sign of the prophet Jonah and his time in the belly of a fish and in Nineveh.  Then Jesus took the disciples and went to the Gentile city of Caesarea Philippi.  It was there that Jesus delivered a very important lesson to His followers.

Please listen as the Apostle Matthew shares this lesson with us, as recorded in the 16th chapter of his Gospel account, verses 13 through 27, and as read by Myrna Davis from the New American Standard Bible version of our Holy Bible.

13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.

21 From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. 22 And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds.”

--Matthew 16:13-27 (NASB)

Before going further, I’d like to clarify that when Jesus speaks of what is bound on earth and heaven, that thing is forbidden on earth and in heaven.  Likewise, when something is loosed on earth and in heaven, it is permitted, allowed.  And when He says “if anyone wants to come after Me”, we can read that as “if anyone wants to follow Me”.  To be His disciple means to deny self, carry the burden of the cross, and follow the path He set.

Let us pray…  Heavenly Father, You have given each of us a measure of faith to believe that Jesus is Your Son and our Redeemer.  Then it’s up to us what to do with that faith.  We can accept Him as our Lord and do our best to carry out His commands, or we can sit back and let our faith grow lukewarm or cold.  Father, too often we forget that Jesus expects our faith to lead us to be His disciples and to make more disciples in turn by sharing the Gospel with others.  He wants us to truly follow Him and His example.  Please help us put aside the ways of the world and be better followers.  Help us return hatred with love, violence with prayer and forgiveness.  Help us be more like Your Son Jesus as we walk through this life.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us.  Tell each of us what we need to hear.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

Christian educator and clergyman Nathan Schaeffer once wrote:

At the close of life, the question will not be,

"How much have you gotten?" but "How much have you given?"

Not "How much have you won?" but "How much have you done?"

Not "How much have you saved?" but "How much have you sacrificed?"

It will be "How much have you loved and served," not "How much were you honored?"

The things the world values, God sees as insignificant.  Focus on the things of heaven, do the will of God.  This is how we follow Jesus, who always did the will of our Father God.

My dear friend the Rev. Dr. Allen Tyndall once told me that, "The mark of a disciple of Jesus is to be an influence on the culture in which we live."  Too many good Christians allow the culture to be an influence on them, rather than the other way around.  But it’s hard to let go of the world.  I mean, we’re born into it and live all our days in it.  We breath it, smell it, hear it, taste it, feel it.  It’s everywhere we go and always in our sight.

The trick is to live in the world but not of the world.  This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he told us not to be conformed to the world.  Jesus warned that the world will hate us if we follow Him, and no one really wants to be hated, so I think this is one reason some people choose to not fully follow Jesus, or at least not to let anyone other than their fellow believers know that they follow Him.

The thing is, we’re supposed to have a positive influence on the world.  And we do that by bringing more people to Christ.  But we want to sit still in the boat and not make any waves.  We want to quietly worship God and Jesus without ruffling any feathers.  We trust in the Lord, but not so much that we’re willing to go out on a limb for Him.  So are we really disciples?

If we do call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, how will anyone know?  The Apostle James, half-brother of Jesus, says that our good works will give evidence of our faith, our belief, our discipleship.  I believe, though, that this is simply a follow-on to something Jesus once said.

Spreading the Gospel message and making more disciples isn’t the only thing Jesus told us to do.  Some might say it wasn’t even the most important command He left us with.  The Apostle John recorded this other command for us, and I think this fostered James’ discourse on faith and works.  Hear the words of Jesus as saved for us by John in verses 34 and 35 of the 13th chapter of his Gospel account…

34 “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

--John 13:34-35 (NASB)

Some of us have trouble even loving other believers, let alone non-believers.  But if we honestly love one another, all others, we will try to help them out of trouble.  And there’s no greater trouble than eternal damnation, everlasting pain and punishment.

This is where James’ good works comes in.  To help the non-believers, we do as Jesus commanded and share the Good News with them.  They may accept it, they may not.  But at least we’ll have planted a seed.  Someone else may come along and till the ground and water that seed.  The seed may grow and flourish into a beautiful spirit, or it may wither and die.  At least we’ll have tried, and we’ll have done what Jesus commanded.  Then we can truly call ourselves disciples.

While looking for and capturing the music for this service, I did a quick Google AI search on discipleship.  Here’s a summery of the result:  “The mark of a disciple of Jesus is a transformed life characterized by love for God and others, obedience to His teachings, bearing spiritual fruit like love, joy, and peace, actively making new disciples, and a commitment to prayer, worship, and fellowship within the Christian community, all rooted in a surrendered, learning heart that follows Christ daily.”  As much as I hate to admit it, not being a big fan of AI, I believe this nails discipleship.

Let’s do a little self-examination and note how many of those traits we can see in ourselves.  And then let’s work on all the rest.  Then, if someone asks are we disciples, we can truthfully answer, “Yes”.

In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, by Your love and mercy, You gave us the faith to believe in and follow Your Son Jesus.  But sometimes we have trouble with the “follow” part.  We hesitate to share our faith in public, to talk to someone we don’t know and tell them about Jesus, to reach out the hand of fellowship and love to folks who may hate what we believe in.  Sometimes we even struggle to love our fellow believers.  Please forgive us these times, Father.  We thank You for the faith You’ve given us.  Please embolden us to put that faith into action, so we can truly call ourselves disciples.

