This year’s Reformation Service took a special focus on the ministry of reformer John Calvin on the occassion of his 500th birthday who was born July 10, 1509.  The service was held October 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Novato, CA and was co-hosted with Petaluma Community Church.  Rev. Kevin Kirby spoke on the life and legacy of John Calvin.  Rev. W. Reid Hankins preached from Ephesians 1:3-14 on a sermon title “Every Spiritual Blessing.”

 

 Life and Legacy of John Calvin [16:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (164)

 

 Every Spiritual Blessing [34:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (134)

Topic: Westminster Shorter Catechism Questions 53-56
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Adult Sunday School at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 11/23/2008 in Novato, CA.

 

 Westminster Shorter Catechism Questions 53-56 [38:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (190)

Is Jesus about blessings and grace or about curses and judgment?  Well, the answer is “yes.”  Jesus came talking about both.  Many churches want to emphasize the blessings and grace of Jesus.  That’s actually right.  That’s the right emphasis.  I’ll talk a little bit about that today.  But in this passage, Jesus’ focus is primarily on curses and judgment.  The emphasis in today’s passage is about judgment.

We see Jesus illustrate judgment in this incident with the fig tree.  We see Jesus issue judgment as he cleanses the temple.  And I think we even see him predict future judgment against the temple and Jerusalem in this passage.  And so today we’ll be looking at Jesus talking about judgment.  Of course we can’t help but think about Christ’s grace when we think of his judgment.  But I want us to really reckon today with judgment.  Jesus is holding out the threat of judgment to the Israelites.  Let’s really understand and wrestle with that.  And as we do that, we’ll see how the judgment applied to Israel is also an ongoing warning to us to remain steadfast in faith in God.

Passage: Mark 11:12-26
Author: Rev. W. Reid Hankins, M.Div.
Sermon originally preached during the Morning Service at Trinity Presbyterian Church (OPC) on 10/26/2008 in Novato, CA.

Click here for the manuscript.

 

 He Found Nothing But Leaves [47:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (172)