Delivered on our Lord's Day, 1 November 2020, at North Baptist Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

From the Garden of Eden to their return from exile in Babylon, we reflect upon the return of the nation of Israel and draw parallels to the local church's own "return" from covid-19 exile. The promise of God through the prophet Haggai was that the glory of the second temple would be greater than the glory of the former. God is at work, even in our distress.

Delivered on our Lord's Day, 25 October 2020, at North Baptist Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 

More than just teaching us about the advancement of the gospel, Acts 11:19-30 shows us that being full of the Holy Spirit and faith allows us to not only make good choices, but right choices too. Listen to how this played out in the four groups of people in the story.

Delivered on our Lord's Day, 18 October 2020, at North Baptist Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 

In Acts 11:19-26 we read how Barnabas was dispatched to encourage the new converts in Antioch, and explore how his biblical character contributed to further growth of the Church

In looking at Acts 11:1-18 we consider how there is both a timeless truth to the text, as well as a Spirit led devotional message. The world, and even those whom you think should be rejoicing with you, will not always be pleased with the work and works that you do. If your conviction is clear before God, you need to be doing it anyway.

In Acts 10:1-48 we read the account of the conversion of the Roman centurion Cornelius, which became the forerunner of door being swung wide open for the evangelism of the world, allowing us to now go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Learning from the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:20-31, we see that a consequence of conversion is that you can expect persecution. But we also learn how to stand up under that persecution through the help of others, and how compassion strengthens and grows the church.

Looking at the conversion of Saul in Acts 9:20-31, we see that because he was sufficiently equipped, he was able to baffle the Jews and prove that Jesus was the saviour. The Word of God will show us today that there is an expectation to reach people post our own conversion and what we need to do to equip ourselves in order to share the Gospel with others.

One of the lessons that we learn from Acts 3 is that we don’t always get what we ask for. We may ask God to supply what we think we need, but today’s text shows us that He might give us something different, what we actually need. It shows us that God is ultimately the one who knows what’s right for us.

Delivered on our Lord's Day, 14 June 2020, at North Baptist Church, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 

How many times have we looked toward God, even had the boldness to ask for something, but then just as quickly turned our gaze away? How many of us are like the lame beggar in Acts 3? The Lord does not always give as we ask, but when He gives and what He gives is better. The lame man asks for money and gets life. But he had to take a hold of the outstretched hand of his giver in order to fully walk in the blessing being given.