Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church

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

Luke 2:21-40 NKJV - And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Jesus Presented in the Temple 22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." Simeon Sees God's Salvation 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him ac

Continuing the story of the birth of John the Baptist, the Forerunner who came to prepare a way for our Messiah. 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 Luke 1:57-66 NKJV - Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. Circumcision of John the Baptist 59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." 61 But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and

Unpacking the story of the birth of John the Baptist, the Forerunner who came to prepare a way for our Messiah. Luke 1:57-66 NKJV - Now Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. Circumcision of John the Baptist 59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, "No; he shall be called John." 61 But they said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill count

Paul continues to build upon the idea already put forth in the preceding verses and even chapters that the governing decree of election is paramount in the revealing of who does and who does not belong to the family of God, whether they be by right of public or previous association either Jew or Gentile. What matters is not former covenant relationship status, but rather that you believe that Jesus is the Messiah. What matters is not external membership, but to receive the Messiah by faith. With regard to this principle of election by grace, we find that there are members of the family of God who are both Jew and Gentiles by birth, and are rightly called "Christian" by right of their being born again of the Holy Spirit, and baptized into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is what we mean by "one baptism for the remission of sins" - only Christ can wash us, and the Father has within the number of the elect those whom He has yet to call out of every tribe, tongue, and nation. The door then remai

This coming evening, we come to not only a known and well-loved text, the announcement to the young virgin who would be the mother of the Messiah, Mary. The announcement begins with these words - "rejoice highly favored one." Mary was chosen even before the foundations of the world were laid to be the one who would carry the Messiah, the miracle Son who came in the flesh to deliver His people from their sins. Such news laid heavy upon her heart, for it was not only grand but weighty new for Mary would play a key role not only in carrying and giving birth to the Messiah, but she would be His mother. Despite her essential and important role, it would be Jesus who would ultimately redeem not only His own mother, but as the future King and Head of the Church, He would bear the Name that indicated His role of Kingly and Priestly Savior of the World. Mary's Son would be her King, Mary's Son is our King, and His rule shall never end. Worship with us at Reformation OPC Gastonia! Each Lord's Day 9:30am & 5:30pm 203 Rh

Romans 11:1-10 NKJV - I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 "LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life?" 4 But what does the divine response say to him? "I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. 7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And

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 ropcgastonia@gmail.com