Read the text – Zephaniah 2:4-3:8
The Day of the Lord is a universal eschatological disaster. Yet God’s judgement is tantalisingly mingled with hope of restoration and his character of righteousness. All humanity is clearly at his mercy. In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see that God not only holds all nations to account, but he hold his own people to account. It all hinges on how God can be righteous and just, and at the same time merciful and forgiving.
Read the texts – Zephaniah 1:1-2:3
In this series we look at the book of Zephaniah and see the hope of grace in the shadow of God’s promised universal judgement and wrath. The focus of the book is on the nature of the day of the Lord. In wrath, God will reverse his blessings, yet also in mercy, he will reverse his curse for those who turn to him in repentance and faith.
In this talk, Andrew Cox helps us to understand how Hebrew Prophecy works to shape our understand of how God deals so justly and completely with sin (in Zephaniah’s time, concerning the people of Judah and in our time, us). And yet, how he does that with and eternal hope for those in faith.
Dr Jacqui Service talks with Gary Haddon to discuss the origins that lie behind the formation of the Creeds. In this fantastic discussion, Jacqui talks about the heresies which were addressed in the formation of the creeds and why that may still be relevant today.
They discuss:
Listen here on the LMAP Leader Link Podcast
Read the texts – Amos 5:18-27; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
We continue working through The Apostles’ Creed and in this talk we focus on the line ‘He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead’. For those who love Jesus the day he returns will be a day of light. For those who do not it will be a day of darkness.
Nick Lindeback is eager in this talk to help us to know that it is because of what Jesus has done that the day of darkness (Amos 5:18) will be a glorious day of light (1 Thess 5:4-5) and that we can look forward to light, offer light to others, and live in light forever.
The book of Joel is probably best known to Christians because of Peter’s sermon at Pentecost in the Book of Acts, where he quotes Joel to explain the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all people. But the main emphasis in this book is the Day of the Lord, a day when the powerful presence of the Lord God will bring judgement – meaning deserved punishment for some or deliverance and blessing for others. What will that Day bring for you?
Talk 1 – A Clear and Present Danger (Joel 1:1-20)
Read the text – Joel 1:1-20
What grabs your attention? The natural events and the voice of the prophet are what God used to grab the attention of his people.
In Talk 1, Gary Haddon looks at the lament over Israel’s poor situation – a lament which leads not to a complaint against God, but a call to repentance in the light of the coming Day of the Lord.
Talk 2 – Sound the Alarm (Joel 2:1-17)
Read the text – Joel 2:1-17
Throughout history, we find all sorts of ways that societies have ‘sounded the alarm’ to alert their people to a serious and immediate danger.
In Talk 2, Dave Swan looks at Joel 2:12-13 as the key to the final question of verse 11 – ‘who can endure the Day of the Lord?’
God offers the way to endure the Day of the Lord: return to him “with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning”. That is, in true repentance and faith.
Talk 3 – The Lord Responds (Joel 2:18-32)
Read the text – Joel 2:18-32
Life is full of uncertainties, but even in the midst of it all there is a constant: Gods’ voice and his promises in his word.
In Talk 3, Dave Swan shows us the way the Apostle Peter uses this part in his Pentecost speech – to point people to Jesus as the answer!
The Day of the Lord is about the presence of God. Which for some will spell disaster, but for those who call on His name and seek refuge in Him, will be the day of blessing – the day of a permanently restored and renewed relationship with their God.
For Bible Studies to accompany this series see Bible Studies – Joel: The Day of the Lord
What is the value of a promise? For one, a promise can give direction as you look forward to the fulfillment of the promise. And as such it gives purpose to how we conduct ourselves as we move closer to the day that the promise is fulfilled. God’s people Israel acted on the strength of the promise that they would be delivered into a new and good land – a home. Joshua leads them by the hand of God – home. In our Bible talks, we are looking at the extraordinary book of Joshua – a book of promise and purpose. A book that points us forward to the fulfillment of the gospel promise, that in Jesus we will delivered – home. In the meantime, it gives us a clear purpose.
This talk looks at how Israel are to worship the LORD – in complete devotion. Although it can be hard to ignore God’s judgement, we see that Israel remain faithful and carry out everything as commanded to enter the promised land.
Read the text – Joshua 5:13-6:25
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 challenges us to not discriminate, but rather model Christ.
Read the text – James 2:1-13 Deuteronomy 10:12-22
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
‘Hope’ is a well used term, yet one that is easily misunderstood. This three part series aims to help Christians understand and be equipped as children of God to live in a world that is flawed, fraught and fallen yet still under the glorious umbrella of hope in Christ.
Using the Letter to the Romans as a springboard, this series will look to address the topics of Judgement, Suffering and Predestination – whilst recognizing that ‘creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.’ (Romans 8:20-21)
Hope in Judgement
Read the Bible text – Romans 2:17-3:20
Watch the Video – here
– Josh Ord
Hope in Suffering
Read the Bible text – Romans 5:1-5
Watch the Video – here
– Dave Swan
Hope in Chaos
Read the Bible text – Romans 8:31-39
Talk Outline – Hope..in Chaos (Predestination)
Watch the Video – here
– Ken Noakes
Who in our world is perfect? Mother Teresa? Gandhi? Nobel Peace Prize Laureates? Is there anyone in your community or family who is without fault?
In this sermon, we will see that all people are broken. Paul, the author, paints a vivid picture of how all people fall short of God’s standards. Both the religious and unreligious people of the 1st Century fell short of God’s standards.
But how do we compare? Can we reach the standards God has set? And what happens if we fail…?
Have a look at God’s perfect solution for our imperfect world.
Read the Bible Text – Romans 1:16-3:20
– Josh Ord
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