What are you dreaming of this Christmas? (Sunday, 15th December 2024)

1. First of all Simeon expected that the "consolation of Israel" would take place. Luke 2:25-35 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

2. Simeon expected that, because of Jesus's birth, God and His ways would be revealed to "outsiders."
Luke 2:31-32 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel

3. When Simeon predicted that Jesus was destined to cause the falling and rising of many, he was expecting that Jesus would upset the status quo.
Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

4. His expectation was that Jesus would be a lightning rod of decision.
Luke 2:34 …and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Blessed are the Peace Makers (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 9 - Sunday, 8th December 2024.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 9 [Matthew 5:9 (KJV) - "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."]

1. MAKE PEACE WITH GOD
“Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

2. BE AT PEACE WITH YOURSELF

(Philippians 4:5-10) “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

3. LIVE IN PEACE WITH OTHERS
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God

4. PROCLAIM PEACE TO THE WORLD.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Blessed are the Pure in Heart (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 8 - Sunday, 1st December 2024.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 8 [Matthew 5:8 (KJV) - "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."]

Blessed are the Merciful (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 7 - Sunday, 24th November 2024.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 7 [Matthew 5:7 (KJV) - "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."]

1. What does mercy mean?
Grace: God gives me blessings I don’t deserve!
Mercy means God giving me the opposite of what I deserve.

A. God showed mercy to Adam and Eve. He covered their sin with a sacrifice and clothed them.

B. God allowed Jacob to see Joseph before he died though he didn’t deserve it.

Gen 45:27-28 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived: 28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

C. God showed Mercy on David after he murdered Uriah, scorned the God who had given Him everything and gave the heathen reason to Blaspheme.

2 Samuel 12:13-14 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

Psalm 51:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

D. God is a God of mercy.

1 Chronicles 21:13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man.

Psalm 86:15-17 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

Psalm 136:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 36 verses with that refrain!

Lamentations 3:21-24 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

2. Be a giver of mercy.
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Give others blessings they don’t deserve.

3. As you give mercy you will receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Hungering and Thirsting after righteousness (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 6 - Sunday, 17th November 2024.

What is righteousness? - Simply put - Righteousness is living God's way.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 6 [Matthew 5:6 (KJV) - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"]

1. Hungering and thirsting for others.
Luke 11:8 & 13 "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

2. Tarrying for the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:45-49 "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

3. The coming of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 5 - Sunday, 10th November 2024.

What is righteousness? - Simply put - Righteousness is living God's way.

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 5 [Matthew 5:6 (KJV) - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"]

1. What is righteousness?

Psalm 11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit

2. What does it mean to hunger and thirst after righteousness?

Psalm 42:1-6 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

3. They shall be filled.

John 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 4:13-15 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Blessed are the Meek (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 4 - Sunday, 3rd November 2024.

What does it mean to be 'Meek'?

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 4 [Matthew 5:5 - "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth"]

Blessed are those who mourn (Sermon on the Mount Series) Episode 3 - Sunday, 27th October 2024

What does it mean to be 'Blessed'?

We have heard this word a lot ; but do you know what it means for your life - to be truly 'Blessed'?

Sermon on the Mount Series Episode 3 [Matthew 5:4 - "Blessed are those who mourn: for they shall be comforted"]