Dromore RP Church - Sermons: Recent Episodes
Philip Dunwoody
Weekly sermons from Rev. Philip Dunwoody, pastor of Dromore Reformed Presbyterian Church, County Down, Northern Ireland.
In Matthew 10 the Lord Jesus will speak at length to his twelve disciples/apostles about the short-term mission he is about to send them on. Before that we consider three requirements or anyone preparing to serve him on mission.
Matthew concludes this mini section of his gospel, in which he gives examples of Jesus' miraculous healings, with two final, particularly dramatic examples: Jesus raises a dead girl to life and gives sight to the blind. These miracles, even more than the others, would have had thoughtful Jewish onlookers recalling the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Has he opened your eyes, and given you new life?
Matthew continues laying out the evidence of Jesus' unique authority. As he does so, we are confronted with a question, one that Matthew himself was confronted with: will we follow this Messiah?
Psalm 38 takes us to the cross. It powerfully describes the experience of Christ, bearing our sin on the cross. It also warns us of the torment awaiting any who do not trust in Christ to bear their sin, and so have to bear it themselves in eternity.
Matthew continues laying out the evidence of Jesus' unique authority - over his followers, over nature and over evil.
Matthew lays out the evidence for Jesus' authority to teach and preach in the Sermon on the Mount (chs 5-7). He now lays out the evidence for Jesus' authority over sickness, evil and death. Jesus both speaks and acts as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament Scriptures.
The Christian life is a journey. No matter our age or stage, a healthy believer's attitude must always be to 'press on' - more of Christ to know, more scope for faith to grow!
'Fret not,' says the psalmist. Easy for him to say? Not necessarily. King David faced a world of threats and trials, as did his greater son, the Lord Jesus. They minister to us in this psalm, explaining how it is that we can avoid fretting and worrying at the state our world is in.
'Fret not,' says the psalmist. Easy for him to say? Not necessarily. King David faced a world of threats and trials, as did his greater son, the Lord Jesus. They minister to us in this psalm, explaining how it is that we can avoid fretting and worrying at the state our world is in.
Strictly speaking, parts of Exodus 5-7 don't move the story on. We know what's coming; why haven't we gotten to it?! Yet, build-up anticipates deliverance. These passages make unmistakably clear who God is and why he is about to do what he will do for his people.
After Moses' initial disappointment at Pharaoh's refusal to let the people go, the LORD God reassures Moses that he will act to deliver his people - just as he had promised long ago to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, centuries beforehand. The Exodus is powerful proof that our God keeps his covenant promises, and is also a sign-post to the greater fulfilment of those promises in the coming of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Moses obeys God - and everything seems to get worse. In this chapter we consider three questions, one each asked by Pharaoh, the Israelites and Moses. Like each of them we're often left asking, 'Why?'
God surprisingly sends Philip from Samaria - where there are new converts, the coming of the Holy Spirit and conflict with evil - to the desert. Yet there, in the desert, God had a single soul to whom Philip brought the gospel. God is sovereign over every single soul in salvation.
The death of Stephen, the first martyr, is a pivotal moment for the fledgling New Testament Church. it would have been a moment of heartache and concern - and yet, the mission Jesus had given his church must and does continue. In fact, through the death of Stephen, a new phase of the mission begins.
Stephen was the first New Testament believer to lose his life for preaching the gospel. What was it about his preaching that so infuriated his opponents? And what possible good does God bring about in the death of his saints?
What should we take away from the treatment Stephen received for his gospel witness? Even if we never find ourselves in his exact position, we ought to consider carefully his experience.
Stephen deserves our respect and admiration. Before giving us the record of what he said when on trial, Luke draws our attention to how Stephen was filled with the Spirit - and the impact it had on his character and witness.
Problems in the church don't have to finish the church; in God's providence, they might actually lead to pivotal progress.
Is it even possible? To suffer, and yet rejoice? Acts 5:41 tells us that it is. It's exactly how the apostles are described, and is something described elsewhere in the New Testament too. Here we consider how joyful suffering is possible.
We all like to know what we can expect in any undertaking or commitment, even those that we are excited for. Acts lays out what we can expect if we are Christians on the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus' disciples, worried about what the future holds a few hours before Jesus will go to the cross, hear one of the most wonderful statements anyone could hear. Yet Jesus was not simply providing comfort for his friends; he was declaring himself to be the only way for anyone, anywhere, to enjoy everlasting life.
Satan's first attack on the believers in Jerusalem was via persecution, outside the church. His next comes from within the church. This solemn passage reminds us of the threat Satan poses to Christ's people, but also of the fact that Christ is greater than our enemy.
Jesus' words in John 11 were spoken at a wake. They are far from mere condolence or wishful thinking. Jesus promises that those who belong to him by faith will, as he has been already, be raised up to everlasting life! What better news could there be in a world of sin and death!
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is good news for all people! But preaching that message also attracts opposition from Satan, sometimes in the form of persecution. Christians need to be ready for this, and to preach boldly even in the face of it.
We live in a hungry world - in more ways than one. In describing for us who he is, Jesus uses a picture to emphasise that life in him is full and satisfying. Hungry hearts: come to Jesus!
Peter takes the opportunity to witness following a miraculous healing in Jerusalem. He directs the attention of the Jewish people present to Jesus of Nazareth, crucified in Jerusalem, but risen from the dead, in fulfilment of their own Scriptures!
In both Luke's Gospel and Acts we read repeatedly about the kingdom of God. What is it? What does it look like? This passage gives us part of the answer. The miracles (or 'signs') done in the days of Jesus and his apostles point us forward to the full coming of his kingdom - when there will be no sickness, suffering or death. New life to the full is what the risen Jesus offers the world.
Following the remarkable events of the day of Pentecost, Luke describes what life began to look like for this new community of Jesus' followers in Jerusalem. Here we see marks of an 'ordinary,' local Christian church.
Moses had attempted to save his people at his own time, in his own strength. Decades later, when he felt completely incapable, God called him to that very task! God has a calling for all his people and we need to avoid excuses in fulfilling it. Moses' reluctance to serve is a striking contrast with the willingness of the Lord Jesus to carry out a far more demanding form of deliverance.
The story of Moses' birth and adoption into the Egyptian palace is well-known. But our familiarity with it might blind us to some of the crucial details. Exodus 2 actually tells us about Moses attempting deliver God's people on his own strength - and God over-ruling in his sovereign good purposes.
Exodus picks up where Genesis left off - but all of a sudden, God's people need saving from a terrible change of circumstances. God raises up unlikely saviours who bring deliverance. His covenant promises are unchanging, even in our changing world.
Saul would remain the official king of Israel for many years to come, but in the eyes of God, his kingship comes to an end in this passage. Saul fails once again to obey the commands of God. He then fails to truly repent. This is a heart-searching passage that challenges us to consider what truly turning from sin looks like.
The mission of Jesus' Church is fuelled by the Spirit whom Jesus has sent, as he promised. Whilst there can be much confusion and controversy over the person and work of the Holy Spirit, here we see clearly one of the main purposes of his empowering Christ's followers: so that we can be witnesses of the risen Jesus!
King Saul had everything he needed to be a successful king, and the summary of his kingship is positive in many ways; but he failed in the most important area, that of obedience to God's Word and cultivating a heart inclined to Him. Here we consider three questions to diagnose a straying heart.
The risen Jesus has left his apostles with a wonderful mission to accomplish. But before it begins, they are commanded to wait in Jerusalem. As they do so they important foundations for church life that still apply today: obedience, prayerfulness and unity. These foundations enable them to deal with a serious problem that could have derailed their witness before it got started.
Jonathan was the prince who would never be king. He provides a stark contrast with his faltering father, King Saul. Where Saul was full of fear in the face of the Philistine threat, Jonathan was full of faith. We learn here the importance of looking to our one pioneer in the faith, who raises us up with him to enjoy his victory - just as Jesus does for all his people.
Acts is the greatest sequel ever written, the follow-up to the Gospel of Luke. Acts is about what Jesus Christ is continuing to do in the world today, by his Word, Spirit and people, the Church. Amid all that the Christian Church could do today, Jesus tells us what we must do: be his witnesses!
Saul's time as God's chosen king is over almost as soon as it begins - because he fails to obey the commands of the Lord. Though we may sympathise with the pressure Saul faced, we must heed the lesson that in times of fear, we must call upon God in faith.
Saul was Israel's ideal choice of king - but their motives in demanding a king were wrong from the start. After a great victory, Samuel calls the people - and their king - to renew their allegiance to God, the sovereign Lord who had always provided everything they needed, and their true King.
The people have demanded a king - rejecting the kingship of God in the process. Yet, God graciously provides them with one. More accurately he provides them with another deliverer, a saviour - Saul. Here we see how God specially empowers his king for service.
The people demanded a king, and God provides one - but in the way and at the time that he deems best. His guiding and providing of Saul shows that God's King subverts our expectations - as does his providing of King Jesus!
Psalm 102 describes both the hardships of a believer's existence and the assurance of the believer's future. Hebrews 1 explicitly states that the words of this psalm are fulfilled in Christ, the one who took on our human frailty but who has secured for us life in eternity! At the turn of the year we reflect on the comfort of resting in an unchanging God.
Jacob's prophetic, parting words to his son, Judah, foreshadow the coming of the King of kings, Jesus Christ.
God's everlasting covenant with Abraham included the promise of a son. In this passage we see clear parallels with the coming of a promised son in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham (Matthew 1:1).
The first book of the Bible begins the story of the whole Bible. Its promises are ultimately fulfilled in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom he will bring to this broken world. In this short series we consider some of the promises in Genesis that point forward to the coming King!
The first book of the Bible begins the story of the whole Bible. Its promises are ultimately fulfilled in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom he will bring to this broken world. In this short series we consider some of the promises in Genesis that point forward to the coming King!
Assured of his own cleansing from sin, Isaiah is now ready to serve the holy and gracious God who has spoken to him.
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God's Eager Messenger
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God's Use of His Messenger
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God's Promise to His Messenger
Confronted with the holiness of God, Isaiah fears for his life. He confesses his sin - and is met with God's mercy. The same holy God who confronts us in our sin also cleanses from sin.
In Isaiah 6 the prophet to God's people receives his commission from God to preach and prophesy. But first he must be confronted - as must we - with the holiness of God.
Paul signs off Colossians with his own signature. But the whole conclusion shows his personal touch, his pastoral care and prayer for the church in Colossae and further afield. In a passage full of names that might mean little to us, there is, in fact, plenty of instruction as to what 'body life' in the church looks like.
