Doubt comes when we look at ourselves, our sins, and our empty hands, while faith trusts the generous hand of a living and gracious God. Christ is the only way out of doubt, and through God’s Word and the sacraments we are directed away from ourselves to him. The certainty of faith remains a contested certainty, but through the struggle we learn to know Christ as our Saviour and remember that we remain beggars with a rich and generous God.

The church orders of England and the Netherlands have many similarities, because the kingship of Christ is the foundation of order in both churches. The Dutch churches begin with the local church, while Westminster begins with the universal church and gives more detailed rules for church government and liturgy. Westminster gives particular attention to ministers and their gifts, preaching, reverent worship, the Sabbath, visiting the sick, singing psalms, and fasting.

Walking in God’s presence is possible only by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, who seeks us despite our sin, so that we no longer need to hide from him but may live by his Word and walk in the way everlasting. We do not always foresee the outcome of our actions, but we can walk with confidence in God’s sovereignty, follow his commandments with faith and wisdom, and show loving empathy, submission to his authority, and responsible action toward others.

Christ is not only a teacher and the proclaimer of the gospel, but also the Redeemer, Saviour, Mediator, and the very content of the good news, while all his servants are only a voice that proclaims repentance, forgiveness of sins, and the doctrine of God’s Son. Peter’s confession shows that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the only Person in whom the divine and human natures are united so that he alone could bear the punishment, restore righteousness, and give eternal life.

The laying on of hands is not a transfer of office or gifts but a beautiful gesture of blessing that can symbolize working under the hand of Christ.

The Bible does not give a blueprint for the ideal form of government, but it teaches Christians to submit to and obey authorities as instituted by God. This obedience has limits, because obedience to God is above all else and Christians must stand up for law, justice, and vulnerable people in society. Christians should therefore not separate politics from their responsibility in society, but live close to the King of kings and put their hand to the plough.

The task of preaching must be carried out carefully because the preacher proclaims God’s Word and the ministry of reconciliation, a message of eternal salvation or eternal judgment. The church must therefore carefully test who may preach, normally requiring thorough theological training while also allowing those with special gifts from the Lord to be tested and admitted.

Confessing is first of all confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, the Son of the living God, and affirming that salvation is found in his death and resurrection alone, because true confession is given by God and belongs both to the church and to every believer personally. The church must not avoid the burning questions of the day, but every confessional response must remain focused on Christ himself, so that no other lord claims our hearts and lives and people are directed to his grace and truth.

The fear of the LORD is loving reverence for the living God, shown in trusting him, listening to his Word, walking in his ways, and living a life of true piety that is centred on faith in Jesus Christ. It is the beginning of wisdom because it teaches us to walk in awe and trust, to recognize what is truly important, and to serve God rather than rely on ourselves or human wisdom. The fear of the LORD also has an ethical character, leading believers to holiness, loving service, compassion, and a God-glorifying way of life that is a witness to others.

God is the God of peace, and true shalom is not merely the absence of violence but the peace, blessing, and new life that he gives through Jesus Christ, who made peace by the blood of his cross and reconciled us to God. Christ is our peace, and those who have peace with God are called to pursue what makes for peace, to be peacemakers, and to sow righteousness in peace with wisdom, mercy, and sincere love. The church must therefore reject hatred, division, and hard hearts, and pray that God will reclaim our lives so that we truly live out the peace of Christ.

Soft drugs are not harmless because they can lead from habit to addiction, remove people from reality, damage body and mind, and often become the beginning of a destructive cycle. Christians should keep their distance from drugs because they have received the gospel of Christ, are called to honour God with their bodies, and do not need to seek happiness in a make-believe world. The glory of Easter calls believers to turn away from the empty and dangerous pleasures of the old world and to live as new people in Christ.

We must not run ahead of the Lord by judging and criticizing others, because judgment belongs to the Lord and will come at Jesus’ return. When we know ourselves as sinners before God, we become gentle towards one another, strict with ourselves, and humble before the Lord.

