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 – Therefore Go…(Matthew 28:16-20)

The resurrected Jesus gathers his disciples together to give them his commission. A timeless commission (at least until he returns). An important job (to go, call, baptism and teach). This sermon looks at the one of the most well known gospel passages (and one of the hardest to apply)

Read the Bible texts – Matthew 28:16-20 Daniel 7:13-14

Bible Talk Outline – Therefore Go… (Matt 28:16-20)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

Sermon – Wisdom Lived: Friends and Mates (Proverbs)

A true friend chooses to love us, unlike family who we are stuck with. True friendship involves choice to love at cost and should be held onto dearly. Hence a true friend will seek our best, even if this is not easy. Again, for this reason, Jesus proves to be the ultimate friend. This sermon explores what Proverbs says about friendship.

Read the Bible texts – Proverbs 27; John 15:1-17

Talk Outline – Wisdom Lived: Friends and Mates (Proverbs)Download

Sermon – Wisdom Lived: Speech and Words (Proverbs)

Our words have a moral status in the eyes of God. Proverbs recognises the great power of our words to bring life or death, prosperity or poverty, wisdom or folly.

With our words we can condemn others and even ourselves.

If our words and tongue are so potent, we need God’s words to accept us, save us and protect us. This sermon looks at how.

Read the Bible text – Proverbs 1:1-7

Talk Outline – Wisdom Lived: Speech and Words (Proverbs)Download

Sermon – Wisdom Lived: Work and Play (Proverbs)

There is humility in learning from an ant. Proverbs reminds us of the consequences of laziness and yet also encourages us to enjoy the good gifts of creation. Christ is the ultimate worker, being perfectly rich, he worked for our salvation. This Sermon explores what Proverbs says about work.

Read the Bible text – Proverbs 6:6-11

Talk Outline – Wisdom Lived: Work and Play (Proverbs)Download

Listening to Sermons in an Online World

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.

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Inviting Folk to an Online Easter

Easter Reimagined (LMAP) Easter 2020 worldwide looks different. Not the message, but indeed the form.

The Easter message of death followed by life in Jesus is a glorious message of hope and perhaps as relevant and important for all to hear in the midst of a pandemic. If life matters, as it clearly does given the extraordinary measures that are being taken worldwide to stop the spread of this virus, then now is the time to proclaim the Easter message!

What has changed is the form. The opportunity to physically gather together with others to proclaim that ‘Christ is risen, he is risen indeed’ is not possible. And so we gather online and in many new and creative ways. Never before has there been such an opportunity for folk to connect into Easter without having to put a foot outside their front door. What an opportunity.

Anyone (with an internet connection) can step into church without the fear of having to make small talk, or the worry about what to do or where to sit, or the concern that they might ‘out’ themselves as someone who might just possibly be open to considering Jesus or his message. They can sit hidden behind their screen, undetectable to those who are proclaiming the Easter message.

How can we invite folk to join us online?

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Sermon – Obeying the Word of the LORD (Jonah 3-4)

We love satire when it comes to political cartoons. Often we see our national leaders’ faults comically exaggerated. But what about satire when it comes to God’s prophets? Jonah is a famed biblical story where we find God’s hero, the prophet Jonah, neglect his responsibility and flee from God. Meanwhile, the city of Nineveh, famed for their evil, turn to God after a surprisingly short sermon!

This is not a story about a giant fish, but rather a God who shows grace and mercy to wicked people, despite his prophet’s rebellion.

This talk will focus on God’s faithfulness in saving Nineveh, despite Jonah’s begrudging obedience. The question remains… are you glad to see God save evil people?

Read the Bible texts – Jonah 3-4 ; Luke 11:29-32

Talk – Obeying the Word of the LORD: Jonah 3-4 (Outline)Download

Speaker: Josh Ord

Sermon – Running away from the LORD (Jonah 1-2)

We love satire when it comes to political cartoons. Often we see our national leaders’ faults comically exaggerated. But what about satire when it comes to God’s prophets?

Jonah is a famed biblical story where we find God’s hero, the prophet Jonah, neglect his responsibility and fleeing from God. Meanwhile, the city of Nineveh, famed for their evil, turn to God after a surprisingly short sermon!

This is not a story about a giant fish, but rather a God who shows grace and mercy to wicked people, despite his prophet’s rebellion.

In this talk we hear about Jonah’s disobedience and the resulting consequence. Additionally, we hear about repentance as the necessary response to sin.

Read the Bible texts – Jonah 1-2

Talk – Running Away from the Lord – Jonah 1-2 (Outline)Download

Speaker: Josh Ord