TRC Chattanooga Podcast

Homily - Romans 3:27-4:25 - The Reckoned Reception of Righteousness

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:18:26 -0400

This passage of Romans introduces the primary questions that the Apostle Paul will deal with over the next several chapters. Paul re-engages his Jewish opponent's objections and explains how their behavior and beliefs are completely out of accord with father Abraham whom they so deeply love and respect. Most importantly, Paul gives his audience a clear picture of the doctrine of Justification by explaining how God imputes the righteousness of Christ to our accounts. This is not a legal fiction, nor is it a new invention by Christians. This is how God has always operated throughout history with his saints. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones preaches from Romans 3:27-4:25 on the 10th Sunday of Trinity Season, August 9, 2026.

Homily - Romans 3:21-26 - Behold, The Righteousness Of God!

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:09:29 -0400

Some theologians have called this passage of Scripture the most important words ever written in the history of the world! In this lesson, we hear the climactic conclusion to the Apostle Paul's Gospel and why his Gospel is more honorable than any other good news that mankind might claim to have. Behold, the righteousness of God, which has been made manifest, not by the law, but by faith! Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones preaches from Romans 3:21-26 on the 9th Sunday of Trinity Season, August 2, 2026.

Homily - The Parables are About the History of Israel

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 00:01:03 -0400

How does Jesus want us to read his parables that were given almost 2000 years ago? What do the parables mean for us today in light of what they meant for those to whom they were first given? The parables tell a very specific story and we must learn how to hear to them rightly. Listen as Elder Fred Thompson preaches from Matthew 13 on the 8th Sunday of Trinity Season, July 26, 2026.

Exhortation - James 1:19-20

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:39:50 -0400

James' Epistle goes to great length to teach us how to use the tongue. In this text he goes so far as to say we should all be slow to speak and quick to listen, especially when something upsetting has taken place. But even more so, James is saying that we should be quick to listen to God's word and learn from God how to treat others in difficult situations that kindle the anger of man. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation from James 1:19-20 on the 8th Sunday of Trinity Season, July 26, 2026.

Homily - Romans 3:1-20 - Objection? Overruled

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 22:27:26 -0400

The first half of Romans chapter 3 is the ground work for what Paul will answer in detail later in Chapters 6 through 11 of his letter. But even more than simple foreshadowing in his own letter, Paul draws us into the courtroom on the final Day of Judgment, demonstrating to everyone that God will not give any mercy to those who bring objections or complaints to him - for all are under sin and no one seeks after God, no not one. In theological terms, this passage expounds to us what is commonly called the doctrine of Total Depravity and prepares us for what is to come next in chapter 3 when Paul reaches the conclusion of his Gospel presentation. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones teaches Romans 3:1-20 on the 7th Sunday of Trinity season, July 19, 2026.

Homily - The Parable Of The Sower

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:33:23 -0400

Today we return to one of Jesus’ most familiar teachings; the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. To begin with, we consider why familiarity with Scripture can sometimes dull our hearing rather than deepen it. Then, moving through the sower, the seed, the soils, and the fruit, we find that this Gospel story invites the hearer to examine the condition of their heart by how it responds to the word of the kingdom. Is the heart hardened, shallow, distracted, or truly receptive? Listen as Pastor Kurt Settles teaches the congregation of TRC Chattanooga from Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 on the 6th Sunday of Trinity Season, July 12, 2026.

Exhortation - Isaiah 55:6

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:24:34 -0400

Isaiah tells us to seek the Lord while he is near. This does not mean what many modern readers think it does, as though this were a call by preachers for people to get saved every time they hear the Gospel spoken. Rather, this is a call for God's people to respond to God, himself, when his word is spoken and his fellowship is offered - namely when they gather together on the appointed day as a congregation. In our context in the New Covenant, this day is the Lord's Day, Sunday, and we are to seek God earnestly when we gather together on that particular day of the week. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones gives this exhortation to TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - Romans 2:1-29 - Physician, Heal Thyself!

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:11:18 -0400

Romans chapter 2 stands as one of the Apostle Paul's harder sayings in the New Testament. Whether it is his act of impersonating his opponents, warning against religious hypocrisy, or telling Jews how unimpressive their circumcisions are outwardly... Paul destroys any potential strongholds his opponents think they can take refuge in so as to survive the coming Day of judgment. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones teaches on Romans 2:1-29 on the 5th Sunday of Trinity season, July 5, 2026.

