The work that the saints of God have been brought into, through Christ, who is our Gracious and Powerful Mediator, have been called to a great ministry indeed. This ministry, being built by the Spirit, is through the faithful preaching of the mystery of Christ Jesus, the Gospel, and it has gone out through all the world. This mystery, that has been revealed overtime by the Triune Lord, acting as Father, Son, and Holy Spirt, which was made manifest in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what is e...
Jun 29, 2025•45 min
Psalm 115 reminds us that worship is not just a religious act but a radical statement of allegiance. In a world filled with idols made by human hands, powerless and speechless and lifeless gods, we gather to exalt the one true and living God who reigns from heaven and does whatever He pleases. This sermon explores the glory of God, the shame of false gods, and the call for undivided allegiance to Christ. As we examine the contrast between divine power and human made vanity, we are reminded that ...
Jun 22, 2025•34 min
Romans 16 is often overlooked, yet it reveals the beauty of faithful service within the body of Christ. In this powerful message, we explore Paul's commendation of Phoebe, his personal greetings to fellow laborers in the early Roman churches, and the vital role of ordinary Christians in gospel ministry. This is a call to serve, love, and honor one another in Christ—not for fame, but for the glory of our Redeemer. Learn what it means to be a beloved part of the church, whether you're known or nam...
Jun 22, 2025•37 min
Psalm 72 unveils the majesty of Christ our King, the Righteous Judge, the Merciful Savior, and the Eternal Sovereign whose reign knows no bounds. In this stirring sermon, we trace the progression of redemptive history from the cry of the Suffering Servant in Psalm 22 to the universal dominion of the Risen King in Psalm 72. Christ rules in righteousness, delivers the needy, and crushes every oppressor. His reign is not distant or future-only it is now, expanding across the earth like rain on a mo...
Jun 15, 2025•37 min
The sermon explores the profound blessing of fellowship within the Christian community, emphasizing that true unity stems from reconciliation through Christ's sacrifice. Drawing from Psalm 133, the message highlights the joy and satisfaction derived from this union, likening it to the oil of gladness poured out upon Aaron, signifying the Holy Spirit's work. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to remember their identity as citizens of Zion, to proclaim Christ's death, and to live in light of t...
Jun 15, 2025•40 min
In this stirring and reflective sermon, we journey through the emotional depths of Psalm 22 and witness the fullness of Christ's redemptive work from the shadow of the cross to the glory of resurrection. This message draws us into the sorrow, joy, and ultimate hope found only in Jesus Christ. From the prophetic cries of abandon, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" to the victorious hope in the latter verses, we are reminded that the joy of salvation was purchased at an unfathomable cost....
Jun 01, 2025•30 min
This week the anointed king goes forth to battle, the volunteer champion of Israel went to face the uncircumcised Philistine, the blasphemer, the giant, Goliath. David saw not the size of the man, nor had regard for his notorious reputation as a soldier, but was instead focused upon the zeal of that wicked man's effect upon the moral of Israel and the success of his people to establish themselves in the land which God had promised to them. David was taking up the mantle of the heroes of Israel f...
Jun 01, 2025•39 min
In this stirring and reflective sermon, we journey through the emotional depths of Psalm 22 and witness the fullness of Christ's redemptive work from the shadow of the cross to the glory of resurrection. This message draws us into the sorrow, joy, and ultimate hope found only in Jesus Christ. From the prophetic cries of abandon, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?" to the victorious hope in the latter verses, we are reminded that the joy of salvation was purchased at an unfathomable cost....
May 25, 2025•38 min
Here we read of the magnificent and ongoing work of the Spirit, even as He works to build up the saints unto maturity and also move the hearts of the saints to go forth and proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation to those lands not yet reached, that have not heard, that have not yet been brought under the authority of the Triune Lord through the preaching of Jesus Christ. It was through mighty signs by the Spirit, and through the preaching of the Word that Paul brought from Jerusalem to Illyricum,...
May 25, 2025•42 min
This week the anointed king goes forth to battle, the volunteer champion of Israel went to face the uncircumcised Philistine, the blasphemer, the giant, Goliath. David saw not the size of the man, nor had regard for his notorious reputation as a soldier, but was instead focused upon the zeal of that wicked man's effect upon the moral of Israel and the success of his people to establish themselves in the land which God had promised to them. David was taking up the mantle of the heroes of Israel f...
