Sermons

‘Jesus speaks of seeds, some weeds and a harvest’ (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

AudioPhilip

In this second parable that Matthew records Jesus teaching in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, the everyday item that Jesus used was wheat and weeds. To us, these might sound like two completely different items, but in his day the ‘weed’ was a ‘counterfeit wheat’ that was very hard to distinguish from the real. As Jesus explained the parable, it becomes clear that the point he was making is still so important for His people today, as we grow in the world along with the ‘counterfeit wheat’ – leading us to see the world around us through His eyes.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Praise to the Lord
00:18 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:40 Bible reading: Matthew 9:1-13
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
06:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:13 Catechism Questions 111-114
11:25 Bible reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Sermon: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Song: May the Mind of Christ
13:23 Closing

Outline

• These parables of Matthew 13
• How can good and evil exist in the world side by side?
• Two extremes we could adopt..
• See how this parable.…

  1. Explains our present reality (v.24-30)
  2. Points to a future certainty (v.36-43)

John Wesley’s visit to Newcastle (UK)
How do you see the world?

‘Jesus speaks of seeds, some soils and a sower’ (Matthew 13:1-23)

AudioPhilip

Of the 5 parables that make up Matthew 13, the first in one Matthew 13:1-23 is by far the longest. All of them have to do with the Kingdom of God, how and when it comes and how it grows, and what will be the consequences of not being part of it. In this parable, Jesus takes familiar agricultural themes and makes a point about listening, hearing and fruitfulness.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:20 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
04:50 Bible reading: Matthew 13:1-23
Song: Behold Our God
08:07 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:35 Catechism Questions 107-110
13:24 Bible reading: James 1:19-27
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: Matthew 13:1-23
Song: Master Speak
14:50 Closing

Outline

• The parables of Matthew 13
• Was Jesus making truth plain or hiding it?
• It all depends if you’re ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the Kingdom
• See how Jesus tells us of…

  1. Some vital activity (v.1-3)
  2. Some varied responses (v.4-9, 18-22)
  3. Some very big results (v.23)

Hearing the Word isn’t enough!
Fruit is the proof of life!

‘Daniel and friends: Visions and terrors of the night’ (Daniel 7:1-28)

AudioPhilip

There’s no question that Daniel 7-12 are difficult chapters to understand and apply rightly. Less so with Daniel 7:1-28 in which Daniel saw a terrifying vision of kingdoms and beasts, but also a comforting vision of the rule of the Ancient of Days with the heavenly figure of the ‘Son of Man’. In the last in this series, this message seeks to explore these things and bring them to a place where they can be understood and applied to us, the readers who need to be assured that ‘Jesus will reign where’er the sun does his successive journeys run’.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
02:29 Bible reading: Daniel 7:1-14
Song: Grace Unmeasured
06:13 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:41 Catechism Questions 103-106
11:43 Bible reading: Daniel 7:15-28
Song: Never Alone
Sermon: Daniel 7:1-28
Song: At the Name of Jesus
15:20 Closing

Outline

  • Daniel in the twilight of his life
  • Back to Belshazzar as the King
  • Visions revealed for Daniel’s sake and ours…
  • See how the text speaks of…
  1. Visions of human authority (v.1-8, 15-28)
  2. Visions of divine authority (v.9-14)

Where you will find …security …salvation …hope!

‘Daniel and friends: Saved from the mouths of the lions’ (Daniel 6:1-28)

AudioPhilip

In the flow of the stores recorded in the book of Daniel, the story of Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6:1-28) is perhaps the most well known and one every Sunday School student would have heard. But it’s far from a children’s story and is a wonderful story of courage, bravery, loyalty and faith – especially so when it brings us to the One who wasn’t saved from the ‘lion’s mouth’ but was willing to go there for our sake!

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Rejoice the Lord is King
00:17 Introduction
00:32 Prayer
05:47 Bible reading: Hebrews 11:32-40
Song: We Are His People
07:03 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:30 Catechism Questions 100-102
10:13 Bible reading: Daniel 6:1-28
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: Daniel 6:1-28
Song: Jesus Paid It All
16:20 Closing

Outline

  • Now to chapter 6!
  • The pattern that’s developed…
  • Not quite just a Sunday School story!!
  • See how the text speaks of…
  1. How Daniel’s life was scrutinized (v.1-18)
  2. How Daniel’s faith was characterized (v.1-18)
  3. How Daniel’s God was glorified (v.19-28)

See Daniel… but better yet, see Jesus!