Homily - The Progression of the Gospel

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:17:26 -0400

The progress of the Kingdom through the Gospel works itself out in the world a certain way: First comes the Gospel, then conflict, then conquest, and finally peace. God gives life to the new order of the Kingdom while he lets the old order of the world starve and perish as the Gospel spreads throughout the nations. Listen as Fred Thompson preaches from Matthew 10:34-42 about Jesus bringing a sword, not peace, during the conflict stage of the Kingdom’s progress.

Homily - Romans 1:16-32 - The Honor of Righteousness

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 15:37:11 -0400

This is our second week in Paul's letter to the Romans. In this passage, the Apostle Paul begins to proclaim his Gospel, telling the Roman Christians that his Gospel is more honorable than Caesar's Gospel because it brings the Apocalypse now: Salvation to every believer and wrath to every unbeliever. No one has to wait until the final judgment, because the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings God's righteousness and wrath into the middle of history, which means justice is executed without delay and peace with God is possible! Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones teaches on Romans 1:16-32 on the 3rd Sunday of Trinity season, June 21, 2026.

Exhortation - Father's Day

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:57:50 -0400

Men as husbands and fathers are invested with great glory and responsibility, therefore the Apostle Paul reminds Timothy that the story of Genesis teaches us exactly who God made us to be and how our actions can result in either the blessing or cursing of those whom God has placed under our care. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones gives the exhortation to our fathers on the occasion of Father's Day, June 21, 2026, from 1 Timothy 2.

Homily - Romans 1:1-17 - The Advantage of the Gospel

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:41:56 -0400

Trinity Season marks the beginning of our first sermon series through a letter of Paul in the New Testament. The letter to the Romans is not only Paul's greatest and most treasured work in the Bible, it is also one of his most debated among theologians. This week we go through the introduction to the letter, setting the background context for its purpose and the reason behind why the letter was written and how it still applies to all of us today. Listen as Pastor Glenn Jones teaches on Romans 1:1-17 on the 2nd Sunday of Trinity season, June 14, 2026.

Homily - Razed to the Ground & Raised to the Heavenlies

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:49:58 -0400

The book of Hosea is an ever present and relevant word from God to his people, and that includes present day Christian nations that were built upon the truth of God and once faithfully served his Kingdom. In Hosea, God promised to raze Israel to the ground in judgment through a foreign nation, yet he offered them mercy and hope that he would raise them to the heavenlies if they repented and turned back to serving him in righteousness. Listen as Pastor James Durham preaches to the congregation of TRC Chattanooga on Hosea 5:15-6:6.

Exhortation - 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:42:35 -0400

The conclusion of 2 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul was not the best day for Corinth. After multiples letters and visits by Paul and his fellow Apostolic representatives, he was at his wits end with this congregation and gave them one of his sternest warnings among all his letters. So the question is asked, how should these kinds of warning or exhortations be applied in a healthy local church context? Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga from 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 on how to rightly apply and examine oneself when you are in good standing in a local church.

Homily - The Triune Name

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:49:04 -0400

Trinity Sunday has arrived and we conclude the first half of the Church Year with the ending of the Gospel of Matthew and the Great Commission. Matthew's Gospel account is unique to the other Gospel writers, with his emphasis on Jesus' own teaching and work as the fulfillment of all the typologies of the Old Testament. And it is that emphasis on typology that gave Matthew the reason for ending his Gospel where he did. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaching on Matthew 28:16-20 with all of its typological significance and the glory of the Triune name on Trinity Sunday 2026.

Exhortation - Romans 6:3

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:12:55 -0400

The Apostle Paul taught the Roman Christians to remember their baptisms. But as the next few centuries unfolded, aft the death of the Apostles, heresies arose in the church and much confusion abounded about the meaning of one's baptism. What does you baptism mean for your post-baptismal sins? What about the doctrines of penance and purgatory that developed throughout church history? Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga to remember their baptisms and to work out their baptisms with fear and trembling!

Homily - A Better Law

Mon, 25 May 2026 14:12:17 -0400

Most Christians are familiar with what happened on Pentecost. Something like tongues of fire rested on the disciples and they spoke in tongues and proclaimed the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thousands of people became followers of Christ. But why were people really gathered in Jerusalem on that day, in the first place? And what’s the significance or the connection between why they were there and what the apostles did that day? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Mon, 25 May 2026 13:27:28 -0400

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul enjoins all Christians to rejoice always. The problem is that sin, death, and the devil hand us all kinds of conditions that do not make us want to rejoice…in fact, often quite the opposite! How is it that Christians can be faithful to the Lord’s command and always be rejoicing? Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Homily - Sanctification Through Persecution

