Word of Salvation – Vol. 43 No. 39 – October 1998   Living Together   Sermon by Rev. B. Vaatstra on Psalm 133 Scripture Readings: Ephesians 4:1-16 Suggested Hymns: BoW: 22a; 133a; 428; 481; Rejoysing: 23; 333   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Introduction: One of AESOP'S FABLES goes something like this: There was once a father who had five sons who were constantly quarrelling.  One day, tired and weary from their bickering he asked them to bring him a bundle of sticks.  Handing the bundle to the oldest, he said, "break it!"  The son tried to break it over...

Word of Salvation – Vol. 46 No.26 – July 2001   Motivated by God's Grace   Sermon by Rev H. Vaatstra on Nehemiah 2:17-18 Scripture Reading: 1Timothy 1:12-20   Beloved in the Lord. How is it that we come along to church week after week, year after year, and give up our time and energy in church building programmes, Bible studies, catechism classes, volunteering time and energy in each other?  What is it that motivates us to keep going? Is it the fellowship we have with each other?  Or the fact that we have become familiar with one another and are...

Word of Salvation – Vol. 47 No.15 – April 2002   Not Man-Made, But from Jesus   Sermon by Rev B Vaatstra on Galatians 1:11–2:14 Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-19 Suggested Hymns: BoW 457; 191; 301   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. What difference does it make to be a Christian?  What difference does the gospel really make?  This message that Jesus died for you, and paid for your sin – how does it really change your life? The Bible talks about it in the most dramatic way.  It's like coming from darkness into light.  It's a transformation from ugliness to...

Word of Salvation – Vol.46 No.30 - August 2001   The Holy Spirit Enables Faith and Spiritual Maturity   Sermon by Rev H Vaatstra on Ephesians 1:17-19a (Belgic Confession Art 5) Scripture Reading: 1Corinthians 2:6-16   Beloved in the Lord... In the third Article of the Belgic Confession we are reminded that the Bible is a unique book because its origin is not of man but of God.  2Timothy 3:16 says that the Bible is “God Breathed”.  2Peter 1:20 says that “the prophecy of Scripture never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they...

Word of Salvation – Vol.49 No.34 – September 2004   Tensions in the Church   Sermon by Rev B Vaatstra on 1Corinthians 1:1-17  Scripture Reading: 1Corinthians 1: 1-17 Suggested Hymns: BoW 46; 489; 389; Rej 342   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ... Let me start with a poem. Some of you may have heard it before: To live above, with saints we loveWill certainly be gloryTo live below with saints we knowWell, that's another story! It's a poem that we can all identify with, because the church struggles with its imperfections. We don't always hold onto the truth, as we...

Word of Salvation - Vol.49 No.21 - June 2004   Warfare Sermon by Rev H Vaatstra on Mark 9:43-49   Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 6:10-20   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The gospels provide us with a vivid description of the most powerful event the world has ever experienced: that is, the breaking in of the Kingdom of God through the work and person of the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus came, the Kingdom of God broke into the world in a new and powerful way. Demons were cast out, all kinds of sicknesses were healed, the hostile forces of nature...

Word of Salvation – Vol. 49 No.2 – January 2004   The Unforgiving Servant   Sermon by Rev B Vaatstra on Matthew 18:21-35 Scripture Reading:  Matthew 18:21-35   Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing better on earth than Christian community when it is working well. It's a haven of peace, hope and joy in a tough world. It's a place where God's love is given and received. It unites people from every background, race and culture. In fact, it's an entree, a small foretaste of heaven itself. Our church is a Christian community and we do enjoy these...