Sermons on Opposition
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…
God’s Holy Temple
God’s holy Temple (and Living Stones) – Ezra chapter 6 King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. 2 A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it. Memorandum: 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and…
Hope Restored
Hope Restored – Ezra chapter 5 5 Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them. Ezra 5 5 But the eye of their God was watching over…
An Ancient Atheism – Psalm 14
An Ancient Atheism – Psalm 14 Psalm 14 – For the director of music. Of David. 1 The fool says in his heart,‘There is no God.’They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;there is no one who does good.2 The Lord looks down from heavenon all mankindto see if there are any who understand,any who seek God.3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;there is no one who does good,not even one.4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?They devour my…
The Coming of the King
The Coming of the King – Matthew’s Gospel chapter 21, verse 1 to 27 Who is this? 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, ‘Who is this?’11 The crowds answered, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.’ Matthew 21 New International Version…
The God Who is Determined
The God Who is Determined – Exodus chapters 5 and 6 The God Who is Determined Exodus 5:22-6:8 The splendour of stubbornness: God is determined to make good His promises to rescue Israel. Obstacles: Pharaoh’s Feistiness Israel’s Fickleness Moses’ Failings God’s determination: 8 times He says to Moses “I will!” “Come hell or high water”
The God Who Keeps His Promises
The God Who Keeps His Promises – Exodus chapters 1 and 2 8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’ 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people:…
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation
Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 12, verses 38 to 50 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon…
Jesus is King: The King’s Healing Power.
The King’s Healing Power. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 9, verses 18-34. A desperate father, verses 18 and 19 A desperate woman, verses 20 to 22 A dead daughter, verses 23 to 26 A desperate cry for mercy, verses 27 to 31 A demon-possessed man, verses 33 to 34 The crowd is amazed – “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” But the religious leaders sneer – “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Pastor…