Sermons on Fear
The Sign
The Sign – Isaiah chapter 7 The Christmas Surge! No need to panic. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 The birth of Jesus is seen in the birth of this child 700 years before. Fear Now the house of David was told, ‘Aram has allied itself with Ephraim’; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the…
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…
Strong Hands
Strong Hands – John’s Gospel chapter 10 verses 22 to 30 3 Scenarios Previously we saw how we become Jesus’ “sheep”. Here we see how we stay being Jesus’ sheep. A question of identity 22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered round him, saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us…
Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord
Wisdom and the Fear of the Lord – Proverbs chapter 1, verses 1 to 7 Living wisely in God’s world From the Wall Street Journal. “What happens when an entire generation never grows up?” Sometimes we just don’t know how to do LIFE. We live in an age of information and knowledge, yet we still struggle to do life, to grow up. Navigating the complexities of life This is where wisdom comes in. God’s wisdom, shown us in Proverbs. The…
Trusting God in the Darkness
Trusting God in the Darkness, Isaiah chapter 50, verse 4-11 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light,trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches,go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze.This is what you shall receive from my hand: you will lie down in torment.…
A Maritime Mystery
A Maritime Mystery – John’s Gospel chapter 6 verses 16 to 21 Prove it! – Jesus “outrageous” claims A rough night out! 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. John 6:16-18 Jesus commanded them to go. Why did He do this?It…
Dwelling Securely with God
Dwelling Securely with God – Psalm 15 Security in insecure times? Wealth, health, youth and relationships are all fragile, and easily shaken. A Crucial Question. The things we think matter the most end up not mattering at all. Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? Psalm 15:1 The Searching Answer – always truthful, always kind, always generous, always honest, always reliable, always honours God. Oops! Doesn’t sound like me 🙁 Only one Man…
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…
Keep Out! – Come In!
Keep Out! – Come In! – Matthew chapter 27 verse 51 Keep Out! The Curtain of the Temple was 5 stories high and very thick, separating God’s Most holy Place from everyone but the High Priest. Even he was only allowed in once a year, after offering sacrifices for his own and the people’s sins. 5 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and…
Be Ready!
Be Ready! – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 24, verse 36 to chapter 25, verse 13 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44 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. Different reactions to Jesus’ return The calculator and calendar approach The anxious response The…
Who’s in Control?
Who’s in Control? – Isaiah chapters 40 and 41 Who’s in Control? To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say,…
