July 2 HC #65 – I Corinthians 1:18-25 The Lord has chosen preaching to be His main instrument. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and God has seen fit to use the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ His main way of converting the lost into... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
July 1 HC #65 -Ezekiel 36:22-28 This short catechism answer teaches us three truths. The Holy Spirit is responsible for creating faith in us, He creates it through preaching, and confirms it through the sacraments. It is probably not widely... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 30 HC #64 – John 15:1-5 We have seen how a tree that is alive and well will bear fruit. It is what it does. We have also discussed how it is impossible not to bring forth fruits of thankfulness. I want to emphasis again to you why it is... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 29 HC# 64 – Matthew 7:15-23 The idea of it being impossible for a Christian to fail to bring forth works of thankfulness is not something the Heidelberg made up on its own. It takes it from Jesus himself. In Matthew 7, Christ is warning the... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 28 HC #64 – Romans 6:1-2 One of the objections to Reformed doctrine of salvation that is found in these past few questions is dealt with here in question 64. If you are saved by faith alone and by Christ alone, with our works playing no role,... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 27 HC #63 – Deuteronomy 11:1-15 Since we have established that God will be judging works, not a basis of salvation, and that we cannot merit any reward from our work, how then will God give us a reward for some of our work? The answer is... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 26 HC#63 – Luke 17:7-10 Since yesterday we established that we have a judgment of works and it is God’s will to reward our work, the question now becomes whether or not we “merit” that reward. Did we earn a reward with our work? Jesus lays it... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 25 HC#63 – I Corinthians 3:10-15 Heidelberg Question 63 deals with whether or not our works will be rewarded in heaven, and what is the basis of that reward. Remember that at the time of the writing of the Catechism the Roman Catholic... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 24 HC#62 – Mark 10:17-31 Jesus nicely displays the problem with works in the confrontation with the Rich Young Ruler. In Mark 10, we see the rich ruler come to Jesus and asks Jesus a question: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
June 23 HC#62 – Isaiah 64 (especially verse 6) Isaiah summarizes why our righteousness is nothing before God in Isaiah 64:6. Isaiah reminds us “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” This is no mistake. Isaiah is saying that... [ ... ][ abbreviated | read original blog ]
