St John's Wishart Sermons

In this first sermon in our second part of Isaiah, we see God's judgement on display but his grand mercy as well for his people. Preacher: Chris Boyce

Why keep speaking about Jesus when ministry is hard, people seem uninterested, and we feel tired or inadequate? In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul reminds us that we have been rescued by the gospel, that our hardships will not have the final word, and that our mission is for the good of the world and the glory of God. We believe, and so we speak—looking beyond today’s struggles to the eternal glory still to come.

What happens when we feel weak, under pressure or simply not up to the task? In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul reminds us that God deliberately places the treasure of the gospel in fragile jars of clay. We don’t need to be powerful, impressive or strong—we need to be faithful. A gospel-shaped church endures hardship, embraces weakness and keeps proclaiming Christ because the surpassing power belongs to God, not us.

What does it mean to be a truly gospel-shaped church? In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul shows us that the church’s message and mission must remain centred on Jesus Christ as Lord. We don’t manipulate the message, promote ourselves, or lose heart when people reject it. Instead, we proclaim Christ with integrity, patience and humility, trusting God to shine the light of the gospel into people’s hearts.

This is the tenth and final sermon in our series on Galatians. Preacher: Chris Boyce

This is the ninth sermon in our series on Galatians. Preacher: Chris Boyce

Christ has set us free—but what are we free for? In Galatians 5, Paul shows us that Christian freedom isn’t an excuse to live however we want. We have been set free to love and serve one another. And we don’t do that through sheer willpower: as we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, he transforms us and grows his fruit in our lives.

What does it really mean to be free? In Galatians 5, Paul declares that “for freedom Christ has set us free.” The Christian life isn’t about earning God’s approval through rules, performance or religious achievement. Jesus has already done what we could never do. So stand firm, watch out for anything that draws you away from the gospel, and use your freedom not for yourself, but to love and serve others.

The gospel doesn’t merely rescue us from slavery—it brings us into God’s family. In Galatians 4, Paul reminds us that through Jesus we have been redeemed, adopted as God’s children, given his Spirit, and made heirs of his promises. So why would we ever turn back? This week we’re reminded to stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us and live as sons and daughters, not slaves.

What makes someone right with God? Is faith in Jesus really enough—or do we need to add something more? In Galatians 3:1–14, Paul confronts a church in danger of moving on from the gospel. Through the example of Abraham and the promise of the Spirit, we discover again the freedom of grace: Christ has taken the curse, secured the blessing, and calls us simply to receive God’s gift by faith.