Categories Abortion A world without Down’s Syndrome? Abortion used to be a feminist issue Another silent killer Protecting the unborn child The unborn baby is a person Adam, Peter Expository, yet merely moralistic? Ministries of the word Moses the preacher Why expository preaching? Adoption From groaning to glory – sermon notes Heirs of God Life in the Spirit – sermon notes Quotes on adoption Thomas Watson on adoption To what does God adopt us? Adultery Love needs law Agnosticism Bertrand Russell’s strange collocation God, evolution, and Charles Darwin Three degrees of agnosticism Angels ‘Do not be afraid’ ‘The First-Born Seraph’ ‘This will be a sign to you’ – sermon notes Angels Angels and demons Angels do the will of God Genesis 6:1f – ‘The sons of God’ Is Satan a fallen angel? Matthew 18:10 – What about ‘guardian angels’? Of angels and men What do angels do? Annihilationalism A note on ‘aion’ in the LXX Aiōnios: duration, quality, or both? Grudem on annihilationalism How can heaven and hell co-exist eternally? Is hell for ever? Packer on eternal punishment Revelation 14:11 – ‘No rest day or night’ The book of life Anthropic Principle Goldilocks and the Moon Grayling and the fine-tuning argument Rare Earth? The anthropic principle The Goldilocks Effect Why is the universe so big? Why is the universe so old? Anti-Semitism 1 Thessalonians 2:14f – ‘The Jews, who killed Jesus’ Did the Gospels become increasingly anti-Semitic? Seven reasons to be pro-Semitic Apologetics ‘Immediately’ ‘Unapologetic’ “I am the light of the world” – sermon notes 16 bad atheist arguments Apologetics and World View April fools? Bias confirmation Biblical rationale for apologetics Biblical teaching on war Boghossian vs McGrew: faith and evidence Christ’s resurrection – Unbelievable? Christian missionaries – a story of oppression? Contending for the faith Craig, Strobel, Wilson, Denison, and Hitchens debate God’s Existence Disappointed with Jesus Does religion lead to violence? Evidentialist and presuppositionalist apologetics Exodus 12:37 – How many Israelites left Egypt? Explanation, Explanation, Explanation Extra-terrestrial life: theological perspective Fideism Five things science cannot account for Genesis or evolution: do we have to choose? God’s ‘two books’ Historical difficulties in the New Testament History is not bunk Hume and the argument from design If Jesus is the answer, what is the question? Is religious belief just a matter of cultural conditioning? Jesus’ apologetic methods Love Your Logic MY truth versus THE truth Myths and stories Once again: the legendary Wilberforce-Huxley encounter Presuppositionalist apologetics Science and scientism Stephen Law: anything but God Tactics The blind men and the elephant The body – a story of repression The destruction of the Canaanites The Gospels and eyewitness testimony – the use of names The historical reliability of the Gospels The influence of theology on science The Lewis ‘Trilemma’ revisited The Parable of the Three Rings The Sceptic’s Annotated Bible The teleological argument The television mind The Virgin Birth Thinking about natural disasters What should we do with Christianity’s exclusive truth claims? Where is God in a coronavirus world? See more ... Application A disaster class in application Application in preaching Doctrine and application Exposition must have application Moral application of the final judgment Sermon applications should be attitudinal as well as behavioural The components of sermon application Three levels of sermon application Archaeology of Bible Erastus of Corinth The Code of Hammurabi and the Law of Moses The Pilate inscription Where was Sodom? Ascension of Jesus ‘It is for your good that I am going’ – sermon notes Acts 1 Ascension of Christ Before and after – sermon notes (v2) Christ’s ascension – the Lamb upon his throne Christ’s exaltation Discussion Starters, Lk 24:50-52; Acts 1:6-11 Jesus – pre-existent or exalted divinity? The ascension of Christ The doctrine of the ascension The significance of Christ’s ascension Why it’s good that Jesus left Assisted Suicide Assisted suicide? – no thanks Sir Edward Downes and assisted suicide Assurance Assurance to be desired Faith and assurance Quotes on assurance See more ... Atheism ‘The biblical concept of God evolved from polytheism to monotheism’ ‘The biblical God requires child sacrifices for his pleasure’ “If there is no God, then everything is permissible” “If there is no God, then life has no meaning” “Science is no substitute for religion” “The biblical God commanded genocide” “There’s probably no God…” An Atheist Finds God Antony Flew, 1923-2010 Atheism: terrible, if true Atheisms Brideshead Unvisited Contradictory texts, bizarre miracles, man-made myths? Darwin and a Godless universe Dawkin’s God Did he really say that? Do atheists exist? Evangelicals and child abuse (?) Genes: masters or slaves? God bless the ‘Sunday Assembly’ God or Godless? Has neuroscience killed God? Has science eliminated God? Has science got rid of God? Is God the Ultimate Boeing 747? Is Richard Dawkins still evolving? Out of the mouth of…Christopher Hitchens Religion as ‘wish-fulfilment’ Science: the last nail in God’s coffin? Stephen Hawking and the God of the Gaps Suffering and the existence of a God of love Ten virtues for atheists The Christian revolution – putting the record straight The Curious Case of Madalyn Murray O’Hair The Hitchens Challenge The trouble with Dawkins There’s probably no bus… To atheism – and back again Top Audio Downloads on Atheism and Christian Faith Which God don’t you believe in? Why an atheist says, ‘We must rekindle our religion’ See more ... Atonement ‘A ransom for many’ – sermon notes ‘God is love, and…’ A demonised boy healed – sermon notes Atonement – a many-faceted diamond Atonement: theories or images? Biblical foundations of penal substitution 1 – Exodus 12 Biblical Foundations of Penal Substitution 2 – Leviticus 16 Biblical foundations of penal substitution 3 – Isaiah 53 Biblical foundations of penal substitution 4 – Mark Biblical foundations of penal substitution 6 – Romans Biblical Foundations of Penal Substitution 7 – Galatians Can guilt be transferred? Carson on ‘The Lost Message of Jesus’ Giles Fraser: “The Death of Christ was not a Sacrifice” Glorying in the Cross of Christ How can God forgive us? Images of salvation Is healing in the atonement? Justification – a peripheral doctrine? Matthew 27:46/Mark 15:34 – Jesus’ cry of dereliction Must God punish sin? Objections to Penal Substitution 1 – Bible Objections to Penal Substitution 2 – Culture Objections to penal substitution 3 – violence Objections to penal substitution 4 – justice Objections to penal substitution 5 – God Objections to penal substitution 6 – the Christian life On trial – sermon notes Paul’s view of the Cross Reconciliation Redemption Satisfaction for sin The centrality of the Cross The Cross in the Book of Acts The Day the Revolution Began The doctrine of the atonement The excellency of knowing Christ crucified The Passover – sermon notes The self-substitution of God The Significance of the Last Supper The triumph of the Cross We must preach Jesus Why boast in the Cross of Christ? Why did Christ die? Audio Carson on open theism Is the Old Testament Ethical? Listen to this – the remarkable story of Henry Gerecke Recommended audio: Christians You Should Know Top Audio Downloads on Christianity & Islam Top Audio on Emerging Church Top Ten Podcasts Wright on Romans in a Day See more ... Authority Spiritual authority The authority of Christ The authority of the gospel Baptism 1 Corinthians 15:29 – ‘Baptized for the dead’ Baptised in the sea – sermon notes Baptism Bauckham, Richard Jesus and the Eyewitnesses Male and female disciples in Mark’s Gospel The case of the rotting fisherman The plural-to-singular narrative device in Mark’s Gospel The psychology of eyewitness testimony The reliability of recollective memory The twelve disciples as ‘official’ eyewitnesses Baxter, J. Sidlow Preachers and their preaching – J. Sidlow Baxter Bible ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 2 “Aha” moments that challenged beliefs about the Bible An evangelical approach to the Bible Approaching Bible ‘contradictions’ Are the Gospels reliable? Barnabas – ‘Son of Encouragement’ Be a better tour guide Christ and the Bible Christ the theme of Scripture Christian scholarship needs Christian faith Evangelical Biblical Illiteracy Figures of speech Gospel spirituality Great Texts of the Bible – Hebrews 13:8 How about preaching a Bible overview? How does Christ rule his church? How our view of the gospel affects our reading of Scripture