Wellandport United Reformed Church

Our great high priest has passed through the heavens

1 Peter 1: 1-12 Text 1 Peter 1:10-12 1. When seen from the perspective 2. When seen from the perspective of the angels

1 Peter 1:1-12 1. Because of our struggles product 2. Because of our faith's proof

Lord's Day 24 1- The purpose of our sanctification 2- The promise in our sanctification 3- The power of our sanctification

1- Following those who've gone before 2- Freed from the hindrances of this life 3- Focusing on the Saviour who led the way

-Casting the enemy down -Counteracting their enemy's destruction -Casting his fire down -Condemning all who oppose

-For our supernatural life -For our secure future -For our shielded journey

Lord's Day 23 1- Faith's consequence 2- Faith's confession 3- Faith's confidence

1- Our Champion's appearing 2- Our Champion's assurance 3- Our Champion's accomplishment

Isaiah 65:17-25 Lord's Day 22 1. The breadth of this promise 2. The benefit of this promise

1 Peter 1:1-12 1. From the Father 2. In the Spirit 3. For the Son

Our Resurrected Lord encourages his brothers. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, as proclaimed in Matthew 28:10, is not merely a historical event but a transformative revelation of divine identity and grace, where the risen Lord addresses His fearful, doubting disciples not with condemnation but with the profound declaration, 'Do not be afraid, brothers.' This moment redefines their identity, not by their failures or fear, but by their adoption into the family of God, where they are no longer defined by sin or shame but by familial solidarity with Christ. The call to go to Galilee is not merely a geographical instruction but a divine commission to embody a new reality—a community of grace, unity, and witness that transcends ethnic, cultural, and social divisions. As brothers and sisters in Christ, believers are called to live out their new identity through faithful service, sacrificial love, and public witness, reflecting the kingdom of God in a broken world. The resurrection thus establishes a new order where identity precedes action, and where the power of Christ's victory enables His followers to live as light in darkness, not by merit, but by the unmerited grace of the risen Lord.

Lord's Day 21 -A people established by him -A people enriched by him -A people forgiven by him The sermon unfolds a unified vision of the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, and the forgiveness of sins as interconnected expressions of God's redemptive work through the Holy Spirit. Beginning with the global scope of the church as a universal community gathered by Christ from all nations—echoing Pentecost's reversal of Babel's division—it emphasizes that the church is not a human institution but a divine fellowship rooted in Christ's sacrifice. Zooming into the local congregation, the message highlights that believers, united to Christ, are called to serve one another not out of obligation, but as a joyful response to the grace they have received, reflecting the Spirit's work in transforming hearts to love and bless even the most difficult neighbors. This service is grounded in the reality of forgiveness, which, when truly internalized, produces mercy and humility, making believers living testaments to Christ's grace. The sermon challenges the congregation to see itself not as a cultural enclave, but as a sacred, global movement of redemption, where every act of love and forgiveness is a confession of faith in the one who has forgiven all sins and made all things new.

Lords Day 20 1. HIs Might 2. His Ministry The sermon centers on the essential, personal, and transformative work of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture and affirmed in the Apostles' Creed, emphasizing that the Spirit is true God, co-equal with the Father and Son, and actively indwelling believers to unite them to Christ, renew their hearts, and empower their lives. It challenges the common tendency to diminish the Spirit's role, arguing that genuine faith in Christ necessarily includes the Spirit's presence, making all true Christians 'Pentecostal' in the sense of being Spirit-filled and spiritually alive. Drawing on Joel 2 and the Heidelberg Catechism, the message calls believers to recognize the Spirit's ongoing work in conviction, comfort, and sanctification, using the metaphor of spring's renewal to illustrate the visible signs of spiritual life and growth. The sermon concludes with a pastoral challenge to live out this truth boldly—through worship, prayer, encouragement, and testimony—so that the church's life reflects the Spirit's power and presence, proving that faith without the Spirit is not faith at all.

1. Confirmed in their conviction 2. Clothed by their conduct 3. Confessing the Christ Revelation 19:1–10 presents a vision of ultimate cosmic justice and joyful anticipation, where the heavenly host celebrates God's righteous judgment against the corrupting forces of evil, particularly symbolized by the 'great prostitute,' and the imminent marriage supper of the Lamb. The passage juxtaposes the solemn reality of divine retribution with the profound joy of the redeemed, emphasizing that true worship is not merely emotional but rooted in the recognition of God's sovereign justice and faithfulness. It calls believers to live in deliberate, joyful anticipation of Christ's return, embracing delayed gratification and self-denial in this life—like a bride preparing for her wedding—so as to be ready for the eternal feast. The text underscores that participation in this celebration is not automatic but requires a life of devotion, righteousness, and worship centered on Jesus, whose testimony is the very spirit of prophecy. Ultimately, the passage challenges the church to reject worldly distractions and counterfeit joys, instead orienting every aspect of life toward the blessed hope of being invited to the Lamb's wedding supper.

