The world is full of all kinds of treasures – the earthly kind. When Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount he challenged his disciples in Matthew 6:19-24 to invest in the right kind of treasure and not fall for the trap of earthly treasures.
Guest Speakers
‘Jesus is the Bread of Life’ (John 6:25-40, Oliver Blythe)
There are so many things and gadgets and possibilities around us that seem to offer the much elusive satisfaction to life. But sadly, none of them really satisfy. In this message on John 6:25-40, Oliver Blythe from PTC looks at the claims Jesus made to provide that ultimate satisfaction in Himself and not in anything created.
‘From fear to faith’ (Captain Mike Oborn, Matthew 14:22-33)
When Jesus came walking to the disciples across the sea in Matthew 14:22-33, they cried out in fear at first, but soon confessed that Jesus was the ‘Son of God’. In so many of our trials and in so much of life we have to face fears of many kinds, but God’s purpose is to se these things to come to trust Him with our whole heart.
‘Nabal, Abigail, David and Jesus’ (Guest speaker, 1 Samuel 25:1-44)
When the would-be king, David, was spurned by the foolish Nabal in 1 Samuel 25:1-44, he saw red. In his anger, David made up his mind to put an end to Nabal’s life. If it wasn’t for the actions of Nabal’s wife, Abigail (who in some small way points us to Jesus), David would have fallen into serious sin. Anger does that, which is why the Bible teaches that we should ‘be angry’, but ‘do not sin.’ (Ephesians 4:30)
Motor Isaac Yat (Nehemiah 1:1-11)
In Nehemiah 1:1-11, the Scriptures reveal how Nehemiah responded to the news that the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed and his people were languishing. The news cut him to his very heart and the urgency of the situation drew him to go back to his people. There are many ways in which Nehemiah’s story is a parallel to Motor’s. The need of his people in Sth Sudan, who are now mostly refugees in Ethiopia, continues to be paramount and a challenge waiting to be responded to with the kind of compassion that Nehemiah displayed.
‘Love matters’ (1 Peter 1:22-23)
The church of today is under the microscope. Recent events that have brought discredit to the name of our Saviour and a trend towards marginalising the Christian faith within our nation, has meant that more than ever, what we do and say as God’s people matters. And that is why love also matters, because love is the key to our witness to the world. Jesus said this in John 13:35 and Peter reinforced this in 1 Peter 1:13-25. Not just the world’s definition of love, but the love that springs from knowing the God who has loved and loves His people.
(Message by PCV Moderator, Rev Robert White, pictured here with his wife, Sue)
‘Ministry with the mighty, merciful Messiah’ (Matthew 14:13-21)
The miracle of Jesus’ feeding of the multitudes is one that is found in all of the gospels. It served as a sign that he was Israel’s Messiah, the living Bread, who came down from heaven. In this message on that miracle found in Matthew 14:13-21, Chris explores what the miracle might have meant for the disciples back then and for disciples in this age. What attitude is required for us to be able to do ‘ministry’? And what is that we learn most of all about the one who was able to feed the multitude, but also said, “You give them something to eat”? (Sorry, sound quality not that great!)
‘Time and Eternity’ Rev Len Pearce
As we enter another year of time, we all face eternity. Where are we headed? Rev Len Pearce asks and answers those questions in this message based on Isaiah 57:11-24 and Matthew 25:31-46.
Reformation Sunday – Sola Fide – Only by Faith (Peter Orr)
Dr Peter Orr from Moore College spoke from Romans about justification by faith as we gave thanks to God for 500 years of Reformation.