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The following are sermons by our first pastor, Rev. Henry Vander Kam. We hope to post additional sermons by Rev. Vander Kam in the future. Check back here or at our What's New page in the near future for information on additional sermons as they are posted.

Sermons by Rev. Henry Vander Kam
     Sermons Based Directly on Biblical Texts
          Sermons on the Twelve Sons of Jacob
     Sermons Based on the Bible by means of the Heidelberg Catechism

Sermons by Rev. Henry Vander Kam

Sermons by Rev. Henry Vander Kam Based Directly on Biblical Texts

The following sermons are listed in the order that the Scriptural texts they are based upon appear in the Bible. In other words, sermons based on texts in the Book of Acts are listed after sermons based on texts in the Book of Genesis.

Sermons by Rev. Henry Vander Kam on the Twelve Sons of Jacob

The following are sermons that Rev. Henry Vander Kam preached on the Twelve Sons of Jacob in 1973 and 1974 while serving as pastor of the Grace Christian Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. As one sermon covered two sons (Levi and Simeon), there are eleven sermons in all.

Sermons by Rev. Henry Vander Kam based on the Bible by means of the Heidelberg Catechism

The following are sermons by our first pastor, Rev. Henry Vander Kam, based on the Heidelberg Catechism, one of our creeds.  It is our custom to meet together twice every Sunday (morning and evening), and every time we meet for worship a sermon is preached.  Usually, one of the weekly sermons is an explanation of some passage in the Bible and the other sermon is an explanation of a short section of the Heidelberg Catechism.  This use of the Heidelberg Catechism in preaching allows the preacher to cover all areas of Christian doctrine without neglecting any one area, and without placing too much emphasis on other areas of Christian doctrine.  The Heidelberg Catechism is little more than an explanation of three documents: the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer.  The Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer all deal with the basics of Christian life and doctrine.  Because of this, the Heidelberg Catechism has come to be widely used in Reformed churches the world over as an excellent summary of Christian doctrine and as a teaching tool for how we are to live the Christian life.

The following sermons are listed in the order that the Catechism texts they are based upon appear in the Heidelberg Catechism.

1. "The Fundamental Question."
   Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 1.
   Catechism:  Lord's Day 1, Question and Answer 1.
   
   
2. "The Knowledge of Life."
   Scripture Reading: Luke 7:36-50.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 1, Question and Answer 2.
   
   
3. "The Teacher of Sin."
   Scripture Reading: Romans 7:3-25.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 2, Question and Answer 3.
   
   
4. "The Heart of the Law."
   Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-44.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 2, Question and Answer 4.
   
   
5. "Our Inability to Keep the Law."
   Scripture Reading: Psalm 51.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 2, Question and Answer 5.
   
   
6. "Man, the Image of God."
   Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:20-31.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 3, Question and Answer 6.
   
   
7. "Man's Fall into Sin."
   Scripture Reading: Genesis 3.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 3, Questions and Answers 7 and 8.
   
   
8. "God's Justice Questioned."
   Scripture Reading: Psalm 85.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 4, Question and Answer 9.
   
   
9. "God's Punishment of Sin."
   Scripture Reading: Romans 5.
   Catechism: Lord's Day 4, Questions and Answers 10 and 11.
   
   
10. "The Fundamentals of Salvation."
    Scripture Reading: Job 9.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 5, Question and Answer 12.
    
    
11. "The Attempt to Find Redemption."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 3:9-28.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 5, Questions and Answers 13, 14 and 15.
    
    
12. "The Necessary Mediator."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 6, Questions and Answers 16 and 17.
    
    
13. "The Mediator Made Known."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 6, Questions and Answers 18 and 19.
    
    
14. "The Limited Number of the Saved."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:13-29.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 7, Question and Answer 20.
    
    
15. "A Living Faith."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-22.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 7, Question and Answer 21.
    
    
16. "The Christian's Necessary Faith."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:1-16.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 7, Question and Answer 22.
    
    
17. "The Revelation of God."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:11-20.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 8, Questions and Answers 23, 24 and 25.
    
    
18. "The Creator - Our Father."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-17.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 9, Question and Answer 26.
    
    
19. "God My Father, Provider."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 107.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 10, Questions and Answers 27 and 28.
    
    
20. "Jesus the Savior."
    Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-12.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 11, Questions and Answers 29 and 30.
    
    
21. "Christ Our Prophet."
    Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-22.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 12, Question and Answer 31A.
    
    
22. "Christ's Priestly Office."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14 - 5:14.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 12, Question and Answer 31B.
    
    
23. "Christ's Kingly Office."
    Scripture Reading: Revelation 5.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 12, Question and Answer 31C.
    
    
24. "Our Anointing with Christ."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 12.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 12, Question and Answer 32.
    
    
25. "Christ's Sonship and Ours."
    Scripture Reading: I John 2:18 - 3:10.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 13, Question and Answer 33.
    
    
26. "The Lordship of Christ."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 6.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 13, Question and Answer 34.
    
    
27. "The Birth of Jesus Christ."
    Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-38.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 14, Questions and Answers 35 and 36.
    
    
28. "The Suffering of Our Lord."
    Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 15, Questions and Answers 37, 38 and 39.
    
    
29. "Christ's Deepest Humiliation."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:27-50.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 16, Questions and Answers 40, 41 and 44.
    
    
30. "The Change Wrought by Christ's Death."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 6:1-14.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 16, Questions and Answers 42 and 43.
    
    
31. "The Meaning of Christ's Resurrection."
    Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 17, Question and Answer 45.
    
