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

Sermon – Firm Faith: A Life Worthy of Christ (Colossians 1:1-14)

Read the text – Colossians 1:1-14

Any teaching that wants to suggest that Christians need Jesus PLUS … (anything else) is guilty of contradicting the supremacy of Christ. Being told that believers need more than him (either for salvation or to live as a Christian) means that they are being taught that what Jesus has done is not enough. So how does a Christian person stand firm in faith in this life?

In this talk Ken Noakes introduces us to the letter written to the church of Colossae. He wants to encourage them and in doing so tells them what he is praying for them. And we are given a wonderful model in how to encourage and pray for those engaged in living out their faith in Christ.

Sermon – Wisdom through Suffering (Job 3-27) – That’s what friends are for?

Read the text – Job 19:1-29

We have met the upright and blameless Job, and seen the tragedy and suffering which fell upon him. In the chapters that follow (Job 3-27), Job responds to the “comfort” (?) of his friends with words full of agony and pain. Job looks to his only hope: a sovereign and perfect God who cannot allow injustice. In spite of his circumstances and feelings, the small glimmer of hope from 9:33-34 which became a faint trickle of hope in 14:14-15 and 16:19-21, has become much more certain, to the point where declares “I know that my redeemer lives!”(19:25). This yet again reveals that the deepest desire of his heart is to be in the presence of the God he loves (19:27). In spite of what his friends have said, Job doesn’t fear death because he is sure that he will see the Lord face to face, and that there is the hope of a resurrection (19:26).