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment so that each of us can speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your and our Lord’s commands, and seeking Your help to do so… 

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us how to live by how You lived.  You had a greater impact on the entire world than anyone else who has ever walked this sod, yet You only ask that we help change our little corner.  Please help us ignore any effect the culture may have on us, and help us instead to influence the culture.  Help us make a positive change in the world around us, in our own neighborhood and community.  Help us be more open in showing our faith, putting Satan behind us so that we don’t stumble.  Please forgive us when we struggle to love others, or even talk to them about You.  Help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, sharing Your love as we go.  Help us be true disciples.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Persecution

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 11th of January, 2026.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

As I mentioned last week, today is when we celebrate the baptism of the adult Jesus in the River Jordan by His kinsman John.  Persecution began almost immediately, when Satan set his sights on Jesus there in the wilderness.  Of course, God kind of set this up since He had His Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness, there to be tempted by the devil.  But the persecution that our Lord had to endure started much, much earlier than this.  In fact, it began within days of His birth.

We’ve been listening as the Apostle Matthew recalled for us the birth of Jesus and the visit of the wise men from the east.  Now please pay attention as Matthew continues with his Christmas story into an event that is often overlooked or ignored, or forgotten, one that is not so pleasant to read and recall, as recorded in verses 13 through 23 of the 2nd chapter of his Gospel account, and I’ll be reading from the New Living Translation of our Holy Bible this morning…

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the Child and His mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the Child and Mary, His mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called My Son out of Egypt.”

16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A cry was heard in Ramah —

weeping and great mourning.

Rachel weeps for her children,

refusing to be comforted,

for they are dead.”

19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the Child and His mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the Child are dead.”

21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and His mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

--Matthew 2:13-23 (NLT)

Let us pray…  Heavenly Father, thank You so much for sending Your angel to warn Joseph of King Herod’s evil plan.  And thank You for giving Jesus and His earthly family safe passage to Egypt to escape the carnage that ensued.  Father, this was just the first of many persecutions that Your Son and His church would endure at the hands of the rulers of the people and those that serve Satan.  Jesus was able to withstand all persecution and temptations, but we are not always as strong.  Please give us the strength and the courage to stand against evil, to resist temptation, and to endure any persecution because of our faith in and love of Your Son Jesus.  Please forgive us, Father, when we falter and let doubts creep in, when the pain we experience becomes too great.  Help us be more like Your Son in our reaction to whatever comes our way.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better understand our message today.  This we humbly pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

Back in 1989, the magazine Today in the Word recalled that, “During China's Boxer Rebellion of 1900, insurgents captured a mission station, blocked all the gates but one, and in front of that one gate placed a cross flat on the ground.  Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot.  Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free.  But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act.  Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad.  Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad.”

How strong is our faith?  This is a tough question that we need to ask ourselves, maybe ask each and every day.  We may not really know the answer until we’re faced with a similar lose-lose situation.  But would we have the courage, the strength, the willingness to walk to our death just for doing what is right, just because of our faith and belief in Jesus?  Would we respond like that girl and the 92 that followed her, or like one of the first seven, more concerned with this life than the next?  It’s a tough question.

Now, I’m sure very few, if any, of us will ever have to choose between Jesus and death.  Most of us have never faced any greater persecution than funny looks or disparaging comments if we show any sign of our faith.  A lot of Christians are hesitant to even pray over their meal in public, worried about what other people may think or say, concerned about upsetting someone, afraid of any consequences that may arise from it.  I think of that as self-inflicted persecution, or self-intimidation.  I am very encouraged to see more and more people giving thanks for their meal each time we eat out.  It’s kind of like the girl, doing what is right in the sight of God and not being worried about the consequences.

In my invocation, I quoted a verse from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, when He said that we are the light of the world, like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.  Just a few moments earlier in that sermon, in what we call the Beatitudes, Matthew recorded Jesus blessing us in verses 9 through 12 of the 5th chapter of the Apostle’s Gospel account…

9 “God blesses those who work for peace,

for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

--Matthew 5:9-12 (NLT)

OK, show of hands…  How many of us would feel happy and glad to be persecuted, to be mocked and have all kinds of nasty, untruthful things said about us?  When Jesus tells us to be happy and glad, He’s trying to remind us that the faithful have been mistreated all along.  He’s saying that when we put our faith and belief ahead of our earthly, bodily concerns, when we do what is right even under threat of persecution, we will be greatly rewarded in heaven.

Now you may not have noticed, but Jesus did not use the word “if” in that passage.  It’s not that we should be happy if we are persecuted because we follow Him, it’s that we should be happy when we are persecuted because of our faith.  It’s going to happen, in one form or another, to one degree or another.  Jesus knew this.  That’s why He also said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  Persecution is certainly a trial, and it can clearly bring sorrow to the persecuted.  And ultimately, the persecutor will also be sorry for their actions and words.  But we believers need to remember that Jesus has already conquered the world.  He did it on the cross.  He did it for you and for me.

Family, the Christian church has been persecuted since its founding, with a young Pharisee named Saul vigorously rounding up believers for trial.  The church is still being persecuted, and the persecution is growing, spreading, reaching even here into these United States, where many came for religious freedom.  Jesus promised that in this life we would suffer many trials and tribulations, and that includes persecution.  Yet we must not give up.  We must not hold back the Gospel to those who would demand we be quiet.  We must not surrender to those who would destroy the church.

Trust in the Lord, and lean on Him for strength.  In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Son of God, who has overcome the world.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us of our sin and to offer us salvation through our faith and belief in Him as the Christ and our Lord.  He came and overcame the world so that we might have eternal life.  But we know that for now, Satan has the run of the earth.  He is doing all he can to destroy our Lord’s church, through deceit, through temptations, through persecution.  His agents are everywhere, making this life difficult for believers, hoping to break our faith.  Father, please forgive us those times we let our faith slip and weaken.  Please strengthen us and keep reminding us of what You have in store for us once this life is finished and the next begins.  And please help us do a better job of sharing our Lord Jesus with others so that they too may be saved by Your mercy and Jesus’ sacrifice.  

