Sermons

‘Meet the metaphor to describe the church at Corinth (part 2)’ (1 Corinthians 12:14-31)

Philip

There’s no doubt that the human body is a wonderful invention. The fact that we can move, breathe, talk, eat sleep, is so often taken for granted. So much has to happen for everything to work together. If the church is the ‘body of Christ’ as 1 Corinthians 12:14-31 indicates, then it’s likely that the same holds true. Every part of the body not only has its own place but its own purpose and function. And every part of the body, each individual in the body is linked to the One who is the Head of the body for His purposes. That’s the wonder of being part of ‘the Church’, which exists for His glory and not that of the individual parts!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All My Days
00:15 Introduction
00:41 Prayer
07:16 Bible reading: Romans 12:1-13
Song: Only A Holy God
09:09 Mission Spot
Song: Jesus Paid It All
12:32 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
14:42 Sermon: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
Song: Church of God
37:14 Closing

‘The Gibeonite deliverance’ (Joshua 9:1-27)

Philip

The Old Testament book of Joshua tells the story of the people of Israel taking possession of the land of Canaan according to God’s promise and instruction. By the time Joshua 9:1-27 comes around, not all has gone according to plan for God’s people – mainly through their own disobedience and failure to keep in touch with the Lord and His plans. This message of the chapter preached by Chris, tells us of a similar story, but ends up with a striking parallel for the those who are saved by His grace and included in the number of His people today.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship The King
00:14 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:54 Bible reading: Ephesians 2:1-22
Song: O The Mercy Of God
06:50 Mission Spot
Song: Amazing Grace
10:34 Bible reading: Joshua 9:1-27
14:30 Sermon: Joshua 9:1-27
Song: There Is A Higher Throne
36:22 Closing

‘Meet the metaphor used to describe the Church at Corinth (part 1)’ (1 Corinthians 12:1-13)

AudioPhilip

The Church. What is it? Some say a building. This is true, but only one aspect of the answer. The idea of the Church being a ‘body’ is found in the New Testament, especially in 1 Corinthians 12:1-13. The church is made up of individuals, all saved by grace, and all united to the one Head (Jesus) who brings us together and makes us part of His body. It’s this that unites us and this unity should be evident to the whole world throughout all generations as witness to the the one truth, ‘Jesus is Lord’.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: The Power of the Cross
00:13 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:39 Bible reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
Song: There is a Redeemer
07:14 Mission Spot
10:55 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Song: Nothing can I Boast
13:03 Sermon: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13
Song: The Church’s One Foundation
36:48 Closing

‘Meet the cultural issue in the church at Corinth’ (1 Corinthians 11:2-16)

AudioPhilip

There’s little doubt that 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is a difficult text that over the years has been interpreted and applied in many ways. But, as difficult as it is to grasp at first glance, the text must be and is there for a good reason. It seems there was a fair bit of confusion in Corinth about gender roles (is anything new?) and this seems to be at the heart of Paul’s words – which apply to us today in the realm of what you have in your heart, rather than what you do or don’t wear on your head.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God
00:14 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
06:22 Bible reading: Genesis 2:4-25
Song: By Faith
09:24 Mission Spot
12:57 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Song: Before the Throne
14:48 Sermon: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Song: May the Mind of Christ
36:40 Closing

‘Understanding covenant baptism’ (Acts 2:39)

AudioAndrew

The Christian Church has been long divided over whether or not the children of Christians should receive the sacrament of baptism or not. As a Presbyterian Church we believe they should, and that the covenant promises of God to Abraham still stand. While this is an important aspect of what we believe, it is still not the gospel and not worth breaking faith over. Even so, God’s promise of salvation is to ‘you and your children’ (Acts 2:39)

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Come People of the Risen King
00:14 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
05:28 Bible reading: Genesis 17:1-26
10:20 Mission Spot
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
13:34 Bible reading: Acts 2:14-41
Song: O Lord my Rock
18:17 Sermon: Understanding covenant baptism (Acts 2)
Song: Marvellous Grace
41:27 Closing

‘Journeying on to the city of the great King’ (Psalms 132, 133, 134)

AudioAndrew

Psalms 132,133 and 134 are three psalms that are linked by a common theme of being part of the ‘songs of ascent’ that were sung by the people of Israel going up to Jerusalem. Psalm 132 highlights that the city of Jerusalem was the city where God’s King lived. Psalm 133 celebrates the unity of the people of God in that city, and Psalm 134’s focus is upon the worship of God’s Name that happened there by day and night. Heaven will be all this and more for God’s people upon a ‘pilgrim journey’ to that heavenly city. (First preached March 2013)

‘Using worldly wealth wisely’ (Luke 16:1-18)

AudioAndrew

In Luke 16, Jesus tells another parable where an unjust steward—or dishonest manager—wasted his master’s possessions. This reminds us of the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) where in the far county he wasted his inheritance in reckless living. Yet here the steward is commended as wise since “the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light”. Our Lord would have us be exceptions to the rule by using our wealth wisely and making friends for ourselves by mean of unrighteous wealth, so that they may receive us into the eternal dwellings. Heaven cannot be bought – but we can invest for eternity.

‘New Year, New Heavens, New Earth’ (2 Peter 3:1-13)

AudioAndrew

Is that all there is? For the Christian there is more and a great hope. While we wait, how is our focus? Fixed on the distance or stuck on foreground? In 2 Peter 3:1-13, Peter warns that there will be scoffers, just as always. Are we waiting like Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 13) or like the other ten?

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
Out, out, brief candle!
Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.

— William Shakespeare, Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)