TRC Chattanooga Podcast

Sunday School - Intro To The Church Year

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:48:52 -0500

The Christian Calendar and Church Year has a rich history, dating back to the earliest days of the Church. The Old Testament also records for us that God's people have always had signs and seasons for festivals and celebrations of all that God has done for them. God's people in the New Covenant era should be no different. In today's TRC Sunday School class, we consider how the Bible informed and guided the early Church to establish church year seasons and feast days based on the life of her Lord, Jesus Christ. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones leads an introductory study on the Church Year.

Homily - Being Mephibosheth

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:23:41 -0500

Sometimes we have to tell someone that the work they just completed was either unnecessary, or was done improperly. It’s an unpleasant conversation to have. In Romans 4, Paul discusses how it is that Abraham was made righteous. And contrary to what the listener expects to hear, it was not because Abraham lived a perfect life and pleased God in that way. No, rather Paul tells us Abraham was justified because of his faith. This is crucial for us to understand. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 40:6

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:53:22 -0500

The Law of Moses spends a lot of time with the Lord explaining the sacrificial system to us, in all its intricacies. That makes it surprising when we find Psalm 40:6 and David says, writing in the Spirit, "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire". So what does that mean? Is there something God desires more than sacrifices? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - The Rumble In The Desert

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:43:22 -0500

Jesus' temptation in the wilderness not only shows us that Jesus Christ avoided sin where we could not, it also shows us a typological fulfillment. Not only did he do what we cannot do individually, he did what the sons of Israel could not do collectively. Jesus is the true Israelite. Listen as Fred Thompson preaches this week's sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 51:5

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:39:55 -0500

The doctrine is original sin is under attack, as it has always been. But scripture everywhere speaks of the corruption of the flesh preceding any overt, external sinful actions. Let's listen to what David says on the subject. Listen as Elder Wes Keene delivers this exhortation based on Psalm 51:5.

Homily - The Glory Of Marriage

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 14:05:01 -0500

One the happy occasion of our first wedding at TRC Chattanooga, we meditate on the glory of marriage - how it not only glorified the first man, Adam, but the God-man, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to suffer and die in order that he too might obtain a bride, the Church, for his glory. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches on marriage and glorification to the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - The World Mission Next Door

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:32:55 -0500

In the three-year lectionary, this week is dubbed the 2nd To Last Sunday Of Epiphany. But it is also called “World Mission Sunday”. Unfortunately, while that should evoke great joy within us, it probably doesn’t. We have seen missions abused, money wasted, and all manner of corruption. But Christ’s mission will not stop, and his will for even distant nations to call upon His name, will not change. How can we understand World Mission Sunday, and what can we do about it? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Acts 1:6-7

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:32:23 -0500

When Jesus tells his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes on them, they have an unexpected question: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The disciples were expecting something different from what would happen at Pentecost. They wanted a physical kingdom. In this exhortation, Elder Wes Keene focuses on Jesus’ response to them and how that should shape our desires for a Christian kingdom.

Homily - The Light Moves South

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:53:28 -0500

Holy Scripture is the infallible and inerrant Word of God. We can trust in it, whatever it says. But that doesn’t mean different inspired authors don’t come at the same situation from subtly different perspectives. This is true of when Jesus calls his first disciples. In Matthew’s Gospel, we see a different perspective. Listen as Fred Thompson preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Romans 13:3-4

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:52:43 -0500

Christians are used to getting beat over the head with Romans 13 and their obligations to the government under God’s law. But something that is less often considered are the prescriptive roles Paul assigns to the government. What does he say a good government ought to do? And does our government actually do those things? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation based on Romans 13:3-4.

Homily - Do Not Fret Evildoers

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 18:45:09 -0500

King David wrote Psalm 37 to the people of God, teaching them how to respond in the face of evildoers prospering and going unpunished for their wicked deeds. When we consider the wickedness that abounds in our own day, we too need to hear his counsel. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the sermon to TRC Chattanooga from Psalm 37:1-11.

Homily - Behold The Lamb Of God

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:07:58 -0500

John the Baptist began to proclaim at the time of Jesus' Baptism that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Lamb of God, sent into the world to save the world from sin. This title of Christ as the Lamb of God derives from the Old Testament Exodus events and goes on to be the glorious name of Jesus Christ in the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches from John's Gospel and expounds the meaning and glory of John's revelation of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God on this the second Sunday of the season of Epiphany.

Exhortation - 1 Corinthians 1:4

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:07:23 -0500

The Apostle Paul regularly opens his letters with thanksgiving, even giving thanks as he wrote the first letter to the Corinthians with all their divisions and troubles. Given this pattern in the Epistles, it is good and right to conclude that all Christians should be thankful, even if they and their local congregations are not perfect people. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of Trinity Reformed Church from 1 Corinthians 1:4.

