Author: admin

Revelation 13:1-18 “Persecution and Pressure on the church” (John van Rij)

  By ,

Sermon Details:
After sometime away from Revelation, we pick our series back up again at chapter 13.
In chapter 12 we learned that Satan stands behind the oposition to the church in this age. But Satan, the serpent, does not act alone, but has allies that seek to destroy the church in
different ways. With pictures of beasts, and numbers like 666, it can be easy to get lost in the details of revelation 13, yet the call to Christians is a clear call of endurance and wisdom.

Questions for discussion:

  1. Why do you think pure persecution is often not as successful as religious pressure against the church?
  2. In what ways is the situation of the church in the first century becoming more similar to our situation?
  3. Do your non-Christian friends see Christians as moral or immoral people?
  4. John calls us to endurance, but not to take up the sword. What does this tell us about the way that the church ought to wage spiritual warfare?
  5. Are you willing to die for your faith? Are you willing to suffer economically? Are you willing for your children to miss out on the best this life has to offer?
  6. Why is it comforting to know that those who belong to Jesus have their names written in the Lambs book of life?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Colossians 1:19-20 “Reconciliation” (Roger Wilson)

  By ,

This week we continue in Colossians 1, and Roger is taking us through the last part of this amazing summary of the person and work of the Son.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV)

19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:17 “The Sustainer” (Roger Wilson)

  By ,

This week Roger continues to look in the book of Colossians. We see that Jesus is the Sustainer. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Colossians 1:17 (ESV)

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:15-17 “Overwhelmed?” (Roger Wilson)

  By ,

Who is the visible representation of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation? Jesus Christ! Roger takes us through these powerful verses from Colossians 1: 15-17, and what this means for us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Colossians 1:15 – 17 (ESV)

The Preeminence of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Mark 12:38-13:2 “Her Whole Life”

  By ,

Sermon Details:
What does true discipleship look like? Are those who know the most and look the most holy an example of what a follower of God should be? This week, Jesus notices the those who appear to love God, but don’t really, and compares them with a poor widow.

Questions for Reflection:

  1. How can the story of the poor widow be misused? How doe the context inform how we read her story?
  2. What is exemplary about the poor widow?
  3. Have you seen Christians using Christianity as both the justification and the means of serving themselves?
  4. How might you be tempted self-centred religiosity?
  5. How does the poor widow point us towards Christ and true discipleship?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mark 11:12-26 “Jesus’ Judgement on the Unfruitful”

  By ,

Sermon Details:

This week we continue our study in Mark, with the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple. There is a strong warning in this passage as we look at our own lives. It raises the question for each of us- “Am I bearing real fruit, or just leaves?”

Questions for Discussion:

1. Why Does Mark intentionally link the stories about Jesus in the temple and his cursing of the fig tree?

2. What are some ways that you have seen economic gain come before worship in the church?

3. In what ways can our own unfaithfulness hurt others? Can we always see this?

4. Why is it important to understand that Jesus is the temple, as well as those who are joined to him by faith?

5. Do you feel convicted about anything from today’s sermon? What could you do about that?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download