Sermons from 2021 (Page 5)
No Boasting
Romans 3:27-4:12 Paul continues his argument that all human beings can only be made right with God by faith in Christ, pointing to Abraham, whose faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” Because our righteousness does not depend on our works, boasting is excluded.
Samson
Judges 13-16 In this message, we explore Samson’s life in five “episodes.” We see a man with incredible strength, but who is otherwise, impulsive, self-centred and vengeful. Samson’s story causes us to ask some serious questions of ourselves. Above all, Samson points us to Jesus, the far better Saviour, who in his weakness delivers us from our great enemies.
The Saving righteousness of God
Romans 3:21-26 How can sinful people be made right with God? God, in his love, wants to forgive us, but God needs a way to forgive us. God has intervened in history to save us! In the death of Jesus, God achieved justification, redemption and propitiation for us, and so gives to us the righteousness we do not have in ourselves. We receive this as a gift, by grace, and it is applied to each of us personally through faith.
Manipulating God
Judges 10-12 10:6-12:7 Jephthah tries to manipulate God for his own ends, with tragic results. Jephthah is treating the Lord like he would an idol, but the One True God cannot be manipulated. We ultimately exist to serve God’s agenda, not him ours. If we are to worship and obey God rightly, we must first know him.
No one righteous
Romans 3:1-20 Paul concludes his long charge against humanity, showing that all are under the power of sin. This text leaves us feeling the weight of our sin and our need for Jesus, who alone can make us right with God.
20210425PM
Judges 8:29-9:57
No Excuse!
Romans 2:1-29 Having established the universal need for the gospel at the end of chapter 1, Paul now addresses the self-righteous religious types in his readership, reminding them of the impartiality of God’s judgement. Like everyone else, the fundamental need even of morally ‘clean’ people, is repent of their sins and allow the Spirit of God to do his work of regeneration in us as we believe the gospel.
A Mighty Warrior?
Judges 6-8 We can learn from Gideon’s story at two levels. When we look at Gideon the warrior, we see how God taught this weak man lessons about God’s presence, promises and power, before using him to deliver God’s people. But when we look at Gideon the worshipper, we see a man who failed miserably, leading God’s people to worship foreign gods rather than the one true God. From here, things only get worse for God’s people.
God’s Eternal Plan
Ecclesiastes 3
A new day dawns
John 20:11-18 John’s Gospel records Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus. Today, we reflect on the significance of what Mary saw, heard and said that first Easter Sunday, and celebrate, with Mary, this fact – Jesus has risen!
It is Finished!
John 19:17-37 As Jesus hangs on the cross, and breathes his last breath, he cries out “it is finished!” The mission of salvation for which his was sent has been completed. All of the types, promises, and prophecies from the Old testament are now fully accomplished in him. This is a momentous proclamation, and it changes everything. As we look to the cross this Good Friday, we mustn’t miss the significance of what has been accomplished in Christ.
Greatness in the Kingdom of God
Mark 9:30-37 We all have predispositions when it comes to understanding what constitutes ‘greatness’. Wile we may attribute factors such as success and influence as indications of greatness, in this passage Jesus redefines what it means to be truly great in the eyes of God.