Sermon – A Confounded World: Jesus’ Authority (Matthew 8:1-17)

Read the text – Matthew 8:1-17

Jesus is confounding. Reading through the Gospel of Matthew, we see Jesus do some extraordinary things and the result is that some follow and some turn their backs on him. That is not so different from today. We often expect the extraordinary before we allow ourselves to believe something. As such we settle for the normal and mundane, all the while wishing for the extraordinary. Jesus came into the normal and mundane, but he did that which was extraordinary. He does what we hope by doing what we find hard to believe! How confounding.

In this Bible Talk, Dave Swan looks at the unparalleled authority which Jesus demonstrated – his ability to heal a man with leprosy, the servant of the a Roman centurion, Peter’s mother-in-law, those who were demon possessed – all people who suffered because of their circumstance, but also because of there status as outcasts under Jewish law. He heals, and in doing so he fulfils what the prophet Isaiah said the Messiah would do.

This should encourage us to examine our faith in Jesus, by looking at how an encounter with Jesus shaped the belief of others.

Sermon – Apostles’ Creed: The Holy Apostolic Church and the Communion of Saints

Read the texts – Isaiah 25:6-9; Ephesians 3:1-21

The final talk in this Apostles’ Creed series and we consider the final lines which help us to recognise that the Christian Life (life in the Spirit) is the best life now and forever. Why?

Nick Lindeback helps us to see the importance of the forgiveness of sin, the comfort of the Christian community, and the hope that is eternal.

Bible Talk Outline Download

Sermon – Apostles Creed: Good Suffering

For thousands of years Christians have said the words of the Apostles’ Creed together. In the two talks which follow we look at the line in the creed ‘Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the Dead’. These two talks together offer a helpful, yet different, treatment of this important and theologically loaded statement.

Read the texts – Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 27:11-54

This this talk, Nick Lindeback offers a narrative retelling of the trial, cross, death and burial of Jesus. In doing so he gives a broad overview of the importance of the atonement. Nick helps us to see how the Roman parades celebrating their military victories, set something of the context for the supposed ‘humiliation’ of Jesus – yet how by his wounds, and in his crucifixion, we see the coronation of the King of Kings.

Bible Talk Outline Download

In this talk, Dr Trace Akankunda looks at the significance of the sufferings and death of Jesus on the cross. He helps us to see Christ’s suffering in the context of salvation, and then helps us to rethink our own suffering in the context of hope.

Sermon – Apostles Creed: Fully God. Fully Man.

Read the text – Hebrews 2:1-18

For thousands of years Christians have said the words of the Apostles Creed together. In this talk Howard Whitehouse looks at the line in the creed which states ‘I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary’ and focuses on the beautiful and complex nature of Jesus Christ being fully God and fully Man. This is a rich treatment and needs close attention to several Bible passage – and you will see Howard cover many of them in this talk.

bible-references-used-for-this-talk Download

Sermon – Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:1-7, Rev. 4:1-11)

Who can summarise a person in one word? To encompass their experiences, identity and personality in one word seems an impossible task! So can we summarise God in one word?

This Bible Talk shows us how the Bible summarises God in one word – Holy. And although the prophet Isaiah shouts “Woe to me!” in God’s presence, there is the hope and promise of one who takes away our guilt and pays the price for our sin.

Read the text – Isaiah 6:1-7 Revelation 4:1-11

Sermon – New Beginnings: Go and Live (John 4:43-54)

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus and gives him an extraordinary array of titles. Jesus does not disappoint. His teaching, his interactions, his miracles and his knowledge give those who meet him cause to question who he is – and as readers we also can look at these ‘encounters’ and decide for ourselves whether Jesus is worth another look. Perhaps a new beginning for a new year.

This talk challenges us to listen to God’s word, believe even if we can’t see, and as a result go and live out our faith in Jesus.

Read the text – John 4:43-54 Isaiah 65:17-25

Talk Outline: New Beginnings – Go and Live Download