Homily - The Heavens Are Opened

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:37:50 -0500

Today’s Gospel lesson shows us Jesus’ baptism according to St. Matthew’s account. We need to understand the distinction between John’s baptism and Christian Baptism. But we also must understand why it is that John initially refuses to do so. Finally, we need to ask ourselves what the significance of this text is. It’s kind of easy to gloss over certain accounts and miss the point. This text might be one of them, but it should not be! This Gospel is a powerful witness to the access we have to God through Christ Jesus our Lord. And Satan absolutely hates hearing it. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Isaiah 42:4

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:37:23 -0500

Isaiah 42:4 is part of the “Suffering Servant” passages. In it, we learn that Jesus will not be discouraged (or perhaps crushed) until he has established justice in the earth. This means we need to understand the sort of justice Jesus is establishing here. It’s controversial and misunderstandings abound. But it also imposes an obligation on us. Using Christ as our example, it means we also ought not be discouraged. We are in a spiritual war, and we must not shrink back from our calling. Listen as Elder Wes Keene delivers this week’s exhortation as TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - We Three Kings

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:09:50 -0500

The old Christian hymn - We Three Kings Of Orient Are - reminds us of the great tradition of Christian interpretation surrounding the wise men and how it came to be that they knew to look for a star of Israel that would mark the coming of their Messiah and King. These royal travelers from the East came bearing royal gifts from afar and when they found baby King Jesus, they fell down and worshipped him. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones recounts the story of the wise men and how it ties the threads of Matthew's Gospel together in all its glory, teaching all of us how we should come before Jesus for worship every Lord's Day.

Exhortation - Psalm 119:105

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:09:03 -0500

January marks the beginning of 2026 and with it comes new goals and expectations for the twelve months ahead. Many Christians make plans every year to read their Bibles and this year should be no different. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga to take up and read the Word of God every day, making it the habit of their lives.

Homily - God Given Rights

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:26:45 -0500

St. John begins his Gospel with a prologue. Riding on top of, and magnifying, themes found in his Gospel, this prologue makes devestating points against the Hellenistic world. The Word was in the beginning, and he was with God. We also learn that the Word tabernacled among us. But what does all of it mean? If the Word/Logos is something foundational to all of existence, understanding that the same Word came and dwelled among us is critically important. But the real center of John’s prologue is in verse 12. We need to know the rights we have been given by God. Listen as Elder Wes Keene explains how John structured his prologue and what it means to us in this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Galatians 4:7

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:26:14 -0500

St. Paul tells us in Galatians 4 that we are no longer slaves but sons. That is very good news indeed. But there must be more to the story, because everywhere Paul refers to himself as a slave, or a servant. By examining other writings from Paul, we begin to get a clearer sense of how exactly Jesus Christ has saved us, and we can make sense of Paul’s good news in Galatians 4:7. We are free. We are free to live as sons of God. Listen as Elder Wes Keene delivers this week’s exhortation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - Merry Christmas!

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:57:13 -0500

Merry Christmas from the saints of Trinity Reformed Church to all those listening to this year's Christmas homily. God sent his Son to become a citizen of our earthly kingdom, so that we might become citizens of his heavenly kingdom. The story of the birth of baby King Jesus has been told time and time again over two millennia and this year was no different on December 25th. Listen and remember that first Christmas morning as Elder Glenn Jones gives this year's Christmas Day message to the members of TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - Understanding The Scriptures

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:16:25 -0500

Isaiah prophesied about the coming birth of Christ long before it actually happened. Then when it did happen, Matthew's Gospel referenced Isaiah's writing. For about 2,000 years, we were all pretty happy with that explanation. Until some historical critical theologians got ahold of it and made a mess of things. What should we know about the prophecy concerning Jesus Christ's incarnation? Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Advent Week 4 (Love)

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 16:07:36 -0500

The fourth week of Advent has the theme of Love. As Christians, there is no greater example of love than God himself in Christ Jesus. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation from John's gospel and first epistle to believe the full scope of God's love for the world and how it will one day make the whole world Christian.

Homily - What Are You Waiting On?

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 15:56:52 -0500

We’ve all had people and institutions who have let us down over the years, or at least failed to meet our expectations. When two disciples are sent by John the Baptist to Jesus to ask him whether he is the coming one, Jesus asks them to observe what they see around them and draw their own conclusions. Did John the Baptist have his own Doubting Thomas moment? Or does it really matter, anyway? What is Holy Scripture attempting to tell us through Matthew 11? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Advent Week 3 (Joy)

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 15:55:56 -0500

The theme for the third Sunday in Advent is: joy. Paul tells us in both Philippians and Romans that Christians ought to be joyful…always. This is the expected biblical disposition of the Christian’s emotional and mental state. The problem is that we’re not always joyful. The world loads us down, especially in Advent, when calendars get more full than we might like. But if Christians have a God who saved them, then Christians must rejoice…always. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - Thunder In The Silent Night

