The Gospels introduce both to what Jesus did and what he said. A significant proportion of that teaching is grouped together in both Matthew and Luke at around about this point either under the heading of “The Sermon on the Mount” when referencing Matthew or “The Sermon on the Plain” (Luke). I believe both accounts… Continue reading The Big Preach
Posts
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
Heralded
Luke 3. Our next Jesus and the Gospels podcast installment
Criticism can be personal
In an article identifying “eight essential qualities of pastors who love their jobs”, Sam Rainer identifies the second one as “They don’t take criticism personally”. On one level, I agree with this if by it, he means that you need to hear all the critiques without taking it too much to heart. There can be… Continue reading Criticism can be personal
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
The leadership course
A few years back, I put together a short course to help people considering involvement in church/Christian leadership. I’ve shared it on our resources pages and it is available for free if you would like to make use of it in your church.
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
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