Category Archives: Sermon Notes

2 Kings 6:8-23 – Where is God when I’m afraid? – sermon notes

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“Wake up, Master, wake up!”  Poor Gehazi had never been so frightened in his life.

“What’s the matter, my servant?” said the man of God sleepily.

“We’re surrounded!  The Arameans have come to kill us!”

“Yes, I know.”

You see, the Arameans kept trying to ambush Israel.  The trouble for them was, Elisha always knew where where they were, and so the Israelites could avoid them.  The Arameans got fed up with this in the end, and that is why a whole army of them had surrounded Dothan, where Elisha and his servant were staying.…

Lk 7:36-50 – Love, hypocrisy, forgiveness – sermon notes

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Our Lord has just been drawing attention to the self-righteous Pharisees, v30, and announcing that he is the friend of tax-collectors and ‘sinners’, v34.  Here is a story which illustrates both these points.

A Pharisee had invited Jesus to have dinner with him.  Picture the scene.  Now consider the actions and reactions of the three people involved.

1.  The woman’s love

Who this woman was, we do not know.

She was well known for her immorality. …

John 15:1-17 – Be fruitful – sermon notes

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Have you ever been parted from someone you love?  A boy or girl goes off on holiday with a friend, and won’t see mum and dad for a couple of weeks.  A boyfriend and girlfried will be setting off in September for different universities.  A husband is called up for service in the armed forces, and doesn’t know when he’ll be home again.  What is said on such occasions.  “Look after yourself…keep in touch…don’t get into trouble”  The disciples were in such a situation. …

Judges 3:7-11 – God rescues – sermon notes

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‘If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.’
‘Yes, I realise she is very busy, but I really do need to see the doctor today.’
‘When will you ever learn?’

I wonder if you have ever felt like a broken record?

Well, you’re in good company.  The book of Judges is God’s broken record.  Its starting point is the conquest of the promised land under Joshua.  By the end of the book, 200 years later, we’re on the verge of the period of the kings, the time of Saul and David. …

Mk 5:21-43 – Healing faith – sermon notes

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The early chapters of the Gospel of Mark present a number of aspects of Jesus as healer.  They teach of his healing power, his healing touch, and his healing word.  In this passage, it is healing faith that comes to the foreground.  I would like to assume that you have been impressed by his great power, attracted by his compassionate touch, convinced by his authoritative word.  I would like to encourage you to have faith in Jesus the healer. …

Mt 6:11 – ‘Give us today our daily bread’ – sermon notes

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The Lord’s Prayer is a wonderful prayer: wonderful in its simplicity, and wonderful in its comprehensiveness.  Its several petitions have been likened to the colours of the rainbow.  And, like the colours of the rainbow, there is a definite order here: we are taught to pray first about God’s things (his honour, kingdom, and will), and only then about our things (daily provision, pardon, protection).

Just six words, but full of meaning:-

1.  ‘Bread’ stands here for the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, clothing.…

Ex 17:8-16 – Spiritual warfare – sermon notes

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Text: Exodus 17:8-16

We stand, as it were, at a mid-point between two vast continents.  Behind us lies the immense unalterable past, with its pleasures and regrets.  In front of us looms the equally vast future, with all its hopes and fears.  The question for the people of God as they move forward into this unexplored and largely unknown new territory is this: Can God be trusted?  All we have is his promise, and sometimes that promise seems to hang by the slenderest of threads.…

Lk 3:15-23a – The baptism of Jesus – sermon notes

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It’s been a long time since Christmas.  30 years, in fact.  The angels have long since returned to heaven.  The Wise Men have gone back to the East, from whence they came.  The shepherds have retired to a cottage by the sea.  Simeon and Anna, who greeted the baby Jesus in the Temple, have gone the way of all flesh.  Joseph, too, seems to have died at a relatively early age.  That flurry of Messianic fervour seems a long time ago now. …

Lk 8:40-56 – Jairus’ daughter raised – sermon notes

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The miracles are flowing so thick and fast at this stage in Jesus’ ministry that there now follows an account of two intertwined healing miracles.  The contrast between the two people who asked Jesus for help is notable.  One lesson arising from this is the essential equality of all before God: none are exempt from the ravages wrought by disease and death; and none are beyond the compassionate help of the Lord.

A man named Jairus – It must have been very hard for him to come to Jesus. …

Titus 2:9f – Witnessing in the workplace – sermon notes

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The most common type of employment throughout the Roman Empire was slavery. Slaves – especially in the East of the empire – were often treated quite well. Some were farm workers or labourers. Others became architects, physicians, administrators, philosophers, writers and teachers. Household slaves had many rights. They could marry and earn money. They were virtually members of the extended families of their owners. But they were still slaves, and would have been tempted to be untrustworthy, dishonest and disloyal.…