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Jesus is King: The King’s Followers
The King’s Followers. Matthew 8:18-22. What does it look like to follow Jesus? The price of following Jesus, Matthew 8:18-22 A teacher of the Law says to Jesus “I will follow you wherever you go”, but Jesus warns him there is a price. The priority of following Jesus, Matthew 8:21-22 Salvation is for free, but discipleship costs everything.
Jesus is King: The Good and Gracious King
The Good and Gracious King. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 8, verses 1 to 17. “Jesus is the good and gracious King, not a harsh and distant King” Matthew’s aim is to show Jesus as the promised Messiah-King, down amongst us. His teaching is the opposite of the religious rulers, who said “do more!” He came with grace and forgiveness. Matthew shows us the power, the authority, of the King. No one else like him. The purpose of His healings. Not just…
Come to Me.
Come to Me. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 11, verses 25-30. Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. Serving me is easy, and my load is light. Matthew 11:28-30 Not all of Jesus’ words were comfortable. But these ones are comfortable. Jesus spoke these for all people who will listen.…
Love in all the wrong places.
Love in all the wrong places. John’s first letter, 1 John, Chapter 2, verses 15-17. A Ferrari is impressive. What makes someone spend $400,000 to get from A to B? Desire, love? But not logic. I think, therefore I am. Rene Descartes, 17th century philosopher. In practice it is more often “I love, therefore I am”, which drives us. Love is a choice , verse 15. Do not love the world or anything in it. “Do not..” means we can…
When God Seems Far Off and Hidden – Psalm 10
When God seems far off and hidden. Psalm 10. A crisis of faith Psalm 10:1 The Lord is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly. He keeps them safe in times of trouble. Psalm 9, verse 9 Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? … but now, Psalm 10, verse 1 God seems out of the picture. The wicked have moved to the centre. A portrait of…
Praising and pleading with God the Judge – Psalm 9
Praising, and pleading with God the Judge. Psalm 9 A new year in a broken world. Sometimes the wicked seem to win. This side of heaven life is still like that for the believer. Praise for past rescue: Psalm 9:1-12 David and his kingdom are under threat, but he looks to One far greater than any enemy. Every deliverance is a signpost to God and His ways, to His final victory. God’s justice is a source of hope and joy.…
Approaching the New Year with God.
Approaching the new Year with God. Psalm 90, a Psalm of Moses. The setting is Moses in the wilderness, with all the troubles and losses he faced there. Depressed? No, for he knows God. The Eternal God: Psalm 90:1-2 “We are a moment, You are forever”. He never ages, He is outside of time. The Sovereign God: Psalm 90:3-6 He decides the lifetime of us all, yet is outside of time Himself. He decides all the affairs of this world.…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 11 – Angels and Shepherds
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 11 – Angels and Shepherds. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 2, verses 8 to 20. The Angel’s Announcement: Luke 2:8-14. The Shepherds’ Response: Luke 2:15-20.
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 7. Macro and Micro, big and small. Macro: Luke 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus (they called him “Ruler of the World”) makes a decision, a census of all the Roman world. He decides and everyone must follow. Micro: Luke 2:4-5 Two of those “everyone”, micros, must go to Bethlehem. What’s so important about micro Bethlehem? Nothing much of itself, but it is David’s city, the…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 9 – The Blessed
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 9 – The Blessed. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 46 to 56 If we do not know God as we ought, we do not know ourselves as we ought. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones Chapters 1 and 2 of Luke’s account are like a musical. Mary sing and the angles sing. Singing is important. The Scripture tells us this again and again. Martin Luther said “a fire is kindled in our hearts” when we sing together.…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 8 – The Most High God.
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 8 – The Most High God. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 26 to 38 Here we have the virgin birth of Jesus. All the Bible is about Him. Promised in Genesis Recorded in the Gospels Explained in the Letters The person God uses Luke 1:26-33, An ordinary young woman, in a small town of no account. But God favours her. This is Grace! The plan of God Luke 1:34-37, How will this be? God…
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 7 – The Shepherd Ruler
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 7 – The Shepherd Ruler Micah chapter 5, verse 1 to 5 Christmas Preparations Earlier each year! God started early too. The Ruler Verses 1 and 2 The Shepherd Verse 4 Christmas Blessings Verses 4 and 5a