In our current sermon series, we are using the following phrase to capture various elements that are characteristic (or should be) about Hebron Church:
Hebron is a biblically-based, Christ-centered community of disciples, a Reformed, (classically) evangelical church in the Presbyterian tradition, worshipping, growing, and serving Christ in the East Hills of Pittsburgh.
When we describe Hebron as a “Reformed” church we are doing a number of things: we are connecting to a tradition within Christianity, a wing of the worldwide, 2000 year-old movement. We are also using Reformed as shorthand for a certain theological emphasis within that movement. Finally, we are expressing a desire to consistently be measured against the norm of faith and practice outlined in the Scripture.
500 years ago, a number of pastors, scholars and theologians challenged some common church practices, accusing them of being non-biblical—arising from human convention and desires rather than from the Word of God. Among these are some names you will undoubtably recognize: Martin Luther, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer and others. Their goal, in light of the problems in the established church, was to evoke reform, to challenge the hierarchy of the Church to change its practices to be in accordance with the Scriptures. Hence, they were called, “Reformers,” and one branch of the eventual churches they founded were called “Reformed churches.” Hebron is a direct descendant of these Reformed churches.
One thing these early Reformers had in common was a frustration with the way the established Church had misplaced or neglected some clear biblical teachings. They believed that crucial themes in the Bible were being ignored or discounted. These themes included a stress on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of sin and the priority of grace in salvation. Churches like Hebron which emphasize what the Bible emphasizes in these areas are called “Reformed.”
Finally, in light of the seriousness and power of sin to infect all things, Reformed churches are constantly aware of the drift and distortion that can happen over time, even to good things… or especially to good things. So, a church that is committed to biblical teaching and practices may, nevertheless, devolve away from that true faith. Hence, Reformed churches are “always reforming.” This does NOT mean that they are always adapting to changing cultural standards, new ways of thinking or novel expressions of religion, but that the churches continue to recognize the Scripture as the only reliable authority and always “re-form” to that standard. Sin will (often unconsciously and slowly and with apparent good motives) lead us away from the Bible’s witness. A Reformed church, like Hebron, will constantly challenge itself to “re-form” to the Truth.
This week in worship we will be exploring the key themes of a Reformed faith, so that we might insure that Hebron is “reformed and always reforming.” In preparation for worship, read Ephesians 2:1-10.
- When Paul uses the term, “dead,” in verse 1, he is clearly using it metaphorically—but, how? What is intended in the metaphor? What imagery is he trying to evoke? What is the “truth” behind the metaphor?
- This section of scripture should humble us. Pride is always lurking, seeking to make yourself “more important” or “bigger” in your mind than you really are. How does this text humble us? (And, see verse 9).
- What are the reasons Paul gives for why God does what He does? Look carefully at verses 4-5.
- How does grace, God’s unmerited favor to guilty sinners, factor into the story here? We are told that we are saved by grace… how so? Why so?
- Verse 10 provides a reason or a basis for all that God has done. What does it mean that we are His workmanship? For what are we created?
By Henry Knapp