Sermons on Evil
A Fresh Start
A Fresh Start – Luke’s gospel, chapter 6 verses 26 to 39 Jesus restores a demon-possessed man 26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting…
A Prayer For When We Want Things To Be Made Right
A Prayer For When We Want Things To Be Made Right – Psalm 17 A Plea for Truth Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry.Hear my prayer – it does not rise from deceitful lips.2 Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Psalm 17:1-2 David was not claiming to be perfect, but that in role as king he has done no wrong, walking in God’s path. A Plea for Love Show me the wonders of…
The Servant
The Servant – Isaiah chapter 42, verses 1 to 4 Human evil Human evil, a problem that no human can fix. Christmas is a landmark reminder that our world is broken. But the promised King is not what the world seeks: not a strong man, not a military conqueror. He comes through a womb, not a palace. Here is the first of Isaiah’s “Servant Songs”. “Behold my servant”. The Servant’s Identity ‘Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one…
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…
The Problem of Pain
The Problem of Pain The Problem of Pain Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10 The Objection All suffer, so God is either not Good, not Strong or not There! Pain is not always evil An attacker and a surgeon both use a sharp knife, one for evil, one for good. Pain is the result of human…
The Attempted Stoning of the Saviour
The Attempted Stoning of the Saviour – John’s Gospel chapter 8 verses 48 to 59 A Vicious Response 48 The Jews answered him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?’ 49 ‘I am not possessed by a demon,’ said Jesus, ‘but I honour my Father and you dishonour me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. John 8:48-50 A Gracious Invitation 51 Very truly I tell…
The Believer’s Tug-o-War
The Believer’s Tug-o-War – Romans chapter 7 verses 14-25 21 So I find this law at work: although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from…
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…
Persecution Ignites Mission
Persecution Ignites Mission – Acts chapter 8, verses 1 to 8 God intends to make His name known so that all will call on Him. Persecution is part of this, for it ignites and fuels the mission of the Gospel of Jesus. The Reality of Persecution: Acts 8:1-3 – a murderous rage against Jesus’ followers, still happening today in many places. The Response to Persecution: Acts 8:4-8 – the Christians scattered, sharing the Gospel message. The believers were not good…
When the Gates of Hell Seem to Prevail
When the Gates of Hell Seem to Prevail – 1 Timothy chapter 4, verses 1 to 8 4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe…
Christ Crucified
Christ Crucified – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 27, verses 27 to 46 Jesus’ Crucifixion Predicted centuries before My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Psalm 22:1 (1000 years before) We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (700 years before) Jesus’ Crucifixion…
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