Heavenly joy

Rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). There are many things that make us feel very happy. There are some things that make us feel very sad. When good things are happening to us, we feel happy. When bad things are happening to us, we feel sad. Our feelings can take us …

Jesus Christ is the Saviour of sinners.

Jesus Christ is the Saviour of sinners. We are not asked to make ourselves worthy before coming to the Saviour. If we could make ourselves worthy of God's love, there would be no need for a Saviour. Jesus Christ does not merely help us to save ourselves. He is the Saviour of sinners. Jesus did …

We were “far off.” Now, we have been “brought near.”

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). We were "far off." Now, we have been "brought near." "This is the Lord's doing; and it is marvelous in our eyes" (Psalm 118:23). Each and every one of us were like the prodigal son - …

Christ’s Love – Reaching Us, Changing Us And Growing In Us

In Luke 13:1-21, we see Jesus preaching, teaching and healing. At the heart of His ministry, there is love. The story of Jesus’ life on earth is an “old, old story.” It tells us about events which happened about 2,000 years ago. This story is still relevant to our life today. That is because it is …

When I was your age

It's easy to look back and remember what we want to remember - and forget what we want to forget. Making comparisons between what we were - decades ago - and what the younger generation is right now - this can be very dangerous! There can be a lot of pride in it. We can …

The one and only – the Son of God, the Saviour

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour." (Luke 4:19). What a remarkable …

Jesus – our living Saviour

"I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25). We read these words of faith and hope, and our thoughts move forward, from Job to Jesus. As we think of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, we recall the words of the angelic messenger: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. …

Let it be to me according to Your Word.

‘Let it be to me according to Your Word’ (Luke 1:38). When we ‘walk in the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:16, 22-23), God sees that it is ‘good’ (Micah 6:8). Let us ‘walk in the light’ (1 John 1:7). May the Spirit's ‘living water’ flow in us (John 7:39-39). This is the way of fruitfulness.

True worship is, always, more than just words. It is the offering of ourselves to the Lord.

Numbers 7:66-9:14; Luke 2:41-52; Psalm 35:11-18 At the time of the book of Numbers, worship took place in the Tent of Meeting. By the time of Jesus, worship took place in the Temple. The Passover was being celebrated in the Desert of Sinai in the days of Moses. The Passover was being celebrated in Jerusalem …

What power there is in the written Word of God!

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It …

A wonderful day

It was a wonderful day. It was a day of resurrection. It was a day of revelation. It was a day of rejoicing. Jesus came to two of his followers. He spoke with them. He spoke about the things that really matter. It was a day they would never forget. They had met the risen …

A day of great blessing

It was a day of great blessing. Jesus came to his disciples. He spoke to them of his death and resurrection: "The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day" (Luke 24:46). This was not the end of the blessing. This was just the beginning. The blessing was to be shared: …

The love of Christ: reaching out to us, and reaching out, through us, to other people

Christ died "not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). This is something which we, in the church, must never forget. When we are tempted to shut out 'the big, bad world', we must remember - Christ died "not for our sins only but also for …

The Kingdom Of God: Luke’s Gospel

It has been said that, in the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus as "the Friend of the friendless" (William Barclay, The Men, The Meaning, The Message Of The Books, p. 17). This is wonderful. Jesus is our Friend. We rejoice in this great message when we sing, "What a Friend we have in Jesus." …

We have not been saved because of our own righteousness. We’ve been saved by the grace of God.

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 12:1-34; Psalm 42:6b-11 As they entered the promised land, the people of God received this reminder of the undeserved grace of God - “It is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this land to possess” (Deuteronomy 9:6). In His free grace, God gave the land …

“What’s the world coming to?”, we ask. God turns our question on its head: “Christ is coming to the world.”

God is in control! Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Long before it happened, God had it planned (Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:2-3). As we approach Christ's Return, God still has His plan. He is still in control. The birth of Christ is not merely an event from the past. It is also a message for the …

The fire of the Holy Spirit: burning away our sin and brightening up our lives

Numbers 9:15-11:3; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 35:19-28 From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire” (Numbers 9:15). "Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp” (Numbers 11:1). “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in …

God’s Beloved Son – Jesus, Our Great Saviour

"A voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”" (Luke 3:22). What wonderful words about Jesus, our Saviour! He is God's beloved Son. He reveals God's love to us. What a great Saviour Jesus! - This is the great message that comes to us from Jesus' …

The story of Jesus comes to us from the past, and it leads us on to the future.

