Sermons by John Spranklin (Page 2)
John Spranklin
No longer condemned
Various; Romans 3:20-26 We need Easter to be true because we stand condemned as unrighteous sinners. Through Christ’s death on our behalf, God puts our sin on Jesus and gives us the righteousness of Christ. We are no longer condemned! This is truly excellent news, that not only brings us joy but is worth sharing!
The Christian Leaders we really need
1 Peter 5:1-4 There are all sorts of spiritual gifts, skills and attributes that Christian leaders bring to the task of shepherding God’s flock, but as the church faces increasing opposition, Peter tells us what kind of leaders we really need to help us stand firm in the faith.
Listen, love and obey
Deuteronomy 4:44-6:9 God has initiated an exclusive covenant relationship with Israel, grounded in his undeserved love for them. Fundamental to Israel’s response to God will be the need for them to listen, to love and to obey. This will shape every aspect of their life of worship and their life as a community together. The same is true for us, this side of the cross.
Like no other
Deuteronomy 4:1-43 Just as it was for the Israelites, our covenant relationship with God is a stunning privilege! This relationship is wonderfully unique because the Lord our God, who we worship and adore is the one true God. And it is this relationship that transforms both our living and our eternity.
A characteristically Christian response to suffering
1 Peter 3:13-4:6 Suffering as Christians is inevitable, but how we respond, in both word and action, is crucial. Our response should not be characterised by fear of the world, but shaped by Christ – the one who suffered for us to pay for our sins, and the one who reigns and rules and Lord over all.
Gospel Thankfulness
Colossians 1:1-14 Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church is one of overwhelming thankfulness. He prays for their faith to be growing, and that they would be joyfully thankful because of what God has done for them in Christ. We too can be thankful for these things, whatever our circumstances, and we would do well to emulate the rich prayers of Paul as we pray for each other.
To our weakness is no stranger
Hebrews 4:14-5:3 At so many levels, we live in a weary world. We are all looking for a way out of this situation but our only real hope is in the One who transcends our reality because he lives eternally in heaven. In Christ, God has entered our weary world to redeem it and will one day renew the whole creation. What a glorious hope to rejoice in as we celebrate Christmas!
God’s Great Triumph
Esther 8-10 The final chapters of the Book of Esther record a great reversal in fortunes for the Jewish people – events which are celebrated to this day in the Jewish festival of Purim. The Unseen God comes through to miraculously deliver his people. But in Christ, God has both made himself visible and intervened in history to deliver us, and God’s great triumph through Christ is to be celebrated eternally!
Glorifying God at work
1 Peter 2:18-25 There are, of course, vast differences between the situation of a slave in the first century and our own, but as we consider these words from the Apostle Peter to Christian slaves, we can learn much about living godly lives in the workplace. In Christ’s death, we have both an example and the transforming power to live such lives.
Where is God in all this mess?
Esther 1-3 The Book of Esther is a simple story of how a Jewish girl became Queen of Persia and saved God’s people from a plot to destroy them. But it is so much more! It introduces us to a chaotic and challenging world of self-interest, manipulation and moral ambiguity – a world, not unlike our own. Now, as then, we must ask, where is God in all the mess?
The Sojourner’s Life
1 Peter 1:13-21 Having already outlined who we are in Christ and where we’re going, Peter describes what ought to characterise our Christian lives as sojourners in this world. We are to live lives marked by hope, holiness and reverent fear.
Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:1-17 Having described the struggle against indwelling sin that Christians continue to experience, we are left with the question, “Can we be sure that salvation by grace alone really works?” “Can we have assurance?” Paul’s answer in Romans 8:1-17, is a richly trinitarian one, and one which specifically highlights the present ministry of the Holy Spirit to the believer.