Ephesians 4:26-27: Anger management
Introduction: How does the devil destroy churches? If we were hit with an earthquake and all of our buildings were destroyed that would not undermine our standing and integrity as a church. It often happens...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 13: Amnon and Tamar: Part One
Outline Amnon’s lust Jonadab’s counsel Absalom’s hatred David’s permissiveness Introduction ‘The sword shall never depart from your house.’ This sword of God’s chastening hangs over David’s life as we move forward. The main way in...
in Romans
Romans 12:14: ‘Bless those who curse you.’
Outline Why we bless How we bless Introduction The Christian message of love is what sets it apart from all other ethical or religious teachings. This message of love can be boiled down to four...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 12: A sinner restored
Outline Burden of sin Repentance for sin Forgiveness of sin Chastisement for sin Introduction If you know you’re a sinner; if you know the heavy weight of sin, if you have a deep desire for...
in Romans
Romans 12:13: Meeting needs in the church
Outline What Why Introduction The true mark of an inner healthy spiritual life is an overflow in service to others. Paul has been calling upon us to stoke our hearts to be fervent and not...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba
Outline Preparations for sin Anatomy of sin Multiplication of sin Introduction There are only a handful of very famous sins in the bible, the fall of Adam and Eve, the betrayal of Judas, the denial...
in Romans
Romans 12:12: Suffering Survival Kit
Outline Rejoice in hope Patient in tribulation Constant in prayer Introduction ‘But man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward,’ these are the famous words of Job 5:7. Suffering is the inevitable portion...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 10: David defeats the Ammonites
Outline Hanun’s rejection Ammon’s defeat Joab’s faith Introduction 2 Samuel 10 reads like just another chapter out of the wars of the Ancient Near East. However, this chapter plays an important role in the life...
in Romans
Romans 12:11: Fervour
Outline Zealous fervour Spiritual fervour Directed fervour Introduction Try and read Romans 12:11 through a 21st century mindset. Think of the pluralistic political correctness that has to insist that all views are equally valid. Think...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 9: David and Mephibosheth
Outline David’s faithfulness Mephibosheth’s blessing Introduction If you had to pick the highlight of David’s life, what would you choose? Some might choose David as a young man slaying Goliath in defence of God’s honour;...
in Romans
Romans 12:11: Sloth
Outline The ant The garden The cartoons Introduction One of the seven deadly sins is sloth/laziness, or as the Latin has it, acedia. Why is it called a cardinal or deadly sin? We see that...
Reflections on the Nashville Statement
Introduction A few weeks ago a number of conservative evangelical leaders came up with the Nashville statement. It is a manifesto intended to summarise the traditional, biblical view on sexual identity. About 150 prominent evangelicals...
in Romans
Romans 12:10: Love one another
Outline Family love Family respect Introduction There are four words in the ancient Greek language for love. These words are agape; storge; philos and eros. Agape is usually used of God’s love, a love we...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 8: David’s administration
Outline David’s victories David’s worship David’s rule Introduction 2 Samuel 8 is one of those chapters that you would find unmemorable except that it might violate your modern sensibilities. Sandwiched in between the great chapters...
in Romans
Romans 12:9: Hate-Filled Christians
Outline God’s hatred Our hatred Introduction If I say the phrase, ‘hate-filled Christians’ we would probably think of some of the bigoted pastors who have featured on the news. For example, Steven Anderson, one reporter...
in 1 & 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 7: The Davidic Covenant
Outline David’s promise David’s praise Introduction One of the key things the covenants of the bible do is manifest the grace of God. To a greater or lessor extent God’s glorious grace is put on...