Sermons

‘Daniel and friends: Cool in a crisis’ (Daniel 2:1-49)

AudioPhilip

While far away in exile in Babylon, Daniel 2:1-49 tells us how Daniel and his friends soon faced another test – one not of their own making, but one that the Lord was certainly in. When King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream troubled him and he sought answers about it, Daniel and friends were about to lose their heads. But through earnest prayer and the grace of God, these young men were able to see God come to their aid and actually do more for the advancement of His Kingdom than they might ever have expected!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship the King
00:17 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
03:50 Bible reading: Daniel 2:1-24
Song: O Great God
07:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:14 Catechism Questions 78-82
12:10 Bible reading: Daniel 2:25-49
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Daniel 2:1-49
Song: The Lord Is King
18:00 Closing

Outline

• This new series
• Cool in a crisis
• The king’s grave threats
• See how the text speaks of…

  1. A troubling dream and a stubborn king (v.1-11)
  2. Crisis praying and welcome answers (v.12-45)
  3. Humble worship and fitting reward (v.46-49)

What God gives
What God values
What God can do
What God foreshadowed…

‘Daniel and friends: Faithful under pressure’ (Daniel 1:1-21)

AudioPhilip

The book of Daniel is a wonderful encouragement to God’s people because it tells the story of Daniel and his friends, living faithfully before God in the most difficult of circumstances. The exile of these young men of Judah into Babylon was no small test. To be a young man and far from home and the regular worship of God and the means of grace can never be underestimated. And then also, to be placed within the King’s court and palace with new Babylonian names! This would not have been easy. But Daniel 1:1-21, tells us that Daniel and his friends passed the test and in doing so proved that ‘the Lord honours those who honour Him’.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
00:19 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
05:18 Bible reading: Daniel 1
Song: See Him Coming
08:49 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:17 Catechism Questions 73-77
13:42 Bible reading: 2 Timothy 3
Song: By Faith
Sermon: Daniel 1:1-21
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
17:04 Closing

Outline

• A new series
• Exile into Babylon
• Young men far from home
• See how the text speaks of…

  1. The strategies employed to change their mindset (v.1-7).
  2. The counter strategies employed to continue their mindset (v.8-16)
  3. God honoured their resolution to keep that mindset (v.17-21).

Perseverance, faithfulness and honour
What really matters…

‘Laodicea: Urged to deal with mediocrity’ (Revelation 3:14-22)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus spoke to the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22, he highlighted the ‘lukewarmness’ of their response to His word. The church there wan’t suffering from persecution or false teaching, but they were mediocre in their walk with Him. Using images that could be found all over this city, including items that the city was famous for, this letter to the church from Jesus was intended to prod and stir these believers into action. Mediocrity is never enough. Hearing his word and obeying is what counts!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing on the Promises
00:17 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
02:45 Bible reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
Song: 10,000 Reasons
05:10 Shorter Catechism Introduction
06:38 Catechism Questions 68-72
09:33 Bible reading: Revelation 3:14-22
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22
Song: Revive Thy Church
11:36 Closing

Outline

• The seventh of the 7 churches
• A strong, sharp and pointed message from Jesus
• The credentials of Jesus before the rebuke!
• See in these verses present us with a view of Jesus…

  1. As a visitor to the city, drinking. (v.15-16)
  2. As a merchant in the city, trading (v.17-18)
  3. As a guest in the city, knocking (v.19-21)

From their depths to His heights!
The way out of mediocrity

‘Philadelphia: Facing an open door’ (Revelation 3:7-13)

AudioPhilip

In the message to the sixth of the seven churches, we find Jesus speaking in Revelation 3:7-13 to the church in Philadelphia. It is a relatively short letter, much like the letter to the church at Smyrna, that speaks only encouraging words to the church. Apparently the church at Philadelphia was ‘weak’ but this would be no hindrance to their witness – for Jesus himself had set before them an ‘open door’ and promised success with His Word and the promise of their eternal security. This creates both an assurance and a challenge. Will we press on to the end and be faithful with the gospel?

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:19 Introduction
00:41 Prayer
05:19 Bible reading: Hebrews 10:19-39
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
07:44 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:11 Catechism Questions 63-67
11:34 Bible reading: Revelation 3:7-13
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Sermon: Revelation 3:7-13
Song: Amazing Grace
13:04 Closing

Outline

• The sixth of the 7 churches
• An encouragement from Jesus to a church with ‘little power’
• See in these verses how Jesus spoke of…

  1. Opportunity and success with His Word. (v.7-9)
  2. Protection and reward in His service (v.10-13)

A lesson from life of John G Paton
Grace that saves and grace that enables us to persevere!

‘Prayer: For Saints, Servants and Souls’ (Philippians 1:9-11, Romans 15:30-33 and Colossians 4:2-6)

AudioPhilip

Guest preacher, Rev Stuart Withers (at the time minister of Rochester Presbyterian), preached from three main texts in his message on the importance of prayer (Philippians 1:9-11, Romans 15:30-33 and Colossians 4:2-6) in July 2017. Just as Paul exhorted us to make ‘all kinds of prayers for all the saints’ (Ephesians 6:18), so also in these texts we are reminded that prayer is the key for the encouragement of God’s people, the strengthening of His gospel workers and the means by which unbelievers are brought into the Kingdom of God. Great things happen when God’s people pray!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy
00:19 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
03:24 Bible reading: Philippians 1:9-11
Song: Behold Our God
04:47 Shorter Catechism Introduction
06:15 Catechism Questions 58-62
08:09 Bible reading: Romans 15:30-33 and Colossians 4:2-6
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: Philippians 1:9-11, Romans 15:30-33 and Colossians 4:2-6
Song: Come My Soul
09:32 Closing

