The ASK Podcast: Recent Episodes
theaskproject
ASK is a project of Evangelism and New Churches of the Sydney Anglican diocese. David Robertson is the director of the project and host of the podcast. The purpose of the podcast is the same as the project - in the words of Jesus - Ask, Seek and Knock. We encourage people to ask questions and discuss. We desire to share the truth, beauty, love and life of Jesus Christ. We know that people have lots of questions. We don‘t pretend to have all the answers but we do think that having conversations with all different kinds of people will help in our search for truth. Everyone - of whatever background, opinion or view....is welcome. Enjoy....and please feel free to pass on any questions, suggestions and comments.
We started a new tradition in Scots Kirk this New Years Day.....it was a bit of a risk having a service on a day and a time that no one had done before in Newcastle (as far as I know!)...12 noon on New Years Day....
I was surprised (pleasantly) at the attendance - including some people who just walked in of the street....I tried to set out a vision for the year....I aimed it at our area, but it could be applied anywhere....
This is the short sermon given at Scots Kirk Christmas Day service....on the gifts brought by the wise men....what do they mean?
This is a sermon delivered in Scots Kirk on Sunday 21st looking at 2 Corinthians 8:9 and the gift of Christ...
John 7:30-31 - If only people had a sign they would believe in Jesus. Is that true? What are the best reasons for believing?
John 7:28-29 - In some ways these are the most challenging words of Jesus....he addresses religious people and tells them that they do not know God....do we?
John 7:25-27 - People are confused about Jesus.....they think they know about the Messiah but they havn't a clue....how often does our religion get in the way of Christ?
John 7:24 - Jesus then gives us a brilliant principle. This is how you judge...And this is especially how you judge Jesus....
John 7:21-23 - Jesus explains to the crowd why people want to kill him. And he talks about circumcision....why? And what significance does that have for us today?
John 7:19-20 - Does Jesus have a persecution complex? Is he demon- possessed? The notion that everyone loves Jesus but hates the church is unbiblical....
John 7:17-18 - How can you test if Jesus is telling the truth? How can you know? Do you have the ability to judge? Jesus provides us with one basic answer....
John 7:16 - Where did Jesus get his teaching from? Why was it different from the Rabbis? What can we learn from it??
John 7:14-15 - The Jewish leaders are amazed at Jesus's teaching....how could he get it without having been educated?! The snobbery of the 'educated' is still with us today....what is real learning?
John 7:10-13 - Jesus goes in secret to the passover....but what do people think of him? Is he a good man? A deceiver? Why would we be afraid?
John 7:6-9 - Jesus says that his time has not yet come...what does he mean? And he says that the world cannot hate the disciples, but they do hate him! That seems counter intuitive....is it still true?
John 7:1-5 - Even Jesus's brothers don't believe him....Why would people not believe Jesus? And where does that lead them?
John 6:67-61 - Jesus asks the disciples if they are going to leave him too. Peter gives a classic answer - one that we would do well to learn!
John 6:64-66 - This is a deep and hard teaching from Jesus. Not only are there those who do not believe...but there are those who appear to be his followers and yet who turn back. Why?
John 6:63 - One of the most important verses in the whole bible...and so crucial to us today....we need both the Word and the Spirit....
John 6:60-62 - Even Jesus's disciples find some of his teaching hard. What is his response? Why is it good for us to find some of the teaching hard?
John 6:57-59 - What is the guarantee of eternal life? It is the life given by the Father to the Son.....do you want it? Take and eat....
John 6:52-56 - This is one of the most difficult sayings of Jesus....and yet it is also profound and really helpful....and practical...
John 6:48-51 - Jesus makes an astonishing claim....one that has deep and profound implications for us....
John 6: 44-47 - Jesus sums up his previous teaching about how to get eternal life by coming to him.
John 6:41-43 - One of the main reasons that we do not believe is that we are too busy grumbling....here is a great example...
John 6:37-39 - Why do some come to Christ and some not? Jesus gives an answer that most Christians today would not agree with....
John 6:34-36 - Jesus explains about how he is the bread of life....he makes an offer which is extraordinary - if we believe in him we will never hunger nor thirst....
John 6:32-33 - What's better than the bread of Moses? The bread of heaven! Which is way more than a Welsh singalong!
John 6:25-27 - Jesus says that the crowd are more interested in bread than they are in the meaning of the signs...Is bread more important to us?
John 6:22-24 - Jesus didn't get into the boat - yet he is not there! So where is he? What are we looking for when we search for Jesus?
John 6:16-18 - Why does Jesus make the disciples go on a boat when he, and they, knew there was going to be a storm? How do we cope with the storms in our lifes?
John 6:14-15 - After the feeding of the 5,000 - the Jews claim he is a prophet...then they try to make him King. Can we make Jesus King? Any lessons for today?
John 6:12-13 - A bit of a personal one today....reflecting on a life not wasted...that of my mother....
John 6:10-11 - Jesus gives thanks - when there appears to be nothing to give thanks for....and yet he is able to multiply even the smallest of resources....a great hope...
John 6:8-9 - Andrew now introduces the wee boy with his five loaves and two fish....what does this have to do with Elisha? And with us?
John 6:5-7 - Jesus tests Philip....asking him a 'trick' question. Philip is so logical he doesn't really know how to answer.....
John 6:1-4 - John begins to tell the story of the only miracle recorded in all four gospels....
John 5:45-47 - One of the reasons that people don't believe is that they don't accept the Scriptures....so how can they believe in the One of whom the Scriptures speak....?
John 5:43-44 - What are the common reasons that people have for not believing in Christ? Jesus gives us another one that is really surprising and perceptive...
John 5:41-42 - Why don't people who have the evidence believe? Jesus says it is a matter of the heart....and a desire for self glory...
John 5:39-40 - The fourth witness to Christ is the Scriptures....so why do people still refuse to come to Christ, even if they study them?
John 5:36 - Jesus brings his second witness - a greater one. His miracles. What are miracles? What are they evidence of?
John 5:31-35 - What is the evidence for Jesus? Can he be his own witness? What about John the Baptist? Who is the one who points you to Christ?
John 5:28-29 - There will come a time when all who are in their graves will come out. This is not Zombie Jesus - this is the King and Judge and Saviour - who raises people - some to life and some to be condemned. Which one will you be?
John 5:25-27 - Life from the dead...Jesus offers physical and spiritual eternal life....! Incredible.
John 5:20-21 - We don't often think of Jesus as the Judge. Is that not the Father? Not according to Christ....
John 5:20-21 - Jesus tells us of this most beautiful relationship between him and the Father. The Father shows the Son. And he will show greater works. The Father raises the dead....and the Son gives life ..
John 5:19 - How do we know God? How do we know Jesus is God? He does what the Father does. There is a difference between the Son and the Father....what is it?
John 5:16-18 - This is the key for understanding who Jesus is. He makes an extraordinary claim - not only that he is Lord of the Sabbath - and the one to whom the Sabbath points - but that he is equal with God.
John 5:9-13 - religion can be perverted. Today we examine two particular perversions - legalism and hardness.
