One of the distinguishing marks of the Reformed tradition is its insistence that God’s law (commands) be carefully distinguished from his gospel (promise). The fundamental reason why there was a Protestant Reformation in the first place is because the Medieval Roman Catholic Church had confused or conflated the gospel withContinue Reading
In the sermon on Matthew 4:4, we saw that when Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, after being without food for 40 days and 40 nights, he responded with a direct quotation from Deut 8:3: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comesContinue Reading
This past Sunday’s morning sermon (which you can listen to here) was on Matthew 4:1-11 where the evangelist recounts Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the desert. Like in his baptism, Jesus again identifies with Israel in their frail humanity and sinfulness as he is led away by the Spirit toContinue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] So, how might this knock-off version of the gospel look today in a church that is no longer entangled by the Jewish ceremonial law? Well, if we understand that man-made religion is in essence anything that replaces or adds to the free grace of God that hasContinue Reading
So, I am engaging in a business transaction in the Cape Town market today and find myself befuddled… Why is it that I must extend grace to a service provider that repeatedly fails to complete the job I have paid for and then pleads for a (false-)positive performance evaluation? ForContinue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] One of the greatest challenges in this life is to be subject to an unjust or corrupt government. The experience of living in a country where one’s basic human rights are constantly threatened can tempt us to all sorts of negative responses: such as rebellion, discouragement, depression,Continue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] Theme: We pray the prayer of Moses for God’s pity and favour with confidence in Christ, through whom we have become heirs of heaven. The book of Psalms was the hymnbook for OT Israel as they worshipped God: both as a covenant community gathered together on theContinue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] The book of Deuteronomy is about the gospel revealed through the law: the law given under the Old Covenant made at Mt Sinai. The nation of Israel was unique in that they were God’s chosen people. And yet their predicament under the moral law – summed upContinue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] Theme: The baptism of John is a symbol of judgment on Israel lest she – like us – repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus, who endured God’s judgment on the cross. Water, like bread, is something we take for granted in our lives. Continue Reading
[Sermon audio here.] Status is a big deal in our society. And status is often measured in very superficial terms: like according to what kind of clothes you wear, what kind of car you drive, the house you own and where you live. The people that our popular culture idolizesContinue Reading
Reformed Church Southern Suburbs 2025