"For God so loved the world." If those words are true, it changes everything. If they're not true, the world without God's love is a dark place - no hope, no future, nothing to live for.
2024-03-10_god_so_loved_the_world.pdf |
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Gospel:John 3:14-21]
"For God so loved the world." If those words are true, it changes everything. If they're not true, the world without God's love is a dark place - no hope, no future, nothing to live for.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Genesis 24:34-67; Matthew 11:27-30] In the Genesis passage, we find a type of the Holy Spirit and the Church. Just as Abraham's servant went searching for a bride for the Son, so the Holy Spirit calls people to Christ to become part of the Bride of Christ. In the gospel reading, we find Jesus giving his own invitation to come to him and find rest.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: 1 Peter 3:] As we continue through the First Epistle of Peter, Peter encourages his readers to fear God more than people. He continues with an intriguing comment about Jesus preaching to imprisoned spirits and explains baptism.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Acts 10:34-43; 1 Peter 2:22-25; Matthew 28:1-10]
Ian reviewed the mysterious and truly awesome events that happened around Jesus' death and resurrection. Both St Matthew and St Paul quote Isaiah 53 to describe the work of Christ on the Cross. He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities and by his stripes we are healed.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 23:33-43; Colossians 1:11-20; Jeremiah 23:1-6]
As we end the Church year, our readings climax with Jesus as King: The Righteous King Jeremiah described; the Redeemer King on the cross and the Glorious King as Paul describes him. Is your understanding of Jesus big enough? Do you want to pray, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom"?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 17:11-19; 2 Kings 5:1-3, 9-19]
In the readings, two men hundreds of years apart are cleansed of leprosy, healed and come into relationship with God. We see the importance of testimony, of giving thanks and glory to God, of encouraging others to believe that God can heal them and use them to heal others. Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Romans 10:8b-13; Deuteronomy 30:11-14] A great text on salvation and how we be right with God through our own efforts but when we trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, God makes us right with him.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Luke 1:39-45; Hebrews 10:5-10; Micah 5:2-5a]
As Advent rolls on, today's readings take us up to six months before the birth of Christ. We hear of messengers from heaven, wonderful prophecies and miraculous events. Through it all we are encouraged to trust God and his promises.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-34,53-56; Jeremiah 23:1-6] In the gospel passage we see Jesus actively shepherding the people. When we turn back to Psalm 23, David spells out the care God provides for his people based on the practices of a shepherd. It is richer than most of us understand.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Colossians 2:6-23] Having established his credentials with them, Paul challenges the false teachings which threaten the faith of the Christians at Colossae. While we may not be subject to exactly the same errors, there are common principles which are valuable for us as we face the challenges of today's world and its thinking.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Colossians 1:1-14] The Letter to the Colossians is a lovely epistle. The grand theme is Christ who is supreme and all sufficient. Join us as we explore it together.
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:8-20] I love the celebrations of Christmas but what are we celebrating? Let's turn back to the Bible to find out...
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text John 6:35,41-51] After feeding the 5000, Jesus taught on the bread that God provides. What is it? What does it do? How do we get it?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle Texts: John 3:14-21; Ephesians 2:1-10 Today we baptise a family and another seven of our people renew their baptismal vows. It is a celebration of life in Christ. It is worth remembering that we have this life because God so loved the world.....
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Is 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14] Did you know the Christian origin of the Christmas Tree? It tells the story of fall and redemption. Read on ...
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [1 Thessalonians ] As we look at this passage we see marks of a true apostle and consider too comparisons to Martin Luther as he ignited the Reformation 500 years ago.
Preacher: Tim Johnston [Text: Romans 10:5-15] Tim explores what Paul teaches in Romans 10 about our salvation. Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [John 3:1-17; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; Genesis 15:1-6] Who are you descended from ... spiritually? It is an important question. Can your 'spiritual DNA' be changed? Paul leads us to see what our natural inheritance is and what we are offered.....
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Texts: Isaiah 49:1-7; John 1:29-42] In John the Baptist and his disciples we see an example of good discipleship - has Jesus been revealed to you? Will you follow him? Will you tell others?
Preacher: Ian Hardcastle [Text: Hebrews 10:11-25; Daniel 12:1-4; Mark 13:1-8] Read what is written about our position in Christ - this is wonderful stuff - we should be delighting and rejoicing in the blessings we receive.
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