John 5:7-9- The story of the disabled man at the pool - illustrates three great steps that we must take to go to heaven....1) We need the desire to become a Christian ...2) Recognise our inability to do so....3) Look to Christ...
John 5:5-6 - Would you go into a hospital and ask someone if they want to get well? Why did Jesus do that for the invalid at the pool?
John 5:2-3 - Jesus went to Bethseda - a place for the blind, the disabled, and the paralysed. The question is - are our churches Bethseda's for them?
John 5:1 - Jesus went into places where his life would be in danger....sometimes his people are called to do the same....
John 4:53-54 - The healing of the officials son has a great impact - he and his whole family believe....that's what the signs lead us to. Real faith in a real Christ....
John 4:50-52 - The official is told by Jesus his son will live....he takes him at his word.....and the miracle occurs....This is the most important thing for us - to take Jesus at his word.
John 4:46-49 - Here in Australia we have just had Fathers Day. In todays passage a desperate father visits Jesus to plead for his son - and gets what appears to be a somewhat cold answer....why?
John 4:43-45 - Jesus knew he would be rejected by his own people...yet they seemed to welcome him..what is happening? And what does it mean that a prophet is without honour in his own country? Have you ever experienced that?
John 4:43 - Who can save the world? The Samaritans know....because they have heard for themselves....people need to hear about Jesus....
John 4:39-41 - The Samaritan woman tells her neighbours about Jesus...and they believe her. He goes to stay with them and many more believed because of his words - a pattern for us today?
John 4:35 - Is there a quiet revival? Is there a harvest for the church today? How should that impact how we do things?
John 4:31-34 - The disciples think that Jesus has a secret supply of food. He does! But not in the way that they think! The food of Christ is the way to real satisfaction.....
John 4:28-30 - What is evangelism? Do we need to be trained? Or to have programmes? Or maybe the woman at the well gives us a better paradigm?
John 4:25-26 - Wouldn't it be great if God sent someone who explains everything? He has....
John 4:24 - What does it mean to worship in the Spirit and in truth? Why was the temple just a shadow of that?
John 4:21-22 - Jesus announces that salvation is from the Jews and that the Samaritans don't know who they are worshipping. What does that mean for us?
John 4:19-20 - When confronted with her dysfunctional circumstances the woman at the well seeks to divert to theology.....ever do that?
John 4:15-18 - Jesus gently questions the woman who, to say the least, had a dysfunctional family life! His bluntness and gentleness speak volumes for us all.....
John 4:13-14 - Water is so essential to life...but Jesus offers us something even more essential - to eternal life.
John 4:10-12 - Why do people not accept Jesus? They don't know him. And they don't know what he offers....
John 4:7-9 - Why was it so surprising that Jesus would speak to the Samaritan woman? What does it have to say to us today?
John 4:1-3 - Jesus moves away from Judea because he is becoming too popular - why? And why didn't he baptise?
John 3:36-36 - In 3:16 we saw that the Father loves the world. Now we see He loves the Son - how does that connect? And what does it mean for us?
John 3:31-32 - How do we know what is true? Who can we trust? Would you trust someone who said they had been to heaven? What if there was one who came from heaven?
John 3:30 - A Christian Pastor who seeks his own glory is anathema! For all Christians the purpose is to point people to Christ not to ourselves....with an example of how not to use Scripture! (The photo is of Joyce Meyer's house)....
John 3:29 - The Bridegroom has a best man. What is his job? To prepare the way for the Bridegroom - this is what a Christian is supposed to do....
John 3:27-28 - John the Baptist demonstrates the attitude a minister of Jesus should have....and one that pastors today need to learn.
John 3:22-26 - John's followers get a bit upset because Jesus is getting more followers....is this something that happens in todays church?
John 3:21 - What does it mean to live in the Light? And how is that different from walking in the Darkness?
John 3:20 - Is the problem that people don't have enough light? Or is it the case that they are more scared of the light, because of the fear of what it will expose?
John 3:19 - Why don't people believe? Is it because they don't have enough information - or that they just prefer darkness?
John 3:18 - We all like the idea of no condemnation.....but what does condemn us? The answer John gives is surprising....
John 3:17 - Do you ever feel condemned? By yourself? Others? God? But He gave us His Son so that we might be free from condemnation....
John 3:16 - We owe God a debt. How can it be paid? God's answer is brilliant....enjoy...
John 3:16 - Who does God love? The world - but what does that mean? And how did he show his love?
John 3:16 - Love is love. But what does that mean? What is love? This most famous verse in the bible gives us the answer....
John 3:14-15 - Why does John tell us to look to the snake? How is Jesus a snake? All answered in todays Coffee with Jesus....with Van Dyck's painting....
John 3:13 - Where does Jesus get his authority from? Which is more important - those who claim to have gone into heaven? Or the One who came from heaven?
John 3:9 - How can this be? Why do we need to be born again? What is wrong with the world...
John 3:8 - Can we see the Spirit? Or do we just see his effects? Jesus provides the perfect answer....
John 3:6-7 - Why should it be surprising that Jesus tells us we need to be born again. Spiritual birth requires the Spirit.
John 3:5 - What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit? Where is born again used in the rest of the New Testament...
John 2:1-4 - Jesus gets a request from his mother to rescue a wedding. What is his response?
John 1:49-50 - How does the Bible apply to us today? On a day when we have seen great evil in the world we long for Christ to return with his angels...something Nathanael was promised....
John 1:46-47 - What was the prejudice against Nazareth? How did Philip deal with Nathanael's question? And what did Jesus say about Nathanael? What does it all mean for us?
John 1:43-44 - Do we find Jesus? Or does he find us? The story of Philip and Nathanel gives us the answer...
John 1:42 - Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. And Jesus calls him the Rock. Is this the appointment of the first Pope?
John 1:40-41 - What is the first thing you would do after you became a Christian? Why is evangelism seen as so difficult?
John 1:38-39 - What would you say to Jesus if he asked you - what do you want? Jesus asks Andrew and the other disciple that precise question. We examine their answer.....
John 1:35-37 - John points out Jesus to two of the disciples....and they immediately follow him...
Acts 20:1-12 - This week we look at the teenager who fell asleep during a sermon, died and was resurrected...we examine what it means to be a biblically woke church - and we think about NT worship was structured and how we should change to be more like it!
John 1:32-34 - What makes Jesus unique? Who is he? What does he do? One of the greatest is that he baptises with the Spirit....
John 1:30-31 - John says he does not know Jesus....but how is that possible? What does he mean? And what encouragement does that give us?
John 1:29 - How can we be forgive for our sins? What does it mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God? With a little help from Mozart....Agnus Dei
John 1:24-28 - What does Jesus do that John can't? Why is he so much greater? He baptises with the Holy Spirit!
John 1:22-23 - Ever feel like you are a voice in the wilderness? John boasted about it! Why?
John 1:19-21 - John the Baptist was more popular than Jesus....he could have laid claims to being the Messiah - but he doesn't.....but who is he? Why do they ask if he is Elijah or the prophet?
John 1:17 - Whats the relationship between law, grace and truth - between Jesus and Moses...?
