URC Learning » Introduction to the Reformed Faith http://urclearning.org Reformed Sermons, Discussion Programs & Lessons, with Audio Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:11:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 en Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 13): The Purpose and Obligations of the Church http://urclearning.org/2007/05/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-13-the-purpose-and-obligations-of-the-church/ http://urclearning.org/2007/05/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-13-the-purpose-and-obligations-of-the-church/#comments Sat, 12 May 2007 02:58:20 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/05/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-13-the-purpose-and-obligations-of-the-church/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (26:13)

The purpose of the church is to gather, defend and preserve God’s elect through the ministry of Word, Sacraments and Discipline. If this purpose is clear in our churches so will the obligations be of its members and officers.

Scripture Lesson: Hebrews 10:19-25

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/05/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-13-the-purpose-and-obligations-of-the-church/feed/ Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 12): Reformed Worship http://urclearning.org/2007/05/05/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-12-reformed-worship/ http://urclearning.org/2007/05/05/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-12-reformed-worship/#comments Sun, 06 May 2007 02:47:10 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/05/05/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-12-reformed-worship/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (27:28)

Many churches today ask what people like in worship and are only too glad to give them what they want. This is the wrong question, however. The right question to ask when designing the worship service is: what does God like? Reformed churches design the worship service according to the “Regulative Principle,” which means that a church may do in worship only what which God commands.

Scripture Lesson: Exodus 32:1-14

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/05/05/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-12-reformed-worship/feed/ Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 11): Church Discipline: Process http://urclearning.org/2007/04/24/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-11-church-discipline-process/ http://urclearning.org/2007/04/24/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-11-church-discipline-process/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:05:15 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/04/24/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-11-church-discipline-process/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (30:55)

The Scriptures are clear about the necessity of church discipline in terms of excommunicating unrepentant members. But very few churches practice this kind of church discipline. It’s hard not to blame them because the steps of discipline are hard and time-consuming. Nevertheless a church must discipline its members because Christ commands it. In this sermon we will examine what the steps of discipline are from Matthew 18.

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 18:15-20

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/04/24/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-11-church-discipline-process/feed/ Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 10): Church Government http://urclearning.org/2007/04/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-10-church-government/ http://urclearning.org/2007/04/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-10-church-government/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2007 03:32:55 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/04/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-10-church-government/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (28:13)

There is much disorder in churches today. From undisciplined members to the lack of liturgy in worship, it’s everywhere. Christ is rightly honored, people are rightly fed and the church is rightly ordered when it is governed by the offices of minister, elder and deacon.

Scripture Lessons: Isaiah 9:6-7; Ephesians 1:20-23, 4:10-16, 5:22-32

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/04/11/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-10-church-government/feed/ Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 9): Church Discipline: Church Membership http://urclearning.org/2007/04/02/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-9-church-discipline-church-membership/ http://urclearning.org/2007/04/02/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-9-church-discipline-church-membership/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2007 04:33:24 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/04/02/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-9-church-discipline-church-membership/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (32:16)

Many people today talk only of the invisible church. To be sure, the Scriptures do speak of the invisible church but they also speak of the essential nature of the visible church. In fact, there can be no church discipline without the visible church. Therefore, in this sermon, we will argue for the biblical command of instituting true, visible churches.

Scripture Lessons: Matthew 16:13-20; 18:15-20; 28:16-20
Confession: Belgic Confession, Article 28

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/04/02/introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-9-church-discipline-church-membership/feed/ An Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 8): The Sacraments: the Lord’s Supper http://urclearning.org/2007/03/29/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-8-the-sacraments-the-lords-supper/ http://urclearning.org/2007/03/29/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-8-the-sacraments-the-lords-supper/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:37:54 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/03/29/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-8-the-sacraments-the-lords-supper/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (30:30)

In this sermon we’ll first, examine the major views of the Lord’s Supper, second, we’ll examine the Reformed view of “real presence” or “spiritual presence,” and third, we’ll examine the effects of the Lord’s Supper on Christians.

Scripture Lesson: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/03/29/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-8-the-sacraments-the-lords-supper/feed/ An Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 7): The Sacraments: Baptism http://urclearning.org/2007/03/21/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-7-the-sacraments-baptism/ http://urclearning.org/2007/03/21/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-7-the-sacraments-baptism/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:10:22 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://start.urclearning.org/2007/03/21/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-7-the-sacraments-baptism/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (33:05)

This sermon has three parts: First, we argue from the Scriptures what a sacrament is, second we argue for the biblical definition of Baptism and third, we argue for the biblical view of infant baptism.

Scripture Lesson: 1 Peter 3:18-22

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/03/21/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-7-the-sacraments-baptism/feed/ An Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 6): Preaching http://urclearning.org/2007/03/13/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-6-preaching/ http://urclearning.org/2007/03/13/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-6-preaching/#comments Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:06:41 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://www.start.urclearning.org/2007/03/13/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-6-preaching/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (27:24)

There is much confusion regarding what preaching is. In addition, there are many self-proclaimed preachers, teachers and Bible study leaders who are not rightly called and authorized. We need to reexamine what the Bible says about preaching. This sermon defines preaching as a proclamation of the Word of God by an authorized man; a proclamation that centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ. When the Word is rightly preached it is the Word of Christ.

Scripture Lesson: Romans 10:1-17

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/03/13/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-6-preaching/feed/ An Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 5): Predestination http://urclearning.org/2007/03/06/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-5-predestination/ http://urclearning.org/2007/03/06/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-5-predestination/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:41:29 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://www.start.urclearning.org/2007/03/06/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-5-predestination/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (26:59)

Although many people will deny the proper understanding of Predestination, the correct view is clear: Predestination is a decree of God in which He has elected some to eternal life and has passed over the rest with His grace. This doctrine while mysterious is also the basis for our praise.

Scripture Lesson: Romans 9:1-29

]]> http://urclearning.org/2007/03/06/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-5-predestination/feed/ An Introduction to the Reformed Faith (part 4): Justification http://urclearning.org/2007/02/26/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-4-justification/ http://urclearning.org/2007/02/26/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-4-justification/#comments Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:41:54 +0000 Rev. Tom Morrison http://www.start.urclearning.org/2007/02/26/an-introduction-to-the-reformed-faith-part-4-justification/ LISTEN BY CLICKING HERE (22:18)

Do you know what justification is? Can you define it? Many of those who profess to be Christians cannot. Justification, however, is the Gospel and the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls. This sermon attempts to define justification clearly.

Scripture lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

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