Inspiration and criticism Inspired in the smallest detail Interpretation of Old Testament narratives Introduction to the Wisdom books James Orr on ‘Inerrancy’ Jesus in the Proverbs Misreading Scripture N.T. Wright on Inspiration Not cleverly invented stories – sermon notes On loving the person and propositions of Jesus On reading the Bible On spiritualising Problems with inerrancy Pseudonymity Quotes on the Bible Rescuing the Bible from its friends Satire Scripture and tradition Scripture as the word of God Scripture: three steps forward, two steps back? Seventy times seven – sermon notes Significance of names in the Bible Steve Chalke and the Bible Synagogue worship Taking it to extremes Ten ways in which we subtly undermine the authority of Scripture The authorship of the Pastoral Epistles The Bible a Human Book The Bible in Action The Bible is not a book The Bible vs. the Ikea Catalogue The Christian and the Bible – sermon notes The Codex Sinaiticus: rival to the Bible? The incomparable Word of God The Minor Prophets as a football team The sufficiency of Scripture The teacher The tyranny of scholarship The unity of the Bible – sermon notes The waning influence of the Bible The Word of God and revival The world’s favourite Bible verses Warnings What about inerrancy? What church-goers think of the Bible What the word of God says about the word of God See more ... Bible and Science Adam: a historical figure? How (not) to interpret the Book of Revelation The Bible and science The genealogical Adam and Eve Understanding the plagues – can science help? See more ... Birth of Jesus Discussion Starters, Lk 2:1-21 How (not) to preach a Christmas sermon Luke 2:7 – ‘No room at the inn’ Matthew 1 Matthew 2:2 – The star of Bethlehem Preach this Christmas Top ten Christmas conversation starters Virgin Birth – scriptural attestation When, and where, was Jesus born? See more ... Blomberg, Craig Blomberg on Wright on justification Craig Blomberg on ‘Inerrancy’ Oral tradition and the Gospels Seven Synoptic ‘Problems’ The exceptionality of healing What the Bible teaches about material possessions Call From what are we called? To what are we called? Calvin, John ‘Myths About Calvinism’ A Unitarian ‘miracle’? Calvin and the (in)errancy of Scripture Calvin as a Commentator Calvin on ‘common grace’ Calvin on divine providence Calvin on spiritual warfare Calvin: nine preaching engagements Do we have ‘free will’? John Calvin – an appreciation My Favourite Christian Writers Original sin Portrait of Calvin Preachers and their preaching – John Calvin The ‘perfect preacher’? The threefold use of the law Calvinism and Arminianism “Your God is my devil” Can we say, ‘Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away’? Conditional election Five Points – of Arminianism and of Calvinism Foreknowledge Molinism – the doctrine of middle knowledge Notes on the doctrine of election Re-imagining TULIP Spurgeon on divine predestination and human responsibility Wayne Grudem on election Why Scott McKnight kissed Calvinism good-bye See more ... Carson, D.A. Approaching the Gospels Beware the disjunctive fallacy! Biblical words for ‘love’ Can we know God? – sermon notes Carson on McLaren Carson on the extent of the atonement Dig Those Plausibility Structures Exegetical fallacies Guides to Commentaries He stooped to conquer How should we refer to the Saviour? Is God’s love unconditional? Justification in Luke’s Gospel Motivational appeal in evangelistic preaching Pluralism and its impact Tabernacle and temple in the Bible story The difficult doctrine of the love of God The Gospel is about what God has done, not what we do The Ironies of the Cross The kingdom of God The old tolerance and the new Thoughts on ‘spirituality’ See more ... Chalke, Steve ‘The Lost Message of Paul’ – a synopsis Christ, or the Bible? Colossians 1:19f – Universal reconciliation? Steve Chalke on ‘eternal punishment’ Steve Chalke on ‘faith’ Steve Chalke on ‘pistis Christou’ Steve Chalke on ‘salvation’ Steve Chalke on ‘the wrath of God’ Steve Chalke on ‘total depravity’ Steve Chalke on the neuropsychology of ‘sin’ See more ... Chapell, Bryan How to begin a sermon How to end a sermon See more ... Characters of Bible Were the patriarchs real people? Charismata Aim high, dig deep, build together – sermon notes Are all the spiritual gifts for today? Incidental references to ‘spiritual gifts’ in Paul’s letters Prophecy and authority Signs and wonders today? Spiritual gifts – why some people are cautious The gift of prophecy – historical notes Charismatic Movement Baptism in the Holy Spirit Charismatic questions Pentecostalism, baptism in the Spirit and revival Physical and emotional phenomena of revival Problems associated with revival Prophets today? Should Everyone Speak in Tongues? The miraculous element in revival (I) The miraculous element in revival (II) Two Cheers for the Charismatic Movement See more ... Children “Let the little children come to me” – sermon notes 1 Corinthians 7:14 – Sanctified spouses, holy children 50 maxims for men 50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 2 Age of admission to the Lord’s Supper Children and Communion Children and Communion 2 Children need fathers Children need parents who are married Children’s Letters to God Education in Israel Jesus’ attitude towards children Quotes on Children Salvation of infants Should children choose their gender? The child in Jesus’ teaching Train a child Ungodly children of godly parents What Jesus did for children What to say to Christian boys See more ... Christian Life ‘A better story’ – 12 Abide in Christ Am I a builder, or a wrecker? Be bold! Be fruitful – sermon notes Best supporting act – sermon notes Confession Conscience Criticising others Experimental knowledge Friendship Gifts Gospel paradoxes Honesty How adversity can promote fruitfulness Hurrah for politicians and taxes! – sermon notes In what sense are Christians ‘not under law’ (Romans 6:14)? Leisure and lifestyle Listen! Love of self Motives for obedience Our daily warfare Passive graces Pilgrim’s Progress and the Bible Puritans on Pride Quotes on Good Deeds Quotes on humility Recovering the wonder of Christ(mas) Self-inquiry Simplicity Spiritual decay Spiritual warfare – sermon notes Talking, planning – sermon notes The Christian race – sermon notes The cost of discipleship – sermon notes The dangers and benefits of reading The doctrine of Christ’s return affects everything in the Christian life The fight The healthy Christian life The heart The reduced Screwtape Thoughts on growing old Thoughts on money Three words of warning – sermon notes Time for God? Toolbox for Skillful Shepherding Unmasking our self-sufficiency Watch your mouth Work See more ... Christian Mind Human wisdom in 1 Corinthians Play The Christian mind See more ... Christian unity Unhappy birthday See more ... Christianity ‘Not only…but also’ – sermon notes ‘You are the Christ’ – sermon notes A living hope – sermon notes Cake decoration for beginners Christ and culture Grace and truth illustrated Harvest – God’s part and ours Heaven Israel: Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfilment Jesus – God’s Promised King Kingdom righteousness – sermon notes Modernising Jesus Nehemiah: keep serving – sermon notes Passionate about justice – sermon notes Quotes on law Quotes on the Gospel Quotes on the Incarnation Returning King – sermon notes The Christian and the Pharisee The gospel according to Paul The rich young ruler – sermon notes 2 Who is Christianity for? Yesterday, today and for ever – sermon notes See more ... Christmas ‘Most of the Christmas story is legend’ ‘The Nativity’ – too much doubt, not enough joy An interview with Joseph – ‘sermon’ notes Anna – a meditation Christmas – what a curious mixture! Christmas is coming, preacher Gifts Immanuel, God with us – sermon notes Let’s celebrate Christmas every day! Much ado about ‘The Nativity’ One language, two religions Out of Egypt – sermon notes Poor Joseph? Sacked for denying the existence of Santa Should we rewrite the Nativity script? Simeon – sermon notes Some Christmas illustrations The birth of Jesus – sermon notes The blessings of Immanuel The man who invented Christmas The visit of the Magi – sermon notes The Word became flesh – sermon notes The Word made flesh What Christmas is really all about Who lay down his sweet head? See more ... Church ‘A better story’ – 17 ‘If the church were Christian’ – 10 ‘If the church were Christian’ – 6 ‘If the church were Christian’ – 7 ‘If the church were Christian’ – 8 ‘If the church were Christian’ – 9 ‘If the church were Christian’ – intro A few thoughts on ‘modern