Sermons on Choice
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…
Conversion and the Gospel
Conversion and the Gospel – 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 1 to 10 A mark of a healthy church Today’s ethos says “I’m OK as I am.”, but the Gospel of God says change is possible and necessary, and shows us how. What is conversion? Why do we need conversion? How can we be converted? “I am not what I ought to be.I am not what I want to be.I am not what I hope to be.Yet I can truly…
Topsy-Turvy Christianity 3 – Least is Greatest
Topsy-Turvy Christianity – Least is Greatest – Luke’s Gospel chapter 9, verses 46 to 48 Christianity says the cross is a symbol of the powerless triumphing over the powerful. It’s the symbol of the slave triumphing over the master; of the victim triumphing over the torturer. This is such a radical notion that it’s hard to adequately express how radical it is. The idea that the last shall be first, that there is an inherent dignity and value and indeed power in being…
Topsy-Turvy Christianity 1 – Lose Your Life to Save It
Lose Your Life to Save It – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 16, verses 24 to 26 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in…
The Innocent for the Guilty
The Innocent for the Guilty – Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 27 verses 11 to 26 26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Matthew 27:26 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Substitution Barabbas or Jesus? The Guilty One A notorious prisoner, a rebel and a murderer. The Innocent One…