Title: Three Things to Know

Speaker: Rev. Jason Van Bemmel

Series: Heidelberg Catechism Devos

Date: January 12, 2026

Bible: Ephesians 2:1-10

Three Things We Must Know: Finding Gospel Comfort

In this devotional, Pastor Jason Van Bemmel explores Question #2 of the Heidelberg Catechism, which outlines the three essential things a believer must know to live and die in the joy of "gospel comfort". Using the framework of Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude, Pastor Jason explains how this 500-year-old document remains a timeless guide for the Christian life.

The Three Pillars of Gospel Joy: According to the Catechism, to truly experience the joy of belonging to Christ, we must understand:

Guilt: The depth of our own sin and misery.

Grace: How we are delivered from that sin and misery through Jesus Christ.

Gratitude: How we are called to live a life of thankfulness to God for such a great deliverance.

Scriptural Foundation

Pastor Jason highlights how this "Guilt-Grace-Gratitude" movement is the core pattern of the Gospel found throughout Scripture:

The Book of Romans: Paul follows this exact progression, moving from the guilt of all humanity (Romans 1–3) to the free gift of justification by grace (Romans 3–11), and finally to the call for a life of grateful sacrifice (Romans 12–16).

Ephesians 2:1–10: This passage vividly contrasts being "dead in trespasses" (Guilt) with being "made alive together with Christ" (Grace) so that we may walk in the "good works" God prepared for us (Gratitude).

The devotional concludes with a reminder that we are not saved by our good works, but for good works, motivated by a heart of deep gratitude for God's mercy.

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