Luke 24:13-35

Our focus is on these two disciples who find themselves, unexpectedly, in the company of the risen Jesus. We will think about them talking to Jesus, listening to Jesus, and seeing Jesus.

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1 John 3:1

Our theme is the greatness of God's love for his believing children. To illustrate it we look at God's other sons - our fellow human beings, God's Old Covenant people, Israel's rulers, the angels, and God's own Son - and how they suggest special aspects of God's love for us.

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Luke 15:1-24

When sinners return to God God gains what he had lost -  their love, their companionship, their service, and their worship. We see in his joy how greatly we are valued, in his welcome how approachable he himself is.

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Mark 8:22-26

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Isaiah 40:1-31

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Exodus 20:1-21

God gave laws to Israel at Sinai. We consider them as a whole - noting that they had a common source, were for a redeemed people, were written down, are for today, and were fulfilled in Christ.

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Luke 14:25-35

From Jesus' teaching we learn that a true disciple puts Jesus first, is ready to suffer for him, and has renounced all for him. Against that backdrop we understand the importance of first counting the cost.

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Exodus 18:1-27

As we listen to Jethro's counsel to Moses on leadership and note Moses' response we see the following: the danger of solitary leadership, the wisdom of shared leadership, the necessity for qualified leadership, and the impressiveness of humble leadership.

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Luke 14:15-24

In terms of the imagery of Jesus' parable we are to tell people that they are  invited to a banquet, that everything is ready, that the invitation is for them, and that there is still room. We are also to warn them against the folly of refusing the invitation.

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Exodus 17:8-16

These verses record a battle with Amalek - the first battle fought by God's people after leaving Egypt. We consider and endeavour to learn from the reason for the battle, the fighting of it, the outcome of it, and the aftermath of it.

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Luke 14:1-14

In the light of what we see and hear in these verses there are three searching questions we need to ask ourselves: How teachable are we? How humble are we? How kind or generous are we?

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Exodus 17:17

The water from the rock was water that no one but God could supply, that came from a rock that was struck, that continued to flow, and that was freely available to all. We apply this throughout to the living water that Jesus gives.

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Luke 13:31-35

Jesus wishes to save. Jerusalem does not wish to be saved. So it is still. Jesus still wishes to save. Sinners still do not wish to be saved. We look at the evidence for this and at the folly of refusing him.

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Exodus 16:1-17:7

The provision God made for his people by sending manna from heaven was supernatural, sufficient, daily, double (on one day of the week), and unfailing. It was also bettered by Christ the bread of life.

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Luke 13:22-30

Jesus says we are to " strive to enter through the narrow door" (v.24).Be in earnest, in other words, about being saved. Whether those who are saved are few or many in number we ought each to make sure we are among them.

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Galatians 2:20

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John 11:1-46

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Romans 1:1-17

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Deuteronomy 8:1-16

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Romans 6:9-10

Though it never defiled him sin shaped and determined things for Christ both in life and in death. We touch on the details and then consider how the fruits of his Calvary work are shared by all who are united to him.

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Acts 2:22-41

To bring his hearers to repentance Peter preaches Christ risen from the dead and Christ highly exalted. The two blessings promised - the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - are as much for the penitent today as for the penitent then.

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1 Timothy 2:5-6a

Exodus 15:22-27

God's people come to Marah - a place where God tests them, provides for them, and teaches them. Then they come to Elim - a place of rest and refreshment. To the same two places God brings his people today.

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Luke 13:18-21

Both parables illustrate the same two features of the kingdom of God: its small beginnings and its remarkable progress. The kingdom is destined to have a membership that is vast and to pervade and impact the whole world.

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Exodus 15:1-21

God's people are looking back in triumph, celebrating the greatness both of the victory won and of God the victor. They are also looking forward in confidence to entering Canaan. We trace out the parallels in God's victory over our enemies and the certainty of our entrance into heaven.

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Luke 13:10-17

Jesus is in the midst of his people on his own holy day doing good. It is where he is still. We think about experiencing this, not missing out on it, giving thanks for it, and imitating Jesus himself.

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Exodus 14:1-31

We are witnessing a great salvation here (v.13) - a salvation that seemed impossible, a salvation of a rebellious people, a salvation wholly of the Lord, a salvation that was complete, a salvation that led to faith.

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Luke 13:6-9

Jesus' parable is first of all both about the people of Israel and for the people of Israel. In its application to God's people today we see how it gives to us a picture of our God, a message for our hearers, and an example for ourselves.

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Psalm 73:23

God's people are ever in the company of their Heavenly Father; of their Saviour Jesus. Here is what they are doing: they are leaning on him, learning from him, talking with him, working with him, and, in heaven, living with him.

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2 Thessalonians 3:4-5

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Exodus 13:17-22

As the people of Israel leave Egypt the LORD chooses their route for them and goes visibly ahead of them. We trace out the parallels in the route the LORD often chooses for us - and the assurance of his presence and leading.

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Luke 13:1-5

Jesus corrects the wrong thinking of his fellow Jews. He does so with a view to correcting their wrong behaviour. They needed to repent if they were not to perish. We need to do the same.