John 1:16 - What happens when you run out of grace? You don't - if the grace you have received comes from Christ - who gives grace upon grace.....
John 1:15 - Why is Jesus greater than John? Because he was before him, even though he came after him!
John 1:14 (b) - When we see Jesus what do we see? We see the glory of God - full of grace and truth....
John 1:14 - is probably the most intense, beautiful and clear description of who Jesus is....and what it means for us...
John 1:13 - We are given the right to become children of God.....but what does that mean? What rights do we have as children of God....we take a quick look through John's first letter to show the immense privileges we enjoy....
John 1:12 - What is the ultimate human right? The one that Jesus came to give us? What is the importance of adoption?
John 1:11 - The Jewish people had been being prepared for Jesus, the Messiah, for centuries. Why did they not receive him?
John 1:9 - If Jesus gives light to everyone - how come so many people are still in darkness?
John 1:6-8 - If Jesus is the Light, the Life and the Creator - how can we hear about him? From those who witnessed him. Starting with the last of the Old Testament prophets - John the Baptist - and coming on to us today.....
John 1:5 - Can the Darkness overcome the Light? With a little help in our logical thinking from Supertramp....
John 1:4 - Not only is Christ the Creator....he is the life and the light of all humanity. When we are talking to and with him.....this is who we are speaking to...recorded from Dudley beach...
John 1:3 - I could have called this Jesus and Einstein....everything was made by someone....who is that someone?
John 1:3 - Who was there in the beginning? If God is love - who did he love before he created creatures to love?
John 1:1 - Who or what was there in the beginning? God. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit....and Jesus is the Word - the Logos....the principle of reason who is also the personal Son of God.....
We begin a new series - Coffee with Jesus - we will be going through the Gospel of John. Why? And why call it coffee with Jesus? Because in this Gospel you will meet Jesus....what could be more important?
3 John 13 - After 118 sessions we now come to the end....John signs off his third and final letter with an important ending.
v.13 -14 a - John had writing - we have the internet....why is it better to meet face to face?
3 John 12 - Sometimes we focus too much on the bad examples of Christianity - sometimes there are those who make us glad we are Christians - like Demetrius
3 John 10 - Spreading malicious information, refusing to welcome other believers, and disciplining those who don't agree with you - these are the, sadly all too common, marks of bad leadership in the church.
3 John 9 - Ego and narcissism are a major problem in the Christian church amongst those of us who are leaders.....how do we deal with it?
3 John 8 - How do we support Christian workers? Pastors? Missionaries? Evangelists? Those who stand for the truth and proclaim it....
3 John 7 - Why do preachers/evangelists/missionaries go out and do what they do? What is our motivation? And how should we be funded? Is it right to sell our services? To make money out of religion?
3 John 5 - Gaius is commended by John for his faithful service to Christians who are strangers....faith and action go together...
3 John 3 - Whilst we often hear about those who have abandoned the faith - what about those who continue? How do we feel about them? John tells us how he feels....
Acts 17:16-32 - Paul's sermon in Athens is one of my favourite parts of Scripture....it gives us ten reasons to believe in Jesus.....hope you enjoy it as much as I did....
Acts 17:16-32 - Paul's sermon in Athens is one of my favourite parts of Scripture....it gives us ten reasons to believe in Jesus.....hope you enjoy it as much as I did....
3 John 1 - John writes to his friend Gaius. He begins a letter which is primarily about conflict in the Church....its both fascinating and encouraging....
2 John 13 - The final verse in this short letter....what should the Church be like? Is it the same all over the world?
2 John 11 - John writes with pen and ink - but he would much prefer to meet them face to face....lessons for us?
2 John 11 - Further examples of why we must not assist wickedness. Should we belong to a mixed denomination?
John 10:22-42 - Jesus reveals more of who he is - and although many of the religious leaders reject him - many of the ordinary people believe in him.
Acts 17:1-15 - As Paul and his companions travel through Northern Greece they show how the Bible is reasonable, radical, real and relational...its still the same today....
2 John 10 - Shouldn''t we love our enemies? Show hospitality to everyone? So why does John tell us not to welcome some people?
2 John 9 - What happens if we 'progress' too quickly in the Christian life? Is it possible to run ahead? And what does that mean?
2 John 8 - Can you lose what you have worked for? Can churches which start off well end up being destroyed? What is the reward?
1 John 2:7 - False teaching is always a problem in the church....but how do find out who is teaching Christ and who is teaching his 'lost message' - ie their own thoughts.
John 1:1-18 - In this, one of the most beautiful sections of the whole bible - we are taught about the relationship between the Father and the Son, and the good and beautiful shepherd who lays down his life for us....Hard to preach - beautiful to feel....
2 John 6 - This is the best good circular argument - love is obedience, obedience leads to love. At least in God's economy.
John ch. 9 - The incredible story of the man born blind - and its application to us....
2 John 5 - John again refers to what he has been learning from Christ from the beginning....it's a beautiful truth....
Ch 12 tells us to remember our Creator before we get old and fade away....it contains a beautiful summary of old age - a classic picture of death - and wisdom about how to live life....
2 John 4 - What is the most important things for church members to do? Why is truth so important?
2 John 3- John is confident that grace, mercy and peace will be with us - why? Because of the truth and love from the Father and the Son....
1 John 5:2 - Why is the truth so important? What does it matter? Surely we should just love one another? Doesn't truth divide....?
2 John 1 - Who wrote this letter? Why was it written? And who was it written to? Who is 'the Lady'?
1 John 5:21 - After giving us some beautiful teaching about Christ - John gives us an unusual ending - by talking about idols. Why?
1 John 5:20 - What else can we be certain of? The certainty of the knowledge that Christ brings....
This was our pre-communion sermon from Scots Kirk on the 2nd of March....We look at the beautiful Psalm 3 - How do you sleep in the midst of trouble and opposition? What should we pray for?
1 John 5:19 - John tells us about two other certain things we know....we are the children of God....and the world is under the control of the evil one.
1 John 5:15 - Does God promise that when we pray, whatever we pray, we can have whatever we ask for?
1 John 5:13 - Why can we have confidence that God hears us? What does it mean to ask according to His will?
John 5:12 - Here is the clearest way to know if you are a Christian or not. Here is the very heart and essence of Christianity. It's simple, profound and wonderful.....
1 John 5:11- Would you like to live forever? What is eternal life? And how do we get it?
1 John 5: 10 - Would you dare to call God a liar? Yet if you don't believe in his Son, that is precisely what you are doing....
1 John 5:9 - How do we know that what we know about Jesus is true? Because God says so. The ultimate witness to Christ is God.
1 John 5:6-7 - Who are the three that testify? Is this an allusion to the Trinity? And how does it impact us today?
1 John 5:6 - What is the evidence for the Christ we are asked to believe? What is the minimum amount of belief? What is the water and the blood?
1 John 5:5 - People have written whole books about 'victorious living'....but John gives us one simple but profound answer - this is Christianity 101
Acts 16:1-10 - How was Paul guided to Europe? The history of this is fascinating and really helpful to us. I preached this the weekend before the ARC conference began. The ARC wants to return Europe and the West to its foundations....they could do a lot worse than start here!