words to old hymns’ Adelphopoiesis: ‘the making of brothers’ Against the tide – sermon notes Characteristics of the church Confirmation Creeds Dispute between Paul and Barnabas – sermon notes Do we meet God in particular places? Eavesdropping on Asia Minor 1 English Country Parsons Establishing multiple congregations Fault-lines in Evangelicalism God does not live in houses Grow your congregation in ethnic diversity Introverts in the Church Is church man enough? Israel and the Church John Stott on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Matthew 18:20 – ‘Where two or three are gathered…’ Pastors, not priests Paul and women’s ministry Psalm 105:15 – ‘Touch not my anointed’ Quotes on the church Should a Christian minister be paid? Ten Reasons Why Churches Stall The Bible and women’s ministry The Biblical basis for women’s ministry The church and the glory of God The church of God The Church’s failures The good shepherd The marks of a Spirit-filled church – sermon notes The people of God: fulfilled in Christ The temple: fulfilled in Christ Wanted: Christian leaders What has God done for the church? – sermon notes What is a ‘congregation’? What kind of church do we want to be? – sermon notes What priesthood has the ministry? What should we do with heretics? Why are Protestants keeping quiet about Clerical Abuse? Why do we go to Church? Why does God bother with the church? Why they left the Episcopal Church Why we need to be back in church (as soon as possible) Women in ministry – some resources See more ... Church of England Banned, or just ‘not invited’? Penal substitution an Anglican doctrine Cohabitation Civil partnerships Cohabitation Cohabitation – a reality check Why do many people prefer cohabitation? Communion with God Communion with the Triune God Ten things you should know about God’s presence Conscience Conscience – God’s court within See more ... Covenant The Abrahamic covenant and ‘the land’ The Bible: ‘the book of the covenant’ The new covenant What is ‘covenantal nomism’? Creation ‘Darwin’s Struggle: The Evolution of the Origin of Species’ – BBC Four ‘The Troubled Waters of Evolution’ Creation and the tabernacle Creationism in Britain Darwin: a story of origins Did Darwin kill God? – sermon notes Genesis 1 Genesis 2 Genesis and science God and his creation God the Creator God, evolution, and natural evil If you’re going to review a book, it helps to read it first Implications of creation Problems with theistic evolution Sir David Attenborough ‘gets hate mail from creationists’ Some thoughts on ‘Intelligent Design’ Some thoughts on Young Earth Creationism The ‘days’ of Genesis 1 The new heaven and the new earth The Spirit and Creation What we learn from creation See more ... Cross “It is finished” Celebrating the Cross Flavel on Jesus’ cry of dereliction How does the cross affect me? Islam and the Cross Meditating on Christ’s sufferings Needed: satisfaction for sin Quotes on the Cross Redeemed from the curse of the law – sermon notes The anointing at Bethany – sermon notes The Cross as the symbol for Christianity The Cross in Galatians The Cross inspires justice, as well as love The cross is our theology The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ The driving force in Jesus’ life The logic of penal substitution The nature of Christ’s death See more ... Crucifixion Jesus before the Sanhedrin – sermon notes Nietzsche on the Cross The Calvary Miracles The shadow of Calvary – sermon notes See more ... Cults A typology of the major sects & cults Cults – Appeal of Cults – characteristics of Cults – Christian Approach to Cults – lessons to be learned from Cults and sects False teachers How to lose your healing – prosperity gospel style Why is the prosperity gospel so dangerous? See more ... Culture Cultural commentary: what, why and how? The Gospel – its content and communication The Great Commission and the Cultural Mandate Watching the English do Religion Who am I preaching to? See more ... Darwin, Charles Darwinism as religion See more ... Dawkins, Richard Genesis 22 – “Abraham, kill your son” Judges 19:11-28 – The priest and the concubine McGrath vs Dawkins: faith and evidence The resurrection an historical fact Where is God? See more ... Death From death to life – sermon notes How Scripture describes death Longing for death Quotes on Death Shall we know one another in heaven? The case against euthanasia The intermediate state The New Testament concept of future judgment The resurrection of the body To death…and beyond What would you like to be remembered for? What’s heaven? Why think about death? See more ... Death of Christ ‘Father, forgive them’ ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’ Christ’s illegal trial and condemnation Christ’s prayer for his people Discussion Starters, Lk 22:39-23:55 Rejected – sermon notes See more ... Deity of Christ Christ – the true God How God became Jesus John 1:1 – ‘The Word was God’ The deity of Christ See more ... Demons Demonic Activity in Revival Demonisation in Scripture and in history Demons 101 Demons, ghosts, and Jesus Mark 1 Marxism, Fascism, and the Occult Paul the villain The Gerasene demoniac – sermon notes See more ... Denominations All Those Denominations Devil, Satan Genesis 3 – traditional and revisionist readings Is there a devil? Remedies against Satan’s devices Satan in Paul’s epistles See more ... Difficulties of Bible ‘The Ten Worst Verses of the Bible’ A legacy of violence? Bart Ehrman, the text of the New Testament, and axe-grinding Bart Ehrman’s ‘Top Ten’ spurious verses Do the resurrection accounts add up? Exodus – Who hardened Pharaoh’s heart? Handling Bible difficulties Intentional ‘contradictions’ in John’s writings Jesus: a ‘new and improved’ Moses? Large numbers in the Old Testament Matthew 8:5/Luke 7:3 – Who asked Jesus to help? Moses – a confusing story? Old Testament violence: yes, let’s apply the hermeneutic of Jesus Once again: the destruction of the Canaanites Rethinking slavery in the Old Testament The abominations of the heathen The destruction of the Canaanites: what does the New Testament say? The domesticated Bible Those imprecatory psalms Urban legends of the Old Testament See more ... Discipleship An unlikely candidate – sermon notes Counting the cost Spirituality or Discipleship? The sheep and the goats – sermon notes See more ... Discussion starters Discussion starters – 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2 Discussion starters – Exodus 11 & 12 Discussion starters – Exodus 3 & 4 Discussion starters – Judges 6-8 Discussion starters – the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-21 Discussion starters, 1 Samuel 1-15 Discussion Starters, 1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 24 Discussion starters, Acts 18:1-28 Discussion starters, Acts 3 – 4:31 Discussion starters, Acts 3:1-10 Discussion starters, Acts 8:26-40 Discussion Starters, Acts 9:1-19a Discussion starters, Daniel 1-6 Discussion starters, Ephesians 3:1-13 Discussion Starters, Gal 1:13-22 Discussion Starters, Gen 3 Discussion starters, Jn 20:1-18 Discussion starters, Jn 20:19-31 Discussion starters, Jn 6:28-58; 8:12-20 Discussion Starters, John 2:1-11 Discussion starters, Joshua 1-6 Discussion Starters, Lk 10:25-37 Discussion starters, Lk 2:41-52 Discussion starters, Lk 7:18-35 Discussion Starters, Luke 24:36-49 Discussion Starters, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26 Discussion Starters, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26 Discussion Starters, Matt 5:13-16, 21-26 & 38-48 Discussion starters, Matt 8:23-27, Luke 8:22-25 Discussion Starters, Mk 11:1-11; Mt 21:1-11 Discussion Starters, Mt 5:1-12, Lk 6:20-26 Discussion starters, Mt 6:9-13, Lk 11:1-13 Discussion Starters, Mt 6:9-13, Lk 11:1-13 Discussion starters, Paul’s epistles Discussion starters, Phil 2:19-30 Discussion starters, Revelation 2-3 Discussion starters, Ruth See more ... Diversity and inclusion Inclusive gospel? Jesus: inclusive or exclusive? The Bible and race See more ... Divorce Divorce and remarriage Family breakdown – ten shockers Remarriage after divorce What if God has not joined together? When marriages fail Docetism Christ had a human body Docetism in the Qur’an Doctrine Doctrine, anyone? John Wesley on ‘a catholic spirit’ No doctrine, please, we’re Greenbelt Theological Hair-Splitting Why preach doctrine? See more ... Doubt ‘If the church were Christian’ – 5 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 1 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 3 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 4 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 5 