Blaxland Reformed Church - Sermons

Civil disobedience and Gospel

Bible Reading: Acts 4:18-20

Originally by Rev John Westendorp, read on 25/10/26 AM

Come back to your first love

Bible Reading: Revelation 1:9-2:7

The church in Ephesus was doctrinally serious, hard-working and

persevering. They tested false teachers, endured hardship and refused

to tolerate evil. Yet Jesus had one serious charge against them: they had

abandoned the love they had at first.

The warning is that a church can be faithful to the truth, active in

ministry and strong in discernment, yet lose the love that should be at

the heart of its relationship with Jesus. Jesus...

The God Who Makes Himself Known

Bible Reading: Romans 1:18–23

Belgic Confession Article 2

God has made Himself known through creation and more clearly

through His holy Word. Yet sinners suppress the truth, refuse to

honour or thank Him, and exchange His glory for idols. Creation

leaves humanity without excuse, but it cannot reconcile sinners to

God. Jesus Christ carried our judgment, defeated death, and gives us

His righteousness. Therefore, humble yourself, turn from idols, trust

in Christ, honour God, give thanks, and be...

Remember Jesus Christ

God’s Message To Us Today

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1–13

Text Verse: 2 Timothy 2:8

Paul urges weary believers to draw strength from Christ’s grace,

faithfully pass on the gospel, and endure hardship with a soldier's

focus, an athlete’s discipline, and a farmer’s patience. Remembering

the risen and reigning Jesus gives courage because God’s Word

cannot be imprisoned. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper direct faith to

Christ’s finished work and sustaining promises. Though believers

struggle, Chri...

This sermon explains that the gospel begins with God’s grace, centres

on Jesus Christ, and offers salvation to everyone who trusts him.

Believers receive Christ’s righteousness rather than earning

acceptance through works. The gospel also forms a humble, caring

church, strengthens faithful obedience, and gives Christians courage

to share their hope without shame.

This sermon connects baptism with Paul’s teaching in 2 Timothy 3. It

presents baptism as a sign of God’s covenant promise and a call for

parents, grandparents, and the church to nurture a child in Scripture.

God’s inspired Word leads people to salvation through Jesus Christ

and equips believers for faithful living. Scripture teaches truth,

exposes sin, restores those who wander, and trains them in

righteousness. Families must model prayer, repentance, worship,

forgiveness, and obedience, trusting not their promises but God’s

faithful...

Have you ever felt moments in your Christian life when faith felt less

like soaring and more like crawling. There are days when you wake up

and the burdens are still there. The prayer you prayed many times is

still unanswered. The temptation you thought you had conquered is

still fighting you. The grief you thought would have faded is still sitting

heavily upon your heart. And sometimes if we are honest you wonder:

“Lord, how much longer can I keep going?” The writer to the Hebrews

Romans 8:1-17 has shown that Christians are no longer condemned

but are God’s adopted children who possess the Holy Spirit. Yet

Christians still experience weakness, suffering, frustration, and death

in the present age. So how should Christians think about suffering

and the future? In Romans 8:18-30, Paul lifts our eyes to the hope of

future glory, showing that creation, Christians, and even the Spirit

himself groan as we await God’s final renewal. In the midst of

suffering, Paul assures believers that God is work...

This morning we welcome Rev Terry Flanagan and this evening Br

Greg Taylor will lead our service.

May the Lord bless you brothers and may we be blessed,

encouraged and challenged as you lead and expose God’s Word to

us.

What Motivates Service To God?

Bible Reading: Psalm 130 & Luke 7:36-50

Text Verses: Luke 7:36-50

“All man-made religions are based on the assumption that to have

acceptance from God we must earn his favour. This means,

whether you’re religious or 'the average man in the street', you

assume any sort of interaction with God is transactional - you try

your best and hope God is satisfied.

The Bible’s message is “back to front” to religion. In this passage,

a woman finds forg...

The Kingdom Shall Be The Lord’s

Bible Reading: Obadiah 1:15–21

Text Verses: Obadiah 1:15, 17, 21 HC: Lord’s Day 48

Obadiah announces that the Lord’s kingdom will win over pride,

injustice, suffering, and evil. God judges sin but also offers rescue

through Jesus Christ, who took our judgment and rose again.

