Next Sunday

There are times when God comes to reason with us. ‘Have I been God to you? Have I done anything worthy of note?’ These are the questions Moses asks Israel as they stand poised between Sinai and their promised land. We tend to live in the light of things that can be seen and controlled…

This week we are looking at Deuteronomy 2 and 3 where we hear a little more of Israel’s time in the wilderness, yet, when all the men of war have died, the Lord tells them to be on the move once more towards the Promised Land. As they are directed by the Lord in every…

This final scene in the story of Jonah depicts the hidden hostilities in our own hearts, causing us to despair of life. Jonah had his reasons for wanting the Ninevites destroyed and as a result was offended by the display of God’s grace. We may also feel justified in wishing calamities on others but no…

In Jonah chapter 3 we hear of God’s call to Jonah – take two. He is graciously given a second opportunity to obey God’s call to preach to Nineveh resulting in the remarkable conversion of this corrupt and violent city. In Jonah 4:1 we discover deflation instead of elation: rather than being overjoyed at the…

As we look at the second chapter of Jonah this week, we find the prophet was not only reluctant to call out God’s word against Nineveh, but in his guilt and anger is also reluctant to call out to the Lord himself. Not until Jonah reaches the depths of despair – quite literally – do…

The story of Jonah is more than the story of a prophet who has been swallowed by a big fish. It is the story of our struggle with God and the foolishness of thinking we can get away with it. It is the story of a love that will not let us go but instead…

We conclude our series, ‘The Things That Make For Peace’ this Sunday by looking at Philippians 3:17-4:9. From the nations across the globe to the families around us, where there is any sense of peace we feel it is good and right to maintain and guard that peace. Humanity will go to great lengths in…

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” There are numerous other exhortations and promises relating to the making and pursuing of peace also (eg. Romans 14:17-19; Hebrews 12:7-14 and James 3:13-18). How are we to go about such ‘peace-making’ in the world…

This week’s readings come from Psalm 120 and Mark 4:35-41 and I will be preaching on ‘Peace In Times Of Trouble’. So often in difficult situations or times of trouble we are encouraged to ‘look for the silver lining’ or else be assured of ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’. However, as children…

Last week we commenced our series, ‘The Things That Make For Peace’. This week we consider the promises of God concerning peace. The peace of God we enjoy today is not some ethereal notion of tranquility, or a delicate balancing act of work, rest and play, but is secure and full of substance. Our present…