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Exodus 11:1-12:32

We think to begin with about Israel preparing for deliverance, experiencing deliverance, and afterwards commemorating deliverance. Then we trace out a series of parallels relating to the deliverance of God's people on the day of his wrath.

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Luke 12:49-59

Our task in this sermon is to learn from a series of things that aren't right: relationships with family members that aren't right, thinking about the times that isn't right, a relationship with God himself that isn't right.

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Exodus 7:3

Pharaoh's heart was hard and growing harder. We reflect on how his hardening of heart showed itself, how it was Pharaoh's own doing, and how it is said to have been the LORD's doing

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1 Corinthians 15:50-57

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Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 26:36-39

We visit the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane, witness what took place there - Adam defying God's will, Jesus submitting to it - and seek to learn from the disobedience of the one and the obedience of the other.

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Luke 12:35-38

Those who profess to be Christ's servants need to be ready for his return. We consider what will happen if we are ready, what will happen if we are not ready, and what it means to be ready.

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Exodus 7:14-11:10; 12:29-32

The God of the ten plagues is the God who has awesome power in his hands, the God who judges nations, the God who avenges his people, the God who fulfils his word, and the God who spares his people.

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Luke 12:32-34

In imitation of our giving God believers are to be a giving people, specifically to the needy. Jesus, in his teaching on this subject, both directs us to give and encourages us to give.

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Exodus 6:1-13; 6:26-7:7

A failure to listen with faith to Moses' words deprived God's people of the comfort God intended for them. It also made Moses reluctant to go on speaking. We are challenged to hear believingly what God says for our comfort. So too to go on speaking for him no matter what.

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Luke 12:22-31

God would have his beloved children free of anxious care about every day needs. To help us, Jesus gives us reason after reason for trusting our Heavenly Father to supply what we need.

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Exodus 5:1-23

From Pharaoh's arrogant rejection of God's demand and his cruel treatment of God's people we may learn not to be surprised when difficulties come early, to do what Moses did when difficulties do come, and to remember how dark things may be before the dawn.

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Luke 12:13-21

Jesus' story unfolds as a Three-Act Tragedy. We see this man growing richer, planning confidently, and then losing everything. Through him Jesus would teach us both the way of the fool and the way of the wise.

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Matthew 1:21

The people whom Christ will save are identified in the text as "his people" - his from eternity, his by creation, his by the Father's gift, his by the giving of themselves, his in an indissoluble union, his forever, his by costly purchase.

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Revelation 6:1-8

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Exodus 3:13-22

God talks to Moses about who he is - the LORD. We explore what this divine name is intended to communicate. So too what God is going to do as the LORD. The application to ourselves lies in the fact that the LORD is our God too

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Isaiah 50:10

True believers may - and often do - walk in the darkness of suffering. What are they to do? They are to trust in the name of the LORD and rely upon their God - on his constancy and on his help.

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Luke 1:35-36

Jesus was born of a virgin. We consider what that says about ourselves (none of us could be the Saviour we so much needed) and what it says about God (he considered us worth saving).

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Matthew 1:23

In Jesus, God has come to be with us. We look at five things that we have in that: magnificent self-humbling, unfathomable mystery, insider knowledge, priceless revelation, and the best of news.

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Exodus 3:11-12; 4:10-17

Feeling utterly unequal to the task the Lord had given him, Moses is given four assurances - of the Lord's presence, of success, of help in speaking, and of his brother's help. In each there is encouragement for us in our own service.

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Luke 11:45-54

For our instruction and warning Luke is moved to record three woes pronounced by Jesus upon the Jewish lawyers - for loading people with burdens hard to bear, for building the tombs of the prophets their fathers had killed, and for taking away from people the key of knowledge.

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John 13:27b

As we listen to Jesus saying to Judas Iscariot, "What you are going to do, do quickly", we hear authority in his voice (he is in charge), a longing in his voice (for Calvary to be over), and determination in his voice (to go through with it).

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Exodus 2:23-3:10

God sends Moses to be Israel's deliverer. For our instruction we note how much of Moses' life had passed and how long it was since he had left Egypt. So too how the people to whom he was sent were a suffering people.

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Luke 11:29-36

There are three reasons why Jesus charges his generation with being an evil generation - they wouldn't believe, they wouldn't listen, they wouldn't repent. His words compel us to ask - are the same things true of us?

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Luke 11:27-28

Mary was uniquely blessed in being the mother of Jesus. Those who hear and keep the word of God are declared by Jesus to be more blessed. We find the reasons in the closer and richer relationship we have with Jesus as believers.

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Exodus 2:1-10

As we stand back, as it were, and ask what God is doing here, the answer is three-fold: He is providing a deliverer, preserving his life, and secretly preparing him - three things that have their parallel in the One who is our deliverer, Jesus.

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Luke 11:14-26

Jesus is charged by his enemies with casting out demons by the power of Satan. In his response he shows how absurd this charge is, how inconsistent it is, and how utterly false.

