Sermons

‘Uncover Jesus’ (Revelation 1:1-20)

AudioPhilip

There are some things that are just easy to do, and being confused about Jesus is one of them! In this message from April 2018, Steve Blyth takes us through some of the imagery found in Revelation 1:1-20 and points us to who Jesus is according to the Scriptures.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Praise to the Lord
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
Song: O Great God
05:01 Bible reading: Daniel 7:9-14
Song: Tell Me the Old Old Story
06:22 Bible reading: Revelation 1:1-20
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Revelation 1:1-20
Song: All Hail the Power
09:54 Closing

Outline

Confused about Jesus?
Intro to Revelation (1-3)

Picture 1 – The Personal Loving Jesus (4-8)

  • Faithful Witness
  • First born from the dead
  • Loves us and freed us
  • Coming back again

Picture 2 – The Powerful Reigning Jesus (12-16)

  • Seven Lampstands
  • Son of Man
  • Royal Robe
  • Fiery Eyes
  • Powerful Voice

Putting the pictures together (17-18)

Confidence in Jesus
The one who loves you personally and rules all things powerfully

‘It’s time!’ (John 12:20-39)

AudioPhilip

In this message from September 2022, Rev Keith Bell explores the time marker in the ministry of Jesus – something found all through the gospel of John and something so prominent in John 12:20-39, explaining the purpose and the timing of His death for sinners.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:19 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
Song: See Him Coming
07:26 Bible reading: 1 Kings 10:1-7
Song: My Jesus I Love Thee
08:31 Bible reading: John 12:20-39
Song: By Faith
Sermon: John 12:20-39
Song: And Can It Be
10:42 Closing

Outline

Introduction
• Passages of the Bible are …
• Consider what had been happening in the lives of Jesus and His disciples:
• Some Greeks came and they wanted to see Jesus.
• Jesus says, “It’s Time …”

  1. To Fulfil the Prophecies
    Everything is falling into place.
  2. To Persevere
    I’m here for the long haul and I will persevere to the end.
  3. To Effect My Purpose
    a. Judgment on the world
    b. Satan cast out/defeated
    c. Salvation for God’s people
  4. To Believe in Me
    “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

So What?

  1. Be encouraged
  2. 2nd hand knowledge must be replaced by 1st hand encounter with Jesus
  3. A great theological mystery

Conclusion
The incident we have been considering is exciting and thrilling and lifts our spirits and gives us hope.

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #4 In the world vs Of the world

AudioPhilip

In thie last of this series on ‘tensions’ in the Christian life, this message explores the tension the believer faces by simply being ‘in the world’. If this is a world that ‘God so loved’ (John 3:16), how is it that we are urged to ‘not love the world’ (1 John 2:15)? How can this tension be resolved? Perhaps by understanding 1 John 2:15-17…

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
02:28 Bible reading: 1 John 2:7-14
Song: 10,000 Reasons
03:43 Shorter Catechism Introduction
05:11 Catechism Questions 193-196
10:35 Bible reading: 1 John 4:1-14
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: 1 John 2:15-17
Song: When We Walk With the Lord
12:57 Closing

Outline

• This series
• Walking a fine line…
• Attitudes to this tension
• Why does John write this?

  1. Because of what the world is (v.15)
  2. Because of what the world does (v.16)
  3. Because of where the world is heading (v.17)

The boat in the water
The problem with our hearts

‘Compassion for outsiders’ (Jonah 1:1-2)

AudioPhilip

In this message preached at St John’s in July 2022, Rev Peter Phillips explores the opening verses of the prophet Jonah, revealing God’s heart for those who are ‘beyond the walls’ and who do not belong to the covenant family of faith.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Rejoice the Lord Is King
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
05:54 Bible reading: Jonah 1:1-18
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
06:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:13 Catechism Questions 187-192
14:37 Bible reading: Luke 4:14-30
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Sermon: Jonah 1:1-2
Song: We’ve a Story to Tell
16:16 Closing

Outline

‘Compassion for outsiders’

1) Taking Jonah seriously

2) Taking Jonah to heart

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #3 Love vs Fear

AudioPhilip

In further exploration of the theme of tensions between two truths, this message explores the tension between ‘loving God’ and ‘fearing God’. If the Apostle John can say, ‘perfect love drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18) and yet Jesus clearly tells us to ‘fear God’ (Luke 12:5), how can this tension be resolved? Perhaps 1 Peter 1:17-18 may help us!

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God
00:20 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:34 Bible reading: Psalm 34:1-22
Song: Behold Our God
07:42 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:10 Catechism Questions 176-186
14:13 Bible reading: Luke 12:1-7
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: 1 Peter 1:17-18
Song: My God How Wonderful Thou Art
15:23 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• To fear or not to fear?
• A text that will help us!
• Note that we learn from this text…

  1. The condition that Peter raises (v.17)
  2. The reasons that Peter gives (v.17-18)
  3. The applications that Peter infers (v.18)

John Newton
Never forget your redemption!

