Sermons on God's Work
Suffering and the Works of God
Suffering and the Works of God – John’s Gospel, chapter 9 verses 1 to 12 Suffering is always with us. 3 ways people think about it: The reality of suffering. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. John 9:1 An even more hopeless case (than the lame man at the pool in chapter 5). He saw a man blind from birth. Jesus knows, feels, understands. Heb 4:14-16He “gets” our suffering. God sends his son, fitted to…
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…
Skeptics & the Sovereign Saviour
Skeptics & the Sovereign Saviour – John’s Gospel chapter 6, verses 41 to 59 Who Do Some Believe and Others Don’t? Hearing the same message – “I am the bread of life”? Yet God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Grumbling Skeptics 41 At this the Jews [that is, the Jewish religious leaders] there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ 42 They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father…
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…
How Does a Person Become a Christian?
How Does a Person Become a Christian? John’s Gospel 2:23 to 3:15 Jesus know the heart of Man 23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. John 2:23-25 A Q&A between Jesus and a Religious Teacher Jesus…
A Biblical View of Work
A Biblical View of Work – Genesis chapter 2, verse 15 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15 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. Work – a blessing or a curse? Many think work is:- What does God say? Firstly, Work…
The Goal of Creation
The Goal of Creation – Genesis chapter 2, verses 1 to 3 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. 2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:1-3 New…
The Pinnacle of Creation
The Pinnacle of Creation – Genesis chapter 1, verses 24 to 31 “Being human” – what does it mean? The greatest wonder in the world, striding across it like a god? Or just a vanishing footnote on the record of history? So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Day 6 – Similar but different: the pattern is the same – the method (“God said”), the…
The Handiwork of God
The Handiwork of God – Genesis chapter 1 verses 6 to 32 2 World Views Either “There is No God”, or “The God Who is There”. Many good arguments for God, who reveals Himself through telescope and microscope. The invisible has made Himself known by what is visible. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” Day 2 Sky and Sea…
Let There Be Light
Let There Be Light – Genesis chapter 1 verses 2 to 5 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light ‘day’, and the darkness he called ‘night’. And there was evening, and there…
The Body of Christ – United and Growing
The Body of Christ – United and Growing – Ephesians chapter 4 verses 1 to 16 Many Illustrations of the Church in the New Testament Here is one – the Body of Christ: undivided, united but in many parts, and always growing. Four truths: Bible text from 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.
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…