Relationships are an essential part of life. We are created as social beings. Yet how often do we see relationships break down – marriages, families, neighbours, workmates, long-term friends, fellow Christians in the church… and so on. In today’s passage we see the great apostle Paul discussing his severely damaged relationship with the folk in the church at Corinth. Clearly, he was deeply affected by this breakdown between them. How did he deal with it? How did they respond? What can we learn? Listen in as Pastor Murray unpacks this chapter and challenges us to consider more carefully the state of our relationships in light of it.
Mention the word “holiness” and you can be sure to stir some debate. Sure, there are some wrong views among Christians as to what it means to be holy. But correctly understood, holiness is to be a major goal of every Christian. As Hebrews 12:14 puts it: “… without holiness no one will see the Lord”. But why is holiness so important? And what does holiness look like in practice? In today’s message Pastor Murray unpacks these sorts of questions, helping us to see more clearly that as God’s holy people we are fundamentally different from the world around us. We are set apart to live distinctively for Him, and this inevitably affects our relationships and partnerships with those who don’t share our faith. That may seem tough… but it’s necessary.
There are countless would-be female role models held up to us by the world of entertainment, sport, politics, the media and more. But what sort of woman does God hold up today as worth copying? Well, actually she was described 3000 years ago in Proverbs 31. Interestingly we are told nothing about her looks or sex appeal. But what a woman she was! No wonder she is “worth more than rubies”, “clothed with dignity and strength”, and worthy of praise. In many ways she has similarities to the 21st century working woman. But what’s her secret? Her role as a wife and mother, her relationships with others, her work and… well, everything about her revolves around her love and respect for God. O for more godly women like her today!
The letter of 3 John centres around three characters, Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. Each of them teaches us a lesson about what it means for us to nurture healthy Christian lives.
Is there something missing from your life? “If only… then my life would be happy!” How often have we had thoughts like these? Despite all the possessions, relationships, experiences and self-help resources that are supposed to make our lives complete, the reality is that the vast majority of people are dissatisfied with their lives. In so many hearts there is an emptiness or restlessness that won’t go away. Jesus met a woman one day who was like this. Multiple marriages and other relationships had repeatedly left her feeling empty. As they talked, He helped her realise that only He could quench her spiritual thirst. What are you trying to cure your emptiness? Why not turn to Jesus? Only he can truly satisfy our deepest needs and longings.
The burial of Jesus’ body on that first Good Friday evening seemed to bring His short life to a sad and emphatic end. The disciples were convinced it was all over. No one even remotely expected what would happen the following Sunday morning. Was it true? Did it really happen? Could a dead man come back to life again? If so, what did it accomplish? Today’s Easter message explores these questions and the difference it makes to followers of Jesus today that He is alive. Without the resurrection, the death of Jesus is a tragedy. But with the resurrection… that changes everything!
For many Christians it is a mystery as to why Good Friday, the day of the year we especially reflect on the greatest act of evil, is called “good”. On one level it is the most horrific of days. Yet, without Good Friday there would be no Christianity, no Christians and no churches. Jesus simply had to die. And that’s the great paradox of Easter! In this message Pastor Murray shares five convincing reasons why the death of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to the Christian faith. The damage caused by sin is plain for all to see. And if we’re honest, we too are sinners in desperate need of a Saviour. Praise God that Jesus is that Saviour. His death was not in vain. Are you trusting Him today to make you right with God?
The crucifixion of Jesus has always been a point of division among people. For Christians it’s the very heart of our faith. But for others it’s a sign of the weakness and eventual failure of Jesus and his mission to save the world. In today’s message we take a look at three groups of people who were eye-witnesses of the final hours of Jesus’ life. We see their cynical attitudes toward Jesus as they mock his claim to be king and joke at his apparent powerlessness. Little did they realize how their words would come back to bite them! Still today so many people fail to grasp the true meaning of the death of Jesus. They dismiss the cross too quickly. There he proved that he really is God’s eternal King with all the power to save people like you and me today.
Today, on the east side of Jerusalem at the base of the Mount of Olives, there is a grove of olive trees. The original Garden of Gethsemane was somewhere in this vicinity, and it was here that Jesus prayed the night before His death. And what a gut-wrenching prayer. Two things stand out about this incident: firstly, the immensity of the pain Jesus was going through that night, and secondly, his unwavering commitment to fully obey His Father’s will. In order to begin to understand the message of the cross, both of these truths are essential. As Jesus “tasted” the cup of God’s wrath His agony was very real. But why did he did he have to drink it? It was for you and for me. That’s why!
What would you do if you made a life-changing, life-saving discovery? You’d want to share your good news. And that was the thing that drove the apostle Paul to take his missionary life so seriously. He had met the risen Lord and that encounter changed him forever. Even if some didn’t appreciate him, his passion to share the gospel (‘the message of reconciliation’) could not be stopped. He knew what Christ had done in his own life and desperately wanted others to have a personal encounter with him, too. He saw himself as an ambassador of Christ and urged all believers to share this ‘message of reconciliation’ with others. Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? Have you made this great discovery? Let Him change your life today… forever!
Death is a subject people generally try to avoid, but does it have to be the dreaded elephant in the room? The apostle Paul says emphatically: “No”. And in today’s passage he gives us solid reasons why we can live confidently in the very face of death, and even look forward to life beyond the grave. For the Christian, this present life is only ever meant to be temporary. We are mortal. Our bodies wear out. But Christ offers eternal life and a “heavenly” body that will never wear out to those who believe in Him. To have that hope changes the way we see everything! And motivates us to live each day, free from the fear of death and alive to the things that really matter! Do you have that confidence? Listen to this challenging message and be encouraged.