Outline

  1. Praying for the saints (Philippians 1:9-11)
  2. Praying for servants of the gospel (Romans 15:30-33)
  3. Praying for unbelieving souls (Colossians 4:2-6)

‘Great introductions’ (Matthew 11:1-15)

AudioPhilip

As part of Christian Union Sunday in April 2017, Steve Blyth from CU preached from Matthew 11:1-15. In this passage, John the Baptist introduces Jesus to the world but is a confused messenger. He asks to check if Jesus is the one we’ve been waiting for and what he has come to do. Jesus reassures him from the Old Testament prophecies concerning himself and commends John’s message as he prepared the way. Yet we now have a greater perspective than even John as we live on the other side of the cross and Jesus’ resurrection. We have the privilege of introducing Jesus to others as we share the hope that we have in him.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Praise to the Lord
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
03:33 Bible reading: Matthew 3:1-17
Song: Grace Unmeasured
06:16 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:44 Catechism Questions 53-57
10:38 Bible reading: Matthew 11:1-15
Song: Never Alone
Sermon: Matthew 11:1-15
Song: Tell Me the Old, Old Story
12:36 Closing

Outline

A Confused Messenger (1-6)

  • Are you the one?
  • John had different expectations
  • The great danger of confusion

A Commended Message (7-11)

  • None greater than John
  • John introduced Jesus to the world
  • We are greater than John!

A Clarified Mission (11-12)

  • The great privilege of evangelism
  • Expect great progress and great hostility
  • Please pray…

‘Nabal, Abigail, David and Jesus’ (Guest speaker, 1 Samuel 25:1-44)

AudioAndrew

From July 2018: 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).

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:20 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:08 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 25:1-22
Song: We Are His People
09:00 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:28 Catechism Questions 48-52
13:17 Bible reading: 1 Samuel 25:23-44
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: 1 Samuel 25
Song: May the Mind
17:44 Closing

‘Need something else to be a real Christian?’ (Colossians 2:6-23)

AudioPhilip

Have you ever had someone tell you that you’re not quite there as a Christian, that you need to do something else, fulfil some extra requirement, maybe have some sort of extra experience? if you do that then you’ll be a real Christian! In preaching on Colossians 2:6-23 back in September 2014, Steve Blyth points out how the Apostle Paul says very clearly that authentic Christianity is all about Jesus. If you have Him – you have everything you need. It’s through keeping Jesus at the very centre of our focus that we grow in the way God wants us to and become the type of people He’s created us to be. Beware of people who tell you otherwise.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Oh Christ in Thee
00:17 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
05:04 Bible reading: Isaiah 42:1-17
Song: Jesus Paid It All
08:06 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:34 Catechism Questions 43-47
12:06 Bible reading: Colossians 2:6-23
Song: Jesus Thank You
Sermon: Colossians 2:6-23
Song: In Christ Alone
14:49 Closing

Outline

The Christian Life (6-7)

  • Life in Jesus
  • Growing in Jesus
  • Understanding Jesus

Don’t be taken captive by things not about Jesus (8)

Three truths about Jesus (9-10, 11-15)

  • In Him we have all we need (11-13)
  • God was in Him defeating our sin (14)
  • Jesus is victorious over all so remain in Him (15)

You don’t need more than Jesus (16-23)

  • Not traditions (16-17)
  • Not extra spirituality (18-19)
  • Not rules (22-23)

In Christ alone

‘That question of supreme importance’ (as asked by Jesus of Peter) (John 21:1-19)

AudioPhilip

Jesus appeared to his disciples on a number of occasions following his resurrection. Perhaps the most signficant of these is recorded in John 21:1-19 where Jesus specifically took time to speak to Peter. He did this, because in the lead up to the cross, Peter had failed Jesus so badly, denying him three times. So, as they met on the beach, by the fire, the scene that John records unfolds and centres around the question Jesus asked Peter, ‘Do you love me?’

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Rejoice the Lord Is King
00:19 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
05:41 Bible reading: John 13:21-38
Song: Jerusalem
08:07 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:35 Catechism Questions 38-42
11:50 Bible reading: John 21:1-19
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Revelation 2:18-29
Song: More Love to Thee
15:49 Closing

Outline

  • Questions on the internet
  • Life’s unanswerable questions…
  • John 21 – after the resurrection before the ascension
  • Note the question Jesus put to Peter was asked…
  1. In a setting that Peter could recognise (v.1-14)
  2. In a manner that Peter could consider (v.15-17)
  3. For a purpose that Jesus intended (v.18-19)

That question! What about you?

‘Sardis: A wake up call to the dead’ (Revelation 3:1-6)

AudioPhilip

You have to wonder what the church in Sardis thought when they received their letter from the Lord Jesus in Revelation 3:1-6 and read that his estimation of them was that they were ‘dead’. The church at Sardis may well have had the appearance of being alive. Activity. Preaching. Worship. Giving. Outward signs of life…without inward reality! It is clear then that Jesus’ message to this church was written then to bring them back to life and to re-awaken them to repentance, without which the church will never see the blessing of the Lord.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:19 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
05:03 Bible reading: Hebrews 12:1-17
Song: Be Unto Your Name
07:51 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:19 Catechism Questions 33-37
11:38 Bible reading: Revelation 3:1-6
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: Revelation 2:18-29
Song: Search Me O God
12:45 Closing

Outline

• The fifth of the 7 churches
• Appearance of life, but…
• A church receiving a wake up call…
• See in these verses.…

  1. The dangerous deception of appearances (v.1-2)
  2. The sure road of recovery (v.3)
  3. The certain promise of victory (v.4-6)

A dead church?
‘Seek the Lord while He may be found…’