What kind of story is the story of Jesus? It's a story that comes to us from the past, from a long, long time ago. Is it a story that's to be left in the past? or Is it possible that it's more than a story from the past? Could it be that it's a …

It is your Father’s pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

Luke 12:1-34 ‘Do not fear...’(4): ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’(Romans 8:31). Acknowledge Christ or deny Him (8-9): Let your choice be clear - ‘Christ means everything to me’(Philippians 1:21). Do you want to confess Christ? - Here’s a great promise for you: ‘the Holy Spirit will teach you in that …

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

"The Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”" (Luke 5:30-32). The …

Jesus Is Our Saviour. He Is, Also, Our Lord.

Luke 19:1-48 Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem (9:51; 13:22; 17:11), the place where He would be crucified for the world’s salvation. ‘Passing through’ Jericho, He brought ‘salvation’ to Zacchaeus (1, 9). ‘Near to Jerusalem’, He spoke about service (11-27). Jesus is our Saviour - He came ‘to save us’(10). He is also our …

Let us press on to know the Lord and enjoy His blessing.

Numbers 13:26-14:45; Luke 4:14-37; Psalm 36:1-12 In Numbers, there were those who grumbled against the Lord and those who pressed on to know the blessing of the Lord. In Jesus’ time, there were those who despised the Him and those who received the “good news” with gladness. What a difference there is between the two: “See …

Listening to the Word of God

Numbers 15:1-16:35; Luke 4:38-5:16; Psalm 37:1-9 In Numbers, we read much of the way of opposition to the Lord and His Word. It is a way that leads to judgment. There is, however, a better way. It is the way of “listening to the Word of God” (Luke 5:1). Which way are we to choose? …

God sees us as we really are – and he keeps on loving us.

"For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others" (Ecclesiastes 7:22).  "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" (Romans 2:1).  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector "Also …

The Call Of Love

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... " (Luke 13:34-35) This is the call of love. In love, Christ is reaching out to us. In love, He's calling us to come to him.

Are we listening to the Lord – or are we listening to the world?

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to give me my share of the inheritance that our father left us.” Jesus said to him, “Who appointed me to be your judge or to divide your inheritance?” He told the people, “Be careful to guard yourselves from every kind of greed. Life is …

Large Harvest, Few Workers

"He told them, 'The harvest is large, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.'" (Luke 10:2).  A large harvest, few workers: what do we do? - "Ask the Lord ... " "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).

Jesus is taken up into heaven. The Holy Spirit is given to us.

Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47 or 93 or Daniel 7:9-14; Psalm 24:7-10; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53 Jesus is taken up into heaven. The Holy Spirit is given to us. We read, in John 7:39, that ‘the Spirit’ would not be ‘given’ until Jesus was ‘glorified.’ Now, as Jesus was about to be ‘taken …

Cleansed from sin and on fire for the Lord

Numbers 29:12-31:24; Luke 8:19-39; Psalm 39:1-13 Numbers 31:22-24 emphasizes the importance of cleansing. The healing of the demon-possessed man, in Luke 8, emphasizes the power of Christ to cleanse even the most sinful of people. To be cleansed from sin involves an act of the will on our part - “I will watch my ways …

From conflict to triumph

Deuteronomy 30:11-31:29; Luke 19:11-44; Psalm 48:1-8 A comparison may be made between Israel’s entry into the promised land and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Ahead of both, there lay conflict, but beyond the conflict, there was triumph. Their triumph is the triumph of God – “As we have heard, so have we seen in the city …

In Christ’s Suffering Is Our Salvation.