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:19:56 -0500

What exactly was John the Baptist's ministry all about? What kind of a man was he? The message that a prophet of God brings us isn't necessarily always what we want to hear - it might not even be pleasant. John was not a soft man. He was desert-tested, and he thundered! Listen as Pastor James Durham delivers this week's sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Advent Week 2 (Peace)

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:17:57 -0500

The theme for the second week of Advent is peace. In Isaiah 53:5, we learn that Christ's chastisement brought us peace. It was our sin that brought us into a state of war with God. The only way that peace could be brokered was by the suffering and death of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. Through his stripes, we are fully reconciled to God. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - ‘Tis The Season

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:18:26 -0500

A new Church year is upon us and that means that we must prepare our minds and hearts to celebrate and remember how Christ came into the world at Christmas. But before we get to the Christmas season, it is always helpful to gain a deeper understanding of the season of Advent as a whole, especially in how Jesus' coming into the world is a unified whole - Christ has come, Christ is coming, and Christ will come again. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones explains why we follow the Church calendar and what that means for us as we start a new Church year with the season of Advent. In the middle, there is also a brief excursus on Matthew 24 and what Jesus means about being 'left behind.'

Exhortation - Advent Week 1 (Hope)

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:15:51 -0500

The season of Advent begins every Church year with week one as a reminder of the Christian's hope. Just as the Old Testament saints looked forward to the birth of Christ, we as Christians today look forward to the return of Christ to consummate all things. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga to continually put their hope in Christ.

Homily - Reigning Atop the Cranium

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:33:15 -0500

The Gospel text for Christ the King Sunday is a bit of a surprising selection for the uninitiated. We find Luke’s account of the crucifixion of our Lord, and that doesn’t exactly seem like a King reigning on his throne. That’s the problem for us: things often seem upside down to us. But reigning is exactly what he is doing. Christ has put all his enemies under hit feet. And at the throne of his cross, he puts sin, death, and the devil under his feet. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Colossians 1:15-16

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 15:32:43 -0500

Christ is the image of the invisible God. No one has ever seen the Father, but we have seen Christ. And if you have seen Christ, you have seen the Father. So it is fitting for us, on the last Sunday of the church year, to consider the lordship of our Savior Jesus Christ. Today is Christ the King Sunday. How does St. Paul help us to understand what that means? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Colossians 1:15-16.

Sunday School - Communion In The New Testament

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:05:30 -0500

Through poor theology, misuse, disuse, and modernism’s warm embrace of rationalism, the church is at risk of missing the full value of her sacraments. Rather than letting the church get robbed blind, we need to embrace the plain words of Christ written right in the New Testament, and truly believe them. In this lesson, we follow the scriptural warrant for the Eucharist, as well as the many misunderstandings that have arisen over the years. Then we ponder the question: How should we view the Eucharist? Listen at Elder Wes Keene teaches this week’s Sunday School entitled “Communion in the New Testament”.

Homily - Minding Your Own Business

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:04:31 -0500

People like to focus on eschatology. They have their reasons, but often it’s because people aren’t content to just busy themselves with the work the Lord has given them to do. As it turns out, this phenomenon isn’t new. Paul saw exactly the same thing among the Thessalonians, and he deals with it head on. Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Malachi 3:16

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:03:35 -0500

God has written a book of remembrance in heaven of all those who esteem his name. As Christians gather together for worship every Lord's day, faithfully and fearfully glorifying his holy name, he remembers his people and renews his covenant with them. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga with Malachi 3:16.

Sunday School - Paedocommunion

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:34:35 -0500

Why do children take Holy Communion in our church? What’s the justification for it, and are those justifications found in Holy Scripture? Fred Thompson leads us through the biblical and historical case for this practice and shows why deviation from it can be so dangerous for not only a church, but for a nation.

Homily - The God Of The Living

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:30:52 -0500

Jesus's answer to the Sadducees is one of the most memorable and impactful answers ever given about the doctrines of marriage and the individual's life after death. Even though he gave the answer in a hostile context, there is a wealth of wisdom and teaching to derive from his brief interaction with these Jewish leaders. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the sermon to TRC Chattanooga on Luke 20:27-38

Exhortation - 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:29:59 -0500

The second letter to the Thessalonians was written on account of a fake letter having been received by the congregation claiming to be from Paul himself. But in spite of this confusion, the Apostle Paul sends his own letter and offers them his confidence that they will not depart from the teachings and commands that he had already delivered to them. In our day today, technology and artificial intelligence are creating believable, though fake, videos and voices which are causing many people trouble and uncertainty about what is real and what is fiction. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation from 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5 on how to live in these confusing times.

Sunday School - Communion In The Old Testament

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:24:56 -0500

The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion and the Eucharist in Christian tradition, is the sacramental meal of the New Covenant. In today's TRC Sunday School class, we consider the Old Testament meals and how these divine and sacred events that came before the New Covenant prefigured and gave a foretaste of the good things to come in Christ and the Lord's Supper. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones leads a study of Communion in the Old Testament.

