Sermons

The magnetic force of the early Christian commitment is explained by four areas of devotion: to the apostles teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer.

Acts 2:42-47. The Whirlpool Effect

The early Christian community was characterised by a compulsion to talk, courage to talk and a sense of being called to talk about Jesus.

Acts 4:23-37. Commitment to a Switched-On Community

In this passage Paul, drawing profoundly on Ezekiel 33-36, urges church leaders to be faithful sentinels. He presents himself as a model sentinel, emphasising the value system which makes him willing to lay down his own life for God’s sheep.

Acts 20:17-35 - On Guard (PDF)

In 1 Corinthians Paul uses the doctrine of resurrection to define essential Christian faith, to treat the human body with dignity and in a manner that honours God and to combat false views of spirituality.

Body Parts? The Relevance of Resurrection (1 Corinthians)

This passage teaches Christians how to get rich and have even more to invest. It reassures them that they are investing in a bullish share market and that they will receive rich dividends.

2 Corinthians 9. How to Become a Rich Christian

Galatians 2 presents two contrasting situations: what happened when Paul took a Gentile, Titus, to Jerusalem and what happened when the Jewish leader, Peter, went to Antioch.

Galatians 2. When in Rome Do What the Romans Do?

Paul publicly rebukes Peter for adopting an improper approach to cross-cultural and cross-ethnic relations.

Galatians 2:11-21. A Blast from the Past

Paul commends the members of this young church for their vibrant faith, hope and love as expressed in their turning from idols, their expectation of Jesus’ return and their commitment to serving the living and true God. In particular, the vitality and resilience of these Christians is due to their imitation of faithfulness in the midst of suffering.

 1 Thessalonians 1. Copy That!

“Work” is a strong motif in 1 Thessalonians. The “work of faith”, “labour of love” and “endurance of hope” find abundant expression in the hard work of Paul to communicate the gospel, notwithstanding the hard work of others to stop him from doing so. Further, God’s Word itself does a profound work in the lives of those who accept it as such.

 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16. The Work Force

Right living is all about living to please God and be good witnesses for him, to live as those who belong to God. Of first importance here is the need to avoid sexual immorality, remembering that to step over the line in this area of our lives is to invite God’s judgment.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Sex in the City 

This passage profoundly compares and contrasts Jesus’ return with the Lord’s descent on Mount Sinai.

 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Time to Wake Up!

Sinful man is destined to die once and after that face terrifying judgment. Fully sharing in our humanity Jesus too was destined to die once (cf. Hebrews 2). But this predestined death is utterly unique. We sometimes come across people who sacrifice their lives that others might live. But such sacrifices only extend the earthly lives of others. Jesus’ sacrificial death is utterly unique. Only his death effects the removal of our sins and enables us to face death as those who wait for Jesus to bring salvation.

Hebrews 9:27-28. Destined to Die Once

A sequence of foundational historical events has transformed the lives of God’s people. We are now preparing ourselves to see the very One who played the central role in those monumental past events.

1 Peter 1: Life-Changing Events 

Christians have been called to proclaim the excellencies or virtues of God. For us this is not a duty, but a privilege because of how greatly we esteem Jesus for all that he is and all he has done for us.

1 Peter 2:1-10. People with Something to Say

Those who live Christ-honouring lives will be persecuted. Reverence for Christ as Lord is essential if fear is not to cripple our witness and if we are to be prepared to explain to others why we face the future with such wonderful assurance.

1 Peter 3:8-4:10. Prepared for Persecution

What distinguishes this great international gathering of people who are able to stand before the throne and the Lamb (v9) from those who will reel in terror at such a prospect (6:16-17)?

Revelation 7. The World at His Feet