As we reflect on the question, 'Who am I?' Jesus gives us another of his own answers. In a world that often feels chaotic, Jesus gives us control.
Coming towards the end of his letter, Paul reminds his readers of the two great priorities of the church: praying and proclaiming the gospel!
The great cry of our culture today is, "Follow your heart!" The truth of Scripture is, "Your heart is sinful". Instead, we ought to follow Christ our King. 1 Samuel 8 is a complex but tragic account of God's people foolishly following their heart - and God sovereignly over-ruling for good.
Paul outlines how our following of Christ, the Lordship of Christ, impacts every part of our lives, including our closest and most personal relationships:
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Wives and Husbands
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Children and Parents
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Workers and Employers
Guest preacher: Rev. Robert M. McCollum (Lisburn RP Church).
Having tried to face their enemies in their own strength, and with man-centred worship, the Israelites are called together by Samuel at Mizpah. He reminds them that it is the LORD, the covenant God, who has given them every good thing until now. Humbling themselves before God, the people find that he is once again mighty to save!
Having described what a Christian must put off (3:5-11) Paul now describes 'the Christian's wardrobe': the things that ought to mark the lives of those in union with Christ.
The Philistines believed that, in conquering Israel in battle, they had somehow conquered the God of Israel too. They learn a painful lesson about not taking God too lightly. His measured judgments on them are a warning for all people to repent before his final judgment falls.
In the dark nights of autumn and winter, most of us long for more light! There is a spiritual longing for "light" - purpose, hope, transcendence - in all of us too. Here we consider how Jesus speaks to that longing.
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The Darkness We Deserve
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The Light We Can Receive
In a moment of crisis, the people of Israel make a mess of God's worship. They treat the Ark of the Covenant like a lucky charm and they rob God of his glory. We must guard against making their mistakes.
In the last main section of his letter Paul outlines what a Christian's life should - and should not - look like. All that he says arises out of our identity in Christ. When you know who you are, you know what to do!
The call of Samuel is a beloved Old Testament story - but it served a higher purpose. Through Samuel God was once again going to shine the light of his Word upon his people.
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You have been Raised in Christ - So Look Up!
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You have Died in Christ - So Look Away
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You are Hidden in Christ - So Look Forward to the Big Reveal
"Worship is a serious business", someone has said. This is certainly demonstrated in the details of 1 Samuel 2, where God judges between worthless and real worshippers.
One hallmark of humanity is an inbuilt longing for connection, with one another, with a sense of importance/higher power. Yet, our world seems to be lonelier than ever. Here we consider how Jesus provides the most important connection possible.
The Book of Samuel begins with "a certain man" (1 Sam. 1:1) - but in fact, it is through a lowly woman, Hannah, and her prayers, that God begins to work for the good of His people.
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Hannah's Problem
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Hannah's Prayer
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Hannah's Praise
One hallmark of humanity is an inbuilt longing for connection, with one another, with a sense of importance/higher power. Yet, our world seems to be lonelier than ever. Here we consider how Jesus provides the most important connection possible.
To a congregation tempted to believe that they need something more/other than Christ and his gospel, Paul wonderfully reassures them: you are filled with every blessing you could possibly need in your Lord Jesus!
Peter uses the same word in 1 Peter 4:19 as Luke used in Luke 23:46. Just as Jesus 'entrusted' himself to the Father at death, so Peter says we are to 'entrust' ourselves to God each and every day.
Why? Because, like Christ:
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We Will Suffer
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We Have a Sovereign God
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We Have Good Work to Do
"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" - the final words of Jesus reflect his complete control and perfect faith.
When God ushers in a new era in salvation history, he always makes it very clear. Two wondrous signs accompany the death of Jesus and the beginning of the gospel age.
Paul has written 35 verses of his letter before he tells his readers of something he wants them to DO. More important, as Christians, is who we KNOW. Rooted in Christ, our goal must to continue walking in the strength he gives.
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A Pastor's Heart-Warming Love for Christ's Church (2:1-5)
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A Pastor's First Priority for Christ's Church (2:6-7)
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A Pastor's Heart-Felt Warning for Christ's Church (2:8-10)
God is Love - what a simple yet wonderful truth!
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God's Love is Eternal
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God's Love is Volitional
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God Loves All People
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God Loves His Own People
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God's Love is Sacrificial
The Colossian Christians were having to discern true and false teaching of the gospel. Here Paul defends his ministry as one truly called to preach the truth about salvation. He describes marks of his ministry that will be true for any genuine gospel minister.
There is perhaps no less popular biblical truth today than that God is a God of wrath. Here we look more closely at what the Scripture says on this crucial subject:
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God's Wrath is Real
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God's Wrath is Required
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God's Wrath Has Been Revealed
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God's Wrath is Being Revealed
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God's Wrath Will Be Revealed
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God's Wrath Can Be Escaped
To be reconciled with God is to:
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Realise Who We Were
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Rest in What Christ Has Done
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Remain - Not Shift - From Where We Are Now
- God is All-Powerful - What does it Mean?
2 Where do we See it?
3 How Should we Respond to it?
Who is in first place in your life? The apostle Paul teaches the Colossians that no one deserves more pre-eminence in our lives than Jesus Christ.
Ours is an impatient world, and we are often very impatient people. What a contrast with God!
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God's Patience is Misunderstood
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The Purpose of God's Patience
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The Limit of God's Patience
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The Challenge of God's Patience
Sometimes, with the best of intentions, Christians hardly know what to pray. We can be unsure of our words, tired from service, burdened by a trial. Without ever having met the Colossians, however, Paul knew what to pray for them. We can use his prayer to pray for ourselves and one another.
It seems the more we know of our world, the less we understand it. We can quickly get information, but do we really know the world - or ourselves! - any better?
Here we consider the comforting, convicting truth that our God, truly, knows all things.
The apostle Paul had never been to the city of Colossae or met any of the believers there - but they already had the most important thing in common: the gospel of Jesus Christ!
As we resume our series thinking about who God is we consider a vital Christian truth: God is one in Being, Three in Person. The doctrine of the Trinity is not a contradiction, but it is a mystery. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful, vital truth for every believer to know.
Psalm 36 highlights a stark contrast between the wickedness of mankind and the steadfast love of the Lord. Lest we become overwhelmed by the former, we must rejoice in the latter!
The only constant in our world today seems to be change! From technology to international relations between nations to our own personal lives, everything seems to be busy blur of changes.
What a comfort it is, then, to learn about a God who does not and will not change!
Psalm 35 probably doesn't rank highly on our list of favourite psalms. There are even some lines in it that might cause us to question whether we should sing them! But rightly understood, this is a psalm praying for God to justly and fairly deliver his Chosen King from wicked enemies. It is, in fact, good news for the Christian that our God fights for us!
What humans need, more than anything, is to know the God who made us. In this series we begin by considering the fact that God is utterly separate and unique from anyone and anything else; in other words, he is holy.
The Mission of the Church is a relatively simple one, as Paul outlines in Romans 10:11-17. Here we consider:
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The Simple Nature of the Mission
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The Strategy for the Mission
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The Scope of the Mission
Our long journey through Genesis comes to a close with the death of Joseph. But here, in this sad reminder of the impact of sin on the world, we have a great demonstration of faith, a reminder that God's good purposes will prevail.
Christ's work on earth is finished - but his work in heaven today is ongoing, and he will come again to this world one day for the work of judgement.
During our communion season we consider Jesus' sixth word from the cross:
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A Servant's Tasks Finished
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A Saviour's Suffering Finished
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Satan Finished
In John 17:4 Jesus, whilst praying to the Father, utters words similar to those he will soon shout in victory from the cross. Here we consider what it meant for the Father to be glorified by the Son and for the Son to be glorified by the Father.
Sermon Outline:
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What are Some Common Beliefs About What Happens After We Die?
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What does the Bible Say?
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What does the Bible Teach About Hell?
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What does the Bible Teach About Heaven?
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How do we Avoid Hell and Go to Heaven?
We don't take any great pleasure in talking about it, but human beings live with the reality that we will die. For the believer, the Bible shows us that there is a way to die well - testifying to our faith in a God who offers life after death. As he faced his own death Jacob did exactly that.
Having considered previously why we sing the Psalms, here we consider how they ought to be sung; worship is always about our heart as well as our lips.
Jacob gathers his twelve sons together for the final time. In the midst of great blessing promised for them - especially Judah and Joseph - he also warns them of difficulties they will have to endure, some of their own making. In the midst of it all he urges them to look to the Lord, Yahweh, for salvation.
For most of church history the question of what the church should sing during corporate worship was not a question! Today, however, it is a much-debated one. Here we consider some of the reasons why our church sings only the Psalms of Scripture.
Hebrews 11:21 highlights Jacob's faith in the face of death as worthy of emulation. Before the end of his life Jacob calls his son, Joseph, and his grandsons to his bedside, testifying to the care and keeping of God in the past, present and future.
Church discipline is not a particularly popular subject and not very widely practised in the wider Christian world. Yet it is a crucially important principle, one that King Jesus expects His Church to uphold.
Joseph was the man God raised up for a time of crisis, providing for the needs of hungry nations. He was also the son God provided for aged Jacob to shepherd him toward the end of his life. Once more, Joseph is a picture for us of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christianity - and other major religions - are often dismissed in Western culture as being different versions of the same thing, one no better than another. Is that really an accurate assessment?
The Joseph Story continues to provide pictures of our salvation. Here we consider:
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Joseph: The Needed Mediator
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Pharaoh: The 'All-Powerful' Provider
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Jacob: The Bringer of Blessing
One of the most beloved accounts of Jesus appearing after his resurrection is also the most personal. He is a Saviour for unknown, ordinary people. He gives us eye to see him and hearts alive with love for him. Do you know the power of Christ's resurrection in your life?
Genesis 46 would probably be overlooked in a list of journeys that changed history - but it did. The far more famous Exodus from Egypt only happened because Israel - Jacob - went down to Egypt many years before. Why did he do that? Was he right to do it? What can we learn from it for today?
Even King Solomon, one of the wealthiest kings who ever lived, wondered about life's purpose. Do you?
Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan on a mission: to bring their father and families back to Joseph in Egypt. Though this was perhaps a daunting task, Joseph provided them with everything they needed for the journey - just as our special brother, Jesus Christ, will do for us on our journey to heaven.
Continuing our series on our beliefs and practices as a denomination, here we consider the question, "What happens when we come to The Lord's Table?"