Homily - Be An Extremist

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:23:55 -0500

We have heard the ditches analogy: that we want to avoid behavior that causes us to fall off into one ditch or another, and stay in the center ground. There are indeed situations where this is a great way to explain how to find the moral answer. But not every moral question is a ditch. When it comes to following God’s laws, we are highly imperfect. But far from calling us to be moderate centrists about his commandments, God calls us to be zealous. You might even say he calls us to be an extremist for them. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 32:5

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:23:08 -0500

Most understand Psalm 32 to be about David’s contrition after his affair and resulting treachery with Bathsheba. In it, David says that he acknowledged his sin before the Lord and did not cover it. But that wasn’t always true. David, did for a time attempt to keep silent about it, and that had devastating effects for him. Keeping a sin secret is futile. The Lord is not mocked. But when we come to him and confess our sin openly, on account of Jesus Christ, he is faithful to forgive our sins. It is never too late to repent while you’re still living. Listen to Elder Wes Keene exhort the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Psalm 32:5.

Homily - Going Home Justified

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:10:59 -0400

On the occasion of Reformation Sunday, Elder Glenn Jones preaches to the congregation about the tale of two men, Martin Luther and John Tetzel, asking the congregation, based on Luke 18:9-14, which of them went home justified. Jesus' teaching on God's mercy is so clear in Scripture, it is hard for anyone reading Luke's Gospel to deny that one is justified purely by God's mercy in Jesus Christ alone. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches on how you too can go home justified, just like the lowly tax collector in Jesus' day.

Exhortation - Always Reforming

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:10:28 -0400

The Church is always to be reformed, whenever corruption and false teaching creeps in. The well known Latin phrase, Semper Reformanda, is a way of summarizing this teaching we find in Jude's epistle. TRC Chattanooga is both a reformation and a catholic congregation, knowing that all Christians throughout history share in the faith once for all delivered to the saints and that they must also stridently defend it when false teaching finds its way in. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation with Jude 3.

Homily - A Lesson In Believing Prayer

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 23:00:42 -0400

What exactly is going on with Jacob's wrestling match in Genesis 32? Who is he wrestling and why? Before we understand that, we have to understand Jacob's relationship with God, and how he viewed prayer. Maybe you wrestle with men and with God, but your prayers before God must always be importunate. Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation- 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 22:58:02 -0400

Paul tells Timothy that he must continue in the things which he had learned, and he tells him why. But we must understand the importance of the teachings of our own youth. It is critical that we not deviate from what our parents and ministers taught us about the Christian faith. Because there are many forces upon the Christian urging them to form new and strange beliefs. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga from 2 Timothy 3:14-15.

Homily - The Saying Is Trustworthy

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:10:24 -0400

Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy at the end of Paul's life. Rather than the problem being about Paul, this letter was about the problem of Paul no longer being in this world and the reality that Timothy would face in appointing younger leaders to succeed in the faithful teaching of the Gospel message Paul had preached. We in the American churches today face a similar demand as the older generation passes on from this world. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches to the congregation of TRC Chattanooga on 2 Timothy 2:1-13.

Exhortation - 2 Timothy 2:14

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:09:28 -0400

Paul warns Timothy to charge the congregation not to quarrel about the meaning of words because it ultimately leads to the ruin of the hearers. In Paul's day, the dispute was over the meaning of the Resurrection, but in our day the dispute is over the meaning of the created world and such terms as man and woman, the meaning of marriage, and much more. How should we apply this directive for us 'not to quarrel' and how has it been misapplied by many teachers in our day? Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation with 2 Timothy 2:14.

Homily - Just Wait For It

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:17:23 -0400

When the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, he doesn’t really address their request directly. Instead, he tells them what one of the effects of having even slightly more faith would be. But then he explains the relationship between a slave and the slave master. As we labor for God in his kingdom, we see ourselves in the slave in this account. How is it that faith is increased? And is this a good request to make? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation- Psalm 37:8

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:16:20 -0400

We all face temptations with anger. We see others appearing to get away with wickedness, and we naturally get upset about it. But David warns us that we must restrain that anger, and keep it in check. In the end, if we do not, it leads to evil. Even when we have righteous anger about evil that we see, we can still succumb to a state of perpetual wrath. Listen to Elder Wes Keene deliver this week’s exhortation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Psalm 37:8.

Homily - Remember Your Baptism

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:26:33 -0400

In Luke 16:19-31 we have the account of the rich man and Lazarus. The plot twist comes in the middle, when Luke reveals to us that the rich man knew who Abraham was. He was raised in the faith. But something happened. He forgot the faith he was raised in. While he had known Abraham, he forgot about the paths Abraham walked. There is something instructional in this for us, beyond the reminder to love our neighbor. If we forget our baptism, we don’t have anything good to look forward to. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga, entitled “Remember Your Baptism.”

