Growing in grace

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See 2 Pet 3:18

‘The saints are not only compared to stars for their light, but to trees for their growth’ (Watson), Isa 61:3, ‘They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.’ Hos 14:5f. ‘Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.’

Christian growth is organic, and needs therefore to be both nourished and exercised.…

Crooked speech

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What constitutes crooked speech? It is talk that isn’t straight, of course. It is bowed, off-kilter, circuitous, meandering. There are a few examples we could cite.

1. Falsehoods

Telling lies about ourselves or others is breaking covenant. Even if we’re just “stretching” the truth or “bending” the truth, entertaining distortions or investing in stereotypes, we cut a line unfit to build relationships or reputations of integrity with. You can’t be square with God and neighbor if all your lumber’s warped.…

Biblical ethics

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In biblical teaching, religion and morality are intimately connected: the religious person is a moral person, and vice versa, Psa 14:1.

Biblical ethics are

  1. personal – they are grounded in the character or God: we are to be holy because he is holy, Lev 19:2.  They are addressed to persons who must make thoughtful decisions, Lev 26:3; Phil 4:8f.
  2. theistic – they focus on God.  To know God is to practice righteousness and justice, Jer 22:15f.
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Stealing

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Stealing is big business. Shoplifting in France is described as a national pastime. In our own country, over ten million pounds per day are lost through shoplifting. Marks and Spencer spends twenty million pounds per year on security, but still loses thirty million in stolen goods. One woman boasts that she can make thirteen hundred pounds a day by shoplifting.

The most notorious theft in the history of British crime took place on Thursday, August 8th 1963.…

Jn 16:5-15 – ‘It is for your good that I am going’ – sermon notes

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It is a horrible thought to try to imagine life without someone you dearly love.

The disciples were having to get used to the prospect of life without Jesus.

There they are, sitting around the table sharing one last meal with Jesus. They listen with increasing alarm as he tells them that he must leave them. On top of that, he warns them that they can expect to be treated with terrible hostility after his departure.…

Adultery

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General references to Ex 20:14 Le 20:10 Job 24:15 Mt 5:27 19:9 Rom 7:3 1 Cor 6:9 2 Pet 2:14

Adultery is the name given to a sexual relationship by a married person with someone other than his or her legal spouse.

The most notorious case in the OT is that of David, 2 Sam 11:2-12:25.

Adultery is a sin against both God and other human beings, Gen 20:6 Ex 20:14.

Adultery breaks the great commandment to love one’s neighbour, Rom 13:9.…

Why think about death?

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  1. Its anticipation a cause for joy, Heb 12:2; Rev 14:13
  2. Its solemnity a reason for humility, Psa 39:4; Eccle 5:15
  3. Its suddenness a spur to Christian labour, Rom 13:11ff
  4. Its contemplation a motive for evangelism, 2 Cor 5:11
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Access to God

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Introduction

The New Testament teaches that every person can now have access to God because Jesus’ death on the cross has opened the way. Such access is actually experienced by those who express personal trust in Jesus and rely on divine grace. This brings peace and eternal hope, (Rom 5:1-2) but it is always dependent upon the heavenly King’s royal favor, not upon entrance requirements established or met by humans. Both Gentiles and Jews have an open door to the Father through Christ’s death on the cross and through the work of the Holy Spirit present in the believer’s life.…

General and special revelation

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‘The heavens declare the glory of God’ (Psalm 19:1).

Paul affirms in Rom 1:19-21 and Acts 17:28 that nature itself bears witness to God’s power and majesty. His works of providence bear witness to his kindness, Acts 14:17.  Conscience testifies to the demands of his holy law, Rom 2:14, and to the reality of punishment for the wrong-doer, Rom 1:32.

This is referred to as general revelation, because everyone receives it.  Failure to thanks and serve God aright is, therefore, a sin against knowledge, and any claims not to have this knowledge should not be taken seriously.  …

Work and play

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1. In the light of CREATION

God himself sets the example, Gen 2:1-3. God calls us into partnership with him, Gen 2:15. God has made this world our workplace and our playground, Gen 1:28. God has established a cycle of work and play, Ex 20:8-11.

2. In the light of THE FALL

Work tends to become a hardship, Gen 3:17-19. The worker tends to become selfish, lazy, disobedient, dishonest, 2 Thess 3:6-12. Play tends to become perverted from its original purpose: (a) it may become commercialised and over-competitive; (a) it may become destructive of work, education, physical health, family life or spiritual well-being.…