Judah and Joseph: two brothers who lived long ago. But in this passage, each of them, in different ways, points forward to a son of Judah who would one day come, a Saviour required and a Saviour who has revealed himself to be full of forgiveness and able to provide beyond what we could have imagined for ourselves.
Whilst not yet revealing his identity to them, Joseph warmly welcomes his brothers and sits them down at a feast in his home. The joyful scene is a great picture for Christians of the eternity of blessing we can look forward to with Jesus!
Joseph's brothers finally stand (and bow) before him, 20 years after they sold him into slavery. But they don't yet recognise him, and Joseph is determined to test them. We cannot fully receive all the blessings Jesus has for us until we first see our sin as it really is.
One of the most common pictures in the Bible is of the needy soul thirsting for life. Do you thirst for God? Jesus invites all who do to come to him in faith.
During our communion season we consider Christ's fifth word from the cross, "I thirst", revealing to us the depths of his humanity and the depths of his suffering - and yet, his unflinching desire to fulfil his Father's will.
Psalm 69 is quoted several times in the New Testament, where it is understood in light of Christ's death and resurrection. John 19:28 tells us that the words of this psalm, specifically verse 21, were fulfilled on the cross when Jesus said, "I thirst".
In a culture obsessed with love, where the motto in recent years has been, "Love is Love", what does this word really mean?
The remarkable rise of Joseph to power in Egypt illustrates God's sovereignty in every detail of our lives. It also parallels the rise - or ascension - of the Lord Jesus Christ, now in heaven, able to provide for all who trust in him.
How does a believer endure suffering and disappointment? Genesis 40 provides us with a case study from the life of Joseph.
Baptism is a Christian ritual dating back thousands of years. But what is it? What is its significance? And is it mere tradition? We had some AV issues with this recording but the audio is intact.
Two questions to consider:
How do we baptise?
Who do we baptise?
Sometimes temptations to sin seem too strong to resist. Yet the Bible shows us that is not the case. Joseph's ability to withstand temptation - and to prosper in difficult circumstances - is part of the proof that the LORD was with him, as he is with His people today.
Baptism is a Christian ritual dating back thousands of years. But what is it? What is its significance? And is it mere tradition?
Genesis 38 is not a chapter we are likely to turn to regularly. It is a shocking, sad, unsavoury episode in the life of Judah, Jacob's leading son. Here we see the depths of human sin and our undoubted need for God's saving grace.
Joseph is one of the most well-known and well-loved figures in the Bible. His story continues the Genesis story: God working out his promises and purposes for the good of His people.
Oftentimes, too, Joseph reminds us an awful lot of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 lay out the qualifications for church elders. The big message? Character counts.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 lay out the qualifications for church elders. The big message? Character counts.
We consider the duties of elders as laid out in 1 Peter 5:1-5. In all that they do church elders are to direct the focus of church members to the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of our series on Biblical Eldership we consider why the local church ought to be be governed by groups of elders.
Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount by challenging his listeners not to simply be listeners - but to obey his words. Doing so is as wise as building a house on rock; to refuse is as foolish as building on sand.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah speaks clearly and powerfully about what kind of king he will be and what his arrival will mean for the nations of the earth.
Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah speaks clearly and powerfully about what kind of king he will be and what his arrival will mean for the nations of the earth.
Continuing our series on what a reformed and presbyterian church looks like, here we consider the central role God's Word plays in our church.
Since Jesus has torn down the curtain of "his flesh", and opened the way for us to come to God, what impact should it have on our lives?
Further study of Jesus' words from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
During our communion season we consider the fourth statement Jesus made from the cross - a heartfelt cry of abandonment.
How we approach God in prayer and how we approach our relationships with one another - not always easy! Once again Jesus graciously teaches on crucial aspects of our Christian lives.
One way to understand the story of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is with the Covenant of Grace. God has made promises to bless, redeem and provide for his chosen people - and he will keep those promises. To be in his covenant is to be blessed from all eternity!
One verse that plenty of people know off by heart is Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge." But what did Jesus really mean by this?
Few if any of us live anxiety-free 24/7. But what do we do with those worries? Allow them to snowball out of all proportion, or bring them to our heavenly Father?
The Lord Jesus becomes our investment advisor in the Sermon on the Mount, describing the one treasure that will never fade or disappoint!
It may be surprising for us to realise that the Lord Jesus Christ expects that his followers will fast! What is it? Why should we do it? What is the purpose? Here we consider some of those questions.
The final petition of the Lord's Prayer reminds us of the power of temptation and the protection God provides in the face of it.
Halfway through his prayer the Lord Jesus describes the things we ought to pray for ourselves. Our prayers should always balance praise and pleas.
Right at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount is perhaps the most famous prayer in history. Yet the "Lord's Prayer" also serves as a model for any prayer we ever utter.
Jesus continues describing the lifestyle of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven - in which prayer is crucially important.
The Sermon on the Mount describes the lifestyle and priorities of those who belong to the kingdom of God. The religion Jesus teaches about is not what his followers do to be saved; rather it is what saved people do. The first topic covered by Jesus is generous giving.
Continuing our series in the Sermon on the Mount. Our world obsesses over describing, portraying and campaigning for "love"; what does Jesus have to say about it?
Here we consider some of the crucial evidence for answering this most important question.
Among other things our culture is marked by a casual attitude to strong language and by people insisting on their rights. Jesus counters both of these things in the next section of his Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus' teaching on these matters came in the context of a culture which had devalued marriage and made divorce very straightforward, at least for men. Here, Jesus corrects that low view of marriage and once again probes to the heart with his teaching on adultery.
"You shall not murder" - at first glance most of us would probably assume that we have kept this commandment from God. However, the Lord Jesus teaches us that murder is a matter of the heart. How should we manage our anger?
What exactly is the relationship of the Christian to the Law of God? Does the Old Testament even matter anymore? What does it mean that Jesus has "fulfilled" the Law? These are crucial questions which Jesus answers in the next section of his sermon.
Jesus, the Master Teacher, uses two simple but powerful illustrations to explain how Christians are to have a positive impact upon our dark, decaying world.
Jesus made seven statements as he was dying on the cross. During this communion season we are focusing on the third, his words to his mother, Mary, in John 19:26-27.
Jesus made seven statements as he was dying on the cross. During this communion season we are focusing on the third, his words to his mother, Mary, in John 19:26-27.
Jesus made seven statements as he was dying on the cross. During this communion season we are focusing on the third, his words to his mother, Mary, in John 19:26-27.
Most of us are concerned to find what makes us happy in life. Jesus begins his sermon by describing the truly happy - "blessed" - life, though his statements may seem surprising.
Most of us are concerned to find what makes us happy in life. Jesus begins his sermon by describing the truly happy - "blessed" - life, though his statements may seem surprising.
Have you ever been invited to "taste-test" a new product? Here the psalmist gladly urges us to taste and experience the goodness of God - a reason to rejoice, testify and find assurance.
Perhaps the most famous sermon ever preached comes early in Matthew's Gospel. But before the Lord Jesus even begins speaking, Matthew draws attention to the importance of the sermon in how he describes Jesus, and who this sermon is for.
We don't often shout for joy - sometimes we feel entirely joyless - but Psalm 33 is packed full of reasons to do just that, all of them reminding us of the great, gracious, loving God we have to worship!
Nahum's prophecy concludes with further promises of judgment on the city of Nineveh. The prophet's strong, vivid language of what God's judgment entails reminds believers of all that Christ has experienced for us and saved us from.
Amid many concerning headlines in our world, and endless challenges facing our national leaders, we consider this important command in 1 Timothy 2.
There is no more important question to ask than which side of God's judgment we are on.
The certainty of God's judgment on his enemies is a comfort for his own people. He calls on his people to celebrate the good news of their freedom from bondage. Similarly, Christians today rejoice in the proclamation of good news for us, that our enemies are conquered by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Having considered what the Cross of Jesus Christ gives us, here we consider the new purpose we ought to have as followers of Jesus. We, too, are to "take up our cross" in service of him
Nahum is a sequel 100 years in the making. One of God's prophets, Nahum speaks concerning Nineveh, the same city that Jonah was sent to a century before him. To a new generation of Assyrians, who had fallen back into paganism and sin, Nahum comes with a stark message of imminent judgment. Nonetheless, his is also a message of comfort for God's people.
Living through uncertain times? Hard times? Good times? Anxious times? Psalm 31 - written by a man who certainly faced his fair share of difficulties - directs our gaze to God no matter what times we may be facing. This psalm was also on the mind of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose last words on the cross are taken from verse 5: 'Into your hands I commit my spirit!'
Proverbs 1-9 closes with another stark contrast between the call of Wisdom and the call of Folly. Each offers a feast, but only one truly provides what we need. Day by day we have a choice to make between the Wisdom of Christ and the Foolishness of sin.
Final message in our short series on Jesus' second statement from the cross, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
Final message in our short series on Jesus' second statement from the cross, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
Part 2 in a short series on Jesus' words to the repentant criminal, "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
Part 1 in our Communion series on Jesus' words to the converted criminal: "Today, you will be with me in paradise."
We perhaps assume that a holy God forgives sinners out of kindness; but in what sense is it justice? The Cross explains the answer.
Concluding our series in the life of Jacob, we consider the contrast between those who live within God's covenant blessings and the world around them.
At God's command, Jacob finally returns to Bethel, where God had first called him and made personal promises to him. This passage teaches us important principles for public worship and for leadership in our families.
Guest Preacher: Mr Gareth Orr
How are believers to interact with our unbelieving world? The question is one of the most challenging for the Church to answer. In this dark episode in the life of Jacob, we seek to learn from his mistakes and are reminded of the importance of looking to Christ as our ultimate example in all things.
Jacob finally sees Esau face to face - and it all turns out much better than he might have hoped. In a chapter that might leave us with mixed feelings as to what Jacob does and why, we nonetheless see the fact of God's faithfulness in his life.
The cross is undoubtedly the best-recognised symbol of Christianity. It is also the message of Christianity. Paul said, 'we preach Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23). But what does it really mean?
Jacob reaches the border of Canaan fearful of seeing the face of Esau, his brother. But instead he is forced to face his God, in an encounter that would change his life. If we meet our God in the place of prayer, we will have less reason to fear meeting the problems of life.
The Call of Wisdom continues to sound a lot like that of the Lord Jesus Christ. In this poetic Old Testament passage we see foreshadowings of what the Lord Jesus would more fully declare about himself in the New Testament: that he is the eternal "I am", the Son of God equal with the Father in power, authority and divinity.