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Exodus 1:1-22

Two things are ahead for God's Old Testament people after the death of Joseph - blessing and suffering. We examine each in turn and see how they are paralleled in New Testament times after the return of Jesus to heaven.

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Luke 11:5-13

Jesus' teaching on prayer has specific application to prayer for the Holy Spirit. We reflect on why we should ask for the Holy Spirit, how we should ask for the Holy Spirit, and with what confidence we may ask for the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 8:31-39

Why may we be sure that final salvation is certain? Because God is for us. Because God gave up his own Son for us. Because God has justified us. Because Christ is at God's right hand interceding for us. Because nothing can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus.

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Luke 11:1-4

Here, in a different setting, and in a slightly different form, Jesus teaches his disciples the prayer he taught in his Sermon on the Mount. We ask why he gave us this prayer, what it teaches us to pray for, and how we should use it.

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Romans 8:29-30

At the end of v.28 Paul speaks about those who have been called according to God's purpose i.e his purpose to save. We explore four aspects of this purpose - how it is formed in love, centred on Christ, worked out in stages, and eventually completed.

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Jonah 4

Moved by divine pity God sent Jonah to Nineveh and, when the people repented, spared them. We explore the wonder of this divine pity, reflect on Jonah's antagonism to it, and end with the Lord's own vindication of it.

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Romans 8:28

Paul assures us that "all things work together for good". We consider for whom this is true (those who love God and who are called according to his purpose) and then reflect on the truth itself.

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Jonah 3:9-10

There are things that God has determined to do full stop. They will certainly happen. There are other things that God has determined to unless. He will certainly punish us for our rejection of Jesus, for example, unless there is repentance. But if there is repentance he will relent and spare us.

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Romans 8:26-27

We do not always know what we ought to pray for. Paul tells us in these verses how the Spirit helps us. In a way that is both mysterious and effective he intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God.

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Jonah 3:1-10

When they heard Jonah's message the people of Nineveh believed God and turned from their evil ways. Their faith challenges us. So too their repentance. They repented though they had no promise of mercy. We who do have such a promise - have we repented?

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Romans 8:23-25

There is a fullness of privilege, a fullness of blessing, that is not yet ours as the children of God, namely, the redemption of our bodies. In the meantime we wait for it eagerly, expectantly, and patiently.

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Jonah 3:1-3a

To his sinning but now restored servant, Jonah, God in grace grants the opportunity of a new beginning - getting, in return, the response of a new obedience.

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Daniel 5:1-31

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Psalm 136:1-26

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Romans 8:19-22

This planet is not what it once was. But nor is it what it will one day be. When final salvation comes to the children of God there will be salvation for the creation as well.

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Jonah 1:17-2:10

As we ponder what becomes of Jonah when he is hurled into the sea, we note how he nearly drowns, how he cries to the Lord, how he is wonderfully delivered, how he prays to the Lord again, and how he eventually returns to dry land.

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Romans 8:18

Pauls' focus is on the sufferings of this present time. We reflect on what these sufferings are, on how they are not to be compared with future glory, and on the times when it is especially good to remember this teaching.

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Jonah 1:7-16

As we return to the storm that God sent in pursuit of Jonah we see how able God is to bring his people to repentance, how seriously he takes their sin, and how able he is to overrule their sin for good.

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Romans 8:14-17a

Paul is addressing believers as children of God, telling us how we know we are God's children (through the Holy Spirit), and how blessed we are to be God's children (we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ).

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Jonah 1:4-6

Jonah never reached Tarshish because of a storm. We consider where the storm came from, how powerful it was, what occasioned it, how Jonah was able to sleep through it, and some of the lessons we are intended to learn from it. 

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Romans 8:12-13

Our task as Christians is to wage a relentless war against the sinful deeds of the body. We will look in turn at the task itself, its difficulties, the incentives for persevering in it, and at the help the Holy Spirit gives to us.

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Jonah 1:3, 4:2

Jonah, we are told, 'rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord' (Ch.1.3). We are going to look at what that means, how we may do the same today, what Jonah's motive was, and how 'successful' he initially was.

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Romans 8:9-11

As believers we have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts. According to our text that means the following: we are now living under the Spirit's control and direction - we belong to Christ - and our mortal bodies will one day be given life.

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Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-4

The focus of this first sermon is on Jonah's mission. We shall look at it in relation to all three parties immediately concerned: the Ninevites, Jonah himself, and the LORD.

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Daniel 4:1-37

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Daniel 3:1-30

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Romans 8:5-8

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who are walking according to the flesh and those who are walking according to the Spirit. We look at what concerns them the most, how they are actually living, and whether or not they are in a good place.

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Luke 10:38-42

Jesus' defense of Mary when she is criticised for sitting at his feet listening  prompts us to think about listening to Jesus ourselves. We look in turn at the pleasure of listening, the importance of listening, and guarding our listening.

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Romans 8:3-4

In our thoughts we visit both Bethlehem and Calvary - seeing in the one place how God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin; seeing in the other how in Christ's flesh God condemned our sin.

