Sermons

Beware of blowing your own trumpet!

Judges 6-8

(Reading – chapter 6:33-7:21)

Gideon is the saviour who went from hiding in a winepress, to living like a king! 

 

He obeyed God, and saved Israel – but there were signs of trouble along the way.

 

There are lessons here for us to learn: 

–      look to God for salvation and for strength.

–      and beware of blowing your own trumpet..

–      .. when all glory belongs to Jesus.

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

 

The shape of Judges

Judges 1:1-3:6          Introduction to a cycle of rebellion, judgement, calling to God, God’s provision of a judge/saviour, a time of peace – then rebellion again.

 

Judges 3:6-16:31     “The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”.

 

Judges 17-21             “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”

Leaders who took the lead?

Judges 4:1-5:31

(Reading – chapter 4:1-5:2)

Judges chapter four is a story of:

• unexpected leaders
• reluctant and conditional obedience 
• a bitter-sweet victory 
• and God who remains sovereign over all

 

Judges chapter five, a victor’s song – reflects on the same events        

• praising leaders
• praising volunteers 
• praising God!    

 

Lessons to learn in a time of war and chaos …

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

The Story of Ehud: Satire & Salvation

Judges 3:7-31

  

Mocking the power of Israel’s enemies, exalting the power of Israel’s God. 

 

1. Israel serve “the calf”. (v12-14)

 

 

2. Israel receive a deliverer from the right tribe–with the wrong hand. (v15)

 

He delivers a tribute (v15-18)

 

He delivers a message (v19-20a)

 

He single-handedly slaughters the calf (v20b-26)

 

He delivers Israel from their enemies (v27-29)

 

3. Israel’s enemy is under their hand (v30)

(Preacher: Sam Hemming)

Scripture is the word of God… 3v16-17

… your job is to preach it 4v1-2

Three ways to be ‘different’:

• But you… have followed the apostle 3v10
• But you… continue in what you know 3v14
• But you… keep your head & do the work of an evangelist 4v5

Some words from a fellow Minister…

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Don’t abandon your God

Judes 2:6-3:6

Abandoning your God can happen quickly 2v6-10

Abandoning God is betrayal 2v10-13

Abandoning God provokes his anger 2v14-15

God shows patience & mercy to those who abandon him 2v16-18

Abandoning God only gets worse 2v19-3v6

Judges 2v6-3v6 reveals the need for a better Joshua

(Preacher: Sam Hemming)

 

Half Hearted?

Judges 1:1-2:5

Questions to ask as we read the Old Testament:

–      God: What does this passage teach us about God?

–      People: What can we learn about people?

–      Jesus: How does it help us understand and appreciate the Gospel of Jesus?

 

The ‘first’ introduction purposefully records events. (1:1-36)

 

Then gives God’s assessment of His people’s failure to fully trust and obey God.                                            (2:1-5)

      

And this gives us reason to pause and consider our own heart toward God, in the full light of the gospel of Jesus.

 

 

(Preacher: Steve Blencowe)

Sermon by Andrew Brown

The gift that really works!

Romans 5:12-21

 

“She’ll be right”?

 

Two “one for many” events which change everything:  

 

Adam’s transgression ruins everything…          (vv12-14)

 

…But Jesus’ gift fixes everything                      (vv15-21)

 

Are you pretending “she’ll be right”? Or do you know it is?

 

 (Preacher: Liam Black)

 God’s Hope Works 

Romans 5:1-11

   

Hope is risky. 

 

But God offers risk-free hope.

 

1. What is it?

  

2. Why is it guaranteed?

 

3. How do I get it?

 

A hope that doesn’t put us to shame. It’s yours. 

 

 (Preacher: Sam Hemming)

God’s Gift

Romans 4

 

Romans 1-3: The Gospel of Jesus reveals the undeserved gift of being right with God

Romans 4: Abraham is THE example of receiving the undeserved gift of being right with God

• Abraham was not declared right with God by works 

• or by circumcision     

• or through the law            

• Abraham was justified by faith        

Have you accepted the undeserved gift of being right with God?

 

 (Preacher: Steve Blencowe)