In 2 Samuel 6, there is recorded the story of Uzzah and the Ark. This story often leaves many of us confused and troubled as to why the Lord struck Uzzah dead for simply reaching to catch the Ark of the Covenant from falling. However, within this story there are great lessons to be learnt about God and His mercy. Preaching on this text, Dr. David Kranendonk (FRC Professor at PRTS) brings us August’s Sermon of the Month. This sermon is titled “ Reverence the Holy King,” and D

This article was taken from The Messenger; a periodical magazine published by the FRC. To read more of The Messenger, visit www.frcna.org/messenger. We encourage you to read and be benefitted from the many wonderful resources provided to us through this magazine. Texting and emails are a part of life; messages are written and read immediately. Communication is as quick as thumbs or fingers can function, sometimes even quicker than thought. At the risk of dating myself, I rem

Have you ever doubted whether or not the Lord Jesus would actually save and forgive you? In the Gospels, Jesus encounters many needy people like lepers, who reassure us of His willingness and ability to truly heal and cleanse as His heart loves to do. One of these encounters is found in Luke 5:12-16 with the man “full of leprosy." Preaching on this passage, Pastor Joel Overduin (Vineland FRC) guides us into the willing and able saving work of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our S

Question How can I tell if I am unsaved or simply lack assurance of faith? Answer There is, no doubt, more to this question than first appears to be the case. I’m taking the question from the perspective of someone who is genuinely seeking the Lord but struggling whether he or she is even truly saved or not, because of, in fact, not having assurance of faith. Considering the question in that light means having to address the distinction between faith and assurance of faith.

“As the hart, about to falter, in its trembling agony, panteth for the brooks of water, so my soul doth pant for Thee. Yea, athirst for Thee I cry; God of life, O when shall I come again to stand before Thee in Thy temple, and adore Thee?” (Psalter 416:1, a rendition of Psalm 42) What an image the sons of Korah give us in the opening verses of Psalm 42. Do we think about going to church in the same way? Do we think of it as a refreshing drink on a hot summer day? Sometimes w

Have you ever been sitting in church listening to the Pastor’s sermon and been bored? Too often, we get distracted, lose focus, or get tired of God’s Word preached to us every Sunday. Zechariah, the Old Testament prophet, knew this response all too well. In Zechariah 1:4, it says, “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” sa

Question Can I Worship God Through My Work? Answer Introduction It’s Sunday evening, and you’re setting your alarm for tomorrow. You know how it goes. Tomorrow morning you’ll fully switch gears. You’ll live the rest of your week hyper-focused on work and “normal life”. As you roll over to go to sleep, the question floats through your mind: could there be a way to make all of my life one of worship to God? You don’t want to be just a “Sunday Christian.” But how? Join me for a

Do you ever feel lukewarm in your spiritual state? In Revelation 3, Jesus writes to a church filled with lukewarmness. Here, Jesus gives us a gracious remedy to our lukewarmness by inviting us into His Gospel. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20). Preaching on this passage, Pastor Scott Dibbet (St. George FRC) brings us our Sermon of the Month

Question How can I know what job God has for me to do in this world? Answer This is an excellent question. To ask this question is already the most important step in determining what it is that God has in view for you. Instead of determining it yourself, or letting others determine it for you, you need to consider seriously what it is that God would have you do. Here are 8 helpful steps to help you on the way The Bible This comes first, because, if the Bible commands or con

Letters of M’Cheyne Part 6 of 6 What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I seek and find Him? These crucial questions are pastorally answered in 6 letters that Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote to a dying lady in his congregation. We will be posting each of these letters individually over the next few months, so we pray that they would be a blessing to you! Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813 - 1843) was a faithful minister at St Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1836 to 184

In the Bible, every time that Jesus and the apostles heal a man or woman, we should see ourselves in the one who was in need of healing. Even in our youth, we are all in need of Jesus’ great healing power and salvation. The lame man at the temple gate in Acts 3 was one of these needy men, to which Peter instructed, “what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). It is in this same name, Jesus Christ, that we too must be heale

Letters of M’Cheyne Part 5 of 6 What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I seek and find Him? These crucial questions are pastorally answered in 6 letters that Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote to a dying lady in his congregation. We will be posting each of these letters individually over the next few months, so we pray that they would be a blessing to you! Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813 - 1843) was a faithful minister at St Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1836 to 184

In a world filled with the clamour of busyness, overflowing with the bustle of materialism, and in a creation groaning beneath the curse of sin, it can be difficult to catch our breath and find a quiet place to contemplate the true purpose and reason for why we were placed on this earth. We easily lose our perspective of God, ourselves and the truth. Even for the believer, questions like; “ why am I here?” and “ does it really all matter?” can still be present in our hearts a

This is an expanded Q & A based on an article posted in 2019. Below is an adapted version by Rev. Mark Wagenaar. Original article: What does the Bible say about women in office? Question What is the role of women in the church? Should they be in leadership? Answer The Bible says a lot of things about women. From the first page of Scripture, the Lord declares the shared dignity and worth of men and women. On the sixth day, the Lord created Adam and Eve equally in the image o

As a young person, what is your greatest desire? Do you struggle with the pressures of needing to fit in, be considered by others as interesting or cool, and conforming to the expectations of other teenagers? When we are tempted to fit into other people’s standards, God gives us the Bible’s standards to value more. In the Bible, the young King Josiah gives the example of what each teenager should value the most: a tender heart of service toward God. In March’s Sermon of the

Letters of M’Cheyne Part 4 of 6 What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I seek and find Him? These crucial questions are pastorally answered in 6 letters that Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote to a dying lady in his congregation. We will be posting each of these letters individually over the next few months, so we pray that they would be a blessing to you! Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813 - 1843) was a faithful minister at St Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1836 to 184

When approached by Plants & Pillars to write an article about being a youth leader, it made me reflect on the past two years of leading a young adults group within my church and seeing how the Lord has blessed our group. Two years ago, the youth advisory committee of our church and some young adults decided to restructure the young adults group at our church. Instead of meeting in the evening on Sundays at one location, we decided to go from house to house with the group and

Faith is a topic in the Bible that we often have trouble with. We may wonder what true faith is, how we have it, or what its role is in salvation. However, faith is also one of the most important topics in the Bible; by the Holy Spirit’s work, it has a key place in salvation. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Preaching on this topic and verse, Pastor Jeff Overduin (Monarch FRC

Letters of M’Cheyne Part 3 of 6 What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I seek and find Him? These crucial questions are pastorally answered in 6 letters that Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote to a dying lady in his congregation. We will be posting each of these letters individually over the next few months, so we pray that they would be a blessing to you! Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813 - 1843) was a faithful minister at St Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1836 to 184

Letters of M’Cheyne Part 2 of 6 What does it mean to believe in Jesus? How can I seek and find Him? These crucial questions are pastorally answered in 6 letters that Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote to a dying lady in his congregation. We will be posting each of these letters individually over the next few months, so we pray that they would be a blessing to you! Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813 - 1843) was a faithful minister at St Peter's Church in Dundee, Scotland, from 1836 to 184