Sermons on Choice
The Dying Thief
The Dying Thief – Luke’s Gospel chapter 23, verses 26-43 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Luke 23:33 Here Jesus is crucified in the middle, dividing the 2 thieves. The similarities that united them Both wicked men: revolutionaries, murderers, for these were then the capital crimes. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his…
Wisdom’s Call to Repentance
Wisdom’s Call to Repentance – Proverbs chapter 1, verses 20 to 33 The tragedy that stunned the world In 1912 the unsinkable Titanic, after ignoring 7 warnings, struck an iceberg and sank with great loss of life. “It is a lamentable fact and a remarkable coincidence that the sinking of the Titanic was caused by an iceberg the report of which she had transmitted by radio. . . . Had she but heeded the one warning that she transmitted she would probably…
My Son, If Sinners Entice You…
My Son, If Sinners Entice You… Proverbs chapter 1 verses 8 to 19 Many say “The bible is irrelevant in the 21st Century!” Or is it that it is too relevant? “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16 Does Proverbs give principles for all time, or only for Solomon’s time? Is it merely cultural and temporary or universal and eternal? Wisdom in the Home Here Solomon invites us into…
In View of God’s mercies
Life in God’s family – Part 1, In view of God’s mercies – Romans 12:1-2 Now that I’m a Christian, now what? Saved into a family, into a kingdom, into His light, to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. We are to live out this life in community. Offer your body to God Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your…
The Jesus Who Divides
The Jesus Who Divides – John’s Gospel chapter 7, verses 40-52 A surprising response to good news A division among the crowd 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet.’ 41 Others said, ‘He is the Messiah.’ Still others asked, ‘How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?’ 43 Thus the people were divided because of…
Let All Who Are Thirsty Come and Drink
Let All Who Are Thirsty Come and Drink – John’s Gospel chapter 7, verses 25 to 39 Confusion about Jesus 25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, ‘Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will…
Judging Jesus Rightly
Judging Jesus Rightly – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 1 to 24 Mounting Hostility (7:1-2) 7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. John 7:1 The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers (7:3-10) 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, ‘Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become…
True and False Disciples
True and False Disciples – John’s Gospel chapter 6 verses 60 to 61 Before there was mass enthusiasm “Jesus gives us political security, universal health care and economic security. Make him King!” Jesus’ focus is different – “I am the bread of life.” So there is grumbling and unbelief from the religious leaders. Now the disciples are at a crossroads. The offence of Jesus: 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept…
Finishing the Race
As this is a very visual message the video is the best option. However, the MP3 audio is here too. Finishing the Race – 2 Timothy chapter 4 John Akhwari and the Slow Marathon Badly injured, he kept going, finishing an hour after the others – “My country did not send me 11,000Km to start the Olympic Marathon. They send me here to finish it. Time 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living…
Jesus’ First Disciples
Jesus’ First Disciples – John’s Gospel, chapter 1 verses 35 to 42 Here is the very first beginning of the Christian church. Two people are prompted to see, hear and follow Jesus 35 The next day John [the Baptist] was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. They are invited to come 38 Turning round, Jesus saw them…
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost – Genesis chapter 3 verses 1 to 13 The Temptation Here in Genesis we see real history where things fall apart. 3 Now the snake was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ 2 The woman said to the snake, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, “You…
Prelude to the Fall
Prelude to the Fall – Genesis chapter 2, verses 8 to 17 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. ….16 And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat…