Cambridge Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Cambridge Baptist Church
As we examine Paul's ministry in Athens we soon realise that it's not very different to ministering the Gospel in Perth. So, by watching Paul in Athens, we learn how we can communicate the Gospel to people with little understanding of who God is or what the Gospel is.
The greatest changes in the world aren't made by mighty leaders but by faithful ministers. You can turn the world upside down one life at a time. Yes, we need people of renown like Paul, Luther, Tyndale, Graham and all but what the world really needs more of is ordinary, faithful ministers.
The Gospel has the power to break every barrier. Where God leads us He is already at work.
After the tragic break up of Paul and Barnabas, Paul sets off with Silas on another journey. Nothing in this passage seems to go to plan and that is how we learn a great lesson. When things don’t go as we planned we can be certain they will achieve God’s plan.
This is perhaps the most important message any of us will need to hear. It is at the centre of Christian belief. Jesus alone can save! There is no possible way that you can achieve or attain salvation on your own. You need Christ and only Christ.
In this final summary of the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, Luke repeats an important concept of being committed or entrusted to the Lord. This has to do with our life and work as believers, as a church. Passing the Gospel along to others and to the next generation. So here are some, I hope encouraging, thoughts on our role of passing the torch of the Gospel along.
Living for Christ and serving Him is a life that is both agony and ecstasy. Along this first missionary journey we’ve been reminded that we need to declare the Good News because we are Ambassadors for Christ. How do we do that? How can we each live as ambassadors, missionaries as we’ve been called to? We go in the power of the Lord, we go for the glory of the Lord, we go in the strength of the Lord.
Paul reminds us that we are to be lights in the world, ambassadors of Christ. As ambassadors we represent our King and His Kingdom in this world. We are also called to encourage the citizens of the Kingdom. So, how can we be good ambassadors of the King? Encourage the people of the King, reach the people of the King and experience the power of the Kingdom.
How does God spread the Gospel through the world? He works through His church as they serve the purpose of God, seek the will of God and send the people of God.
In the Gospel, God reveals His goodness to us. In declaring the Gospel we are declaring the longsuffering goodness of God that saves from sin. See God's goodness and declare it. The goodness of God prepared, provided and produces salvation.
It was in Antioch where we were first called Christians. A derogatory name we were happy to keep. What is a Christian? A follower of Christ and here we learn from the first Christians something of what that means.
Saul's salvation is an example of the great change that takes place in our life when we accept Jesus as Saviour. We become a new person, with a new purpose gathered with a new people on a new path and in pursuit of God we find a new propserity.
The moment Luke has been longing to tell us about, the most famous conversion in history. The glorious call of Paul to salvation has much to teach all of us about God's ordinary work in saving people from sin. No matter who you are, what you've done or where you come from Jesus is the way of salvation.
From Stephen's martyrdom the Gospel begins to spread like a fire through the world. We are reminded that we must carry the Gospel with us always and everywhere we go.
The growing church at Jerusalem faces a problem with the potential to divide and even destroy their testimony. Through grace and humility the church and their leaders are able to work out the solution together for the good of everyone and the glory of God.
In this comedy of events that takes place while trying to stop the Apostles preaching the Gospel we are reminded that the Gospel can't be stopped and so we should never stop proclaiming the Gospel.
Not church is perfect but that doesn't mean a church can't be great and know the power of God. In the examples given of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira we see how God can make a church great even though it's full of sinful people. A great church is filled with great grace, filled with great fear of God and has a great testimony.
There is power in the name of Jesus! Not simply in the saying of it but in believing. The name of Jesus is powerful because of what He has done - died, risen and reigning. Faith in His name brings forgiveness, refreshment and blessing.
This is what God calls a church to be. A church that passionately desires to know His Word and that is steadfastly committed to each other in fellowship and prayer.
A miracle happens on the day of Pentecost. A prophecy is fulfilled because Jesus is alive, a miracle which shows us that Jesus is Lord.
Before Jesus died He told His disciples it was better for them if He went away. What a puzzling statement – how can the world be better without Jesus in it? In fact, isn’t the promise of God from beginning that we’re aiming for a Kingdom in which Jesus reigns? We know the disciples were confused by this, still waiting for Kingdom right to moment Jesus leaves. Now, we’re about to find out what Jesus meant and realise He was right – for a time it is better that Jesus is gone.
In this time of waiting between the ascension of Christ and the arrival of the Spirit we learn some things about how God works. Waiting is a big part of the Christian life so in the waiting we are to be preparing.
These verses, especially Acts 1:8, are what Acts is all about. It is what Christianity is all about. Luke encourages us to go forward with purpose because the mission is great and our reward is coming.
