​When the New Testament talks about “the last days” it’s talking about the whole period between the first & second comings of Christ. In other words, it is talking about the period every Christian lives in. At the beginning of the third chapter of 2 Timothy Paul writes “that in the last days there will be times of difficulty”! The phrase “times of difficulty” literally means times of darkness & distress. Paul then goes on to give a shocking portrait of such times. Church leaders like Timothy need to especially be prepared for such times, so they can lead church in & through them! 

​Do you desire to be a useful Christian? Do you long to be used for God’s special purposes? If so then this message is for you. In 2 Timothy 2 Paul has provided six analogies which help define the who, what & how of Christian ministry – solider, athlete, farmer, worker, vessel & servant. Together these analogies help paint a picture of the perspective, priorities & character church leaders especially should exhibit. This sermon focuses on the last two analogies which underline the purity & people skills needed for useful gospel ministry, qualities that describe what a useful Christian looks like!  

As Christian’s we find strength in unity…brothers & sisters dwelling in peace, & knowing the joy of the LORD (Psalm 133:1). Unity is important for those who believe in the God of the Bible: we are called to be united with each other and with the Lord. The Letter to the Ephesians was written to a newly established church. Paul shows that Christians worship a redemptive & trinitarian God. These are two important facets of what it means to worship One God together with our brothers & sisters in Christ. Unity in the Church is also important for the mission of the Gospel on the earth and for the expansion of God’s kingdom, and ultimately for His glory. These drives should outweigh hangs-up we might have about working with and being united with God’s people.

Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

In the second half of 2 Timothy 2 Paul uses another three analogies - worker, vessel & servant – to help highlight the qualities a Christian minister should exhibit as he endures for the Gospel. This message looks at the first of these analogies: Like a good worker a Christian minister should handle God’s truth with accuracy & clarity! He must not get sidetracked with theological disputes or discouraged by false-teachers. Instead he is to keep focused on rightly dividing God's truth while trusting God to keep his own people safe from error.  

When we feel like we're surrounded or overwhelmed by life's circumstances, are we more like Elisha who could see the army of the Lord encamped around him or like his servant, overwhelmed & in need of someone to pray for us so we can see beyond our circumstances.

Reading: 2 Kings 6:15-17

 ​A Christian minister’s mindset for ministry plays a vital role in his endurance in ministry. A right view of himself & what he is called to is so vital. In these verses Paul seems to be giving Timothy a mindset for ministry – a way of viewing himself & what he does – that will help him endure for the gospel. So, he gives Timothy three analogies for ministry, three assurances in ministry & a song to help keep him strong. Things which can also help every Christian set their mind for endurance!

​Resilient (3): Sermons on Paul's second letter to Timothy
Reading: 2 Timothy 1:13-2:2

The reading for this sermon begins with Paul telling Timothy the Gospel is now in his hand & ends with Timothy being exhorted to pass it on to other "faithful men" who will be able to teach "others also". One of the things Paul wants Timothy to understand in this letter is that the gospel 'baton' is now in his hand. Paul’s lap is run & it’s over to Timothy now, so he's writing to make sure Timothy takes a firm grip of the gospel, runs well with it & passes it on to other faithful people. . Paul is saying what he says to strengthen Timothy's grip on the gospel. In a very real sense he is saying; “Don’t drop the gospel.”

Timothy is faltering with fear & shame. He’s feeling the pressure of gospel ministry & knows what Paul has suffered for it. He’s wondering ‘is it worth it?’ Paul is writing to strengthen his resilience for the Gospel. In this opening section of the letter he encourages Timothy to remember his story, remember his calling & remember who dwells within him before charging him to guard the gospel! 

Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-14 

Resilient (1): Sermons on Paul's second letter to Timothy

Paul’s purpose in writing 2 Timothy is to strengthen Timothy to guard, pass on & preach the Gospel no matter what, to instill in him a much-needed ‘resilience’ for the sake of the Gospel. It seems that Timothy found himself at a T-junction, one sign read exit the other endure. Paul is writing to call Timothy to 'resilience' for the sake of the Gospel. Yet it was so vital that Timothy understood that such resilience is rooted in knowing God & is fueled by the power of his grace! 

Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-2

‘The first Christian Apostles featured credentials legitimising their ministry.
As 21st. century Christians, we follow in their footsteps…

• The apostles were commissioned by God for works of service.
• The apostles were granted authority to heal in Jesus’ name.
• The apostles showed care & compassion to the least fortunate.
• The apostles had a love for their enemies.

What’s our walk looking like with Jesus in 2019?

Reading: Acts 3

Paul says in Philippians 3:17; "Brothers & sisters, join in imitating me, & keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." This message walks us through the theme of imitation that is repeated in Paul's letter to the Philippians. We all have people we look up to & who inspire us in different ways but Paul encourages us to imitate those who imitate Christ.

This sermon explores the New Testament's teaching on the Lord's Supper -- also known as Holy Communion or the Breaking of Bread -- & it's place in corporate worship. The sermon opens by dealing with some misconceptions & then goes on to look at how the Lord's Supper is described by Jesus in the Gospels & by Paul in 1 Corinthians. What is the Lord's Supper exactly & what is it that we do when we break bread together in worship? Is it just a symbol or is there more to it? Make sure & read the two reading below before you listen. 

Reading: Luke 22:7-20;  1 Cor. 11:17-34

​Every church has a liturgy! The word liturgy simply refers to the pattern of our worship service. Some have an accidental liturgy while others have an intentional one, but every church has one. An intentional one is better! For if Sunday worship is to help shape the rest of our lives then how we shape it is vitally important! This message proposes that corporate worship should be Pentecostal (encouraging the gifts & ministry of the Holy Spirit), Evangelical (rooted in healthy exposition of Scripture) & Sacramental (centred on encountering Christ afresh in the Breaking of Bread). 

Key Scriptures: 1 Cor 14:26-40; 1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Luke 24:13-35

​Corporate worship in the New Testament is about connecting with God, connecting with one another & connecting with the world. This means that in our times together we need to be present not only to God but also to each other, to ‘unbelievers’ or ‘outsiders’ who may be present & to what is happening in the world outside. This is the very clear impression we get from Bible passages that specifically address our regular times of worship together! This sermon introduces a new series called Sunday Worship exploring what the Bible teaches about corporate worship & how it should help shape our everyday life.