Author: Philip

‘The best way to celebrate and respond?’ (Luke 2:17-20)

AudioPhilip

There’s no doubt that the shepherds feature prominently in Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, especially so in Luke 2:8-20. The fact that the angels appeared to them and not Mary and Joseph must have had a purpose in God’s plan, and Luke likes to emphasize how utterly afraid they were because of their sudden appearance. But the shepherds soon became changed men as they realized that they had been chosen by the Lord to bear witness to the Messiah’s coming – which is just what they did.

Message

Outline

• The third in this series!
• Some big contrasts to note…
• When and how we get Christmas so wrong
• Consider the responses to the news and see them…

  1. Proclaiming it with zeal (v.17)
  2. Receiving it with awe (v.18-19)
  3. Believing it with joy (v.20)

Luke’s special focus…
How will you respond to the news?

‘Peace on earth?’ (Luke 2:14-16)

AudioPhilip

One of the most common misconceptions about the birth of Jesus, especially the words of the angels in Luke 2:14-16, is that ‘peace on earth’ would be automatic. Just looking around at the world in any era of history will tell you that this didn’t happen and never will. What was the message of ‘peace’ that the angels declared, and how is that peace to be found?

Message

Outline

• The second in this series!
• Major confusion on this one…
• Angels, shepherds and …. peace??
• Consider the words of the angels about peace and see…

  1. The proper giver of it (v.14)
  2. The vital conditions of it (v.14)
  3. The direct path to it (v.15-16)

War and peace…
What did the angels know? And what do we?

A Christmas reflection: ‘The sad truth about Christmas’

Philip

Christmas is not about reindeer, sleigh bells or Santa, turkey, stuffing, mince pies or fruitcake, Christmas trees or presents. It’s not even about shepherds and wise men, a bright star or a manger. These last mentioned things help to make up the Bible’s account of the first Christmas, but they are not what it’s about.

God began the gift-giving tradition at Christmas by giving us His Son, Jesus. Why did He do that? Because we cannot deal with our own sin. We can no more change our sinful condition as a leopard can his spots! God sent His Son into the world to save us. The Bible says that, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

The sad truth about Christmas is that although we all desperately need the Saviour that God sent, most people will not receive Him. Even though God’s offer is open to ‘whoever believes’ and there is no barrier in His eyes created by your skin colour or socio economic standing or which football team you support…still most people don’t mind the trimmings that go with Christmas itself, but they don’t want the Saviour that God sent.

So what is Christmas about? It’s about Jesus. It is possible to have Christmas without Jesus, but it will not be complete. You may well have the presents and all the trimmings, but without Jesus you only have the outer shell not the inner core. Imagine making more fuss over the wrapping paper than the gift it contains!

Christmas is nearly here and it will soon be gone. Don’t let it be another one filled with only wrappings and trimmings. You may never have another opportunity like this one. Seek Him.

‘The Virgin Birth?’ (Luke 1:26-38)

AudioPhilip

There are all kinds of things to be confused about at Christmas, but we ought not be confused about is what to believe. The virgin birth of Jesus is at the heart of the Christmas message and the gospel. But how could it have happened? And of what the critics say about it? How can we understand and defend the truth of it in this modern world? Hopefully, this message will give both some assurances and answers.

Message

Outline

• The first in this series!
• All kinds of confusion
• Lots of questions, and that one question!
• Consider the critics who question the Virgin Birth and …

  1. The reality of it (v.34)
  2. The possibility of it (v.35)
  3. The necessity of it (v.35)

The uniqueness of Jesus…
The truth of the Scriptures…

‘Timothy, it’s farewell from me’ (2 Timothy 4:9-22)

AudioPhilip

In 2 Timothy 4:9-22 we come to the final section of text in this letter. Paul’s last words. Last words take on signficance, especially when the person who gives them or says them is facing death. As Paul signs off to Timothy, his last words take on extra significance as we hear of his needs, his joys, his sorrows, his comfort, his confidence and most all, his fellow workers in the gospel. Paul was not a ‘one man band’ and his final words reflect his dependence upon the Lord’s people and the grace of God to carry him home.

Message

Outline

• The eleventh in this series
• The context – Paul’s final words!
• The final words of others
• See how Paul spoke of ….

  1. Final requests (v.9, 11-13)
  2. Final sorrows (v.10, 14-16)
  3. Final instructions (v.17-22)

What did Paul need most?
Grace will lead you home!

‘Timothy, finish the race well – eyes on the crown’ (2 Timothy 4:1-8)

AudioPhilip

In 2 Timothy 4:1-8, we are close to the final words of Paul’s letter – although they are surely the climax of all that Paul has said. As Paul now wraps us what Timothy is expected to do, he uges him toward being diligent, fervent and constant – all in the light of the coming of Jesus, the coming of apostasy and the coming of Paul’s own death. All this so that Timothy would fix his eyes on Jesus and pursue the ‘crown of righteousness’ that will be given to all those who have ‘loved His appearing’.

Message

Outline

• The tenth in this series
• Last chapter of his last letter…
• No change in subject
• See how Paul called Timothy to be ….

  1. Diligent: because Jesus is coming (v.1)
  2. Fervent: because apostasy is coming (v.2-5)
  3. Constant: because death is coming (v.6-8)

That all-important baton change!
What are your eyes fixed on?

‘Timothy, be encouraged by these great truths’ (2 Timothy 3:10-17)

AudioPhilip

Sometimes last words carry more ‘weight’ than others. As we draw closer to the end of Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his words in 2 Tmothy 3:10-17 stand out among his last instructions to the young pastor. In the context of dealing with false teachers and the prevalence of fale teaching in the last days, Timothy needed much encouragement to stick with the Scriptures. They were enough to bring him to salvation, and they would surely be enough for this next generation that Timothy was teaching. And what effect did they have on Timothy? He was faithful unto death.

Message

Outline

• The ninth in this series
• A rough ride ahead…
• Last letter, last words
• See the encouragements given based on….

  1. Paul’s own example (v.10-13)
  2. Timothy’s own conversion (v.14-15)
  3. God’s own Word (v.16-17)

What effect did this have on Timothy?
Faithful to the end….

‘Timothy: the last days are here and they’re coming’ (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

AudioPhilip

When the Apostle Paul wrotes this his last letter to Timothy, he was aware that he was living in the ‘last days’ – days when human sin and rebellion will increase and become part and parcel of daily living. In fact, ever since the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, those ‘last days’ have been here – and so in 2 Timothy 3:1-9, Paul encouraged Timothy to have a ‘mindset’ that his ministry was to be in those days, and like a paratrooper dropped behind enemy lines, be prepared for battle – not against flesh and blood, but for the truth of the gospel.

Message

Outline

• The eighth in this series
• The church facing a crisis
• What of the future?
• See Paul’s teaching on the ‘last days’ and…

  1. The troubles in them (v.1)
  2. A preview of them (v.2-5)
  3. The causes behind them (v.6-9)

Behind enemy lines…
Preparation, perseverance, purity