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.
Sermons
This is a collection of sermons I have given over the years.
Acts 2:42-47. The Whirlpool Effect
Thursday, September 13th, 2007Acts 4:23-37. Commitment to a Switched-On Community
Saturday, October 6th, 2007The early Christian community was characterised by a compulsion to talk, courage to talk and a sense of being called to talk about Jesus.
Acts 20:17-35. On Guard
Thursday, July 12th, 2007In 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.
1 Corinthians 15. Body Parts? The Relevance of Resurrection
Monday, August 27th, 2007In 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.
2 Corinthians 9. How to Become a Rich Christian
Thursday, September 13th, 2007This 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.
Galatians 2. When in Rome Do What the Romans Do?
Monday, October 15th, 2007Galatians 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 2:11-21. A Blast from the Past
Sunday, September 9th, 2007Paul publicly rebukes Peter for adopting an improper approach to cross-cultural and cross-ethnic relations.
1 Thessalonians 1. Copy That!
Thursday, September 6th, 2007Paul 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 2:1-16. The Work Force
Saturday, September 8th, 2007“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 4:1-12. Sex in the City
Sunday, September 9th, 2007Right 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 4:13-18. Time to Wake Up!
Sunday, September 9th, 2007This passage profoundly compares and contrasts Jesus’ return with the Lord’s descent on Mount Sinai.
Hebrews 9:27-28. Destined to Die Once
Thursday, September 25th, 2008Sinful 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.
1 Peter 1. Life-Changing Events
Sunday, September 2nd, 2007A 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 2:1-10. People with Something to Say
Sunday, September 2nd, 2007Christians 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 3:8-4:19. Prepared for Persecution
Sunday, September 2nd, 2007Those 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.
Revelation 7. The World at His Feet
Friday, September 28th, 2007What 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)?