Believers are called to live holy lives, show mercy and forgiveness,

serve faithfully in the church, and pray with hope. Even when God’s

people are scattered or face hard times, Christ gathers, protects,

resto...

Unashamed Of The Gospel

Bible Reading:2 Timothy 1

Text Verses: 2 Timothy 1:8–10

Paul’s farewell to Timothy encourages believers to find courage in

God’s grace instead of relying on their own strength. Timothy is

urged to use his gifts, remain unashamed of Christ, endure

challenges, and protect the gospel with the Holy Spirit's help.

Since Christ has overcome death and given us eternal life, our

hope remains strong even in times of grief and suffering. Families,

good teaching, prayer, worship, and loving fellow...

Edom, The Brother Who Stood Aloof Or Distant

Bible Reading: Obadiah 1:10–14

Obadiah warns that ignoring a brother’s suffering is not harmless.

God sees violence, hidden bitterness, joy over someone’s troubles,

and a lack of mercy. Jesus is the faithful Brother who stepped into

our struggles, took our judgment, and rose again. Through His

Spirit, those who were once hostile or indifferent can become

caring and brave peacemakers in His church.

Preached By REv Lourens Nel on 06/09/26 PM Service

A Father’s Advice For His Child: Fight The Good Fight Of The Faith

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11–20; Job 1:1-5

Text Verse: 1 Timothy 6:12

Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith by turning

away from evil, seeking righteousness, staying faithful, being

generous, and protecting the gospel he has received. Fathers

cannot save their children, but they can pray for them, show

repentance, speak honestly, and guide them to Christ. Jesus, the

faithful Son, won the greatest victory on the Cross, rose from the<...

The Lord Brings The Proud Down And Keeps His People

Bible Reading: Obadiah 1:1-9

Text verses: Obadiah 1:3–4

Obadiah points out Edom’s pride and the false things they trusted

in, like mountains, treasure, allies, wisdom, and strength. God rules

over history, brings down the proud, judges evil, and cares for His

people when they suffer. Pride tricks us into relying on ourselves,

but God’s grace leads us to Christ. Jesus took our judgment, rose

from the dead, and is our steady and faithf...

True Gain In Christ Is Godliness With Contentment

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 6:1–11

Text Verse: 1 Timothy 6:6 HC Lord’s Day 50

True gain is not found in wealth, influence, or worldly security, but

in godliness and contentment in Christ. Since God has given us

His Son and provides for us each day, we can honour Him through

faithful work, accept Christ’s good teaching, and trust His care.

Loving money can trap us, cause harm, and pull us away from

faith. So, let’s turn away from gre...

Grace That Is Enough

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10–23

Text verse: Philippians 4:13

Paul teaches that we find contentment in Christ, who gives us

strength whether we have much or little. As believers, we help

each other by being generous, and God promises to meet all our

real needs in Christ. Even tough times help us to spread the

gospel. So, let’s stand firm, rejoice, pray, trust God’s care, look out

for each other, and rest in His never-failing grace. His grace is

enou...

A Household That Shows The Heart Of Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 5:1–25

Text Verse: 1 Timothy 5:21

1 Timothy 5 teaches that God’s people should treat each other like

family, care for those in need, and respect and correct church

leaders fairly. Leaders need to be chosen with care and honesty.

Truth and love go hand in hand. Jesus is at the centre. He took on

our failures and sins, then rose again to forgive us and welcome us

into God’s family. Let’s pray that others s...

Rejoice In The Lord Always

Bible Reading:Philippians 4:2–9

Text verse: Philippians 4:4

Philippians 4:2–9 encourages believers to live in unity, show joy

and gentleness, pray, and keep their thoughts focused on Jesus.

Since Jesus brings us back to God, we can forgive, find joy even in

hard times, bring our worries to God, and choose what is good.

God is close to us, and His peace protects us while His presence

helps us stay faithful.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel 16/8/26PM service

Growing Strong In Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 4:1–16

Text Verses:1 Timothy 4:7b–8

1 Timothy 4 encourages us to feed our hearts with God’s truth and

turn away from teachings that lead us away from Christ. It tells us

that God’s creation is good and all food should be welcomed with

prayer and gratitude. We are invited to grow in godliness, not to

earn salvation, but because Christ has already accepted us. When

we stay committed to God’s Word, pay attention to how we live and<...

Press On Toward The Goal

Bible Reading: Philippians 3: 12-21

Text verse: Philippians 3:14

Paul urges believers to press toward Christ in this life, amid its

difficulties and problems, because He has made us His own.