1 John 5:4 - How do we know and obtain real victory? Especially in such a hostile world.....
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 - What is your destiny? What is the destiny that we all share? Is there any hope? Although dealing with some tough issues this is not a passage of despair but hope.....
1 John 5:3 - What is love for God? How would you answer that question? I suspect that most of us would not begin with keeping his commands? What does that have to do with love? Are his commands not too burdensome?
1 John 5:2 - How do we know if we love God's children? How would you answer that question? John gives us a surprising but brilliant answer - one that cuts through most of the theological mess that the modern church seems to get itself in to....
In our final part of the Lord's Prayer we look at the ending - which is actually missing in the Latin version....But the kingdom, the power and the glory is God's. What better place to look at what that means - than Revelation 22
1John 4:20-21 -- John brings us full circle. How do we know that we love God for real? Its a very simple test. There is at least one way which proves we don't!
1 John 4:19 - Why do we love God? Is it something in us? What could cause us to love him?
1 John 4:18 - The Bible tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. John tells us that there is no fear in love....is this a contradiction?
1 John 5:17 - How can we be assured that on the day of judgement we are like Jesus.....but how can that be a comfort? Are you like Jesus?
Ecclesiastes ch.8 -_ What is true justice? How do the human heart, will and mind fit into this? Where is God in all of this?
1 John 4:16 - What do you rely on? Who can you rely on? John gives us a beautiful answer for the Christian.....in a world of hate and darkness we can rely on the love God has for us....
Matthew 6:13 - We are to pray to be kept from temptation.....and to be delivered from evil. What does that mean and how does it work?
1 John 4:15 - How do you know if you are a Christian? The answer is so simple and yet so profound.....there is no more important question....
1 John 4:14 - How do we know that Jesus is the Saviour of the World? What would make you believe?
Ch. 1 v.9 - Being conscious of sin is only the beginning. How can we get rid of it? And how can we be sure?
1 John 1:8 - This is the most common way we deceive ourselves...and so we cannot know the truth....face up to this and its the beginning of renewal...
1 John 1:7 - What does it mean to walk in the light? Doesn't that just expose our own darkness? How can we be pure?
1 John 1:6 - Is it enough to just believe? Does it matter how you behave? With some help from CeCe Winan's 'the Goodness of God"
John 8: 31-47 - How can we be free? What is freedom? How important is our ancestry and tradition? What is truth? Who are we listening to? How does Jesus set us free?
Colossians 4:2-4 - The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray....this is the first in a series of sermons looking at the Bible's teaching on prayer....What does it mean to be devoted to prayer? What place does thankfulness play? And what should we pray for?
John 1:5 - Ch 1 v. 5 - This is the heart of the Christian faith and life. God is Light. In him there is no darkness at all. I'm not sure but that this is the most reassuring and comforting truth in Scripture....
Ch. 1 v. 5 - What is Joy? How do we get it? Why is it something that comes from Christ?
CH. 1 v.2 - How do we deal with false teaching? John teaches us that Jesus is real - and that he is the God become man....
John 8_21-30 - - The two hardest things to know in the world are yourself and God.....Jesus gets us to examine who we are, by asking us who we think he is....
Ch.1 v. 1 - In a culture of death we need the word of life.....in a time of discouragement we need to stop looking at ourselves and look at Christ. John testifies that he touched, saw and heard the Creator of the Universe - Jesus Christ - the Word of Life. We too can know him....
Acts 15:36-41 - How do you deal with disagreements personally? And how can they be dealt with in the Church? Why is it important to learn to disagree well? What can we learn from the split between Paul, Barnabas and John Mark?
This is a new series of coffee with.....this time with John - as we go through all three of his letters....probably the last books written in the New Testament Era.....As we go through this we will hear God speak directly into our current situation...not the speculation of men or women, but the Word of God....its all about light and love - and in a world of darkness and hatred...isn't that just what we need!
John 8:12-20...We look at Jesus as the Light, and the Judge and the Witness and the Father. Not sure if this comes across in the recording but I felt strangely 'warmed' as God spoke to us through his Word about his Son.
Acts 15:1-35. How do we handle disputes within the Church? Should we consult other churches? Was this the first General Assembly? Are Presbyterians behaving biblically by having a General Assembly? And do we behave biblically in it?
John 8:1-11 - The story of the woman caught in adultery has a different meaning than is often preached....
John 7:14-24 - Where does Jesus get his teaching from? Why should we listen to him? How did Jesus learn?
Acts 14:8-20 - It's a beautiful thing how as we are going through the book of Acts we are discovering that it is the only manual we need for church growth....here we see how Paul and Barnabas communicate the Gospel to pagans - in today's terms those who do not know and do not believe the Bible....
Preaching seems so dated....can it have any relevance at all in today's multi-media society....should all preachers be stand up comedians?
Acts 14:1-7 - Is preaching still relevant in today's world? Why is it so important? We look at ten basic principles for powerful preaching today.
Ch. 13:13-52 - This week we look at Paul's method of evangelism - proclamation, application and reaction...
Ch 3 v. 19 - The Final One....how can we avoid being the anxious generation....what is our strength...how can we not just plod but leap? With a little help from Thomas Brooks.....
3:17-18 - What do you do when you have nothing? When things are going wrong? Rejoice! How is that possible?
John 6:52-71 - This was a tough one. But for me it was really helpful. Was Jesus Christlike? Why did he turn people off? Where else can we go except Christ?
Acts 12:25-13:12 - The Church at Antioch gives us great insight into how we are to build the church today. IN this follow up to our congregational strategy meeting we see how God intends us to build up the church....
3:14-16 - God promises calamity to the oppressors and his people are urged to wait patiently.....
3:11-13 - Habakkuk knows his hymns....using the Song of Deborah, the song of Moses and the song of David (Psalm 8)...he says that he is waiting for the Lord to act....
Ch3:8-10 - Does God get angry with rivers and seas? Are floods a sign of his wrath? What is going on here?
John 6:24-52 - What does it mean that Jesus is the Bread of Heaven? Why is that so important? And how do we get that bread?
Ch. 12:1-24 - We look at the story of Herod and Peter.....the Church is in great danger, but Herod is in much more....what happens when we oppose God?
Ch 3:5-7 - Plague, pestilence and the shaking of mountains....all signs of God marching....with some help from Prom Praise.....Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord....
Ch. 3:3-4 - The Glory, Praise, Splendour and Power of God are revealed....contrast that with the pathetic, puny glory of human leaders....
Ch3:1-2 - Two things we are to do in prayer....remember what God has done in the past and ask him to do it again....in wrath remember mercy....how do these two go together?
Ch. 2 v. 20 - What is the appropriate response to the events surrounding us....and the revelation of God.....silence! He is there and he is not silent - but we should be!
Ch.2:18-19 - With the help of Chris Wright we look at how the teaching about idols and images applies to each one of us today....
There is so much confusion about the Lord's Supper - or Communion. This week we try to bring some clarity...
