Following Jesus means choosing one Lord rather than taking charge whenever life becomes hard. He tells His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow His way with open eyes to the cost. Yet His example alone cannot make them faithful. Because Jesus first gave His life for them, His Spirit changes them from within. They can stop resisting His rule, return when they wander, and find life by losing it for His sake.

Bible Reference: Luke 9:23–27

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Fear can keep people clinging to a painful life rather than facing what Jesus might change. A demon-possessed man who broke chains falls before Jesus, and Jesus frees him with complete authority. The frightened villagers ask Jesus to leave. They choose familiar trouble over His unsettling power, but the restored man sits at Jesus’ feet and tells his city what Jesus has done. His response points to the better way: seek Christ’s saving power while the opportunity remains.

Bible Reference: Luke 8:26–39

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Simon invites Jesus to dinner, yet keeps Him at arm’s length while judging the sinful woman who weeps at His feet. Jesus knows both hearts. The woman’s lavish welcome shows the grateful love of someone who knows she needs forgiveness, while Simon’s caution exposes his small view of grace. Jesus accepts sinners, forgives an eternal debt, and calls people to turn from sin and examine their own hearts. His grace frees forgiven sinners to welcome others without bitterness or entitlement.

Bible Reference: Luke 7:36–50

Preacher: KJ Tromp

A man shut out by leprosy risks approaching Jesus, certain that Jesus can cleanse him if He is willing. Jesus touches the untouchable man and heals him immediately, then sends him to a priest so he can rejoin God's people. This healing points beyond restored skin to God's kingdom, where Jesus reverses what sin has broken. He goes to the cross to cure sin itself, restoring outcasts to God and freeing them to worship and obey with joyful hearts.

Bible Reference: Luke 5:12–16

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Purim turned the Jews’ threatened destruction into feasting, gifts, and care for the poor. Yet Persia’s restored taxes show that their relief was temporary and the unchanged king still burdened his subjects. True rest needed a king who could release slaves from sin and speak lasting peace. At the Lord’s Supper, joy remembers the sorrow that came first: Jesus bore punishment, rose victorious, and secured eternal deliverance while His people await His returning reign.

Bible Reference: Esther 9:20–10:3

Preacher: KJ Tromp

The Jews in Persia face an attack across the empire, yet the day meant for their destruction ends in relief and celebration. Their victory is defensive, and their refusal to take plunder corrects Saul’s earlier disobedience while showing that God gives His people another chance. Haman’s confiscated house becomes an image of Satan’s kingdom being plundered as Christ’s victory advances through His church. The cross has already secured the victory. Ordinary worship and daily obedience now bring thoughts under Christ’s rule and share in that settled victory.

Bible Reference: Esther 9:1–19

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Esther falls at the king’s feet because Haman’s death has not removed the threat against her people. Her persistence gains Mordecai authority to issue a new edict allowing the Jews to defend themselves, and mourning turns into joy. Yet the Jews celebrate before their coming battle is won. Christ’s death and resurrection establish the same pattern on a greater scale. Final freedom from sin, death and sorrow is certain, so God’s people can keep praying and begin rejoicing now.

Bible Reference: Esther 8

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Children learn what matters through ordinary life at home. Deuteronomy 6 tells Israel to love God wholeheartedly and pass His words through the generations as they enter a land they did not build. Baptism places God's family name on children before they can understand, respond or contribute. Because God's grace speaks first, parents and the church family can nurture faith with confidence and point children towards the lasting rest won through Jesus Christ.

Bible Reference: Deuteronomy 6:1–15

Preacher: KJ Tromp

Esther risks her life by identifying herself with the Jewish people and exposing Haman’s plan to destroy them. Haman dies on the very stake he built for Mordecai, as God preserves the people through whom Christ would come. God keeps His promises. Christ later bears God’s curse to make peace for His former enemies. His people can therefore face sin and weakness with bold prayer, trusting His promised work rather than their own strength.

Bible Reference: Esther 7

Preacher: KJ Tromp

A sleepless king and a forgotten royal record overturn Haman’s plan to kill Mordecai. What looks like coincidence displays God’s hidden control, while Haman’s hunger for status traps him into publicly honouring the man he hates. Wicked pride cannot outmanoeuvre God. Mordecai’s public honour also points to Jesus, who wore a crown of thorns and endured the cross to save His people. God honours His Son forever, so resistance must give way to trust in Christ and rest in God’s care.

Bible Reference: Esther 6

Preacher: KJ Tromp