Sermons by James Stone (Page 5)
When God Seems Far Off and Hidden – Psalm 10
When God seems far off and hidden. Psalm 10. A crisis of faith Psalm 10:1 The Lord is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly. He keeps them safe in times of trouble. Psalm 9, verse 9 Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? … but now, Psalm 10, verse 1 God seems out of the picture. The wicked have moved to the centre. A portrait of…
Praising and pleading with God the Judge – Psalm 9
Praising, and pleading with God the Judge. Psalm 9 A new year in a broken world. Sometimes the wicked seem to win. This side of heaven life is still like that for the believer. Praise for past rescue: Psalm 9:1-12 David and his kingdom are under threat, but he looks to One far greater than any enemy. Every deliverance is a signpost to God and His ways, to His final victory. God’s justice is a source of hope and joy.…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 7. Macro and Micro, big and small. Macro: Luke 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus (they called him “Ruler of the World”) makes a decision, a census of all the Roman world. He decides and everyone must follow. Micro: Luke 2:4-5 Two of those “everyone”, micros, must go to Bethlehem. What’s so important about micro Bethlehem? Nothing much of itself, but it is David’s city, the…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 7 – The Shepherd Ruler
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 7 – The Shepherd Ruler Micah chapter 5, verse 1 to 5 Christmas Preparations Earlier each year! God started early too. The Ruler Verses 1 and 2 The Shepherd Verse 4 Christmas Blessings Verses 4 and 5a
Let every heart prepare Him room – 3, The Child
The Child. Isaiah chapter 9, verses 1 to 7. Great Expectations. Waiting for a child to come. A time of great distress and gloom (Isaiah chapter 8) – but now “no more gloom” (Isaiah 9:1). Hope Light and joy Isaiah 9:1-3 The basis of hope: Isaiah 9:4-7 Deliverance Isaiah 9:4, as when Gideon defeated Midian in the days of the Judges. Complete victory Isa. 9:5, won by God Himself. The birth of a child Isa. 9:6-7. Born of man, given…
The Good Life 7 – Relationships 101
The Good Life 7 – Relationships 101 Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 7, verses 1 to 12 Relationships occupy our lives, make the biggest part. How are we to relate to…? Christian brothers and sisters Matt. 7:1-5 ‘Dogs’ and ‘Pigs’ Matt. 7:6 Our Heavenly Father Matt. 7:7-11 All people everywhere Matt. 7:12 The golden rule. Treat others as we want to be treated. Simple, but hard. In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you. Words of…
The Good Life 4 – An Audience of One
The Good Life 4 – An Audience of One. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 6, verses 1 to 18. Cravings of the heart. We all want to be noticed. By someone, anyone. How good to come to Jesus, the heart specialist, to get a better perspective. Jesus’ Prescription “When you give” – Matt. 6:2-4. Mask-wearers turn giving into getting by seeking applause. Jesus says “use the hidden way.” “When you pray” – Matt. 6:5-15. Mask-wearers turn giving into getting by seeking applause.…
The Unfinished Task 18 – The Gospel’s Law of Motion.
Acts chapter 14. Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion For every force there is an equal but opposite reaction. But the Gospel Law of motion is different – the Gospel is like a force, and there is an opposite, but unequal, response. Division in Iconium Acts 14:1-7 Don’t be surprised at a divided response. Many believed the Gospel, but others plot to stone Paul to death. This opposition is not equal to the Gospel, which the apostles and disciples carry then…
The Unfinished Task 15 – The Mother Church
The Unfinished Task 15 – The Mother Church Spiritual Genealogies. Antioch is the mother church of Gentile Christians, that is, of most of us. God’s mission advances as:- … believers share the good news. Acts 11:19-21 A geographic expansion and cultural expansion. … believers are encouraged and taught Acts 11:22-26 Jerusalem sends Barnabas, the “son of encouragement”. The gospel is to go out, but also to go deep. … believers express unity through generosity Acts 11:27-30 A famine on the…
The Unfinished Task 11 – The Pilgrim God
The Pilgrim God Acts chapter 6, verse 8 to chapter 8, verse 1 “Where is God?” Often asked by kids, sometimes by older people. Not such a little question after all! The Charge, Acts 6:8-15 But Stephen’s face was like an angel’s. The Speech, Acts 7:1-53 The Church’s First Martyr, Acts 7:54-8:1 He dies using Jesus’ words. Faith is killed by fury.
A Love Like No Other
A Love Like No Other. Romans chapter 5, verses 6 to 8. Our fascination with love: Human Love, verse 7, Divine Love, verses 6 and 8, A Love Like No Other.
The Unsfinished Task 9 – God’s Unstoppable Purposes
God’s Unstoppable Purposes Acts chapter 5, verses 12 to 42 “Christianity in Crisis” A Summary of Superabundance, verses 12 to 16 Many healed, many believe. The “Curious Case of the Disappearing Apostles”, verses 16 to 26 Rulers shamed by an angel they did not believe in. Increased Opposition and Increased Resolve, verses 27 to 42 Fierce opposition, yet powerless, for “all Jerusalem was filled with their teaching about Jesus”. Be Inspired and Encouraged