This was our first communion service here at Scots....we look at Psalm 1 and what it is to be the happy man (or woman!)....and what is communion...?
Ch. 2 v. 17 - The Babylonians are like the Orcs! They destroy forests, animals and humans.....what does God think of all this? What lessons are there for us today?
Ch. 2 v. 15 and 16 - What goes around comes around? Those who use wine to debase and abuse others will themselves be exposed.....but there is one who drank the cup of God's wrath for his people....
Habakkuk 2:14 - Are you exhausted? Discouraged? Perplexed? Then you need to know, understand and believe this verse. In the end God wins!
Ch. 2 v.13 - War is wearisome. Armies get exhausted. Great empires fall. And at a personal level we get exhausted.....What is the solution? And why is this ultimately encouraging?
Ch. 2 v. 12 - The third woe looks at those who build a city/society on bloodshed and injustice....we look at some contemporary examples....
Ch2:9-11 - The second woe....what is wrong with house builders? It all depends how you build your house....
QW 35 - Why, where and when were Christians first called Christians? Does the term have any meaning today?
Ch2:5 - Nebuchadnezzar is drunken, violent and greedy.....that's the way of life of those who refuse the new wine of Christ, the peace of Christ and the contentment of Christ.
Acts 11:18-30 - When and why and where were the disciples first called Christians? This was the sermon preached at our joint service with Generation Church - it was really appropriate....the real basis of Christian unity.
Ch,2 v. 4 - An often misunderstood verse - but absolutely vital....the very heart of the message of the Bible...there are only two ways - the way to heaven and the way to Hell agree?
Ch. 2v.3 - We now come to the heart of this book - and to be honest, the answer to our deepest questions. The first part is for us to learn that God's appointed time is certain....and all we have to do is wait......
Acts 10:1 - 11:18 - Peter overcomes his prejudices, Cornelius is converted, the Holy Spirit is given to the Gentiles, and the world is changed!
Ch. 2 v. 2 - The message is so important that it has to be written down....and run with. A herald is needed.....amazing that the message is still around...
Ch 2:1 - What does it mean to wait on the Lord? Not what we are often told....Habakkuk faces a dilemma....
Ch1:16-17 - Do you ever consider where your luxury goods come from? And at what cost? The Babylonians worshipped their weapons which got them their luxuries. How different are we?
Ch. 1 v.14-15 - Humans who were made to rule the fish, are now treated like fish....Why does God permit this? And how does he change it....with a little help from John Flavel
Ch.1 v. 13 - If God's eyes are too pure to look on evil why does he permit evil? Why doesn't he destroy us all? How could we come into his presence?
Ch.1 v. 12(a) - Habakkuk now explains his faith in God. God is the Rock - and he is the just one. Justice is such an important issue....how can God use the Babylonians to bring justice?
Habakkuk 1:12 (a)....How do you deal with questions about God's providence? Things that are happening that just don't seem right. You first of all reaffirm what you know - not what you don't know. God is holy and eternal....with City Alight's Only a Holy God
Habakkuk ch.1 :10-11 - The Babylonians are great siege warriors - they mock their enemies and God. Their god is their strength. Again this sounds remarkably familiar!
John 5:31-47 - Jesus offers four proofs/evidences/witnesses for himself and then points out why some will still not believe.....
Ch.1 v.8-9 - A society that is violent and authoritarian. Does that ring any bells? God explains to Habakkuk just what the powers of this world are like....
Ch.1 v.6-7 - God answers...and its a shocking answer. Look who he is sending! The Chaldeans....who are they? And how does this connect to our world?
Habakkuk ch.1 v. 5 - God answers Habakkuk and tells him to be prepared for a big surprise.....a vital lesson for us all....
John 5:16-30 - We look at the relationship between the Father and the Son - and what that means for us....with the help of Alistair Begg - includes a Q and A
Christians are often accused of having blind faith - but what if it is atheism that is blind - and we can now see?
Acts 9:19-39 - Paul's preaching was powerful....and persuasive .....and resulted in persecution....but also peace and prosperity - what are the lessons for us today?
Habakkuk 1:4 - We too often tend to assume that the law is equal for all, and that it is just and fair....but what happens if it isn't? Habakkuk reflects on this....
Habakkuk 1:3 - Why is there violence and injustice? Habakkuk gives us six things that were wrong in his society and perfectly reflect ours today? WIth Psalm 130 from the Gettys....
Habakkuk 1:1-2 - Why does God not deal with injustice? Why does he wait so long? Will he deal with violence?
In a world of confusion, violence and increasing wickedness - there is a temptation for Christians to despair and withdraw....enter Habakkuk - a little book with a powerful message - just for us today! Come and have a coffee with Habakkuk
How can we be sure we are Christians? What is the evidence of conversion? Such a vital question - at one and the same time complex and simple....from the sermon on the Conversion of Saul....
John 5:1-15 - Do you want to get well? What a strange question to ask a man who has been waiting to get well for 38 years.....! Find out why Jesus asked this question - and why it is applicable to us as well.....
Acts 9:1-19 - Think you know about the conversion of Saul and the Damascus Road experience? See if there is more to be learned......and how do you know you are a Christian?
We look at the question of whether Jesus still heals today - and how he does so? What about false healings?
John 4:43-54 - We look at the story of the officials son being healed. Does Jesus still heal today? Why should we take Jesus at his word?
When looking at the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch we noted that it took place on the road to Egypt through Gaza....From the River to the Sea, Palestine shall be free....but what does that mean? And what is the real freedom that Gaza needs?
John 4:27-42 - Part two of the story of the Samaritan woman....in which we look at misogyny, who is 'the One'?, lives priorities; evangelism and the harvest and why believe? With a Q and A.....
Acts 8:26-40 - The gospel now spreads to the 'ends of the earth' - with the Ethipian Eunuch becoming the first recorded African Christian....this is also the first one-to-one evangelism in the New Testament... we also look at racism, Gaza, Eunuchs, baptism and evangelism....
John 4:1-26 - We look at the first part of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. What was her greatest need? What is yours? How did he deal with her?
Acts 8: 2-25 - We look at the extraordinary story of Philip, Simon the Sorcerer, and the power of the Word - plus looking at is the Gospel for sale?
John 3:22-35 - John the Baptist explains why he is just the best man making way for the bridegroom....with Q and A
Acts 7:54-8:3 - We look at the death of Stephen and reflect upon our own mortality...This was a serious and sobering sermon....but I hope ultimately hopeful....
John 3:19-21 - This week with the help of Freddy Mercury we look at the contrast between light and darkness - and the greatest invitation we will ever receive. What is our verdict?....but more importantly what is God's verdict on us?
John 3:16-18 - The most famous verses in the whole bible...and what a wonderful gift and love....for all who want it...
Acts 6:8-15 - In the first of a three part series on Stephen we look at what we have to learn from him about being a witness for Jesus....
John ch.3 v.9-15 - This week we look at what is wrong with the world - why a snake was the problem...and why a snake is the answer!
Ch. 6:1-7 - How do you run a Church? Is there a biblical way? What difference does it make? What do the poor have to do with it? Are deacons necessary?
