David Reece

7 Distinctives of Puritan Reformed Church: 1) Puritan 2) Reformed 3) Patriarchal 4) Family Integrated Worship 5) Psalm Singing 6) Postmillennial 7) Theonomic

Recovered from a fantastic weekend in Phoenix. Thanks @RealDavidReece and crew for having me out to lead a music conference. These kinds of conferences are encouraging. The church comes together to get better at the task of worship and body life. A singing church is beautiful.

He is risen!

The Lord is wise in all He does, and He does all He pleases, and nothing happens except what He pleases.

He is risen!

@J_Coriolanus Thank you

@RealDavidReece I'm told you might be interested.

rasmus.com/auctions/GnLOq… War is cool and all. But if anyone is interested. There is a cider facility going under and being auctioned off. It sounds like a good deal for one of our guys with some pockets to invest. Please rt and spread the word. I get no money from this.

@Whitehorse1255 @Joseph_Spurgeon 🫡

@Joseph_Spurgeon Here is a great "big picture" application of family worship: x.com/i/status/20187…

I have seen several posts recently in support of what is often called family integrated worship, meaning the whole family gathered together in the Lord’s Day service. This is something I support, enjoy, and want to see practiced. I believe there is good biblical precedent for it, and I believe it is generally a very good thing. That said, some of the writing in support of it has gone a bit too far. I understand the impulse. Many are trying to show mercy to young parents and to make clear that children are welcome in the worship of God. That is right and good. We should be hospitable. We should not treat children as intrusions. The covenant community includes them. At the same time, some of the rhetoric seems to deny that parents have a real duty to train their children for worship. Yes, children will make noise from time to time. Babies cry. Toddlers squirm. That is part of life in a living church. But parents are not the only consideration in the gathered assembly. Loud and ongoing disruption can distract others from hearing the preaching of the Word and from focusing on prayer and praise. If we reduce the conversation to slogans such as “we love the sound of children” or “if you are distracted, that is your problem,” we are not helping anyone. Mere platitudes is not helpful. Family integrated worship requires effort from everyone. Those who are easily distracted must discipline their own hearts and minds. Parents must also take seriously their responsibility to prepare their children for worship. That preparation happens throughout the week. It involves teaching obedience, practicing sitting and listening, correcting defiance, and being willing to step out of the service when necessary. As a congregation grows and more children are present, the opportunity for distraction increases. It is not wise to pretend this is not a real issue. Order and reverence still matter. The household of God should be warm and welcoming, but it should also reflect self control and honor for the Lord we are worshiping. Churches can provide practical helps for families who are just getting started. A nursery can serve as a tool to assist parents in the early stages of training. Older saints can show patience. Pastors can set a tone that encourages children to be present and encourages parents to be diligent. We need both. Children should be welcomed into the worship of God. Parents should be encouraged. And at the same time, children should be trained, and disorder should not be excused. Family integrated worship is a beautiful thing when it is carried out with patience, discipline, and a shared commitment to honor the Lord together. But it takes work, not just wishful thinking.

More Christian babies - let’s go!

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Peacemakers are called sons of God because they show themselves to be following the behavior of their Father who made peace with enemies by the blood of His Son. God did not make peace with all of his enemies by forgiveness. He shatters the teeth of the unrepentant wicked. Peace by reconciliation and peace by just and competently achieved victory. To be charitable where reasonable, forbearing where possible without great loss, forgiving to the repentant, and just to the unrepentant or grossly criminal wicked. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

Think how powerful Women’s Conferences would be if they taught women to be sober (take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ), lovers of their husband (pleasing him, not depriving him sexually, not being quarrelsome and contentious, but kind, long-suffering, gentle), loving their children (being home and available to them, training them in godliness, and disciplining them to obey), chaste (sexual purity before and after marriage), discreet (dressing modestly, not looking like a harlot), obedient to husband (1 Peter 3:1-6), good (not idle, gossipers, gluttons, but pursuing meek and quiet spirits) keepers at home (hard workers in their homes and for their families) so they don’t blaspheme God’s Word (Titus 2:4,5).

The LORD is generous and kind. He clothes us. He feeds us. He redeems us by His blood.

@FrankCapraJr @pastoraldoleon Comedy gold. No complaints.

@RealDavidReece All in love and jest, it’s more @pastoraldoleon, I just couldn’t pass up the 1-2 combo.

Reading these guys and their spelling/syntax/etc. always makes me feel like I’m stroking out.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Purity of heart is holiness. The integrity of looking with singular purpose to the glory of God. The more you grow in holiness, the more you grow in focus on the glory of God, the more you will see God in this life. Justification is by faith alone. All who have the smallest of faiths will see God in the glorified state, but the seeing can be increased in this life. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

@pastoraldoleon I know actually believe both are sabbath breaking. But still funny.

One of our Deacons is looking into making the Titles easier for order consistently. Thanks for making us aware of the need. Thank you also for the encouragement regarding the sermons. If you did not know - many of the sermons have hand outs as well that are attached as pdfs. The Lord bless you.

A while back I dug through sermon audio and found this gem, it’s ~40 sermons by @RealDavidReece on Proverbs. The order is a little confusing, but if you go oldest to newest you get 1-25 in order. I’m about half way through and it’s gold. feed.sermonaudio.com/161726

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Godly mercy is a fruit of the Spirit. It tend s toward generating peaceable behavior in others and encourage mutuality. When your godly mercy is despised by men, do not despair. God will return the mercy to you many fold. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Earnest and self controlled effort to teach and to build will overcome. The meek will inherit the earth.

@tomthie55en @KingBeor Oh - I opposed your initial post in error. Please forgive me.

@RealDavidReece @KingBeor Yeah, we might have some shades of difference in how to apply it all though Christ but I think we are largely agreed. I am happy to call it the Christian sabbath.

Then why was it instituted at creation?

@tomthie55en @KingBeor Then we agree. You okay with the language of the Christian sabbath?

@RealDavidReece @KingBeor Yes, I think that is a good way to think about it.