The other Sunday at church, I was preaching on Luke 8. We went for it and covered the whole chapter with its big stories and its big signs. We might wonder what those miracles in the second part of the chapter have to do with the parables at the start. Well, it struck me that… Continue reading Letting God’s Word do its work in the light
Category: Bible Study
Why Pentecost is good news
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Fifty days after Easter, Acts 2 tells us that the disciples were gathered together when God’s Spirit came down filling the place and then. This was accompanied with dramatic signs: the building shook, a strong wind ripped through the place, the appearance of tongues of fire in their heads and the… Continue reading Why Pentecost is good news
The parable of The Sower with wide angled lens on
My dad used to have an SLR camera. It was novel in those days to have a camera where the view finder looked directly down the main camera lens. It also mean that he could switch between lenses. A telescopic lens enabled him to focus in on detail in the distance, a wide angled lens… Continue reading The parable of The Sower with wide angled lens on
Live or walk in Ephesians 4-5? How much does a word really matter?
A couple of times, I’ve seen discussion about whether or not we should translate Ephesians 4:1 as “ live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Or “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” The debate is about how we translate the word peripateo. The argument for “walk” is that… Continue reading Live or walk in Ephesians 4-5? How much does a word really matter?
Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?
This question has divided opinion even amongst reformed evangelicals and the differences go back to the early days of the Reformation. Whilst there seems to have been a particularly “pro-Sabbatarian amongst the Puritans, reflected in the Westminster Confession, a more continental approach tended towards the view that the Sabbath pointed forwards to our eternal rest… Continue reading Are Christians meant to keep the Sabbath?
The blessings of the ascension
The conclusion to Luke’s Gospel helps us answer two important questions. Where is Jesus? And in response to this, where are we meant to be? Where is Jesus? The simple answer is that he is ascended. He is now in heaven. It’s that little, overlooked but crucial day in the Church calendar, perhaps because it… Continue reading The blessings of the ascension
Time to celebrate? Another Sabbath factor
Something struck me from Graham Alexander’s comments after Bradford City got promoted. He was asked if it would be down to business for the next season on the following Monday. He said that no, the players would enjoy the civic celebrations, have a short holiday together.and observe the fire memorial. Then it would be back… Continue reading Time to celebrate? Another Sabbath factor
The baptism of Naaman
I wonder if you’ve ever preached on Naaman at a baptism service. Of course there could be a very cliched and unhelpful way of doing this, simply focusing on the fact that Naaman goes down into water and out again, baptism by immersion QED. You might end up with some iffy practical application there, Are… Continue reading The baptism of Naaman
More Faith
We are focusing more and more on the final journey into Jerusalem. Jesus will have joined the pilgrimage with those going up to the festival. This gave further opportunity for miracles, teazching and of course engagement with enquirers and opponents. 26.1 Read Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells another parable. Helpfully, Luke signposts at the start its… Continue reading More Faith
Finding your place in the best story (Luke 6:12-49)
My talk outline from last Sunday Did you spot that Luke has not just been telling us the story of Jesus? Two other stories …. “Blessed” -happy/favoured by God … I’m tempted to say “rested” Contrasted with woe Echoes of the blessings and woes/curses in Deuteronomy as the people are entering the land. It’s not… Continue reading Finding your place in the best story (Luke 6:12-49)
Faithroots 