Category: Sermons

John Calvin on 2 Samuel 7:1-13

We have here an act of David which was highly praise-worthy, and yet it was utterly condemned by God. This is to show that all our devotion must be properly directed and that we are being thoughtless and presumptuous when we fail to recognise what is right, but instead imagine in our head that things are a certain way. It is true that David’s basic motive was good and holy -that is, to build a temple for God. For however much “he dwells not in a house made by human hands” (Acts 17:24), still he wanted to be worshiped in this manner during the time of the figure of the Law. But David was too hasty in not waiting for God to order him to do this, and so he took upon himself more than was appropriate for him. And yet it was not that he failed to handle himself with modesty, or that he failed to leave himself open to submitting to God. For he did not call in his counsellors so that he could tell them: “Here is what I have concluded -it must be carried out!” The pride of earthly kings is such that they want people to agree with them, and they want all that they have said to come into  effect. Well, David did not proceed to act so presumptuously. Rather, he called Nathan, the prophet. Indeed, although God had given him the spirit of prophecy to teach others, yet still he submitted himself to seek out the will of God. Nevertheless, he was still at fault, because in addition to addressing the prophet, he ought to have waited patiently for a fuller revelation to be given him. Be as it may, God undoubtedly approved his fervent zeal. And yet he kept him in check to show him what we saw above, that “obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

John Calvin, Sermons on 2 Samuel (Translated by Douglas Kelly), Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1992, p 295-296.

Jesus’ prayers for his people.

In Luke 22: 31-32, our Lord warned Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Our preacher today the Rev Jeremy Walker brought us a challenging, yet encouraging Sermon. In this passage, Peter was about to fall, but our Lord encouraged him by telling him that he had prayed for him, and that although he would fall, his faith would not fail. The Lord never promised Peter that he would be immune to the attacks of the Evil one.

The message was challenging: just like Simon Peter, Chritians must face the assaults of Satan. He will not let the church alone one minute. There is a sifting going on, often brutal, always challenging for our faith. None of us can boast that we will not fail. Peter did and fell. We must be on our guards, and aware of this.

But the message was also comforting. The Lord is praying for us, interceding in our favour. However badly we may fall, if we are truly one of His people, our faith will be protected, and will not be extinguished.

Do not be like children

Last Sunday morning’s sermon was rather challenging. Wyn Hughes continued on the same theme as the previous week on the need to be mature as believers. He preached from Ephesians 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. The church should not be affected by the spirit of the world. The Spirit of God governs the church, not the spirit of the age. Wyn Hughes went on to describe children as an illustration on how we should not be as Christians. So how do children behave?

  • Children lack of self-control, they are controlled by their feelings. We should be controlled by our heads.
  • Children over react: we should not be involved in playground policy and avoid being dogmatic.
  • Children love novelty. Novelty isn’t bad in itself, be we should be wise and not too quick to adopt every new fad.
  • Children like being entertained. We need to grow out of that, we need a stability.

So how to we get out of this childlike state? The answer is simple: by feeding on the word of God and making the most of the means of grace.

I found this challenging. My impression is that the world we live in encourages a childlike behaviour in adults, and this creeps in in our lives much too easily.