Sermons on Humility
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…
Hope for the Desperate
Hope for the Desperate – John’s Gospel chapter 4 verses 43 to 54 Hope for the desperate. The twin themes of desperation and faith. The superficial faith of the curious crowd They were there to see His miracles. 43 After the two days he left for Galilee. 44 (Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honour in his own country.) 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in…
How to Deal with Jealousy
How to Deal with Jealousy – John’s Gospel chapter 3, verses 22 to 36 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30. Envy and jealousy can find their way in anywhere, even in church, and bring bitterness. Jealousy Rises verses 22-26 The rise of Jesus’ influence. But John still had a ministry. Many flocked to him in the north. But a dispute: perhaps about who’s baptism was better – “everyone is…
Christmas Day – 2023
Christmas Day – 2023 – John’s Gospel chapter 1, verse 14 to 18 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”’) 16 Out of his…
Humble Witnesses
Humble Witnesses – John’s Gospel chapter 1, verses 19 to 28 John the Baptist – the Humble Witness 19Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ John 1:19-20 John points to the true Messiah 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness,…
Attractive Community
Attractive Community – Hebrews chapter 10, verses 19 to 25 Community is in short supply and many Australians are lonely. Community isn’t just desirable, it is necessary. Right from the beginning God, who designed mankind, said that it is “not good … to be alone”Humanity desires community. But community is incredibly difficult.Human brokenness makes gossip and abuse easy, damaging community. Churches are not immune. Church is not a perfect community, but it is a purified community. The core of this…
New Relationships in Christ
New Relationships in Christ – Colossians chapter 3, verses 18 to 25 18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:18-21 New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®…
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 2, Weakness is Strength
Topsy-Turvy Christianity 2, Weakness is Strength – 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 7 to 10 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I…
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…
Do You Love Me?
Do You Love Me? – John’s Gospel chapter 21 verses 15 to 25 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ John 21:15 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. “Do…
Guidance for a Pastor
Guidance for a Pastor – 1 Timothy chapter 4 verses 11-16 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of…
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