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 6 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 7 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 8 ‘The Sin of Certainty’ – 9 Faith and doubt On travelling hopefully AND arriving Prescriptions for depression drugs double in decade Quotes on doubt To the edge of faith, and beyond See more ... Easter ‘Father, into your hands’ – a meditation Fickleness, or misunderstanding? No religion please – it’s Easter Paul and the empty tomb Quotes on the resurrection of Christ Resurrection Appearances of Christ The doctrine of the resurrection – sermon notes The relevance of the resurrection The road to Emmaus – sermon notes Wright on the resurrection See more ... Eastern Orthodoxy What is the Orthodox Faith? Edwards, Jonathan Jonathan Edwards on the atonement Ehrman, Bart Confessions of a virtual inerrantist See more ... Election Bruce Milne on election Divine sovereignty and human responsibility in Romans 9 Election Election known by its fruits J.C. Ryle on election J.I. Packer on election Quotes on Election The doctrine of election – sermon notes See more ... Emerging church ‘Emerging Churches’ by Gibbs & Bolger ‘Why We’re Not Emergent…’ – some online reviews Brian MacLaren: a new kind of liberalism? Dan Kimball on ’emerging worship’ Emerging church as a protest movement Emerging Church in its own words 4 – ‘Living as Community’ How the emerging church marginalises the gospel In praise of the Emerging Church Is the Emerging Church receding? It’s all modernism’s fault Reading about the Emerging Church Rob Bell and Brian Maclaren – Unbelievable? That’s not what I call preaching 1 The Emerging Church in its own words 1 The Emerging Church in its own words 2 The Emerging Church in its own words 3 The Emerging Church in its own words 5 The Post-Evangelical – 1 The Post-Evangelical – 10 The Post-Evangelical – 2 The Post-Evangelical – 3 The Post-Evangelical – 4 The Post-Evangelical – 5 The Post-Evangelical – 6 What is Foundationalism? What is the Emerging Church? See more ... Enns, Peter 2 + 2 = 5? How much did Jesus know? Inspiration and incarnation The Nuzi tablets See more ... Epitaphs Epitaphs Ethics Biblical ethics Don’t change the law on assisted suicide Matthew 7:16,20 – ‘You will recognise them by their fruit’ Moral attitudes: British and global The ethics of evangelism The moral argument for God’s existence The moral matrix See more ... Evangelicalism ‘Maximal Conservatism’ 1966 And All That Evangelical Religion Fundamentalism and evangelicalism Inerrancy as an evangelical ‘boundary marker’ Resurrection: evangelical and liberal debate Ryle and Ritualism Ryle, father and son The SCM Press A-Z of Evangelical Theology What Evangelical Religion is not See more ... Evangelism & Mission 10 things you should know about evangelism A Christian basis for befriending A missionary religion Apostolic messages: their content elements Apostolic terms for the Christian message Beautiful feet! – sermon notes Christian witness Christian witness in a secular world Evangelical social concern Evangelism and social action Evangelism: alive or dead? How can I turn conversations to Christ? How do you do that? – sermon notes How the apostles communicated the gospel How to evangelise badly How we witness Inside the fish – sermon notes John 20:21 – “Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” Lessons on evangelism from Michael Green Liberal evangelism Post-modern evangelism Praying for unbelievers Proclaiming the gospel Puritan evangelism Quotes on Evangelism Responsibility: withdrawal or involvement? Sharing Your Faith The Gospel according to Tom Wright The Great Commandment and the Great Commission The importance of witness-bearing in preaching The offence of the gospel Unlocking the mind of the unbeliever What about those who have never heard? What evangelism is not What the ‘spiritual but not religious’ want to know Witnessing in the workplace – sermon notes You will be my witnesses – sermon notes See more ... Example of Christ ‘If the church were Christian’ – 2 Christ our example Existence of God God of the Gaps Quotes on God’s existence That’s not what I call preaching 4 What would it take to convince an atheist? See more ... Expository Preaching 7 qualities of expository preaching A biblical case for expository preaching Caution: expository preachers at work John Stott and Charles Simeon John Stott on sermon preparation On textual fidelity in preaching Preachers and their preaching – Charles Simeon Spurgeon the expositor The importance of expository preaching The preacher’s text The road from text to sermon What, then, is expository preaching? See more ... Extent of atonement 2 Peter 3:9 – ‘The Lord wishes all to come to repentance’ Atonement: unlimited AND definite Doctrinal tensions Extent of the atonement – a head count John Newton on the extent of the atonement Owen, Scripture, and definite atonement Particular and general atonement Reframing the debate on the extent of the atonement See more ... Faith ‘But my faith is so weak’ ‘Faith’ in the Letter to the Hebrews ‘Go by faith, not by sight’ “Your faith has healed you” – sermon notes Can God be trusted, even in the dark? – sermon notes Confessional faith in the Pastoral Epistles Faith Faith and evidence Faith lessons from Abraham Faith, hope and love in Jesus’ ministry Healing faith – sermon notes Is your faith in good working order? – sermon notes Light Little faith, great God – sermon notes My life story Prophet, Priest and King Rom 3:22; Gal 2:16 – faith in, or faithfulness of Christ? Romans 1:5 – ‘The obedience of faith’ The righteous will live by faith – sermon notes Why will people not come to Christ? See more ... Family ‘A better story’ – 15 ‘A better story’ – 9 ‘Goodbye married couples, hello alternative family arrangements’ Godly parents Marriage rate at its lowest since records began The cost of family breakdown See more ... Family & Society ‘A better story’ – 16 ‘Wives, Children, Slaves…’ – sermon notes Christianity and Politics DO Mix Downton: a God-free zone Ephesians 5:21 – ‘Submit to one another’ Gambling It’s Sunday – but Monday’s coming! – sermon notes Morality without redemption is frightening Now George Whitefield has been toppled Praying the Psalms politically Renewing God’s world Verbal engineering See more ... Fasting Fasting in the New Testament Fear of the Lord The fear of the Lord Fellowship Live in harmony – sermon notes Mutual encouragement On going to church, anyway Our fellowship in Christ Togetherness – sermon notes Feminist Theology Feminist Biblical Interpretation Final Judgment “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” God the Judge Judgment according to works The ‘Evangelical Universalist’ The Day of the Lord – sermon notes The justice of final judgement The parable of the ten minas – sermon notes See more ... Flavel, John Christ’s humiliation in his incarnation Christ’s humiliation in his life Christ’s primeval glory Christ’s wonderful person Desiring Christ Flavel on guidance The Lord’s Supper The resurrection of Christ See more ... Food and drink Wine and strong drink in the Bible Forgiveness ‘I’m really sorry’ ‘If the church were Christian’ – 3 Be thankful for great mercies – sermon notes Forgiven! – sermon notes Forgiveness in the teaching of Jesus Love, hypocrisy, forgiveness – sermon notes Quotes on Forgiveness Restorative justice See more ... Free Will Free Agency and Free Will Quotes on free will Friendship The friendship of Jesus See more ... Fundamentalism Machen and Fundamentalism See more ... Gender ‘A better story’ – 11 Advice for parents in today’s transgender culture Attempted suicide rates in trans young people Does the end of slavery spell the end of patriarchy? Equal, but different Gender confusion Gender: what does the Bible say? God’s good design for men and woman God’s good plan for men and women: our unfinished business How do I speak to a friend who is transitioning? LGBT: what does it mean to be ‘welcoming but not affirming’? May we refer to God as ‘she’? PYO gender, kids? Recommended tactics for trans lobbyists Seven questions for transgender theorists Sex in Genesis 2:18-25 Sexual orientation and gender identity The Baptist pastor and his transgender friends The Trinity and gender issues Theology of sexuality and gender Transgender 1 – Introduction Transgender 3 – Creation Transgender 4 – Fall Transgender 5 – Rescue Transgender 6 – Wisdom What are biblical masculinity and femininity? What is transgender propaganda doing to our children? Why not change your name, gender AND age? See more ... Genesis Adam and the Fall BBC’s ‘The Ark’ – better than the cute animals