The sermon expounds on the household codes found in Colossians 3:18 through 4:1, addressing the duties of wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, and masters. It emphasizes that all earthly relationships are spheres where believers serve Christ directly, urging obedience to parents and employers with singleness of heart and fear of God. The preacher highlights Jesus as the ultimate example of submission for children and warns fathers against provoking their offspring to anger through harshness. A significant portion explores the New Testament's approach to slavery, arguing that while not explicitly abolished, the gospel undermines the institution by establishing spiritual equality and brotherhood among believers. The message concludes by calling Christians to view every vocation as an opportunity to glorify Christ, ensuring their conduct reflects His grace and righteousness in all aspects of life.

Guest preacher, Rev. Nate Taylor, presents today's sermon. Nate grew up at Park Road Church and has become a pastor, missionary, and church planter in Glasgow, Scotland (Crossbridge Church) partly through the influence of the church's youth pastor in those earlier days, Rev. Brad Hunter, who, himself, planted a church in Vienna, Austria (New City Wein). While Nate's back in the states on a brief furlough, we have the opportunity to benefit from his preaching this and next Sunday. Sermon Text: Acts 8.26-40 The Family Story of God's Mission https://www.crossbridgechurch.co.uk/

This sermon explores kindness as a vital fruit of the Spirit, defining it as spirit-produced grace that shows compassionate love even to those who do not deserve it. The preacher illustrates this concept through personal anecdotes and biblical examples, such as Jesus washing Judas's feet and the parable of the Good Samaritan, to demonstrate that kindness is an active choice rather than a mere emotion. Believers are urged to practice kindness because God saved them through His own kindness and because their actions serve as a witness to the world. The message emphasizes that opportunities for kindness arise constantly, requiring believers to overcome busyness and choose to act with mercy in their daily interactions. Ultimately, the sermon calls the congregation to decide, realize their ability in Christ, and consistently practice kindness to glorify God.

The sermon explores the theological significance of the forty-day period between Jesus' resurrection and ascension, framing it as a purposeful season for believers. It identifies this time as an opportunity for proving faith through Christ's appearances, preparation via instruction on the Kingdom of God, and assurance through the promise of the Holy Spirit. The preacher emphasizes that waiting is not passive idleness but a divine process where God works sovereignly to equip His people for their mission. Central to the message is the call to maintain focus on the Great Commission rather than worldly distractions or political agendas during seasons of uncertainty. Ultimately, the text encourages trusting in God's promises and remaining steadfast in faith until Christ's return.

The sermon explores how God's providence transforms apparent disasters into opportunities for spiritual advancement, using Paul's imprisonment in Rome as the primary example. It highlights that while persecution and suffering seem devastating on the surface, they often produce opposite outcomes to those intended by oppressors, such as the spread of the gospel to the Praetorian Guard. The text emphasizes that these trials also strengthen the faith of believers, granting them boldness to proclaim the word without fear. By referencing historical events like the scattering of early Christians and the death of Christ for sinners, the message illustrates that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding and plans. Ultimately, the central theme asserts that all circumstances, even dark ones, work together under God's sovereign control to further His kingdom and glorify Him.

This sermon examines the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13 to address human questions regarding suffering and divine justice. It refutes the assumption that tragedies are direct punishments for specific sins, emphasizing instead that all people stand condemned and require repentance. The preacher defines biblical repentance as involving confession, contrition, and a tangible change in direction toward God. Using the imagery of the fig tree, the text warns that while God offers patience and opportunity, there is a limit to grace before judgment arrives. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to seize the present day of salvation through faith in Christ to avoid eternal perishing.

The sermon addresses the reality of persecution faced by Christians globally, contrasting the relative freedom in Australia with the severe suffering endured in places like North Korea and Eritrea. It establishes that suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian life, rooted in the world's hostility toward Christ and His followers. The message outlines three key purposes for this suffering: to drive believers to rely on God rather than themselves, to provide opportunities to rejoice in association with Christ, and to offer comfort that enables ministry to others. Emphasizing theological truths from passages such as 2 Corinthians and Romans, the preacher assures listeners that present afflictions are temporary and pale in comparison to the eternal glory awaiting those who remain faithful. The sermon concludes by urging believers to view suffering not as a tragedy but as a privilege and a witness to their identification with Jesus Christ.

This sermon explores the theological significance of Psalm 23:4, focusing on the believer's experience of walking through the darkest valleys of life. The preacher describes these trials as periods of intense hardship, isolation, and fear, yet emphasizes that they are not devoid of divine purpose or comfort. Central to the message is the assurance of Christ's abiding presence, which transforms terrifying shadows into manageable obstacles and provides a foundation for calm trust and courage. The text highlights how spiritual growth and deeper fellowship with God often emerge from these difficult seasons, proving that even in adversity, believers are sustained by their Shepherd. Finally, the sermon encourages Christians to view their struggles not as signs of abandonment, but as opportunities to discover profound blessings and the faithfulness of God.

This section of Hebrews reminds us that life is like a marathon. God brings discipline into our life to punish or educate us. Some people might give up Christ when things get hard. However, those that live by faith look to Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith. Other believers bear responsibility to help those who are faltering and look like they might not make it to the finish line. They are to point them to the grace in Christ, and the disaster of missing Christ because there is no future opportunity for repentance.

The Christian's Ultimate Life (1Pet 4:5-6) The sermon addresses the anxiety of Christians facing persecution and death by emphasizing two future certainties: every persecutor will give an account to Christ, and every believer who dies continues to live before God. It explains that the world's mockery and physical death are not final defeats but temporary states preceding divine judgment. The preacher highlights that life is a stewardship entrusted by God, requiring accountability for how individuals use their bodies, minds, and opportunities. By contrasting human assessment with God's eternal perspective, the message offers comfort to suffering believers while urging unbelievers to reconcile with the Judge before it is too late. Ultimately, the text assures that death does not cancel the gospel but transitions the believer into eternal life with Christ.