Jacob has his own "mini Exodus" as he finally escapes the clutches of Laban. As with his descendants the Israelites, centuries later, in saving Jacob God shows himself to be the one true God in the face of pagan idols.
Proverbs 8 describes a woman called Wisdom, crying out to "the children of men". Like other pictures and people in the Old Testament she often looks and sounds a lot like the Lord Jesus.
The men and women whose lives are described in the Old Testament sometimes seem very far away from us in time and setting. Yet we see in this passage that God still guides and provides for us by the same means that he did for believers long ago - despite their and our imperfections.
The story of Jacob is full of shocks, twists, turns and human mistakes. Yet, in a very imperfect family, God was bringing about his perfect purposes. Here we see how, in the growth of Jacob's family, God was keeping his promises to bring blessing to the world.
The cross is undoubtedly the best-recognised symbol of Christianity. It is also the message of Christianity. Paul said, 'we preach Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23). But what does it really mean?
Jacob travels more than 500 miles to his mother's family in search of a wife. What starts out as a trip that meets with success, quickly turns into a nightmare. Yet at no point does Jacob turn to the God who met him at Bethel for help.
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Jacob Doesn't See the Providential Care of God
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Jacob Doesn't See the Painful Correction of God
For a third and final time, a father warns his son of the temptation of adultery. The principles here can be applied to various other temptations as well. The father's message in these chapters couldn't be clearer: sin leads to death; God's wisdom leads to life.
We all play the game of "what if" from time to time, but we can usually only guess what the results would be in our hypothetical scenarios. The apostle Paul, however, knew for sure what the disastrous results would be "if" Christ wasn't raised from the dead. He spells them out in 1 Corinthians 15, and then goes to describe the wonderful good news that, in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead!
Work is a huge part of our lives, perhaps even a part of our identity. Thankfully, the Bible has plenty to say on work and our attitude to it.
Forced to flee his homeland as a consequence of his own sin, Jacob is seemingly in the middle of nowhere, unsure of what lies ahead. Yet in an ordinary place he has an extraordinary encounter with the living God.
Guest Preacher: Mr Gareth Orr
The serious of adultery - and the strength of temptation that it often holds - is seen in the fact that it is dealt with three times in three chapters in Proverbs 5-7. Here we consider further warnings from wise parents on how and why this temptation must be resisted.
In a chapter of the Bible that seems more like a script for a soap opera, we get an illustration of how sinfully undeserving all of us are of God's blessing. Yet God in his sovereignty over-rules for good. His covenant promises to Abraham's family continue, despite and amid their brokenness.
Preacher: Mr Gareth Orr
Jesus gave several pieces of teaching to emphasise the need for forgiveness. Here we consider the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, and learn how crucial it is that if we ourselves have been forgiven, we be ready to forgive others.
We continue considering the first, precious words Jesus uttered on the cross. Having considered 1. The Suffering that Surrounded Christ's Prayer, here we consider:
- The Request for Christ's Prayer
- The Reason for Christ's Prayer
- The Answer to Christ's Prayer
Over the course of our March '24 communion season we are considering the first of Christ's seven statements from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing". This remarkable prayer reveals the heart of God for sinners. In preparation service we consider: 1. The Suffering that Surrounded Christ's Prayer
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Be Wise: Debts Can Be Disastrous
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Be Working: Laziness is Foolishness
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Be Warned: God Hates Wickedness
Continuing our look at the life of Isaac, here we see what a pilgrim believer can expect in this world:
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God's Promises Partially Fulfilled
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Pressure from Pagan Neighbours
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The Priority of a Pilgrim's Worship
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Peace with Penitent Neighbours
Having begun with a call to wisdom, Proverbs deals very specifically with several important areas of life that require wisdom. The first is the question of sexual temptation. Here, the wise father urges his son to avoid adultery and its bitter consequences, and to instead enjoy intimacy in marriage with his wife.
Isaac isn't a "big personality" but he is a flawed-but-faithful patriarch nonetheless. Genesis 26 flashes back to his life to show us what his son, Esau, was missing out on by despising his birthright.
In a culture that says, "Follow your heart" - what is the human heart? Why do we need to guard it? How do we guard it? Here we consider the answers to these questions.
There are plenty of role models for us in Scripture, plenty of men and women that we are encouraged to follow and emulate. But the Bible also says that we must NOT be like Esau (Hebrews 12:17). Esau lived for the cares of this world; instead we must live for the world to come.
Proverbs takes the form of a father urgently and passionately appealing to his children to walk in the way of wisdom. There much that we might want to "get" in this world: a good job, good experiences, social acceptance. But here we are given three reasons why, above all, we must "get wisdom".
We resume our long-running series on Genesis with the lives of two more patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob. These men were far from perfect, but through them, God continues to fulfil his covenant promises, providing salvation for sinners.
Are Christians missing out? Is what the Bible calls "wisdom" just no fun? Here we consider the true life, riches, joy and protection that comes from the way of wisdom.
King Jesus calls followers into his kingdom. Just as with the first four disciples, his call today is:
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Personal
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Costly: a) Because of What We Leave Behind
b) Because of What We Have to Do
- Encouraging
Have you responded to the Call of your King?
The Way of Wisdom is the way of blessing - but it is also demanding. It demands humility, obedience and trust, things that don't come naturally to fallen human beings. But the rewards for the wisely-lived life far outweigh the sacrifices.
We all know how important prayer is; yet we also know how hard we often find it. Here we consider some of the "basics" of prayer and how we can fuel a healthy prayer life.
Proverbs 1-9 often pictures Wisdom as a woman, calling out and urging passers by to gain life from her. But the world also calls out, offering a different path, which ultimately is foolish and deathly. Whose call will we heed?
Of all the things that God the Son could have done when he came to earth, he came preaching! Preaching isn't much respected by our world today - or even, sometimes, in the church, sadly - but it is God's chosen means to call sinners to repentance and life. Here we consider some aspects of the preaching of Jesus.
Proverbs is a "Wisdom Book". Like many of the great kings of history, King Solomon reflected on his life, the world and the way that it works, and wrote down his observations. But since we have them in the Scriptures, his Words of Wisdom come from God. This book describes the only two paths for us to follow: the way of wisdom - leading to life and blessing - or the way of folly - leading to death and curse. It all begins with the fear of God.
A daily reality for Christians is the opposition and temptation that we face from the world, our flesh and the devil. Temptation can be severe and discouraging. But the Lord Jesus Christ has faced it, too. Having been tempted in unique ways, he is uniquely able to sympathise with us in our temptations.
Jesus' baptism signalled the beginning of his public ministry. But why did the sinless Messiah need to receive a "baptism for repentance" in the first place? Here we consider the tremendous significance of this moment in the life of Jesus the Messiah.
Jesus once said that there was no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet John showed what true greatness is by pointing his listeners away from himself, and towards Jesus, the one "mightier" than him. We who are followers of Jesus today ought to do the same thing.
Several times in John 15 Jesus tells his disciples to "abide" in him. What does that mean? What will it look in the life of a Christian?
The last of Jesus' seven "I am" sayings in John's Gospel. Jesus' words are controversial, reassuring and decisive.
One of the most common descriptions of God's chosen people in the Old Testament is that they were like a vine cultivated by God - and yet they produced bad fruit. We, too, have failed to produce the good fruit - the righteousness - that we ought. In that context, what good news it is that Jesus declares, "I am the true vine"!
The wise men find the baby Jesus, then go home - and then the "Christmas story" is usually brought to an end. But what happened next? The story of Jesus' childhood is far from the idyllic scene pictured on the Christmas cards. This passage reminds us of the spiritual warfare that the Messiah came to engage in, right from his earliest days.
The story of the wise men visiting Jesus is a well-known one - but is it well-understood? And do we really "know" it as well as we think?!
Matthew's whole Gospel is his proof that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the long-promised Messiah, the Saviour of God's people. He continues to build the evidence for this as he tells us the events leading up to the birth of the Lord Jesus. Before the Messiah even arrives he is turning people's lives upside down.
Three times in the conclusion of Revelation - the conclusion of the whole Bible - Jesus repeats his promise that he is coming soon. How are we to prepare for his arrival?
Some of the best cities in the world have the best city centres - maybe beautiful architecture or a well-kept green space. Revelation has been giving us a guided tour of the city of New Jerusalem. Here we consider the glorious centre of Heaven, where the Lamb dwells with his people, and His glory fills the earth!
Matthew was a Jewish Christian who wrote his gospel to reassure others from his nation that Jesus of Nazareth really was and is the Son of David - the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Beginning his gospel with a long list of names may seem a strange way to do that for us, but for his first readers this "family tree" is among the strongest proof Matthew could provide of Jesus' credentials as Messiah. A closer look at the names here reminds us that God Keeps His Promises, and that His Grace Finds All Kinds of People.
In virtually every chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus speaks of "life"; here he declares that he came so that people could have "abundant" life. In a world of death, this is good news indeed!
Whether you're a Christian or not, lots of people wonder about the answer to this question. While there is a lot about eternity that we will have to discover when we get there, Revelation does give us some pictures to help us appreciate what is most important about heaven. Here we consider the pictures of heaven as a city and as a temple.
The seventh and final section of Revelation provides us with a vision of the glorious future of Christ's people. Heaven will come to earth, the world as we know it will be made entirely new, and we will dwell with Christ forever!Part 2:1. God's Covenant Fulfilled 2. God's People Refreshed 3. God's Enemies Punished
The seventh and final section of Revelation provides us with a vision of the glorious future of Christ's people. Heaven will come to earth, the world as we know it will be made entirely new, and we will dwell with Christ forever!Part 1:1. God's World Made New 2. God's Removal of Pain and Suffering
The one thousand years concludes with the release of Satan "for a little while". In fact it is his last stand. He will deceive the nations one more time, inciting them against the Church - but then Christ will return. Satan will face the same judgment as his beast and false prophet: the lake of fire. The same eternal punishment waits for anyone who is not united by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is hardly a more solemn passage in the whole of Scripture than this.
Revelation 20 is perhaps the most debated passage of this whole book, even among fellow Christians or Reformed Christians. The issues at hand here are not ones to divide over completely; we should hold our interpretations with humility, recognising that some of these things are difficult to understand. Here we interpret the one thousand years as symbolic of the time between the first and second comings of the Lord Jesus. It is the gospel age, when the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, has been commanded to preach the good news to all the nations - and then the end will come.
So many great stories include a huge conflict, and a much-needed hero. Revelation 19 describes the ultimate Warrior King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has promised to return to this world bringing judgment on his enemies and reward for his followers. Are you ready for the return of the King?
