This sunday, We had Ethan, Henry and Louise all shared a short sermon on Luke 2:1-20.

Yemi Kolajo - Hope In Waiting by New Community Church

Last Sunday at our 10:30 Sidcup service, Reuben interviewed our Guest Anita from IJM. It was so encouraging hearing Anita and about her role within IJM.

Luke has moved John off the stage and now turns his attention to Jesus. Jesus’ public ministry commences with his baptism, where he is anointed by the Spirit for ministry. The divine voice identifies Jesus as God’s beloved Son and as the servant of the Lord. Luke then turns to Jesus’ genealogy, tracing Jesus back to David through Nathan instead of Solomon. This is almost certainly his biological genealogy. Matthew traces Jesus back to Abraham, but Luke goes back to Adam. Indeed, he goes one step further, tracing Jesus all the way back to God himself. Thus in both baptism and genealogy Luke identifies Jesus as God’s Son.

A standalone preach. Dave focuses on what it means for our story as Christians when we follow Jesus.

Hannah takes us through the next part of our Luke series where John the Baptist denied being the Messiah and preached repentance until he was imprisoned by Herod for condemning his marriage, paving the way for Jesus to begin his ministry.

John warns the crowds coming out to him, proclaiming that they will escape the wrath to come only if they bear fruit worthy of repentance. Simply being a child of Abraham will not shield Israel from the coming judgement. When the crowds ask John how they should respond, he gives practical advice. Those who turn to the Lord are generous with what they own, sharing food and clothing with those who are in need. Similarly, tax collectors should not extort money or skim some off the top for themselves, but should collect only what is mandated. Soldiers must also desist from extortion and be content with the pay they have received.

John warns the crowds coming out to him, proclaiming that they will escape the wrath to come only if they bear fruit worthy of repentance. Simply being a child of Abraham will not shield Israel from the coming judgement. When the crowds ask John how they should respond, he gives practical advice. Those who turn to the Lord are generous with what they own, sharing food and clothing with those who are in need. Similarly, tax collectors should not extort money or skim some off the top for themselves, but should collect only what is mandated. Soldiers must also desist from extortion and be content with the pay they have received.

Chapters 1-2 have prepared us for the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus, and now the ministry of John is launched with God’s word coming to him in the wilderness. John is in the wilderness on the other side of the Jordan, just as Israel was in the wilderness before entering the Land of Promise. Before the promises would be realized Israel had to be cleansed of its sin and to turn afresh to God. John appropriates Isaiah 40:3–5 to explain his ministry. He is the voice in the wilderness, preparing the Lord’s way. All will see God’s salvation when they humble themselves before him.

Dave dives into what it looks like as Christians to look and focus on both the past and the future.