Exhortation - Psalm 146:3-4

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:26:09 -0400

“Trust not in princes!” It’s misunderstood and abused in our age. This verse is trotted out anytime someone supports a politician they believe will lead their country in a better direction. So what does scripture mean by this? And what should we be concerned about, with respect to this passage? We need to remember who gives a country good leaders, and who curses a nation with worse ones. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Psalm 146:3-4.

Sunday School - Baptism In The New Testament

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:22:46 -0400

Christian Baptism is a treasured gift from God to his Church. Though many disputes have arisen in our modern day, believing all that God's word has to say about Christian Baptism is the most important commitment we can make. We are, in fact, free to speak as Scripture speaks about the water rite of initiation into the Faith. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones leads the TRC Sunday School in a thorough discussion of the topic of Baptism in the New Testament.

Homily - Worship As Protest

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:03:12 -0400

1 Timothy 2 contains many teachings that a lot of ministers in the church would like to avoid talking about. Many of them offend the god of feminism. But we need to take Paul’s exhortations to heart…even the ones that are difficult to understand the reasoning behind. Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 119:43

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:02:20 -0400

The Psalmist prays that the word of truth not be taken out of his mouth. So he at least acknowledges the possibility that it could happen. The Christian ought to value the opportunity to not only study and meditate on God’s words, but also talk about them. Taking the word of God in our mouth is a privilege reserved for God’s children. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga on Psalm 119:43.

Sunday School - The Doctrine Of Infant Baptism

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:11:31 -0400

Baptism is to be administered to both young and old. If we believe that God's covenant is entered into by whole households (and Holy Scripture says it is), then children must certainly be part of that arrangement...even infants. Sacraments are a work of God, and men are the beneficiaries of them - including children. Listen as Fred Thompson leads the Sunday School class in a helpful discussion on the topic of infant Baptism.

Homily - My Wrath Burns Hot

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:45:46 -0400

Elder Glenn Jones preaches a lamentation for Charlie Kirk, warning of God's judgment on our rebellious Christian nation and how we, as Christians, must respond in this present moment. Listen soberly to the wisdom of Scripture and understand the times in which we live and the disposition of our hearts that must become bolder and stronger if we are ever to see America restored to God in Christ.

Exhortation - 2 Kings 10:28-29

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:45:06 -0400

King Jehu did well in wiping out the worship of Baal from Israel, yet he did not go far enough, because he tolerated the remaining demons being worshipped as golden calves in Bethel and Dan. The martyrdom of our Christian brother, Charlie Kirk, has revealed just how much idolatry our rulers must still wipe out here in America. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation, with 2 Kings 10:28-29, to petition our leaders and our people to repent of our tolerance of the demons here in America.

Sunday School - Baptism In The Old Testament

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:46:56 -0400

Baptism is not just a New Testament practice. There were many Baptisms in the Old Testament, and they offer great insight into the purpose and fulfillment that comes to us in New Covenant, Christian Baptism. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones leads the Sunday School class in a fruitful and enlightening discussion on the topic of Baptism in the Old Testament.

Homily - Love It Or Hate It

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:46:44 -0400

Luke 14:25-35 has some very difficult words from our Lord for us to hear. Not everything in Holy Scripture is easily digestible. Our Lord helps us to keep our priorities straight with respect to the relationships we have in our lives. But then Jesus offers us some unexpected advice about the business of setting out to be his disciple. Is it possible that if we try to follow Christ and fail, we may actually end up worse off? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Repentance

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:46:13 -0400

As Christians, we know we are to continually be in repentance. But what does that really mean? Moreover, what can we learn from Scripture about the necessities and benefits associated with repentance? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - The Hospitality Of God

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:35:01 -0400

God is hospitality. We show hospitality to one another because God first showed it to us. At Trinity Reformed Church hospitality is central to our life as a congregation and it creates the context and viability for building one another up in the faith and using the gifts God has graciously given to each of us. If you want to better understand this doctrine and how it applies to us in 2025, consider the words of Christ in Luke's Gospel and listen as Elder Glenn Jones delivers the sermon to Trinity Reformed Church.

Exhortation - Hebrews 13:2

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:34:15 -0400

The New Covenant clearly teaches that all Christians throughout all times and places are to practice hospitality, but this command even comes with a bit of twist to it in the letter to the Hebrews. Consider what it means to not neglect hospitality, especially to strangers, and listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation with Hebrews 13:2.

Homily - Contra Fear

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:14:43 -0400

We live in a world with almost unlimited danger. Multiple hot wars are taking place right now, a third is always threatening to break out, and we have rampant violence in our cities. It’s easy to see why someone would be fearful. But as Christians, that’s not an option that is available to us. The Christian is to live without fear, and be confident before the Lord - because the God we worship is the true God and he is more powerful than all of the dangers we face, combined. Listen to Elder Wes Keene preach this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation- Psalm 63:5-6

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:13:33 -0400

Our entire lives are worship to God, whether we act like it or not. We serve the Lord in all that we do…and not ourselves. In Psalm 63, David tells us that he will remember God when he is on his bed, and meditate on him in the watches of the night. We should do likewise. As Christians, we need to make it a regular practice to worship God in our home, as well as on Sunday in the Lord’s Day worship. Exactly how we do it, is less important than making sure we are consistent. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation to TRC Chattanooga based on Psalm 63:5-6.

