After Joshua assumed the mantle of leading the people of Israel into the promised land, he would have been greatly encouraged by the report of the spies he sent into the city of Jericho. There, as is found in Joshua 2:1-24, they were received by the a prostitute named Rahab, who not only confessed that she had come to believe in the living God but whose actions in giving the spies a safe hiding place, proved the reality of her faith. Before any battle for the land or for Jericho, Joshua discovered that God’s plans were for the salvation of all he would call – even Rahab and her family.
Sermons
‘Following the leading footsteps’ (Joshua 1:1-18)
After Moses’ death, the mantle of leading the people of Israel into the promised land fell upon the man of God’s choosing, Joshua. Though Joshua had been Moses’ apprentice, this was no small task! But God’s appointing is also his enabling and in Joshua 1:1-18, God gave Joshua clear instructions in the way he should go, always depending upon God’s promises and His Word to be his guide. At the start of the new year, it it is good to put these principles into action and go forward trusting in God’s precious and very great promises.
‘A bright hope for God’s people in a dark time’ (Micah 5:1-5)
When the prophet Micah spoke up, things were looking very grim for the nation of Israel. The Assyrians were threatening to invade and idolatry and corruption were high. The prophecy recorded in Micah 5:1-5 reminds us that he looked forward to better days ahead for the people of God and it would all stem from the arrival of a ruler who would come from Bethlehem. Matthew’s gospel picks up this theme and points to the birth of Jesus as the fulfilment of that prophecy, and in turn, gives God’s people a sure hope in these similarly dark times.
‘Christmas in just 4…no, 5 words’ (John 1:14)
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!
‘The Gospel is next to godliness’ (Titus 1:1-4)
The greeting in Titus 1:1-4, at the start of Paul’s letter, is a preview and an overview: the truth about Jesus accords with godliness. For the Christian, belief in Jesus ought to be reflected in our behaviour as we seek to be more like him. But our good works don’t save us – Jesus is the saviour. At Christmas, we celebrate God’s grace shown to us and have the privilege of reflecting that grace to others.
‘Christmas lies’ (Matthew 2:1-12)
There are a few lies that you may hear at Christmas, but none of them rank with the lie of King Herod. More than that, his attitude meant that he missed out on everything Jesus came to bring – a sad scenario!
‘The Christ of Christmas – who He really is’ (Colossians 1:15-18)
In a world where people are happy enough to enterain thoughts and listen to songs about Jesus in the manger, Colossians 1:15-18 brings another perspective. The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus is no longer in the manger as a harmless child, but is fully God, to whom all things belong and for whom all things exist, who demands the absolutely first place in our lives. He can demand this because He is Lord and because He proved His love for mankind by paying the price of our sins by His own blood.
‘Ouch! Did Jesus really say that about love?’ (Matthew 5:43-48)
In a world where prejudice and racism is rife, Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-48 concerning loving our enemies, cut right through to the heart. His disciples, who belong to His upside down Kingdom, are not to be like the world or the Pharisees who believe that God’s law encouraged them to ‘hate their enemies’. There is no such Old Testament law! Instead, Jesus taught that His disciples ought to exercise inclusion (embracing all kinds of people) and practise imitiation of our Heavenly Father who sends rain upon all kinds of people. Imitating that undiscriminating kind of love is nothing less than what Jesus taught and showed in His death securing our salvation. His love was at great cost to Himself!
‘Ouch! Did Jesus really say that about offences?’ (Matthew 5:38-42)
Because of what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:38-42, some have concluded that Jesus was anti-war and others that he was a pacifist. Though his words have been misinterpreted over the years, Jesus did teach that in the lives of His followers there is no room for taking revenge, there must be much room for our lives for forgiveness and plentiful room in our hearts for love – even for those who would strike, offend or use us. There will be many times when our rights are trodden on. Jesus knew all about that. he chose to give us His rights for our sake and by doing so saved us, that we might be His and learn to live His way of forgiveness in response.
‘Ouch! Did Jesus really say that about oaths?’ (Matthew 5:33-37)
In a day when the Jewish religious found themselves every ‘loophole’ they could find in the Old Testament law about making oaths and promises, in Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus made it very clear that those who were quick to make oaths and promises that they never intended to keep, were avoiding a serious issue. God does not expect His people to only tell the truth when they are forced to swear on oath. The true disciple of Jesus will be known by their honesty and truth-telling. God’s standards remain hight, but there is grace freely given to all who seek it – even to those who have failed to keep their word.