The LORD rolled away Israel’s reproach, not by a brilliant victory or human power, but through circumcision, pointing to Christ’s suffering and our need to cut our hearts and receive the honour of being children of God.

Christians are called to love their neighbour and live in peace with all people, while recognizing that the true battle is not fought with human violence but through spiritual warfare as followers of Jesus Christ. The greatest struggle is the fight against sin in our own hearts, and believers may face suffering with patience, resilience, and confidence because evil has been defeated through Christ’s cross and resurrection.

The canon of Scripture is not established by the church but received as the living Word of God, and the sixty-six canonical books are sufficient for the regulation, foundation, and confirmation of our faith. Although there were differences about the apocryphal books and the history of the canon was complex, the authority of Scripture rests in God speaking through it, so we do not read an old book but hear the voice of the living God.

Students need the care of the church because their study years are a time of important decisions, spiritual questions, and learning to take responsibility for Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance, while staying connected to the communion of saints. The church should show genuine interest, make room for honest questions, and give biblical answers, while students should identify with a congregation, guard their hearts, and grow in knowledge and in grace through the Scriptures.

Christian care is rooted in the mercy of God and the command to love our neighbour, and it calls Christians to show compassion through practical care, volunteer work, and faithful service to those who are lonely, suffering, elderly, or in need. Although care faces shortages, work pressure, and limited resources, the church and individual Christians can still bring comfort, hope, and a strong witness by showing the compassion of the Lord in both daily work and personal care.

The sermon is central to the worship service because it is a biblical word that arises from the Bible, speaks with the authority of God, and aims at an encounter with God by addressing the souls of the congregation. It must be in conversation with the hearers, be heard and digested in daily life, and remains even more important in online worship because the spoken Word is the most effective form of communication.

This article forms the introductory remarks made in a sermon titled, How Did God Vote?, on the Sabbath after national elections in the United States.

This article was Dr. Visscher’s final chapel message before he retired, delivered at CRTS in May 2020.

The article encourages young Christians to be strong in the Lord by letting the Word of God abide in them, so that they can stand firm in the battle against the evil one and overcome temptation. It teaches that true strength comes through Christ, the sword of the Holy Spirit, and storing God’s Word in the heart, so that believers go from strength to strength.

Priorities are about doing the right things by giving first place to what is truly important, and the church must continually reflect from the Scriptures on what the congregation, the next generation, and the world around us need spiritually. The highest priority is Jesus Christ and him crucified, and this should shape preaching, church life, and family life so that parents make time to read the Bible, pray, and show their children love for the Lord.

This article is a Bible study on Matthew 4:5-7. 

How was the Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 fulfilled? Come read about the beauty of "God with us" and the path of fulfilment God followed to reach that day.

This article is a Bible study on Matthew 1:22–23. 

This article is a Bible study on Isaiah 7:14.

This article is a Bible study on 2 Samuel 23:1-7. 

This article is a Bible study on Genesis 13:5-13 and Genesis 13:18.

This article is a Bible study on Genesis 12:6-8.

This article is a Bible study on Genesis 12:1.

This article is a Bible study on Genesis 11:1-9.

This article is a Bible study on Genesis 3:22–24.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:8-25.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:4-7.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:1-25.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:1-25.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:1-25.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:17-25.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:8-16.

This is a sermon on Philemon 1:1-7.

This is a sermon on Haggai 2:20-23.

This is a sermon on Haggai 2:10-19.

This is a sermon on Haggai 2:1-9.

This is a sermon on Haggai 1:12-15.

This is a sermon on Haggai 1:1-11.

The article warns that a “sluggard” — someone who avoids completing an errand fully or delivers a message carelessly — is as aggravating as “vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes” to those who send him. It argues that such laziness undermines trust, damages the sender, and shows why it is wise to know whom you delegate important tasks.