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, shortly after Your birth, Herod ordered the slaughter of innocent boys in an attempt to kill You and end the supposed threat of a new King of the Jews.  This was the first time You and Your earthly family faced persecution.  And it didn’t end there.  Throughout Your mortal life, the powers that be tried to have You silenced, tried to destroy You and then Your church.  Thank You, Jesus for showing us how to face persecution and trials.  Thank You for reminding us of what awaits us in heaven if we just keep hold of our faith, no matter what befalls us.  Please strengthen us and encourage us to keep pressing forward with our mission of teaching others about You.  Help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.  Give us the words to say, show us what to do to help bring the lost to You.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

We Have Come to Worship Him

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 4th of January, 2026, Epiphany Sunday.  Today's service included the installation of church officers and the observance of Holy Communion.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

Since we have so much going on this morning, I’m going to keep the message short, at least by my standards.  But I do want to take a moment to acknowledge that today is the Sunday before Epiphany, when the Messiah was revealed to the Gentiles by the visit of the three kings, which is observed on January the 6th.  Jesus’ baptism is observed on the first Sunday after Epiphany, which will be next Sunday, the 11th.  And that’s just to refresh your church calendar knowledge.

Today I’d like to join those wise men from a foreign land as they travel to welcome the birth of a King.  They followed the light from a special star, a light that came to rest over the place where the Baby Jesus lay.

I promised I’d keep this brief, so I will be mostly letting the Apostle Matthew speak, with a few very pointed remarks from Jesus thrown in for good measure.  So please listen and follow along as Matthew tells this wonderful story he recorded in the 2nd chapter of his Gospel account in verses 1 through 12, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

--Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV)

Let us pray…  Heavenly Father, it was no coincidence that these three wise men were guided to the stable and the manger where the Baby Jesus lay sleeping.  This was how You chose to make the coming of Your Messiah known to the Gentile world.  Jesus’ entrance into the world was quite underwhelming.  Although a great multitude of Your angelic host sang and proclaimed our Lord’s birth, they appeared to only a few lowly shepherds who were in the fields with their sheep.  And those shepherds were the only people other than Mary and Joseph who knew of the Christ’s birth until the Magi appeared. Sometimes we forget just how humble our Lord’s birth truly was.  Thank You, Father, for using this to show us that we too should be humble in our life and dealings.  Please forgive us, Father, when we let pride get the better of us.  Help us be more like Your Son in our interactions with others.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better understand our message today.  This we humbly pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

The three wise men were visiting the little baby Jesus.  As Melchior leans over to get a closer look at the infant he bumps his head on the roof of the manger and shouts, "Jesus Christ!".  Mary looks up and says, "What a nice name.  I was going to call him Irving."

“Irving Christ” just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it.  Of course, the Apostle Luke, in his Gospel account, assures us that the angel Gabriel told Mary to name her baby Jesus, not Irving.  And while that does make for a cute little story, it still points out that three wise men came to visit the little Christ Child.

Now this would likely have been a rather arduous journey for them.  We’re not exactly sure where these men called home, but it was somewhere to the east and in Gentile lands.  And we believe that it took them 12 days to reach their destination – the stable where Jesus was born.  And that’s why we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.

So why did they go to all this trouble?  Why did they come all this way?  To worship the King of the Jews.  They went through all this just so they could worship Jesus.

Jumping ahead about 30 years, Jesus was just baptized in the River Jordan by His kinsman John.  God’s Holy Spirit then led Him into the wilderness, there to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights.  Satan came and tried to tempt Jesus.

Matthew tells us of three of these temptations, in increasing order of the reward offered if accepted.  The third and final temptation went like this, as recorded in chapter 4 of Matthew’s Gospel account, verses 8 through 11…

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

--Matthew 4:8-11 (NKJV)

Satan offered Jesus all the world just to worship him.  I guess maybe the devil forgot that Jesus created the world and everything in it.  But what is really important is Jesus’ reply.  “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”  We are to worship God and only God, serving only Him.  Not Satan, not other humans, not things – just God.

Unfortunately for mankind, there will come another day when Satan will pull the same kind of stunt.  This time, he’ll demand we worship him by worshiping his servant, the Antichrist.  The temptation will be simply to keep our life, our mortal life.

Many will give in to that threat and bow down to the Antichrist, accepting his sign on their foreheads and hands.  For them, all hope will be lost.  For today, though, we all still have a chance.  But it depends on how well we follow our bible’s instructions, and especially on how well we listen to and obey Jesus, following His example.

Who or what do we worship?  How do we worship?  We must worship the Lord our God.  We must worship the Creator, not anything or anyone He created.  We must worship Him out of our love for Him, loving Him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.  Worship God and none other.  Serve God and Him alone.  In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Son of God, who came humbly to teach us how to live.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for inspiring the men who followed Your Son to leave us records of His life.  By studying them, we can learn how we should live so that we can be more like Him, and more righteous in Your sight.  In this, You show Your love for us, and we thank You, Father.  We admit, though, that we don’t spend as much time reading the Gospel accounts and the letters of the disciples as we should.  We get so caught up in the busyness of life that we simply miss out on some of the lessons our Bible holds for us.  And too often we lose sight of what’s really important.  Forgive us those times, please Father, when we fail to worship You as we should.  Please help us set aside anything that we might tend to worship or think more highly of than the things of heaven.  And please help us do a better job of sharing our Lord Jesus with others so that they too may be saved by Your mercy and His sacrifice.  

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, at Your birth, You were worshiped by visitors, first by shepherds in the fields and then by wise men from afar.  They recognized that You were God’s Messiah.  And then You told us that all creation must worship God the Creator, and not any created thing, and certainly not Satan.  Thank You, Jesus for showing us how to be humble, and for teaching us what is truly important to God.  Please help us be more like You, more humble, more thankful.  Help be more obedient servants.  And help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.  Give us the words to say, show us what to do to help bring the lost to You.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

This Child

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 28th of December, and the last Sunday of 2025.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

I doubt any of us remember our days as a little baby.  My earliest memory is of a time when I was around four and my parents put me on stage at our family reunion and had me sing “I’m A Little Teapot”.  At one time much later in life, I did see an old photo of me – looking a lot like Anson’s twin, with a head full of curly yellow hair – with a cigar in my mouth and my great-uncle holding a lighter ready to fire me up.  I couldn’t have been much older than two, and I have absolutely no memory of the event.