Luke 22:1-38 Jesus’ enemies were ‘religious’ men but they were not God’s men (2). Behind the scenes, there was the activity of ‘Satan’(3). He ‘disguises himself as an angel of light’- Judas Iscariot was ‘one of the twelve’! (3; 2 Corinthians 11:14). In reality, Satan is ‘a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour’(1 Peter 5:8). …

Jesus Loves You. Let Him Save You. Let His Love Change You.

Luke 10:1-37 Christ’s message - ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’(9) - calls for our response - hearing with faith or rejecting in unbelief (16). Where does this response of faith come from? - From God: He reveals Himself to us (21). Questions: Why do we ask them? - ‘to put Jesus …

The Name of Jesus

January 1: The Naming of Jesus – Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 8; Galatians 4:4-7 (or Philippians 2:5-11); Luke 2:15-21 His Name was called JESUS (Luke 2:21). Christmas is over – but let’s not forget Jesus. He is still here. He is still with us. He is for New Year’s Day as well as Christmas Day. He …

A New Year Sermon: Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:21-40

Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:21-40 We begin with a thought for the New Year. It's from Warren W. Wiersbe - "What good is it for us to add years to our life if we don't add life to our years?" Now, let's look together at two parts of the Christmas story which are often overlooked. (1) Matthew 2:13-23 …

Sermons on Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:1-4)

Luke 1:1-4 We begin with the first four verses of Luke’s Gospel. In our first look at Luke’s Book, we ask four questions: (1) What is Luke’s story about? (2) Where did Luke get his story from? (3) How are we to read Luke’s story? (4) What can we learn from Luke’s story? —– (1) …

Sermons on Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:5-25)

Luke 1:5-25 In the Gospel of Luke, the central character is Jesus Christ. Before the Name of Jesus appears in Luke 1:31, we read of John the Baptist who paved the way for Jesus. In the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we remember a man whose name was given to him by God. The man’s …

Sermons on Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:26-38)

Luke 1:26-38 * At the beginning, we see God’s initiative (Luke 1:26). * At the end, we see Mary’s response (Luke 1:38). * In the centre, we see Jesus (Luke 1:31). —– We see here a picture of the Christian faith and the Christian life. * “In the beginning, God” (Genesis 1:1). * We say …

A song of praise – it comes from the Lord, and it rises to the Lord (Sermon – Luke 1:39-56).

Luke 1:39-56 While at Elizabeth’s house, Mary praised the Lord. Her song of praise comes from the Lord and rises to the Lord. At the heart of this song of praise, there is the “Saviour” – “my soul rejoices in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47). Mary’s song of praise is both a joyful testimony and a …

Jesus is more than a “lovely baby”. He is our wonderful Saviour!

Luke 1:26–38 No ordinary child! Jesus would be special - very special! This was the message the angel brought to Mary - ‘He will be great…the Son of the Most High…the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God’ (32,35). We celebrate the birth of a child. How much more should …

“The hand of the Lord was with him” – Sermons on Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:57-66).

Luke 1:57-66 * “The hand of the Lord was with him” (Luke 1:66).  The words of Hebrews 11:4 – “he died, but through his faith he is still speaking” provide us with an apt description of John the Baptist. He belongs to the distant past, yet his words continue to speak to us today. * …

Sermons on Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:67-80)

Luke 1:67-80 Prior to the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, there was the birth of John the Baptist. At the time of John’s birth, his father, Zechariah, sang a song of praise to God. It is a song of praise which (a) gives thanks to God for His blessings in the past; …

Loving Jesus And Living For Him

"Be ready... Be ready... " (Luke 12:35,40). When Jesus returns, we are to be ready. This doesn't mean that we need to have all the answers to all the questions that can be asked about his return. It means that we're to be waiting for him in faith. We're to be loving him and living …

Trust Christ. He’ll never fail you.