May 18, 2025•36 min
As Paul continues to reflect upon the effect of the Gospel upon the body of believers, bringing light and life to otherwise dark and dead hearts, we find the law embraced and kept. Specially, "love your neighbor as yourself." Paul was writing to those mature in the church, in chapter 14, to welcome and admit the weaker brother as co-heirs of the promise of Christ, that they will be delivered if they too remain faithful until the end. The motivation for the mature brother to welcome the weaker is...
May 18, 2025•41 min
The giant mocks, the snake speaks once again before the face of the people of God, and there was none to silence the mouth of the colossus blasphemer, none to put an end to the threats of the son of the interloper, who spewed forth taunts, reviling, and threats against the people of God. The one who had rightly been anointed and coronated to kill the giant stood back in fear, the king of Israel, the mad king, the fearful king was of no use to his people, and how much more that he had been reject...
May 11, 2025•39 min
If we need any more instruction this week concerning the topic of the members of the body of Christ learning how to live at peace with one another and nurture redeemed-affection amongst our number, we must of course look to Christ, the Author and Perfecter of the faith, as both gift and exemplar of how we are to live in reverence and awe before God and men. The greatest strength of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ can also be her greatest liability - the people themselves who are called to wo...
May 11, 2025•39 min
As we move to the second part of 1 Samuel 16, we find a major transition marked by the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David and departing from Saul. This insight, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit shows us that God not only has a plan for His people, but He also gives us helpful indications what He was doing amongst His people. The evidences of David's being anointed and called to be the king of Israel is evidenced not only by the Spirit's anointing, but also as the Lord used David to ...
May 04, 2025•33 min
After having spent a total of one month going through Romans 14, I want to make sure that we have our terms straight, so that we know where we all stand and can be unified, at least as a local congregation, as to what our directive is for the maintaining of peace and purity within the Church. First, let us define who the weaker and stronger members of the church are: …. Second, we need to see that peace in the church does not come naturally, but rather by our walking in step with the Spirit, bea...
May 04, 2025•39 min
Saul, having been rejected by the Lord and Samuel, the prophet and priest of Israel, having walked away from Saul in chapter 14, we come to the event of the anointing of the one who would become to next king of Israel, the son of Judah, a member of the royal tribe of Judah, a lion's welp - David. Two primary principles that we find at work in our chapter this evening, 1. The Lord does not look upon outward appearance, but upon the heart, that is the Lord chose a king in a way that is grounded up...
Apr 27, 2025•35 min
One of the greatest treasures that we have laid up for us, given by the Son of God, through His servant Solomon, is the series of talks given to the sons of the Church concerning how to attain and apply the wisdom that comes from above. It begins with a fear of the Lord, that is, a reverent apprehension and worship of the Triune Lord, and moves to a consideration of a variety of real-life challenges and opportunities that await those who live in the fear and awe of their Maker and Redeemer. One ...
Apr 27, 2025•45 min
1 Samuel 15 records the third strike, if you will, in a series of willful and deliberate mistakes that Saul made due to his fear, folly, and inability to simply follow the Lord's instructions to be a courageous and faithful king to Israel. In 1 Samuel 13 Saul showed fear and impatience in the face of the encroaching Philistine military, going ahead to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, rather than wait on Samuel to arrive at the battle front. In 1 Samuel 14 Saul displayed great folly when he called ...
Apr 20, 2025•42 min
Paul continues through his exhortation, that in light of the liberty and unity that Christ has purchased and brought us into, as a church, by His precious blood and so called to love, forgive, and serve as we have been loved. "Love thy neighbor," is the calling of those redeemed by grace and a large component of that sanctified temperament is to welcome all of those who call Christ Lord, for they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, even those who are weak or immature with regards to the doct...
Apr 20, 2025•39 min
1 Samuel 14 recounts Jonathan's bold courage and faith in the Lord as he attacked and was granted victory against the Philistines, and this contrasted with Saul's rash and impatient leadership. Jonathan, Saul's son, demonstrated trust in God by initiating an attack on a Philistine garrison with his armor-bearer. His faith lead prompted divine intervention, resulting in wide spread confusion among the Philistines and ultimately their defeat. Concurrently, Saul's impulsive oath nearly costs Jonath...