All of this is just to say that while we might not have many memories of our early childhood, we were all babies at one time, and most of us had babies of our own in our younger adult years.  So I believe we would all agree that a baby is one of the greatest miracles in life.  And it can be a load of fun watching that child grow and see what it becomes.

In our current day and age, the internet allows us to chart, record, and report on the birth and growth of a child over the years.  For a lot of us here, our early years were only recorded by hand in the family bible, a tradition that goes back hundreds of years.  Before that, any record of a person’s childhood would have been a rarity.

Which is why we know so very little about the child named Jesus.  We know about the manner of His conception, the days before His birth, His birthplace and first visitors, and that His parents took Him and all fled to Egypt to escape death from a cruel tyrant.  But that’s about it.  We’re not told of His first steps, of His early schooling, of how He reacted when He was no longer the only child in the family.  We have no stories of the adventures and squabbles He must have had with His half-brothers growing up.  We don’t even know what happened to His father, Joseph.

But there is one brief account of an occurrence shortly after His birth.  Please listen and follow along as the Apostle Luke shares with us this part of what little we know of Jesus as a little baby, in verses 21 through 40 of the 2nd chapter of his Gospel account, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

--Luke 2:21-40 (NKJV)

Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to us in the same way that we enter this world – as a vulnerable little baby.  He came quietly, with a very few invited to His birth.  And we know He grew into an adult, but we have so few details of those first 30 years.  Maybe that’s for the best, because knowing His ministry is what truly matters to us, and His sacrifice is His most important gift for us.  Thank You for planning all this for our sake, our salvation.  And thank You for giving us the Light to guide our steps.  We who follow Jesus try our best to live by His example.  But too often we struggle loving as He loved, loving as He commands.  Father, we know how our failures to properly serve You displeases You.  We need You to help us live in a manner that is more righteous in Your sight.  Please forgive us those times we disappoint You and help us be more obedient to Your and Your Son, more loving, more caring, more compassionate, showing Your love to others so that they too might find salvation through Jesus.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better grasp the message You have for us this day.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

Robert Fulghum once wrote in the Kansas City Times, “Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten.  Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

“These are the things I learned:  Share everything.  Play fair.  Don't hit people.  Put things back where you found them.  Clean up your own mess.  Don't take things that aren't yours.  Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.  When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.”

The newspaper article noted that “this writer has captured the basic part of what Jesus meant when He said, ‘Unless you become like little children, you won't enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

The things Mr. Fulghum learned in kindergarten really revolve around loving one another.  When we truly love others, we don't try to hurt them or cheat them, we share with them, we try to help them and watch out for them.  Jesus wants us to love others - He commands us to love others.  He wants us to be like little children in our outlook on the world.  So let's remember what we learned in kindergarten.

Eight days after Jesus was born He was circumcised according to the first covenant between God and man through Abraham.  Joseph and Mary named the infant Jesus, as the angel Gabriel had instructed them.  They took Him to the temple, following ritual custom, and there He was recognized as the Messiah, first by a man named Simeon, who had been waiting at that place for the Messiah to come, and then by the elderly prophetess Anna, who served the Lord day and night.

Now when we see a little baby, we can only wonder what he or she will become.  We may someday see how they mature, but that will take years and years.  In the case of Jesus, both Simeon and Anna instantly knew that this tiny baby, this Child, was the Savior of mankind.  I can only imagine how a passerby might have reacted upon hearing these declarations.  Yes, a baby is a miracle, but how could a baby… how could this Child possibly redeem all mankind?

There is one more instance we’re told of that happened when Jesus was a youth.  He was at that age where most of us are very confused, trying to figure out the world, thinking we know everything and nothing at the same time.  But Jesus wasn’t exactly like the rest of us, not in this regard at any rate.

Please listen as we continue Luke’s account of the young Jesus, now grown from a baby into a preteen, in verses 41 through 52 of chapter 2…

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

--Luke 2:41-52 (NKJV)

Jesus’ response to His mother carries a little preteen attitude, doesn’t it?  “Didn’t you know I would be doing what My Father told Me to do?”  I can just hear the unspoken part: “What’s wrong with you, Mother?  Have you suddenly gone stupid?”  But can you imagine a child of twelve holding forth in such a way that the learned adults are amazed at what is being said?

The thing is, though, while we may know next to nothing of the early years of Jesus' life, we can see here that even at just twelve years old, Jesus knew who He was and what He was supposed to do.  I was thirty years old and in my second year of college still trying to figure out what I was supposed to do.  And it took another 30 years for it to fully sink in.  But here was Jesus at the tender age of twelve already carrying out God’s will.  Still, He also realized He needed to wait just a bit longer, and honor His mother and earthly father as well as His heavenly Father.

This Child…

Look at this tiny baby, born in a stable, there among the cows and sheep, sleeping in a feeding trough with hay for bedding.  And they call Him a King, and not only that but the King of kings?!?

See the old man, Simeon, holding the infant in his arms, those tiny fingers clutching his.  This is the long awaited Messiah?  This is the Savior of mankind?  This baby, this child?

Yes, this Child.  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.  And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  This Child redeemed us and reconciled us with God.  Following Him leads to salvation.

The New Year begins in four days.  A lot of folks will make resolutions of things they’ll do to better themselves in the new year, resolutions they’ll too soon break.  The new year does bring a new chance to improve ourselves and also to better the world around us.

