Presbyterian Reformed Church of Stockton-on-Tees (Video)

This sermon examines John 15:16-21 to look at the characteristics of true followers of Christ amidst a hostile world. The preacher outlines four key aspects: an unshakeable foundation in God's sovereign election, membership in a spiritual family bound by love, the inevitable conflict with worldly systems, and a shared fellowship in suffering with Jesus. Emphasizing that believers are chosen not for their own merit but by God's grace, the message encourages Christians to expect persecution rather than worldly acceptance. The central theme asserts that genuine faith produces fruit and endures through trials because its security rests entirely on Christ's choice and preservation.

This sermon explores the biblical narrative of Abigail and David, which points forward to the nature of true peace through Jesus Christ. It highlights God's sovereign providence in God sending Abigail to prevent David from sinning, demonstrating that God controls all circumstances for His glory. The message contrasts the rejection of the wicked Nabal with the acceptance of those who come to Christ in humility and faith. While believers experience tastes of this divine peace, the text warns against expecting perfect harmony in a fallen world, pointing instead to the ultimate, eternal rest found in the Greater David, the Son of David, Jesus Christ.

This sermon explores Psalm 28, emphasizing the believer's absolute dependency on God's infinite power rather than human ability. The preacher outlines three key themes: the necessity of acknowledging one's weakness before an almighty Creator, the need for divine deliverance from spiritual enemies, and the resulting devotion expressed through prayer and praise. The message highlights that access to God and sanctification are solely dependent on Christ's work. It urges listeners to cease relying on self-sufficiency and instead plead for God's intervention in their daily struggles. Ultimately, the sermon encourages a life of worship where trust in God's strength brings joy and security amidst trials.

This sermon defines biblical love by examining Jesus' relationship with the Father and His followers in John 15. It contrasts worldly, subjective definitions of love with the objective standard found in God's character and commandments. The message emphasizes that true love involves abiding in Christ through obedience to His moral law, finding ultimate satisfaction in Him rather than worldly idols. It highlights Jesus' faithfulness unto death as the model for believers and invites listeners into a close, familial friendship with God. The central call is to trust in this unchanging divine love for comfort and guidance in a distorted cultural context.

This sermon explores the biblical account of Abigail, who acts as a peacemaker to prevent disaster caused by her foolish husband Nabal. By using God-provided resources with generosity and wisdom, she seeks protection for her household and appeases David. The preacher outlines three key virtues demonstrated in this narrative: protection through faithful action, prudence in recognizing spiritual authority, and prayerful reliance on divine promises. These elements illustrate how believers should navigate conflict by prioritizing reconciliation and trusting in God's sovereignty rather than succumbing to fear or covetousness. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to seek the Father's joy by pursuing peace and wisdom through their relationship with Christ.

This sermon explores the nature of intimate fellowship with God through Moses' forty-day encounter on Mount Sinai, emphasizing that true communion is accessed only through Jesus Christ as the ultimate mediator. It highlights how spending time in God's presence transforms believers, seen in the life of Moses when his face shone, sustaining them spiritually and reflecting God's glory outwardly. The preacher urges the congregation to prioritize prayer and Scripture study, warning against distractions and self-deception regarding spiritual growth. By fulfilling the law and removing the fear of condemnation, Christ opens the way for all believers to enjoy glorious, life-changing union with the Father.

This sermon explores the picture of Jesus as the true vine and believers as branches, emphasizing total dependency on Christ for spiritual life and productivity. It outlines four key aspects of this relationship: recognizing Christ's power as the source of strength, understanding God's loving pruning to remove hindrances to heavenly fruit, publishing the gospel through abiding in His word, and directing all praise to God alone. The preacher clarifies that while salvation is by faith alone, genuine faith inevitably produces heavenly fruit such as repentance towards Christ and holiness. The message urges listeners to examine their connection to Christ, reject self-reliance, and seek a life that glorifies the Father through abundant spiritual fruitfulness.

This sermon explores the destructive nature of foolishness by examining the biblical narrative of Nabal and David in 1 Samuel 25. The preacher contrasts the loss of godly wisdom, symbolized by the death of Samuel, with the arrogant self-interest of Nabal, whose name literally means fool. Through three key points—foolish abandonment, ambition, and attack—the text illustrates how culture and individuals often shun biblical truth in favour of worldly values. The message urges believers to reject the prevailing folly of their time and instead treasure the wisdom found in Scripture and the legacy of faithful predecessors. Ultimately, the sermon calls for reliance on God rather than fleshly retaliation, like that seen with David, when facing injustice or misunderstanding.

The sermon explores the biblical distinctions between men and women within the context of public worship and church order, arguing that God's created design is superior to modern cultural confusion. Drawing primarily from 1 Timothy 2, the message emphasizes that while men and women are equal in value, they have distinct roles, with certain men called to lead in public prayer and women instructed to learn in silence and modesty. The preacher connects these instructions to the creation narrative in Genesis, highlighting how Satan's deception seeks to undermine God's authority and leads to disorder. Despite societal pressures and personal hardships, believers are urged to pursue holiness, discernment, and endurance by adhering strictly to Scripture rather than cultural trends. Ultimately, the text asserts that trusting in God's wisdom and enduring in faith brings contentment and reflects the glory of Christ.

This sermon explores the distinction between believers and the fallen world through looking at John 14:22-31. It highlights three key differences: a spiritual hearing that responds to God's word, a heavenly harmony brought by the Holy Spirit, and a future hope in Christ's return to the Father. The message emphasizes that true peace and identity are found only in alignment with divine truth rather than worldly values. Believers are called to reject the seductive but empty promises of the age in favour of eternal joy and obedience. Ultimately, the text urges listeners to recognize their new nature and live as citizens of the coming kingdom.