Ephesians - introduction

a sermon by brother John on Ephesians in which the apostle Paul urges believers to live in accordance with their Christian calling; doctrine feeds into the duty of living a Christian moral and sanctified life and to engage in spiritual warfare.

Galatians 5: 13-26

a sermon by brother Mduduzi on Galatians 5: 13-26 concerning the significance of ‘We have been called unto liberty [but] use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh’ and Paul’s appeal for us to ‘walk in the spirit’.

Galatians 5: 1-13

a sermon by brother Syd on the first part of the book of Galatians where Paul said to the Galatians “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” so he exhorted them to stand fast and walk in the liberty of faith in Jesus Christ and not be swayed to embrace the law as a way to God.

Galatians 4: 12-31

a sermon by brother Mduduzi in which the apostle Paul greatly concerned that the Galatians had turned to the faith of the ‘bondwoman’, implores them to return to the true new covenant (‘freewoman’) truth which Paul had previously taught them.

Galatians 4 (part 1)

A sermon by brother Jim on Galatians 4 concerning the restoration of our relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ; and specifically the implications of our being heirs and adopted sons of God.

Galatians 3 (part 2)

a sermon by brother John Richardson continuing to explore the book of Galatians, chapter 3 where Paul argues that the Moses Law is not to be regarded as greater than (or overriding) the earlier Promise (covenant) made by God directly to Abraham - that all nations will be blessed through him – and thus that we are saved by grace (by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ) alone. The purpose of the Mosaic Law is to condemn us as sinners by revealing carnal humanity’s inability to keep the Law and that therefore we need a saviour.

Galatians 3

A sermon by brother Paul on Galatians Chapter 3 which begins “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?” After having been taught the principle of ‘faith alone’ and accordingly received the Holy Spirit, the Galatians had reverted to the captivity and curse-inducing of the Law of Moses. The author urges them to turn back by referencing their own experience and their the authority of scripture.

Habakkuk 3

A sermon by brother John Richardson. Brother John discusses the book of Habakkuk, chapter 3. Habakkuk, frustrated by all the sinfulness that was going on in the world around him, asked God why He was not punishing the Israelites. But then Habakkuk, switches his attention from the troubles of the times and towards remembering who God is: spending time in communion with God, ie He starts praying. We too, today, when confronted by troubles and concerns need to remember that God is always at work and in control; and to praise God.

Galatians 1 (overview)

a sermon by brother Jim McMaster. Brother Jim introduces Chapter 1 of Galatians, regarded as one of the first New Testament books to be written. In it, Paul appeals to the church at Galatia to turn back from the heresy of seeking justification through human works (Moses’ Law) and return to the essential truth that one is justified by faith alone. Our brother relates this to the principles of the theology of Protestant Reformation which subsequently became systematised as the Five Solas.

Understand Suffering

a sermon by brother Sydney Pinkney. Jesus, on visiting the tomb of Lazarus (Romans 13:11) ‘groaned in spirit and was troubled’ Jesus felt all the misery (including death) that had come into this world through sin. We too witness suffering but the day will come when we will be in glory: Romans 8: 16-18 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”


Deferring to God's Will

a sermon by brother John Baxter

Brother John considers the lessons for us today from the work of the apostles in the early Church (book of Acts). We need to be constantly reminding ourselves to look not to our own preferences but rather to seek to do the will of God. God will choose His instruments and God will decide His outcomes. We need to appeal to the Holy Spirit for help.

Sanctification

a sermon by brother Sydney Pinkney.

From the moment a person accepts Jesus as their savour and repents of their sinfulness, they become sanctified: set apart for God; called by Him to be one of the saints; to become ‘in Christ’. This ‘Positional Sanctification’ is absolute and means that all believers are immediately and permanently fit for heaven. However, sanctification also refers to a life-long process of growing in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ – growing in His likeness. This is ‘Progressive (or Practical) Sanctification and is the topic of brother Sydney’s sermon.