Sermons

The gifts of the Spirit are given to us to glorify Jesus. They show God’s generosity, and they are for the good of the whole body.

[The first few minutes of this message were not recorded - apologies.]

Walking by the Spirit is not for the select few, but is for all of us. It involves conflict within us, cultivating fruit and crucifying the flesh, and involves us as a community not just as individuals.

Leaning on somebody is a sign of weakness, but when we lean on Jesus God’s power is seen in our weakness. People should be able to ask “Who is that, and who is it they’re leaning on?”

Just as David defeated Goliath by holding on to the word of God, we too can exercise reckless faith in the face of giants as we remember the promises that he has made to us.

God’s great plan was to bring people together. We ought to relate to one another as family; with respect, love and purity.

We can react badly when hardship and trials come, but we should not look to our circumstances for ultimate truth. We mustn’t forget that God is treating us as sons.

Jesus tells two stories about a lost sheep and a lost coin that illustrate several profound truths about ourselves: that we are all desperately lost and in need of a saviour; and that there is both great sacrifice and joy in the search to find and save us by the shepherd who gave up everything to bring us home to his care..

Fasting can help us to draw close to God. God’s people fasted in the Bible when they were in trouble, when they needed a breakthrough, when they were on the brink of something new or when seeking direction from God.

In order to train ourselves to be Godly, we need to eat healthy spiritual food and be disciplined in our everyday routine.

Discipline from God is seen in the context of family relationships. It is fundamental in the relationship between father and child. It is painful but fruitful. Parental discipline is just a poor imitation of God’s discipline.

God directs his people for a purpose, but we can easily become discouraged when things go wrong. Are we willing to step back and pray; obey him; step into the impossible; and worship even before we reach our destination?

We belong to God because he made us, bought us and won us. In what is an amazing exchange, God also gives himself to us.

Jesus is the pioneer of our faith. He didn’t just lead the way but he made the way. He is also the perfecter of our faith who finished the work of redemption on the cross.

The church is called to match the gospel. The church is God’s household, the dwelling place of the living God, and the pillar and foundation of the truth.

We need to get rid of sin, but also of anything else that hinders us running the race. We are not to focus on the cloud of witness, or their faith, but on the object of their faith.

Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and God’s people are called to be a community of servants, but some people have a specific calling as servants / deacons.

Jesus equipped his disciples by giving them peace, opening their minds to understand the Scriptures and promising them power. He equips us in the same way.

Phinehas was jealous for God’s honour. We should have the same attitude towards God’s honour. Sin does not honour God and so it needs to be killed.

Living by faith takes us out of our comfort zones, but the people of God in the Old Testament had their weaknesses turned to strength. We can trust God in all circumstances.

It was worth Satan’s while to discourage Elijah, and it is worth his while to discourage us as individuals and as a church. God overcomes Elijah’s discouragement by refreshing him, by restoring him with a still small voice, and by reinstating him.