Sermons

‘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…’

‘Thyatira: On the brink of extinction’ (Revelation 2:18-29)

AudioPhilip

Of all the seven cities listed in this part of Revelation, Thyatira was by far the least important. It was neither a major religious centre nor a regional political capital. It was simply a busy, minor Macedonia trading colony notable, if it was notable for anything at all, for the number of trade guilds that provided the structure for civic society and business life in the city of Thyatira. And yet of all the seven letters, this letter to the believers in Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29 is the longest and the most involved and perhaps the most urgent.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: To God Be the Glory
00:18 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
07:28 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-4:8
Song: Behold the Lamb of God
09:59 Shorter Catechism Introduction
11:26 Catechism Questions 28-32
Song: Romans 6:23
13:51 Bible reading: Revelation 2:18-29
Song: Before the Throne
Sermon: Revelation 2:18-29
Song: Fight the Good Fight
16:23 Closing

Outline

• The fourth of the 7 churches
• A city of no major importance
• A church getting its final ultimatum…
• See in these verses…

  1. The contradiction Jesus found (v.18-20)
  2. The consequences Jesus foreshadowed (v.21-29)

That need for consistency…
His way or else!

‘Pergamum: In danger of compromise’ (Revelation 2:12-17)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus spoke to the 7 churches of Asia Minor, he did so to bring forth spiritual life and vitality. This is seen clearly in the message he spoke to the church at Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17 where the church was in danger of compromising with the world – especially due to their toleration of false teachers. Sadly, church history revelas that whenever the church has played around with the truth, Jesus has come against His Church – not to bless it and make it comfortable, but to bring it back the the ‘straight and narrow’ paths of the Lord.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Stand Up and Bless the Lord
00:19 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
05:09 Bible reading: Jude 1-13
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
07:27 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:55 Catechism Questions 23-27
Song: Romans 6:23
10:53 Bible reading: Revelation 2:12-17
Song: My Heart Is Filled
Sermon: Revelation 2:12-17
Song: Soldiers of Christ
12:03 Closing

Outline

• The third of the 7 churches
• Relevant to today
• A suffering church, needing encouragement…
• See in these verses…

  1. How Jesus was pleased about faithful testimony (v.13)
  2. How Jesus was displeased about false teachers (v.14-15
  3. How Jesus was honest about continued unrepentance (v.16-17)

Not a popular image of Jesus…
Fighting the good fight …against who?

‘Smyrna: In need of continued perseverance’ (Revelation 2:8-11)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus sent His message to the church at Smyrna through John in Revelation 2:8-11, and called them to perservere in their time of suffering for the gospel, He did not forget that they had already suffered much in the way of persecution. However, He did urge them to ‘keep on, keeping on’ in the midst of their trials. Perhaps the believers in Smyrna might have hoped that He would end their trials. Not this time. He called them to endure, but also gave them many promises that would help them do as He bid.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:19 Introduction
00:41 Prayer
05:03 Bible reading: James 1:1-12
Song: O Great God
06:50 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:17 Catechism Questions 18-22
Song: The Bible Is the Answer
10:49 Bible reading: Revelation 2:8-11
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Revelation 2:8-11
Song: Stand Up for Jesus
11:38 Closing

Outline

• The second of the 7 churches
• Snapshots of life in Smyrna
• A suffering church, needing encouragement.…
• See in these verses .…

  1. How Jesus described Himself (v.8)
  2. How Jesus commended them (v.9)
  3. How Jesus commanded them (v.10-11)

Was this the message they wanted?
Suffering for Christ? Press on!

‘Ephesus: In need of spiritual renewal’ (Revelation 2:1-7)

AudioPhilip

The Lord Jesus gave John seven messages to deliver to the seven churches of the region, and the first of the seven churches mentioned is the one in the city of Ephesus. What Jesus had to say to them was clear in Revelation 2:1-7. There was much to commend the church at Ephesus – they were hard working, dligient and orthodox – but there was one thing that caused Jesus much concern. They had lost their first love. But Jesus not only pointed this out, He also told them the steps needed to bring about the needed renewal.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend
00:19 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
04:21 Bible reading: Acts 19:1-20
Song: 10,000 Reasons
07:18 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:46 Catechism Questions 12-17
Song: Doodle-Oodle-Oo the Catechismo
11:34 Bible reading: Revelation 2:1-7
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: Revelation 2:1-7
Song: More Love to Thee
13:00 Closing

Outline

• The first of the 7 churches
• Snapshots of the church at Ephesus
• Lots of good points, but one major flaw…
• See how these verses tell us of .…

  1. The labour that Jesus noted (v.1-3)
  2. The decline that Jesus exposed (v.4)
  3. The response that Jesus commanded (v.5-7)

This little light of mine…
The biggest threat to the Church