Tag Archives: Church

Sermon – Foolish Wisdom (1 Cor 1:18-2:5)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

The Apostle Paul wrote this extraordinary letter to a church he knew well, yet a church which had got itself into a bit of a muddle. The Christian Family matters so it is important to ensure that Jesus sits at the heart and soul of this church and in fact any church.

In this talk, Jared Lidgerwood holds up a mirror toward the Christian family and looks at the different ways that we consider something to be wise. The point: worldly wisdom is not match for the foolishness of God who saves through Christ crucified. Really?

Sermon – Gospel Unity (1 Cor 1:1-17)

Read the text – 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

What should hold a church together – Our relationships? Our feeling of belonging? Our gospel convictions? Jesus? The Apostle Paul wrote this extraordinary letter to a church he knew well, yet a church which had got itself into a bit of a muddle. It turns out that the Christian Family does matter – and it is important to ensure that Jesus sits at the heart and soul of this church and in fact any church.

In this Bible Talk, Dr Trace Akankunda looks at what it means for a Church family to be united in the call to preach the gospel and that in fact it is Christ’s call that should draw believers together first and foremost to preach the gospel.

Sermon – Stand Firm: The Imitation Game (1 Thess. 1:1-10)

In Thessalonica, the church is being battered and bruised… how should they respond? Paul writes 1 and 2 Thessalonians to encourage the church to stand firm in the good news of Jesus. Today, the world remains full of uncertainties and hostile to the presence of the church. What can we learn? We can be challenged to likewise stand firm as we await Jesus’ return.

This sermon challenges both the individuals of the church and the church as a collective – a Godly reputation is what matters most, and the church needs to stand up and stand out!

Sermon Outline – Stand Firm: The Imitation GameDownload

Read the text – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Sermon – Living Loving Sacrifice: service (Romans 14-15)

Romans 9-16 Slide

True worship shows itself in acceptance and service. In this talk we consider a Christian should approach others whom they might be tempted to look down upon. Our world does it, Christians shouldn’t.

Read the Bible text – Romans 14-15

Talk outline – here

Watch the Video – here

– Ken Noakes

Sermon – Gathering to Proclaim Christ (Colossians 1:15-2:7)

2020 Vision

How good it would be to have 20/20 vision? So many opportunities open up to you when you can see with clarity. Colossians helps the Christians person to see clearly. And as Colossians is written to a church, the gathering of disciples, it helps to set our sights on what we might be able to do in ministry and mission for the cause of the gospel. The core business of an assembled group of Christians is to fulfil the commission which our Lord gave us – to go out and make disciples.

Read the Bible text – Colossians 1:15-2:7

Talk Outline – Col 1.15-2.7

Watch the Video – here

Choosing what we sing in Church: What makes for good and effective singing? (Part 4 of 9)

By David Shead

What makes for good and effective singing?

Allow me to suggest five aspects which make for good and effective singing in church.

  1. Good and effective singing in church relies first of all on a clear awareness of what corporate worship is about and what contribution singing can make.
  2. Good and effective singing is singing that helps to bring God’s people together in honouring him, in receiving his word, in prayerfully relying on him and in strengthening each other to serve him.
  3. Good and effective singing in church is singing by the church for the church and in praise of God.
  4. Good and effective singing is not measured by its musical quality or volume or frequency or style; good and effective singing doesn’t have to mean guitar, bass, drums and three professional vocalists (nor does it have to mean organ and robed choir!). In fact (and this is a topic for another occasion), “good music” and “good corporate singing” sadly too often seem to be almost mutually exclusive. Some of the best corporate singing I have ever been part of has been unaccompanied, or very sparsely (acoustically) accompanied, and some of the worst has been in the context of a high quality, highly produced, professional musical “performance”.
  5.  Good and effective singing means the right song at the right time carried in the hearts and on the voices of the congregation to one another and to God (Ephesians 5:19)

For more in this Series:

What is corporate worship? (Part 1 of 9)

Why Sing? (Part 2 of 9)

What is the ‘shape’ of the corporate worship gathering? (Part 3 of 9)

What makes for good and effective singing? (this one)

Five principles for choosing songs (Part 5 of 9)

Choosing Songs – planning (Part 6 of 9)

Choosing Songs – preparation (Part 7 of 9)

Choosing Songs – order (Part 8 of 9)

Choosing New Songs (Part 9 of 9)