All Articles For Key, Steven R

March 4, 1998 at Houston, Texas The March meeting of Classis West was held just west of Houston, Texas on Wednesday, March 4. This classis was noteworthy not only for the business conducted, but for the unusual lodging arrangements. Because of the small size of the host congregation, Trinity PRC, the delegates stayed at the J-Bar-J Ranch, the guest ranch where Trinity PRC hosted an evangelism conference a couple years ago. With delegates staying in close quarters, with bunk beds and common facilities, they enjoyed a great time of fellowship, and no little humor. The customary Officebearers’ Conference was held...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. Besides the prophetic aspect of Christ’s office as God’s Anointed, there is the priestly aspect to which we turn our attention now. We do so especially in the light of the epistle to the Hebrews. In Hebrews, chapters 7-10, there is much development concerning the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. That truth is summarized in our Heidelberg Catechism (Q & A 31) when it says that Jesus is called Christ because He is ordained by God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, “to be our...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. There is another aspect of Christ’s priestly office that deserves special mention. I refer to His lasting intercession for us. His Lasting Intercession This aspect of Christ’s priestly function was also typified in the Old Testament. We read of that in Leviticus 16:12-14, where we read of the high priest entering into the holy place with the blood of the sacrifice and the sweet incense. “And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. It is absolutely essential to your spiritual and emotional health that you have a proper view of self. But, more specifically, that view of self must be in harmony with God’s view of you. What good will it do me, if every Tom, Dick, and Harry, and all the Dr. Feel-goods are telling me that I am good and ought to feel good about myself, if the end of all my good feelings is everlasting banishment from the fellowship of God?! For that very reason, my youthful brother...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. Before setting forth the truth of Scripture concerning this concept of self-esteem, I want to call your attention once again to the influence of the unbiblical idea that has been so readily accepted. I make bold to proclaim that the influence of the modern self-esteem movement has permeated even our own thinking to a degree – perhaps to a rather large degree. There has been more and more emphasis placed on self-esteem among us, and most often it is not the emphasis on proper Christian self-esteem, i.e., biblical...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin.

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. There is yet one aspect of Christ’s office as Mediator which we must consider — the kingly aspect. God has ordained His Son, Immanuel, our Lord Jesus Christ, to be King over all the works of His hands. An Eternally Appointed Dominion It is clear from Psalm 2 that Christ’s kingly dominion was appointed from eternity. His is a dominion exalted far above the kingship of Adam. Adam, the first man, was created king under God. To Adam God gave dominion over the fish of the sea, over...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. As I conclude this consideration of proper Christian self-esteem, I am convinced that there is a very important relationship between the truth of the covenant which we hold dear and this whole biblical concept of proper Christian self-esteem. That was implied when I wrote previously that the important factor in overcoming all your insecurities is that you are conscious of belonging to Christ. For when you belong to Christ, God’s evaluation of you is this: “You are My friend.” Self-esteem and the Covenant We may summarize that truth...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. We concluded our last article with a consideration of the exercise of Christ’s dominion. Our exalted Lord reigns unto the glory of God His Father and to the salvation of His people. He is King of the church, first of all. Christ rules in His church by His Word and Spirit. He exercises a kingly authority over and works by the power of grace in all those whom He makes subject to Himself by the gospel. By that rule of His grace, Christ calls us out of darkness...

Rev. Key is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Randolph, Wisconsin. As officebearers at this time in history we have much work cut out for us when it comes to necessary pastoral care among our youth. Let me add to that: It is important first of all that we take our calling seriously as overseers of the whole flock, including (I dare say, especially) our youth. Secondly, in this day when many scriptural principles are forsaken for theories of modern psychology, I would emphasize that we can only provide proper and profitable pastoral care by strict adherence to the...