Exhortations in view of Christ’s second coming
- Be patient, Jas 5:7-8.
- Be ready, Mt 24:44.
- Be pure, 1 Jn 3:3; Php 1:10.
- Be abiding in Christ, 1 Jn 2:28.
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Original sin
Definition
‘Original sin’, like some other terms (‘total depravity’, ‘unconditional election’, ‘limited atonement’, irresistible grace’ come immediately to mind) requires careful definition if it is to provide useful service in theological discussion.
For Calvin, original sin is
‘a hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature, diffused into all parts of the soul, which first makes us liable to God’s wrath, then also brings forth in us those works which Scripture calls “works of the flesh” (Gal 5:19).’ …
Pride in the Old Testament
- it led to Uzziah’s downfall (2 Chron 26:16);
- it hardened the heart of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 5:20);
- it goes before destruction (Prov 16:18);
- it does not seek God (Psalm 10:4);
- it brings disgrace (Prov 11:2);
- it breeds quarrels (Prov 13:10);
- it deceives (Jer 49:16; Obad 1:3);
- it brings low (Prov 29:23; Isa 2:11; 23:9);
- it humbles (Isa 2:17; Dan 4:37).
The heart
1. To be guarded vigilantly, Prov 4:23.
2. God desires inward truth, Psa 51:6.
3. God looks upon, 1 Sam 16:7.
4. God calls for heart-service, not lip-service, Mt 15:8.
5. The heart is the cause of all our problems, and salvation begins here, Eze 36:26.…
Does God accept us just as we are?
It is a glorious truth that God accepts us just as we are. Whoever we are, whatever we have done. We could never come any other way, for no-one is ever ‘good enough for God’.
This, as I say, is a glorious, essential, inescapable, truth.
But it is not the whole truth. In fact, by itself, it is a dangerous half-truth.
One half of the truth is to say that God meets us where we are, and the other half is to recognise that he does not leave us there. …
Love needs law
It is often assumed that because love is the greatest thing, it is the only thing.
A married man falls for a woman who is not his wife. “I love her,” he pleads. “And she loves me. I’ve never felt the same way about anyone else before. We were made for each other.”
The same appeal may be used by a homosexual couple: “We love one another. Why would anyone wish to deny us full expression of that love?”…
How we witness
- By our love for each other, Jn 13:34.
- By our behaviour in the home, 1 Pet 3:1f.
- By our conversation, Col 4:6.
- By giving an account of our hope, 1 Pet 3:15.
- By friendship, Jn 1:42; 12:22.
…
Mark 6 – Walking on water – sermon notes
Easy to trivialise: spoof job descriptions clergy and church secretary; JCSS: ‘Prove to me that you’re no fool/walk across my swimming pool’; Paul Daniels. But it has all the signs of an eyewitness account of a very real and altogether alarming experience.
V45 – urgent separation. Why? Jn 6:15 – ‘Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.’
He caused their crisis. But why was it such a crisis?…
Mark 6:30-44 – Feeding five thousand – sermon notes
Two banquets.
Disciples return, excited but exhausted. They need to rest and recuperate, but the crowd chases after them.
1. His wonderful compassion, v32-34
‘…because they were like sheep without a shepherd.’
They had leaders a-plenty – Herod, and the priests and the scribes. They could boast a magnificent temple, a large income, thronging congregations. But they were not doing their job.
Moses and Joshua were often referred to as ‘shepherds’ because they led the people not only to safety, but to victory. …
Misused privileges
- By the Gadarenes, Mk 5:17
- By the Nazarenes, Mk 6:4,5
- By the People of Northern Galilee, Lk 10:14
- By the People of Jerusalem, Lk 19:42
- By Israel in different periods, Jn 15:22; Heb 3:17
(Source unknown)…