Sermon – Persevere: Contending for the Faith (Jude 1-4, 17-25)

Read the text – Jude 1-4, 17-25

Jude is a short little letter which packs a punch. It is written to those who know what faith in Jesus is about – and urges them to ‘contend for the faith’ in the face of what are known challenges. This letter is as valuable today as it would have been for those who originally received it and will help equip believers to persevere as we walk in Jesus.

In this sermon, Ken Noakes encourages us to “be in it to win it”, because there is an urgent, pressing need that we fight for our faith. But we aren’t left to our own devices: we have the firm foundation of God’s word, and we have the power of the Holy Trinity behind us, so we can be built up by God’s word, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep in God’s love and wait on the Lord Jesus.

Bible talk outline

Sermon – Persevere: Challenges to the Faith (Jude 1-16)

Read the text – Jude 1-16

Jude is a short little letter which packs a punch. It is written to those who know what faith in Jesus is about – and urges them to ‘contend for the faith’ in the face of what are known challenges. This letter is as valuable today as it would have been for those who originally received it and will help equip believers to persevere as we walk in Jesus.

In this sermon, Ken Noakes explains that the call to be Christian comes with challenges, and we need to be ready to walk with God, especially when the challenges are targeted at the faith we profess.

Bible talk outline

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Key and the Peg (Isaiah 21:1-23:18)

Read the text – Isaiah 21:1-23:18

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

Eliakim holds the keys, but ultimately no political leader can save the people. The peg gives way. But Jesus hold the keys forever, the true peg and true key who stands firm. In this sermon, Ken Noakes shows how God is in control and works for our good. Our first response should always be to turn to him, not trusting in our own strength, or the strength of others, but only in Jesus.

Sermon – Firm Faith: Proclaiming Christ (Colossians 4:2-18)

Read the text – Colossians 4:2-18

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Dave Swan encourages us to talk to God about people, and to talk to people about God.

Sermon – Firm Faith: Living under Christ (Colossians 3:15-4:1)

Read the text – Colossians 3:15-4:1

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Gary Haddon helps us to understand that every part of life, all our relationships, need to be brought under the authority of Christ.

Bible Talk Outline

Sermon – Firm Faith: Living for Christ (Colossians 3:1-14)

Read the text – Colossians 3:1-14

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Dave Swan wants us to take our position in Christ seriously, and be inspired to live for Him.

Sermon – Firm Faith: Centred in Christ (Colossians 2:6-23)

Read the text – Colossians 2:6-23

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Nick Lindeback helps us see how important it is to have Christ at the centre of our lives, so we can stand firm in the face of false teaching.

Bible Talk Outline

Sermon – Firm Faith: Contending for Christ (Colossians 1:24-2:5)

Read the text – Colossians 1:24-2:5

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Gary Haddon helps us understand that growing in Christ doesn’t happen without effort on our part. It must be pursued, and there will be struggle, but we can encourage each other as we contend for Christ together.

Sermon – Firm Faith: The Supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:15-23)

Read the text – Colossians 1:15-23

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) to be a Christian or to live as a Christian is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told we need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that we are being taught that what he has done is not enough. We need to stand firm in our faith in Jesus as all we need for this life and the next.

In this sermon, Gary Haddon invites us to see who Jesus really is, to see just how far above everything he is, and to find out what that means for our salvation.

Bible Talk Outline