Christians must reject pride, guilt, sinful desires, and worldly

loyalties, while following faithful examples. As citizens of heaven,

we await Jesus’ return, bodily transformation, and final glory with

perseverance and hope. Come, Lord Jesus!

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel on 09/08/26 PM Service

Godly Leadership In Christ’s Church

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 3:1–16

Text Verses:1 Timothy 3:1

Christ leads His church through faithful elders, caring deacons,

and involved members. Elders are called to show strong character,

teach faithfully, care gently, lead their families well, and act with

integrity. Deacons show Christ’s compassion by serving others with

trustworthiness. Every believer is responsible for truth, mercy,

unity, and prayer. Leadership in the church is not about status or

being perfect, but about serving with grace under Christ. His

Risking Your Life For The Work Of Christ

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:25-30

Text verse: Philippians 2:30

In Philippians 2:25-30, we learn about Epaphroditus, a faithful

servant who risked his life for Christ. He was a brother, a worker, a

soldier, a messenger, and a minister, showing Christian love

through his weakness and sacrifice. His illness reminds us that

God’s mercy gives strength to His people. Because Christ

humbled Himself, died, and rose again, we can celebrate and

honour faithful servants as we...

The Surpassing Worth Of Knowing Christ

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-11

Text verses: Philippians 3:8-9

Paul urges believers to rejoice in the Lord, not to trust in their

own achievements, and to see everything else as less important

than knowing Christ. Through faith, Christ is our righteousness,

treasure, strength, and hope. His resurrection brings us new life,

helps us through suffering, and promises our own resurrection

and eternal glory.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel on 02/08/26 PM Servcie

A Peaceful And Ordered Household Or Church Under The One Mediator, Jesus Christ

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 2

Text Verses: 1 Timothy 2:5–6

Related Readings: 1 Corinthians 11:2–16; Ephesians 5:22–33

1 Timothy 2 encourages the church to worship in a peaceful, holy,

and orderly way. Since there is one God and one Mediator, Jesus

Christ, believers are called to pray for everyone, lead with humility

and respect, avoid causing harm, and serve with faithfulness.

Having different roles as men and women does not make anyone

less valuable; salvation is a gift f...

Christ Jesus Came Into The World To Save

Sinners

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12–20

Text verse: 1 Timothy 1:15

Summary: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Paul’s

testimony in 1 Timothy 1:12-12, shows that mercy reaches people

like Paul who do not deserve it, and that salvation is a gift from

God, not something we can earn. Christ saved Paul through mercy,

gave him faith, and turned a persecutor into an Apostle. The

gospel is good news because God has already done thro...

"The Glorious Gospel Entrusted To The

Church"

Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1–11

Text verse: 1 Timothy 1:5

Summary: Paul’s message in 1 Timothy 1:1–11 urges the church

to guard the glorious gospel entrusted to it. Writing to Timothy

in Ephesus, Paul warns against false teaching, speculation, and

misuse of the law. True doctrine produces love from a pure

heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. The law is good

when used lawfully (verse 8): it exposes sin and leads to grateful

obedience, but it cannot save...

The Value Of Fellowship In The Interests Of

Christ

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:19–24

Summary: Paul, writing from prison, finds comfort in the Lord’s

providence and in Timothy, his faithful companion. The Philippian church,

born of God’s grace in Acts 16, reminds us that Christ gathers people from

different backgrounds into one family. Timothy’s concern for others

reveals the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself for sinners. Believers are

called to serve one another with their gifts, not to earn God’s love, but

...

The Lord Of Peace Is Establishing A

Working, Praying, And Faithful Church

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3

Summary: 2 Thessalonians 3, the last sermon in this series, teaches that a

church waiting for Christ must remain active, prayerful, disciplined, and

faithful. Paul urges believers to pray for the gospel to spread, trust the

Lord’s faithfulness, and resist idleness. Our daily work is a calling under

Christ, and the Lord encourages honest work and responsibility. 2

Thessalonians 3 also teaches that church discipline should correct sin with

br...

Live As Redeemed People And

Lightbearers Reflecting Christ.

