Sermons on False Teachers
The King’s Triumphal Entry
The King’s Triumphal Entry – John’s Gospel chapter 12 verses 9 to 19 A curious crowd & plotting priests Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John…
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected
Lazarus Raised, Jesus Rejected – John’s Gospel chapter 11 verses 45 to 57 Seeing is not always believing Miracles confirm the truth, but don’t always convert people (even raising a man 4 days dead). Some believed in Jesus, that He is God’s Son, the Messiah, but others rejected him. Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them…
The Jesus You Can Trust
The Jesus You Can Trust – John’s Gospel chapter 10, verses 31-42 The Jesus you can trust. He is the good Shepherd, who gave himself for us, Who can and will keep His promise to keep us safe forever. Why should we trust in Him? A violent response to Jesus’ words. 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these…
Christ’s Heart for His Sheep
Christ’s heart for his sheep – John’s Gospel chapter 10 verses 1 to 21 An illustration: False versus true shepherds ‘Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. … 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. John…
Believing is Seeing
Believing is Seeing – John’s Gospel, chapter 9, verses 35 to 41 Light – revealing AND blinding Just like car headlights: They reveal much on a dark night, but someone else’s high beam can also blind us. Blindness that sees 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ 36 ‘Who is he, sir?’ the man asked. ‘Tell me so that I may believe in him.’ 37 Jesus…
I Once Was Blind But Now I See
I Once Was Blind But Now I See – John’s Gospel chapter 9, verses 13 to 34 Life can be like the “Pin the tail on the donkey” game. Blind, tornadoed around and hearing many confusing voices. Jesus had just healed a man born blind by making some mud with his spit and putting it on the man’s eyes, but instead of joy and praise there is grumbling and hatred. Religious Formalism 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who…
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…
Neither Do I Condemn You
Neither Do I Condemn You – John’s Gospel, chapter 7:53 to 8:11 A difficulty in this event in John’s Gospel. It is not found in the earliest known manuscripts. Authentic, original, or not? How did we get our Bibles ? Inspiration. “All Scripture is God breathed”. 2 Tim. 3:16 . “but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. 2 Peter 1:20-21” Of course this only applies to the originals and they are…
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…
The Identity of Christ Confirmed
The Identity of Christ Confirmed – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 31 to 47 Background Jesus had compassion on the paralysed man and healed him on the Sabbath day, creating controversy with the religious rulers. His startling claim to be one with God angered them. Now He calls witnesses in His defence. Jesus’ five witnesses He engages in a mock trial, calling 5 witnesses. There is no shortage of evidence. God the Father 32 There is another who testifies in my…
The Controversial Claim of Christ
The Controversial Claim of Christ – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 16 to 30 2 Things: Jesus, a controversial figure 16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. John 5:16 Just before this He provoked controversy by healing an paralysed man on the Sabbath. Jesus’s controversial claim 7 In his defence Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.’ 18 For…
Micah’s Message
The Message of Micah Ancestry Our ancestry is of great interest to many. Here is Micah, our ancestor in the faith, a prophet of God from a village near Jerusalem, 700 years since time of the Exodus under Moses. He lived through the reign of 3 Kings, but Micah tells us about the ordinary people, and not these kings. What was Micah saying to his generation? What is Micah saying to our generation? God has used the people of Israel…