Sun, 17 May 2026 16:26:44 -0400

Peter tells new Jewish and Gentile converts scattered throughout the Roman Empire that persecution is normative and that it is a sign one is loved by God. Peter encourages Christians in his day to remain faithful because Jesus would be coming soon to judge the wicked religious leadership and others that were attacking His bride. Peter says that Christians have great hope in a God that has infinite creative power. Like Jesus we must purposefully place our lives in the hands of a God that loves us and will give us resurrection bodies when He returns for the final judgment. Listen as Fred Thompson delivers the homily to TRC Chattanooga from 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Exhortation - Ascension Sunday

Sun, 17 May 2026 15:07:25 -0400

Christians today are largely confused about what happened when Jesus ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives after his resurrection and 40 days of appearances. Oddly enough, Jesus' own disciples were also confused, but after the giving of the Spirit they began to understand and they explained all these events to us in the writings of the New Testament. Therefore, we are Christians today ought not to be confused about the meaning of Christ's ascension. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga on the meaning and application of the ascension to our own live here in AD 2026.

Homily - That Your Joy May Be Full

Thu, 14 May 2026 18:36:27 -0400

John 15 stands as one of the most memorable allegories from Jesus' teaching ministry. "I am the vine, you are the branches." This sacramental worldview that Christ gives us is something we must both treasure and be formed by throughout our whole lives so that our joy may be full and complete. This is why the doctrine of union with Christ is fundamental to the Christian life. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches from John 15 on the 6th Sunday of Eastertide.

Exhortation - Mother's Day

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:52:01 -0400

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers in our congregation and to those listening to our podcast! This past Sunday our exhortation was given to mothers from 1 Timothy 2:14-15. Paul uses a fascinating turn of phrase going from the singular, she, to the plural, they. What does it mean that women are 'saved through childbearing'? What are the implications for this saying in our day today? Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga this Mother's Day Sunday.

Homily - Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:07:17 -0400

People look for comfort in all kinds of places. Most of them are worthless. But since we all have troubled hearts, where can the Christian turn for respite and know that their anxieties will be soothed? In John 14, Jesus has a command and a comfort for his disciples - and for us. Our ultimate help and source of solace is not to be found in this world. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Psalm 66:8

Mon, 04 May 2026 11:04:08 -0400

Singing praises to God is good. Very good. And Christ’s church is to bring the message of the Gospel to all people so that they would also sings praises to God. But singing isn’t the only way to praise God and it’s not the only way we can bring the Gospel to those outside the church. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga, based on Psalm 66:8.

Homily - What Good Shepherding Looks Like

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:11:57 -0400

Jesus models what good shepherding looks like in John chapters 9 and 10. Jesus is angry with the religious leadership because of how they are shepherding His sheep and tells them so to their faces. Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees thieves and robbers in the context of the celebration of the Feast of Dedication. The religious leadership knows that Jesus is referring to the theft of the office of High Priest and this infuriates them. Jesus invites everyone of every age to follow him to heaven. Listen as Fred Thompson preaches the homily to TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - 1 Peter 2:15-16

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:41:28 -0400

The Apostle Peter gives us a sober confidence when it comes to living the Christian life in the face of foolish and ignorant people. This fits very well with our current context here in the American South, as we continue to see more and more foolishness as many Christian nations decline in the West. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga with 1 Peter 2:15-16.

Homily - Open Our Eyes

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:04:41 -0400

When Jesus appears unbeknownst to two disciples on Easter Sunday, their eyes are unable to discern who he may be. They have closed eyes. But while Jesus explains all of Scripture to them, and their hearts even burn within them while he does so, something else is yet needed in order for their eyes to be opened. Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week’s sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Acts 2:44-45

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:54:35 -0400

Some people get confused by Acts 2. It’s understandable how someone could reach the conclusion that some kind of collectivism is called for in Scripture. But this is not correct. While Christians are absolutely obligated to be charitable, first of all, to other Christians - there is no biblical command to abandon property rights. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga on Acts 2:44-45.

Homily - The Purpose Of This Book

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:19:52 -0400

The second Sunday of Eastertide always includes the story of doubting Thomas as an option for the Gospel reading. This is because the Gospel of John tells us that it happened on the original second Sunday of Easter, one week after the resurrection. The story of Thomas is not simply a story about doubt, but a story about our confession of faith and what it means to gather together on the Lord's Day for worship. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the homily to the congregation of Trinity Reformed Church from the text of John 20:19-31.

Homily - Take It Personally

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:56:19 -0400

None of the Gospels, including John's, tell us anything about how the resurrection actually happened. Rather, they focus on the fact that it did happen. The Gospels don't feed our desire for endless details. How does this inform how we should witness to other people about the resurrection of our Lord? Listen as Elder Wes Keene preaches this week's sermon at TRC Chattanooga.

