Sermons on Joy
Rejoicing, Praying and Giving Thanks
Rejoicing, Praying and Giving Thanks – 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 16 to 18 Rejoice always Rejoice always 1 Thess. 5:16 A good year past, or a bad year? Can I give thanks even then? What about grief, loss…. Paul sees joy as a distinctly Christian response. “Rejoice in the LORD”. Jesus is the only constant in a Christian’s life. “They are the happiest Christians who have the lowest thoughts of themselves, and in whose eyes Jesus is most glorious and…
Christ’s Joy and Crown
Christ’s Joy and Crown – Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the…
The Way of Blessing
The Way of Blessing – Psalm 84 How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord Almighty!2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2 What is true happiness? To know the favour of God, sure that He is with me. Some things to understand Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young –a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my…
Parables of the Kingdom
Parables of the Kingdom – Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 13, verses 24 to 52 4 gospels, the heart of the Bible. What is a parable? A story that shows a particular truth. Jesus told many parables. Here He uses several to show what the Kingdom of God is like. The inevitable growth of the kingdom. 31 He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is…
All Christians are to be evangelists
All Christians are to be evangelists – John’s Gospel chapter 4, verses 27 to 42 Jesus talks to an outcast woman …and his followers are shocked! Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you talking with her?’ John 4:27 She wants to tell everyone …and forgets her water jar. ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I’ve ever done. Could…
The Hope of the Resurrection
The Hope of the Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15 The Gospel stands on the physical resurrection of Jesus. Without it there is no Gospel. Evidence for Christ’s Resurrection From scripture, and from eyewitnesses. Six consequences of NO resurrection 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.…
A Miracle at a Wedding
A Miracle at a Wedding – John’s gospel chapter 2, verses 1 to 12 The Invitation Jesus was not a monk. He went to the wedding. He approves of both joy and marriage. On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2 The Problem A social embarrassment – they had run out of wine! Mary is confident he will…
God Dwelling Securely with Us
God Dwelling Securely with Us – Psalm 16 We live in insecure times. Money, house, things and even relationships are never wholly secure. God is for us, yes. But He is also with us. With Him we will not be shaken. Seeking refuge in God, v1-8He is ultimately all we need, “the overflowing source of all good” Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I…
A Covenant Community
A Covenant Community – Acts chapter 2, verses 36 to 47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread…
In the Beginning – Kids’ Spot
In the Beginning – Kids’ Spot. Genesis chapter 1 verses 1 and 2 In the beginning – GOD created the sky and the Earth. The Earth was smooth and round like a ball of play-dough. It was quiet, and asleep, wrapped in darkness like a thick, woolly blanket on a shivery cold night. All the Angels looking on held their breath – “When would the LORD God wake up the sleeping Earth?” Then at last God spoke, and all the…
Pursuing the Infinite Worth of Christ
Pursuing the Infinite Worth of Christ – Philippians chapter 3 verses 7 to 9 Paul’s Concern: Some were teaching the believers in Christ Jesus that trusting in what He had done was not enough – “You need more!” “You need Jesus plus loads of rules and regulations to keep.” Paul would have none of this bondage – that was where he had been before he met Jesus. The Value of Knowing Christ: Verse 7 – the pursuit of knowing Jesus…
Saving the Lost (Good Friday)
Saving the Lost (Good Friday) – Luke’s Gospel chapter 19 verses 1 to 10 Zacchaeus the tax collector 19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.…