Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church

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 not only useful, but ordained by God to fund the work of the magistrate, and in light of this the clear exhortation, "render therefore to all their due…" 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.com

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 evening, we see God's granting the demand of Israel to "have a king over us," thinking that a king would solve their problems, they again missed God's lessons as to where true salvation and security rested - not in a corrupt and human actor who had been granted authority, but in a righteous man, after God's own heart. Sometimes getting exactly what you want is not an act of Divine blessing but cursing, and so we must know what to ask for, and it must be in accordance with God's will.  Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gasto

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 this matter is remedial beyond both high school, college, and even seminary where next to nothing was taught to me of the Bibles teaching on the topic of government, civil authority, and an appropriate mode of participation in this area of public life. We have but one life to live, may we live well, according to God's Word.  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.com

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 this matter is remedial beyond both high school, college, and even seminary where next to nothing was taught to me of the Bibles teaching on the topic of government, civil authority, and an appropriate mode of participation in this area of public life. We have but one life to live, may we live well, according to God's Word.  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.com

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 evening, we see God's granting the demand of Israel to "have a king over us," thinking that a king would solve their problems, they again missed God's lessons as to where true salvation and security rested - not in a corrupt and human actor who had been granted authority, but in a righteous man, after God's own heart. Sometimes getting exactly what you want is not an act of Divine blessing but cursing, and so we must know what to ask for, and it must be in accordance with God's will.  Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gasto

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.com

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.com

Romans 12:9-13 As we endeavor to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, guided and motivated by God's Word and the gift of His saving grace, we are to use the gifts which He has distributed among redeemed individuals to serve, build up, and sanctify the body of Christ as we each seek the things of the kingdom, for its coming and the work of the Spirit in our own hearts. Having listed seven gifts that are to be used in the aiding of the saints to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, the Church is to grow up together in the knowledge and righteousness of God. The disposition of the heart comes next, in verses 9-13 when Paul exhorts the saints in Rome to love one another well, for if we are to love those who are our enemies, then we must first love our brothers and sisters in Christ. 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.com

It has been made clear that Samuel is the Lord's man, graciously and miraculously given, and dedicated to the Lord's work in His house. Having also been called by the Lord in chapter three, Samuel prophecies the coming judgment of the house of Eli, and even as Israel was languishing in the darkness of a lack of revelation through their own rebellion and that of the priests in the tabernacle, God was raising up a deliverer, asked of the Lord by a faithful but barren woman. God was scheming to deliver His people through a miracle Son, asked of the faithful remnant, to bring an end to the lack of or impeding of the mediation of word, offering, and sacrament. God was and is committed to setting His own man who would serve forever as Prophet, Priest, and King.  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.com

Just two verses and that shall be enough for us this morning. Just two verses, and in them the whole matter of Christian piety: The origin of it, being the mercy of God that has set us free from this world that is passing away; the whole purpose of it, to live in a manner that is acceptable to God, as your act of reasonable service; and the means or method of it, by being transformed through the Word of God and in the renewing of our minds according to what God has revealed. All of life then might be summarized in this way: present yourselves holy and acceptable to God as those in whom the Word brings redemption and renewal.   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.com

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.com

Just two verses and that shall be enough for us this morning. Just two verses, and in them the whole matter of Christian piety: The origin of it, being the mercy of God that has set us free from this world that is passing away; the whole purpose of it, to live in a manner that is acceptable to God, as your act of reasonable service; and the means or method of it, by being transformed through the Word of God and in the renewing of our minds according to what God has revealed. All of life then might be summarized in this way: present yourselves holy and acceptable to God as those in whom the Word brings redemption and renewal.   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.com

There are many providentially or particular signs in the Old Testament that God was in the act of blessing or judging the nations of men, and specifically His people giving evidence as to their covenant standing before Him. The miraculous gift of a child, in particular, is a sign of Divine blessing and grace, whereas barrenness both of the womb and the ground is a sign of covenant cursing. Historically the promises of God were manifested amongst small groups of people, even one or two, where God was displaying His response to man's actions in light of their obedience or disobedience.  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.com

What shall we say to all that we have read up to this point, to all that we have learned, to the glories that we have beheld? I fear that if we approach such a wondrous epistle of Divine revelation as merely a letter wherein we discover the fine points of doctrine, of insight into the very plans of God, and do not come to the a place of reverence and awe before the Lord, then we fail to grasp one the Spirit's central motivations in presenting to us such truth - Doxology. How can we not marvel before a Holy God who, alone, has determined number of those who are His. How can we not tremble before the Lord who though rightly pouring out wrath upon all mankind has set apart for Himself a people who might bear His Name? How can we not consider the course of human history and not proclaim that the God who made the heavens and the earth, is the only Sovereign over men and angels? If we do not we truly have fallen short, and so it is in light of the majestic doctrines given Him by the Spirit that Paul moves to doxolo

