Sermons - September 2024
2024-09-29 - Morning
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Ephesians 4:1-16
Theme: Shepherding the Flock: (½) Everybody is Called to Ministry.
Right at the beginning of our series on Shepherding the Flock, we need to be very clear on whose task it is to do the ministry. Popular opinion will have it that it that ministry is the task of the pastor and the elders and the deacons. Yet in Scripture, the Spirit, by the pen of the apostle calls all of us to ministry. We are called to serve one another in the church in order to build up the body. The task of the pastor and elders is to equip and build up the saints for their ministry to one another. The task of the saints is to go and minister to one another (and to the world).
2024-09-29 - Evening
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Genesis 1, Revelation 4, Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 9
Theme: The Almighty God is our Father who Created and Gives Meaning to Everything.
The Holy Scriptures teach us that God made the earth, the heavens and everything else in creation in 6 days. In creating everything God gave each a purpose and meaning. It is only when we look at this creation and purpose with the right perspective, that we find our meaning and purpose in life: to glorify God.
2024-09-22 - Morning
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Psalm 2
Theme: The anointed Son of God expects reverent fear and homage.
Psalm 2 opens with the question of why the nations set themselves up against the anointed ruler that God has installed? In the immediate context, this refers to the king of Israel. In the New Testament context we know this refers to Jesus Christ. The LORD also reacts to these rulers rebelling against Him by laughing. He laughs them off for they are a dust on the scales; inconsequential. Rather, the anointed one, the Messiah of God will have His day and, in that day, lay waste to them with His iron rod. Therefore be careful to reverently fear the Son of God and to pay homage to Him as King of all the earth, lest ye be found to not kneel on that final day of days.
2024-09-22 - Evening
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 8, Belgic Confession Article 9, Athanasian Creed
Theme: Our God is the Triune God.
God reveals Himself to us in Scripture as Triune. One God, distinct in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You have to accept this revelation of God as Triune in order to be saved, because the whole of our salvation hangs on the work of each of the three Persons in the Godhead.
2024-09-15 - Morning
Installation of Rev. Oosthuizen - Covenant Reformed RCUS Manhattan
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Joe Vusich & Rev. Travis Grassmid
Charge to the Congregation (Vusich)
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - Recognize, Esteem, and Love Your Pastor
Charge to the Pastor-Elect (Grassmid)
Mark 6:34 - Compassionate Care for the Flock
2024-09-08 - Morning
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Psalm 1
Theme: Two Paths on Earth Which Cannot be Combined.
Psalm 1 forms the introduction to the whole of the Psalter. Not only because of its placement as the first psalm, but the content and message of Psalm 1 reverberates throughout the whole of the Psalter. In Psalm 1, God makes it clear that there are two paths in life: The path of the wicked, ungodly, unrighteous on the one hand; and the path of the believing, righteous, saved on the other. Man cannot be on both paths at the same time; he is either on the one or on the other. The path of righteousness is a blessed path filled with the fruits of blessing. The path of the wicked is barren and filled with death.
2024-09-08 - Evening
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Hebrews 10:19-39 & Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 7
Theme: It is only through true faith in Christ that God gifts salvation to sinners.
Having painted in vibrance the Mediator that brings salvation to man for his sins in Lord’s Day 6, the Catechism now treats how man may grab hold of this salvation that is offered to the elect of God. Make no mistake: it is not a simple matter of fact that you should receive this salvation. Scripture teaches that the blessings of the sacrifice of Christ is only effectual for those that in faith accept it and grab hold of it. Those who draw near to God along this new path that Christ had set out.
2024-09-01 - Morning
Covenant Reformed Church, MT - Rev. Orrie Oosthuizen
Text: Psalm 34 & 1 Samuel 21
Theme: The LORD is Good – Trust in Him and Live from that Trust.
We are well acquainted with affliction and troubles. Being a Christian does not ward off all troubles and problems, rather the life of a Christian is fraught with many afflictions and troubles. The question is this: how do we respond to those afflictions and troubles? How do we handle them?
David looks back in Psalm 34 to a time when he was in trouble but did not immediately and fully trust in the LORD for the outcome. He rather attempted his own solution. Being successful in his plan, David does not boast in his own cleverness. He rather gives the glory to God for the salvation he has received.
As sinful human beings we are in an unsurmountable amount of trouble and misery. We need the LORD to step in and save us in His Son, Jesus Christ. We need to trust on Him for our salvation. Knowing that, and trusting in that will have us live differently in this life.