‘The King that the Lord chose’ (1 Kings 1:11-53)

The text of 1 Kings 1:11-53 tells us of the outcome of Adonjah’s bold and pride-filled push for the throne. When Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba broke the news to the dying old, King David, he acted swiftly, authorising the coronation of the rightful King, Solomon. There will always be those who push forward counterfeit kings and saviours. It has been the devil’s plan from the very beginning to do this, but there is only one true King that God wants us to serve as He says in Psalm 2:6 … and that King is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing on the Promises
00:20 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
Song: Search Me O God
05:14 Bible reading: 1 Kings 1:11-53
Song: Jerusalem
13:33 Bible reading: Luke 19:28-40
Song: Yet Not I
Sermon: 1 Kings 1:11-53
Song: My Hope Is Built
15:56 Closing

Outline

• Catching up with the news on the royal family…
• Where we left David
• Where we left Adonijah
• Note from the text…

  1. Some royal cooperation (v.11-26)
  2. A royal coronation (v.27-40)
  3. Two royal responses (v.41-53)

Satan’s plan to provide counterfeit kings
God’s King will rule…!

‘Who will be King?’ (1 Kings 1:1-10)

The book of 1 Kings opens with the final days of King David and tracks the succession of Solomon to the throne. According to 1 Kings 1:1-10, not everything went smoothly – especially when Solomon’s brother, Adonijah, took it upon himself to take hold of the throne. We don’t need a king like Adonijah – one who acts out of pride and self-interest! We need a King who will put His people before Himself! But where would we find a King who would do that? Oh wait … according to Philippians 2:1-11, Jesus did just that didn’t He? What a King!

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Heard the Voice
00:19 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
Song: What a Friend We Have In Jesus
05:23 Bible reading: 1 Kings 1:1-10
Song: Be Unto Your Name
07:23 Bible reading: Luke 14:1-11
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: 1 Kings 1:1-10
Song: And Can It Be
08:50 Closing

Outline

• Picking up from the life of David
• This book of 1 Kings… dusty, boring history?
• Will the promised King ever come? Solomon?
• Note from the text…

  1. The outgoing King’s decline (v.1-5)
  2. The incoming King’s aspirations (v.6-10)

Adonijah and the prodigal son!
Adonijah and the King we need…

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #4 In the world vs Of the world

In thie last of this series on ‘tensions’ in the Christian life, this message explores the tension the believer faces by simply being ‘in the world’. If this is a world that ‘God so loved’ (John 3:16), how is it that we are urged to ‘not love the world’ (1 John 2:15)? How can this tension be resolved? Perhaps by understanding 1 John 2:15-17

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
02:28 Bible reading: 1 John 2:7-14
Song: 10,000 Reasons
03:43 Shorter Catechism Introduction
05:11 Catechism Questions 193-196
10:35 Bible reading: 1 John 4:1-14
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: 1 John 2:15-17
Song: When We Walk With the Lord
12:57 Closing

Outline

• This series
• Walking a fine line…
• Attitudes to this tension
• Why does John write this?

  1. Because of what the world is (v.15)
  2. Because of what the world does (v.16)
  3. Because of where the world is heading (v.17)

The boat in the water
The problem with our hearts

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #3 Love vs Fear

In further exploration of the theme of tensions between two truths, this message explores the tension between ‘loving God’ and ‘fearing God’. If the Apostle John can say, ‘perfect love drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18) and yet Jesus clearly tells us to ‘fear God’ (Luke 12:5), how can this tension be resolved? Perhaps 1 Peter 1:17-18 may help us!

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God
00:20 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:34 Bible reading: Psalm 34:1-22
Song: Behold Our God
07:42 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:10 Catechism Questions 176-186
14:13 Bible reading: Luke 12:1-7
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: 1 Peter 1:17-18
Song: My God How Wonderful Thou Art
15:23 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• To fear or not to fear?
• A text that will help us!
• Note that we learn from this text…

  1. The condition that Peter raises (v.17)
  2. The reasons that Peter gives (v.17-18)
  3. The applications that Peter infers (v.18)

John Newton
Never forget your redemption!

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #2 Joy Vs Sorrow

As we further explore the idea of there being tensions between two truths in the Christian life, this message seeks to explore the tension between joy and sorrow. Are believers always meant to be joyful? And if so, wasn’t Jesus referred to as a ‘man of sorrows’? There is a definite tension here – one that will only be resolved when what is ‘not yet’ becomes ‘now’.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: To God Be the Glory
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
05:54 Bible reading: Psalm 126:1-6
Song: Grace Unmeasured
06:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:13 Catechism Questions 168-175
14:37 Bible reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9
Song: Never Alone
Sermon: 2 Corinthians 6:10
Song: We Rest on Thee
16:16 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• Are believers meant to be glum or glib?
• Joy or sorrow?
• Note that the Scriptures teach that…

  1. The Christian life is a life of joy (Philippians 4:4)
  2. The Christian life is a life of sorrow (James 4:9)

Rejoice in what we know now…
Rejoice is what we know is to come…..