Continuing from his Gospel Luke gives us the account of God's continuing work through the Church. He writes this to encourage and strengthen us in our confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He starts by reminding us of what Jesus began, to believe what Jesus did and to hope in what Jesus will do.
As the night before Jesus' crucifixion intensifies the disciples will see the power of God at work and we will learn through Jesus the power of trust, the power of prayer and the power of the cross.
After everything that Jesus has taught about what to expect before His coming what do we need to learn? How should we live in expectation of His coming again?
As the world moves towards its end, getting increasingly rebellious to God we can give in to fear or we can stand and fight evil in the power of God.
So much about Christ’s return can confuse us, trouble us or stir anxiety. No-one wants to endure persecution, none of us want to see false teachers direct people away from Christ and the events leading up to Christ’s return are terrifying and even gruesome. So, Jesus leaves us with some words of encouragement and advice to be able to endure. He reminds us to look beyond the events and see God at work in His great purpose and then to set our lives on course to be ready.
Jesus has been describing the characteristics of the world leading up to His return. Now Jesus gives some definitive signs. When these happen Jesus is on His way.
As we think about the doctrine of Eternal Life we have looked at God's side in preserving the saints and now we look at it from our point of view in the perseverance of the saints. That is that all true believers will believe until the end, pursuing Christ to the very end.
God hasn’t left out one detail of your salvation. It began in eternity past, was made possible by Christ’s death and continues until God completes His work. God has given you eternal life and that life is guaranteed for all who truly believe. He will not lose you!
As Jesus addresses signs of the the last days he tells us the first and most consistent sign is the persecution of God's people. He also encourages us not to fear because as we stand up for Jesus He stands up for us.
The second coming of Christ is proceeded by increasing calamities (wars, distress, disaster) so Jesus teaches His people not to be caught off guard by His coming but to prepare for it and not to be afraid of these events.
Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us a new relationship with God and a new relationship with people, especially other believers. What once divided us no longer does. We are the body of Christ.
In Luke 21 Jesus warns us not to follow false teachers. How do we know who they are? How can we avoid be deceived? Find out in today's sermon.
The end of the age, apocalypse, Second Coming is an intriguing topic to many. Especially in unusual times. What does Jesus say about the end and when He will return? Are you ready for what comes next?
One word often used to describe church and Christianity is boring. What we do and who we are isn’t empty or dead. Our boredom comes from forgetting who God is. We’re reminded today that God is great, satisfying and living. Remembering that makes the life of the believer anything but boring.
In 'What Belongs to God' (26/04/2020) we learned we belong to God. So then, what do we give to God? Worship If you have any questions please contact us at cbc@cambridgebaptist.org.au
Cambridge Baptist Service 26/04/2020 Jesus answers a question by telling us we need to give to God what belongs to God. So, what belongs to God and why do I need to give to Him? 3 reasons we must give to God: You are His creation You bear His image You carry His presence
In this time when we're all being told to get used to the 'new normal' we are reminded that the resurrection of Jesus Christ brings in a new normal for those who believe. A new path, new relationship and new life. 2 Corinthians 3:12-19
Jesus' actions have infuriated the religious leaders. They refuse to see the truth of who He is and submit to His authority. In response to a question designed to trap Him Jesus tells a parable to expose their hearts and warn them of their fate of rejecting Him. A parable which reveals our own hearts as well.
The climax of the Triumphal entry of Christ isn't a coronation but rejection. This leads to two events where Jesus shows deep emotions. Weeping over Jerusalem and clearing the temple. Why do these situations bring such strong reactions? In these we learn that Jesus wants you to avoid judgement and He wants you to know Him.
Jesus leaves crowds and the Pharisees behind to talk with 12. His purpose is to help them understand why Jesus came. He would speak of His death more often in the weeks ahead because we all need the reminder of why He came to keep us on track. Perhaps too, we can gain strength in seeing how God works.
Jesus uses the two events in Luke 18:15-30 to teach us who will enter His eternal Kingdom (have eternal life). The children show us our need of dependence on God for salvation. The young ruler illustrates our need for God's grace and power for salvation.
Jesus' teaching on prayer here is in context of His coming Kingdom. This is a call to look beyond what we see and experience to see God’s great purpose. It is a call for us to fix our prayers not in what is but what will be. Jesus is encouraging us to keep praying and not get discouraged because He will answer His people's prayers.
Jesus Christ is coming again. He promised He would. Christ’s coming Kingdom is important part of our faith and we need to grow in understanding it and in our desire for it. Here Jesus gives us a little more detail about His Kingdom. His Kingdom has come, His Kingdom will come and His Kingdom is forever.
The people of God are to be a people of gratitude. We’ve recognised that what God does for us is undeserved, that God has seen us from afar and brought us near. In a society of entitlement we are reminded that He deserves our praise and thanks.