The sermon centers on John 19:5, where Pilate declares, 'Behold the man,' highlighting the profound tension between human will and divine sovereignty. While Pilate, seeking to appease both justice and the crowd, intended the phrase as a plea for compassion toward an innocent Jesus, God uses it as a divine revelation: a call to behold Christ not as a mocked king, but as the suffering substitute for humanity's sin. The passage underscores the Reformed doctrine of God's sovereignty, demonstrating how even the most powerful human efforts—Pilate's attempts to free Jesus—could not thwart the eternal plan of redemption. Through Christ's humiliation, the sermon reveals the depth of human pride and guilt, calling listeners to see themselves in the beaten and crowned figure, recognizing that His suffering was for their transgressions. Ultimately, 'Behold the man' becomes a gospel invitation: to see Christ's sacrifice as the only means of salvation, and to respond in repentance, faith, and hope for His coming glory.

The sermon centers on the profound assurance of salvation found in God's unchanging promises and oath, illustrated through the metaphor of an anchor for the soul. Drawing from Hebrews 6:13–20, it emphasizes that believers, though buffeted by life's storms, find secure hope in the immutable character of God, who cannot lie, and whose promises are confirmed by His oath. The anchor is not merely a passive belief but requires active trust—fleeing to Christ, laying hold of His promises, and personally claiming them as one's own, especially through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice. The solid foundation of this hope is not in human effort but in Christ's finished work, which has opened access to God's presence behind the veil, where the believer's soul is securely anchored. The message calls for urgent personal faith, warning against spiritual complacency and urging every listener to embrace the gospel with conviction, knowing that eternal peace and certainty are found only in Christ.

Lord's Day 19 1- The purpose of his reign 2- The promise of his reign

1- Its destruction promised 2- Our discerning response 3- Its devastating pain 4- God's definitive response Revelation 18 presents a prophetic vision of the inevitable and violent judgment upon Babylon the Great—a symbolic representation of the world's corrupt, idolatrous system that exalts wealth, power, and self-worship at the expense of God and His people. The passage, framed by a mighty angel's declaration of Babylon's fall, emphasizes that her destruction is certain, divinely orchestrated, and rooted in her systemic sin—particularly her economic exploitation, moral decadence, and persecution of the faithful. The call to 'come out of her' is not merely a warning against overt sin but a radical summons to spiritual separation from the world's values, priorities, and systems, urging believers to live in the light of Christ's coming judgment. Through the lament of kings, merchants, and seafarers, the text reveals the terrifying fragility of worldly power and the futility of trusting in material security, while affirming that the church's temporary suffering in this age will give way to eternal joy, in contrast to the world's eternal destruction. Ultimately, the passage challenges believers to examine what truly defines their lives, to reject the siren songs of cultural conformity, and to fix their hearts on the eternal kingdom, where true life and lasting joy are found.

Fear God and keep His commandments. 1. An acknowledgment of our Shepherd's wisdom 2. An acknowledgement of our Sovereign's will

Lord's Day 18 1. To advocate for us 2. To assure us

1. Covering our past life 2. Charging our present life 3. Confirming our promised life

1. God's Word proclaimed 2. God's Word received 3. God's Word opposed

Lord's Day 16 Q&A 44 1- The character of his descent 2- The comfort of his descent

1- Perceiving its dying master 2- Perceiving its delusional monarchs 3- Perceiving its devouring multitudes

Lord's Day 16 1- A satisfactory death 2- A securing death 3- A sanctifying death

1- The criterion of this walk 2- The character of this walk 3- The consequence of this walk

-What to rejoice over -How to remember your Creator

1. Despite her power 2. Despite her pleasure 3. Discerning her problem

Lord's Day 15 Jesus suffered for us 1. The source of his suffering 2. The symbols of his suffering

Luke 7:36-50 1 Confronting Ignorance 2. Highlighting its fruit 3. Assuring believers

By being focused By being faithful By being firm

The Lord reveals the other woman. 1. Her description 2. Her depravity 3. Her dwelling

Lord's Day 37 -The power of the oath -The abuse of the oath -The spirit of the oath

God's servants live for him 1. Fleeing the emptiness of the world 2. Following the wealth of the word

Work wisely in a well-ordered world 1. By accepting some risks 2. By acting sagely reflective 3. By acknowledging the sovereign Regulator

-Overseer -Noble Task -Aspire and Desire

Lord's Day 1 -I belong to Jesus -Jesus paid for all my sins -Jesus protects me in my salvation -Jesus assures me -Jesus makes me willing to serve Him

-By knowledgeable love -For wise devotion -With fruitful praise

1- The ensurer of this grace 2- The evidence of this grace 3- The enabler of this grace

Lord's Day 13 1- A loving relationship 2- A living relationship

1- By ways demonic 2- For worldwide destruction 3- A wrapped devotion

Luke 2:1-21 Lords Day 14 The Scripture reading, Lords Day reading and first 2-3 minutes of the sermon were not recorded. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

1 Christ's accomplishment 2. Our anointing

1. The brilliance of this child 2. The bounty of this child

Lord's Day 11 1- An announced truth 2- An absolute truth

1- Finding refuge in the sanctuary of the Lord 2- Finding reason in the company of the faithful 3- Finding rejoicing in the light of the Lord