‘Tensions in the Christian life’ #1 Freedom vs Submission

There are all kinds of tensions in the Christian life. Tensions as in truths that seem to clash. In this message, the idea of being ‘free’ in Christ is contrasted with the need to ‘submit’ to Christ as Lord. How do freedom and submission fit together? Maybe Matthew 11:28-30 has the answer!

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Stand Up and Bless the Lord
00:19 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
05:15 Bible reading: John 8:12-36
Song: We Are His People
09:16 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:44 Catechism Questions 162-167
14:43 Bible reading: Galatians 3:1-15
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: Matthew 11:28-30
Song: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
17:43 Closing

Outline

• This new series…
• A life of no conflict
• Freedom through submission?
• Note from this text …

  1. The invitations Jesus gives us (v.28, 29)
  2. The promises Jesus gives us (v.28)
  3. The reasons Jesus gives us (v.29, 30)

The farmer, oxen and yokes
Be yoked to Jesus!

‘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!

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Come All You Faithful
00:23 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
Song: Angels We Have Heard on on High
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem
05:22 Bible reading: Isaiah 11
Song: Hark the Herald Angel
Song: Joy to the World
07:33 Bible reading: John 1:1-18
Sermon: John 1:14-18
Song: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
09:29 Closing

Outline

  • Doublespeak… deliberately hiding what you don’t want to say!
  • John’s precise message in just 4 words
  • The ‘Prologue’ of his gospel – all his themes revealed
  • See something of the span of his words by 5 words!
  • Consider these…
  1. Condescension
  2. Humiliation
  3. Transition
  4. Incarnation
  5. Association

The great question…why?
The hymns’ answers…for His people!
Behold your God!

‘Three developments’ (Ruth 4:1-22)

In the final chapter of the book of Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22), the final outcome of Ruth’s appeal to Boaz for proptection (and therefore marriage) is told. By the city gate where business transactions were carried out, Boaz deals with the man next-in-line to take over Elimelech’s property (which includes a marriageable young Moabitess). True to his word, Boaz carries through with the deal and marriage is followed by the birth of their son, Obed, and the family line is established that leads to David and, of course, to Jesus.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Tell Out My Soul
00:19 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:03 Bible reading: Ruth 4
Song: Worthy of All Praise
08:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:14 Catechism Questions 152-160
14:48 Bible reading: Matthew 1:1-6
Song: Jesus Thank You
Sermon: Ruth 4
Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel
16:05 Closing

Outline

• The story ends, but it’s more than a Hollywood movie!
• How will Elimelech have an heir?
• The problem presented and overcome
• See how the text speaks of these developments…

  1. The actions of a kind redeemer (v.1-10)
  2. The blessings of a broad covenant (v.11-12)
  3. The arrival of a welcome son (v.13-21)

God at work in the whole story!
The point of it all – to lead us to Jesus!

‘Three scenes’ (Ruth 3:1-18)

Great movies often use certain plotlines to make the story stand out among others, and the writer of the book of Ruth did also. in the third chapter (Ruth 3:1-18), the reader is given three scenes by which they might understand what is happening; and these three scenes cover the events in one 24 hour period. In the second of those scenes Ruth makes a move that could be interpreted to be something rather risky. It could all go so terribly wrong…but in the culture of the day, can also be viewed as something fuilled with faith and an appeal from a helpless woman to one who could redeem her. But will he?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:17 Introduction
00:32 Prayer
04:21 Bible reading: Ruth 3
Song: Jerusalem
07:14 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:41 Catechism Questions 146-151
12:40 Bible reading: Galatians 1:1-5
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Ruth 3
Song: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
13:22 Closing

Outline

• The story so far
• Can you hear wedding bells?
• The crucial next day
• See how the text speaks of these scenes in the story…

  1. The afternoon’s conversation (v.1-5)
  2. The evening’s liaison (v.6-13)
  3. The morning’s conclusion (v.14-18)

Wary of what’s ahead?
See Jesus … who gave Himself!

‘Three characters’ (Ruth 2:1-23)

After telling of Naomi and Ruth’s tragic loss and their eventual trip back to the land of Judah in Israel, the text of chapter two (Ruth 2:1-23) brings us face to face with three central characters. The two widows, Naomi and Ruth, and one man, new to the plot line of the story, Boaz, a wealthy landowner. While Naomi and Ruth’s plight has been noted, now there is a silver thread, a small shining light of hope introduced, and Boaz begins to notice and care for Ruth. Could this be God’s plan for the continuation of the line of Elimelech?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
00:17 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
02:28 Bible reading: Ruth 2
Song: Be Unto Your Name
06:08 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:35 Catechism Questions 140-145
14:05 Bible reading: Romans 8
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: Ruth 2
Song: Teach Me Thy Way
15:07 Closing

Outline

• When and where we last met Ruth and Naomi
• How would they survive?
• The fields of Boaz…
• See how the text speaks of the characters in the story…

  1. Ruth the dutiful worker (v.1-3, 10, 17-18, 23)
  2. Boaz the generous protector (v.4-9, 11-16)
  3. Naomi the hopeful schemer (v.19-23)

Insignificant things…and the plans of our God!