John 3:1-8 - What does it mean to be born again? Why is it a confused and controversial term? What did Jesus mean when he spoke of its necessity? This is a crucial question for us to understand.
The story of the apostle's angelic prison break has a great deal to teach the church today - not least the need for courage in church leaders.
For Anzac day Sunday we looked at what the Bible has to say about war....Should Christians be pacifists?
For Anzac day Sunday we looked at what the Bible has to say about war....Should Christians be pacifists?
Who is the Chosen One? Why does society look for a Saviour? What does the Spirit have to do with this?....and more...
Acts 4:32-37 - Was the early Church communist? Is this passage descriptive or normative? As we looked at this I came to realise just how radical this teaching is - and just how applicable it is to the church in todays' society? Do you agree? A few eggs got broken in the making of this particular sermon omelette!
John 1:14-18 - What is glory? And how can we see the glory of God? What is grace? And how do we get it? Is it possible for us to know truth? with Q and A....This was preached at Scots Kirk, Hamilton, Newcastle on 14th of April
This is one of the most common questions - especially from those who have grown up in Christian homes or know a little Christian theology....what is the answer?
John 1:9-13 - After meeting Jesus as Creator, and then the Light of the World, we now meet up as the one who makes us children of God. We look at whether we are all children of God anyway? What is adoption and why is it important? What does John say in 1 John about what it means to be a child of God? With Q and A
Question of the Week No. 21 - What is so special about the name of Jesus? Is it magic? What does it matter?
The Bible is amazingly contemporary - In Acts 4:1-22 the disciples are faced with the issue of what to do when ordered by the authorities to stop preaching Christ....and they make the incredibly offensive but true claim that there is no other name by which people can be saved...
At our Easter Alive at 5 we looked at Pauls sermon in Athens (Acts 17) and particularly his teaching on the resurrection, and the response to it....includes Q and A
In Easter Morning we looked at how Christ was not 'here' because he is risen....and how he is here now....and how some silent Christians become bold and some noisy ones go quiet!
We had a beautiful service on Good Friday reflecting on the agony of Christ on the Cross - at one and the same time the most ugly and the most beautiful moment in human history
Last Sunday we looked at the contrast between Darkness and Light in the world - John 1:5-9. And what it means for Jesus to be the light....amongst other things we discussed the Black Dog - depression....
Why should we bother with the Old Testament when we have the New? Are they not different and contrary?
Acts 3:11-26 - Peter explains to the astonished crowd why the miracle happened....We look at boring church services; claiming 'God told me'; how to read the Old Testament; Repentance and Refreshing; and the Beautiful Blessing.
This was our first service in our new 'Alive at 5'. It was a lot to handle in one sermon - the creation of the universe, the logos, the Son of God, life, light - including 'the Tree of Life' from Malik....!
Acts 3:1-10 - Jesus heals a lame beggar through Peter - a miracle which occurs at the Beautiful Gate. Does healing still happen today? And what is our beautiful Gate?
Acts 2:42-47 – In this sermon we look at what the church – the four marks….and the results….preached at Scots Kirk, Hamilton, Newcastle on the 10th of March 2024. Does your church have a mission statement? Perhaps this should be it?!
The people ask Peter what they can do to be saved....is there any more important question? What do you think of this answer? It is for us and our family....
Acts 2:37-41 - How do I become a Christian? How would you answer this question? What place does repentance play in the modern Church's message? Why get baptised? Who should get baptised? What is the gift of the Holy Spirit? Who is the Gospel for? All these and more in this sermon - first preached in Scots Kirk Hamilton
This week we consider why we should bother listening to preaching? What good does it do? Is it not boring and outdated? Or is there something really valuable about it??
Acts2: 14-36 - Peter explains what is going on at Pentecost - and in doing so preaches the first (and possibly the most powerful) sermon in the Christian church. It is a model for all preachers today! We look at four things that should be happening in preaching....
There is a great deal of confusion about the Holy Spirit. Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit a secondary experience? Can you be a Christian and not have the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:1-13 - What is Pentecost? What happened on the day of Pentecost? Should Christians speak in tongues? Is the baptism of the Spirit separate from conversion? How can the Church grow? How can I receive the Holy Spirit? These and other questions in this weeks sermon from Scot's Kirk, Newcastle....
What makes a church worth coming to? How would you choose a church? Are there any 'apostolic' churches? What does that mean?
Acts 1:12-26 - What does it mean to be an Apostolic Church? This week we cover, amongst other things, prayer, Mary, expectancy, apostasy, women leaders, choosing leaders in the church, and what makes a church worth coming to!
Acts 1:9-11 - How important is the Ascension? What is it? What happened? What does it mean for today? Join us as we explore all these questions and how they impact our lives and our worship...
Jesus says to the apostles - you are my witnesses. But does that apply to Christians today? And how can we be witnesses? Do we need a course? What is involved....?
Jesus tells us that we are to be his witnesses - but what does that mean to us today? What are we witnessing to? How can we do it? And what will happen?
Fundamentalist atheists like Richard Dawkins say not only that there is no proof for Jesus - but that there can be no proof! Jesus disagrees....he didn't expect his disciples to believe without proof....he gave 'many convincing proofs'. What are they?
In this new series, we look at how God acts - through the book of Acts. In this introductory one, we look at the purpose, preparation, proof and promise that come to us through Christ in ch.1 v. 1-5...
Luke 2:51-52 - In this the last of our current series we finish with the childhood of Jesus.....see you again in March!
Luke 2:48-50 - Jesus has two fathers. And the Father takes priority....but he still obeys his father. We get a glimpse into the relationship of Father and Son.
Luke 2:47 - Why would teenagers be interested in Christianity? What was so amazing about the teenage Jesus?
This weeks question is how do we search for Jesus? Is it possible to find him? Is he lost? Or are you? Taken from last Sundays sermon in Scots Kirk, Hamilton....
Luke 2:47 - Jesus shows us how to be a student - listening to questions and learning in the temple.....
This is the only incident we have recorded of Jesus as a young boy - and it is a fascinating one....telling us a lot about our Saviour and his background....
How do we bring up children? What about teenagers who are too religious? What about meditation? What does all of this have to do with Jesus and what does his visit to the temple say about his emotional and intellectual self awareness as a child? And his relationship with both his fathers? This was first preached at Hamilton Presbyterian on the 7th of Jan 2024
Ch. 2 v.39-40 - What was Jesus like as a child? Why did he need to grow? In what ways? Did he know everything?
Luke 2:36-38 - The prophet Anna, 105 years old, brings the word of God to Joseph and Mary and all who were in the temple...
What hopes do you have for the New Year? Jesus is described as the 'consolation of Israel'....not as in the consolation prize but as in the hope? Where is your hope? This was taken from a sermon preached on New Years Eve at Scots Kirk, Newcastle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OLB8Kuyab8&t=7s&ab_channel=DavidRobertson
Ch.2 v. 33-25 - Simeon now addresses Mary - with a challenge that is specific for her - but can apply to us all...
Luke 2:25-32 - Jesus's visit to the temple was a great blessing for one lay person who had been waiting for him...Simeon...Jesus is the consolation of Israel...but what does that mean?
