Category Archives: Christian Life

‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Lev 19:9-18)

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The importance of this command is underscored by our Lord himself (Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31), along with Paul (Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14) and James (Jas 2:8).

Love for neighbour is presented in Leviticus 19 as highly practical, and covers five areas of everyday life.

1. Loving others with our possessions, Lev 19:9-11.

The practice of gleaning requires not only generosity on the part of the landowner but industry on the part of the poor.  But,

‘The main lesson to be learned is that God’s people are to be generous.

…

Christ has dealt with the guilt, power, and presence of sin

Walking With Giants Posted on by

1. The guilt of sin. This is justification, ‘the very hinge and pillar of Christianity’, (Thomas Watson).

John Stott has said, ‘Nobody understands Christianity who does not understand…the word “justified”.’

Spurgeon tells the story of a man who was so constantly in debt and continually being arrested by the police, that once, when going by a fence, having caught his sleeve on one of the rails, he turned around and said, “I don’t owe you anything sir.”…

The example of Christ

Walking With Giants Posted on by

I have been struck by the way in which some some of the classic Bible passages about Christ’s atonement are linked to his example.

To be sure, we cannot follow our Saviour in atoning for our sins or for anyone else’s.

But we can follow him,

  1. in generous forgiveness.  Eph 4:32 – ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’
  2. in putting others’ needs above our own.
…

Train a child in the way that he should go

Walking With Giants Posted on by

According to this article in Christian Today, half of American Christians think that casual sex is ‘sometimes or always’ morally acceptable.

More than half of American white evangelicals say that cohabitation is acceptable if the couple plan to marry.  And almost half of evangelical Protestants aged 15-22 who were not currently cohabiting or married said they would probably or definitely cohabit in the future.  (But Christian commitment did make a big difference: those young people who attended church at least twice a month were least likely to approve of cohabitation).…

Psa 16 – The secret of happiness (sermon notes)

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Text: Psalm 16

Today (11th April, 2021) is a time of thankfulness (for the life of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh), and of hopefulness (as Covid restrictions are further eased tomorrow).

But what about happiness?  Has anyone ever discovered, or will anyone ever discover, the secret of real and lasting happiness?

I want to introduce you to someone who has discovered the secret of happiness.

Happy, though in danger, v1

v1 – ‘Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.’…

The joy of Jesus Christ

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Jesus Christ’s joy originates in God

From his intimate relationship with his Father and the Spirit Lk 10:21 pp Mt 11:25-26 See also Isa 11:2-3; Mt 3:16-17 pp Mk 1:10-11 pp Lk 3:22; Mt 12:18; Isa 42:1; Ac 2:28; Ps 16:11

From his awareness of God’s purposes Heb 12:2 See also Jn 8:29

Jesus Christ’s coming brings great joy

His birth Lk 2:10-11 See also Mt 2:10; Lk 1:44; 2:20,28-32

His resurrection and ascension Jn 16:20-22 See also Mt 28:8-9; Lk 24:40-41,50-53; Jn 20:20

Jesus Christ gives joy to his people

He brings joy to his disciples Jn 17:13 See also Isa 61:1-3; Jn 15:11; Ro 12:12; Php 1:26

Being in his presence is likened to the joy of a wedding Mt 22:1-10 See also Mt 9:14-15 pp Mk 2:18-19 pp Lk 5:33-34; Mt 25:1-10; Jn 3:29; Rev 19:7,9

To know Jesus Christ brings great joy to others Lk 15:7 See also Mt 8:11; Lk 15:10,22-24,31-32; Jn 8:56

(Dictionary of Bible Themes, Martin Manser)…

Ryle on encouragements to prayer

Walking With Giants Posted on by

God has provided us with powerful encouragements to prayer (writes J.C. Ryle in Practical Religion).

I summarise.

  1. We have a way opened up for us by Jesus Christ.  ‘The name of Jesus is a never-failing passport to our prayers. In that name a man may draw near to God with boldness, and ask with confidence. God has engaged to hear him.’
  2. We have an advocate and intercessor presenting out prayers to the throne of grace. 
…

The spirituality of Colossians

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Here are thirty lessons on spirituality, drawn from Peter Adam’s study of Colossians:

  1. Spirituality is not for the elite, but for all.  It is for ‘the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, Col 1:2.
  2. Authentic Christianity is marked by faith, love and hope, Col 1:4f.
  3. Faith, love and hope are the fruit of the gospel, Col 1:6.
  4. We honour those who bring this message to us, Col 1:7.
  5. Unceasing, thankful prayer is fundamental to true spirituality. 
…

The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

Walking With Giants Posted on by

Some choice extracts from this precious work by Richard Sibbes (1577-1635)

In time of temptation, misgiving consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in, that they need be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls.

What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the part offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that seeing God’s love resteth on Christ, as we pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ!…

Perspectives on union with Christ

Walking With Giants Posted on by

The term ‘union with Christ’ sums up the relationship between Christ and his people.

The church has understood this in various ways.

1. Incarnational union.  This view, which was held my many of the early Fathers and continues to be held in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, is that in incarnation God in Christ became one with us in order to make us one with him.  He took on our human nature in so that we might partake in his divine nature. …