Tag: Elijah

Grace received, but grace despised

In the early church history a man named Marcion made an attempt to canonise the Bible – this means he tried to work out which books should be seen as authoritative and which not. Marcion was a man who measured everything by love and grace – which led him to believe that all of the…… Continue reading Grace received, but grace despised

God’s call for covenant renewal in times of unbridled rebellion

Introduction When Martin Luther was called to appear before those who charged him, he stood alone.  All the clergy of the time, and all politicians stood against him.   It was the same in the time of Wycliffe and John Huss some years earlier.  Truth cannot be judged by the numbers of those who confess…… Continue reading God’s call for covenant renewal in times of unbridled rebellion

God’s call to be trouble in times of unbridled sin

Those of you who come from an agricultural background will understand that some animals are just stubborn. We had a good friend in the town where we lived back in country Western Transvaal. This man contracted meningitis as a nine year old  and had to make a living by chopping wood.  He became very strong. …… Continue reading God’s call to be trouble in times of unbridled sin

God’s call to step up in times of unbridled sin and rebellion

Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Today the Lord calls us to be faithful witnesses; He puts before us the tests to remain faithful, more so when circumstances change.  The way, the time and places we served in the past might call us to step up as the battle becomes more fierce. Looking at…… Continue reading God’s call to step up in times of unbridled sin and rebellion

God’s providence and care in times of unbridled sin

Well-known theologian Dr R.C. Sproul records this anecdote in one of his books: There was a mountain climber who slipped on a ledge and was about to plummet thousands of feet to his death, but as he started to fall, he grabbed a branch of a tiny, scraggly tree that was growing out of a…… Continue reading God’s providence and care in times of unbridled sin

God’s Word and witness in times of unbridled sin

Morally and spiritually we live in what might be a very low watermark.  However, there most probably were times when things looked somewhat worse.  What we might think is that the scale of moral decline is perhaps more widespread now that in most recent times.  The churches of the West have been in decline to…… Continue reading God’s Word and witness in times of unbridled sin

God’s Christmas strategy

Luke 1:67-79 Luke 3:1-6 Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Most people find history boring, and if I told you that the sermon is coming from Luke 3:1-2 you might think of shutting down.  I urge you, however, not to.  What God has to say in these verses is very relevant to us -…… Continue reading God’s Christmas strategy

Face the challenge

Fear versus Service Scripture Readings 2Corinthians 4:1-15 1Kings 18:1-18 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, I cannot testify as personal experience with the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4.  His life of service in the Lord is surely an example we all should strive for when he writes to a church…… Continue reading Face the challenge

Living by Faith (8)

Faith: victorious, embattled and seemingly defeated Scripture Readings: 1 Kings 18:30-46 Hebrews 11:32-12:3 Introduction My dear brother and sister in the Lord, Faith is to be sure of what we hope for and to be certain of what we do not see.  But, this faith is not something mystical, a feeling, a sort of thrill…… Continue reading Living by Faith (8)