Sermon: Warnings to avoid woe (Matthew 23)

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 23, Jesus warns about the dangers of religious hypocrisy and teaches that we can respect someone's role or title, without condoning or copying their bad practices.  In this sermon, we consider what religious hypocrisy might look like and how we are to avoid it.

Welshpool Community Church · Warnings To Avoid Woe (Matthew 23)

Just Another Melodic Monday - O Come All You Unfaithful

"O Come All You Unfaithful" is written by Lisa Clow and Bob Kauflin and is the first track to be released from Sovereign Grace Music's forthcoming Christmas album, "Heaven has come".  Here is information from the YouTube page, explaining the filming of the video:

This video contains people who are processing “O Come, All You Unfaithful,” most of them for the first time, in light of their own experiences. A stillborn child. A strained marriage. Feelings of shame. Legalism. Loss. Loneliness. Or simply having a heart that weeps with those who weep. We think seeing their responses as Lisa Clow sings communicates even more clearly that Jesus wasn’t born for people who have it all together. He was born for those who have nothing. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11.28–30, ESV) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1.21, ESV) So come.

The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (1 Peter 1:10-12)

What was the Holy Spirit doing before Jesus was born? And if the Christian faith is all about Christ, why should we bother reading the Old Testament? We consider the answers to these questions and others in this sermon, based on 1 Peter 1:10-12.

Welshpool Community Church · The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

How we can know and love Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:8-9)

If Jesus Christ lived 2000 years ago, how can we know him, let alone love him? We look at the answer to that question by considering Peter's words in 1 Peter 1:8-9, beginning: "Though you have not seen him, you love him."

Welshpool Community Church · How we can know and love Jesus Christ

God's Purposes in Our Suffering (1 Peter 1:6-7)

We can trust God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and thus we are able to hold onto joy even when we suffer. In this part of his letter, Peter writes that God has a purpose in our "various trials" - he is proving the genuineness of our faith so that we will be ready for the day when Jesus Christ returns.

Welshpool Community Church · God's purposes in our suffering

God's Perfect Plan for an Imperfect World (1 Peter 1:1-2)

We're beginning a series of sermons going through Peter's first letter in the New Testament. In this introductory message, we recognise that Peter was an imperfect person writing to Christians in an imperfect situation but telling them about God's perfect plan.

Welshpool Community Church · God's Perfect Plan for an Imperfect World

Just Another Melodic Monday - Bluegrass Special!

Keith and Kristyn Getty are well known for their Christian worship songs.  During the lockdown, they've been sharing "Family Hymn Sings" on their YouTube channel, and the most recent was a bluegrass special!  Be encouraged as the whole family sings some classic hymns.

A Midweek Message: The Death of Christ

In this second part of our series, we consider the death of Christ as we focus on 1 John 4:10: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sin."

Jesus Christ came to die on a cross, so that the anger of God could be absorbed and the love of God could be outpoured.

A Midweek Message: Evangelical Distinctives

In this sermon, Roger Davies explores the Gospel of Luke chapters 23 and 24, and provides a list of  Christian beliefs that are also "Evangelical Distinctives".

Just Another Melodic Monday - How can it be?

Here is a wonderful acappella song by the Doxology Vocal Ensemble called "How can it be?"  The song expresses wonder at the grace and mercy that we find when we turn to God and ask for his forgiveness: "Oh, the grace reaching out for me - how can it be?"

A Midweek Message: True Greatness (Matthew 20)

As we look at the gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, we consider how Jesus defines, describes and demonstrates true greatness.  "Whoever would be great among you must be your servant..." (v26).

Just Another Melodic Monday - Give me Jesus

"Give me Jesus" was written about 150 years ago, and is a simple hymn that calls us to focus on Jesus Christ as the one who can truly give us satisfaction and peace.  This version is sung by "Sounds like Reign".  Their songs are free to download from their website, soundslikereign.com.

A Midweek Message: The Lord who welcomes (Matthew 19)

The disciples of Jesus are surprised again as Jesus welcomes and prays for little children.  In this sermon, we consider what the response of Jesus tells us about how he will welcome anyone who approaches him "like a little child".

Just Another Melodic Monday - His Mercy is More

"His Mercy is More" is a song that we learned as a church last year, written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.  The words remind us of the mercy and forgiveness that we find when we come to God through Jesus Christ, for "in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace..." (Ephesians 1:7).

A Midweek Message: A Name for the Baby pt.3: The Lord

The angel announces to the shepherds that they would find a baby, who is "the Lord", lying in a manger.  In Jesus Christ, we find the highest authority and the deepest humility, and therefore our greatest hope.

A Midweek Message: To be or to pretend to be? (Joshua 9)

In this message, based on the Book of Joshua chapter 9, we recognise that faith must be genuine.  The Gibeonites try to deceive Joshua, but ultimately realise that they must be honest and sincerely trust in the Lord God.

A Midweek Message: Judgment at Jericho (Joshua 6)

In Joshua chapter 6, God passes judgment on Jericho as the Israelites begin to conquer the promised land.  This points us to a future judgment that only Jesus can save us from.

A Midweek Message: Degrees of Faith (Matthew 15-16)

In this message, Roger Davies looks at some of the different examples and degrees of faith we find in the Gospel of Matthew.

A Midweek Message: My soul will be satisfied (Psalm 63)

In Psalm 63, David describes his search for God during a time of trouble.  In this sermon, we look at how David finds God, and how we can apply David's experience to our own lives today.

A Midweek Message: King or Liar (Matthew 12)

As Jesus continues to carry out public miracles, the crowds ask: "Is this the Son of David?"  The Pharisees, on the other hand, claim that they are being deceived.  Is Jesus the promised king or a liar?

In this message, based on the Gospel of Matthew chapter 12, we consider how to answer that question and what that means for us today.