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Luke 10:25-37

In applying the Parable of the Good Samaritan to ourselves we grapple with the following three questions: Is loving our neighbour as ourselves God's will for us? Who then are our neighbours? What does it mean to love them?

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Romans 8:1-2

Believers in Jesus live out their lives in union with Christ. In this sermon we explore some aspects of that union, reflect on the freedom from sin and death that we enjoy because of it, and end with how union with Christ means safety.

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Luke 10:17-24

Of late we have been thinking about the cost of being one of Jesus' disciples (Ch.9.23-26; 57-62). Here our focus is on how amazingly privileged disciples are. We see it in what we get to do - what we get to have - what we get to know - and in what we will get to see.

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Genesis 50:15-21

In calming the fears of his brothers Joseph disclaims all intention to take revenge, speaks to them about the purpose of God in all that had happened, and commits to continuing to provide for them and their families.

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Isaiah 6:1-8

To help us learn from this remarkable vision of God in his holiness we gather our thoughts around Isaiah himself, thinking about what he sees, what he hears, what he feels, what he goes on to experience, and what he is now willing to do.

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Genesis 47:29-48:22

As Jacob nears his end two things are very much on his mind. One is his own burial, the other the blessing of Joseph's sons. Our focus will be largely on the second of these and its message for today.

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Luke 10:1-16

This mission, like the earlier one (Ch.9.1-6), has much to say to us about our own gospel task. In particular it has a bearing on the magnitude of our gospel task, the dangers of our gospel task, and the solemnity of our gospel task.

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Genesis 46:31-47:12, 27-28

Joseph does two things for his family: he settles them and provides for them. As we trace out the parallels with the Lord's people today we are reminded both of the need to live separately and of the Lord's provision for our needs.

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Luke 9:57-62

Being a follower of Jesus means being ready - if needs be - to do without. It means giving Jesus first place in your life. And it means wholehearted dedication. In each of these respects Jesus himself is our example.

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Genesis 45:16-46:30

Our thoughts turn to Jacob: getting the news about Joseph, setting out to see Joseph, and then movingly re-united with Joseph.

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Luke 9:51-56

As Jesus begins to make his way to Jerusalem for the last time we look at what will happen at the end of his journey, how he sets out on his journey determinedly, and where his journey initially takes him, namely, to a Samaritan village.

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Genesis 45:4-11; 50:20

As Joseph thinks about what has happened to him what dominates the picture is not his brothers but God. He discerns both the hand of God and the purpose of God - a purpose the very opposite of his brothers' (Gen.50.20).

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Luke 9:43b-50

Our task in this message is to learn from the Jesus' disciples - from their fear (vs.43b-45); from their eagerness for greatness (vs.46-48); and from their intolerance (vs.49-50).

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Genesis 44:1-45:15

The time has come for Joseph to reveal himself to his brothers. As we follow the story through and see how it happened our thoughts will turn again and again to the reconciliation that comes to believers through Christ.

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Luke 9:37-43a

At the foot of the mountain we see Jesus expressing sorrow over a faithless and twisted generation, exercising his authority over demonic power, and evoking astonishment at the greatness of God.

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Genesis 43:1-34

We train the spotlight on Joseph's brothers once again. We think about them returning to Joseph, standing before Joseph, and then feasting with Joseph. As before, our thoughts are drawn in the most natural way to Christ.

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Luke 9:28-36

Our focus is on four things that happen on the mount of transfiguration: there is time spent in prayer - a change in Jesus' appearance - a conversation about Calvary - and a voice heard.

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Genesis 42:1-38

We follow Joseph's brothers as they make their way to Egypt, as they find themselves in Joseph's presence, as they are locked up in prison, as they admit their guilt, as they make their way home, and as they give in their report - learning all kinds of things as we do so.

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Luke 9:23-27

Being a disciple of Jesus is costly. It means denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following him. Don't let that hold you back! There is immeasurably more to be lost by saying 'no'; immeasurably more to be gained by saying 'yes'.

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Genesis 41:46-57

The names of Joseph's two sons - born during the seven years of plenty - illumine what these years were for Joseph: years when God made him forget; years when God made him fruitful.

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Luke 9:18-22

As we listen here to three voices - the voice of the crowds, the voice of the disciples, and the voice of the Lord himself - we learn how we are not to think about Jesus and how we are.

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Genesis 41:1-45

As we look at Pharaoh's dreams - at what they were, what they meant, and what they did - we see how complete is God's control, how perfect is his timing, how swiftly he acts, and how highly he exalts.

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Luke 9:10-17

The feeding of the five thousand with only five loaves and two fish teaches us how the power of God can provide for us, how it can do things we can't do, how it can do much with little, how it can satisfy needs. 

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Genesis 39:20-40:23

The God who is ordering Joseph's steps (and ours) is the God who remains with his people amid all the changes, the God whose time-frame tests our faith and endurance, the God who may permit things to get darker before he acts on our behalf, the God who offers hope to the sinned-against.

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Luke 9:1-6

As we examine this first commission and look at how the disciples were to go, what they were to tell people, what they were to do as well as preach, how they were to leave, and what they did, we can learn important lessons about gospel work today. 

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Genesis 39:1-20

Things take a downward turn for Joseph because of a temptation to which he says 'no'. After setting the scene we examine the temptation itself, how Joseph resisted it, and how eventually he escaped from it altogether.

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Luke 8:40-42; 49-56

As we think about Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus to life again we are going to reflect on a similar work that Jesus is doing to this hour - raising the spiritually dead to newness of spiritual life. 

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Genesis 37:12-36

It is God's plan that Joseph should go to Egypt. We explore - and try to learn from - the way in which it happened: in a way that meant sin for his brothers, sorrow for his father, and suffering for Joseph himself.

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1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Paul, in vs.3-4, is taking us on an Easter journey - a journey that begins on Good Friday with Jesus dying for our sins, continues over Easter Saturday with Jesus buried, and ends on Easter Sunday with Jesus risen.

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Romans 8:32; Isaiah 53:10

What an astonishing thing that it should be the will of the Lord to crush his own beloved Son; to put him to grief! And how impossible, in the light of that, that sin should be a light thing, God's love a shallow thing, his people's final salvation an uncertain thing!

Genesis 37:1-11

The Joseph story begins with Joseph being hated by his brothers. We explore the two-fold reason for their hatred and then move on two matters directly concerning ourselves: God's people being hated and our Saviour being hated.

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Luke 8:40-48

We are looking at how this women's faith came to birth, what her faith moved her to do, how her faith was rewarded, and how she confessed her faith. As we do so we shall be tracing out parallels with the faith that saves us from our sins. 

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Genesis 35:1-29

Jacob knows God as the God of Bethel. So also do we. We explore what that means for us. So also how the lights and shadows in Jacob's family life are reflected both in our own families and in the life of the church.

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Luke 8:26-39

God through Jesus did amazing things in this man's life, delivering him from cruel and wicked demonic oppressors. The man then told others about it. We are to do the same, telling people how much God has done for us. 

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Luke 8:22-25; Mark 4:26-41

This incident is a picture of life for believers and for the church. Though Christ is with us we may still find ourselves in the midst of storms. Those storms, however, Christ is always equal to calming - however ferocious they may be.

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Galatians 3:1; Galatians 3:1-14

Paul's words about Christ being clearly portrayed as crucified make a powerful appeal to us as witnesses, listeners, believers, and as a church. They urge us to tell the message out, believe it ourselves, hold it fast, and keep it central.

Luke 8:4-21;

We should all be anxious to hear God's word aright. In the light of Jesus' teaching in Luke 8.4-21 we are asking, What does it mean to hear God's word aright? What if we don't hear it aright? What if we do hear it aright?

Genesis 34:1-35:5

If three perennial threats to the church are illustrated in this incident - the threat of absorption by the world, the threat of corruption to our faith, and the threat of destruction by our enemies - so too the repeated deliverances of God.

Luke 8:4-15;

We look at the Parable of the Sower both as a whole and in its parts noting, in the mixed responses of people to the word sown, how prophetic it is of the history of the kingdom of God.

Genesis 33:1-20

It is the Lord who brings about reconciliation between these two divided brothers, Jacob and Esau. So too reconciliations among ourselves. So too the great reconciliation between God and man.

Luke 8:1-3; Luke 8:1-21

We discover just how good the good news of the kingdom of God is when we consider the inwardness of its beginnings, the splendour of its king, the righteousness of its laws, the nationality of its citizens,and the magnificence of its prospects.

Genesis 32:1-32

As Jacob waits for Esau's arrival a number of things happen, the most remarkable being a night-long encounter with God. We see God coming to Jacob in the guise of an antagonist, changing Jacob's name, showing Jacob his face, and leaving on Jacob his mark.

Luke 7:36-50

From this story of the woman who was a sinner we learn about forgiveness and many sins, forgiveness and faith, forgiveness and going in peace, and above all forgiveness and love.

Galatians 2:21; Galatians 2:11-21

Standing before Christ's needed cross we see the proof of God's wisdom, the working of God's grace, the noblest of sacrifices, the measure of our helplessness, and the place of faith and thankfulness.

Luke 7:24-35

Jesus gives here his estimate both of John the Baptist and the people of that generation. He does so with perfect knowledge of the facts and for the instruction of all who would afterwards read his words.

Genesis 30:25-31:55

Jacob's twenty years in Haran were memorable for the following four things: increase, hardship, prosperity, and deliverance. Each has its parallel in the experiences of God's New Testament people.

Luke 7:18-35

John in prison is wondering if Jesus is the one who was to come or if they should look for another. We examine and seek to learn both from the doubt itself and from how Jesus dealt with it.

Genesis 29:30-30:24

There are a number of things for us to see: the Lord granting his blessing, the Lord answering prayer, the Lord showing kindness, the Lord fulfilling his word, the Lord revealing to us our need of a Saviour.

