Kingdom Reformation

Thy Kingdom Come

The Church Reformed, the Church Always Reforming. This slogan has been the call of churches in the Reformed tradition for the past several centuries. The phrase means that the church has been reformed from the errors of Medieval Roman Catholicism, and yet every generation and every individual must be reformed within. Over several hundreds of years, errors had crept into the institutional church. There were false doctrines concerning the nature of salvation, the sacraments, the authority of tradition, and the role of church government. There were also false and harmful practices such as praying to saints, pilgrimages of merit, and the selling of indulgences (the forgiveness of sin through monetary contributions). The Reformation of the 16^th century sparked by Martin Luther and given theological clarity by John Calvin sought to reform the church according to the pure doctrine of God’s Word, the only rule for faith and practice. Their work was to return the church to a more faithful articulation of the faith delivered once and for all by the saints.

As a Presbyterian church, Rivermont is within the Reformed tradition. We believe that the articulation of doctrine and practice within this tradition is the most biblically faithful. We seek to follow this tradition in our doctrine and worship. However, we must also be a people who are always reforming. This does not mean, however, that we are always changing our theology. While we should seek greater clarity, we also believe that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. To be always reforming means that as individuals we must be ever changed by the Word of God and His Spirit. The institutional church has been reformed, but as members of the church, we must continually be reformed. Reformation Sunday is the day we remember this truth, that God graciously brought reformation to the church, and therefore he will surely bring reformation to our hearts. 

In our passage for this Sunday Jesus teaches us how every Christian must have their hearts reformed according to the word of God. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Matthew 15:1-20, Exodus 30:17-21, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:1-23, John 3:3-14, and this article on the phrase Always Reforming. 

This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “Christ is Made a Sure Foundation,” “Before the Throne of God Above,” and “For All the Saints.” 

A Liturgical Note:

In the Church liturgical year, November 1 is designated as All Saints' Day, on which Christians traditionally remember with thanksgiving the life and witness of the faithful Christian men and women who have gone before us, following Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In the Communion Prayer this Sunday, we will remember those saints of this congregation who have died since November 1, 2018. This is not a prayer of intercession for them, but a prayer of thanksgiving for their life and faithful witness, in the assurance that Christians who have preceded us in death are "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). 

Sermon Information: 

Text: Matthew 15:1-20

Title: Kingdom Reformation 

Outline: 

1. Every Christian Must Submit to the Word of God (vv. 1-9)
2. Every Christian Must Uproot False Belief (vv. 10-14)
3. Every Christian Must Aim for Heart Change (vv. 15-20)

Sunday's bulletin