Apr 13, 2025•41 min
As Paul moves into a new and distinct section from what has come before, it is right for us to think that all of the doctrine which Paul covered in the epistle to Rome has as a theological foundation the revelation of the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the one and only Savior of the world. Beginning in chapter 13 Paul emphasizes the importance of unity and mutual welcome and acceptance among believers, particularly regarding non-essential matters of faith or what we might call scruples. Paul addre...
Apr 13, 2025•44 min
This morning, we look at Romans 11:33-36, a doxology that issues forth in response to the sovereign reign of God and the outworking of His plan to bring in the Gentiles, and His future plan to bring back the Jews. God moves in a mysterious way to those who sit at His feet, who cannot see or rule as He does, and to those who love the Lord and long for His appearing to trust and wait in Him as He rules most wisely and beautifully. Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gastonia! Each Lord's Day 9:30am...
Apr 06, 2025•37 min
Last week I covered the sin of Saul, which was first and foremost due to a lack of confidence in God's man, Samuel, to arrive to offer the sacrifice unto the Lord, to bless the nation, that they might have victory in battle. He had been called to wait, but failed to do so, and out of fear, he took into His hands the means of the blessing whereby God proclaimed that salvation comes only by His hands. He should have waited, and for his disobedience, the kingdom would be taken away from him. How of...
Apr 06, 2025•33 min
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul's reign as Israel's first king faced a critical test against the Philistines. After Jonathan successfully defeats of a Philistine garrison at Geba, the Philistines planned to retaliate by amassing a massive army, and in response the Israelites scattered in fear. Saul gathered his forces at Gilgal but disobeyed the Lord's command to wait for Samuel to offer sacrifices. Having taken matters into his own hands. Fear and impatience will eat the heart of men, and rather than trus...
Mar 30, 2025•40 min
"In this powerful sermon, we explore the call to live as new creations in Christ—shedding the works of darkness and putting on the armor of light. Through biblical wisdom, personal reflection, and the transformative power of the Gospel, we uncover the dangers of laziness, worldly distractions, and spiritual complacency. Learn how to walk in righteousness, fight against sin, and embrace the fullness of life found in Jesus. If you're seeking encouragement in your faith journey, clarity on biblical...
Mar 30, 2025•40 min
The call to repentance comes to us wherever the Lord finds us, and it comes to us not as those worthy of Divine favor, but as sinners who have a sketchy track record, and apart from repentance a miserable future looming ahead. Come to Christ, lay your failures at His feet, and seek to go and sin no more. Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gastonia! Each Lord's Day 9:30am & 5:30pm 203 Rhyne Oakland Road, Gastonia, NC, 28098 (704) 931-8094 Our website: https://refopc.net/ ropcgastonia@gmail.co...
Mar 16, 2025•35 min
In a world filled with lawlessness and moral confusion, God's Word provides clear guidance for living a life of love and righteousness. This powerful message reveals how true love is defined not by fleeting emotions but by God's eternal law — to love your neighbor as yourself and do no harm. Discover how Christ's example teaches us to embrace sacrificial love, reject selfishness, and prioritize God's truth in our homes, churches, and communities. Watch now to learn how to reflect God's love in e...
Mar 16, 2025•44 min
As we continue through Samuel's history, leading up to the establishment of the monarchy "at home" in Israel, we see a series of national mishaps and also acts of sovereign mercy along the way. Fitting within the whole scope of Redemptive History, we find the telltale contours of the Triune Lord, pursuing a wicked and wayward bride through persistent acts of extraordinary patience shown to a people who did not deserve it, but were nonetheless those upon whom God special favor rested. This evenin...
Mar 09, 2025•38 min
It stands that in light of God's established order, that the civil magistrate has been instituted by God for a clear and universal purpose, to bring peace and order to societies of men. Seeing as this is their mandate, to wield the sword in the promotion of peace, the magistrate, ideally men who themselves are connected and governed by covenant between God and the people, they rely upon the support of the people to perform their duties. It is this support that comes in the form of taxes that are...
Mar 09, 2025•35 min
From the outset, let me be very clear, this sermon and the one which will follow it, next Sunday, are primers for how those who fear God and live in a world "under the sun" are to think about and participate in the public life of the civil sphere. I say it is a primer because within the wider Christian tradition, and nearer and I dare say dearer to us are the volumes written by our protestant church fathers on the subject of the civil magistrate. I will also add that much of my own education on ...
Mar 02, 2025•44 min
