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.