Worship 10 am & 6 pm
Belgrade United Reformed Church
17333 Frontage Road
Belgrade, MT 59714
Built or Broken by the Name (Lev. 24:10-16; LD 36)
God’s law reveals His holiness and lays out the holy standard of growing in Christlikeness. The first three commandments teach us to worship God exclusively, rightly, and with reverence for His name. Misusing God’s name, as seen in Leviticus 24, is a grave offense because it dishonors God’s very identity. While Old Testament penalties were the severe pedagogue, the New Testament church practices discipline through excommunication and calls for repentance, reflecting our status as spiritual exiles awaiting Christ’s kingdom. Ultimately, Jesus is the true Joshua who secures, confirms, and leads us to the glorified land in his Spirit. Currently, we honor God’s name by living to glorify Christ by living out of gratitude and using his name with reverence.
Rejected and Respected (Luke 18:9-17)
True spiritual life is found not in self-reliance or moral superiority, but in humble submission and appreciation of God’s mercy. Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows that it is the repentant, not the self-assured, who are righteous before God. Like little children, we are called to receive God’s kingdom with humility and trust, recognizing our daily need for His grace.
Breath of Fresh Air (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2. LD 35)
The law of God shapes believers to be like Christ, with the second commandment introducing the Regulative Principle of Worship—meaning only elements explicitly commanded by God belong in worship. This principle contrasts with the Regulative Principle for Life, which grants freedom in daily matters not forbidden by Scripture, reflecting Christian liberty. We have the liberty to work out our salvation as we discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Scripture is central as God’s inspired Word and the foundation for the church’s life. The preaching of the Gospel is an ongoing means of grace, Spirit-empowered to nourish faith and promote spiritual growth. Worship focuses on honoring God through His appointed ministers, emphasizing communion with Him rather than self, trusting in God’s promise to work effectively through His Word. This is why Gospel preaching is not optional, but not only necessary, but commanded for Christians to continue to sit under this means of grace. It is one of the chief means that God uses to bring us to maturity.
Gospel Submission (Acts 6:1-7)
In Acts 6, the early church encounters a critical challenge when a complaint arises that Hellenistic Jewish widows are being neglected in the daily distribution of food. Rather than dismiss the concern, the apostles recognize the need, and they act. They do not set aside their priority to preach and pray, but they appoint seven men—deacons/servants—whose qualifications are not based merely on availability but on their character: they are to be Spirit-filled, wise, and well-regarded within the community. This passage quietly affirms the value of church membership and being deeply known by the body because these men are well-known.
This moment in Acts reveals a holistic vision for church life and mission. The apostles emulate Christ’s ministry, which is holistic. Christ is concerned about our spiritual health and our physical health. Preaching and prayer are not abandoned, but complemented by ordained men showing acts of mercy that reflect God's heart for the vulnerable. Acts 6 reminds us that Christian life is not isolated or passive—it is lived out within a community, shaped by grace, and expressed in ongoing service, care, and witness.
What’s With the Holy Spirit?
Rev. Austin Britton lays out the significance of the Holy Spirit for the life of the church.
What's With the Lord's Table? (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)
We welcome Rev. Austin Britton to our pulpit as Pastor Lindemulder enjoys a week off.
Martha's Faith in Jesus (John 11:17-27)
We welcome Rev. JJ Matandika to our pulpit while Rev. Lindemulder enjoys a week off.
Sanctification's Mystery (LD 33; 1 Timothy 3:16)
Paul challenges the notion that godliness can be achieved through mere determination and grit. It is not about just obeying God’s moral standards. The Christian life is about living in the Spirit, in faith, conforming to God’s law by God’s power, and doing good works for His glory, which is impossible to do by human exertion alone.
Grateful for Grace (Luke 17:11-19)
As Jesus continues His journey to Jerusalem, the place of supposed peace, He encounters rejection, brokenness, and unexpected faith. Passing between Galilee and Samaria, He heals ten lepers—yet only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. In this moment, Christ shows that true cleansing and peace don't come from heritage or even the strength of our faith, but from faith in Him alone.
A Little Faith Goes A Long Ways (Luke 17:1-10)
Christ’s teaching affirms the validity of Moses and the prophets, emphasizing the importance of a Christian walk as a servant before our gracious master. The apostles request more faith, but Christ emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, living in God’s service is a joy, knowing His favor is unearned. It is the assurance that we live for the greatest master.
Behold Your King! (John 20)
John recounts Mary Magdalene's early morning visit to Jesus' tomb. She is showing her love for her savior. She expects to find Jesus’ body, she expects to grieve, but she discovers that he is not there. Initially, she blames the grave robbers, reports to Peter and John, and they go to investigate. They find an empty tomb, but also the precarious folded grave clothes that imply something greater has happened: Jesus' resurrection. Mary then encounters the risen Christ, recognizing him not as a thief but as her Lord. The narrative reflects on how Christ’s resurrection secures eternal life and confirms God's promises. Christ establishes his shalom kingdom. His promise to leave his disciples with peace is not an empty promise, but the resurrection confirms that the Lord’s shalom can never be shaken. Let us walk in the shalom of our Lord’s protective mercy.
Standing Over the Door (LD 19; Exodus 12:7-20)
The Lord’s Supper, like Passover, is a visible sign of Christ’s sacrifice, symbolizing believers’ participation in his suffering and death. It is not a re-sacrifice but a nourishment in Christ’s one-time sacrifice. Christ, as the Passover lamb symbolizes, protects his redeemed people, and the sacraments hold out his grace and power and they do not hold out a different grace or a different power. They represent the one true Gospel.