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #2 Joy Vs Sorrow

AudioPhilip

As we further explore the idea of there being tensions between two truths in the Christian life, this message seeks to explore the tension between joy and sorrow. Are believers always meant to be joyful? And if so, wasn’t Jesus referred to as a ‘man of sorrows’? There is a definite tension here – one that will only be resolved when what is ‘not yet’ becomes ‘now’.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: To God Be the Glory
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
05:54 Bible reading: Psalm 126:1-6
Song: Grace Unmeasured
06:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:13 Catechism Questions 168-175
14:37 Bible reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9
Song: Never Alone
Sermon: 2 Corinthians 6:10
Song: We Rest on Thee
16:16 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• Are believers meant to be glum or glib?
• Joy or sorrow?
• Note that the Scriptures teach that…

  1. The Christian life is a life of joy (Philippians 4:4)
  2. The Christian life is a life of sorrow (James 4:9)

Rejoice in what we know now…
Rejoice is what we know is to come…..

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #1 Freedom vs Submission

AudioPhilip

There are all kinds of tensions in the Christian life. Tensions as in truths that seem to clash. In this message, the idea of being ‘free’ in Christ is contrasted with the need to ‘submit’ to Christ as Lord. How do freedom and submission fit together? Maybe Matthew 11:28-30 has the answer!

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Stand Up and Bless the Lord
00:19 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:15 Bible reading: John 8:12-36
Song: We Are His People
09:16 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:44 Catechism Questions 162-167
14:43 Bible reading: Galatians 3:1-15
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: Matthew 11:28-30
Song: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
17:43 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• A life of no conflict
• Freedom through submission?
• Note from this text …

  1. The invitations Jesus gives us (v.28, 29)
  2. The promises Jesus gives us (v.28)
  3. The reasons Jesus gives us (v.29, 30)

The farmer, oxen and yokes
Be yoked to Jesus!

‘Christmas in just 4, no… 5 words’ (John 1:14)

AudioPhilip

There have been a lot of words written and spoken about the central meaning of Christmas. The Apostle John, in his prologue to his gospel (John 1:1-18), hits the nail on the head in just 4 words from verse 14. These words are so deep and profound that we need to get our heads around them… and it will take 5 words for us to do just that!

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Come All You Faithful
00:23 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
Song: Angels We Have Heard on on High
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem
05:22 Bible reading: Isaiah 11
Song: Hark the Herald Angel
Song: Joy to the World
07:33 Bible reading: John 1:1-18
Sermon: John 1:14-18
Song: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
09:29 Closing

Outline

  • Doublespeak… deliberately hiding what you don’t want to say!
  • John’s precise message in just 4 words
  • The ‘Prologue’ of his gospel – all his themes revealed
  • See something of the span of his words by 5 words!
  • Consider these…
  1. Condescension
  2. Humiliation
  3. Transition
  4. Incarnation
  5. Association

The great question…why?
The hymns’ answers…for His people!
Behold your God!

‘Three developments’ (Ruth 4:1-22)

AudioPhilip

In the final chapter of the book of Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22), the final outcome of Ruth’s appeal to Boaz for proptection (and therefore marriage) is told. By the city gate where business transactions were carried out, Boaz deals with the man next-in-line to take over Elimelech’s property (which includes a marriageable young Moabitess). True to his word, Boaz carries through with the deal and marriage is followed by the birth of their son, Obed, and the family line is established that leads to David and, of course, to Jesus.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Tell Out My Soul
00:19 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:03 Bible reading: Ruth 4
Song: Worthy of All Praise
08:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:14 Catechism Questions 152-160
14:48 Bible reading: Matthew 1:1-6
Song: Jesus Thank You
Sermon: Ruth 4
Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel
16:05 Closing

Outline

• The story ends, but it’s more than a Hollywood movie!
• How will Elimelech have an heir?
• The problem presented and overcome
• See how the text speaks of these developments…

  1. The actions of a kind redeemer (v.1-10)
  2. The blessings of a broad covenant (v.11-12)
  3. The arrival of a welcome son (v.13-21)

God at work in the whole story!
The point of it all – to lead us to Jesus!

‘Three scenes’ (Ruth 3:1-18)

AudioPhilip

Great movies often use certain plotlines to make the story stand out among others, and the writer of the book of Ruth did also. in the third chapter (Ruth 3:1-18), the reader is given three scenes by which they might understand what is happening; and these three scenes cover the events in one 24 hour period. In the second of those scenes Ruth makes a move that could be interpreted to be something rather risky. It could all go so terribly wrong…but in the culture of the day, can also be viewed as something fuilled with faith and an appeal from a helpless woman to one who could redeem her. But will he?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:17 Introduction
00:32 Prayer
04:21 Bible reading: Ruth 3
Song: Jerusalem
07:14 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:41 Catechism Questions 146-151
12:40 Bible reading: Galatians 1:1-5
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Ruth 3
Song: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
13:22 Closing

Outline

• The story so far
• Can you hear wedding bells?
• The crucial next day
• See how the text speaks of these scenes in the story…

  1. The afternoon’s conversation (v.1-5)
  2. The evening’s liaison (v.6-13)
  3. The morning’s conclusion (v.14-18)

Wary of what’s ahead?
See Jesus … who gave Himself!