Luke

‘The best way to celebrate and respond?’ (Luke 2:17-20)

AudioPhilip

There’s no doubt that the shepherds feature prominently in Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, especially so in Luke 2:8-20. The fact that the angels appeared to them and not Mary and Joseph must have had a purpose in God’s plan, and Luke likes to emphasize how utterly afraid they were because of their sudden appearance. But the shepherds soon became changed men as they realized that they had been chosen by the Lord to bear witness to the Messiah’s coming – which is just what they did.

Message

Outline

• The third in this series!
• Some big contrasts to note…
• When and how we get Christmas so wrong
• Consider the responses to the news and see them…

  1. Proclaiming it with zeal (v.17)
  2. Receiving it with awe (v.18-19)
  3. Believing it with joy (v.20)

Luke’s special focus…
How will you respond to the news?

‘Peace on earth?’ (Luke 2:14-16)

AudioPhilip

One of the most common misconceptions about the birth of Jesus, especially the words of the angels in Luke 2:14-16, is that ‘peace on earth’ would be automatic. Just looking around at the world in any era of history will tell you that this didn’t happen and never will. What was the message of ‘peace’ that the angels declared, and how is that peace to be found?

Message

Outline

• The second in this series!
• Major confusion on this one…
• Angels, shepherds and …. peace??
• Consider the words of the angels about peace and see…

  1. The proper giver of it (v.14)
  2. The vital conditions of it (v.14)
  3. The direct path to it (v.15-16)

War and peace…
What did the angels know? And what do we?

‘The Virgin Birth?’ (Luke 1:26-38)

AudioPhilip

There are all kinds of things to be confused about at Christmas, but we ought not be confused about is what to believe. The virgin birth of Jesus is at the heart of the Christmas message and the gospel. But how could it have happened? And of what the critics say about it? How can we understand and defend the truth of it in this modern world? Hopefully, this message will give both some assurances and answers.

Message

Outline

• The first in this series!
• All kinds of confusion
• Lots of questions, and that one question!
• Consider the critics who question the Virgin Birth and …

  1. The reality of it (v.34)
  2. The possibility of it (v.35)
  3. The necessity of it (v.35)

The uniqueness of Jesus…
The truth of the Scriptures…

‘Remembering Him’ (Luke 22:1-23)

AudioAndrew

In Luke 22, Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, saying, “Do this in remembrance of me”. As we gather again today to celebrate this meal in obedience to him – full of symbolism and scriptural allusions – what and who are we remembering?

Message

Outline

  • Life forever on earth?
  • Some comments on ‘being remembered’
  • How could Jesus ever be forgotten?
  • Is there more to remembering Him than remembering?
  1. The Old Covenant – remembered in repetition
  2. The New Covenant – remembered in symbol

The object of our faith
The test of our faith
The test of our remembering

‘The coming of the Messiah as told to…Mary’ (Luke 1:26-38)

AudioPhilip

When the angel Gabriel finally found the moment to meet up with Mary, his initial greeting to her was something Mary wasn’t prepared for. It seems as though the appearing of the angel to her was not the cuse of her discomfort, but the greeting and what it might mean for her. It certainly brought change. Far more change than she could ever have anticipated, but God was also in that change, and though she wondered ‘how?’, the angel could answer that question as well. As a result, Mary submitted herself to do God’s will and accepted the Lord’s promise to her that she would be the mother of the Messiah with a humble heart.

Message

Outline

• The third in this series!
• The dangers we face
• The text’s context…
• See how the text tells of …

  1. The unsettling greeting conveyed to her (v.26-30)
  2. The amazing details told to her (v.31-32)
  3. The welcome assurance shared with her (v.33-37)

Mary’s submissive response
Paul’s direct summary…

‘All of God’s free grace’ (Luke 18:9-14)

AudioPhilip

In this message, Rev Peter Phillips reminds us that in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14, Jesus gives us a very clear picture of how salvation is never earned or merited, but is always given freely by God to those who are undeserving. It is the not the self-righteous ‘good’ who make it in God’s eyes, but those who come to Him in complete humility and repentance. All this, is of course, a gift of God’s free grace.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:17 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
03:30 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 33:1-20
Song: We Are His People
08:31 Kids’ Talk – Colin Buchanan (with thanks to Compassion)
18:08 Bible reading: Luke 18:9-14
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: Luke 18:9-14
Song: Rock of Ages
19:19 Closing

‘God’s people have got talent!’ (or, the call to ‘multiply your minas’) (Luke 19:11-27)

AudioPhilip

This message was preached for the occasion of the celebration of the contribution of our organist, Mrs Jean Spicer, for nearly 70 years, something that is a great witness to the faithfulness of the Lord and the faithfulness He calls His people to. The central message of the parable Jesus told in Luke 19:11-27, is just that – faithfulness. Each of us are given gifts of grace by God that he exepcts us to use in the furthering of His Kingdom. Even Jesus was called upon to be faithful and it is by His faithfulness that we are richly rewarded. (The hymns chosen today are Jean’s favourites!)

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:20 Introduction
00:49 Prayer
06:59 Bible reading: Exodus 35-36
Song: To God Be the Glory
10:13 Interview With Jean
14:42 Bible reading: Luke 19:11-27
Song: The Day Thou Gavest
Sermon: Luke 19:11-27
Song: Take My Life
17:00 Closing

Outline

  • What to preach?
  • Trumpets, flutes and harps… but no organs?
  • A parable that applies to all of us
  • See in these verses…
  1. The setting of the parable (v.11)
  2. The characters of the parable (v.12-14)
  3. The conclusions of the parable (v.15-27)

What this means for the one who hears the parable…
What this meant for the one who told the parable…

‘The parable of the persistent widow’ (Luke 18:1-8)

AudioPhilip

This sermon on Luke 18:1-8 by guest preacher, Rev Peter Phillips, tackles some of the biggest questions in life. “Why is there injustice in the world? What is God doing about it? What should the response of God’s people be to injustice?” All these questions circle around us and pervade our society everyday and while it is easy to get waylaid by their pressing nature, this parable urges God’s people to prayer, patience and perseverance – all things that we need God’s help to do and do well!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Come Thou Almighty King
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
04:50 Bible reading: Psalm 10:1-18
Song: See Him Coming
07:09 Kids’ Talk
Song: Revelation 3:20
11:48 Bible reading: Luke 17:11-18:8
Song: By Faith We See the Hand of God
Sermon: Luke 18:1-8
Song: Be Still My Soul
15:56 Closing

‘The Graciousness of God’s Grace’ (Luke 17:1-10)

AudioAndrew

On what basis are we accepted before God? In Luke 17:1-10, Jesus says his followers are unworthy servants. God owes us nothing and we owe him everything because he has accepted us by grace through faith alone. Hearing him, the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith but they – and we – don’t need more faith so much as true faith. Having been forgiven, we forgive others – not to impress anyone but merely having “done what was our duty” (v10).