Sermons on Jesus (Page 3)
The Lordship of Christ
Luke’s Gospel, chapter 8 verses 26-39. Who was Jesus? A moral, misguided prophet? A political reformer? A business guru? A therapist? Best friend? His Lordship Powerfully Challenged A man with almost complete disintegration of what it means to be human. God’s image subverted. Even his name is taken from him; he answered “Legion”, (6000 warriors). Line between him and the demons was blurred. His Lordship Powerfully Demonstrated Recognising. He knows who they are. Naming. He asks the questions. He has…
God Next Door
John’s Gospel chapter 1, verses 14 to 18 God Next Door Jesus’ Identity, verse 14 A real man, yet real God too. “The Word became flesh”. Humble, living with Mary and Joseph. He was one always moving towards people, and never away from them. A man of intimacy. Jesus’ History, verse 15 “He was before me” was a witness’s statement. A history from the very beginning of time. A real history in space and time. Jesus’ Ministry, verses 16 to…
Responding to the Light
John’s Gospel, chapter 1 verses 6 to 18 Responding to the Light Christmas preparations. Three words that strike terror in the heart of any sane person! Christmas is coming. Shopping for presents, food, decorations, and it all starts earlier each year. The witness of the light: John 1:6-9 John the Baptist. John the street sign: not the street, but pointing to where it is. What he is not: not Christ. What he is. “The voice of him who cries in…
He Came Down – Light and Life
Light and life John’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 1 to 3 Who do you think Jesus is? Here is what one famous man said:- I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ is not a mere man. Between him and whoever else is in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Cæsar, Charlemagne, and I founded empires. But upon what did we rest the creations of our genius ? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded…
He Came Down – Before the Manger
Before the Manger John’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 1 to 2 John’s unique contribution Mark’s Gospel is silent, Matthew and Luke’s Gospels give us the details of Jesus’ birth, but only John takes us back to the beginning, “before the manger”. In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word To call Jesus “The Word” seems a strange way of speaking, but…
The Gate, the Shepherd and the Sheep
The Gate, the Shepherd, and the Sheep John 10 Leaders The figure of speech (vv. 1-6) The figure of speech expanded (vv 7-42) The gate (7-10) The shepherd (11-18) The sheep (19-42) Found: The Leader
What has Jesus done? God’s agent of salvation
What has Jesus done? God’s agent of salvation Hebrews 1:3c-4 Sacrifice and the gods Down through the centuries religion has been marked by. Or at least, closely associated with. The practice of sacrifice. Religion and sacrifice. Historically, they’ve gone together. The cultures and societies of the Ancient Near East. The area in which God’s people in the Old Testament. The Israelites. Lived. And the context in which the Old Testament was written. Those Ancient Near Eastern religions. They engaged in…
Who is Jesus? God’s Perfect Image
Who is Jesus? God’s perfect image Hebrews 1:3a The search for God Just talking to other people can reveal that many are on a search for God. They might not necessarily use the word, ‘God’, but the search is there for ‘The Great Being’, ‘Ultimate Reality’, ‘True Meaning’. Pick a term. Spiritual quests. In pursuit of the spiritual. A few years ago it was Julia Roberts’ trendy ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ movie that attracted such a following. Where Liz Gilbert. The…
What has Jesus done? God’s Agent of Creation
What has Jesus done? God’s agent of creation Hebrews 1:2b and 3b Creation controversies Down through the centuries the topic of creation has been fraught with controversy. Amongst Christians, perhaps almost as much as amongst anyone else. Are we talking about creation occurring over six literal twenty-four hour days? Days as we experience days. Or are those ‘first day’, ‘second day’, ‘third day’ references in Genesis 1 to be understood more figuratively. As periods of time rather than strictly twenty-four…
Who is Jesus? God’s Final Word
Who is Jesus? God’s final word Hebrews 1:1-2a A vox pop in Engadine re Jesus I wonder if we did a vox pop here in Engadine. You know where you go around and you ask people what their opinion is on a particular subject. I wonder if we went around Engadine. Or Heathcote. Or whatever suburb you live in. And asked people who do you think Jesus is. What do you make of what Jesus has done. I wonder what…
Generous Grace
John 21
The Forgiver of Sins
Luke 6