‘Daniel and friends: The writing on the wall’ (Daniel 5:1-31)

Philip

The text of Daniel 5:1-31 takes us to the rule of Belshazzar king of Babylon. Daniel is older now and seems to have been forgotten (or bypassed) for duties in the roal court, until the night of the King’s feast when a mysterious hand appeared to write a message on the wall in front of the king’s eyes. It was a message of judgement for this king (like chapter 4) and this judgement fell swiftly upon him. Daniel’s role in the matter was to translate the message and deliver it faithfully and observe yet another king come and go while he continued to faithfully serve his God.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:18 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:56 Bible reading: Daniel 5:1-16
Song: Worthy of All Praise
07:57 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:25 Catechism Questions 99
11:28 Bible reading: Daniel 5:17-31
Song: Jesus Thank You
Sermon: Daniel 5:1-31
Song: My Hope Is Built
14:13 Closing

Outline

• Humpty Dumpty!
• A new king on the throne…
• This king comes and goes so quick!
• See how the text speaks of…

  1. The King and his feast (v.1-4)
  2. The King and his fears (v.5-16)
  3. The King and his fall (v.17-31)

The God who brings down pride
The God who sees all
The God who rules over all…!

‘Salt and light’ (Matthew 5:13-16)

AudioPhilip

In this message on Matthew 5:13-16, Hugh Price examines the two metaphors that Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount to describe his followers. Salt in the ancient days was used mainly as a preserving agent, and light, (in the sense of the opposite of darkness) has one major purpose in all of our lives ever since God made the world. The challenge is of course, not just understanding these metaphors, but living them out in the world.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: To God Be the Glory
00:18 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
05:21 Bible reading: Psalm 119:89-112
Song: Jerusalem
07:51 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:18 Catechism Questions 96-98
11:08 Bible reading: Matthew 5:1-16
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Matthew 5:13-16
Song: God Whose Almighty Word
13:06 Closing

150th Anniversary Service and message

AudioPhilip

On Sunday September 11th, 2022, the St John’s congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary (yes, the congregation was formed on September 8th, 1872). To praise God for His faithfulness and blessing upon us, a celebration service was held at which the PCV Moderator, Rev Peter Phillips, preached the message entitled ‘God’s Word for God’s World’ (the theme chosen by the Session for our anniversary year!)

Message

Full service

‘True security’ (1 Samuel 8:1-22)

AudioPhilip

In this message on 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Ryan Smith explores the concept of finding security in the Lord alone from the time the people of Israel went to Samuel to ask them for a king to rule over them. They did this to ‘be like the other nations around them’ and in doing so they earned God’s displeasure, even though He gave them what they asked for! (Sometimes we ask for the wrong things!) It’s a challenge for us in this day of much fear about many things – who do you trust in for your security?

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Stand Up and Bless the Lord
00:17 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
04:27 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 8
Song: Be Unto Your Name
07:18 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:45 Catechism Questions 91-95
10:54 Bible reading: Matthew 6 and Mark 10
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: 1 Samuel 8:1-22
Song: Be Thou My Vision
14:29 Closing

Outline

  1. In their insecurity the Israelites ask for a King (v1-5)
  2. Seeking security apart from God is to reject Him (v.6-9)
  3. A King will take from them & enslave them (v.10-18)
  4. God gives them what they ask for (v.19-22)
  5. God graciously gives them far better than they deserve – Jesus the true and better King!

‘Daniel and friends: The proud humbled’ (Daniel 4:1-37)

AudioPhilip

There is no doubt that all through the first four chapters of the book of Daniel, God was dealing with King Nebuchadnezzar – and why wouldn’t He? Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful ruler in the world. In fact you could say, the ruler of the world. So it was no surprise that God should engage with him. And that is just what he did! In Daniel 4:1-37 we find the story of how God brought this king down. Humbled him. Brought him to nothing. It is a salutary tale. One that we should take full note of!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:17 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
04:02 Bible reading: Daniel 4:1-18
Song: Behold the Lamb of God
07:31 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:59 Catechism Questions 88-90
11:00 Bible reading: Daniel 4:19-37
Song: Before the Throne
Sermon: Daniel 4:1-37
Song: Jesus Shall Reign
15:29 Closing

Outline

• Where we are in this book
• The King humbles a king
• Recurring themes of Daniel 1-3
• See how the text speaks of…

  1. What the King dreamed (v.1-18)
  2. What the King learned (v.19-27)
  3. What the King became (v.28-37)

Warnings must be heeded…
God’s mercy triumphs!
Jesus who humbled himself…

‘Daniel and friends: A line in the sand’ (Daniel 3:1-30)

AudioPhilip

The story of Daniel’s three friends being thrown into the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:1-30 is far, far from being a cute Sunday School story. What a testimony these men had! What courage they displayed! What determination to not give in to the threats of the most powerful King! What faith they had that the true King would be given their full obedience regardless of the outcome! The story is powerful and challenging, reminding us of the full cost that many make in following the Lord Jesus even now.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend We Have In Jesus
00:18 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
05:28 Bible reading: Daniel 3:1-15
Song: My Heart Is Filled
08:20 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:48 Catechism Questions 83-87
13:14 Bible reading: Daniel 3:16-30
Song: My Worth Is Not In What I Own
Sermon: Daniel 3:1-30
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
16:48 Closing

Outline

• This new series
• A repeat crisis!
• ‘Easy to stand with the crowd….’
• See how the text speaks of…

  1. The size of the challenge they faced (v.1-7)
  2. The depths of the courage they shared (v.8-23)
  3. The truths of the principles they proved (v.24-30)

‘A line in the sand’
Faithful until the very end!