Read the text – Psalm 36, John 9:1-41
In this sermon of the sermon series, “Jesus Transforms”, Neil Atwood speaks on what the book of John says on being spiritually blind. This sermon analyses Jesus’ interaction with the blind man and what it means in our own search for truth and meaning, as Jesus transforms even blindness to sight.
Read the text – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Jesus is the light of the knowledge of God’s glory. In this second talk of this Christmas Series, Gary Haddon helps the Christian family consider both the message and the manner in which the Christmas message is proclaimed – challenging the listener to set forth the truth plainly.
This talk will help prepare the Christian person for the Christmas season.
Read the text – Matthew 13:1-23
In this Bible talk, Gary Haddon observes that how we listen and respond to the Gospels will reflect our understanding of the Lord Jesus. The Christian person should be eager to deepen their understanding and focus on God, and resist the distractions that can easily take them away. And in growing in faith, it is right to expect God to do his work in the person.
Read the text – 1 John 1:5-2:6 & 1 John 2:18-27
The second in this series from the little letter of 1 John – this talk looks at the contrast between truth and un-truth and more particularly the danger of not thinking that truth is important. Truth and knowledge matter when it comes to faith – so does untruth and error.
In this talk Ken Noakes suggests that if we lose sight of the truth of the gospel, then it is impossible to live by the truth of the gospel.
God’s official royal announcement, which he entrusted to his chosen representative and slave, Paul, and which is the culmination and fulfillment of everything he has been doing and saying in history, is that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the powerful divine Lord. God’s gospel is not about us, it is about Jesus!
Ken Noakes looks at what Romans 1 teaches us about the Gospel of God, and given this is a graduation address, he challenges those graduating (and listening) to put into practice the knowledge they now have by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
Read the text – Philippians 1:1-11
The Apostle Paul writes to his friends in the church located in Philippi – and he is thankful for their partnership in the gospel. In this talk, Ken Noakes looks at the importance of partnership when it comes to gospel mission and ministry. It is the gospel that shapes our partnership together in church. And it is this partnership that helps us defend and confirm the gospel as we all share in God’s grace together.
‘Faith’ is the Christian calling. And one could ask: ‘How do I know my faith is real?’ or ‘Does doubt mean I have a shallow faith?’. Yet, you don’t need to be Christian to have questions about ‘faith’: ‘How do I get faith?’ or ‘What does faith achieve?’.
This talk, the second in a series on ‘Faith’, looks how faith comes to a person.
Read the Bible Text – Hebrews 11:1-39 Joshua 2:1-24
Talk Outline – Hebrews 11 and Acts 10
– Ken Noakes
Chri
stians are word people. I don’t mean simply that ‘Christians are people of the WORD of God’, although that is true. I mean, that Christians need to listen, read, think and speak words with great intention and purpose.
Let me see if I can explain, starting with some background.
Christians are people of words – help yourself become a good reader. Here are 10 core titles that would give you a solid grounding and a good start.
If you could only read one book then make sure it is the Bible. A great deal – 66 books in one volume! Win. Good translations (of the many out there) include the New International Version, the Holman Bible, the English Standard Version, the King James Version (if you like older language) and most recently the Christian Standard Bible. My suggestion is pick the translation above that is used in your Church sermons.
2. More than a Carpenter – Josh McDowell
This is a good little book which will introduce you to Jesus. If you are looking for a good book to give to someone you want to introduce to Jesus – this will do you well.
3. Knowing God – J.I. Packer
This book gives you a good basis in Christian Truth. God by nature is so big and amazing, this is a helpful book to get you looking at the character and concerns of God.
4. The Atonement – by L. Morris or The Cross of Christ –by J. Stott
Both of these books aim to help the reader understand the significance of the cross of Christ. The most recent edition of the John Stott’s The Cross of Christ comes with an excellent study guide.
5. According to Plan – Graeme Goldsworthy
This book will help you understand how the Bible fits together – it helpfully looks at God’s unfolding salvation plan fulfilled by Jesus (Biblical Theology). If you find this book a little heavy, then God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts may be a good alternative.
6. Reason for God – Tim Keller
This book give you a good basis for defending your faith. For the believer or the skeptic, this is an engaging read.
7. Praying with Paul : A Call for Spiritual Reformation – D.A. Carson
This book will give you good basis for thinking about prayer and then challenge you to pray.
8. The Trellis and the Vine – C.M. Marshall and T Payne
This book is a practical ministry book which places the ‘how’ of ministry in the context of the ‘why’.
9. Disciplines of a Godly Man – R.Kent Hughes or Disciplines of a Godly Woman – Barbara Hughes
These books aim to help the Christian man or woman give attention to practices of godliness. Very helpful.
10. Jesus & the Rise of Early Christianity – P. Barnett
Understanding the original setting into which Jesus arrived and from which his good news first spread is helpful for understanding the historical importance of Christianity. This book is a great introduction.
These books you can get in both hard copy or e-book. Go to: the Book Depository or Koorong to order online.
Happy reading.
For a helpful article on ‘Active Reading’ from Chris Metcalf go here.
Feel free to offer other suggestions (and why) in the comments.
Preacher: Ken Noakes
churchcentralonline.com 