Homily - The Gospel That Divides

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:28:12 -0400

One of the more painful things for parents to deal with is a child that departs from the faith. Many parents have raised their children in a godly way, doing the best they knew how to do. Yet, when the child grew up, they were dragged away by other forces. Parents can end up blaming themselves. But Christ came to bring a fire upon the earth. How can we understand the inevitable divisions that will happen? Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches this week's sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Hebrews 12:10b-11

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:25:41 -0400

The Holy Scripture addresses many hard things about this life, especially how to understand suffering and evil. When suffering comes our way, even as a result of someone else's sin or our own sin, there is encouragement to be had for God's work in the Christian's life. God's discipline comes to us, not to drive us away, but to make us more like him. This teaches us that we are his children and that he loves us and earnestly desires us to persevere to the end. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation with Hebrews 12:10b-11.

Homily - Seeing The Unseen Things

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:04:38 -0400

It is with eyes of faith that we behold that which is as of yet invisible, that we hope for the things not yet realized. In Hebrews, Paul gives us several examples of faithful saints of old. We need to understand what faith is and what faith is not. Once we have done that, we need to understand that faith in the life of the Christian is always lived out in one way or another. Faith is not inert. What will you do when your faith is anemic, hanging on by a thread? Did that ever happen to the saints of old? And how should we understand our citizenship? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches the sermon “Seeing The Unseen Things” to TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Luke 12:34

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:04:00 -0400

You have heard it said “home is where the heart is”, and the saying is true. The location of your heart says something about what you value, trust in, and are comforted by. But our Lord says: “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. So if we understand what our Lord is telling us, then we need to consider carefully what we treasure. We invest money in all kinds of things, but money and profits can’t be our treasure. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga with Luke 12:34.

Homily - The Vanity Of Wisdom

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:17:22 -0400

The wisdom of Solomon was greatly desired among the ancient nations of the world and it has lasted, as the very word of God inspired by the Spirit, throughout all generations. But what Solomon concluded about the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge teaches us that those very things themselves are fleeting, like smoke in the wind. True wisdom, as Solomon taught, counts for nothing unless we obey God's word and walk faithfully before him day in and day out. Consider, from the book of Ecclessiastes, the vanity of wisdom as you listen to Elder Glenn Jones deliver the sermon to Trinity Reformed Church.

Exhortation - Colossians 3:16

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:16:23 -0400

As modern Christians we tend to think that merely the pursuit of Bible knowledge will draw our hearts closer to God. That of course has its part, but the Apostle Paul also teaches that without singing psalms and hymns to God regularly, the word of Christ will not dwell in us richly. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of Trinity Reformed Church.

Homily - The Virtue Of Impudence

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:59:34 -0400

If you ask people to describe their qualities, very few would put “impudent” on their list of adjectives. We’ve been taught that being impudent is wrong. But what does Holy Scripture tell us? And if being impudent before God is something the Christian actually can and should do, then what would that look like, and what examples can we find in Holy Scripture to model our prayers after? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this sermon entitled “The Virtue Of Impudence.”

Exhortation - Colossians 2:8

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:59:00 -0400

Being a Christian isn’t always easy. The Christian will face many temptations throughout his earthly life. One, perhaps, surprising temptation is to add to the law of God. In fact, others will attempt to force us to do that, as well. But in Colossians, Paul tells us to see to it that no one takes us captive. If other people want to give us a new law and a new gospel, how can we resist? Listen as Elder Wes Keene delivers this exhortation from Colossians 2:8.

Homily - Who Will Be Moved?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:50:47 -0400

Christian, will you be shaken to abandon your faith in God one day? King David wrote Psalm 15 as both a warning and a charge to the people of God to live honorable lives, despising what is vile while being genuine worshippers of God in his kingdom. This psalm teaches us what it means to be a faithful covenant member and warns against doing the things that make you vile in the site of God. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the sermon on Psalm 15 to the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Luke 10:42

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 15:49:42 -0400

Mary chose the necessary and good thing when Jesus came to the house of her and her sister, Martha. Just as Jesus explained to Martha, we must not allow our service and the things of this life to cause us to neglect the most important discipline in our lives - namely our relationship and fellowship with God through prayer and his word. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga with Luke 10:42.

Homily - Blessings Await The Obedient

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:09:54 -0400

Sometimes people get confused about the kind of gifts God hands out to his children. Particularly in our modern American context, we have been taught to focus on what could be called “soft gifts”, rather than the tangible, physical gifts God even promises in his own word. There are common errors people make when they read passages like Deuteronomy 30:9-14, and we need to avoid them. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon titled “Blessings Await The Obedient.”