Luke 17:1-10 opens with a topic less controversial than the previous topics but no less difficult to hear. In a rebuke against the heartless Pharisees Jesus teaches us a lesson about being Christlike, about forgiveness. For the believer, forgiveness isn't really a choice it's a command, a way of life, which is to flow from a heart of humility. Freely you have received, freely give.
In this story about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus Jesus leads us to consider our assumptions about where we think we will go when we die. Most people assume it will be heaven but how do you know for sure?
Most people go into marriage with high hopes and blissfully unaware of how hard it will be. God knows the struggles and understands and is there to strengthen you through the tough times. He is using marriage to make you a better person so commit to God and to one another. Also be assured that if you’re past has the pain and hurt of divorce in it God cares, it’s not ideal but He understands and He will work in you for your good, forgive the sin that led to it, heal your heart and give you grace.
There are always going to be people who want to profit off God, who will lead people away from God in the name of God. As God’s people we mustn’t remain silent our love for God and His people should move us to speak the truth in love, to expose false teachers and save some from doom. We do this to advance God's Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel.
In the parable of this incompetent manager Jesus teaches us to consider how we use our earthly resources for the eternal benefit of others.
This story about a father's 2 sons is a story about us. It is a call from our loving God to repent and return to Him and a warning against the hardness of empty religion.
Jesus tells 3 stories about loss. They tell us about why Jesus came. All 3 stories have the same theme. All 3 have the same pattern: something lost, is sought, found & rejoiced. All 3 represent the same people: Lost sheep, coin, son = sinner; Searching shepherd, woman, father = God
Jesus calls us to salvation which we receive freely by grace alone through faith. Believing Jesus as Saviour is just the beginning. When you come to Jesus what happens next. To follow Jesus requires changing our priorities, examining the cost and long term commitment.
Jesus tells a parable about a great banquet. It is both a warning to us about pride and an invitation to come to Him in humility and enjoy His goodness.
Jesus has taught us how to prayer and now takes us further into nature of prayer, into our motives and beliefs about prayer. Here Jesus encourages us to keep praying, to pray like you believe.
We all long for vibrant, powerful, life changing prayer but we're often unsure about how to experience it and we end up in a rut or not praying at all. You're not the only one struggling, many ask like the disciples, "teach us to pray". So, Jesus taught us to pray. How does Jesus show us we can have powerful, life-changing prayer?
A Large audience is confronted by the Ravages of sin and see the Instinctive tenderness of Jesus are amazed by His Stunning miracle and Exalt God. This one who can raise a man from the dead is the same one who can raise you from the dead.
This is a story about the beauty and simplicity of putting your faith in Jesus. This centurion with a love for his slave seeks Jesus in faith and teaches us all some lessons in the process.
We all want, need a foundation in life that will allow us to weather the storms of life and enjoy the sunny days. A solid life is attainable, it’s a life not anchored in the temporal of this life but the eternal of the next. Jesus tells us here it’s possible to have a life with a solid foundation.
In these verses we find by example and by remembrance what a church needs to persevere in passion for God.
God entrusts His leaders to serve His people so that they can properly serve Him and one another. Today we look at how this body of Christ is to function.
The Bible teaches there is a beautiful partnership, communion between believers as we fulfil our unique place in this body of Christ. That partnership is seen in the way Jesus structured the church and has gifted us with godly leadership.
Who has the right, authority to speak for Jesus on earth? How does Jesus expect that authority to be used? In the second part of the Beautiful Plan for the Church we examine the answer to these questions.
To know what we are supposed to do as a church we must know what we are meant to be. What was Jesus design and intent for the church when He established it. Here we consider Christ as our confession and Christ as our builder.
Your church needs you to pray. Not just for the ministries, activities or function. You need to pray for each other. Here, we look at 2 ways to pray for your church from Paul's prayer for the church at Ephesus. Pray passionately and Pray deeply.
John the Baptist makes 3 things clear about what Jesus is coming for. We are shown what salvation is not, what salvation is and how to have the salvation Jesus offers.
The story of a 12 year boy that has profound implications. Jesus understands every experience of growing up. He lived every stage of life perfectly and through God's grace by believing Jesus as Saviour His perfection is credited to your imperfect life.
In the last of Luke's 3 testimonies of Christ, Anna shows us an example of a life lived for God. A Life lived for God is one that has a heart to serve God and a heart to encourage God's people.
We answer four questions about baptism. What is baptism? Why be baptised? Who should be baptised? And How can I be baptised?
Simeon's beautiful words of prophecy speak to us of having hope in God. He reveals that hope in God satisfies, saves and separates. He gets to the heart of why Christ came and the effects of His coming
Hope can be a very powerful thing. True hope isn't just wishful thinking but a longing and expectation based in God who cannot lie. Simeon's testimony of Christ helps us see that hope in God is satisfying.