version See more ... Glory Glory See more ... God ‘The heavens declare’ A jealous God? Access to God Before the creation of the world Charnock on natural theology Do we meet Christ in everyone? Does God accept us just as we are? Genesis 1:26 – Why a plural name for God? Glorifying God God can be trusted – sermon notes God does not need us God’s hand God’s presence Hallowed be your name Is ‘Allah’ just another name for the Christian God? Knowing God Knowing God, and knowing about him Making sense of what the Bible says about God N.T. Wright on ‘dikaiosune theou’ On not seeing the blindingly obvious The fear of God The plagues of Egypt The tabernacle – God’s dwelling place Tozer on God’s self-sufficiency We’re all compatibilists at the cross What is God of the Old Testament really like? – sermon notes Where is God when I’m afraid? – sermon notes You know me – sermon notes See more ... Gospel An unstoppable gospel Believers need to hear the gospel too Continue in the gospel – sermon notes Conviction precedes conversion? Four witnesses – sermon notes God so loved the world… How important is the gospel? Insights into idolatry It’s all about Jesus John 3 Law and gospel New Testament preaching Owen: what does it mean to preach the gospel? Preach only the gospel? Six aspects of the gospel The gospel according to Galatians The gospel is the story of Jesus The most important thing in the world – sermon notes Welcoming the stranger – sermon notes What is the good news? What is the gospel? Who has believed? – an exposition Witness to the Wonder – sermon notes Wright on what the gospel is, and is not See more ... Gospels “Dear Theophilus” – sermon notes Abraham in Luke’s Gospel Did Jesus know Greek? Does typology imply fiction? Dying and rising gods How the resurrection accounts fit their 1st century setting Imagining the Kingdom Mark 6:45 – ‘To Bethsaida’ Mark’s apocalyptic moments Mark’s Gospel and the ‘invention’ of the historical Jesus Mary Magdalene – fact and fiction Messianic secret Midrash Miracle and metaphor Peter and Mark Protective anonymity in the Gospels Psalms of lament in the Gospels Repentance and forgiveness, the Wright way Tax collectors The ‘high Christology’ of the Synoptics The Gospel Miracles The Gospels as eyewitness testimony The Kingdom of God in Matthew’s Gospel The Myth of Christian Origins The role of the apostles as authoritative eyewitnesses What to look out for in Mark’s Gospel See more ... Grace 10 flavours of works-based salvation Grace Growing in grace The grace of law The Throne of Grace See more ... Graham Billy Preaching Christ through film titles Grudem, Wayne Male headship before the Fall Why did Christ become a human being? See more ... Guidance Guidance Guidance – perils and pitfalls See more ... Happiness ‘Blessed’ = ‘happy’? Contentment – sermon notes Happily ever after? – sermon notes Happiness Psalm 16 Quotes on happiness Healing From sickness to health – sermon notes Healing miracles Matthew 4 Miracles yesterday and today Praying for healing Sickness and healing What if God does not heal? Why did Jesus heal? See more ... Hearers, sermon What’s your facial screen saver? Heaven A tale of two cities Heaven revisited John 14:6 – “No one comes to the Father except through me” Life after death Occupations in heaven Rethinking ‘salvation’ Stairway to heaven – sermon notes The final state of the saved The life to come See more ... Hell Are only a few people going to be saved? Descriptions of hell Eternal torment Is hell self-chosen? Pauline descriptions of hell See more ... Heresy A survey of heresies Personal salvation ‘a heresy’ Seven marks of false teachers Seven types of false teacher The ‘cosmic Christ’ and the ‘historical Jesus’ See more ... Holiness & sanctification “Put Off – Put On” Holiness Inducements to sanctification Mortification Same-sex attraction and the church The call to Christlikeness The sanctifying work of the Spirit What is sanctification? What separation does not mean See more ... Holy Communion The Lord’s Supper The significance of the Lord’s Supper See more ... Holy Spirit “Another Counselor” – sermon notes “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” – a separate stage of salvation? Abandoned? Distinguishing marks of the Spirit’s work On being filled with the Holy Spirit Questions on the Holy Spirit Quotes on the Holy Spirit Seven ways we quench the Spirit Should we pray to the Holy Spirit? Symbols of the Holy Spirit The Day of Pentecost The gift of the Holy Spirit: now/not yet The Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit – before and after Pentecost The Holy Spirit and Christ The Holy Spirit and the Bible The Holy Spirit in the New Testament The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The wisdom of the Spirit – sermon notes The work of the Holy Spirit Under fire – sermon notes What does it mean to be ‘Filled with the Holy Spirit’? When the Spirit comes Who is the Holy Spirit? See more ... Homiletics 50 Ways To Tweak Your Preaching Apt Alliteration’s Artful Aid – Arrgh! Attention! Delivery – 20 questions Do I make myself clear? Full manuscript, or notes? How did Jesus secure attention? In praise of Powerpoint Key preaching types Notes, or no notes? On and on Positively charged? Preacher: butcher or cook? Preachers and their preaching – Fred Craddock Preaching with clarity – top ten tips Speak clearly, preacher Stand-up preaching The faculty of impromptu speech Thoughts on sermon structure See more ... Homosexuality ‘It’s never going to happen. And when it does…’ CMS rethinks Greenbelt seminars Domesticating the Bible’s teaching on homosexuality Homosexual relationships Jude 7 – ‘Unnatural desire’ Justice, equality, and fairness Luke 7:2 – ‘Highly valued servant’ or ‘gay lover’? Matthew 8:5/Luke 7:7 – son? servant? male lover? Nine arguments for a ‘non-affirming’ position on same-sex relations Once again: the slaves/homosexuality trajectory argument Pray to be gay? Same-sex marriage: not near so much like a ball Ten reasons not to legalise same-sex marriage The Bible and same-sex relationships The myth of a sexually permissive Jesus Who was inciting whom? See more ... Hope ‘Your labour in the Lord is not in vain’ A sure and certain hope – sermon notes An ethic of hope On NOT clinging to hope Quotes on hope Resurrection: what difference does it make? Still fruitful in old age – sermon notes The hope we profess – sermon notes The three visitors – sermon notes See more ... Human Nature ‘I believe in me’ – the gospel of expressive individualism Aspects of our likeness to God Genesis 3 Human nature has not changed Is the self to be affirmed, or repudiated? See more ... Humility Signs of humility See more ... Humour Edinburgh Fringe – Best Joke Humour: no laughing matter? Logical Laws Well, I Never Knew That! See more ... Hymns ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’ – an ‘Antihymn’? See more ... Hypocrisy Lips OK, heart far away – sermon notes You hypocrite! – sermon notes See more ... Idolatry Idolatry today No idols – sermon notes Responding to the current global health crisis See more ... Illustrations How gullible are we? See more ... Image of God Men and women in the image of God The image of God See more ... Incarnation Christ had a human mind Ephesians 1:10 – ‘The fullness of the times’ Five truths about the incarnation Incarnation and the tabernacle The incarnate Christ did not cease to be divine See more ... Inerrancy of Bible Debating inerrancy Inerrancy and infallibility Reviews of a recent book discussing ‘inerrancy’ The ‘heresy’ of inerrancy The Post-Evangelical – 8 See more ... Inspiration of Bible Matthew 5:21f – Did Jesus reject the Old Testament? What Scripture says, God says See more ... Intelligent Design Meyer vs. Fox – ‘Signature in the Cell’ See more ... Intermediate State ‘And to die is gain’ Purgatory See more ... Interpretation of Bible “Love thy neighbour as thyself” “That’s just your interpretation” A primer on Hebrew poetry Caution: Bible stories at work! Don’t overspecify the biblical text! Five rules of biblical hermeneutics Gay marriage and the ‘trajectory’ of Scripture Gender, language, and interpretation How to read a story Mind the gap More urban legends of the New Testament Preaching the Minor Prophets Ten principles for interpreting narratives Ten suggestions for reading Old Testament Narrative The ‘Analogy of Faith’ The ‘sensus plenior’ of Scripture The Puritans as interpreters of Scripture Urban legends of the New Testament See more ... Islam Asia Bibi’s health worsens Praying for Paris Questioning God Reading Hosea 11 with Islam in mind What was Asia Bibi’s ‘crime’? See more ... Israel ‘Why Israel will never get everything it wants’ Abraham in the New Testament Charles Simeon on the Conversion of the Jews Christian Zionism Galatians 6:16 – The Israel of God Genesis 12:3 – ‘I will bless those who bless you’ Israel in God’s plan Jesus and the future of Israel Jesus and the restoration of Israel (Rom 1:3f) Jews for Jesus? Not ‘replacement theology’, but ‘inclusion theology’ Replacement theology Romans 11:26a – ‘And so all Israel will be saved’ Ryle and the future of the Jews The land as a gift The land: fulfilled in Christ The missiological significance of Deuteronomy See more ... Jesus Christ ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ ‘If the church were Christian’ – 1 ‘In his name’ ‘In my Father’s house’ – sermon notes ‘Jesus is Lord’ ‘You came from heaven to earth’ ‘The word of their testimony’ ‘Welcome me, welcome my people’ – sermon notes “All authority” “Do you love me?” – sermon notes “This man receives sinners!” 