    
32. "Christ's Ascension."
    Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-14.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 18, Questions and Answers 46 and 49.
    
    
33. "Christ's Presence in the Church."
    Scripture Reading: John 17.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 18, Questions and Answers 47 and 48.
    
    
34. "Christ Seated at God's Right Hand."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 110.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 19, Questions and Answers 50 and 51.
    
    
35. "He Shall Come Again."
    Scripture Reading: Revelation 20.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 19, Question and Answer 52.
    
    
36. "The Holy Spirit."
    Scripture Reading: John 16:1-15.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 20, Question and Answer 53.
    
    
37. "The Church of Jesus Christ."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:1-20.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 21, Question and Answer 54.
    
    
38. "The Communion of Saints."
    Scripture Reading: John 15:1-17.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 21, Question and Answer 55.
    
    
39. "The Forgiveness of Sins."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 32.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 21, Question and Answer 56.
    
    
40. "The Resurrection of the Body."
    Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 22, Question and Answer 57.
    
    
41. "Eternal Life."
    Scripture Reading: John 11:1-27.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 22, Question and Answer 58.
    
    
42. "The Profit of our Faith."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:24-40.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 23, Question and Answer 59.
    
    
43. "Our Righteousness before God."
    Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:1-17.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 23, Questions and Answers 60 and 61.
    
    
44. "Our Righteousness in Christ."
    Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-31.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 24, Questions and Answers 62, 63 and 64.
    
    
45. "The Source of our Faith."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-28.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 25, Question and Answer 65.
    
    
46. "The Holy Sacraments."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 10.
    Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 25, Questions and Answers 66, 67 and 68.
    
    
47. "The Sacrament of Holy Baptism."
    Scripture Reading: John 1:19-34.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 26, Questions and Answers 69 and 70.
    
    
48. "The Proof for Baptism."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:11-20.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 26, Question and Answer 71.
    
    
49. "The Proper View of Baptism."
    Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-22.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 27, Questions and Answers 72 and 73.
    
    
50. "The Baptism of Infants."
    Scripture Reading: Acts 2:22-42.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 27, Question and Answer 74.
    
    
51. "The Command to Partake of the Lord's Supper."
    Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 28, Question and Answer 75.
    
    
52. "The Institution of the Lord's Supper."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-31.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 28, Questions and Answers 76 and 77.
    
    
53. "Christ's Presence in the Lord's Supper."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:1-18.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 29, Questions and Answers 78 and 79.
    
    
54. "Worthy Partakers of the Lord's Supper."
    Scripture Reading: John 6:41-59.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 30, Questions and Answers 80, 81 and 82.
    
    
55. "The Discipline of the Word."
    Scripture Reading: Luke 12:35-48.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 31, Questions and Answers 83 and 84.
    
    
56. "The Discipline of the Church."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 31 Question and Answer 85.
    
    
57. "The Necessity of Good Works."
    Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 32, Questions and Answers 86 and 87.
    
    
58. "The True Conversion of Man."
    Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 33, Questions and Answers 88, 89, 90 and 91.
    
    
59. "The First Commandment."
    Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-19.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 34, Questions and Answers 94 and 95.
    
    
60. "The Manner of our Worship."
    Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:18-31.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 35, Questions and Answers 96, 97 and 98.
    
    
61. "The Use of God's Name."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-31.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 36, Questions and Answers 99 and 100.
    
    
62. "The Oath."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:17-37.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 37, Questions and Answers 101 and 102.
    
    
63. "The Importance of the Sabbath."
    Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:1-13.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 38, Question and Answer 103.
    
    
64. "The Fifth Commandment."
    Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:22 - 6:9.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 39, Question and Answer 104.
    
    
65. "The Sixth Commandment."
    Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:11-24.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 40, Questions and Answers 105, 106 and 107.
    
    
66. "Christian Marriage."
    Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 41, Questions and Answers 108 and 109.
    
    
67. "The Christian and his Goods."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 42, Questions and Answers 110 and 111.
    
    
68. "The Christian and his Tongue."
    Scripture Reading: James 3.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 43, Question and Answer 112.
    
    
69. "The Tenth Commandment."
    Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-10.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 44, Question and Answer 113.
    
    
70. "The Struggle of the Believer."
    Scripture Reading: Romans 7:7-25.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 44, Question and Answer 114.
    
    
71. "The Proper Preaching of the Law."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 19.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 44, Question and Answer 115.
    
    
72. "The Command to Pray."
    Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 45, Question and Answer 116.
    
    
73. "Acceptable Prayer."
    Scripture Reading: Daniel 9:1-9.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 45, Question and Answer 117.
    
    
74. "The Content of Prayer."
    Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1-15.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 45, Question and Answer 118.
    
    
75. "Our Father, Who Art in Heaven."
    Scripture Reading: Acts 17:16-34.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 46, Questions and Answers 120 and 121.
    
    
76. "The Honor of God's Name."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 8.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 47, Question and Answer 122.
    
    
77. "The Coming of His Kingdom."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 72.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 48, Question and Answer 123.
    
    
78. "A Prayer for Obedience."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:161-176.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 49, Question and Answer 124.
    
    
79. "A Prayer for Bread."
    Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 8.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 50, Question and Answer 125.
    
    
80. "Forgive Us Our Debts."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 51.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 51, Question and Answer 126.
    
    
81. "The Sixth Petition."
    Scripture Reading: James 1:1-18.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 52, Question and Answer 127.
    
    
82. "Assurance in Prayer."
    Scripture Reading: Psalm 115.
    Catechism: Lord's Day 52, Questions and Answers 128 and 129.

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