How will we spend 2026?  Will anything change for the better?  Let’s spend it serving Jesus, the once little child who is now our King.  In that beautiful name of Christ Jesus our Redeemer.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to redeem us and bring us back to You.  And You sent Him not as a conquering hero, but as an innocent, vulnerable baby.  Yet this Child changed the world!  Sadly, the world hasn’t accepted the change, because it hasn’t accepted Jesus as Lord.  For the world is Satan’s playground and he lies and deceives and offers all kinds of pretty temptations to draw us away from our Lord.  Please forgive us, Father, those times when we allow ourselves to listen to and give in to those evil urgings.  Forgive us when can’t completely turn from our sinful ways.  Please help us ignore the devil.  Help us turn away from our sin and turn fully to You.  And Father, please help us reach out and share the Gospel message with everyone we come into contact with. 

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, Your entire life was humble, from Your birthplace to Your final breath as a mortal when You asked God to forgive those who nailed You to the cross.  Yet You were born a King, the King above all kings, the King who loved us and gave of Yourself for us.  Lord, we thank You for loving us this much.  We just ask that You now please give us the courage and the strength to carry on Your work here on earth.  Please forgive us when we struggle to do as You command and love all others.  Please help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Our Joy Made Full

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 21st of December, 2025, the fourth Sunday in Advent.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

We’re not entirely sure who composed the 98th Psalm, but some, including the early church fathers, attribute it to King David.  In it, the author sings, “All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.”  (Psalm 98:3b (NASB))  Now this would have been written just about 1000 years before Jesus was born, but we know that Jesus is the salvation of God, that Jesus is the Christ.

Isaac Watts understood this, too, and that passage led him to compose one of my favorite hymns for this time of year, one that we’ll be singing in a few minutes: “Joy to the World”.  The passage and the hymn both speak to our awaiting the coming of our Lord Jesus, not only for His birth but also His return, when He will call His church home.

While the entire world might not yet know Jesus, let alone accept Him as Lord, and not everyone is filled with joy right now, still, we who know Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer are indeed joyful.  Our joy comes from being able to celebrate Jesus’ birth, and also in looking forward to His return.  So be joyful, Family!  But if you’re not feeling particularly joyful because of something that has happened, then at least be encouraged, for God does love you – and think about attending our Blue Christmas service this afternoon.

Our Bible is all about Jesus, so we could say that reading it should bring us joy.  And indeed, it contains many passages that speak of joy and being joyful, of rejoicing and even of shouting for joy.  But I was lead to one for today where Jesus wants to share His joy with us.

Think about that for a moment…  Jesus want us to have His joy, the joy of God, so that our joy can be complete, no matter what we’ve done or experienced, no matter what we’re going through.  With the joy of God we can do as the Apostle Paul tells us and rejoice always, giving thanks in all situations.  Please listen and follow along to our Lord’s encouraging words as recorded by the Apostle John in verses 9 through 17 of the 15th chapter of his Gospel account, and I’ll be reading from the New American Standard Bible this morning…

9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another.”

--John 15:9-17 (NASB)

Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for electing us to follow Your Son Jesus!  Thank You for sending Him to redeem us.  And thank You for sharing Your joy with us when we obey Your Son.  Through Him and our obedience to His commandment, our joy can be made complete.  Just as You love Jesus, He loves us, and He commands that we love others in that same way.  But too often we struggle with this.  Father, we know that these inner battles displease You.  We need You to help us live more righteously.  Please forgive us those times we disappoint You and help us be more obedient to Your and Your Son, more loving, more caring, more compassionate, showing Your love to others so that they too might find salvation through Jesus.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better grasp the message You have for us this day.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

I know I've used this before, but it bears repeating for the message it carries.  Our society as a whole is becoming increasingly self-centered, with more and more people caring only about themselves and what they can get out of life, rather than how their actions and words may impact others, for better or for worse.  George Bernard Shaw once noted that, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one: the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap, and being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

I don't know about you, but I want to be a force of nature, a force for our Lord Jesus, not some selfish little clod.  Even though I might sometimes complain that the world is not doing what it could to make me happy, I still take great joy in serving my Lord, and rejoice in His blessings.

Jesus left us with rather simple tasks: to love one another and to make disciples.  Our joy is made full when we do as He commanded.  But we all know that those two “simple” tasks are not all that easy to carry out and complete.  We can be quite hesitant to approach someone to tell them about Jesus, especially a stranger, or someone we know is dead set against anything religious.  And as for loving others, there are some that are very difficult to love, for any number of reasons.  But Jesus calls us to love others as He loves us.  His love is selfless, unconditional, sacrificial.  Are we capable of loving like that, even for the people that hate us?

There’s one sentence in that passage that should compel us to do as Jesus commands.  Jesus declared, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit.”  Jesus chose us, you and I, to go and bear fruit, and the sweetest fruit comes from helping a lost soul find and know Jesus.  Studies have shown that doing good for our fellow man makes us feel good, gives us joy.  What better good could we do than to help someone receive salvation and everlasting life?

As I said, loving all others and making disciples for our Lord is not easy.  In fact, Jesus warns us that doing as He commands, while it can increase our joy, it may also bring hardship as well.  But even if it does, we should remain joyful as we endure the hardship and tribulation.  Hear the words of our Lord delivered in His Sermon on the Plain as recorded by the Apostle Luke in the 6th chapter of his Gospel account, verses 22 and 23…

22 “Blessed are you when the people hate you, and when they exclude you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice on that day and jump for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For their fathers used to treat the prophets the same way.” 

--Luke 6:22-23 (NASB)

Be joyful if the world turns against you because of your belief in and service to Jesus.  Rejoice, even in the midst of trials and persecution.  Jump for joy, for God has been watching and has a wonderful reward all prepared for you in heaven.  This kind of attitude comes when our joy is made full by Jesus.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.  Let earth receive her King.  Let every heart prepare Him room.  This is what Advent reminds us to do, to make room in our hearts for Jesus.  And Jesus calls us to help other folks open their hearts to Him as well.

