Sermon Series – RethinKING Easter

Forget crowns and castles! What does it REALLY mean to be a king? This Easter, it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about power, sacrifice, and the true King who changed the world forever. We are “RethinKING Easter.”

Palm Sunday – The King of Peace

Read the text – Zechariah 9:9-17; Luke 19:28-44

We can define a king as one with the power to raise an army yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship because he comes as one who is “gentle and riding on a donkey”.  The kingship that he brings is one of peace in the face of war.  We need not be threatened by Jesus but welcome him with praise.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see the long-term fulfillment of what was long proclaimed about God’s King – and story that spanned 500 years from prophecy to fulfillment.

Good Friday – The King of Service

Read the text – Exodus 12:14-28; Luke 22:1-37

We can define a King as one who people serve, yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship by being the one who came to serve, laying down his life for his friends.

In this talk, Gary Haddon helps us to see in Jesus a sovereign King who suffered and a king who suffered in order to save.

Easter Sunday – The King of Life

Read the text – Luke 23:50-24:35; Acts 2:22-39

A way to define kingship by succession – yet we still recognize that for every king, no matter his power, or influence, or riches – they will one day die. Yet Jesus defies kingship in almost every way – not least of all in his death and then resurrection. A king, who in death gave his riches as an internal inheritance for all who trust in him. That is Easter.

In this talk Neil Atwood will help us consider the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as a certain indicator of Jesus’ true kingship over all of life.

Sermon – Firm Faith: A Life Worthy of Christ (Colossians 1:1-14)

Read the text – Colossians 1:1-14

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told that believers need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that they are being taught that what Jesus has done is not enough. So how does a Christian person stand firm in faith in this life?

In this talk Ken Noakes introduces us to the letter written to the church of Colossae. He wants to encourage them and in doing so tells them what he is praying for them. And we are given a wonderful model in how to encourage and pray for those engaged in living out their faith in Christ.

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Sermon – Psalms of Hope: Hope in the God who is Faithful (Psalm 89)

Read the text – Psalm 89

Even in the midst of the turmoil of this world, God is faithful, God’s promises are rock solid – in Psalm 89 we are reminded that God’s love stands forever; his faithfulness is firmly established. In this talk Ken Noakes looks at how Psalm 89 points us to his appointed, anointed, exalted king – not King David, but King Jesus.

This talk shows the hope that we can have today because we can see how God has kept his promises in his Son Jesus.

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Sermon – Psalms of Hope: Hope Sings it’s heart out (Psalm 84)

Read the text – Psalm 84

The Psalms have been described as ‘both God’s word to us and our words to God’. The Psalms speak to the total person and demand a total response. Generally, the book of Psalms has been divided into five books and this ‘Psalm of Hope’ number 84, comes from Book III. We are encouraged to find hope in God alone through his Son, our Saviour and King, Jesus Christ.

In this talk, Ken Noakes helps us to think about all the good things that might make life good, and yet also recognize that those good things pale into insignificance compared with the hope of the glory of heaven. May this Psalm, and this talk, help you to sing for joy because of your hope in Jesus.

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Sermon – The Light of the World: The Light has Dawned (Matthew 4:12-17)

Read the text – Isaiah 9:2-7;  Matthew 4:12-17

Christmas is a time for Christians to proclaim Jesus the Light of the World. This series looks to show the development of the ‘Light’ theme as it unfolds through the passage of salvation history.

In this Bible Talk, Dave Swan helps us to see the how the promises of Isaiah are fulfilled in Jesus and that forgiveness and eternity is on offer with the coming of this new dawn.

Sermon – The Light of the World: The Light Shining in the Darkness (2 Cor 4:1-6)

Read the text – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Jesus is the light of the knowledge of God’s glory. In this second talk of this Christmas Series, Gary Haddon helps the Christian family consider both the message and the manner in which the Christmas message is proclaimed – challenging the listener to set forth the truth plainly.

This talk will help prepare the Christian person for the Christmas season.

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Sermon – The Light of the World: My Light and My Salvation (Psalm 27)

Read the text – Psalm 27

The Lord is the Light of my Salvation – dwell, seek, learn and wait on the LORD. As Christian get ready for the Christmas season, Psalm 27 is a good reminder that it is because of Jesus that it is possible to dwell forever with God.

Dave Swan gives us a Jesus shaped hope and prepares us to make the most of the Christmas season.

Sermon – Wisdom Through Suffering (Job 38-42) – God Knows

Read the text – Job 40:1-14 

It has been a long time in coming, but finally we hear the voice of God. In Job 38, God speaks from the midst of a storm (or whirlwind). It is not surprising that God speaks from a storm, but it is surprising that it isn’t the storm of judgement, but of wisdom. Two chapters of God describing the extent of his sovereignty conclude in 40:1. And Job’s response? Despite all that he had previously thought he would say if he could enter God’s presence, he is speechless. He recognizes his insignificance before God and keeps listening to what God has to say and stays attentive to what God will show him – God is not only sovereign, but just.

God has not given Job the answers he was looking for, but Job has seen him in a way that is clearer than ever, and without asking for any more answers, he trusts in God’s sovereignty, even though his circumstances still have not changed. It isn’t until we get to the New Testament that we can begin to understand what it cost Him to win the battle over evil and death on our behalf.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to understand the importance of living under the sovereignty of God – and that wisdom, even blessing can be found in suffering.

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Sermon – Wisdom Through Suffering (Job 32-37) – Listen to MY Words

Read the text – Job 32:1-10 & Job 33:1-33

We meet Job’s younger friend Elihu. He has been patiently listening to all that has so far been said and finally he breaks his silence and implores Job to listen (33:1-2). He wants Job to trust his words for he is – sincere (33:3), compassionate (33:6-7) and he speaks with the spirit of God (33:4-5).

His argument: Job is not suffering because he has sinned, but he cautions Job not to sin in his suffering.

Gary Haddon helps the listener consider how we react when suffering – do we look up and down? The ‘why’ of suffering is not the question, but who we are trusting for salvation.

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