Luke 7:11-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Jesus finds himself in the presence of death. We focus on what he felt, what he said, and what he did - how his heart went out to this widow, how he spoke a word of life to her son, and how he gave him back to his mother.

Genesis 29:1-30

Though there is no mention of God in the text he is nevertheless present and active in the events the text describes - as the God who orders our steps, provides for our needs, disciplines us for our good, and saves us from our sins.

Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 8:5-13

The spotlight is trained on the centurion's faith. We consider and endeavour to learn from the reasoning of his faith, the rarity of his faith, the explanation of his faith, and the reward of his faith.

Galatians 2:20; Acts 9:1-19a

Paul's testimony is that the Son of God loved him and gave himself for him. That is every believer's testimony. Focusing on Christ's love we explore how it knew the worst about us, sacrificed for us, and is powerfully at work in us.

1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 3

Those who have been entrusted with the pastoral oversight of a congregation have a noble task; literally, a good work to do. What makes it so? The materials, the goals, the tools, the Master, and the reward.

Genesis 27:41-28:22

At a distressing time in Jacob's life the LORD appears to him in a dream. We explore the description of this appearance, its purpose, its unexpectedness, and its effect.

Titus 1:5-9; Titus 1:1-16

For the guidance of the church in the appointing of elders we learn what an elder is to be in general, what he is to be as a family man, what he is to be as a Christian man, and what he is to be in his doctrine.

Genesis 27:1-40

We're gathering our thoughts around the deception that secured Isaac's blessing for Jacob. We note how Isaac was the occasion of it, Rebekah the instigator of it, Jacob the perpetrator of it, Esau the loser by it, and God the over-ruler of it.

Acts 10.33; Acts 10.1-23; Acts 10.24-48

This congregation had consciously gathered in the Lord's presence and with a determination to hear all that had been given the preacher to say. Congregations today should gather with a similar consciousness and with a similar determination.

Genesis 26:1-33

As we picture Isaac going to Gerar, settling there, prospering there, leaving there, and then making a covenant with Gerar's king, we have multiple illustrations of the truth expressed in Psalm 31.15, "My times are in your hand".

Romans 5:2

As we think about the world to come we rejoice in the sure and certain prospect of God's glory being revealed to us, bestowed on us, reflected in us, and admired by us.

John 10:10; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-11.

Luke 2:10-11

Four things that a preacher wishes for his hearers in the light of the announcement of the angel: to be glad, to be confident, to be amazed, and to be saved.

John 1:1; John 1:1-18

The child in the manger is the Word who was God. We may think of him as the eternal one who has now experienced a beginning, the unchanging one who has now become something, and the incarnate one who still remains the same.

Galatians 1:4-5

Christianity is a rescue religion. Our text touches on one particular aspect, namely, rescue from this present evil age. We see that it is a costly rescue (it comes through Jesus' cross), and that both the way and the end are the outflow of the Father's heart.

John 1:1; 1 John 4:7-21

Prior to his incarnation Jesus the Word was with God. In trying to get a picture of this we are going to think of him being with God as a worker, as a Son, as an equal, in perfect oneness of of purpose, in mutual love and delight, amid the glories of heaven.

Genesis 25:19-34

God makes decisions about Jacob and Esau and they themselves make decisions about one another. In applying this to ourselves we touch on the doctrine of God's election to salvation and the danger of despising a Christian upbringing.

John 1:1.

John gives to Christ the name or title "the Word" because he stands at the heart of all divine speaking. We are going to think about him speaking from the beginning, speaking when he was here, speaking today, and speaking at the end.

Genesis 25:19-26

Isaac and Rebekah waited twenty years to become parents. As we explore this waiting time we see how it was a time of waiting for God, a time of prayerful waiting, how the waiting was long, and how the waiting eventually ended.

Luke 6:46-49; Matthew 7:15-27

Jesus had hearers who were just hearers. So to this day. They say that Jesus is their Lord but their lives belie it. Jesus has words of sober warning for such. Words too of encouragement for those who are doers as well as hearers.

Revelation 1:1-8

Romans 8:35-39

In his climactic argument for our security as believers Paul asks whether the troubles and sorrows of life can separate us from the love of Christ. His answer is that far from being able to do that these troubles are overruled for our good. 

Luke 6:41-45; Revelation 21:1-8; 22-27; Revelation 22:1-5

In these verses Jesus, the master illustrator, speaks first about a speck and a log, then about trees and their fruit. In doing so he would warn us against finding fault with others whilst oblivious to our own faults; so too against supposing we are truly good people when the evidence of that is absent from our lives.

Romans 8:34; Esther 6:14-7:10

In a series of ascending steps Paul takes us from Christ's death to his resurrection to his place at the right hand of God and to his intercession there for us - all to show how sure our final salvation is if we belong to him. 

Luke 6:37-40; Matthew 6:1-18; 

The common factor in this brief section of Jesus' sermon is others. He has something to say about judging and condemning others, forgiving others, giving to others, and, by way of warning, following others

Romans 8:33

Notwithstanding the sin-stained lives that we are living, believers in Jesus can anticipate the Day of Judgment without fear. The blessing of justification ensures that no one will be able to bring any charge against us.

