The Resurrection | Peace on Earth

The Resurrection | Peace on Earth (Luke 24: 36-49)

What does Jesus' death and resurrection mean? How should we live in light of the resurrection? Cherry blossoms are a symbol of a brand-new start. But the season is very short. After about two weeks, the blossoms start to fall. Similarly, human life is very short. We were made from dust. and to dust we return. But Jesus' resurrection changes everything! We were made to know Jesus and make Him known during our short journey on earth. This is what gives new meaning to our lives. So, from our passage, we'll see that:- a Jesus brings peace between God and us. bi Jests opens our minds to understand the scriptures. c) Jesus empowers us by His Spirit as witnesses.

Praying For One Another

Praying For One Another | James 5:13-20

How do you respond to personal suffering? Is your first impulse to pray? How about when you are cheerful? Does it lead you to sing praise? The Christian life is full of ups and downs. It is a roller coaster of suffering and happiness. Here, James is writing to a church that was suffering economic persecution and oppression. And James is very practical. He shows that the entire Chrisian life is filled with prayer. And that love is shown by caring for one another in prayer. So, in our passage, we'll see the church that: a) Intercedes for one another. b) Confesses to one another. c) Restores one another.

Songs In The City Of God

Songs in The City of God | Isaiah 26: 1-12

In ch. 12, we saw that Isaiah was given a vision of when Israel sang joyous songs of deliverance. Here in ch. 26, we see another song of victory sung in the city of God. Seven times in ch. 24-27 Isaiah uses the phrase "on that day" or "in that day." What will happen "on that day? In our passage, we'll see:- a) Those who enter the strong city of God. b) Those who fall in the lofty city of man. c) Those who see the gracious works of God.

The Wells Of Salvation

The Wells of Salvation | Isaiah 12: 1-6

We saw the rise of God's kingdom with the Messiah reigning as King over all the earth (in ch. 11). And here, Isaiah is given a vision of when Israel experiences final deliverance from God. What will happen on that day? When God's people are regathered (ch. 11: 11) they will sing joyous songs of salvation. So from our passage, we'll see that: a) God's grace is personally received. b) God's grace is richly enjoyed. c) God's grace is loudly proclaimed.

Beloved: Love One Another

Beloved: Love One Another | 1 John 4: 7-13

What is the deepest longing of the human heart? What is everyone looking for in this world Everyone is longing for perfect love. John says in v. 18, "perfect love casts out fear." Have you experienced that kind of love? In this letter, John has been talking about love everywhere. In chapter 2, he talked about love as the fruit of fellowship with God. In chapter 3, love is the evidence of our sonship with God. Now in chapter 4, John turns to the source of love. So, in our passage, we'll see that: a) Love is the sign of belonging to God. b) Love is displayed on the cross of Christ. c) Love is practised among God's people.

Nearer To Jesus And One Another

Nearer To Jesus And One Another | Hebrews 10:19-25

Is there a growing desire to draw near to Jesus and to one another? Back in ch. 3: 1, the writer had said, "Consider Jesus." This entire letter shows the superiority of Christ to the Old Testament sacrifices and rituals (chs. 3-10). Now, in v.19-25, we find three exhortations to draw near to God, to hold fast to our hope, and to encourage one another. And this is all based on what Jesus has done, is doing and will do for us! So in our passage, we'll see: a) The confidence to enter God's presence. b) The call to draw near with a true heart. c) The call to encourage one another.

Amazed By The Authority Of Jesus

Amazed By The Authority of Jesus | Luke 5:17-26

When was the last time you were amazed at Jesus? Many of us have stories of how others introduced us to Jesus. Here, we see a group of men bringing a paralyzed man while Jesus was teaching. Despite the crowd and the obstacles before them, these men were very determined to bring their neighbour to Jesus. But there was also a large religious group who were listening and unhappy with Jesus. So, in our passage, we're going to see what it means to be: a) Brought before Jesus. b) Forgiven by Jesus. c) Amazed by Jesus.

Denying Self And Following Jesus

Denying Self and Following Jesus | Matt. 16: 21-28

We saw in 2 Timothy 3, that in "the last days" people will be characterised by self-love. Today, we turn to Matthew 16: 21-28, where Jesus' famously said to His disciples to "deny" the self. So what does it mean to deny the self in an age of self-love? To answer that, we see in our passage: a) Jesus shows the meaning of His work. b) Jesus calls us to take up our cross. c) Jesus will return in glory to repay us.

Enduring Sound Teaching

Enduring Sound Teaching | 2 Timothy 4: 1-8

As we continue our series on Gospel Living, we turn to 2 Timothy 4: 1-8 titled "Enduring Sound Teaching." Last week, we looked at ch.3, where Paul said that in "the last days" times of difficulty will come. We saw that times of difficulty are characterised by self-love. But here in ch. 4: 3 Paul says "a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching" and will turn away from listening to the truth. So from our passage, we're going to see: a) The call to endure sound teaching. b) The life poured out in selfless service. c) The reward that awaits us on that day.

Lovers Of Self

Lovers of Self | 2 Timothy 3: 1-17

As we begin a mini-series on Gospel Living in The Age of Self-Love, we turn to 2 Timothy 3: 1-17 titled "Lovers of Self." Why this title? In v. 1, Paul says to Timothy that in the last days times of difficulty will come. Remember that Paul had left him in Ephesus to strengthen the church (1 Tim. 1: 3). So what do we see in times of difficulty? We see that times of difficulty are characterised by self-love. In our passage, we'll see: a) A love for self above God's truth. b) A desire for godly life in Christ. c) A love God's Word above self.

