This sermon is a meditation on the death of Christ from the perspective of this text. The focus is on how Jesus’ death delivers us from “the present evil age.”
Read Galatians 1:3-5
Community and Mission (4): Community and Our Neighbours
The Bible calls for believers to be separate from unbelievers. Jesus’ example and other biblical passages show that that separation is not isolation, but rather holy lives which are deeply involved in the lives of unbelievers in order to be a blessing to them through the gospel.
Read Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 10:25-37
Nehemiah’s Zeal for God’s Kingdom
In this chapter Nehemiah heard of poor conditions back in Jerusalem and is greatly distressed. He takes the matter to God in prayers. Nehemiah foreshadows the passion for God’s kingdom that we see in Jesus and as such provides an example for us, both in his concern and in the prayer that results.
Read Nehemiah 1
Community and Mission (3): Community and Spiritual Growth
We tend to think of spiritual growth in an individualistic manner. This sermon examines some of the ways the NT teaches that we are to encourage spiritual growth in other believers as they are to encourage spiritual growth in us.
Read Ephesians 4:1-16
“Until He Comes”
There is a forward looking aspect to the Lord’s Supper. It is an anticipation of the return of Christ and of the messianic banquet at the end of time. As we partake we look forward to its fulfillment in the consummated kingdom of God.
Read Luke 22:14-23
Community and Mission (2): The Attraction of Community
We are made in the image of God. Part of what that means is that we are essentially social beings. We experience what it means to be human in community. Sin disrupts our relationships. The Jesus delivers us from sin also in this area. The gospel empowered community of the body of Christ is intended by God to be an attraction for the world.
A Prayer for Forgiveness
Everyone experiences guilt. The secular approach to dealing with guilt has to do with making amends, trying to do better and not dwelling on what cannot be changed. The biblical approach, as taught in this Psalm, is focused on our relationship with God. It begins with confession of sin and results in forgiveness, cleansing and renewal for Jesus sake.
Read Psalm 51
Community and Mission (1): Introduction
The Bible teaches that there is a relationship between the lives that God’s people live together in community by the power of the gospel and their mission to the world. This sermon introduces this idea which will be explored in depth in the sermons to follow.
Read John 13:34-35; 1 Peter 2:9-12
In the Shelter of the Most High
This Psalm promises that God will protect his people from all harm and danger. The sermon examines what this means in light of the fact that God’s people have always experienced suffering and hardship in their lives.
Read Psalm 91
The Fourth Commandment
This sermon examines the biblical case for the conviction that the fourth commandment is still binding in the New Testament situation. Attention is also given to the question of how the command is to be obeyed.
Read Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:23-28