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.
Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Monday, 11 January 2021
Sermon: The Glory of Unspectacular Obedience (Luke 3)
The last three years of Jesus' ministry, full of incredible teaching and miracles, were spectacular and memorable, and hence we find lots of details about those years recorded in the Bible.
But there's hardly anything written down about the first 30 years of his life. However, at the baptism of Jesus, we learn about the glory of unspectacular obedience, and in this sermon we consider how that can encourage us now to be holy.
Wednesday, 23 December 2020
A Christmas Message: God's Extended Household (Luke 2:22-38)
After the challenging year we've had, many people are seeking comfort and consolation at this Christmas time. In this sermon (recorded on Sunday 20th December), we look in Luke's gospel at a man called Simeon, who was also waiting to be comforted. We discover why he was able to rejoice when he saw the baby Jesus and how the comfort he experienced is still available today to people from all walks of life.
Tuesday, 22 December 2020
A Christmas Message: When Christmas was almost cancelled (Matthew 2:1-18)
How do we avoid feeling like Christmas has been cancelled this year?
In this message, we look back at the time when King Herod set out to kill the infant Jesus - a time when Christmas really was almost cancelled - and we explore the story told by the gifts of the Wise Men and how, in Jesus Christ, we find a joy that we can cling to and a joy-giver who will cling to us.
Monday, 21 December 2020
A Christmas Message: A small gathering for a big event (Luke 2:8-20)
This year, many people have had to organise a big event where they have only been allowed a small gathering. When the number of invitations are limited, then those who do get an invite must be particularly important in some way.
In this Christmas message, we explore why God chooses to invite a few shepherds to one of the biggest events in history - the birth of God's Son.
Monday, 2 November 2020
Just Another Melodic Monday: Psalm 121 (I lift my eyes)
During a time when we may be feeling isolated, it's good to be reminded that the Lord is with us and will help us. Today's song, based on Psalm 121, is written by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker and Matt Papa. The words of the chorus are:
O my soul, praise the Lord most high
Strong to save, He upholds my life
Forevermore, he will be my light
I lift my eyes up to the Lord most high
Monday, 12 October 2020
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.
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