Strengthened in love (A sermon on Ephesians 3:14-21 for Pentecost)

What is love?  Famously, a set of cartoons back in the 1980s offered the answer “love is…” with lots of examples.  Perhaps, given he  was not too sure himself at the time and what was to follow, they were unwise in one suggestion “Love is Charlie and Di” We might suggest that love is our… Continue reading Strengthened in love (A sermon on Ephesians 3:14-21 for Pentecost)

Pentecost

Today is Pentecost Sunday. This is the day when we remember the Holy Spirit being given to the Church. We don’t want this to be a mere historical memorial. Christians today, who have received Christ have received the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that our local churches and each one of you will know his… Continue reading Pentecost

The Church United

If Ephesians is about God’s purpose for his people, then this means that a central focus is on the church. In fact one of the ways that we might express Paul’s overall theme is that God’s people should be united together in love to Christ first and then to one another as his beautiful body.… Continue reading The Church United

The Gospel in Ephesians

At the heart of all of Paul’s letters is the Gospel. It was clearly his belief that a restating of how and why we are saved is what we need if we are to live godly lives.  This is true in Ephesians as well.  Whilst some of his themes, most notably justification are not mentioned… Continue reading The Gospel in Ephesians

Tim Keller’s legacy

We are coming up to the first anniversary of Tim Keller’s death and so this is perhaps a good opportunity to reflect on his life and contribution to the work of the Gospel.   Keller planted a thriving church in New York before going on to develop a wider international speaking and writing ministry.  I’m sure… Continue reading Tim Keller’s legacy

Training Elders

Tim Suffield writes here on the importance of training elders.  I don’t really have much to add to what he has to say.  I agree with him that we should train and equip all elders at a church, whether they are on staff or not. I agree with him that this is not first and… Continue reading Training Elders

When people know nothing at all about Jesus

On a Friday afternoon, a group of us from our church get together at a local pub for one of our small groups.  The approach is “Ask anything?” Sometimes one of the group will raise a question that’s been bothering them but if not, the group leader will put forward a question to get us… Continue reading When people know nothing at all about Jesus