The sermon for December 27th 2015 is now available on the New life web-site.
In this sermon, which is based on 2 Chronicles 32:1-4, Margaret Baxter talks about our life source.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on Hebrews 10:5-10
Scripture
It is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of Jesus Christ once for all.
Observation
When he came into the world, Christ said, “You do not require sacrifices and offerings.” In saying this, He abolished the Law with all its requirements.
Christ replaced these with something simple, “I have come to do your will.” It is God’s will to make us holy through Christ’s sacrifice.
Application
Nobody could be holy through the Old Testament Law. All the law did was tell us what to do and prescribe a sacrifice when we fail to do it. It did not deal with the root issue of sin which is our heart.
Christ came and fulfilled the Law for all people forever. He became the perfect sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world.
But He does more than this. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes into us and starts the process of making us holy.
The Law changes people on the outside. Christ changes us on the inside so that we are enabled to live a holy life dedicated to the Lord.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for abolishing the old Law. Please come and change me to make me more and more like you. Amen.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on Luke 3:7-18
Scripture
John answered them, “I baptise you with water, but one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Observation
John’s message of repentance was very strong, but it was necessary to break through religious self-righteousness The people are to produce fruits of repentance in changed lives. It is no longer enough to claim to be children of Abraham.
People ask what they are to do. Those with spare clothes should give to those who have none. Tax collectors are to take only what is due to them. Soldiers must be content with their pay.
The Messiah is coming and He will baptise with Holy Spirit and with fire. Judgement is coming, and they need to get ready.
Application
We don’t like thinking about sin and judgement, but both are real.
We need to be realistic about our relationship with the Lord.
Everyone sins and so everyone is at the risk of judgement. We need to be saved from the harvest of our own wrong doing.
Like a man thrown overboard in the middle of the ocean, we cannot save ourselves.
But Jesus reaches down and brings the promise of forgiveness, if only we will accept the gift. Then our lives are changed and our salvation assured.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the gift of salvation. I could not rescue myself, but in Jesus you reached down and rescued me. Amen.
Reflection on Philippians 4:1-7
Scripture
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Observation
Paul calls the Philippians his joy and crown. He pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
His command is to rejoice in the Lord always. We must not be anxious about anything, but take everything to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ.
Application
We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always. This is not possible in human strength alone. We face all kinds of problems- work, relationships, family, finances and health. At times it seems that anxiety and fear can make joy impossible,
The key to joy is to hand over everything to God in prayer. Trusting in the mighty power of God to overcome every problem leads to peace. With peace in our hearts, we can then rejoice in Him.
The main point is to keep our focus on Christ- we rejoice in the Lord.
Prayer
Lord I lay all my worries at your feet. Help me to trust you and rejoice in you. Amen.
Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20
Scripture
The Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save
He will take great delight in you
He will quiet you with His love
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Observation
The people of Israel are to rejoice for God has taken away their punishment. The Lord is King of Israel and He will not let the people come to harm.
The Lord is mighty to save and He rejoices over His people with singing. He will reverse all oppression, so that those who are scattered will be gathered and God’s people will be honoured throughout the earth.
Application
The Lord is mighty to save. He will save all those who trust in Jesus. We were headed for hell but now He has put us on the road to heaven. It’s all because of Jesus.
It is awesome to think that the Lord rejoices over me with singing. I am such a sinner! But He loves me and rejoices over me. It is hard to comprehend that the God who created the universe rejoices over me. I choose to believe in His awesome love and affection and receive His affirmation and joy.
Prayer
Lord I thank you for your awesome love. I thank you that you rejoice over me with singing. Amen.
Today’s Sermon
Reflection on Luke 3:1-6
Scripture
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberias… the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
Observation
In the fifteenth year of Tiberias’ reign, John hears the word of God and begins preaching in the wilderness.
He goes throughout the region proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
This all happens in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness
‘Prepare the way of the Lord’”
Application
John was a great man, a prophet of God. Jesus said he was the greatest among those born under the old covenant.
John was never greater than Jesus. He was the one who prepared the way of the Lord. John rolled out the red carpet for the one coming, the greater one.
As children of the new covenant, none of us is greater than Jesus, nor greater than anyone else.
All of our actions, words, relationships are to prepare the way for the one greater.
Prayer
Lord Jesus help me to understand that the purpose of my life, like John’s, is to honour you in all things. Amen.
The Glory Has Departed
I recently attended a church service at a church that had once been described as “the jewel in the crown” of its denomination. A generation ago it had been a leader in evangelism, youth ministry, children’s ministry and in renewal. It had been a vibrant place to be, with people expecting that God could do anything in their midst.
The service was pleasant enough, and I have no doubt about the salvation or the commitment of the people leading it. But all through the service I kept thinking “The Holy Spirit has left the building.”
I have had this experience a few times over the years in various circumstances, and it always makes me feel sad. It also makes me more determined not to repeat the same mistakes in my own ministry.
Here are some of the factors that I think contribute to the fading of the glory of a church or a group of people. These are not always all present in any particular group, but some of them are invariably factors.
- Failure of a new generation to own the faith for themselves. Each individual needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to build on the inheritance handed down to them.
- A spirit of control amongst one or more of those in leadership, causing the group to be led by human wisdom rather than by Holy Spirit
- Reliance on the denomination’s teaching or leadership or on the traditions of the church.
- Seeing worship as a duty to be performed rather than an opportunity to approach God.
- Lack of prayer- corporately and individually
- A spirit of individualism in which people think they should be free to do what they want rather than submitting to genuine godly authority.
- Rebelliousness at one crucial time when it is clear (or should be clear) where the Holy Spirit is leading but the people refuse.
Is there hope for revival amongst such churches or people groups? Yes, of course, with God all things are possible. He can make dead bones live. But it takes a level of repentance and surrender that many find difficult. Often it takes a new generation to rise up and discover the power of the gospel.
In the meantime we pray.