Exhortation - James 5:16b

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:08:58 -0400

The book of James teaches us something about how to pray. In particular, James 5:16b teaches that the effective and fervent prayer “avails much.” If that’s the case, then we need to understand what effective and fervent prayer is, and how we can avoid ineffective prayer. We must beware of bad habits we sometimes fall into and what we should do instead. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - We Reap What We Sow

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:04:04 -0400

Many know and use the Biblical saying, "You reap what you sow". But many times it is misunderstood or misused and abused by those who speak it. The Apostle Paul gave us a clear context in which to learn about its meaning and proper use. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches a sermon on Galatians 6:7-10 to the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:03:22 -0400

God calls us to pray at all times and for all people. But many times it is the most powerful and influential rulers who Christian people fail to pray for in their daily habits of intercession and supplication. The Apostle Paul knew that this would be a weakness for us, so he wrote to Timothy to ensure that we never forget to pray for those in authority over us. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts TRC Chattanooga with 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Homily - Finding Refuge

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:46:58 -0400

The world is a frightening and dangerous place. Because of the fall, there are many threats we face. Therefore, people are constantly looking for something they can take refuge in against spiritual attacks, financial hardships, relationship problems, and every other kind of malady. But in Psalm 16, David says that he takes refuge in the Lord. It is important that the Christian run to the mighty fortress of God in any kind of adversity and trial. Let’s learn, from Holy Scripture, how we can live more like David, who was the man after God’s own heart. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this sermon to TRC Chattanooga entitled “Finding Refuge”.

Exhortation - Galatians 5:1

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:46:41 -0400

In Galatians, Paul tells us that we have been set free by Christ…for freedom. He then admonishes us to stand firm and not to fall again into a yoke of slavery. But before we can do any of that, we need to know more about this freedom and what it entails, or doesn’t entail. Sometimes Christians get the wrong idea about the freedom they have been given, but it is important for us to understand it correctly. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation to TRC Chattanooga using Galatians 5:1.

Homily - The Eschatology Of Faith

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:35:01 -0400

Having walked through the life of Christ during the first half of the Church year, we continue in the second half with a lesson from the Apostle Paul on the eschatological nature of faith, namely the person of Jesus Christ. Though faith was central to all God's people before Jesus came into the world, Paul gives the name of "Faith" to Jesus himself in Galatians chapter 3. Listen to this week's sermon as Elder Glenn Jones explains the eschatology of faith, personified in the person of Jesus Christ, and what it means for us today.

Exhortation - Luke 9:23

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:33:52 -0400

Luke records that Jesus told his followers to take up their cross daily and deny themselves in order to follow after Jesus and be his disciple. This still applies to us today, even though crucifixion is no longer a practice of execution, it vividly portrays what Jesus is calling his followers to. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - We Worship The Trinity

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:43:28 -0400

The Holy Trinity is a difficult concept for us to wrap our heads around. Truth be told, we will not fully comprehend the Trinity on this side of heaven. But many Christians ignore the issue altogether and focus on one Person or another. We need to have a solid biblical understanding of the economy of the Trinity and worship accordingly. We also need to understand how the Trinity’s operation benefits us. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon, at TRC Chattanooga, entitled “We Worship The Trinity”.

Exhortation - Titus 3:9

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:42:31 -0400

Foolish disputes are something to be avoided in the church. The problem is they will always be with us. That’s why Paul warns Titus about avoiding them. They threaten the unity of the church if there is a divisive brother stirring people up with useless arguments. As a church, we are not immune from these problems. And while we know we ought to reject a divisive brother, is it possible we are the ones being divisive? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga based on Titus 3:9.

Homily - When Mankind Came Of Age

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:05:25 -0400

Pentecost Sunday has finally arrived in 2025. The record of the giving of the Spirit on that day, almost 2000 years ago, is only four verses long. But the connections are many and the history of the Old Covenant echoes through them all. Why was the Spirit given on Pentecost? Why was there fire and wind and tongues? These and many other questions are answered as Elder Glenn Jones preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 103:2

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:04:37 -0400

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." God has done great and mighty things for his people, and we above all in the New Covenant era have so much for which to bless God. Let us never forget this and always be ready to offer ourselves as living sacrifices in worship of his holy name. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Psalm 103:2.

Homily - Expert Mode

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:53:11 -0400

The words of Holy Scripture don’t magically become clear to us by simply reading the text. Lots of unbelievers read the bible for various reasons, and they’re not automatically saved by it. But Jesus opened the mind of the disciples to understand all the things in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Now that he has ascended to heaven and sits at his right hand, we can also understand the scriptures. But how can we do that? And what benefits do we receive since Jesus ascended? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Matthew 25:21

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:52:28 -0400

“Well done, good and faithful servant” - we all want to hear that at the last day, when our Lord returns, and for good reason. We are used to being comforted by this familiar line of scripture at funerals we attend. But what does the parable from which it comes say? What does Jesus Christ tell us about how we should or shouldn’t use the gifts we have been given? And what happens if we fail to do so? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Matthew 25:21.