Where Are Your Riches? (Luke 16:14-31)
Christ’s teachings emphasize the importance of understanding the deeper intentions because the law of God. Our temptation is to find the technicalities rather than really asking, “What pleases my Lord?” The parable of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates this point, showing that outward prosperity and self-righteousness do not guarantee eternal comfort, while long-suffering and faith in God lead to eternal reward as one holds onto Christ by faith.
Using Ungodly Mammon to Make Eternal Friends? (Luke 16:1-13)
Jesus’ parable of the dishonest manager displays a manager’s shrewdness by scheming against his rich master. Unlike the prodigal son, this manager does not repent but shrewdly uses his worldly wisdom to ensure his survival in this world. Jesus commends the manager’s shrewdness in this age, but calls attention to how the sons of this world know how to survive. Christ exhorts the “sons of light” to exhibit a wisdom of using the things of this world for the glory of the Lord’s kingdom. The parable calls believers to faithful stewardship, wise use of resources, and loyalty to God rather than worldly prestige. Our call to live out the gospel is a challenge. We have to discern what is pleasing to the Lord in the Holy Spirit. It is a call to deliberately live before the face of God, empowered and united to our Savior, and living in light of him being our redeemer and master.
"You Always Had Me" (Luke 15:11-32)
The parable of the prodigal son highlights the contrast between a repentant sinner and a self-righteous individual. The younger son, after squandering his inheritance, returns home seeking forgiveness, possibly with a manipulative mindset, but ultimately accepts his father’s invitation to celebrate and enjoy their restored relationship. The older son, however, resents the grace shown to his brother. The older brother calls to his father’s attention his years of slaving for the family. He fails to see that his father never required him to slave for approval or acceptance but simply to enjoy the merciful status of sonship. This parable teaches that the Christian life is not about proving our worthiness to receive God’s favor but about pursuing our lord, living in communion with Him, and rejoicing in our relationship seeking to live out of gratitude and joy rather than boasting of one’s works.
A Blood Baptism? (LD 26; 1 Peter 1:2)
Baptism is the sacrament that initiates believers into the covenant of grace, symbolizing death, new life, and triumph in Christ. It represents the washing away of sin and the Spirit’s work in deliverance. The catechism links baptism to Christ’s death and resurrection, while 1 Peter connects it to the sprinkling of Christ’s blood, echoing Old Testament purification. Ultimately, baptism points to Christ’s redemptive work, calling believers to trust in Him rather than the sign itself.
The Sinners' Supper: Mercy in the Mess (Luke 15:1-10)
In this passage, Christ’s association with tax collectors and sinners challenges the Pharisees' understanding of holiness and reveals their self-righteousness. Christ responds with two parables: the shepherd who seeks out the one lost sheep, symbolizing his love for the lost, and the woman who finds a lost coin, emphasizing the joy of restoration. These parables contrast the Pharisees' lack of understanding of repentance and highlight the importance of seeking righteousness through Christ rather than self-reliance. It is remarkable that even the angels in heaven celebrate the repentance of sinners, urging believers to align with this divine celebration of redemption.
Two Graces or One Grace Through Two Means? (Gen. 17; Rom. 4:11; LD 25)
The means of grace—preaching the Gospel and the sacraments—are tools God uses to nourish believers, though they are not the source of life itself. Sacraments visibly communicate the Gospel and are given to strengthen weak faith, just as Abraham received circumcision as a seal of God’s promise amid his doubts. While sacraments are a means of grace, the preaching of the Gospel remains central, proclaiming God’s power to bring life from death like Ezekiel standing over the valley of dry bones. Ultimately, both the Word and sacraments point to and nourish us in the life-giving power of Christ through the Spirit, who sustains His people and the Spirit who raises Christ from the dead. This is the power at work in us.
Considering Christ's Call (Luke 14:25-35)
Normally, God is often associated with love.. However, Christ challenges this notion by calling His followers to hate their families and even their own lives, seemingly to contradict Moses' command to honor parents. Christ is teaching the cost of true discipleship—one that requires prioritizing Him every worldly comfort, bearing the cross, and seeking God’s will over worldly ambitions. He warns against a superficial understanding of His kingdom, calling believers to count the cost and commit fully, even at potentially great personal sacrifice. True discipleship means losing one's life in the sense of reprioritizing values according to the cross, and living as a sacrifice to God. Thus, Christians must conform to Christ’s image, discerning His wisdom through the Spirit and aligning their lives with His priorities in faith.
Christ's Radical Feast (Luke 14:1-24)
We consider the transactional nature of social banquets in Rome, where guests were invited to elevate one’s status, with the radically different banquet of God's kingdom where the people too powerless to advance the host are invited. When Jesus dines with the Pharisees, they seek to trap Him, using a man with dropsy as bait. Yet Jesus, in healing the man, exposes the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. Through a parable, Jesus teaches that true honor comes not from self-exaltation but from humility and dependence on God. He calls His followers to invite and embrace the poor, crippled, and marginalized, reflecting the heart of God’s kingdom. Ultimately, the true banquet belongs to those who recognize their spiritual poverty and rely solely on Jesus for redemption, pointing to the fullness of peace and restoration believers that believers possess in Christ now and in the fullness when he returns.