Sermons on the Heidelberg Catechism

The Heidelberg Catechism takes its name from the City of Heidelberg, Germany, where it was written in the 16th century. During that time, the German province, or palatinate, was ruled by Elector Palatine, Frederick III. A pious leader, Frederick sought to promote unity in Protestant doctrine and strengthen the Reformed faith within his realm. To that end, he commissioned Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus to draft a catechism designed both to instruct the youth and to guide pastors and teachers. The Catechism was officially published in 1563, after receiving the approval of the Heidelberg Synod. One of the Catechism’s most distinguishing features is its warm and heartfelt expression of Reformed theology. It contains a personal and spiritual depth. Because of its comforting and devotional tongue, it has often been affectionately called “The book of comfort for God’s people.” The sermons that follow, preached by Rev. Bartel Elshout, to his final congregation in Kalamazoo, Michigan, reflect the same spirit of comfort and instruction. It is our hope that these sermons will be a blessing to you.

Lord’s Day 4 — Question #11 The first sermon on Lord’s Day 4 revealed much to us about God’s just wrath in response to our rebellion and sin against Him. And now, Rev. Elshout shows us how the Catechism turns our focus to see the awful reality of everlasting punishment of body and soul in hell for all those who live and die in their sins. But is hell real? Can it be avoided? We consider this under these three vantage points: 1. The Reason for Hell 2. The Reality of Hell 3. The Remedy for Hell

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Bartel Elshout is pastor of the Kalamazoo Reformed Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He previously served as pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregations of Jordan (Ontario), Chilliwack (British Columbia), and Hull (Iowa). He continues to serve as a part-time instructor at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously served as the founding principal of the Netherlands Reformed Christian School in Pompton Plains, New Jersey and as an evangelist in Denver, Colorado. He is also the translator of Wilhelmus à Brakel’s The Christian’s Reasonable Service, The Christian’s Only Comfort in Life and Death by Theodorus van der Groe, and Alexander Comrie’s The Distinctive Marks of Saving Faith. He was previously married to Joan and has two children, David and Sarah, and seven grandchildren. He is presently married to Clarice.