Homily - Discerning The Body

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:44:39 -0400

Maundy Thursday commemorates the night of Christ's final supper with his disciples. It is also the night in which he gave the New Commandment and the night on which he was betrayed. As we listen to the Apostle Paul's application of this event and the institutional function of Holy Eucharist, we come to see that all these things are tied together in the life of the Church and the administration of the Lord's Supper. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the sermon on 1 Corinthians 11: 27-34 for our special Maundy Thursday service.

Homily - The King And His House

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:29:20 -0400

Palm Sunday is one of the most explicit moments in Jesus' ministry where he kept from no one who he was and what he was coming to do for the house of Israel. In these events recorded in Matthew's Gospel, we find that Jesus' triumphal entry and his cleansing of the temple were all part of the great fulfillment of the Old Covenant types and shadows and they teach us richly still today. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches the sermon on Palm Sunday from Matthew 21:1-17.

Exhortation - Psalm 118:26

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:25:05 -0400

Jesus came to us in the name of the Lord and we, as his house, his church, are called to bless his name and give him all the praise and glory he is due. Listen to this exhortation from Psalm 118:26 on Palm Sunday as Elder Glenn Jones reminds us of who we are as Christians in the New Covenant.

Homily - The Bones Of Life

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:56:42 -0400

In Ezekiel 37, the Lord shows his prophet a very morbid scene - a field of dead bones. Then Ezekiel is tasked with prophesying to the dead bones to tell them that they will live. A scene filled with hopelessness and despair is turned by the Lord into a mighty army. In this week’s sermon, listen as Elder Wes Keene explains how it is that it happens, and what its implications are for us as Christians.

Exhortation - Romans 6:16

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:56:12 -0400

In Romans, Paul asks us to consider to whom we submit ourselves as slaves. And the effect of that rhetorical question is staggering. Is there no way to avoid slavery? And if we submit ourselves to something, what does it mean? It turns out we have all submitted ourselves to sin which leads to death many times. Paul’s remedy for it is simple. Listen as Elder Wes Keene exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga based on Romans 6:16.

Sunday School - The Church Year (Part 2)

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:10:49 -0400

The church calendar began to be formulated practically the moment Christ was crucified and rose again. In this second installment of our trip through the church’s calendar, we lay things out in the order they are practiced today and take note of regional variations in the observance of church holidays. The church catholic has always looked for ways to observe and celebrate the life of Christ, but the form it takes today in the West took time to reach its current state. Listen as Elder Wes Keene guides the class on the portion of the church year from Ash Wednesday through Trinity.

Homily - What Salvation Looks Like

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:16:54 -0400

There are worse things that can happen to you that being born physically blind, you could be spiritually blind. We are all born blind and in need of a recreation through baptism, thereafter sanctification improves our vision. If you want the kind of undiminished vision Moses had in old age – serve the Lord.

Exhortation - Psalm 23:5-7

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:46:59 -0400

Psalm 23 is a very well known and beloved Psalm, but many times it is used in the context of death, rather than life. The ending of this Psalm gives us great insight into God's hospitality toward us as we live our lives, even in the midst of our enemies. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation at TRC Chattanooga with Psalm 23:5-7.

Sunday School - The Church Year (Part 1)

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:25:33 -0400

The church calendar began to be formulated practically the moment Christ was crucified and rose again. In this first installment of our trip through the church’s calendar, we lay things out in the order they are practiced today and take note of regional variations in the observance of church holidays. The church catholic has always looked for ways to observe and celebrate the life of Christ, but the form it takes today in the West took time to reach its current state. Listen as Elder Wes Keene guides the class on the portion of the church year from Advent to Epiphany.

Homily - Do Not Harden Your Hearts

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:24:43 -0400

The Scriptures warn all Christians against hardening their hearts against the Lord. While it is still called today, there is opportunity to repent and to put away bitterness and hatred and all forms of sinful deeds. King David teaches us in the Psalm how to not harden our hearts and so in the homily we consider exactly how the Psalm of the day guides us to avoid this temptation. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones preaches on Psalm 95 to the congregation of TRC Chattanooga.

Exhortation - Titus 3:5-7

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:24:06 -0400

Along with today's baptismal liturgy (led by Elders Wes Keene and Glenn Jones), an exhortation was given to remind us of God's work in Baptism and to put away any latent gnosticism in our Christian thinking. Gnosticism not only hated the physical world, but it also prized hidden and secret things among its adherents. Listen as Elder Glenn Jones exhorts the congregation of TRC Chattanooga with Titus 3:5-7.

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.