Luke 2:22-24 - Jesus is now consecrated....a redemption price is paid for the Redeemer!
In this sermon on Luke 2:21-40, preached at Scots Kirk on December 31st - we look at the childhood of Christ and think about how we too can have a new beginning because of him. Our question of the week is 'what is your hope for 2024-....
The central event of human history is the birth of Jesus. Why? We look at the world before and after Christ....with the help of Tom Holland's Dominion....
This sermon was preached on Christmas Eve at Scots Kirk Hamilton....we look at why the birth of Jesus is the central event of human history. We look at the world before Christ, the birth of Christ, and the world after that....with a little bit of help from Tom Holland and John Flavel...
Luke 2:19 - The shepherds are joyful, emotional and exuberant and rush off to tell people. Mary treasures and ponders in her heart. With O Holy Night from Dave and Laura
This question arose when we looked at Luke 2:67 - Zechariah being filled with the Holy Spirit. What does it mean for us to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Luke 2:17-18 - The Shepherds spread the word. Churches sometimes forget that we have good news - and what that good news is! With Joy to the World - sung by David Henderson
Luke 2:16 - The shepherds visit the child in the manger. What does that mean? Why is this birth the central point of human history? With some help from John Flavel and a Gaelic carol (in English!)...
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? What is the covenant? Why are the 'bowels of his mercy' so significant? Zechariah is filled with the Spirit and gives us this great song of praise. (This sermon was preached at Scots Kirk Hamilton on 17th Dec 2023)
Luke 2:15 - How did the shepherds respond once the angels had gone back to heaven? How do we respond to the Word of God?
Luke 2:13-14 - The angels now join in praise above the shepherds. What is happening? Why do they do it? How do we respond?
Luke 2:12 - How would the shepherds know? What sign would be given them? Why did they need a sign at all? Do we need one? What is our sign?
Ch. 2 v.11 - The shepherds are given the incredible news - the Messiah, the Saviour, the Lord has been born today for you.....This is how to celebrate Christmas
The question of identity is a key question in our society....there is great confusion...but it is one that the Bible dealt with long ago....this was part of a sermon preached at Scots Kirk Newcastle on the 10th of Dec
Luke 2:10 - Familiarity breeds contempt - which would be awful for these aweful words....the angel gives the shepherds the reason why they should not be afraid - there is good news that will bring great joy...
What's in a name? What was circumcision? What does it mean to share in others joy? What's the mini- the medium and the big picture? Including this weeks question of the week - who am I?
Luke 2:9 - The Angel of the Lord appears....the Glory of God is revealed...and it is terrifying! With the carol "Angels from the Realms of Glory" from Kings College Cambridge.
Luke 2:8 - The glory of God appears to shepherds - why is that unusual and surprising? And good news....with Kings College Cambridge singing 'While Shepherds Watched"...
Luke:6-7 - In well known and simple words, the announcement of the birth of the Son of God is made. Profound and deep....we look especially at the significance of the phrase 'the firstborn'....
This week we consider how God acts - what he has done - and contrast that with our efforts....
Luke 2:4-5 - Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem? What were Joseph and Mary doing there? What was their relationship at that point? Does God use bureaucrats?
Luke 2:1-3 - Luke gives us a precise date and event to place the birth of Christ. But did he get it right? Who were Caesar Augustus and Quirinius?
What does it mean to magnify God....? Why are we hindered in that? We look at what Mary thought of herself. And what she thinks of God. OUr question of the week is 'Why does God not Act?'.....with some help from Tim Keller, JI Packer and Jimmy Cliff.....
Luke 1:80 - What do we want for our children? To be strong and spiritual? To go into the wilderness?! This verse tells us all we know about the childhood of John the Baptist...
Luke 1:79 - How can we get peace? It is a path - but how do we find that path? We need light? Where shall we get it?
Luke 1:79 -- Zechariah continues his song - and speaks of the tender mercies of God and his visitation as the sun rising.....its a beautiful and deeply moving truth....
Cur Deus Homo is a book from Anselm which answers the great question - why did God become man? Here is my brief summary - given as part of a sermon on Luke 1:39-45
Luke 1:77 - What is the Gospel? What is the knowledge of salvation? And why is forgiveness so important?
LUKE 1:39-45 - In which we look at Jesus Christ and life, abortion, meaning, joy, faith - and our question of the week - why did God become man? Preached at Scots Kirk, Newcastle...on 26th Nov 2023
CH.1 v.71-75 - Zechariah now lists the blessings of the covenant - salvation, mercy, remembrance, rescue and enabling....
Luke 1:67-70 - How to live the Christian life....lessons from the first part of Zechariah's song.
Luke 1:65-66 - John's birth causes a sensation in Judea. What does it mean to gossip the Gospel today?
Luke 1:59-64 - What's in a name? A lot according to Zechariah and Elizabeth - and their family and friends. Zechariah obeys Gabriels command and is tongue is set free...
Why should the Virgin Birth be thought incredible? We looked at this question last Sunday.....
Luke 1:57-58 - Is there anything more joyful than the birth of a baby?! The promised son arrives and Elizabeth and Zechariah share their joy with neighbours and friends.
This is the sermon that was preached in Scots Kirk on Sunday 19th November on Luke 2:26-38 - A Troubled Teenager - Gabriel Announces that Mary will give birth to the Christ....
Luke 1:53-55 - Mary finishes her Magnificat by pointing out that God is a promise keeping God....with the final parts of Bach's Magnificat
Luke 1:51-53 - Mary celebrates the mighty deeds of God in bringing down the proud, lifting up the humble, feeding the hungry and sending the rich away empty.....with more help from Bach's Magnificat
Luke 1:49-50 - The second verse of Mary's Magnifcate - which gives us a perfect, balanced doctrine of God.....with parts 5 and 6 of Bach's Magnificate...
Luke 1:46-48 - Mary's Magnificate - 1st verse in which Mary rejoices in God her Saviour. What did she mean by that? Can we glorify God in the same way as Mary? What should we think about her? With parts 2, 3 and 4 from Bach's Magnificate - by the Netherlands Bach Society...
All this week we are looking at the Magnificate (with the help of Bach's Magnificate performed by the Netherlands Bach Society)....today we take an overview of the whole hymn - v.46-56....how was this teenage girl able to write such a brilliant song of praise?
This sermon was preached at Scots Kirk Hamilton on the 12th of Nov 2023. It was remembrance Sunday so we looked at remembrance, birth, life, death, children, old age, the Jews, Gaugin, purpose, angels, worship, tradition, Godliness, childlessness, suffering, joy, fear, Christ and the favour of the Lord....it wasn't the shortest sermon. But I hope it is helpful to you...
Luke 1:42-45 - Elizabeth's extraordinary prophetic greeting to Mary....what makes her blessed? How can we know that blessedness...?
This is the first sermon in our series 'Look with Luke'. It was preached at Hamilton Presbyterian Church on the 5th of November and looks at Luke 1:1-4 - asking the question - how can we know?
Ch.1 v.39-41 - Mary visits Elizabeth and baby John responds in the womb....more than a clump of cells?