Our joy is made full and complete when we follow Jesus and carry out the task He left us.  No, it won’t be easy.  But even when our neighbors and fellow man mock us and persecute us for our belief and our service, we can take comfort and joy in knowing what awaits us in heaven.

So let us go and bear fruit.  In that beautiful name of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, our true joy.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to redeem us and bring joy to the world.  Sadly, the world doesn’t really want joy, not the true and full joy Your Son brings.  The world thinks joy comes from things we own or what other people can do for us.  This kind of joy, earthly joy, is temporary; it fades with time.  If the world would accept You and Jesus, it would understand.  But the world is Satan’s playground and he doesn’t want people to understand.  He wants them to be easily disappointed so they’ll turn against You.  Please forgive us, Father, those times when we let the world dictate our actions.  Forgive us when we turn every way but to You when looking for joy.  Please help us share our joy with the world by sharing Your love.  Help us rejoice in the face of trials and hardship so that others may see Your hand at work in our life.  And Father, please help us reach out and share the Gospel message with everyone we come into contact with. 

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, You promise to make our joy full and complete if we only do as You command.  And we will obey Your command if we love You.  The joy You offer lets us rejoice even when others hate us, laugh at us, persecute us simply because we follow You.  You chose us to serve You, Lord, and we thank You for loving us this much.  We just ask that You now please give us the courage and the strength to go out and do as You command.  Please forgive us when we struggle, as did the Apostle Paul, to do what we know is right, and to not do what we know is wrong.  And please help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Our Lord of Peace

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 14th of December, 2025, the third Sunday in Advent.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

The Apostle Luke tells us that when Jesus was born, a multitude of angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!”.  Peace on earth…  When has this poor earth ever known peace?

You might have heard or read stories of how hostilities ceased on Christmas Day during World War II, and how in some places the German and Allied troops came together to sing carols.  Whether all that is true or purely anecdotal, I don’t know.  But I do know that the very next day, they went back to killing each other.

That’s the kind of peace the world offers: short-lived and quickly broken.  On the other hand, we’re very good at wars and conflicts, and it takes so little to start one.  Even during this most joyous time of year.  I just read of a huge street brawl during a Christmas event on the island of Nantucket.  And around the globe, Christmas markets and displays, especially Nativity scenes, are being vandalized and destroyed.  Peace on earth and goodwill toward men seems like nothing more than a wish, a dream.

The great prophet Isaiah lived approximately 700 years before Jesus’ birth, yet he foretold of that birth and of the life of Jesus quite accurately.  Some folks think that the prophets of old predicted the future, but that’s not the case.  Our biblical prophets simply spoke for God, giving Him a physical voice, relaying what He said would happen.  This is how Isaiah “knew” all about the birth and life of Jesus, because God told him about it.

And this is especially true for one of Isaiah’s best known passages in his great book of prophecy, one that is often quoted at Christmas-time.  Please listen and follow along as the prophet repeats what God told him, from verses 6 and 7 of the 9th chapter of Isaiah’s book, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

--Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)

Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for choosing the right people to speak for You.  And thank You for inspiring them and giving them the courage to do just that – to give voice to Your words.  Through them, You warned Your people, and You still warn us of our fate if we disobey You.  And sometimes they bring us great and wonderful news, such as when Isaiah told of Your Son coming to us to redeem us and offer us salvation.  This shows Your love for us.  We sometimes forget, or maybe just take for granted, how much You do love us, how much You have blessed us.  And so we struggle to show that love to others.  Father, we know we disobey You at times, and we know it displeases You.  We need You to help us live more righteously.  Please forgive us those times we disappoint You and help us be more obedient to Your will, more loving, more caring, more compassionate, showing Your love to others so that they too might find salvation through Jesus.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better grasp the message You have for us this day.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

19th century poet and activist Caroline Norton penned this succinct verse:

“For death and life, in ceaseless strife,

Beat wild on the world's shore,

And all our calm is in that balm -

Not lost but gone before.”

I don't know if Ms. Norton was speaking of Jesus here, but it would certainly fit.  Jesus is that balm, the Balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole and heals the sin-sick soul.  Even as the world goes wild, He will bring calm to our soul.

Isaiah called Jesus the Prince of Peace, who brings a peace that will have no end.  Our responsive reading this morning encourages us to take that peace.  In the whirlwinds of doubt, in the apex of the storm, when we just need a place to rest… take the peace Jesus offers.  There’s no need to struggle or fight a battle that’s already been won, so just claim His peace.  But let’s be careful how we consider that word “peace”.

Jesus had been teaching the multitudes using parables, including the parable of the sower, where He gave the example of seed falling on unsuitable ground compared to good soil to describe how the word of God can have different effects depending on the spiritual state of the one who hears it.  After this, He and His disciples prepared to go to the country of the Gadarenes, across the Sea of Galilee.  The Apostle Mark tells what happened next, in the 4th chapter of his Gospel account, verses 35 through 41…

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” 

--Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

You’d think that the disciples would have figured out by now that Jesus was not just another normal man.  No man can simply tell a storm to go away and have it happen immediately.  Only God has that authority.

But in this case, the peace Jesus commanded was peace as the world considers it, with a cessation of turmoil and strife.  Unfortunately, the peace that the world offers is too often very temporary and easily broken.  This is not the everlasting peace Isaiah spoke of.

A little later in His ministry, Jesus is trying to prepare His followers for the rapidly approaching time when He will no longer be with them.  He tells them of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Father and the Son.  And He promises a new gift.  The Apostle John saved the last of this for us, in verse 27 of the 14th chapter of his Gospel account, when Jesus said…

27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

--John 14:27 (NKJV)

Jesus doesn't promise to calm the storm raging around us, as He did on the Sea of Galilee.  But if we have faith in Him, He will calm the storms raging within us, no matter what may be going on all around us.