1 Peter 3:18-20 – Christ and the spirits in prison 2 Corinthians 5:21 – ‘God made Christ to be sin for us’ A day in the life of – sermon notes A tale of two families – sermon notes Adam and Christ – sermon notes Beginning and continuing with Christ – sermon notes Christ in all the Scriptures, but… Christ is Isaac…Jacob…Joseph… Christ the centre Christ-centred preaching – some pitfalls Christ’s divinity – acknowledged and denied Completely, for ever – sermon notes Discussion Starters, Matt 12:1-21, Mk 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11 Discussion Starters, Mt 1:1-17 Everlasting Father – sermon notes Feeding five thousand – sermon notes Feeding the five thousand – sermon notes Five things you should know about Jesus – sermon notes Good news! Jesus is just like you! He shall see and be satisfied – an exposition Heroes and villains How do we get from the Old Testament to Jesus? How the Old Testament deepens our love for Jesus Interruptions Jairus’ daughter raised – sermon notes Jesus and the law Jesus can keep you secure – sermon notes Jesus in the Old Testament Jesus in the Psalms Jesus interrupted Jesus is King Jesus of judgement Jesus, the ineligible bachelor Jesus, the true and better Jesus’ anguish in Gethsemane Jesus’ innocency attested Just like Jesus? Kenosis theory Love for Christ Mark 1:41 – ‘Compassion’, or ‘anger/indignation’? Marriage: antidote to loneliness Matthew 2:23 – ‘Jesus would be called a Nazarene’ More? – sermon notes Nicer than God? Paul and the historical Jesus Praying the Psalms in Christ Preaching Christ Preaching Christ from every theme of the Bible Preaching Christ from the Old Testament Prostitutes Psalms: Prayer Book of the Bible Questions asked by Jesus Questions Jesus was asked Richard Rohr’s ‘Universal Christ’ Six reasons why many Jews reject Jesus as Messiah Some “I wills” of Christ Spurgeon: a bee-line to Christ? Stilling the storm – sermon notes The ‘triumphal’ entry – sermon notes The baptism of Jesus – sermon notes The Boyhood of Jesus The Good Shepherd – sermon notes The grammar of Christology The Last Adam The lordship of Jesus The obedience of Christ The riches of Christ The Transfiguration – sermon notes The uniqueness of Christ The uniqueness of Jesus Christ The unsearchable riches of Christ The water of life – sermon notes The woman at the well – sermon notes Union with Christ Walking on water – sermon notes What did Jesus look like? What happened next? – sermon notes What if Jesus did not pray? – sermon notes Who did Jesus think he was? Why did Jesus do nature miracles? Why we preach Christ from the Old Testament Will the real Jesus…? – sermon notes See more ... Joy I will rejoice – sermon notes Quotes on joy Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing Thoughts on thankfulness See more ... Judge Divine retribution in the New Testament See more ... Julian of Norwich Julian of Norwich Justice Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly – sermon notes Martin Luther King’s Dream Quotes on justice Should you not know justice? – sermon notes The power to judge – sermon notes Transgender 2 – The iworld See more ... Justification Doug Moo on Justification Four maxims about justification Justification Justification according to Tom Wright Justification and the Lord’s Supper Piper on Wright on justification Radical faith – sermon notes Righteousness in Christ (Robert Traill) Tom Wright – an Enigma? Tom Wright’s forthcoming book on justification Tom Wright’s new book on justification What St Paul really said about justification Wright on Piper on Wright See more ... Keller, Tim Guidelines on male headship in marriage Is religious belief culturally determined? Preach love, as well as truth Preach reality, as well as truth See more ... Kingdom of God Matthew 11:12 – Forceful entry, or violent opposition, to the kingdom? The Kingdom dies? – sermon notes The kingdom of God in Acts The Kingdom of God in Mark’s Gospel See more ... Last Things ‘Already…not yet’ 1 Corinthians 15:44 – ‘Raised a spiritual body’ Biblical prophecy – a closed book? Don’t be deceived – sermon notes Implications of Christ’s Second Coming Lord of the future – sermon notes Matthew 24:34 – This generation will not pass away? The case for conditional immortality The Day of the Lord The end is near – sermon notes The fate of the universe The resurrection body What would Jesus say to Chicken Little? – sermon notes See more ... Last Words Last words Law Applying Old Testament law today Continue as you began – sermon notes How many commandments? Rom 7:24 – Who is the ‘wretched man’? The law in Romans The law of the Lord See more ... Leadership Puritans on male leadership Quotes on leadership What is the time? See more ... Legalism What is legalism? Leisure Puritans on recreation See more ... Lennox, John Talk like a Babylonian See more ... Lewis, C.S. Planet Narnia See more ... Liberalism ‘If the church were Christian’ – 4 Dietrich Bonhoeffer and John Shelby Spong Doctrine What is Liberal Theology? See more ... Lloyd-Jones, D.M. ‘Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Preacher’ Preachers and their preaching – D.M. Lloyd-Jones See more ... Lord's Supper The ‘Real Presence’ The Last Supper – sermon notes See more ... Love Agape and Eros Aspects of love – sermon notes Love – the greatest thing Love one another – sermon notes Love to hate? Quotes on God’s love The speed of love The three loves See more ... Love of God ‘God is Love’ Does God ‘hate the sin, but love the sinner’? See more ... Machen, J. Gresham Mountains and why we love them See more ... Macleod, Donald Divine Fore-ordination Donald Macleod on ‘total depravity’ Donald Macleod to retire as College Principal I can – in Christ Preaching and systematic theology Sacrament and mystery The Bible is for ordinary people See more ... Marriage ‘A better story’ – 1 ‘A better story’ – 10 ‘A better story’ – 14 ‘A better story’ – 5 ‘A better story’ – intro “Wives, submit to your husbands” 50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 1 50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 4 50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 5 Adultery Catholic abuse scandal – is celibacy to blame? Decision-making by husbands and wives Ephesians 5:23- ‘The head of a wife is her husband’ Gone Girl Lost boys Marriage and the marshmallow test Marriage as God did not intend it Marriage as God intended Marriage vows Marriage: surprisingly good for you Marriage: what the Bible teaches Polygamy in the Bible The mutual love of husband and wife Top 10 key facts on marriage Who needs marriage? See more ... Media Laughter: the best change agent? Men 50 politically incorrect thoughts for men – 3 Galatians 3:28 – ‘Neither male nor female’ See more ... Miracles Hume and the question of miracles Matthew 27:52f – Many bodies raised? The purpose of miracles Tom Wright doesn’t believe in miracles… Why do we see so few miracles today? See more ... Miracles “Tabitha, get up!” – sermon notes Are miracles meant to be everyday occurrences? Imagine a world without suffering John 14:12 – ‘Greater deeds’ Miracles: sixteen theses See more ... Money Conquering the dark side of money Living simply – sermon notes Mastering Mammon Money – sermon notes Money, sex and power Options for rich Christians Principles of giving Recent Christian thinking on wealth and poverty The grace of giving – sermon notes The parable of the shrewd manager – sermon notes What Westerners spend their money on See more ... Music Most-listened-to classical music Stuart Townend in Norwich Worship on death row See more ... Mystery Mystery Mysticism Mysticism New Perspective on Paul A personal perspective on the New Perspective