In praise of tradition

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Evangelicals can sometimes be understandably nervous about ‘tradition’.  But J.I. Packer reminds us of a number of benefits of Christian tradition:-

1.  Roots.  Just as a individual can gain inspiration and identity from learning about the family from which he sprang; just as a solider learns standards and ideals from learning about his regiment’s illustrious past; so conscious solidarity with the story of God’s family on earth over the past two thousand years can be strengthening and enriching.…

Theology: a multidimensional discipline

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At first, the very concept of ‘theology’ sounds grotesque.  Letter of schoolgirl to the Church of England Enquiry Office: “Dear Sir, we are doing God this term.  Please send full particulars.!”  Yet God has deliberately presented himself to us and has invited us to apprehend him by our three higher sense of sight, hearing and touch, 1 Jn 1:1.  Theology, writes John Stott, remains a rich multidimensional discipline.

1.  Christian theology is biblical theology (theology and revelation)

Notwithstanding the real diversity between the different books of the Bible and the authors, their is an underlying unity as well, because it is the same God who is speaking through the many mnids and mouths of the human authors. …

Quotes on Theology

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1.  Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  (Karl Barth’s summary of his theology)

2.  A theologian is a man who spends his time answering questions that nobody is asking.  (William Temple)

3.  Everything a theologian does in the church contributes to the spread of the knowledge of God and the salvation of men.  (Luther)…

The boyhood of Jesus

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Lk 2:52 ‘And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.’

A unique glimpse into the boyhood of Jesus.

Shows us that his was a true humanity: he became like us, so that we might become like him. Here is a summary statement of his human development.  Similar things are said about Samuel and John the Baptist.

1.  He increased in wisdom – intellectual development

Although he was the Son of God, the Bible does not teach that he was born with complete knowledge and wisdom. …

Mk 2:1-3:6 – Five things you should know about Jesus – sermon notes

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Christianity is Christ.  The Christian faith stands or falls on the person, the teaching and the achievements of Jesus Christ.

When reading the Bible ask, ‘What does this teach me about my Saviour?  What this tell me about my relationship with him?  What guidance does this give me in living a life that is pleasing to him?

This is precisely how I want us to look at this passage together.

1.  Jesus has a habit of upsetting people

I don’t mean, of course, that he deliberately set out to be offensive or aggressive. …

Examples of revival

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Moving further into the subject of revival, it may be helpful to provide an overview of revivals as they have occurred in history, from Old Testament until modern times.  Reference will therefore be made to some of the most notable awakenings, describing some of their leading features but deferring more detailed analysis until later chapters.

Biblical Examples of Revival

The Old Testament

It is sometimes questioned whether the revivals of the Old Testament were the same in nature and kind as those which have occurred more recently. …

Quotes on Sin

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For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.  (Edmund Burke)

Before I can preach love and grace, I must preach sin, law and judgement.  (John Wesley)

Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of his mercy, the jeer of his patience, the slight of his power, and the contempt of his love.  (John Bunyan)

He that hath slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God. (John Owen)

No sin is small. …

Mk 10:17-31 – The rich young ruler – sermon notes 1

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Jesus said many wonderful things.  But here, it seems, he got it completely wrong.  Here’s what should have happened:

A young man, wealthy and influential, rushes up to Jesus and falls on his knees before him.

“Good Teacher,” he blurts out, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus replies, “I can see that you are a very courteous, eager and sincere young man.  Relax: I’ve got some good news for you: there is nothing you have to do to inherit eternal life. …

The relevance of the resurrection

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The claim that Jesus rose from the dead seems incredible.  People have tried both to deny and to defy death, but only Christ has claimed to conquer it, Jn 11:25f.  The very first Christians were confident of this, Acts 2:23f; 3:13-15; 4:2; 5:30-32.  See also 1 Cor 15:3-8.  John Stott has written about the relevance of the resurrection in the following terms:-

1.  What does the resurrection mean?

The semantic question of what the resurrection means was brought into prominence in the 1980s by David Jenkins. …

1 Cor 15 – The doctrine of the resurrection – sermon notes

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1.  WHAT? – The Fact of the Resurrection

Vv1-11, esp. v4 – ‘He was raised on the third day.’

Think back over the events surrounding the execution of Jesus.  Pilate released a common criminal, and had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.  The soldiers swarmed around him, stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him.  Then they made a crown out of thorns and put it on his head.  They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and laughed at him, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” …