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm, but sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.  Jesus offers a peace that is everlasting, not like the peace the world offers that is short and easily destroyed.  When the world gives peace, we are filled with worry over when it will end and how bad will things be after it ends.  With the peace Jesus offers, there is no worry about it ending, nor what might come next.  Jesus calms us from within.  Blessed be the name of Jesus.  In that beautiful name of Christ Jesus our Redeemer.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to redeem us and bring Your kind of peace into our lives.  This world doesn’t even know true peace, let alone provide it.  And that’s because the world doesn’t know You.  The world is Satan’s playground and he doesn’t want real, lasting peace among men.  Please forgive us, Father, when we can’t let go of the world’s way and look to it and our fellow man for peace.  Forgive us when we worry more about the storm than about serving You.  Please help us show the world what true peace looks like.  Help us calmly face our trials so that others may see Your hand at work in our life.  And Father, please help us reach out and share the Gospel message with everyone we come into contact with. 

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, long before You came to this earth, You were foretold as being the Prince of Peace.  And at Your birth, God’s heavenly host proclaimed peace on earth.  For that moment, there was true peace.  But then, mankind being what we are, that peace was shattered.  Peace on earth has always been fragile, but Lord, You offer a peace that is unbreakable, a peace that lasts forever and ever, a peace that the world can never give.  Thank You, Lord, for coming to us even while we wallowed in our sin.  Thank You for giving us Your peace, whether it is by calming the storm around us, or by calming the storm within us.  Please forgive us when we struggle to do what we know is right, to not do what we know is wrong.  And please help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

What Is Love?

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 7th of December, 2025, the second Sunday in Advent.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

What is love?

Poets and authors and songwriters have been describing love pretty much ever since there have been poems and writings and songs.  The dictionary tells us that love is “a strong feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, such as for a parent, child, friend, or pet”, “an active, self-giving concern for the well-being of others”, and “a profoundly tender, passionate affection, often mingled with sexual desire, for another person”, among many other definitions.

The Greeks have four different words for love – not just three, as some will say, but four.  “Philia” is the love between close friends or brothers – think of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love.  “Eros” is the love found in romantic relationships; it’s what drives that sexual desire.  “Storge” refers to the love between family members, like a mother for her child; sometimes called “familia” or “familial love”.

And then there’s “agape”, the one many have likely heard of.  “Agape” is an unconditional, sacrificial love.  It is a love of choice, a love that humbly serves others, a selfless love.  It is the love Jesus showed us, the love of God for us.

In the 13th chapter of his 1st Letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul defines agape love in very clear terms.  It is here that he tells us that love suffers long and is kind, and that love never fails.  I’m not sure we humans are entirely capable of that.  Love at first sight quickly goes sour.  “Love” based on physical beauty or sexual attraction fades with time’s passage.  Even the love between parents and their children can be broken apart and cast aside.

But there truly is a love that suffers long and never fails.  It is the love God has for us, His creation.  And it is the love Paul discusses in another of his letters to the early church.  Please listen and follow along as Paul reminds us of God's love, shown through the gift of faith, of the Holy Spirit, and of His Son who reconciles us and offers us salvation, from the first 11 verses of the 5th chapter of his Letter to the Romans, and I’ll be reading from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

--Romans 5:1-11 (NKJV)

Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for showing Paul the truth and giving him the power and the courage to face all his trials as he established churches throughout the known world.  And thank You for inspiring him to write so many letters to those early churches.  In this letter to the church in Rome, he reminds us of all You’ve given us and all out of love – love for Your creation, love for Your children.  We sometimes forget, or maybe just take for granted, how much You do love us.  You show us in an endless display, if we’d only stop long enough to look.  We struggle, though, to show our love for You.  Father, we know we disobey You at times, and we know it displeases You.  We need You to help us live more righteously.  Please forgive us those times we disappoint You and help us be more obedient to Your will, more loving, more caring, more compassionate, showing Your love to others so that they too might find salvation through Jesus.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit within us and better grasp the message You have for us this day.  This we pray in the precious name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.

I love this little story...  A certain medieval monk announced he would be preaching next Sunday evening on "The Love of God".  As the shadows fell and the light ceased to come in through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered.  In the darkness of the altar, the monk lighted a candle and carried it to the crucifix.  First of all, he illumined the crown of thorns, next the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound.  In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel.  There was nothing else to say.

Sometimes we don't need words in order to speak volumes.  I can only imagine what must have been running through that congregation’s minds, sitting there in the gloom, with the unspoken words of love ringing in their hearts.  Only someone who truly, deeply loved us would take the punishment meant for us, the punishment we deserved.  Only He would die for us so that we might live.  Those scars shout, “I love you”.

The Gospel account of the Apostle John is sometimes called the book of love, and not only because the author refers to himself as “the disciple Jesus loved”.  Among its many references to love are those describing the love Jesus has for us and the love of God for all mankind, including the one verse that is most well-known and often quoted the world over, even by atheists and non-believers.

We know the story.  One night, a Pharisee came to Jesus under the cloak of darkness, seeking to know more about this remarkable Man he’d heard of.  John recorded this conversation for us in the 3rd chapter of his Gospel account, including this passage from verses 13 through 21 where Jesus explains to Nicodemus…

13 “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

--John 3:13-21 (NKJV)

In the first part of that passage, Jesus is foretelling His impending death, being lifted up on a cross as a blood sacrifice to atone for our sin.  And all because of love.  God loves us, so He sent His only Son into the world to carry out the salvation plan.  Jesus loved His Father, so He accepted His role in God’s plan for mankind.  Jesus loved us enough to take our punishment and to die so we could live.

Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to redeem it and give it a chance at eternal life.  If He and God didn’t love us, we would all have stood convicted and condemned, as in the days of the flood.

Toward the close of their last supper together before His arrest, after Judas left the room and right before Jesus foretold that Peter would soon deny Him, our Lord issued a new command to His followers, those seated with Him that evening, all believers since that time, we today, and all Christians hence forward until the end of the age.  John recorded this one, too, in the 13th chapter of his Gospel account, verses 34 and 35…

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

--John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

At another point in His ministry, Jesus tells us to love all others, not just other believers.  But this is a telling point, because if we can't love other believers, our own brothers and sisters in Christ, then how can we possibly love all others, including non-believers and even those who hate us for our faith?

We Christians do seem to have a hard time loving even other Christians all the time.  We easily get into spats and arguments, carrying grudges and resentment, destroying our love.  We can do better, but it takes a concentrated effort.  Jesus commands us to make this effort.

Jesus calls us to love.  We lit the candle of love this morning to recognize and acknowledge the love Jesus has for us, but also to remind ourselves of that last command, that calling.  This isn’t romantic love Jesus wants of us, nor the love we have for our parents or our children, or our grand-children, or any of our relatives.  It isn’t even brotherly love Jesus calls us to.  It is agape – unconditional, sacrificial love, a love we choose to give, a selfless love that drives our humble service to others.  It is the love that helps other folk in their time of need.  It is the love that leads us to pray for our enemies, those that would do us harm, praying that they too might find salvation through Jesus.  Let’s show Jesus our love by loving others as He loves us.

In the beautiful name of Christ Jesus our Redeemer.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Almighty God, thank You for loving us.  Even though we are a stiff-necked people, even when we rebel against You, even when we are disobedient children, You still love us.  And when we were lost in our sin, You sent Your own Son to redeem us and show us the Way.  Even if we don’t always show it, we in this house thank You, Father.  We love You and trust You in all things.  But sometimes we don’t show our love.  We don’t love others as we should.  We even wish harm on some.  Please help us show our love in all things, dear God, to all people of Your creation.  And Father, please help us reach out and share the Gospel message with everyone we come into contact with. 

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You through Your Spirit within us, promising to be more obedient to Your word, and seeking Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, You clearly showed Your love – for God and for us – in how You lived Your mortal life and how You gave Your all for us.  Thank You, Lord, for coming to us when we wandered in the wilderness of our sin, to show us what love really looks like.  Thank You for teaching us love, through Your words and Your actions.  We love you, Lord.  May those simple words convey our love for You and our Father God.  Please forgive us when we struggle to do what we know is right, to not do what we know is wrong.  And please help us reach out to the non-believing world, sharing the Gospel message, showing Your love through our love.

Holy Spirit, please shield our minds and our hearts from Satan’s lies and the world’s empty promises.  Guide us around all the devil’s traps and snares.  Help us see though his temptations.  Help us keep our focus on the things of heaven and the needs of others rather than on anything this world might offer.  All this we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Prepare the Way

 

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered at Pilgrim Reformed Church on Sunday morning, the 30th of November, 2025, and the first Sunday in Advent.  A recording of our service may be available on our YouTube streaming channel: 

https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch1992/streams for the older services or https://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimreformedchurch3115/streams for later services.]

Family, today we celebrate the start of what we consider our Christmas season.  And we’re doing so with this special worship service, for this is a very special day.  Please listen and follow along to what the Apostle Luke saved for us in verses 1 through 6 of the 3rd chapter of his Gospel account of the life of Jesus - of a slightly later point in time - and I’ll be reading this from the New King James Version of our Holy Bible…

1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.

5 Every valley shall be filled

And every mountain and hill brought low;

The crooked places shall be made straight

And the rough ways smooth;

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

--Luke 3:1-6 (NKJV)

Today is the first Sunday in Advent.  This is a crucial time for us as we await the coming of our Savior.  This marks the beginning of our watch that will end on Christmas Eve, with the birth of a precious little baby.  Our Lord Jesus entered this world as one of us, lived among us, and died as we all someday will die.  But He didn’t stay dead, for God raised Him from the dead, to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  We who believe will also be raised from the dead to join them in paradise.  So our Lord’s coming is indeed crucial for us.

Another little baby was born just a few months before Jesus, born miraculously to an elderly couple, both well beyond normal child bearing days, born as a gift from God.  This was John, later known as the Baptizer, who was given the mission from God to prepare mankind for the coming of the Messiah, our Christ.  Of course, John was not chosen to announce the birth of Jesus, since he was just a baby himself at the time.  His assignment was to prepare men for the Messiah to be known, for the start of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

This is what Advent is all about, this is why we observe it: to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord.  We have the advantage over the people of Luke’s day for we know when Jesus was born, and we know why He was born.  We will celebrate His birth in just a few weeks.  But we still need to get ourselves ready for His coming.

John preached a message of repentance.  He aimed at men’s hearts with his words, as much as their minds, for our hearts can overrule our minds.  And family, it is our hearts that we must prepare.  It is our hearts we need to look into so that we can purge ourselves of our sins, turn from them, and give ourselves fully to our Lord Jesus.

During this Advent season, let us prepare the way of the Lord.  Let us repent of our sin and stay on the straight and narrow path so that we will see and enjoy the salvation of God.  In the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord, the coming Messiah.  Amen.

Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to save us from ourselves.  Guide us through this time of Advent that we may free ourselves of our grasp on the world and focus more on our coming Savior.  Please forgive us, Father, for not bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel.  Help us reach out to others sharing the truth, serving You by serving others, loving You by loving others.  Help us be more like Your Son Jesus, more forgiving and merciful in our daily walk, so that we might be more righteous in Your sight.  This we pray in the blessed name of Christ Jesus our Lord and our Savior.  Amen.