Read the text – Acts 20:17-38
The sermon series ‘Loving the church Together’ has come to an end. In this sermon, Ken Noakes provides some context for 1 Timothy by looking at Paul’s journey in Acts. It shows that Christian life is not free from hardship, and yet we should continue to preach Christ. Joined us as we learn what drove Paul and what can drive us to loving the church as Christians. This sermon was given at Lower Mountains Anglican Church, Glenbrook morning service.
Read the text – Acts 20:17-38
The first sermon of the sermon series “Loving the Church Together”, Ken Noakes begins in the middle of Acts to provide context to Paul’s writings to Timothy on leading the church with sound doctrine. In this sermon, we explore Paul’s mindset as he ministered and why he was so forward with his advice for young Timothy. This sermon is provided at Lower Mountains Anglican Church, Glenbrook 6pm service.
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.
by Jared Lidgerwood
Christians around the world, of various denominations, and across the ages, have at times recited the Apostles’ Creed – a wonderful statement of the Christian faith. Where did we get the Apostles’ Creed? Why do we have it?
Let’s think about the beginning of the Christian church. Jesus Christ gathered a small group of Jews, and called them to be his disciples. For three years they followed, they listened, they watched, they learnt. But their ‘movement’ came to an abrupt end when Jesus was arrested and executed; hung on a cross on the outskirts of Jerusalem by the occupying Roman government. That would have been the end, except that Jesus didn’t stay dead: he rose from the dead, regathered his disciples, and told them this:
All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matt 28:18-20)Continue reading
The book of Joel is probably best known to Christians because of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in the Book of Acts, where he quotes Joel to explain the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all people. But the main emphasis in this book is the Day of the Lord, a day when the powerful presence of the Lord God will bring judgement – meaning deserved punishment for some or deliverance and blessing for others. What will that Day bring for you?
Talk 1 – A Clear and Present Danger (Joel 1:1-20)
Read the text – Joel 1:1-20
What grabs your attention? The natural events and the voice of the prophet are what God used to grab the attention of his people.
In Talk 1, Gary Haddon looks at the lament over Israel’s poor situation – a lament which leads not to a complaint against God, but a call to repentance in the light of the coming Day of the Lord.
Talk 2 – Sound the Alarm (Joel 2:1-17)
Read the text – Joel 2:1-17
Throughout history, we find all sorts of ways that societies have ‘sounded the alarm’ to alert their people to a serious and immediate danger.
In Talk 2, Dave Swan looks at Joel 2:12-13 as the key to the final question of verse 11 – ‘who can endure the Day of the Lord?’
God offers the way to endure the Day of the Lord: return to him “with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning”. That is, in true repentance and faith.
Talk 3 – The Lord Responds (Joel 2:18-32)
Read the text – Joel 2:18-32
Life is full of uncertainties, but even in the midst of it all there is a constant: Gods’ voice and his promises in his word.
In Talk 3, Dave Swan shows us the way the Apostle Peter uses this part in his Pentecost speech – to point people to Jesus as the answer!
The Day of the Lord is about the presence of God. Which for some will spell disaster, but for those who call on His name and seek refuge in Him, will be the day of blessing – the day of a permanently restored and renewed relationship with their God.
For Bible Studies to accompany this series see Bible Studies – Joel: The Day of the Lord
Easter is such a special time for Christians. The king of heaven to hung on a cross – what a way to treat a king.
To reflect on Easter we have chosen four Psalms: the Psalms of the King. They are essentially about God’s promised once and for all time King, Jesus. The New Testament cites the Psalms more often than any other Old Testament book, so it is right for us to look at them and use them and preach on them, especially at Easter. May we understand how Jesus fulfils the expectations of this one true King.
By Ken D Noakes
COVID has changed the experience for many Christians – gone is the ability to gather together physically to listen to the preaching of God’s word. Church is now online!
A key discipline that goes with the Christian life is the practice of sitting under the teaching of the Bible. Historically that has happened when believers gather together regularly to hear someone teach/preach through a passage with the hope that those before them will walk away with an encouragement, or challenge, to live as the disciples of Christ in the days ahead.
It is not unusual for all religions to be lumped into the same basket and dismissed collectively. Yet, even a cursory reading of the core texts of any religion will expose clear differences. What does Christianity offer that might helpfully encourage a person to look more deeply into the truths that the Bible reveals?
Read the Bible texts – Acts 17:1-34; John 14:1-6
Watch this Talk – here
– Dave Swan
What does scripture say?
‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness’ (Genesis 15:6)
When the apostle Paul cites this verse in Roman 4:3 he uses it to make the claim that a person is justified by faith alone.
James in his epistle also cites this verse in James 2:23 yet he used it to suggest that ‘a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
It appears the Paul and James are at odds.
‘Faith’ is the Christian calling. And one could ask: ‘How do I know my faith is real?’ or ‘Does doubt mean I have a shallow faith?’. Yet, you don’t need to be Christian to have questions about ‘faith’: ‘How do I get faith?’ or ‘What does faith achieve?’.
This talk, the second in a series on ‘Faith’, looks how faith comes to a person.
Read the Bible Text – Hebrews 11:1-39 Joshua 2:1-24
Talk Outline – Hebrews 11 and Acts 10
– Ken Noakes
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