"Hallelujah" - what does this word mean? It's a Hebrew word that means "Praise Yahweh". It appears four times in Revelation 19 in one of the most joyful portions of the book so far. The Lamb (the Lord Jesus) has prepared a wonderful marriage supper for his Bride (the Church). This picture of joy, celebration, contentment and fellowship is the destiny of all who trust in him!
Guest Preacher: Rev. Peter Loughridge. Our world is a threatening and unsettling place - but there is no greater danger for us than to die in our sins and face the reality of hell. But there is good news! Jesus Christ offers us shelter, refuge, a safe place amid the storms of life. Come in to safety! Before it's too late.
This sermon was preached by Peter in Dromore on 1st October, but our recording equipment failed us! This recording is from 3rd September, when Peter preached this message in his own congregation of North Edinburgh RP Church. Used with permission.
Guest Preacher: Rev. Peter Loughridge. This sermon was the third of three addresses from Peter during the Dromore RP Church Weekend 2023. The theme for the weekend was "Ordinary Heroes". Here we see the vital role that Epaphras played by constantly struggling in prayer for the Church.
Revelation 18 is the funeral of the world as we know it:
- The Certainty of the World's Judgment
- The Call to Separate from the World Before Its Judgment
- The Suddenness of the World's Judgment
- Sorrow Over the World's Judgment
- Satisfaction at the World's Judgment
In graphic language Revelation 17 describes this world under the influence of Satan. Sin, in God's sight, is as horrible and vile as the pictures described in this chapter. Ultimately, the world (Babylon) is at war with the Church (Jerusalem), and even sheds the blood of Christ's people. But Christ (the Lamb) will triumph over the world.
The last of the "sevens" in Revelation is a vision of seven plagues poured from bowls on the earth. Once again John's visions describes what our world is experiencing even now - and what is yet to come. The only right response to God's judgment on this world is to repent - or perish.
Before studying the last few chapters of Revelation we take time to remind ourselves of what we have seen so far: 1. The Lamb Speaks to His Churches (chapters 2-3) 2. The Lamb Opens the Seals and Sounds the Trumpets (chapters 4-9) 3. The Lamb is Sovereign Over Satan (chapters 9-14) 4. The Lamb Has Sealed His Saints (chapters 7 & 14)
Jesus said that his followers would do "greater works than these" - speaking of his own works during his ministry. What did he mean?No single "work" will ever be greater than Christ's work on the cross. Nonetheless, his words here are important for those who follow him.
The climax of John's Gospel! One of the most wonderful statements ever made! Good news for needy sinners! In coming to the Lord's Table we take time to meditate on these wonderful words of Jesus.
Hours before his own death, with the weight of what he will face beginning to set in, Jesus nonetheless took time to reassure his confused, stumbling disciples that they should "not let their hearts be troubled". Here we consider three reassurances from Jesus when our hearts are troubled.
A well-loved quote from the Book of Psalms, "Joy Cometh with the Morning", is found here in the heart of Psalm 30. This psalm teaches us that we should not wait for our problems to be solved before we bring our praise to God.
This message was preached at our first Autumn Guest Service of 2023.We live in an increasingly hopeless world with doom-laden headlines. Yet human beings by nature need and thrive upon hope. Where can hope truly be found?
Whose voice do you most often listen to? Psalm 29 lays before us the reasons for listening to the voice of God above all others.
Psalm 126, one of the Songs of Ascent, reveals the secret of living a joyful life regardless of circumstances. This psalm shows us how to look back with joy, and look forward with joy.
Jonah has one of the strangest endings of perhaps any book of Scripture! Why does it end this way? Ultimately it is a warning to us not resist the will and priorities of God. If we are too caught up with our own comfort, we will miss out on the joy of serving him and his mission.
Revival is marked by new life where at first there was death. It is what happens each and every time a sinner turns in repentance to God: God's Spirit breathes new life into a soul dead in sin. Sometimes this happens on a larger scale, with hundreds or even thousands of sinners saved in a short space of time. Jonah 3 shows us some of the marks of real revival, and in particular, the central role that God's preached Word plays in it.
Are you a repentant person? What does repentance really mean? Jonah's time in the seas - and in the fish - gave him an opportunity to practice true repentance. If we call ourselves Christians, repentance is something we need to practice regularly.
Jonah didn't like God's Word, and so he literally ran in the opposite direction of where he was supposed to go. Chapter 1 of this short book shows us the futility of trying to outrun God. He will always deal with our rebellion sooner or later.
Charles Spurgeon called prayer and praise "the twin lips of the soul". Psalm 28 is an example of how to balance these two aspects of our worship.
Our witness/evangelism can be something Christians find daunting. A mountain of books and seminars have been provided on the subject. But who better to turn to for help than Jesus himself? His conversation with the Samaritan woman at a well is a "how-to" on evangelism.
It has been said that human beings seek out beauty to "ease the churn" of life in a fallen world. Where do you look for beauty? Does it ease the churn? Have you gazed on the beauty of the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Human beings turn to all kinds of things for comfort when we face doubts, accusations, anxieties. In Psalm 26 David shows us that the best tonic for trouble is going to the place of worship.
Having made a Great Declaration in verse 18, in verses 19-20 Jesus gives the Great Commission, and a Great Comfort. Even as we "go" to "make disciples" as our King commands, he promises to be with us, always!
Matthew's Gospel concludes with some of the most important words in the Bible, as Jesus, the resurrected King of the nations, sends his followers into the world on his mission. The King's Declaration 1. A Declaration About Who Jesus Is 2. A Declaration of the Power Jesus Possesses 3. A Declaration About the Position Jesus has been Given
Psalm 25 might seem a "messy" psalm: David goes from problems to praise to problems to prayer and back again. But isn't that just like our lives? In the midst of our messes and problems, we need to continually pray, "Show me your ways, O LORD".
Abraham is a giant of Scripture, and even world history - but his life on earth, inevitably, came to an end. In reflecting on his life, death and what happened to him afterwards, the writer of Genesis encourages us to see God's faithfulness to Abraham, and the faithfulness he offers to all of us who trust in Him.
The arrival of celebrities or political figures generates great anticipation - at least, among those who appreciate and respect them. This psalm gives us the reasons why we ought to anticipate the coming of King Jesus.
Nearing the end of his life, Abraham still has an important task to complete: Isaac needs a wife! In this story of love and marriage, we also see the priority believers must make of commitment to God's promises. We also see God once again providing for his people when they step out in faith.
The last section of Psalm 22 is full of joy and hope. Christ the Suffering King sees that his suffering is about to come to an end; he looks ahead to the triumph of all that his sacrifice will accomplish! Christ on the cross has made salvation a certainty for all his people, from all the nations!
Psalm 22 was written by King David, but it is not about King David. It's about the Son of David, Jesus Christ, and his death on the cross. Listen to hear why Martin Luther called this psalm "the fifth gospel".
Psalm 22 was written by King David, but it is not about King David. It's about the Son of David, Jesus Christ, and his death on the cross. Listen to hear why Martin Luther called this psalm "the fifth gospel".
Paul rounds off his letter to the Philippians with what seems a simple greeting, but even in just a few verses he weaves in some themes of the whole letter: 1. Their Primary Identity 2. The Priority of Unity 3. The Power of the Gospel 4. The Presence of Christ
Genesis 23 records perhaps the saddest day of Abraham's life: the death of his dear wife, Sarah. In the process of arranging her burial and paying for land, Abraham nonetheless sees God fulfilling his promises. Here at a graveside, we glimpse the grace of a God who has brought life for us out of death, through Jesus Christ.
Paul thanks the Philippians for their gospel partnership; the congregation routinely provided for Paul, financially and prayerfully, so that his ministry could continue. In their provision, Paul saw God's provision, and encourages generous givers to believe that God will always provide for our needs.
The story of Abraham being called by God to sacrifice Isaac is one of the most powerful, dramatic stories in all literature, never mind the Bible. One crucial truth arising from the passage is what Abraham says to Isaac, "God will provide" or "God will see to it". A precious truth for believers in all circumstances and one that, in this story, speaks to the provision of Jesus Christ, our substitute Saviour.
Contentment is in short supply in a world of consumerism, influencing and living your best life now. Paul says he learned the secret of contentment, whatever circumstances he found himself in. This contentment is tied to his walk with Christ.
Isaac is born at last! But how does everyone react? We like to watch people's reactions to big news or events. This chapter is in some ways the climax of the Abraham story. Yet not everyone reacts to Isaac's birth positively. What's your reaction to God's promised Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do we ever stop to consider whose opinions or influence holds most sway in our lives? Whose voices fill our silences; what do we daydream about when we have a free moment? Here Paul challenges us to think about our thoughts, and to develop good habits for our thought-life.
You might suffer a serious case of deja vu when reading Genesis 20 - haven't we seen all this from Abraham before?! Yet the passage is a good reflection of what life is like for all God's people: we all struggle with lingering sins. Nonetheless we see here God's grace once again provided for Abraham's faltering faith.
"In the Lord" are three very important words, as far as Paul is concerned. He begins to draw his letter to a close with a series of "rapid-fire challenges" for his readers - but each of them are challenges we can meet "in the Lord": 1. Stand Firm in the Lord 2. Agree in the Lord 3. Rejoice in the Lord 4. Peace in the Lord
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction is also the sad story of a believer's failures. Lot's legacy warns us against foolish decisions and worldly compromise. The destruction of his city reminds us that God is patient with, not absent from, our wicked world.
Paul was writing to believers in a proudly Roman city. To be a Roman citizen was a badge of honour. But here Paul reminds his readers that they have an even more wonderful citizenship - and what that citizenship should mean for their daily lives.
As God reveals his plans for Sodom to Abraham, we learn something of our role in a wicked world, and the need to persevere in prayer.
What does it mean to "press on" in the Christian faith? Paul says it takes maturity to think about this (3:15). Here we consider the evidence for a Christian growing in their faith.
In a world of social media and online interaction, finding real friendship is more of a challenge than it used to be. Remarkably, however, the Bible describes God as someone who offers friendship to us. Abraham is described as a "friend of God" three times in Scripture. Here we see why that was and what it means.
The apostle Paul had more reasons than most to think that he could earn his own salvation: religious, zealous, a keeper of God's Law. But when he met the risen Jesus he realised that none of us can point to anything we have achieved to earn God's love. It is a gift to receive by faith. Here Paul outlines some of the great blessings that are ours if we trust in the righteousness of Jesus to save us.
Jesus once said that "Abraham rejoiced to see my day". There is a direct connection between the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the covenant God made with Abraham here in Genesis 17. Here, we explore that connection.
