BBC Sermon Cast

It’s common to share a prayer request with someone and to let someone know that we will pray for them. However, we rarely let others know exactly what it is we have prayed for and why. In Colossians 1:9–14, not only do we learn what Paul prays about for the Christians in Colossae, but we also learn what we should prioritise in prayer.

Sine qua non is a Latin phrase, which refers to something without which another thing would not be possible. It refers to an essential element, which, if missing, causes the whole enterprise to fall apart. The account of the rich young ruler provides us insight into the sine qua non of eternal life, which will serve as a call-to-arms as we live lives of worship, praying that God’s kingdom would come here on earth.

In our “Hidden Figures” series, we have highlighted several biblical examples of characters who are not prominent in Scripture yet vital to the advancement of God’s kingdom. Some were very obscure, only mentioned once. But I doubt any figures are more “hidden” than the two in our text this evening” “Joseph called Barsabbas” and “Matthias.” Very hidden indeed. These two names appear only here in Scripture and there is very little information concerning them. Yet what we are told provides enough material for them to serve as examples for disciples of Jesus Christ. We consider our text under four broad headings:

1. The Context of the Situation (vv. 12–20)

2. The Criteria of the Selection (vv. 21–23)

3. The Choice by the Sovereign (vv. 24–26)

4. The Conundrum of the Silence

The Christian is not left in the dark concerning sexual sanctity, for the Bible equips the Christian with sexual sanity. First Corinthians 7 provides what we need to think both clearly and cleanly about God’s good gift of sex: its parameters, its principles, and its practice. “Sex and the City” is to be countered by sanity in the church. In our study, we will address this by looking at the opening nine verses under the headings:

1. Sexual Morality (vv. 1–2)

2. Marital Mutuality (vv. 3–5)

3. Singular Purity (vv. 6–9)

In 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, Paul gives instruction about the sanctity of the saints. In doing so he tells believers to pay attention to the importance of their bodies. And to the degree they do so, as the rest of 1 Corinthians reveals, the body of Christ is blessed. In other words, what the Christian does with his or her body effects the local body of Christ. To a large degree, the problem of sexual immorality in both the wider culture as well as within local churches is a similar challenge in our day and therefore this passage is of great relevance and importance to us.

The book of Revelation is given to us to reveal Jesus Christ. But its goal is more than academic. It reveals Christ to us so that we might worship him. In the opening verses (1:1–8), we find a revelation of the person who is worthy of worship and of the blessing that comes upon those who worship him in response to the revelation. We will study these verses under those two broad themes:

1. Revealing the person worthy of worship (vv. 1–3)

2. Revealing the blessing when you obey the revelation (vv. 4–8)

William Carey famously said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Because he believed God is very great (Psalm 104:1), he attempted for God what God expected of him. And great things happened! Psalm 126 carries a similar theme and one that, in our days, we may particularly need to be reminded of. That is, God can again do great things in a church, in a life, in a nation, all for his glory. In these six verses we are encouraged to not be forgetful (vv. 1–3) and to be faithful (vv. 4–5a, 6a), with confidence that we will be fruitful (vv. 5b, 6b).

Paul has exhorted wives, husbands, children and fathers to live unto the Lord, whether that be on Sunday or any other day of the week (Colossians 3:18–21). In 3:22–4:1, he turns to bondservants (slaves) and masters. Being a Christian in the workplace has profound implications for the way we work and the way we exercise authority in the workplace. Being a Christian under human authority doesn’t give one an excuse to cut corners. Likewise, holding authority over someone doesn’t provide an excuse to abuse that authority. Since Jesus is Lord, we ought to live as Monday Christians in the workplace.

Most people today live as though the world revolves around them, but Christians, of all people, are called to a richer, deeper and ultimately more fulfilling view of life. Indeed, true living comes from recognising the greatness of God and his sovereignty over all things.

In John 21, the Lord Jesus Christ pastorally confronts Peter and predicts that he will grow old, weakening in body, yet dying a death in which he will glorify God. In other words, he will finish well. Finishing well is the goal of everyone who has been saved by the gospel of Christ. We will look at this passage under four headings:

1. An Existential Crisis (vv. 1–14)

2. An Essential Confrontation (15–17)

3. An Eventual Contrast (vv. 18–19)

4. An Erroneous Comparison (vv. 20–23)