Sermons on Growing Like Jesus
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…
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…
Be a Banana Tree!
Be a Banana Tree! – 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 1 to 10 The Christians of Thessalonika were like banana trees – they multiplied! The Apostle Paul was thankful for their faith, love and hope in Jesus. They were imitators of Jesus, and example to all 1st Century Greece. God’s Gospel rang out from them. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. 2…
Following God When He Feels Distant
Following God When He Feels Distant (and the “Law of Undulation”) – Psalm 25 A Psalm Of David. 1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3 Our feelings of closeness to God go up and down like the weather (as does every…
The Folly of Greed
The Folly of Greed – Luke’s Gospel, chapter 12, verses 13 to 21 Greed condemned Luke 12:13-15 Then he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ Luke 12:15 The greed illustrated Luke 12:16-20 And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to…
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…
A Biblical View of Marriage
A Biblical View of Marriage – Genesis chapter 2, verses 18 to 25 Marriage was designed as a good gift from God, yet our brokenness so often makes for trouble, fights, disagreements and tension. Women were created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, near to his heart to be loved by…
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…
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…
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…
Church Membership
Church Membership – A Mark of a Health Church – Acts 2:37-46, Matthew 16:16-20 We live in a day of negative views about any institution. God wants the church to be different, not an institution but His world-wide family. And more even than that – a local family, loving and caring, belonging together.