Paul has described the humility and unity that he wants to see in the Philippian church. He has given them the supreme example of this in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ; now he gives them some examples of believers serving in the church in an exemplary way: Timothy and Epaphroditus.
After a spiritual highpoint in his walk with the Lord, Abram is back down to earth with a bump. Here, he and Sarai try to shortcut God's plan for their lives - and the results are almost disastrous. Thankfully, in our mess, God gives grace.
Still needing assurance, Abram receives the most dramatic and solemn promise from God concerning his future: God makes a covenant with Abram, even taking on Himself the pain of death should the covenant not be kept. In this crucially important passage, one writer says we cannot help but see the "nail-scarred hands of our covenant-keeping God".
Still needing assurance, Abram receives the most dramatic and solemn promise from God concerning his future: God makes a covenant with Abram, even taking on Himself the pain of death should the covenant not be kept. In this crucially important passage, one writer says we cannot help but see the "nail-scarred hands of our covenant-keeping God".
Paul describes Jesus' humiliation in Philippians 2:5-8 - that is, his coming down from heaven's throne to the shame and agony of the cross. But having finished his work there, Christ was raised back up! He is in the highest and most exalted position: King of kings and Lord of lords! This truth should motivate our worship as well as our witness.
No matter how long we've been following Christ, there are times when we need reassurance and strengthening in faith to keep going. In this passage God comes speaking to Abram in just such a moment.
Christians are those who have already begun resurrection life, spiritually if not physically. As such we are to live lives that witness to the grace, power and salvation of Jesus Christ.
Here we consider Jesus' statement, "I am the resurrection and the life". A statement that challenges our faith, comforts us and brings glory to God.
In our communion season we consider the words of Jesus, "I am the resurrection and the life". These words are not academic - Jesus spoke them to a grieving believer at her brothers' graveside. Here we see that Jesus enters into our greatest sorrow, even death, and yet gives us the promise of life in him.
In the heart of his letter Paul provides us with a deeply challenging and profound statement about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This statement about his coming down from heaven to the cross should leave us with no excuse to humbly serve one another, given the extraordinary service of Christ for his people.
Abram finds himself caught up in a regional war, but is victorious with God's help. He then has to choose who to ally himself with - Sodom or Salem. These two ancient kings represent the choice we all have to make between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God.
Psalm 133 says that it is a beautiful thing when believers dwell in unity. Paul calls the Philippians to live in joyful unity as they seek to advance the gospel in their city. Here we consider the Power for Christian Unity; the Threat to Christian Unity and the Key to Unity -Humility.
Once saved, a true follower of Jesus Christ can never be lost. Yet our strength of faith - living it out, walking with the Lord, delighting in worship - can strengthen or weaken. Abram and Lot give us a case study of one strong believer and one weak believer. In Abram we see three signs of a stronger faith.
A Christian's primary identity is citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Paul calls on believers to live lives worthy of that citizenship. So, what do kingdom citizens look like? Here we consider that question.
The Bible is a "warts and all" book. It doesn't portray any Christian "heroes" as perfect people - a good thing, since we often falter in our faith. Here we consider an episode in Abram's life when his faith faltered, but his God remained faithful.
Paul had complete contentment and assurance whether he lived or died. Why? Because living meant opportunities to serve Christ, and dying would mean finally getting to be with Christ. Each of us, in whatever circumstances we face, should pray for the same sense of purpose and peace about our lives.
Abraham is one of the most famous names in world history. Yet this man's life story is remarkable not because what he did but because of the God in whom he trusted. It was to Abraham that God made some of his important promises; it was from the line of Abraham that the Saviour of the world came. Here we consider God calling Abram (his original name) to a life of faith.
The most joyful man in Rome was a prisoner. The apostle Paul devoted his life to seeing the advance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As such he could be content - even joyful - no matter his circumstances. If that's not the case for us, maybe we need to consider where we look for joy. We're challenged in this passage to consider how the gospel can advance despite what might seem insurmountable challenges.
This sermon was originally preached just a couple of days after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, described by one mourner outside Buckingham Palace as a "guiding light". The description was a fitting one, but points to the fact that we live in a dark and disturbing world. Here we consider the wonderful statement of Jesus, "I am the light of the world".
Prayer is one of the most important components of the Christian life; it's also one of the things Christians find hardest. But Paul here gives us an example of how to pray joyfully. Here we consider the specific prayers he makes for the Philippians and what motivates him to keep on praying.
Prayer is one of the most important components of the Christian life; it's also one of the things Christians find hardest. But Paul here gives us an example of how to pray - and live - joyfully. His gospel partnership with the Philippians was his reason for thanksgiving, and fuelled his prayers.
Receiving a letter might not hold much excitement for us, in the age of instant communication, but they would have done in the First Century AD! Here we begin a new series studying Paul's letter to the Philippians. It's a letter filled with affection and encouragement but also a challenge to Christians: press on with joy!
John organises most of the teaching of Jesus in his gospel around several important statements that Jesus made about himself. Each begins with the words, "I am" - an unmistakable claim from Jesus that he is God Himself. Yet he is the God who has drawn near to graciously provide for his people.
This sermon was preached during a Lord's Supper season in March 2022.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal Jesus; the letters of Peter, Paul and others explain Jesus. Here, Paul explains the meaning and purpose of Jesus coming into the world - as a little baby, yes, but not just as a baby: the One who would grow up to redeem us from our sins and make us sons of God!
Matthew's Gospel begins with one tree and (very nearly) ends with another. He starts with Jesus' family tree, proving that Jesus is the Son of David and the Son of Abraham, and so is qualified to fulfil the promises God made his people concerning their Messiah. Remarkably, however, this Chosen One, a perfect King, chose to go and die on a tree, the cross of Calvary, to save his people from their sins.
As one section of Revelation comes to an end and another begins, we pause our series by considering Johns vision of the "Sea of Glass", a picture of the perfect peace and understanding that believers will enjoy in heaven, at God's throne.
One of the most common pictures of Judgment Day in the Bible is that it is like a harvest: the decisive moment when the earth's people are brought before Jesus, the Harvester and Judge. Revelation describes in picture language what Jesus' return - and what his harvest - will be like.
How can God's judgment be considered good news? What our culture finds perhaps most offensive about the gospel is nonetheless true and crucially important to know. The final judgment will bring God the worship he deserves, his enemies the punishment they deserve, and his people eternal rest and reward.
Nehemiah 8-10: This sermon was preached during a special service of Covenant Renewal on 27th November 2022. Here we study the covenant renewal from Nehemiah's day and consider the implications for our own context.
2 Chronicles 15-16.
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The Inspiration for Covenant Renewal
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The Wholeheartedness Required in Covenant Renewal
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The Legacy of Covenant Renewal
Deuteronomy 29-30: The Old Testament includes ten examples of God's people undertaking covenant renewal. Here we consider the renewal that took place right before the Israelites crossed the border into the Promised Land. 1. The Need for Covenant Renewal 2. The Format of Covenant Renewal 3. The Actions Required in Covenant Renewal
After the picture given in chapter 13 of Satan's beast and the swirl of chaos they cause, chapter 14 opens with great reassurance for all those who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes".
Genesis 17:1-14: Covenant Renewal is the biblical practice of publicly renewing our commitment to the Kingship of Christ over every area of our lives. Here we consider the everlasting covenant that God has made with us, a covenant offering life, land and lasting, loving commitment. We renew our allegiance to a God who has so graciously come to us first.
Revelation 12 ends by describing the furious dragon (Satan) intent on attacking the woman (the Church). Chapter 13 gives us more detail as to how Satan will do that: by influencing and manipulating the political and religious institutions of our world against the Church of Jesus Christ.
All through history the teaching of the Bible has clashed with popular culture in one area or another. Today in Western cultures, it is the Bible's teaching on sexuality and marriage that perhaps most offends our society. Yet while society changes in its norms and beliefs, the Bible is unchanging. We must remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what the culture dictates.
Revelation 12 is in some ways a summary of the whole book. Three characters appear: the woman (the church), the dragon (Satan) and the child born of the woman (Christ). Here we gain great reassurance concerning our current situation as believers in a wilderness world, harassed and accused by our enemy. That enemy is defeated, and our Conqueror is returning soon!
The Western world has never been so dismissive of the rights of unborn children as it is today. The Church of Jesus Christ must uphold the teaching of Scripture: that all human life is precious, born unborn, because we have been made in the image of God.
What will happen on Judgment Day? It's a question that Revelation answers several times. In this particular passage, we focus mainly on the experience of Judgment Day for believers in Christ. Far from a day to be feared, for followers of Jesus it is a day to look forward to!
Isaiah 58:13-14: In the weeks ahead you will hear more about what a "Covenant Renewal" is and why it is a biblical practice for individuals, churches and even nations. Our denomination has undertaken Covenant Renewal this year. In preparation for the signing of the Covenant in Dromore we are considering some of the specific issues mentioned in our 2022 Covenant Commitment, beginning with the whole question of the Sabbath.
Before the vision of the seven trumpets comes to a close, John is shown what will happen to the Church before the return of Jesus. Christ's witnessing Church will never be destroyed - but it will suffer in ways similar to her Saviour. Yet we do not lose heart: our final victory and vindication is certain!
Before the vision of the seven trumpets comes to a close, John is shown what will happen to the Church before the return of Jesus. Christ's witnessing Church will never be destroyed - but it will suffer in ways similar to her Saviour. Yet we do not lose heart: our final victory and vindication is certain!
Revelation 10-11 marks the halfway point of the book, and a timely interval. Before the vision of the trumpets and everything else unfolds, we have some helpful reminders of what (or who) the Book of Revelation is really all about.
Why is our world scarred by wars, violence, lies, deception, addiction and so much wickedness? Much of the reason is provided here in Revelation 9.
As the United Kingdom and the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we consider some encouraging truths concerning the Queen's King - and ours.
A new section of Revelation begins in chapter 8 with the vision of the seven trumpets. The nature of this book is such that some of the same lessons are repeated here as we got from the seven seals - but it only emphasise the seriousness of God's judgment and the nearness of the end of all things, and the wrath of the Lamb. A solemn message, with a stark warning: repent, now, before it's too late.
Before we pick up our series in Revelation, at chapter 8, we took time to recap what we've seen so far in chapters 1-7. Revelation is all about Jesus (see chapter 1:1) - where he is, what he is doing now and what he will do in the future. He is the Lamb, slain, but standing victorious in heaven!
