Through the blood of Jesus we are brought near to God, and to each other.
without Christ we are spiritually dead. with Christ we are made alive.
The certainty. 2. the uncertainty of when. 3. The Glory of His appearing.
The way in. 2. The way on: a) leaving behind past pride, failures, sins. b) not looking back. c) letting go of past pain/hurts. d) moving on from bereavement. e) not being paralysed by what God has done in the past. Keeping pressing on.
Triumphant Jesus. 2. Terrified priests. 3. Mysterious saints.4. Confessing centurion. 5. Committed women. 6. Brave men. 7. Frightened priests. 8. Pointless guards.
A faithful priest; a fearful priest; a faithless priest; a favoured priest.
Followers of Jesus: 1. …belong to Jesus and live by the Spirit. 2. …are very aware of the depth of their sin. 3. …have a lifelong struggle with sin.
Trials and responses.
Remembrance Sunday.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God”
Being Peacemakers: 1. At peace with God. 2. Live at peace with God. 3. Live at peace with people. 4. Follow the Prince of Peace.
Peter denies Jesus 3 times, repents and is restored.
The LORD 2. Shepherd. 3. is my
Many opinions. 2. One question. 3. One answer
As followers of Jesus we are: 1. Dead to sin. 2. United to Christ. 3. A new person. 4. We live a new way
AND SO - we must realise that we are dead to sin, and have ‘moved house’ now being under the rule of Jesus; we are not to let sin reign in our lives; we are to be instruments of righteousness.
Something very Sad: He felt deep emotional anguish. 2. Something very Human: asking His friends to be with Him. 3. Something very Godly: to pray.
Roger Pearce from Latin Link spoke at Joe Stoneham’s Commissioning Service.
Psalm 67: Praise for God’s purpose, Blessing for the nations.
3 shocks: 1.Betrayal. 2. Desertion and Denial. 3. Covenant
Have I received Christ as Lord? 2. Am I rooted in Him? 3. Am I being built up? 4. am I stronger? 5. Am I thankful?
The extravagance of a loving heart. 2. The greed of a cruel heart. 3. The assessment of a kind heart:
Jesus defends her; He calls what she did beautiful; He sees what she did as worthy of Him; it was highly significant; it is still remembered.
“being a child of God in this evil world”:
Help Lord!
There is a scarcity of: faithful people; of honesty and truthfulness; of humility and meekness; of care of the poor and needy; of holiness
However - God can be trusted; God answers prayer; God will arise in judgement; God will protect His people.