Sermon – Faith That Works: Crown of Suffering (James 1:1-18)

Imagine being the younger brother of Jesus Christ. Always following in the footsteps of the glory child!! James is refreshingly matter of fact and down to earth. As we read the letter by James, we read his concern that those following Jesus don’t only listen, but actually walk in his footsteps. For him righteousness matters, and it is the practical righteousness that you can hear in the words and see in the actions of the follower of Jesus that really counts. This talk explores perseverance in faith.

Read the text – James 1:1-18

Talk outline – Faith That Works: Crown of Suffering Download

Sermon – Wisdom Lived: Poverty and Wealth (Proverbs)

While poverty or wealth often correlates with foolishness and wisdom respectively there are other times when the wise must choose wisdom over wealth. Wealth is fleeting, especially for the fool and hence a wise person will be generous towards those in poverty. This talk explores what Proverbs says about worldly riches.

Read the Bible texts – Proverbs 11:1-31; 2 Cor 8:1-15

Talk Outline – Wisdom Lived: Money and Wealth (Proverbs)Download

How does a Christian organise their Godly Giving? (Part 4 of 4)

Over the generations, across the world, and right to your local church family, there will be numerous examples of godly and generous givers. Among those who have given, are many who have given even at times of extreme poverty or hardship (Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor 8:2). It is right and proper to be immensely thankful to God for these saints (maybe you are one such person). Under God, what has been given has served the gospel and those the gospel has reached for centuries. Godly giving, although rarely put on display, is a wonderful testimony to the power and gift of the gospel. Praise God.

So how should a Christian organise their godly giving?

Let’s look first at our priorities and then at the practical mechanics!

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The Church – universal and local! (Part 3 of 5)

When you became a Christian, your membership in the church took both a universal and a local shape – a wide and narrow view if you like.

What is the difference?

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Sermon – Great Treasure

Ken Noakes’ farewell sermon at Trinity Church Adelaide considers the Great Treasure (the Gospel – the Good News about Jesus) which is given to those who follow Jesus. Ken points out from 2 Corinthians 4 the Great Responsibility that this brings as well as the Great Opportunity.

Preacher: Ken Noakes

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Read the Bible text – 2 Corinthians 4

English Support Handout – 2 Corinthians 4

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

By Ken Noakes

I have been reflecting on 2 Corinthians 4 and particularly on what the Apostle Paul with Timothy say to their friends in the church of Corinth.

‘We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.’ (2 Cor 4:16-18)

We all live with burdens – day by day or week by week troubles stemming from life, health, work or family matters. Yet those are not primarily the burdens that Paul refers to here.

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Sermon – Five Things Jesus Never Said: God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle (Psalm 61 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

Is it true that ‘God will never give you more than you can handle’? Did Jesus say so? The fourth topic in our ‘Five Things Jesus Never Said’ series!

Sermon ‘Five Things Jesus Never Said: God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Handle’ (Psalm 61 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-11) by Ken D Noakes is available in audio and video: http://bit.ly/2G4GAEi

Read the Bible text: http://bit.ly/2FPFPyW

Read the English support notes: http://bit.ly/2FSjwsB

Full Script for this talk – ‘God will never give you more than you can handle!’