Jude has given his readers plenty of warnings about the challenges we will face from false teachers. But that's not where the letter ends. We should never be solely focused on our problems, but on our God, who is infinitely worthy of praise!
The Christian lifestyle will seem strange to many other people - but it can be easily explained. We're living with the belief that the last day is coming, that Jesus is returning. That crucial truth explains everything about how and why we live as we do.
Psalm 20 - "Before the Battle" - goes hand in hand with Psalm 21 - "After the Battle". Having asked for God's help ahead of going to war, here the king and his people rejoice that help was given, that God provides salvation. This was certainly the experience of King David, but it is also the experience of King Jesus and His people; today, we rejoice that our King has won the greatest victory - defeating death itself!
Jude continues an extended section of his letter warning his readers about the danger of false teachers, impostors, in the church. But he also reassures the faithful believers who read his letter: such wickedness will not go on unchecked forever. Judgment is coming. Christians need to keep that perspective today in a world where evil seems to be winning.
So many of the Psalms depict the battles that King David would have faced. Christians today continue fighting a spiritual battle, though King Jesus has won the most decisive victory for us by his death and resurrection. Nonetheless, we need to learn from King Davids preparations for warfare, so that we're ready for our daily spiritual battles.
How would you describe Jesus in three words? Would one of them be "Judge"? A much-neglected truth about Jesus is that he will judge all of us, all the nations, when he returns to this world. In this passage Jude sets the solemn reality of that before each one of us.
The world God has made sends a silent message to every human being every minute of everyday: your Creator exists. But it takes the specific message of God's spoken Word - embodied and fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ - for us to know and love this God in a personal way.
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Some consider Jude the most neglected book of the New Testament - it's short, strange and at times solemn. But it's also hopeful, reassuring and includes some of the most beautiful words of blessing in the whole of Scripture. So, let's study it!
Christians often feel defeated, discouraged, as though we are part of a lost cause; far from it! Psalm 18 continually emphasises that with God we are victorious, because of the strength he supplies. He has equipped us with everything we need to endure our battles against Satan and sin. In Christ Jesus we have a King who has even defeated death itself.
Having described God's rescue of him, here in the heart of the psalm David describes how God justifies him. David describes a life of perfect obedience to God - a life that David himself was incapable of living, because of his sin. Yet in speaking of a perfect King, David points us forward to his Son, the Lord Jesus (see Acts 2:30, Luke 24:44). By faith in him, we too can be justified in God's sight!
We love a good story of rescue - the more death-defying, the better. Here King David rejoices in the rescue God has provided for him, nothing less than rescue from the clutches of death itself. Every follower of Christ can share in praising God for that.
Unfairly accused of wrongdoing, surrounded by enemies, under attack - what would you do? King David, once again, prays. King Jesus, when faced with the same or worse, prayed ("Father, forgive them"; "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit"). Christians need to learn to persist and insistent in prayer. Psalm 17 shows us how.
Our culture encourages us to consume CONtent, rather than find contentment. Rather than gratefulness for what we have we are pressured to possess we don't yet have. This psalm instead speaks of the contentment we can have both here and now, and in eternity, through the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who gets to be with God forever? This psalm lays out the qualifications. Here we find the description of a perfect worshipper. It's a psalm that demands more than any of us can give - but also points us to the one person who can help.
We tend to think of someone as "foolish" for embarrassing themselves, or because of gaps in their general knowledge! The Bible has a different definition. Here we consider the natural foolishness of every human heart in stubborn rebellion against God - and the wisdom required of Jesus Christ to save a world of fools.
The Tower of Babel symbolises the rebellion of the world against the will of God. History can be summed up as being about two great cities: Babylon (the world) and Jerusalem (the Church). God loves the nations and has sent salvation to the nations; the question is whether the nations will humble themselves before him, or continue to rebel and eventually face His judgment.
This long list of names serves an important purpose at this juncture in Genesis. Here we see how God kept his promise to Noah and his sons, that he would bless them and enable them to "multiply" and "fill the earth". Every nation is blessed by God to some extent; there is no excuse for the nations not to turn in faith and worship the God who has made us.
We all know the story of Noah - or do we?! The record of his life in Genesis ends in a very surprising and perhaps disappointing way. Yet in the midst of human failure we see the promise of God's blessing coming through once more.
Having promised Noah that he would be brought through the Flood, God now promises Noah (and all mankind to come) that he will never destroy the world by a flood again. God will always do what he says; but in his grace, he gives us further reassurance by binding himself to a covenant - a covenant that is still in force today!
The words of Isaiah 43:2 are entirely relevant to Genesis 8. This passage describes the patient obedience Noah had to exercise as God literally brought him through the waters of the Flood. Believers face trials of all sorts and kinds today, but we do so with the great assurance that God "remembers" us, as he remembered Noah.
Genesis describes the coming of the Flood in terms of a decisive victory for the holiness of God in the face of the wickedness of mankind. It is the most solemn of warnings for mankind today to be ready for the Final Judgment when Christ returns.
The whole storyline of the Bible can be summed up in the word "covenant", a gracious way by which God promises to provide salvation for sinners. Here we see how he established his covenant with Noah ahead of the coming of the Flood.
This passage paints a bleak picture of how badly human sin impacted the ancient world. Yet we also see God showing incredible patience and grace: "Noah found favour (grace) in the eyes of the LORD".
Every week, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Sunday - the Lord's Day. Each of the gospels record the eyewitness testimony of those who met the risen Jesus. What are you going to do with this good news?!
Several times the Bible describes the Christian life was walking with God, a wonderful description of the relationship we can have with our Creator! How do we enter into this relationship, and how is it maintained?
How many times have you asked, "how long?" Life is full of frustrations, uncertainties, temptations that leave us asking this question. Psalm 13 shows us the right way - and the right Person - to whom we should put this question.
The only certainty about our lives is that they will one day come to an end. Are you ready for that?
Sadly war dominates our news today. But aside from the awful reality and impact of physical war, there is also a war of words taking place, a war between truth and lies, light and darkness. This psalm confronts the reality of wicked words and helps us to navigate a world full of empty talk.
Genesis may be an ancient book, but it is perfectly relevant to modern times. In the earliest days of humanity we see the same patterns still at work in the world today: exploration, escalation and exaltation.
Following Adam and Eve's fall into sin in Genesis 3, how bad could things really get? Genesis 4 quickly shows us. We have all inherited the sin of our first parents. It takes the blood of a brother to redeem us.
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lay out very specific qualifications for those who would serve as elders in the church. These are not guidelines or suggestions; they are things that must be present to some degree at least in every man who holds this important office.
1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 lay out very specific qualifications for those who would serve as elders in the church. These are not guidelines or suggestions; they are things that must be present to some degree at least in every man who holds this important office.
This sermon was preached during a baptism service in October 2021. With vivid imagery, this prophecy of Ezekiel points us forward to the cleansing and reviving power of Christ and His Spirit.
Do elders just help serve communion? Shake hands with people on the door? Are they the ministers' assistants? Certainly not! Here we consider the job of elders according to Scripture: to "shepherd the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:1ff.).
First in a four-part series considering what the Bible teaches about elders in the church. Here we consider five reasons why we need elders to lead the local church.
The Book of Haggai finishes with wonderful promises and prophecies from God concerning the future, when his kingdom will come in all its power and glory. One chosen servant from the line of David will accomplish this task - the Lord Jesus Christ!
It's easy to look back on the past as "the glory days" and think that the present and future are too daunting to face. God's people certainly felt that way in 520 BC, faced with the task of rebuilding the temple. God assures them that the same power he gave to Israel in generations gone by is still available for his people today.
Concluding our study of Haggai 1, we see how gracious God is to his people: not only does he call out our failings and mixed-up priorities, but he assures of his presence and power when we turn to him in repentance and faith.
Haggai, a "minor" prophet ministering in a day of "small things", packs a big punch. In a time when God's people might feel discouraged, perhaps even asking, "What's the point?" given the state of the world we live in, Haggai brings Gods Word - and God challenges His people to consider our ways and rethink our priorities. Do we seek first the kingdom of God? Or are we living for food, pleasure, money, comfort - things that will never satisfy our souls?
The Christian life has often been pictured as a journey to heaven. Psalm 126 is one of the "Songs of Ascent" - songs sung by God's people on their journeys to Jerusalem to worship God. Familiar journeys in familiar places often call to mind past pains and past joys; they can also inform our perspective on the future. Here we consider how we can carry on our Christian journey with joy.
Some passages of Scripture get read every year during the Christmas season, yet often without much or any explanation. We shouldn't just go through the routine of hearing God's Word read; we should consider carefully what it means. Micah 5:2 is a wonderful prophecy about the first advent of Jesus, 700 years before his birth.
The vision of the seven seals comes to an end, with the arrival of Judgment Day. As terrifying as that day will be for the Lamb's enemies, it will be a day of vindication for his people. The certainty of the coming judgment also gives us reason to believe in the power of prayer.
Revelation 7 is a "break in play"; a flashback, in the middle of the vision of the seven seals, telling us what will happen to God's people in the midst of the judgments that come on the earth. Here, we see a vision of the church, gathered together in heaven, a multitude that no one could number, with their God and the Lamb forever! Often, we ask, "what will heaven be like?" In these two sermons, we consider some of the answers.
Revelation 7 is a "break in play"; a flashback, in the middle of the vision of the seven seals, telling us what will happen to God's people in the midst of the judgments that come on the earth. Here, we see a vision of the church, gathered together in heaven, a multitude that no one could number, with their God and the Lamb forever! Often, we ask, "what will heaven be like?" In these two sermons, we consider some of the answers.
Having show us a vision of events leading up to Judgment Day in Revelation 6, we might expect Revelation 7 to give us a vision of Judgment Day itself. Instead, John is shown something crucially important that has happened before Judgment Day arrives. Chapter 6 finished with the question, "Who can stand?" when the Lamb brings judgment; chapter 7 gives us a wonderful answer!
The vision of heaven continues as John watches the Lamb opening the seven seals of the scroll one after the other. Though some of what follows may be troubling - even terrifying - the central message remains the same: the Lamb is in control. History is HIS story!
Having considered the throne in heaven, John's gaze now shifts to the Lamb, which was "slain", but is nonetheless "standing." This is a glorious picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, having died, but risen, victorious over Satan, sin and death. God's plans for all history - for judgment and salvation - are in the hands of this worthy Lamb.
The perspective of Revelation changes dramatically when we arrive at chapter 4: we are whisked with John into heaven itself, and given pictures and symbols of the throne of God! This change of perspective should impact our entire lives, comfort us in times of trouble, and fuel our worship for our glorious God.
