In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 69

Building Blocks In God's Holy House

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 23, 2022

We are “living stones,” called to be linked with one another in Christ, tightly integrated like stones in a wall. This requires us to strengthen our connections with each other, in fellowship, mutual support, and prayer.

God has given us a real blessing in this church building. In many ways, it’s a hub for congregational life. It serves as a centre of our worship, our learning and study, and it’s a place for our communion together. It’s a good gift of God to us. Yet how does the Bible speak about our places of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejoice In The Lord Always!

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 16, 2022

The source of our true rejoicing is found only through a right relationship with God! Everything apart from him is crumbling and disappointing. Yet our God is eternal, glorious, lacks in no way, and never fails. So those who enjoy a living fellowship with Christ are given true gladness of heart.

Are we known as a joyful people? Is that the reputation we have, that we’re often rejoicing? Perhaps not. On first impressions, our worship is pretty sombre. In speaking about our faith, most of us are reserved, and we keep our emotions well in check. Even when we have what we call “the celebration ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, James 1:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Place Like Home

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Jan 9, 2022

We would sooner give up everything of human worth, even earthly joy, physical health and wholeness, than lose that gift. For this is our true home: in Zion, with God, and in his house. This is always home for God’s people: to be with Him!

There’s no place like home. You realize that when you’ve been away for a while: maybe on vacation, a business trip, or in the hospital. Home is a refuge. For when we’re at home, we’re surrounded by the familiar. Home is security and comfort. There’s no place like it. But how do we know when we’ve ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:4-6, Jeremiah 25:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Overcoming The World

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Dec 5, 2021

If you have faith in Christ, you already have every resource to be an overcomer. God doesn’t allow us to surrender to worldly pressure or to hide ourselves away. But He says that in Christ we can conquer and gain the victory. Who is it that will overcome and persevere? Only the one who believes!

What we do today isn’t very exciting. For we’re just a small church in a big world. We’re reading an old book, and we’re talking about an old story. Yet a Christian has been given different eyes, and we look at things in a different way. Beneath the surface, God helps us to see things as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God’s Wisdom Is Health For The Whole Body

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Nov 21, 2021

Either our heart is slowly being filled with evil things, or gradually being filled with good. One heart condition ends in death, the other leads to life. So guard your heart! Then God will bless your life, from the inside out.

Some of us are involved in health care. In our church, we have nurses and others who work at nearby hospitals or nursing homes. Health and wellness are their daily focus. But health is vital for everyone, of course. We should all give it attention. How do you care for the body God has given you? Do ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27, Hebrews 12:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Feed My Sheep

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Nov 14, 2021

If you love Christ, then show your love by your service in his church. If you’re devoted to the Good Shepherd, be devoted to his flock.

It is our joy and privilege to serve in the church of our Lord Christ. Some of us are office bearers, and we are allowed to serve in this capacity. Many of us are not office bearers and we have the opportunity to serve the church in numerous other ways. It’s always a privilege to serve, but the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-16, John 21:15-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Real Repentance

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Nov 7, 2021

Repentance means change. What was I doing before I repented? What kind of life was I leading before? And how will things be different now? That’s not a one-time question, but it’s asked day after day. What shall we do? We bear fruit, for the glory of the God who saved us.

It’s a great privilege, being a minister of God’s Word. Yet preaching is a difficult job. What makes it hard is not really the years of study beforehand. It’s not the many hours spent every week writing sermons. It’s not even getting over the fear of public speaking. Preaching is difficult because ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Looking For Answers In The Wrong Places

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Oct 24, 2021

We must know beyond any doubt that our God does speak to us. The LORD God comes near to us, and with living words He tells us his will. God speaks to us, and directs us in what we’ve got to do.

Some years ago I saw a sign out front of a church. The sign read: “There are Some Questions that Can’t Be Answered By Google.” It’s a good point. Because where do you turn for answers to your questions? Many turn almost automatically to Google. If we want information, or directions, or inspiration, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Samson, The Flawed Savior

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Oct 11, 2021

When we stop trusting in human strength or looking to our own ability, God will act. When we are weakest and most defenseless, God will show grace. It’s when we’re at our lowest that God gets ready to shine his glory, to show that He is our Savior.

There is something called the underdog. It’s the boxer not expected to win the fight. It’s the team up against the undefeated champions from last year. The underdog is an unlikely candidate for success, because he’s too small, or they’re too weak, or inexperienced. Yet we know it’s the underdog ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:23-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Thoughts Toward Us

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Sep 19, 2021

"I know the plans I have for you." With these words, God tells his sinful people that He won’t cast them off but restore them. And He expresses the same grace toward us in Christ. For us, God has plans of peace! God wants us for himself. He loves us, and He wants us to love him.

How much do you think about the future? Where would you like to be, this time next year, or in five years? Or do you wonder what lies ahead for your children, your loved ones? We all know that we’re only a vapour. Our life is like the wildflowers which quickly fade. We can try plan the future, yet ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord Shows His Excellence In All The Earth

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Sep 13, 2021

God’s excellence shines so clearly in all his works. The Lord could have crushed those who bore his image when we sinned, yet God was mindful of us. The glorious God who first stooped down to create us, then stooped down to save us through his only Son.

As we lead busy lives each week, we need to slow down. In the middle of the activity of work and school and home life and church life, we need to pause and ponder. For how often do we really think about who God is, who we are, and what to do with the few days on earth that God has given? It’s easy ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Sep 5, 2021

When we are joined to Christ the true vine, we are powerfully connected to his Spirit and his vitality. By faith, we can share in Jesus’s righteous life and his atoning death. It is through his death and resurrection that the branches begin to flourish and bear much fruit.

When we take the time to look at trees, we get a beautiful reminder of how they sustain the life of their branches and leaves. Some of these trees are also able to produce a harvest of fruit that we can enjoy. Scripture talks about this too, the importance of the link from a leaf or branch to the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Am The Way, The Truth, And The Life Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Aug 29, 2021

There is a way to the Father, and the way is wide open. There is a truth about God that can be known for certain. There is a life with God that lasts forever. And you can get it all through faith in Christ Jesus!

Many cities in this land are multicultural. Over the years, people from all over the globe have found their way here. They’ve all brought with them their languages, their traditions, food and clothing—and they’ve also brought their religions. So when you drive around, you see quite a few Christian ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Am The Resurrection And The Life Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Aug 8, 2021

Has Christ made you alive? Do you see the effects of your resurrection every day? Do you see the power of death slowly retreating from your life, the graveclothes being put off?

Death is around us every day. Every day there are funerals at the local cemeteries. Every day people die from cancer and drug overdoses and car crashes. Last week I read that about 160,000 people die each day, all around the world—that’s a lot of death. And that’s just physical death. Think of all ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44, John 11:25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Am The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Aug 1, 2021

We come to know Christ in the same way that sheep came to know their shepherd: by experience, by following him year after year, by learning that we can love and trust him. We come to know that He will bring us to places of safety, and that He will be with us always.

Nobody enjoys feeling like they’re just a number. But this tends to happen when you deal with a big organization, like a bank or the government. It feels like to them, you’re just another account number, just another taxpayer. Sometimes the bank will send you a nice letter, “We really care about ...read more

Scripture: John 10:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed