Sermons

The Curious Ways of God: When the Desert Is Actually the Path

You’ve probably noticed this by now: you can be doing the “right” things—praying, obeying, trying to follow Jesus—and still get hit with a week that feels like it’s trying to drown you. A diagnosis you didn’t expect. A relationship that unravels. A job loss that shakes your sense of security. If you’ve ever wondered, Why would God allow this when I’m trying to follow Him? Matthew 8 has something honest—and hopeful—to say.

It’s a strange kind of compliment when someone says, “You’re the first person I’m telling.” Even if the news is hard, it means you matter. That’s why Luke 2:8–20 is so surprising. The greatest announcement in history—the birth of God’s Son—doesn’t go first to emperors, politicians, or religious elites. It goes to ordinary shepherds working the night shift. And that detail isn’t random; it’s deeply personal for you.

There are moments when someone’s final words carry the weight of their whole life. You can almost feel the meaning behind them—everything they’ve loved, fought for, hoped for, and sacrificed. If you’ve ever watched the film Braveheart, you might remember the closing scene. William Wallace, the Scottish freedom fighter, is finally captured and sentenced to a brutal death. He endures torture in silence, and when he finally signals that he wants to speak, everyone assumes he’ll beg for mercy. Instead, with whatever strength he has left, he cries out, “Freedom!” It’s powerful. It’s moving. It’s also heartbreaking, because it feels like the end—of his life, his cause, his dreams.

As the leaves turn and the chill of autumn sets in, many of us find ourselves surrounded by the symbols of Halloween—pumpkins, costumes, and decorations that evoke a sense of mystery and, sometimes, fear. Among these symbols, the Grim Reaper stands out as a figure of death, wielding a scythe and reminding us of our mortality. But what if I told you that this image has roots in a much deeper and more profound reality found in the Bible? Revelation 14 presents us with a vivid picture of judgment, one that is both sobering and enlightening. It’s a passage that challenges us to consider the state of our souls and the urgency of spiritual readiness.

In our fast-paced world, prayer can sometimes feel like just another item on our to-do list, something we rush through without much thought. Yet, Jesus offers us a profound model for prayer in what we know as the Lord's Prayer. This isn't just a set of words to recite; it's a recipe for developing a meaningful, intimate relationship with God. Today, let's explore how this prayer can transform our spiritual lives by teaching us not only what to pray for but how to approach the very act of prayer itself.

When we talk about living a life of faith, it's easy to get caught up in the theory of Christianity—knowing the right doctrines, attending church, and reading the Bible. But James, in his epistle, challenges us to move beyond mere knowledge to a faith that is active and transformative. Today, we're diving into James 1:26-27, where James provides a litmus test for authentic Christianity, urging us to examine whether our faith is genuine or merely superficial. The message is as relevant today as it was in the early church, as it calls us to reflect on how we live out our beliefs in tangible ways.

Have you ever found yourself nodding along during a sermon or Bible study, feeling inspired, only to realize days later that nothing in your life has really changed? It's a common experience, one that many of us grapple with as we navigate our spiritual journeys. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to become passive listeners, absorbing information without allowing it to transform our lives. This is precisely the challenge that Jesus and James address in the scriptures, urging us to move beyond mere listening to active doing.

As we embark on a new season, whether it's a new church year, a new school year, or simply a new chapter in our lives, it's a fitting time to refocus on the essentials of our faith. The book of James, particularly chapter 1, verses 19 to 25, offers us profound insights into the transformative power of God's Word. This passage isn't just about hearing; it's about living. It's about allowing the Word to penetrate our hearts, change our actions, and ultimately shape our lives. In a world filled with noise and distractions, how do we truly listen to God? And more importantly, how do we live out what He says?

The early-church word “gospel” simply means good news, yet even Christians sometimes struggle to state it clearly.  This message—news about what God has done in Jesus—is the lifeblood of Christian mission, the yard-stick of authentic evangelism, and the anchor of personal assurance.  In this overview we follow Paul’s pattern (especially Romans 1–4) to set out the gospel’s four indispensable notes and consider why keeping them straight matters for your own soul and for anyone you hope to reach this week.

The book of Jonah ends with God’s startling question to His petulant prophet, “Should I not be concerned about that great city?”—a window into the missionary heart of God and a mirror exposing our own reluctance. The scene finds Jonah brooding east of Nineveh, angry that the people he had just warned have repented and been spared. God’s gentle object-lesson—a vine that springs up overnight to shade Jonah and then withers at His command—reveals how far Jonah’s priorities lie from the Lord’s.

For forty days the risen Christ had appeared, taught and eaten with His disciples—yet on the Mount of Olives they witnessed something unlike any prior meeting: Jesus was “lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.”  In that single, unforgettable moment God underlined two truths at the centre of the Christian hope.