Sermon outline: 1. Christ has paid for our sins and given us His righteousness (v18a) 2. Christ died to bring us to God (v18b) 3. Christ conquered death (v18c) 4. Christ is in the seat of highest honour, and He rules over everything (v22)

God's unchanging, eternal Word stands the test of time, pointing us to Christ for righteousness and instructing in righteousness all who trust in Him.

This sermon explores the multifaceted ministry of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth, emphasizing His essential role in guiding believers and convicting the world. It outlines three primary functions: condemnation of sin and unbelief in the world, illumination of Scripture for understanding, and a singular focus on glorifying Jesus Christ. The message warns against cultural relativism and false spiritual experiences, urging listeners to test all teachings against biblical truth. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a love for truth, remain sensitive to the Spirit's leading, and trust in Christ alone for salvation.

The sermon explores the profound nature of friendship with Jesus Christ, contrasting His selfless love and care against the deceptive hostility of the devil. By examining key scriptures such as John 15 and Proverbs 18, the message defines true friendship as a choice to be friendly and highlights Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross as the greatest demonstration of this bond. The preacher emphasizes that while the adversary seeks to destroy and deceive, Jesus offers truth, peace, and eternal life to those who humble themselves before God. It stresses that salvation is not achieved through religious effort but by trusting in Christ's finished work and accepting His righteousness. The central call urges listeners to recognize their sinful state and respond by believing in Jesus as the only path to reconciliation with God and everlasting life.

Is God unjust? Is He unjust for telling us to love our enemies while He is love, yet being willing to punish the wicked? This is a question that has been raised on social media this week and Luke 19 answers it. God is good, but as a good judge he must judge in righteousness. Join us as we look at the peace that God offers to us and how this peace and God's justice go together.

The sermon addresses the tension between Jewish legalism and Gentile inclusion in the early church, arguing that salvation has always been by faith alone rather than adherence to the Law. Using Abraham as a primary example, the text establishes that righteousness is credited through belief in God's promise, not through works or circumcision. The preacher refutes the notion that grace encourages sin, emphasizing instead that believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, freeing them from the power of sin. By examining the stories of Isaac, Jacob, and Pharaoh, the message highlights God's sovereign right to show mercy to whom He chooses, regardless of human lineage or effort. Ultimately, the central theme asserts that both Jews and Gentiles are justified solely through faith in Jesus Christ, rendering any attempt to earn righteousness through the Law futile.

Luke's Gospel starts with smallest of movements indicating the start of God's plan of salvation. In this case a relatively unknown righteous priest and his wife are given a divine message that communicates God's plan for their future son. He is going to preach a message of repentance that will bring rejoicing to many. He will prepare people to meet the one who will bring salvation.

Psalm 1 is an introduction to the Psalter, highlighting the stark antithesis between the righteous and the ungodly. True blessing comes from delighting in God's law rather than following worldly counsel or the deceitful human heart. Through the imagery of a tree planted by rivers of water versus chaff driven by the wind, the text illustrates the eternal stability of those who trust in God against the perishable nature of sin. The Psalms ultimately point to Jesus Christ as the only perfect man who fulfills these commands, offering salvation and reconciliation to believers through faith alone. The congregation is encouraged to examine their hearts, rely on God's sovereignty, and find joy in Scripture amidst a fallen world.

One God, Three Persons (Matthew 3:13-17) The sermon expounds on the doctrine of the Trinity, asserting that one God exists eternally in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Using Matthew 3 as the primary text, it illustrates this mystery through Jesus' baptism, where all three persons are simultaneously present and active. The preacher emphasizes that mere intellectual belief in God is insufficient for salvation, contrasting true faith with the trembling belief of demons. Central to the message is the gospel truth that Christ identifies with sinners to fulfill righteousness and bear their judgment on the cross. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to personal repentance and faith, urging them to rely on the triune God's grace rather than their own religious efforts.

The sermon examines the letter to the church at Laodicea, highlighting Christ's severe rebuke of spiritual complacency and self-deception. It contrasts the congregation's false sense of security derived from material wealth with their actual wretched and naked spiritual state. The preacher urges believers to cast aside idols and return to a zealous, uncompromising faith that recognizes Christ as the sole source of true richness and righteousness. Emphasizing the urgency of repentance, the message warns that lukewarmness is a dangerous condition that risks losing one's standing in the church. Ultimately, it calls for an all-or-nothing commitment to Jesus, inviting believers to open their hearts to His fellowship and judgment before approaching the Lord's Table.