Romans and the New Perspective Romans: a ‘Cook’s Tour’ of interpretative options The New Perspective on Paul The New Perspective on Paul: what is at stake? The righteousness of God in Romans Was Paul a Catholic? What did Paul really mean? What is ‘The New Perspective on Paul’? Why preachers cannot ignore the New Perspective on Paul See more ... New Testament The ‘We’ passages in Acts See more ... Old Testament Evidence of an early proto-church? How do we get from the Old Testament to the New Testament? Jesus’ view of the Old Testament Mythology and the Old Testament On the historicity of the exodus Preaching from the Old Testament? Use Biblical theology! Ten reasons we need the Old Testament See more ... Open Theism ‘The Openness of God’ Open Theism Open Theism and Quantum Physics See more ... Packer, J.I. ‘Historic’ or ‘historical’ theology? A quick defence of the Trinity Dr Jim Packer defended over suspension threat Evil and God’s providence In praise of tradition Preachers and their preaching – the Puritans Signs of life Sin Ten Theological Disciplines The challenge of universalism The logic of the Virgin Birth The Puritan path of piety What is Providence? Who were the Puritans? Why has the credibility of preaching declined? See more ... Parents and children Duties of parents Guidelines for parents See more ... Paul Apostolic concerns – sermon notes Barnabas, Paul and Mark Keep faithful to the word – sermon notes Paul’s homiletics Paul’s missionary strategy Philemon – 1st Sermon Philemon – 2nd Sermon Plain sailing – sermon notes Prayers of St Paul Praying with Paul The dignity of women in the Pauline epistles Why didn’t Paul quote Jesus more often? See more ... Paul, Ian Online preaching for the virtual church Preaching: monologue or dialogue? The Bible, women, and authority See more ... Penal substitution Criticisms of penal substitution Joel Green on penal substitution Penal substitution – the heart of atonement? Penal substitution: a pastoral apologetic Penal substitution: reshaping the debate Propitiation PS Central? Punishment in the NT Puritans on penal substitution Questions about penal substitution Questions about penal substitutionary atonement Was ‘the wrath of God satisfied’ on the cross? See more ... Pentecost Look at Peter now! – sermon notes See more ... People Derek Kidner, 1913 – 2008 Michael Harper, 1931-2010 Peggy Mason, 1917 – 2011 Sir Marcus Loane, 14th October 1911 – 14th April 2009 See more ... Piper, John Coronavirus and Christ See more ... Play Work and play Pluralism Confused? The Christian approach to other religions Why pluralism? See more ... Postmodernity Connecting with postmoderns Postmodernism’s ‘Ideological Megashift’ The Post-Evangelical – 7 The Post-Evangelical – 9 See more ... Poverty Three approaches to poverty See more ... Prayer ‘Give us today our daily bread’ – sermon notes ‘How long, O Lord?’ – sermon notes Christian meditation Encouragements to prayer Hallowed be thy name Hannah’s prayer – sermon notes How the Lord’s Prayer defines us Implications of the Lord’s Prayer Let us lament Let’s change the way we pray Meditation No ‘I’ in the Lord’s Prayer Objections to Prayer Objections to Prayer (cont’d) Objections to Prayer (cont’d) Objections to Prayer (cont’d) Objections to Prayer (cont’d) Parts of Prayer Parts of Prayer (cont’d) Prayer – ‘The Conversation of Friends’ Prayer a universal duty Prayer and Revival Prayer postures Prayer: an impeachment of the divine perfections? Prayer: its Nature Prayer: no place in a government of law? Praying for people we have never met Praying under pressure – sermon notes Praying with giants Praying with right motives Quotes on prayer Resting, waiting, delighting Silence Silence! Ten top tips for leading a time of prayer Thanksgiving – sermon notes The life of prayer The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew and Luke The place of prayer in moral government The prayer of Hannah – sermon notes Wait Ways to pray – sermon notes What should we pray for? What would you pray for? Yes, the Lord’s Prayer IS offensive See more ... Pre-existence of Christ “I have come to…” Preaching ‘Curbing a Frisky Theology’ Cardinal pre-requisites of the sermon Classification of Sermons 1 – Sangster Classification of Sermons 2 – Phelps Communicating conviction Contact! Contemplations from Corinth’s pulpit Dare to be a…..Nehemiah? Don’t keep it (too) simple, stupid Every sermon needs a ‘ministry statement’ George Whitefield and devotion to Christ Gladstone clever, or Disraeli clever? Hearing the word with profit In praise of Powerpoint, v2 In the mood Make ’em laugh? Modes of persuasion: ethos, pathos, logos Of the preaching of the word On preaching the theology of Tom Wright Painting with words Pointers for young preachers Preacher, guard your character Preachers and their preaching – John Stott Preachers and their preaching – Phillips Brooks Preachers and their preaching – C.H. Spurgeon Preaching and revival Preaching assessment criteria Preaching is not merely explaining Preaching to the ‘fuzzy faithful’ Preaching. Discuss. Puritan preaching priorities Quotes on preaching Sermon hearers Sermon Illustrations Simplicity in preaching Spurgeon on Earnestness in the Christian Ministry Teach like Jesus Textual preaching That’s not what I call preaching 2 That’s not what I call preaching 3 The ‘preacherhood of all believers’ The 500 word manuscript The art of sermon application The case against preaching The Ministry of the Word The use of imagination in preaching The use of imagination in preaching Top tips for preaching to a camera What difference does it make? What good shall men get by hearing of sermons? What is preaching? When is the sermon the low point in the service? Why your sermons shouldn’t be too short, or too long Wise thoughts on sermon preparation See more ... Problem of evil The problem of evil The problem of evil – three pillars of truth Where is God in a messed-up world? See more ... Progressive Christianity What is ‘progressive Christianity’? See more ... Prophecy Evaluating prophecy False prophets See more ... Prophecy Prophecy and prediction See more ... Providence Accidents happen – or do they? God the provider of temporal gifts Providence Puritans on Providence Quotes on Providence The mystery of providence Thomas Watson on Divine Providence See more ... Psalms Psalm 137:8f – ‘Happy is he who dashes your infants against the rocks’ The value of the Psalms Who are ‘the righteous’ in the Psalms? See more ... Puritans Gems from Gurnall Puritans and ‘restless experientialists’ Richard Sibbes on the Web Top Ten Puritan Classics Wanted: prophetic discernment What can the Puritans do for us? See more ... Quotes Quotes on Anger Quotes on Character Quotes on Excuses Quotes on Life Quotes on repentance Quotes on salvation Quotes on Sin Quotes on suffering Quotes on Temptation Quotes on Theology See more ... Reconciliation Atonement as reconciliation From alienation to reconciliation – sermon notes See more ... Redemption At the gate – sermon notes See more ... Reformation Foxe’s ‘Book of Martyrs’ The Reformation: tell us the truth Regeneration Signs of new life See more ... Religion ‘Many Britons think that religion is harmful’ Einstein on Religion What can we learn from other religions? What is ‘spirituality’? See more ... Repentance Repentance and revival Signs of genuine repentance See more ... Resurrection of Jesus ‘Supposing him to be the gardener’ After the resurrection Doubting Thomas, believing Thomas – sermon notes How the risen Christ encounters people today Six arguments for the resurrection of Jesus Ten things the resurrection is not The women at the cross and the tomb See more ... Return of Christ Be ready for Christ’s return Exhortations in view of Christ’s second coming See more ... Revival ‘Lord, I have heard of your fame’ – stories of revival ‘Renew them in our day’ – prospects for revival Bibliography Conditions prior to revival Divine and human agency in revival Evaluating Revivals Examples of revival Experience of God in revival Prospects for Revival Results of revival The Biblical idea of revival See more ... Righteousness God’s righteousness See more ... Rohr, Richard Dances with the Trinity? What’s wrong with Rohr? See more ... Roman Catholicism Some Roman Catholic proof texts See more ... Ryle, J.C. A word of warning Election and the means of grace J.C. Ryle – an appreciation Ryle on sin See more ... Sabbath Sabbath in Scripture Sacraments Discussion Starters, Jn 13:1-17; Lk 22:7-23 See more ... Salvation Before and after – sermon notes By whom, and by what, are we saved? Hebrews 6:4-6 – Who are these people? Lordship Salvation Questions about salvation The serpent and the seed – sermon notes See more ... Same-sex marriage ‘A better story’ – 3 See more ... Secularism Atheist and Christian worship: any difference? Sermon Notes ‘Be strong in the Lord’ – sermon notes ‘Who am I to…’ – sermon notes ‘Words can never hurt me…?’ – sermon notes “Be strong” – sermon notes “I thank God for you” – sermon notes “If the world hates you…” – sermon notes “Not to be served, but to serve” – sermon notes “What will this child be?” – sermon notes A brand plucked from the fire – sermon notes A day to remember – sermon notes A still small voice – sermon notes An ordinary Christian life – sermon notes Ananias and Sapphira – sermon notes Babylon – sermon notes Be obedient – sermon notes Christian unity: God’s part and ours – sermon notes Contempt of court – sermon notes David and Bathsheba – sermon notes David and Mephibosheth – sermon notes Don’t give up! – sermon notes Don’t miss out – sermon notes Elijah and the prophets of Baal – sermon notes Fishers of men – sermon notes From bad to worse – sermon notes Future perfect – a sermon notes God rescues – sermon notes God’s covenant with Abraham – sermon notes Godisnowhere – sermon notes Hagar and Ishmael: does God really care? He restores my soul – sermon notes How long, O Lord? – sermon notes I’m not eating that! – sermon notes Is it worth it? – sermon notes Jesus tempted – sermon notes Joshua 101 – sermon notes Josiah’s reforms – sermon notes Judas’ story and Mary’s story – sermon notes Just a bowl of soup! – sermon notes Keep being obedient – sermon notes Martha – sermon notes Needed: constant renewal – sermon notes Not ashamed – sermon notes One who doubted – sermon notes Out with the old, in with the new – sermon notes Psalm 19 – sermon notes Purpose, power, proclamation – sermon notes Rainbow promise – sermon notes Reasons to trust – sermon notes Relationships – sermon notes Ruth, Naomi and Boaz – sermon notes Self-sufficient – sermon notes Situation vacant – sermon notes The Beatitudes – sermon notes (v1) The Beatitudes – sermon notes (v2) The Bread of Life – sermon notes The call of Abram – sermon notes The call of Levi – sermon notes The dream of Nebuchadnezzar – sermon notes The overture – sermon notes The Parable of the Tenants – sermon notes The Reduced Jonah The rich young ruler – sermon notes 1 The Seven Seals – sermon notes The sower- sermon notes The sting in the tail – sermon notes The sufferings and glory of Christ – sermon notes The three horizons – sermon notes The turning point – sermon notes The two houses – sermon notes The unsearchable riches of Christ – sermon notes This bounteous God – sermon notes Totally devoted – sermon notes Two ways to live – sermon notes Under the influence – sermon notes What is God up to? – sermon notes What time is it? – sermon notes What’s in a name? When Christians disagree – sermon notes Work – sermon notes Zechariah – sermon notes See more ... Sexuality ‘A better story’ – 13 ‘A better story’ – 2 ‘A better story’ – 4 ‘A better story’ – 6 ‘A better story’ – 7 ‘A better story’ – 8 Sex in Genesis 1:26-31 and 5:1-2 The morality of the Song of Songs Toward a biblical theology of sexuality See more ... Silence The benefits of silence Sin ‘Total depravity’ – an historical note Does God hate the wicked? Sin and suffering Sin is… Sins of omission The medicalisation of sin See more ... Singleness The gift of singleness See more ... Slavery A biblical critique of slavery Slavery See more ... Small groups How to kill a small-group discussion Speech Crooked speech Five types of gossiper Never, ever, speak to an ill friend See more ... Spiritual gifts God blesses truth See more ... Spirituality Heavenly worship Me and my two left feet Spiritual, but not religious See more ... Stealing Stealing Stott, John Adiaphora: agreeing to disagree Authentic freedom The world of work Theology: a multidimensional discipline See more ... Substitution Biblical Foundations of Penal Substitution 5 – John’s Gospel Biblical Foundations of Penal Substitution 8 – 1 Peter How old is the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement? Substutionary atonement: a note to preachers See more ... Suffering H.E.L.P. in suffering How can God be good if people suffer? In [the NHS] we trust? Romans 8:28 – Hope in times of suffering Sighing and Groaning The Gift of Pain What can the Coronavirus teach us? See more ... Teaching of Jesus Jesus’ calls to action Jesus’ use of occasion Jesus’ use of the concrete Problem-based teaching of Jesus The discourses of Jesus The training of Peter Why Jesus asked questions See more ... Theology A major publishing event in reformed theology A Typology of Contemporary Theology B.M Palmer’s ‘Theology of Prayer’ First principles General and special revelation Psychology and Christian Theism The Christian view of man Theology must be both critical and confessional Theology of animals Tom Wright – an outline of his theology Tom Wright for anyone? Twenty-Six Logical Fallacies What is the ‘soul’? See more ... Trinity The Holy Trinity a Biblical doctrine The Trinity in action Thoughts on the Trinity See more ... Troublesome texts 1 Corinthians 14:34 – ‘Women should be silent in the churches’ 1 Kings 20:30 – ‘The wall collapsed on 27,000 of them’ 1 Timothy 2:15 – ‘Saved through child-bearing’ 1 Timothy 2:4 – ‘God wants all people to be saved’ 1 Timothy 4:10 – ‘The Saviour of all people’ 2 Sam 24:1, 1 Chron 21:1 – Who incited David? Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira Galatians 3:17 – How much later? Galatians 6:2 – ‘The law of Christ’ Genesis 5 – the ages of the antedeluvians Genesis 6-8 – A worldwide flood? Hebrews 12:1 – Who are these witnesses? Isaiah 7:14/Matthew 1:23 – “The virgin will conceive” John 2:12 – Did Mary bear other children? John 2:6 – symbol or history? John 3:16f – What is meant by ‘the world’? John 4:44 – ‘His own country’ John 7:53-8:11 – The woman caught in adultery Jonah – history or fiction? Joshua 10 – Joshua’s ‘long day’ Joshua 6 – the fall of Jericho Luke 2:1f – Quirinius and ‘the first registration’ Luke 2:8 – Shepherds: a despised class? Luke 4:16-19 – An incomplete quotation? Mark 12:41-44/Luke 21:1-4 – ‘The widow’s mite’ Mark 2:25f – ‘When Abiathar was high priest’ Mark 4:31 – ‘The smallest of all the seeds’? Matthew 10:23 – ‘Before the Son of Man comes’ Matthew 12:40 – Three days and three nights Matthew 16:18 – Peter the rock? Matthew 2:1 – ‘Magi from the east’ Matthew 2:8f – Can God speak through astrology? Matthew 21:7 – One animal or two? Matthew 25:40 – ‘These brothers of mine’ Matthew 8:28 – Gadara or Gerasa? Mt 1:1-17 and Lk 3:23-38 – the genealogies of Jesus Mt 15:21-28/Mk 7:24-30 – Jesus and the Canaanite woman Romans 1:18 – Wrath: personal or impersonal? The Parable of the Sower – return from exile? When did Jesus cleanse the Temple? See more ... Truth ‘Truth’ in John’s Gospel Platitudes tested See more ... Uncategorized ‘Allos’ and ‘heteros’ About Adoption – questions for self-assessment Antioch Blogroll Ephesus Favourite Bible Software Featured: Preaching Folly in Proverbs Galileo Godly blogging Halloween and the reinvention of paganism How (not) to apologise Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount Jacob’s Well Jeremiah 36 – dramatised reading Logos 4 Bible Software Misused privileges N.T. (Tom) Wright to retire as Bishop of Durham News & Views Numbers in the Bible On eating horses Patmos Periodicals Pride in the Old Testament Recommended: John Piper’s Biographical Messages Resources Sanhedrin Silence speaks Some recent book reviews Starting-points for studying Exodus Tabernacle: symbolism and meaning Tactfulness The Kinsman-Redeemer The London Men’s Convention, 18th April 2009 The pre-existence of Jesus in the Synoptics Tom Wright – a biography Top 200 Church Blogs Was that an apology? Welcome! What are parables for? Where’s Joseph? Why do I believe in God? Why Read Dickens? See more ... Undesigned coincidences How the Synoptics help explain John Universalism Acts 3 Romans 5:18 – ‘Life for all?’ Universalism See more ... Virgin Birth Born of a Virgin? See more ... Wisdom The Fool in Proverbs Women How Jesus affirmed women Spiritual authority of women in the Bible See more ... Words ‘Light’ in Scripture See more ... Work Reflections of a Christian nurse The ‘Sluggard’ in Proverbs The sluggard – sermon notes See more ... World ‘The world’ See more ... Worship Christ-Centred Worship Has worship music lost its soul? Shall we dance? To whom are our hymns addressed? See more ... Wrath of God Is divine wrath personal? The wrath of God The wrath of God in the New Testament Wrath in Romans See more ...