How do you tell a real follower of Jesus from a fake? … some people had put their trust in Jesus – John 8:30. Test #1 To the Jews who believed him Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:31 People’s faith…
Sermons by Rick Maude (Page 31)
Who is Jesus? Would the ‘Jesus of their answers’ match the ‘Jesus of reality’? The festival of tabernacles. Jesus’ incredible claim I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of light. John 8:12 Temple lighting ceremony From the OT The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not…
A bizarre symbol For Romans … a vulgar term For Jews – Deuteronomy 21:23, “anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse”. Mocked or ridiculed. “Alexamous worships his God”. Why it must remain central The cross is central to the plans of God The cross is central in OT prophecy The cross is central in Jesus’ story The cross…
Last week: God in his sovereign rule elects those who will receive his promises Is God’s sovereign election of some unfair? If God elects some then why does God still blame us? Is God Unjust? (v14-18) “You must be joking” None of us deserve to be saved. But God in his mercy chooses to save. The example of Pharaoh Then why does…
Seconds from Disaster Has God’s word failed? Romans 9:6. … not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Verse 8, “in other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s off spring”. God’s sovereign choice His sovereign right to choose who receives his mercy. only the…
What impact does the plight of others have on your emotions? Romans so far Romans 1 – 4 … sin … alienated from God … grace … forgiveness … eternal life. Romans 5 – 8 … what living life as God’s people looks like Romans 9 – 11 …why God’s promises in the Old Testament are still valid Romans 12 – 16…
What society says about judging It’s confused Christians also sound confused What is judging? Who and What we are to Judge? 1 Corinthians 5:12 – judge the immorality of those who claim to follow Jesus Rev 2:14-15 – failed to judge and reject the false teaching and sexual immorality of those who claimed to follow God. (see also Rev 2:20-21) 1 Tim…
What is it that dominates your prayer life? Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Isaiah’s prayer Isaiah 63:7 – 64:12 Talking to God about God (63:7-14) Crying out to God to intervene (63:15-64:3) Recognising before God the roots of the problem – 64:4-7 Turning back to…
Waiting How good are you at waiting? “I am the LORD, in its time I will do this swiftly” The Man of Authority (v1-6) Chapters 1-35 – a Messianic Warrior Chapters 40-55 – a suffering servant “the Spirit of the Lord upon him” What he is going to do? Proclaim restoration. When does it all happen? The spirit of the Lord is…
Connecting promises with actions Above all, my brothers, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be Yes and your “No”, no, or you will condemned. James 5:12 See Matthew 5:33-34 OT use of oaths is ok (Ex 13:19, 22:11, Lev 5:4). Lev 19:12 NT – Paul often calls “God as his witness”…