Sermon – Why, What, When of Forgiveness (John 18 – 20)

LMAP - Easter2019 - CoverPhoto

Easter is a special time for many around the world – a time to reflect, to be thankful, to lift our minds and hearts above the day to day and to appreciate the world we live in.

Arguably, more than any other event in history, Easter has shaped our world. The coming of the man Jesus and then his arrest, trial, crucifixion and then resurrection stunned the world. What Jesus taught about life, love, good works, sin, justice, forgiveness, hope has shaped cultures, governments, legislation, education, tradition and so much more. Yet his death and resurrection transformed people’s lives and gave a personal hope beyond the grave. Love him or loath him, he has left his mark for the benefit of generations across history.

In this trilogy of Easter talks, we walk with Jesus through the pages of John’s Gospel from his arrest to his resurrection.

– David Shead

Read the Bible Text – John 18:1-27

– David Shead

Read the Bible Text – John 18:28-19:42

– David Shead

Read the Bible Text – John 20:1-31

Sermon – Who says I will be judged?

LMAP - Easter2019 - CoverPhoto

We all like and want justice – yet justice is not possible unless there is judgement (vindicating the good and condemning the bad). In Jesus you have a judge – who is just, right and good. Can we say the same about our own judgements?

Read the Bible Text – John 5:16-30; John 12:44-50

Talk Outline – John 5.16-30 & 12

– Ken Noakes

– David Shead

Sermon – God Behind it All (2 Sam 24)

2 Samuel Artwork

The closing scenes of David’s reign show the now familiar realism of saint and sinner.  He moves from despotic self-interest to a shepherd ready lay down his life for the sheep and the temple is foreseen in David’s altar.  God is revealed as unchanging in his justice and his mercy.

Read the Bible Text – 2 Samuel 24:1-25

– David Shead

Draw Near to God and to Others (Part 4 of 5)

Draw Near to God and to Others

Hebrews is helpful for anyone wanting to think about the importance of Church.

In Chapter 10 the author writes to Christians who were losing confidence – some were persecuted, some were leaving the faith to avoid suffering, and others were abandoning Christ because they wanted to fit in with the world around them. His advice? – draw near to God and draw near to others!

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Sermon – The Rock and Fortress of David (2 Sam 22-23)

2 Samuel Artwork

David’s songs are a commentary on his experience of the God who reigns and saves and to which David owes everything.  They are words that are sung by all who depend on God for their salvation in a fallen world.

Read the Bible Text – 2 Samuel 22-23

Talk Outline – 2 Samuel 22-23

– Ken Noakes

Sermon – Harsh Justice & Eternal Hope (2 Samuel 21:1-14)

2 Samuel Artwork

In this sermon we hear about how King Saul’s reign left a history of offense against God. His judgement is experienced yet in the context of his mercy and faithfulness.

Read the Bible Text – 2 Samuel 21:1-14

– David Shead

– Josh Ord

 

Membership (Part 2 of 5)

Membership

In the world that we live in, ‘Membership’ is a fairly common idea. We have memberships to libraries, sports clubs, magazines or journals, road service organisations, schools, clubs, gyms, churches and much more.

We pay, to secure some benefit – be it the ability to borrow books, or to secure good seats to watch our favourite sport, or to receive the magazine that interests us, or guarantee help if the car breaks down, or help for the school to give our children a better education, or a vote in the club that we belong, or cheaper entry to be able to use exercise equipment. You get the drift!

In many ways, the benefits of ‘membership’ in our secular world mirrors ‘membership’ in a church, but not completely – there is a difference.

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