The main strategy of evangelism that we see in the Book of Acts is preaching the gospel and planting churches. This might seem a daunting task, but the church of Antioch provides us with a wonderful model of how a church can be planted, established, and then plant more churches. If God gives us the opportunity, church planting is something that we can all be involved in, one way or another!
"You will be my witnesses" - some of the final instructions from Jesus to his followers. In this passage, Peter outlines how we can put this command into practice - as suffering, speaking and sometimes silent witnesses.
Every Christian has been equipped by the Lord Jesus to serve in His Church. The apostle Paul explains, in this passage, a little of what that looks like - and why we should do it.
Twenty times or more, the New Testament includes commands with the words, "one another". The Church of Jesus Christ is to be the most loving, caring place on earth - and yet all of us wrestle with ongoing selfishness, and live in a time when we've perhaps begun focussing on ourselves more than ever. Here, we consider the power Jesus has provided to become a more caring people.
The New Testament word for "church" means "a called-out assembly". The church, fundamentally, is people gathered together to worship God. Here, we consider what that worship should involve and why it is so important.
Christians perhaps do not always feel like we pray "powerful" prayers. Daniel's prayer, however, certainly was powerful, given the answer he received (see Daniel 9:20ff)! In considering how and what Daniel prayed, we can be helped to pray more powerful prayers ourselves.
We live in a "face value culture": we all make snap judgments about who is important, worthy of our time, interest and respect. But such favouritism can have no place in the church, since the King and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, has shown us nothing but grace. Here, we consider the need to be a welcoming church - to everyone.
We all have a "longing for belonging"; our world is full of human attempts at creating community, whether it's in sport, politics, even expressions of sexuality. Community is idealised in our culture, from T.V. shows like 'Friends' to social media interaction.
But the Church is different. Created by God through the person and work of Jesus Christ, here we find a place where anyone can belong, and where we celebrate a Saviour of all people, regardless of skin colour, gender, intelligence or status.
The book of Ruth ends with a family portrait and a family tree. The "big reveal" is that Boaz and Ruth are part of the family line that leads to King David - and eventually, King Jesus! Through their loving-kindness to one another, God would eventually display his loving-kindness to the world, sending the Redeemer that sinners need.
The work of Boaz in redeeming Ruth is filled with pictures that teach us about the work of Jesus in redeeming sinners. Here we consider some of them.
When enemies are poised to strike; when we suffer doubts in our faith; when we feel we face the strongest of Satan's temptations; is there any way that we can still be confident?
Naomi and Ruth, facing desperate needs, take a big risk and approach the only person who can help them - Boaz, a "kinsman redeemer". Ruth risked ridicule, rejection and maybe worse, not knowing what kind of response she would get from her redeemer. For us, we can approach a Redeemer without any such risks! The Lord Jesus Christ can redeem us from our sins and give us a guaranteed inheritance of eternal life. Come to him, and he will give you rest.
The Psalms are honest down-to-earth songs and prayers to God that don't shy away from the frustrations and heartaches we experience in this fallen world. Psalm 10 shows us what to do when we are left asking, "Why, O Lord?"
Even in the "just so happens" moments, God is at work! In this passage we see him over-ruling in what we might call "coincidence" to begin to provide for the needs of his people.
Some things in life get our wholehearted effort - and some don't. No Christian is immune from those moments of distraction, tiredness and less-than-wholeheartedness in worship; equally, however, every true Christians wants to be more wholehearted in our worship. Psalm 9 gives us some help in achieving this goal.
It's relatively easy to claim to be a Christian; but there will be clear evidence if someone is the "genuine article". Ruth 1 shows us that both Naomi and Ruth had genuine, bold faith in God - even if it meant that sometimes they shed bitter tears.
"What is man...?" Is there a more important question for us to ask?! Who are we? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Psalm 8 answers these crucial questions for us, but does so by directing our gaze first to our great God, worthy of our praise!
The Book of Ruth is a beautiful short story that gives us a miniature version of the whole Bible story. But it begins with the mistakes of a man who should have known better. Despite his failures, God mercifully provides for us even when we have drifted a long way from him.
We see injustice all around us, almost every day. Sometimes we are the victims of small or large injustices ourselves; sometimes justice never seems to come. And yet, as Christians we can have confidence despite the world's injustices, for the reasons we find in Psalm 7.
What do we do when life gets agonisingly difficult? Rant? Binge? Pull the duvet up? Or appeal to a God who promises us steadfast, unending, gracious love? Sometimes sorrow will be the substance of our prayers - but praying those prayers can strengthen our assurance.
What gives us the right to pray to God and expect to be heard? Only the gracious, steadfast love of God for sinners, given to us through Jesus Christ. His love is our entryway into the place of prayer. Once there, what should our prayers be like?
Ever felt like saying - or shouting! - "Give me some space!"? We naturally gravitate towards people, entertainment or distraction when the pressures of life pile up. Psalm 4 shows us that, instead, we can turn to a gracious God and Saviour for the space we need.
The Lord's Supper is a simple yet wonderful gift from the Lord Jesus for the good of his church. Here we consider one of the two elements: the cup, and what it means for those who take it.
Life is full of pressure - at home, in work, in the church, perhaps even in our own minds and hearts. King David was no different from us - and the pressures he faced were a shadow of what his greater son, the Lord Jesus, would also face. Here we have a psalm to help us deal with life's pressures.
The Psalms include clear prophecies and promises concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. At times, they even describe in detail some of Jesus' life experiences. Psalm 2 is a particularly clear example of all of this. It tells us about God's chosen King, hated by the nations, but ultimately coming to judge the nations, offering grace if we submit to Him beforehand. Who else could this be but Jesus Christ?!
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Psalms 1 & 2 serve as the gateway to the Psalter - the songbook of the Bible. But before we can praise God, we need to know whether we are walking in the way God has marked out for us in His Word - the way that will lead to blessing, happiness, joy. Psalm 1 shows us whether we are on that path or not.
The Bible is made up of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over a period of about 1500 years - but it is all about one great story. That story is encapsulated here in Genesis 3:15 - the first ever announcement of a Saviour coming for sinners!
The Bible is made up of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over a period of about 1500 years - but it is all about one great story. That story is encapsulated here in Genesis 3:15 - the first ever announcement of a Saviour coming for sinners!
"I love you, but I'm really disappointed in you"; words we wouldn't want to hear from anyone - but least of all Jesus! Yet, that's what he says to the last of the seven churches to whom he writes. Jesus speaks strongly, directly, passionately to the church in Laodicea - but he speaks out of love. It's dangerously easy to become lukewarm Christians in a lukewarm church; but nothing sickens Jesus more than lukewarm Christianity.
Genesis 3 might seem a very bleak chapter of the Bible, but in fact it is also full of great hope. God deals with the sins of the serpent, Adam and Eve, but in doing so gives his image-bearers guarantees of salvation despite their sin.
Philadelphia receives only encouragement from Jesus. Despite limited strength, they were serving him faithfully. To such churches, Jesus gives the wonderful reassurance that he has set before them an "open door" - a God-given opportunity - to proclaim his name and to look forward to eternal life with Him!
Our world is both beautiful and awful. For every awesome natural sight, we find a horrible act of violence, a deadly disease or a terrible tragedy. What has gone so badly wrong in our world? Genesis 3 gives us the answer - and points towards the solution.
It's possible for a local church to have a good reputation, but poor spiritual health. Jesus, the Great Physician, diagnosed the Sardis church as "dead". What leads to a church receiving such a dire diagnosis? And what can be done about it?
"Are you a tolerant person?" "Is this a tolerant church?" These kinds of questions are being asked of Christians a lot in our culture today. But if we're more tolerant than Jesus, we've made a mistake.
Christians are mocked and ridiculed for their beliefs regarding who we are, where we came from and how we should live together are perhaps more than anything else. But in societies that have radically changed their beliefs on these issues, God's Word remains unchanged and timely for all human relationships.
The biggest threats to the local church often come from inside, rather than outside; from asking, "What's the harm?" This letter shows us Jesus' knowledge of our challenges, but his hatred of our compromise with worldly behaviour and beliefs.
The gospel is still being preached in Smyrna today - modern-day Izmir, Turkey. This despite thousands of years of persecutions and trials. To the church that is willing to persevere, and remain faithful to Jesus, he has nothing but encouragement, and the promise of eternal reward.
What's the point of the human life? Where do we truly belong? Are we made for more than work and money, food and drink, pleasure and prizes? Genesis 2 helps to answer these questions.
Imagine hearing Jesus say to your church, "I have this against you". Imagine hearing it in a church that had steadfastly refused to compromise on the truth for decades. Yet, this is what Jesus said to the church in Ephesus. This is a passage reminding us that alongside faithfulness to God's Word, we must also have love for one another, and the world to which we are witnesses.
The only day that the Scriptures specifically tell us to keep "holy" is the Sabbath Day. But what does this mean? What is the significance of God resting on the seventh day, as Genesis describes it? And if our faith is in the risen Jesus, does the Sabbath command still have any relevance for us at all?
Think we're living through the first lockdown in church history? Think again! The Bible is actually full of stories of God's people separated from each other/locked down/imprisoned. Revelation begins with the apostle John in lockdown on Patmos, when he sees a glorious vision of Jesus. In our lockdown, we need to look at Jesus - and listen to him.
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Who am I? Why am I here? What does it mean to be human? Genesis answers these questions and in doing so gives us our purpose as human beings.
Every letter begins with a greeting; this one is unique! A greeting from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to the faithful but struggling church on earth.
God made our world in all its beauty, splendour, detail and goodness. Though stained by our sin, God's work of creation is still a blessing for us to enjoy, and a reminder to us of the work of Jesus in our salvation.
Revelation is obsessed over and ignored in almost equal measure among Christians, but this shouldn't be the case! As the very first verse tells us, it is a book all about Jesus. Our world can be very troubling and often seems very chaotic, but this book reminds us that Jesus rules the world, that he is in control, and that he is coming soon. What better book to study in times like these!
The very first book (and the very first verse) of the Bible is foundational for everything that comes next. Genesis was first proclaimed in a culture very similar to ours, where the notion of one all-powerful God who created everything was rejected. Here, we consider the grounds for believing - and worshipping - the God of Genesis.
All kinds of churches preach all kinds of messages and carry out all kinds of activities. But what does a biblical church look like? What should be the hallmarks and priorities of the local church?
Why does the church exist? What is our purpose? Quite simply, to declare this one simple but life-changing truth!