How do you help a church to receive a good healthy balanced diet of Bible teaching? Well here are some thoughts I have based on experience. I think that the crucial thing is not to over think it. We tend to over think it when we spend a lot of time worrying about whether or… Continue reading How would I structure a church preaching programme
Author: faithrootsdw
Moving In
We’ve moved home a couple of times. We’ve never built our new home from scratch. I probably don’t need to tell you that. However, each move means careful planning, getting measurements, choosing furniture, assembling shelves, hanging curtains etc. The Israelites would one day move into “God’s place”, the promised land. In the meantime, during their… Continue reading Moving In
Romans 6:1-4
Paul’s interim conclusion has been that the Law has increased sin, increased the trespass or transgression. He has also said that this is good because where sin increases, so does grace. Does this mean that we have an excuse, a justification even for continuing to sin? Does what we do matter if we are forgiven… Continue reading Romans 6:1-4
Rebellion
There is now an interruption to the instructions that YHWH is giving to Moses on Sinai. Whilst Moses was meeting with God on the mountain, trouble was brewing in the camp below. Aaron would be tested, how would he respond? “Make us gods” The people observe that Moses is taking time to return from Sinai. … Continue reading Rebellion
A sign and a sending
One of the things I try to do every so often is share sample sermons to give you a feel for how to approach different types of preaching contexts. This was the conclusion of an all age worship service and so acts as kind of summing up. Much of the expository work was done through… Continue reading A sign and a sending
Patterns in Romans 5
In Romans 5, we see a few intentional patterns at worth through repeated phrases. First there is the idea of “much more.” If we were “redeemed by his blood”, then “much more” will we be saved…from wrath” (v9). If enemies were “reconciled by his death” then “much more will we be saved by his life”. … Continue reading Patterns in Romans 5
Why does Paul say that the law came to increase our wrongdoing?
Paul’s statement in Romans 5:20 seems surprising, strange and counter intuitive even. We expect him to tell us that the Law came to constrain and reduce the impact of sin and wrongdoing by teaching us how to live and by creating sanctions for and deterrents against wrongdoing. However, he insists not just that the Law’s… Continue reading Why does Paul say that the law came to increase our wrongdoing?
Why had the woman at the well had five husbands?
Jesus meets a woman at a well and asks her for water. Then, when she expresses surprise at a Jew asking her for water, he offers her living water. When he tells her to get her husband, she explains that she cannot and he confirms she has spoken the truth. She has in fact had… Continue reading Why had the woman at the well had five husbands?
What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
We tend to preach through books of the Bible like Romans taking short passages at a time. That’s understandable and necessary because there is much deep and rich material to cover. However, it is also helpful from time to time to take a step back and look at the whole big picture to see the… Continue reading What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
When tragedy hits
The news from the Big Church Festival is devastating. On Friday afternoon a large sign collapsed possibly due to strong winds. The festival was paused as news emerged of at least six injuries. Then later in the evening police sadly confirmed that a 41 year old man had been killed. The story was reported on… Continue reading When tragedy hits
