Luke 15: 1-32. These wonderful parables belong together as stories of lost things being found – of coming home. What we sometimes miss is the theme of exuberant joy and celebration which also unites them. Shepherd, woman and father all say: ‘Rejoice with me’, urging others to share their excitement. When somebody is ‘found’ by […]
Luke 9:57 to Luke 10:24. It’s easy enough to think we’re not like the would-be disciples in Luke 9:57-62 but how different are we? In the verses which follow, Jesus sends out seventy-two followers, telling them to rely on whatever hospitality they’re offered and do whatever good they can. This passage challenges us to examine […]
Luke 4: 1-13. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. This story would probably have been on the writer’s mind. The devil aims his attack on Jesus’ sense of identity: ‘If you are the Son of God … etc.’ That self-knowledge had grown over […]
John 1:19-28, Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38, 46-56. Many people spend a lot time and energy in preparing for Christmas. Mostly this involves food, presents, decorations and cards. For Mary & Joseph preparing for Jesus’ birth was far more costly and complicated! John later urged people to have a change of heart and mend their ways […]
Psalm 119:105; Matthew 28:16-20; John 5:39-40; Romans 15:4-6; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. In reality a number of things combine to make our church what it is today and will be in the future. However, above all we seek to be a community of disciples – those who live for Jesus and proclaim Him as Lord. Essential […]
Psalm 66:16-19; Mark 3:13-19; John 13:1-17; Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:17 The New Testament is clear that every disciple is called by God to share in his mission. Likewise, all have gifts and a part to play in the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12). Our life together should be characterised by loving service, in […]
In the Early Church proclaiming Jesus as Lord was a political act and led to serious trouble. The same is true in parts of the world today and was also the experience of our ancestors in this church. We, too, are called to seek first the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33) and refuse to be […]
Our new teaching series is all about living under the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we set the scene by celebrating the truth of who Jesus is – the one given the ‘name above all names’. We could have given this morning’s theme the title ‘Obeying’ but for Christ’s followers obedience is a […]
Psalm 139. After the sermon we reflected on our own response to this Psalm and listened to the following track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ1SgS3ExgM
Nehemiah 12:44 to 13:31 Being a church that seeks to be ‘inclusive’, this passage presents some difficulty! We need to remember Jesus is the “friend of sinners” and the Gospel brings outsiders in. That said, Nehemiah’s final reforms point again to the need for vigilance as God’s people. It is so easy to let our […]