BBC Sermon Cast

The passage in Matthew 20:26–28 centres on Jesus addressing the disciples’ request for prominent positions in his future kingdom. He challenges their ambition by emphasising servanthood as the essence of true greatness. Jesus exemplifies this through his own life, sacrificially serving others rather than seeking authority. This call to emulate Christ’s humility and selflessness extends to modern believers, encouraging them to prioritise serving others within their communities as a reflection of their faith.

We often say, “Act your age.” But we also say, “Quit the act.” Either way, we are encouraging someone to bring their lives into conformity with the truth. Galatians 2:11–16 records the most intense conflict between Christian leaders in the New Testament. Peter had stepped out of line and Paul had the uncomfortable task of encouraging him, just as he encourages us, to not act out of fear but rather out of faith. Quit the act and act like a Christian. We consider this text under two headings:

1. Acting Out of Fear (vv. 11–14)

2. Acting Out of Faith (vv. 15–16)

There was never a greater experience of acute stress than the stress Jesus faced, beginning in Gethsemane’s garden and leading to the cross. Gethsemane was a time of acute stress for both Jesus and his disciples, and how he faced the stress, and how his disciples failed the stress, teaches us a great deal about how we should respond to acute stress. We will consider three things from this text:

1. The failing followers

2. The successful Saviour

3. The pertinent principle

Paul was dead certain that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and therefore dead certain that the dead in Christ will also rise again. He was certain that those who die in Christ will rise again like Christ and therefore he was certain that this truth will shape how Christians live. Certainty is a theme of the text before us. But certainty, in this context, is more than mental assent; it must make a difference to the way we live. We will unpack this text under three broad headings:

1. Dead Certainty about the Resurrection (vv. 20–22)

2. Dead Certainty about the New Creation (vv. 23–27a)

3. Dead Certainty about the Consummation (vv. 27b–28)

The famous conclusion to the most famous Psalm—Psalm 23—portrays the one journeying with the shepherd—after green pastures, still waters, and dark valleys—finally arriving home. We learn from this verse that home is where the Lord is. We will consider only one major point from this verse as we study it.

1. Finding a Permanent Place to Dwell (v. 6)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential to the gospel. And, by logical necessity, so is the resurrection to everlasting life of those for whom Christ died and rose again. Paul is concerned to make this point in the passage before us. We will study this under two broad headings:

1. A Logical Problem (vv. 12–13)

2. A Logical Peril (vv. 14–19)

Journeying with the shepherd is not always an easy or painless task. Sometimes, he leads us through dark valleys to learn to trust him more. Psalm 23:4–5 expresses David’s confident prayer in a place of peril. We will consider these verses under two broad headings:

1. A Prayer in a Place of Darkness (v. 4)

2. A Prayer in a Place of Danger (v. 5)

Without the resurrection, there would be no good news. This is Paul’s overriding theme in 1 Corinthians 15 as he reminds the Corinthians about the resurrection of Christ and affirms for them the future resurrection of believers. The gospel of the resurrection makes a real difference. But for us to benefit from this gospel we need to appreciate several matters related to it. We will consider three in the opening eleven verses of this chapter:

1.⁠ ⁠Gospel Continuance (vv. 1–3a)

2.⁠ ⁠Gospel Content (vv. 3b–4)

3.⁠ ⁠Gospel Confirmation (vv. 5–11)

When you belong to God, you have everything you need. Psalm 23:1–3 highlights God’s leading in the life of his sheep, and asks three questions: (1) Who is leading us? (v. 1); How is he leading us (vv. 2–3a); and Why is he leading us? (v. 3b).

The work that Jesus began was to be completed by his disciples, who were to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the very remotest part of the earth. Luke’s account of the early apostolic church concludes with Paul, under house arrest, preaching the gospel in Rome “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). He was bound but the gospel was not. And for two thousand years, this gospel has continued to go forth with all boldness and, despite many attempts to stop it, without any true hindrance.