In this sermon we continue our study in 1 Samuel. Last week we saw how Hannah had prayed to God for a son in her barrenness, and vowed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life. Now we see Hannah and Elkanah fulfil … Hannah Fulfills Her Vow Read More »

This is the first sermon in a new series we are starting in the book of 1 Samuel. Though it is an account of events that unfolded over 3000 years ago, we see that it is an incredible account of God's covenant faithfulness to His people, and how he uses the humble prayer of a barren women to bring forth a prophet and final judge who would alter the course of the entire nation.

I am sad in many ways to finish up the letter from James, for it has been such a rich study for our church. But in this sermon, we review the letter by reading it together and then finally looking at the final verses in James where he describes the blessing of turning someone from wandering off the path of truth.

In this sermon we continue looking at the specific instructions that James gives to the sick. We see the need to confess sin, we also see the incentive for prayer in that God is pleased to answer prayer and then we finally see the illustration of powerful prayer in the life of Elijah who had a nature like ours.

In this sermon we continue to look at James' instructions for the sick. We see that first of all they are to seek help, specifically they are call the elders of the church to come and pray for them. And secondly they are to receive prayer on their behalf. We also take some time to examine the use of oil in James' instruction. Is this still relevant for the church today or not?

As James brings his letter to a close he urges the Christians to come to God in prayer in all seasons of life. Whether it is a time of suffering, times of joy and happiness or times of sickness.

Christ is Risen! On this Resurrection Sunday we look at the final verses in Luke's Gospel as he recounts for us the final days of Christ upon the earth after his resurrection. Christ indeed was raised, with many eye witnesses to verify the empty tomb and encounters with the risen Lord and Jesus returned to the Father where He now reigns and will return one day, once the gospel has been taken to every tribe tongue and nation!

As it is Palm Sunday, we step aside from our study in the letter of James and look at the events that unfolded during the final days of Jesus earthly ministry prior to his death upon the cross. We look at four events around the time we know as Palm Sunday. First we look at the selection of the colt, second we see the Worship of the King, thirdly we see the rebuke of the critics and lastly we see the mourning for Jerusalem.

As James winds down his letter, he turns once again to the issue of the tongue. And in a similar way to Jesus in the sermon on the Mount, he exposes the false view of oaths and vows and the deceptive culture that had developed around their abuse in the early church and in the Jewish culture. James reminds us that God desires His children to be honest and truthful and that they revere His holy name.

As James begins to bring his letter to a close he takes a very pastoral tone once again and exhort the Christians to be like the faithful farmer who plants his seed in the ground and then waits for the rains to water the ground that the plants might grow and bear fruit. James also reminds us that we must continually establish our hearts, avoid grumbling and follow after the example of those faithful saints who have gone before.