Luke 13:1-35 Jesus stresses the need for both repentance (Luke 13:1-5) and the fruits of repentance (Luke 13:6-9). God’s Word, planted in our hearts at conversion, is to bear fruit. This requires continual repentance and faith (Colossians 2:6; Galatians 3:1-5). Don’t put it off till tomorrow! Today is ‘the day of salvation’. Don’t ‘neglect’ God’s …

Hearing the Gospel, believing in Christ and being saved

Luke 9:1-27 It was a short mission (1-6) - short but important! They were being trained for future work. There and then, people were hearing the Gospel, believing in Christ and being saved. There was opposition (7-9): There’s always plenty of that - ‘We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us’(Romans 8:37). There …

Christ In All The Scriptures

Luke 24:13-53 ‘In all the Scriptures’, Jesus teaches ‘the things concerning Himself’(27). Do ‘our hearts burn within us... while He opens to us the Scriptures?’(32). He calls us to be His ‘witnesses’, to preach His message of salvation ‘to all nations’(47-48). Before we can preach, we must listen to Him. Before we can proclaim His …

First Sunday after Christmas Day: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7 (or Philippians 2:5-11); Luke 2:22-40 – The Name of Jesus is Good News. It tells us of the Saviour’s love.

First Sunday after Christmas Day: Isaiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7 (or Philippians 2:5-11); Luke 2:22-40 The Name of Jesus is Good News. It tells us of the Saviour’s love. ‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me... to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour’ (Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus has fulfilled these words (Luke …

A short journey – and a long journey…

In Luke 2, we read about the shepherds. Their journey to Bethlehem was a short journey. In Matthew 2, we read about the wise men. Their journey to Bethlehem was a long journey. Some people find their way to the Lord after many years of wandering. Others find him, early in life. Whatever our journey …

Many prophets and kings, one Saviour

“Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it” (Luke 10:23-24). There is a progression, in Scripture, beyond the revelation given to Israel through the Old Testament prophets to …

No ordinary child!

No ordinary child! Jesus would be special - very special! This was the message the angel brought to Mary - 'He will be great...the Son of the Most High...the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God' (Luke 1:32,35). We celebrate the birth of a child. How much more should we …

Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) II – Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7), 8-20

God has given us ‘a new Name’. It is ‘the Name which is above every name’, the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 62:2; Philippians 2:9-11). Christ loves us. He has given Himself for us. He calls us His ‘Bride’ (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2, 9). Through faith in Christ, …

God has given us ‘a new Name’ – ‘the Name which is above every name’, the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) II – Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2: (1-7), 8-20  -  These readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. The same readings are suggested for Year B and Year C. God has given us ‘a new Name’. It is ‘the Name which is …

Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) I –Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)

Glory to God in the highest – our Saviour has come. The prophecy has been spoken - ‘To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...’. The prophecy has been fulfilled - ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord’. Jesus Christ …

Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us. Lord Jesus Christ, we would come to you.

Luke 2:1-20 'A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord' (11). The Name, 'Jesus', means 'Saviour' (Matthew 1:21). Focus your thoughts on Him: The Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a prayer to help you make your response to Him: 'Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us, You are one with us, Mary's Son. Cleansing our …

Good News of great joy for all nations and all generations

The Nativity of the Lord, Midnight: Isaiah 9:1-8; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 Good News of great joy for all nations and all generations The prophecy has been spoken - ‘To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...’. The prophecy has been fulfilled - ‘Today in the town of David a Saviour …

Let Christ be ‘born this day’ – in your heart!

Luke 2:1-20 God is in control! Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Long before it happened, God had it planned (1-7; Micah 5:2-3). As we approach Christ's Return, God still has His plan. He is still in control. The birth of Christ is not merely an event from the past. It is also a message for …

Glory to God in the highest – our Saviour has come.

Season of Christmas: Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day) I – Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14, (15-20)  - These readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. The same readings are suggested for Years B and C. Glory to God in the highest – our Saviour has come. The prophecy has been …

Jesus Christ – our Saviour and Lord

'A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord' (Luke 2:11). The Name, 'Jesus', means 'Saviour' (Matthew 1:21). Focus your thoughts on Him: The Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a prayer to help you make your response to Him: 'Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us, You are one with us, Mary's Son. Cleansing our souls …

So long ago and so far away! … Are the shepherds and wise men really so different from us?

The shepherds and the wise men seem so different from us! Everything seems so long ago and so far away! Are they really any different from us? Can we dare to forget the lessons we learn from the shepherds and the wise men? Some may say, 'It was different back then. Life was so simple. …

In the strength of the Lord

"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:16-17). The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit - this is …