Luke 6:27-36; Matthew 5:43-48; 

God loves his enemies and we, as Christians, are to love ours. In this passage Jesus explains what loving our enemies means in practical terms. He also encourages us with the prospect of a great reward.

Romans 8:32

How sure can believers be of heaven? The answer of our text is the Cross. Having not spared his own Son but delivered him up for us all God will not fail to give us all that we need for our perseverance and final salvation. 

Luke 6:24-26

To each of the beatitudes in the first part of Jesus' sermon there is a corresponding woe. That woe is expressive of sorrow, alarm, warning, and judgement and summons us to repentance before it is too late. 

Romans 8:31

Believers have in Satan the most powerful of enemies. But God is for us. He is on our side for our salvation - our complete, our final salvation. The outcome, therefore, is not in doubt. It is victory. 

Luke 6:17-23

If we are among the poor, the hungry, the sad, and the hated of whom Jesus is speaking here we are blessed. We explore in this message what a surprising word that is - and also just how true and encouraging it is. 

Jude 1

John 1:19-37

Romans 8:30; Revelation 7:9-17

As we take up the theme of glorification we note that it hasn't happened yet, that it will happen when Jesus comes again, that the creation is waiting eagerly for it, that we will all be glorified together, and that it is certain.

Luke 6:12-16; Mark 3:1-19

In common with Matthew and Mark Luke lists the names of the twelve whom Jesus called to be apostles. By contrast it is Luke alone who tells us that the choice was preceded by a night of prayer.

With the help of Paul's letter to the Romans we are going to look at justification in its connections - to God, to Christ's death, to our faith, to glorification, and to grace.

The Sabbath of the Old Testament was a day for doing good. So too our New Testament Sabbath, the Lord's Day. But what does doing good on the Lord's Day actually look like? And what will encourage us to do it?

Luke 23:32-43; Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Visiting Speaker

Series: God is working to a plan

God's purpose in predestination doesn't end in our conformity to the likeness of his Son. It goes beyond us to the Son himself, to something God has planned for him - that he might be the first born among many brothers.

Series: Standalone Sermon

The darkness that was over all the land from the 6th hour till the 9th hour is symbolic of what lies at the heart of our Saviour's Calvary work, namely, his enduring of the darkness of divine judgment in our place.

25/08/2019 (pm) - Walter Johnston - Ezekiel 34; John 10:1-18

Visiting Speaker

25/08/2019 (am) - Walter Johnston - John 10:1-18

Visiting Speaker

Series: God is working to a plan

God's plan in salvation is to make us like Jesus both in heart and in body. It is something that he has begun to do (through the work of the Spirit in our hearts) and on the day of resurrection he will complete it.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

It wasn't a time for fasting then, when Jesus was with his disciples. What about now? Though fasting is not something required of us Jesus does envisage it and for a number of reasons it ought to be seriously considered.

Series: God is working to a plan

In saving sinners God is working to a plan. We examine the special word that tells us there is a plan, note what the plan actually is, glance at the outworking of it, and then focus in on what moved God to make it.

Series: Standalone Sermon

Of all the many gifts God has given us Jesus is the greatest. We explore the reason for the gift (that we might have a Saviour), the value of the gift (he's the only Saviour there is), and how we get the benefit of it (by faith).

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Abraham died in faith, still waiting for the promise of a homeland - a homeland believers in Jesus will one day share with him. We ask about where it is, what kind of place it will be, and when we will live there.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

Following Jesus is a duty. It is also demanding for it means believing what he teaches, obeying what he commands, going where he sends us, doing whatever work he has for us to do, and taking up our cross daily. What will help us?

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

At one level the events of Genesis 24 illustrate how able God is to provide for the unmarried. More fundamentally, they illustrate how committed God is to our salvation.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

Levi's dinner invitations gave Jesus a golden opportunity to do what he had come to do - to call sinners to repentance. It is both our responsibility and privilege to create such opportunities for Jesus today.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

There are four words that it is natural to associate with this transaction - slowness, sureness, smallness, and sadness. Each of them turns our thoughts in a particular way to the promise of new heavens and a new earth.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

The Lord Jesus blesses this paralysed man both with forgiveness and with healing. The forgiveness is given first, is by far the more important of the two blessings, and is sure to all who seek the Lord for it.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

As we think about Isaac at the start, Isaac on the way, Isaac at the place of sacrifice itself, and Isaac going home our thoughts turn again and again to the Lord Jesus and to his own journey to the Cross.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

The two things that we learn about Jesus here - that he prayed alone and that he did so in the midst of a very busy life - form the basis for some very important teaching on the subject of private prayer

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Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Like Abraham's faith our faith in God's goodness, wisdom, and faithfulness can be severely tested. Like Abraham's faith too, however, it will certainly be vindicated and rewarded.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

The Jesus of this incident was both able and willing to cleanse this man of his leprosy. When it comes to the cleansing of our sin Jesus is equally able and willing.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

There are two wells in this passage - Hagar's well and Abraham's well. We find them to be places of preservation, promise, peace, and prayer and therefore good places for us to visit.

