Scripture Readings 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Jeremiah 23:23-40 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Long before God called Abraham, people worshipped other gods. Although they had names, none ever met them; yet, all worshipped them. They bowed to images of them. Those in charge had the privilege to the secrets regarding these gods. The worshippers…… Continue reading “I had a dream!”
Tag: Gospel
Expecting the return of Christ (6)
Bible readings Romans 8:22-39 2Thessalonians 2:9-17 Introduction My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Young William Wilberforce was discouraged one night in the early 1790s after another defeat in his 10 year battle against the slave trade in England. Tired and frustrated, he opened his Bible and began to leaf through it. A small piece…… Continue reading Expecting the return of Christ (6)
Expecting Christ’s Return (4)
Scripture Readings Psalm 119:89-104; 2Thessalonians 2:1-17 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Our Lord enriches the life of a minister in most unexpected ways. I took services in a nursing home. I made a point of it to shake hands with all at the end. As regular as a heartbeat, one lady would slip in…… Continue reading Expecting Christ’s Return (4)
Choose today whom you will serve
Scripture Readings Luke 14:15-30; Joshua 24:14-27 Introduction Dear friends in Christ, Not far from us there is an ice cream shop which sells 76 flavours of ice cream. When the grandchildren come up for a visit, going for ice cream is a no brainer. Imagine yourself this scenario: I take my grandies to that…… Continue reading Choose today whom you will serve
Look out for false apostles (2)
Bible Readings Luke 21:5-11 2Timothy 3:1-9 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, A friend of mine, then a new Christian, returned from morning worship where the sermon was about false prophets. He settled for a cup of coffee with his wife when the doorbell rang. His visitors asked if he would…… Continue reading Look out for false apostles (2)
Christ makes us his friends, and the world hates us for it
Bible Readings Psalm 9:7-20 John 15:9-16:4 Introduction My dear friends in the Lord, Jesus Christ, My mother was one of the fairest people I knew. Like a hen, she would protect her chicks. Don’t get into Mom’s bad books by spreading stories about her children. As kids, we knew she would always defend us, and…… Continue reading Christ makes us his friends, and the world hates us for it
Participating in the sufferings of Christ
Scripture Reading 1Peter 4:12-19 Introduction The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, honour those who died for their country. Built following World War I, it was expanded to remember those who served in subsequent conflicts. It is a beautiful place, with monuments to courage and devotion, but the highlight of the shrine is a hall containing…… Continue reading Participating in the sufferings of Christ
Living ‘in-Christ (3) –
Bible Reading Colossians 3:1-11 Introduction In 1976 Dr Francis Schaeffer wrote a book with the title “How should we then live”. The question is by what standard should we live. Dr Schaeffer said when we base society on the Bible, on the infinite-personal God who is there and has spoken, it provides an absolute by…… Continue reading Living ‘in-Christ (3) –
Living ‘in Christ’ (2)
Scripture Readings Psalm 25:1-15 Colossians 3:1-11 Introduction Dr Joseph Haroutunian, a professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, came to America from Armenia. One day a well-meaning friend said to him, “Your name is difficult to pronounce and difficult to spell–it could hurt your professional career. Why don’t you change your name to Harwood or Harwell or…… Continue reading Living ‘in Christ’ (2)
The Gospel: Defending your defence
Bible Readings Ephesians 1:15-23 Colossians 1:24-2:5 Introduction When I grew up in South Africa we had a sort of war-game. We called it kleilat. I’ll explain. We would go down to the creek and dig up some black clay. We would also cut some green flexible sticks from a willow tree. The hard ones…… Continue reading The Gospel: Defending your defence
Ultimate Standards 