Luke 1:38 - Mary's response is astonishing. She humbly accepts what the angel has said and submits herself to God....
Luke 1:34-37 - Mary asks the Angel the obvious question - or is it? And receives an astounding answer.....
Luke 1:32-33 - The kingdoms of this world rise and fall - but there is one kingdom that endures forever....here is the promise of the neverending Kingdom....
Luke 1:30-31 - Birthing Jesus....The most incredible 'baby reveal' ever! Mary is told the gender and name of her Son and what his destiny is. With a wee look round Hamilton Church....
Luke 1:28-29 - How are you normally greeted? Why would being told that the Lord is with you be 'troubling'?
Luke 1:26-27 - Was Mary a virgin? What did it mean to be engaged? Why does it matter that Joseph was descended from David? What's so special about Nazareth
Luke 1:24-25 - Why did Elizabeth keep her pregnancy quiet for five months? What was her disgrace? What is it to know the Lord's favour....?
In this podcast Greg Sheridan and I discuss the impact of Christianity upon China. As foreign editor of the Australian, who was at one time based in China, his insights are knowledgeable and helpful. We discuss Chinese culture, religion, politics etc - and the extraordinary growth of the Church in that amazing country - and its relationship with the Communist Party - including the Vatican deal with the CCP.
In this episode with Greg Sheridan we look at chapter 8 of Greg's "Christians - the Urgent Case for Jesus in our World"; Christopher Hitchens and Mother Teresa, Christianity and the poor; the role of Women; Gemma Sisia and St Jude; Andrew Browning and Tanzania; Jenny George and Converge International; Frances Cantrell and the general role of Christian charities throughout the world.
This week we discuss music, the Beatles, John Denver, Van Morrison; James Kelman; Martin Luther King; Leonard Cohen; Art Galleries; The Tate Modern; the Letters of Tolkien; Marilyn Robinson; Gilead, Lila and Home; Frank Shead; the desacralisation of popular culture; Heaven and Hell; CS Lewis; Inspector Morse; Religion and Politics; The Handmaids Tale; African Gospel Music; Riverdale;
Greg Sheridan and David discuss some aspects of Christ in popular culture - including portrayals of Catholics, Malik's 'a Hidden Life', Graham Green, Evelyn Waugh; Why is it easier to portray evil? A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood; and a lengthier discussion of Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings. Plus the worst movie Greg has ever seen!
This week Greg and I discuss the role of Christ and Christianity in popular culture. We look at specific examples as well as the general idea. Gilead - 'the greatest Christian novel of the 20th Century); Graham Greene; Willa Cather 'Death Comes to the Archbishop'; Bach; Terence Malik; Ross Douhart; How Green was my Valley; Leonard Cohen; It's a Wonderful Life; Noah's Ark and Russel Crowe; Tolkien biopic; Jane the Virgin; The Chosen; It's a Beautiful day in the Neighbourhood; the dullness of progressive ideology in the arts; why culture needs Christianity. If you get half as much enjoyment and stimulation out of this,as I did - then you will be blessed.
Jack Hanrahan-Shirley is a young history student from Sydney. His story is fascinating and moving. We discuss the difficult circumstances of his birth, his Christianity, how the church treats disabled people, his love of history and Sydney Anglicanism.
This is a discussion that Greg Sheridan and I had outside Sydney cathedral - his voice is a wee bit quiet so you may need to turn it up - or just watch it on the YouTube channel...!
We discuss with Greg Sheridan the wonderful topic of angels - we discuss the theology, practicality, Billy Graham, Tolkien, Viktor Frankl, child abuse and Greg's own personal angelic experience!
This weeks ASK podcast is part two of our interview with Gerald Bray. In his 'History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland' there is a section entitled 'The Rivers of Babylon' which looks at the church since 1980 - and it's future.
We discuss conversion therapy, SSM, transgenderism, the future threats to the church; false optimism; gospel solutions; the impact of covid; crusade evangelism; Thatcherism and the advance of secularism; Trump; the church and politics; the decline of Sunday as the Lord's Day; the lack of leadership in the church....
This week we discuss chapter 4 of Greg's book "Christians". For me this was a really thoughtful and stimulating discussion on the role of Mary - as the Theotokos (Mother of God). We navigate between two extremes - those who regard Mary as being the sinless virgin - and those who downplay her role in salvation. The Catholic journalist and the Protestant preacher discuss whether we should pray to Mary, her Magnificate, how did Luke get his information about her? What does she tell us about God's attitude to the poor? And more....
This is the first part of a two part interview I did with Gerald Bray about his new book - The History of Christianity in Britain and Ireland. It is superb and I found this conversation fascination. No one can understand modern Britain without grasping the history of Christianity - enjoy this taster!
ASK 5 - We continue discussing with Greg Sheridan his latest book - Christians - the urgent case for Jesus in our World. This week we look at chapter 3 - where we look at the Gospel of John, Kanishka Raffels - including how Christianity frees women, abortion, Pope Benedict, the new Atheists, the Goodness of God, the revelation of Christ, Evil and the journalistic genius of John. You can also watch it on my YouTube channel (see www.theweeflea.com)
The Australian newspaper had a real hatchet piece on Bishop Rod Chiswell of Armidale - or at least that is how I saw it - so I wrote this piece https://theweeflea.com/2021/10/16/the-final-stone-a-response-in-defence-of-bishop-rod-chiswell-ap/
and then Rod and I had this discussion. This is the first time we have spoken. I hope you find it as enlightening and helpful as I did. I found him to be a lovely and gracious man - the polar opposite of the impression given from the newspaper article. As he observed what happened to him is a prime example of what Steve McAlpine writes about in his book 'Being the Bad Guys'. Hence the title of this podcast. There is also a YouTube here...https://youtu.be/bCTFxFFeYuI
We continue our discussion on Greg's book "Christians: the Urgent Case for Jesus in Our World". We look at the influence of the Bible on the West - is the Bible historical? What about biblical 'scholarship' which denies what the Bible says? "Once you accept that the New Testament is the work of eyewitnesses, and reporters who spoke to eyewitnesses, then Jesus becomes the most richly documented figure of the ancient world." "But there is nothing in history to convince the believer, or indeed just the fair-minded inquirer, that the Gospels are not true"Enjoy, comment, question, read, listen, pray and pass on!
In our second episode, we discuss with Greg Sheridan his chapter on the death of Christ. Why begin the book with this? What does it mean? Was CS Lewis right about the atonement? Do you believe in the Virgin Birth? What about miracles? Historical evidence? Biblical scholarship? Why did Jesus die? Including Evelyn Waugh, GK Chesterton, Barth, Aquinas, Covid and the Cross; evangelical Catholicism, and more....
This is the first of a series with Greg Sheridan, one of Australia's most respected journalists - whose recent book "Christians - The Urgent Case for Jesus in our World" is fascinating. We hope you will enjoy a Scottish Presbyterian discussion with an Australian Catholic! In episode one we discuss why Greg 'came out' as a Christian, his background, and experience of atheism, journalism, politics and the Bible.