The Clean For The Unclean

The Clean For The Unclean | Luke 5:12-16

Today, we'll be picking up where we left off in Luke. What need did you bring to church today? Here, a man full of leprosy heard that Jesus was in the city. So he came to Jesus! Can you imagine being approached by a leper in those days? Lepers were shunned by society and lived outside the camp of Israel. But Jesus is going to break the social, physical and religious barrier and touch this man in his place of need. So, in our passage we'll see: a) Jesus touches the unclean. b) Jesus is the source of cleansing. c) Jesus takes the place of the unclean.

You Must Be Born Again

You Must Be Born Again | John 3:1-15

What does it mean to be born again? When a baby is born we announce it publicly. Although birth is a labour, the new life that is brought into the world brings joy. Birthdays remind us that life is a gift. But what does it mean to be born again? "How can a man be born a second time?" This is the question that a man came to ask Jesus. So in our passage, we're going to see: a) Those who come to seek Jesus. b) Those who are born of the Spirit. c) Those who trust in the man from above.

Come You Who Thirst

Come You Who Thirst | Isaiah 55:1-11

Isaiah was written at a time when Assyria captured the northern kingdom of Israel (around 740- 695 BC). Isaiah also saw beyond his own lifetime the capture of Judah by Babylonia, in 586 BC. Now, ch. 55 comes at the end of what is called the "Book of Comfort" (ch. 40-55), addressed to exiles who were returning from Babylon. Here in v. 1, God is inviting those who are weary, discouraged, and exhausted to come to Him. So in our passage, we see that: a) God invites us to feast on Him. b) God promises us abundant pardon. c) God's Word falls on us like rain.

The Gospel Shaped Church

The Gospel Shaped Church | 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

How does the gospel shape how we approach church? As we saw last week, Paul was reminding the Thessalonian church to "build one another up" (in v. 11). Paul now shows what "building one another up" in the church looks like. He uses the word "brothers" five times (vv. 12, 14, 25, 26, and 27) because the gospel has made us into one tamily. And so, Paul here shows how the gospel shapes our attitude toward church leaders, other believers and Jesus' return. In our passage, we'll look at: a) Our attitude toward our leaders. b) Our attitude towards one another. c) Our attitude towards Jesus return.

Vanity Under The Sun

Vanity Under The Sun | Ecclesiastes 2:1-12

Traditionally, Solomon is identified as the writer, although Solomon's name does not appear in the book. In ch. 1: 1 it simply says, "the words of the teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." King Solomon had more wisdom, more wealth, more women and was more renowned than anyone else in his time. And here, he tells us his observations about life both from study and personal experience. So in our passage, we're going to see:- a) The futility of self-indulgence. b) The emptiness of possessions. c) The ultimate gain under the sun.

Furious Rage and God's Grace

Furious Rage and God's Grace | Jonah 4:1-11

We saw how Jonah obeyed when God's word came "for the second time" (in ch. 3: 1). After Jonah's preaching, the people of Nineveh had repented. And you would think Jonah would be rejoicing! But ch. 4 shows us that is not what happened! V. 1 says Jonah was very angry. Why was Jonah angry? What does our anger tell us about our understanding of God's grace? To answer that, we're going to see:- a) The root of self-righteous anger. b) The lesson of grace under the shade. c) The grace God extends to outsiders.

Responding To God's Word

Responding to God's Word | Jonah 3:1-10

We saw Jonah crying out to God in distress from the belly of the fish. And the fish had miraculously vomitted Jonah onto the dry land, as the Lord spoke to the fish. Is Jonah now ready to obey? Because the first time God's word came in ch. 1, Jonah ran away. And here v. 2 says "the word of the Lord came to Ionah for the second time." So how will we respond to God's Word today? In our passage, we'll see:- a) God's word that demands a response. b) God's word that brings God's justice. c) God's grace that leads to repentance.

The Coming Day Of The Lord

The Coming Day of The Lord | 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

What day is today? What time is it? What season is it? These are questions we frequently ask to prepare ourselves. But how do we prepare for Jesus' return? As we saw last week, Paul was comforting Thessalonians believers who had lost their loved ones. He now reminds them that the timing of Jesus' second coming is going to be a surprise. That the day of the Lord will come suddenly. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) Those who live with false peace at night. b) Those who walk as children of the day. c) Those who are destined for salvation.

Prayer From The Depths

Prayer From The Depths | Jonah 2:1-17

We saw how Jonah lived during the time of Jeroboam II the northern king of Israel (8th century BC). Jonah had run away from God's call to Nineveh. But God had disrupted his plans by sending a storm. By this time in our story, ch. 1: 17 says, "the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." So what is Jonah learning as he sinks deeper into his troubles? What is God showing us through Jonah's troubles? In our passage, we'll see:- a) The cry of distress to God. b) The misery of separation from God. c) The gratitude of salvation to God.

Running From God's Word

Running From God's Word | Jonah 1:1-17

We start a new series on the Book of Jonah. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. Jonah prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam Il the northern king of Israel. The events here are believed to have happened in 786-746 BC. Here in v. 1, the word of God came to Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh! But how does Jonah respond? How will we respond to God's call in this city? We see in our passage:- a) God's call to go into the city. b) God's holy disruption of our plans. c) God's grace that comes to our rescue.