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:12–18 & Matthew 5:14–16

Summary: Paul calls the church to live visibly as those redeemed

by Christ. Salvation is God’s gracious gift because God Himself

works in His people. Therefore, believers must not grumble or

dispute, but shine as children of God reflecting Jesus. Jesus is the

true Light; we reflect Him by holding fast to the word of life,

serving with humility, and doing good works that glorify the

Father. Though the pa...

Stand Firm

Bible Readings: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-16 & 1 Corinthians 16:13

Summary: Paul calls the church to stand firm in the gracious work

of the triune God. We are loved by the Lord, chosen for

salvation, sanctified by the Spirit, held by the Truth, and called

through the gospel to share in the glory of Christ. Therefore, in

suffering, confusion, temptation, and fear, we stand firm in the

Word.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel on 5/7/26 AM Service

The Incarnation Of The Son Of God

Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-10

Summary: The sermon proclaims Christ’s incarnation as God’s

gracious fulfilment of His covenant, emphasising Jesus’ true divinity

and true humanity.

In profound humility, He became a servant, suffered, and died to

reconcile sinners to God. His perfect holiness removes our sin,

making Him our only Mediator and Saviour.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel 28/6/26 PM Service

Christ’s Certain Victory Over Lawlessness

Bible Readings: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12

Summary: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12 comforts believers troubled by

lawlessness, deception, and end-time confusion. Paul teaches that

rebellion and the man of lawlessness will appear, yet evil remains

restrained under God’s sovereign rule.

Christians must not be shaken, deceived, or fascinated by

darkness, but love Christ’s truth, endure in faith, and rest in His

certain victory, for Jesus will destroy lawlessness and reign

forever.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel AM service 28/6/26

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:19-30

Summary: This sermon, based on Philippians 1:19–30, centres on

Paul’s confession: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Written

from prison, Paul’s words show that Christ gives meaning to life,

courage in suffering, and victory over death. The sermon

encourages believers to trust God even in hardship, knowing that

the Spirit strengthens them and that their lives can still honour

Christ. It explains that salvation comes through Christ’s death and<...

We Ought Always To Give Thanks...

Bible Readings: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Summary: The sermon on 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12 teaches that

believers should follow Paul’s example by giving thanks for God’s

work in the church, even during hardship. Paul thanks God for the

Thessalonian congregation because their faith is growing, their

love is increasing, and their endurance remains steadfast under

persecution.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel 21/6/26 AM Service

Work In Progress

Bible Reading: Philippians 1:1-18

Summary: Paul writes these words from prison, yet his message is

full of joy and confidence in God’s faithfulness. Christian assurance

is built on what Christ has already done on the cross, which brings

salvation and starts us on a journey of spiritual growth, no matter

what we face. Paul tells the church that God never leaves His

work unfinished. While people may give up or leave things

incomplete, God always finishes what He starts. Th...

Pray Without Ceasing

Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Summary: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 compares prayer to breathing,

calling it the soul’s spiritual breath, made possible by the Holy

Spirit. The sermon points to Pentecost as the time when the Spirit

turned the early church into a community of prayer. Prayer is

described as essential to Christian life, not just an extra activity.

Paul’s words to “pray without ceasing” mean living in constant

dependence on God, showing gratitude, and staying connected

with Him, rather t...

Grace For Those Who Love Christ

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:21–24 & Revelation 2:1–7

Summary: This sermon teaches that Christ preserves His church

by grace, gives peace, love, and faith, and calls believers to

persevere in sincere love for Him. It warns against cold

orthodoxy, urges remembrance and repentance, and points the

church back to joyful fellowship with Christ.

Preached By Rev Lourens Nel 17/5/26 PM Service

The Hope That Guards Our Hearts

Bible Readings: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Summary: This sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 teaches that

believers should live with sober faith, love, and the hope of

salvation as they await Christ’s return. Rather than fearing the

future, Christians are called to holiness, to encouragement, and to

confidence in Jesus, who saves them from wrath and gives them

eternal hope.

Preached by Rev Lourens Nel on 17/5/26 AM Service

Clothed With Christ: Standing Firm

In The Whole Armour Of God

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10–20

Summary: Life can be hard, and believers often feel pressure to

compromise, but God’s Word assures us to depend on God. Paul,

writing while imprisoned, reminds us that we live in the time

between Jesus’ victory and the ultimate defeat of evil. This means

spiritual struggles are ongoing. Our real battle isn’t against other

people, but against powerful, unseen forces that work through

lies, subtle pressure...