Series: Luke's Gospel - Chapters 5 & 6

The night with nothing to show together with the amazing daytime catch  illustrate so many important truths about fruitful evangelism. How it may be long in coming. How it may come with great suddenness. How it may vastly exceed our expectations. How it is the fruit of the Lord's blessing.

Church Anniversary Service 2019

Church Anniversary Service 2019

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Isaac's birth was no ordinary birth. It was remarkable in the circumstances that surrounded it, remarkable in its significance for our salvation, remarkable in its similarities to the birth of Jesus.

Series: Saved to serve

We do people good as we seek their salvation. Paul's words encourage us to do this without getting weary of it, in expectation of a harvest, and as we have opportunity.

Visiting Speaker

Visiting Speaker

Visiting Speaker

Visiting Speaker

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

There is a dark cloud over Abimelech, King of Gerar, and his household. We explore how it all began, how the story unfolded, and how it all ended. Along the way we pick up a number of very important lessons.

Series: Saved to serve

How may Christians serve the Jewish people? One way is by uniting with the Apostle Paul in prayer for them (Rom.10.1). This sermon outlines a number of reasons for doing just that.

Standalone Sermon

The mockers said that Jesus could not save himself. We explore the various ways in which they were actually right - though they would have been the last to admit it themselves.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Anticipating God's destruction of Sodom Abraham challenges the justness of such an action. We explore Abraham's reasoning, how he gives expression to it, and what we can learn from it.

Series: Standalone Sermon

The only one who really knows what is going on in someone's heart (apart from our sympathetic God who knows everything) is the one whose heart it is. We look at this from the standpoint of observers, sufferers, and sympathisers.

Standalone Sermon

The second coming of Jesus will be very different from the first. It will not be to bear sin (there's no need for that) but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Easter 2019: Easter Sunday

Knowing how foundational his resurrection was to New Testament Christianity, and so that both they and we might proclaim him as Saviour, Jesus gave to his apostles many decisive proofs that he was alive.

19/04/2019 (am) - David Campbell - Ephesians 1:7; Psalm 22 1-11; Matthew 27 32-50

Easter 2019: Good Friday

14/04/2019 (pm) - Steve Walker - John 12:12-19; Mark 15:1-15

Visiting Speaker

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

We join Jesus in the evening, watch him heal all who are brought to him, and wrestle with the question, Why are things different now? We also join him in the morning and think about him never leaving but always being present by the Spirit.

07/04/2019 (pm) - Ani Ekpo - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Visiting Speaker

07/04/2019 (am) - Billy McCurrie - Philippians 1:1-21

Visiting Speaker

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Our theme is the omnipotence of God. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. He can do all that he wishes, plans, and promises. We explore the bearing of this on our prayers, our circumstances, our evangelism, our land, our futures, and our message.

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

The healing of Simon's mother-in-law illustrates two truths about restored health: it is a blessing that comes from the Lord and it is a blessing that is to be used for the Lord.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Our theme is the omnipotence of God. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. He can do all that he wishes, plans, and promises. We explore the bearing of this on our prayers, our circumstances, our evangelism, our land, our futures, and our message.

17/03/2019 (pm) - Steve Walker - Matthew 5:1-6

Visiting Speaker

10/03/2019 (pm) - David Campbell - Genesis 16:1-16

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Note: Due to a technical issue there are approx. 13 seconds of the sermon missing at 31:30. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

This is the first of Jesus' miracles that Luke records and it fills the people of Capernaum with amazement. The day will come, however, when Jesus denounces the city because the people have not repented.

03/03/2019 (pm) - David Campbell - Genesis 15:7-21

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

The unbelief of the Jews in Nazareth - with its roots in prejudice, with its eagerness for signs, with its grave consequences for the Jews themselves - is recorded for our warning.

24/02/2019 (pm) - David Campbell - Genesis 15:1-6

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

24/02/2019 (am) - David Campbell - Luke 4:14-21

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

Communion Sermon

Calvary is in one sense the triumph of hatred. In a higher sense it is the triumph of love as God overrules men's hatred for the attainment of his goal of providing salvation.

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

Jesus is tempted to put God to the test. In a similar way Satan would tempt us to expect God's help when we have no warrant for doing so.

24/02/2019 (pm) - David Campbell - Genesis 14:1-24

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

In resisting Satan's second temptation Jesus chooses the way that costs, the way of the Cross. But it is also the way of ultimate and glorious gain.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

When Abram and Lot separate certain promises are made by God to Abram that have their ultimate fulfillment in his innumerable spiritual offspring and the new world that we will one day inhabit.

Series: Continuing in Genesis – The story of Abraham

When Abram and Lot separate certain promises are made by God to Abram that have their ultimate fulfillment in his innumerable spiritual offspring and the new world that we will one day inhabit.

Series: Returning to Luke's Gospel

Jesus is tempted by Satan to rebel against God's will for him. His response is a model of very decided submission to that will.