Iden Green Congregational Church

'Heidelberg Catechism Q/A1-2'.

Notes for the first sermon in the series based on the Heidelberg Catechism.

The first questions are introductory. Q1 deals with the substance of Christian religion and Q2 summarises the contents of the catechism.

Christian religion is concerned with "comfort". That is a Bible word: Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people (Isaiah 40v1). Jesus is the Comforter who speaks of "another Comforter" (John 14v16). This same Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11v28). I was bought a big black chair for Christmas. It is so amazingly comfortable. Such comfort is the lot of one who is in Christ.

1. THE NEED FOR COMFORT.

Q1 assumes the the need for comfort and that is perfectly appropriate as uncomfortableness is our common experience: first time parents face the death of their premature baby, the cancer patient experiences natural anxiety, the professional struggles under the unbearable burden of responsibility and the bereaved under the weight of guilt.... (cf Romans 8vv18,22). Christians in one age after another have known constant persecution (Romans 8v36). There is something radically wrong - damaged - uncomfortable - about our world.

2. THE SOURCE OF COMFORT.

A1 says so very much, but at the heart of it is this, that we have comfort in belonging to our faithful Saviour. The believer knows that he is not his own but has yielded himself to Christ and belongs to Him. This is such a safe and comfortable place to be:

(a) We are rescued from sin (Romans 8vv31-39). Satan lures us into sin and then points the finger. God's word argues: Who is he that condemns? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

(b) We are delivered through suffering - not from it as if there were no experience of suffering, but we are brought safely through it (Romans 8v28; cf Matthew 10vv28-30).

This fleeting mention of these blessings is only in order to illustrate our safety in Christ. How the Lord to whom we belong looks after us! Having purchased two hardback volumes on the Heidelberg catechism, I placed them on the back seat of the car and drove away from the shop. Breaking sharply my instant concern was that I had not caused the books to fall off the seat. I am so concerned about my precious books! How very much more precious we are to Christ who has paid for us so highly - with His own blood. He will keep us safe.

3. THE WAY TO COMFORT.

How can a man be comforted? Q/A2 tells what we must do. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, but we should get knowledge. We must study not just anything - science, philosophy, etc, but (i) our GUILT, (ii) His GRACE, (iii) GRATITUDE. This is the threefold theme of the Heidelberg Catechism. If you want to know the comfort of salvation, study these Biblical themes - let your soul grasp them and be grasped by them. Then you will know the peace and joy of salvation, the comfort of belonging to our faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.