Men are inherently quite boastful, even when it comes to issues we have no reason to boast about. In fact, men will boast about anything if given the right audience and opportunity. When it comes to sin and salvation, men not only deny what the Bible says about the true nature of their souls but also how their problems can be solved. They want to solve their problems on their own or invent some false religion other than the one revealed by our Maker. God, who has extended salvation even to the "wild branch," calls us to live as those now blessed, with reverence and enthusiasm to amplify His grace so that the Jews may come to faith in full. Instead of competition, both Jews and Gentiles are called to bless one another by receiving and magnifying the grace of God together, having been united into one body, in Christ Jesus.

Samuel having graciously been given to Elkanah and Hannah, was weaned and brought to the tabernacle where he was dedicated to the service of the House of God. The first chapter of 1 Samuel ends well enough, and the 2nd chapter opens with a prayer or song of praise to the Lord. I say that it is a song because it is a poetic expression of an overflow of emotion directed to God for His goodness towards Hannah. Why Hannah? Because she was the one who had been shown the greatest and most intimate apprehension of Divine grace, and it was in her body that she experienced God's life-giving power. The whole family was honored, but Hannah was rewarded for her faith. This is the rub, not just for one woman, but through her a lesson for a whole nation - God rewards the humble, but resists the proud. God sees the weak and broken, who come to Him for help, but He brings low the wicked and self-reliant. This book, like so many others that captures parts of the entire whole of redemptive history has woven into the theme that

Having been introduced to the characters and the historical backdrop, we discovered a family residing during the era of the judges. Samuel emerged at a parallel time to Samson, both boys conceived as miraculous gifts and destined to deliver Israel from the clutches of their adversaries. This week, we focus on Hannah, who was grieving while in the sanctuary of God, burdened by a sister-wife and feeling abandoned by the Lord. Despite her affliction, she found solace in the presence of the Lord, fervently pleading for His favor and a son, a son she would dedicate to the Lord and His house. Samuel was the first Saul, the authentic Saul—the one "asked of the Lord." In this narrative, Hannah exemplifies piety and anticipation, seeking the Lord's will for her deepest desire—a son who could serve the Lord in His house. God answered her prayer, and once the boy was weaned, Samuel was dedicated as a Nazirite, destined to lead Israel despite their persistent rebellions. All men yearn for a deliverer, and the measure of

One of the great, that is most blessed and awe inspiring, conclusions that we can draw thus far as Paul has dealt with the doctrine of election, and its working out in the judgment of the Jews and the pouring out of mercy and salvation upon the Gentiles is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ for sinners has gone out into all the world. For the 2000 years since the ascension of Christ, His rule and reign over all the earth has resulted in the spread His kingdom, by Word and Spirit, such that those who were once far off have been brought near. His blood makes the foulest of every tribe, tongue, and nation clean. Seeing then as it is Christ alone that the nations are welcomed and brought in, there ought be no occasion taken for pride as though the grace of God were not something freely given, never earned nor warranted to be received by the flesh. Divine favour which has resulted in the conversion of millions within the Gentile world has brought light into the darkest places of earth - Christ is the light. Worship

The final word of the book of Ruth is "David." David, of the Tribe of Judah, the first True King of Israel, born of the royal tribe, and of whose line would continue down to the High King of heaven and earth, the Messiah, the Son of David. Christ, the Promised One was coming, and though He was, at the time of Ruth, some ways off, He was orchestrating the path to the incarnation and the redemption of His beloved bride. The chronicles of Samuel, recorded for the people of God in 1st and 2nd Samuel present to us the history of Israel during the time of Samuel, Saul, and David. We continue to see the themes of life from death, the coming of the True King to His people, and what faithfulness to the Lord results in by those who are committed to His covenant, glory, and kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven.

Dear Saints, I want to encourage you with a quote from St. Athanasius' work On the Incarnation, "When the sun has come, darkness prevails no longer; any of it that may be left anywhere is driven away. So also, now that the Divine epiphany of the Word of God has taken place, the darkness of idols prevails no more, and all parts of the world in every direction are enlightened by His teaching. The coming of Christ, the Light, has accomplished not only the dispelling of darkness, but in His suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, He has brought the Kingdom of life and light to the entire world. Where the Word is preached and believed, Christ is truly made manifest, and the kingdom of darkness cannot stand up to the Spirit's work of setting men free from sin and nature's night. You and I, dear saints, are members of the conquering kingdom, and Christ will be victorious. Grace and Peace, Pastor Fowler Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gastonia! Each Lord's Day 9:30am & 5:30pm 203 Rhyne Oakland Roa