Scripture Readings Romans 9:14-21 Jeremiah 18:1-10 Introduction There is a famous story of the days when Sir Christopher Wren was building St. Paul’s Cathedral. On one occasion he was making a tour of the work in progress. He came upon a man at work and asked him: “What are you doing?” The man said: “I…… Continue reading The Potter and the clay
Tag: sin
The Holy God Judging Sin
Scripture Readings Revelation 19:6-16 Joshua 11:18-23 Introduction My dear friends in the Lord, Jesus Christ, If the only attribute God possesses were love—as many people apparently think—Christians would be stunned into silence at every occasion of death, pain, war, suffering and pain. What do we make of a verse like: For it was of…… Continue reading The Holy God Judging Sin
Where is the victory?
Scripture Readings Acts 5:14, Joshua 7:1-10, 16-21 Introduction My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, We often find ourselves at new beginnings. We might find ourselves in a new job, or a new suburb or a new house. The move to a new house helps us to get rid of the old stuff we…… Continue reading Where is the victory?
God’s act of salvation: Justification
A new Covenant Jeremiah 31:31-37 is the chapter in the Old Testament that speaks of a New Covenant; verses 31-34 is one of the largest portions of the Old Testament to be directly quoted in the New Testament. Let’s look at a few themes in this chapter: everlasting love: Jeremiah 31:3 and 20 tells of…… Continue reading God’s act of salvation: Justification
God’s Act of Salvation: Biblical framework for salvation
Important themes There are main themes running through the Scriptures. To understand how God’s grace and our salvation come together, we need to keep the following truths in mind: God God, the Creator, is holy, loving, just, righteous, merciful and faithful (Isaiah 6:3; 1John 4:8, 16; Exodus 34:6-7; Nehemiah 9:32-33.) Man Adam and Eve were…… Continue reading God’s Act of Salvation: Biblical framework for salvation
Heavenly shaped defence (1)
Bible Readings Acts 20:25-38; 1 Peter 5:1-11 Introduction My dear friends in Christ, If our Lord allows us, we will walk slowly through the last chapter of 1 Peter. The topic of this sermon “Heavenly Shaped Defence”. We of course speak of our defence against the strategy of the devil. To begin our study of…… Continue reading Heavenly shaped defence (1)
My funeral, my new life
Bible Readings Romans 6:1-14 1 Peter 4:1-6 Introduction My dear friends in Christ, Has it struck you that many contestants in TV shows, when they are knocked out of the game, might express regret, but find consolation in what they call fun. “It is sorry to go, but I had a lot of fun.” …… Continue reading My funeral, my new life
When the truth becomes a lie, and the lie becomes the truth
Bible Readings 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Romans 1:18-32 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, During the next three weeks Australians will have the opportunity to have their say in the battle to redefine marriage. Pressure from the world is mounting against Christians to separate what they think as Christians when they attend church from…… Continue reading When the truth becomes a lie, and the lie becomes the truth
Grace, forgiveness, restoration
Bible Readings 1John 1:5-2:6 1Samuel 12:6-25 Introduction Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Of all the parables of our Lord Jesus Christ I relate very well to the one of the wayward son. This parable is about four lost things: a coin, a sheep, and two sons. The headings added by some translators are…… Continue reading Grace, forgiveness, restoration
The Messiah, the thirsty sinner, the living water, the harvest
Scripture Reading John 4:1-26 A young pastor was looking for a cloth he could use over the communion table, and found one on a street sale. The next day, while unlocking the building, he noticed an elderly lady on the curb and invited her to come inside for warmth. While she making herself comfortable in…… Continue reading The Messiah, the thirsty sinner, the living water, the harvest
Ultimate Standards 