Homily - The Teacher Of All Things

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:51:26 -0400

The Holy Spirit is called the Teacher of all things during Christ's final sermon to his Apostles before his soon departure on the cross. This wonderful encouragement concludes the season of Eastertide as we prepare for the events of Pentecost. Christ has not left us as orphans, but has sent the best teacher to live with us and bring us into full maturity. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches this week’s sermon to TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:50:33 -0400

How does the word of God come to be in our hearts? According to God, it comes through regular, ritual repetition, just as he commanded the Israelites through Moses all those millennia ago. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga from Deuteronomy 6:6-7.

Homily - Give Glory To God!

Tue, 20 May 2025 13:06:29 -0400

The world doesn’t know much about love. They like to use the word, but they don’t know what it means. But our Lord commands us to love one another as he has loved us! So we can’t love based on the world’s corrupted standard, and we can’t even rely on our own Christian standard. How can we learn from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ how we are out to love one another? And how is God glorified by us doing so? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Zechariah 7:5-6

Tue, 20 May 2025 13:05:57 -0400

Sometimes we manage to do a right and godly thing, but upon further inspection of our own motivations, discover that they were impure. That’s the situation Zechariah found himself in when someone asked whether they should continue fasting. The Lord questions whether that fasting was ever done for the Lord in the first place. So what should we do with good activities that may have been motivations? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Zechariah 7:5-6.

Homily - Safe With Our Shepherd

Thu, 15 May 2025 11:43:09 -0400

Holidays are a great time to reflect upon God‘s mercy on our people in times past. But sometimes we abuse those holidays. That’s what the Jews did during the Feast of Dedication. But Jesus’ response to their hostile inquiry gives us tremendous comfort. Most people want an assurance of salvation. Let’s hear about what our Lord has to say. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Romans 8:12-13

Thu, 15 May 2025 11:42:38 -0400

We’re all in a heap of debt, and when we really start to consider how much debt we’re under, it seems pretty insurmountable. But Saint Paul tells us that our debt is not to the flesh but rather to God. How can we heed his admonishment? How should we live if we are not in debt to flesh? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga based on Romans 8:12-13.

Homily - What Now?

Mon, 05 May 2025 16:38:46 -0400

We all feel a loss of energy after high church holidays like Easter. In fact, the disciples struggled with this, too. Christians must overcome this lack of zeal in the weeks following Easter and resist the urge to just “get back to normal”. Let’s see what we can learn from the accounts of Peter and the disciples, as well as Saul’s conversion, about how we are to proceed from here. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Hebrews 2:18

Mon, 05 May 2025 16:38:16 -0400

Jesus suffered by being tempted, just like we do. But what does that mean? God brought humanity into the godhead. How does that help us? Christians have a lot of misunderstandings about the nature of the benefits we receive from Christ’s humanity. But there is real strength available for us in Christ. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga based on Hebrews 2:18.

Homily - Doubting Thomas

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:46:41 -0400

It is unfortunate that Thomas was not around the first time our Lord appeared to the disciples when they were locked behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. Perhaps if he had been there, he wouldn't enjoy such a dubious name in Christendom. But what other mistakes did Thomas make? Listen as Rev. David Beckmann preaches this week's sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Acts 19:3-4

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:44:43 -0400

When Paul runs into a group of disciples in Ephesus who have not received Christian baptism, he's perplexed. Rightfully so! What can we learn from this account about the benefits of true Christian baptism? And how can we grow in our appreciation of our own baptism? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation, based on Acts 19:3-4, at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - On The Third Day

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:16:04 -0400

The story of the empty tomb is something that all Christians know well. But the very first Christians didn't exactly know what to think on that first Sunday morning. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones teaches us from Luke 24 about the marvelous anticipation that was building in the lives of Jesus' followers as the women first hear from the two men who appeared to them and returned to tell the others.

Exhortation - Romans 6:11

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:15:29 -0400

Holy Baptism truly does unite us to Christ. In fact, this belief is not something we merely hold to ourselves, but it is held by others too: Both sin and God believe it to be true and regard us accordingly, therefore the Apostle Paul tells us to reckon ourselves the same way as we live our the Christian life. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones delivers this week’s exhortation on Romans 6:11 at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - In Remembrance Of Me

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:14:56 -0400

The principal area of focus on Maundy Thursday is the Lord’s Supper. But why do we celebrate this meal? Some Christians might believe they are doing good works by receiving the Eucharist. But who serves who in this meal? And what does it mean to “do this in remembrance of me?” Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this Maundy Thursday sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 19:14:30 -0400

What does it mean to be a confessional Christian? Of course, it means to subscribe to confessional documents that summarize Holy Scripture. But what do we do when God’s word doesn’t appear to line up with our confessions exactly? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga.