Sermon Series – RethinKING Easter

Forget crowns and castles! What does it REALLY mean to be a king? This Easter, it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about power, sacrifice, and the true King who changed the world forever. We are “RethinKING Easter.”

Palm Sunday – The King of Peace

Read the text – Zechariah 9:9-17; Luke 19:28-44

We can define a king as one with the power to raise an army yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship because he comes as one who is “gentle and riding on a donkey”. The kingship that he brings is one of peace in the face of war. We need not be threatened by Jesus but welcome him with praise.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see the long-term fulfillment of what was long proclaimed about God’s King – and story that spanned 500 years from prophecy to fulfillment.

Good Friday – The King of Service

Read the text – Exodus 12:14-28; Luke 22:1-37

We can define a King as one who people serve, yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship by being the one who came to serve, laying down his life for his friends.

In this talk, Gary Haddon helps us to see in Jesus a sovereign King who suffered and a king who suffered in order to save.

Easter Sunday – The King of Life

Read the text – Luke 23:50-24:35; Acts 2:22-39

A way to define kingship by succession – yet we still recognize that for every king, no matter his power, or influence, or riches – they will one day die. Yet Jesus defies kingship in almost every way – not least of all in his death and then resurrection. A king, who in death gave his riches as an internal inheritance for all who trust in him. That is Easter.

In this talk Neil Atwood will help us consider the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as a certain indicator of Jesus’ true kingship over all of life.

Sermon – Wisdom Through Suffering (Job 38-42) – God Knows

Read the text – Job 40:1-14

It has been a long time in coming, but finally we hear the voice of God. In Job 38, God speaks from the midst of a storm (or whirlwind). It is not surprising that God speaks from a storm, but it is surprising that it isn’t the storm of judgement, but of wisdom. Two chapters of God describing the extent of his sovereignty conclude in 40:1. And Job’s response? Despite all that he had previously thought he would say if he could enter God’s presence, he is speechless. He recognizes his insignificance before God and keeps listening to what God has to say and stays attentive to what God will show him – God is not only sovereign, but just.

God has not given Job the answers he was looking for, but Job has seen him in a way that is clearer than ever, and without asking for any more answers, he trusts in God’s sovereignty, even though his circumstances still have not changed. It isn’t until we get to the New Testament that we can begin to understand what it cost Him to win the battle over evil and death on our behalf.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to understand the importance of living under the sovereignty of God – and that wisdom, even blessing can be found in suffering.

Talk Outline Download

Thumbnail Sketch of the Book of Job Download

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).

Bible Talk Outline Download

Overview of the Structure of Job Download

Sermon – Apostles Creed: Creator of the Heavens and Earth

For thousands of years Christians have said the words of the Apostles Creed together. Each line contains rich theology and meaning and in this talk Nick Lindeback focuses on the significance of God Almighty as sovereign and merciful creator.

In looking at both Psalm 33 and the doxology of Romans 11 we see God’s sovereignty, mercy and creating power. And in looking at Romans 12:1-2 we see an appropriate and fitting response to God almighty creator of heaven and earth.

Read the text – Psalm 33; Romans 11:33-12:1

Bible Talk Outline Download

Sermon Series – Joel: The Day of the Lord

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

Sermon – Stand Firm: Hope in Hard Times (2 Thess. 1:1-12)

Just as the Lord Jesus suffered, so too will his people. Why? In Thessalonica, the persecution of the church has intensified. In this Bible Talk, Gary Haddon answers some of those ‘why’ questions that tend to arise when suffering is encountered. Yet more, Gary shows us the Apostle Paul’s response as he encourages the Thessalonians to give thanks for God’s grace, remember his justice, and pray for his power.

Read the text – 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Sermon – Joshua – Promise & Purpose: Helping Themselves! (7:1-8:35)

Joshua: Promise & Purpose - Bible Talk Series

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 investigates the consequences of even one small act of disobedience. Disobedience effects more than one person – obedience to God is a must. Thankfully, Jesus has taken the consequences of our sin.

Read the text – Joshua 7:1-8:1

Sermon – Joshua – Promise & Purpose: Into the New World (3:1-5:12)

This talk looks at how Israel is to remember what God has done for them – the Ark of the Covenant, the rocks from the bottom of the Jordan River – so that the generations to come would remember the LORD.

Read the text – Joshua 4:19-5:1

Sermon – New Beginnings: Seeing What is Best (John 1:19-34)

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus and gives him an extraordinary array of titles. Jesus does not disappoint. His teaching, his interactions, his miracles and his knowledge give those who meet him cause to question who he is – and as readers we also can look at these ‘encounters’ and decide for ourselves whether Jesus is worth another look. Perhaps a new beginning for a new year.

This talk looks at John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus, and helps us to consider who Jesus is.

Read the text – John 1:19-34 Isaiah 40:1-5

From the LMAP morning/online gathering

From the LMAP 6pm gathering

Sermon – Home Goal: Rejecting the given gospel (Romans 9:1-10:13)

Romans 9-16 Slide

Can we recognize God’s sovereignty over all things with humanity’s responsibility in some things. In this talk, we look at what Paul taught the Roman church about God’s mercy in election – such that anyone who hears, believes and confirms Jesus as their Lord can be confident in their salvation.

Read the Bible text – Romans 9:1-10:13

Outline for this talk – Romans 9.1-10.13

Watch the Video – here

– Ken Noakes