Sermons on Favour:

The Drama Unfolds

Contributed by William Matthews on Nov 20, 2001

The Christmas Story told in the form of a drama.

The Drama Unfolds Luke 2:1-20 INTRODUCTION. The importance of the virgin birth cannot be overstated. Many of the prophecies of the Old Testament depend for their fulfillment upon the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The plan of redemption, the New Testament church, and many other doctrines hinge ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

An Invitation Not To Be Refused

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 30, 2000

Isaiah addresses the demoralised people of Israel now exiled in Babylon inviting them to return to the Lord and freely receive salvation and hope.

AN INVITATION NOT TO BE REFUSED I read of a visiting preacher who arrived at the church and read the poster announcing him as a "preacher with the unchanged message". He had a nasty moment when he thought that the news had got out that he had only one sermon to his name! Charles Spurgeon got ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Home Truths For Christians

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 4, 2000

James diagnoses some problems in the churches to which he writes and offers some home truths concerning the Christians' having the Wrong Spirit, the Wrong Friendship and the Wrong Attitude.

HOME TRUTHS FOR CHRISTIANS The letter written by James is very direct and personal in its message - he doesn't pull his punches. Martin Luther wasn't very keen on this book - he called it "an epistle of straw" because it didn't say much about Jesus or the Cross. But that's an incorrect reading of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Precious Gift Of Freedom

Contributed by Don Carpenter on Nov 5, 2000

If you study the character of mankind over the centuries, you will find that there is one passion that transcends all languages, cultures, and barriers. Man has an in born desire and drive to be free

The Precious Gift Of Freedom John 8:31-36 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Baptist

Being Victorious Like Nehemiah

Contributed by John Gullick on Nov 24, 2000

A sermon that looks at some of the things that pave the way to the victory Nehemiah experiences.

Victory - This morning on the overhead screen you can see the New Zealand Athlete of the century winning a victory in a running race. Victory is something that is greatly sought after in so many fields of human endevour. Recently the American Political machinery has almost ground to a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fruit Of The Spirit: Gentleness Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 5, 2000

This sermon looked at the gentleness of Christ in relation to the Fruit of the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness It was almost a postcard perfect day, the blue skies, the gently sunshine and the children playing. The crowds had gathered around the young prophet from Galilee that they had heard so much about. The afternoon had begun with Jesus healing the sick who had been ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

Take A Break Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 5, 2000

Looks at the need for the seventh day.

What a crazy world that we live in. You ever feel like the Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland”? You know the one, he’s always rushing this way and that looking at his watch and muttering, “I’m late, I’m late”. It seems that every hour of every day is filled to the limit with things that need doing ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

No Longer Slaves But Sons

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2001

Paul’s converts in Galatia were compromising the purity of the Gospel and their liberty in Christ so he tells them What we were under the Law, What God did in Jesus, What God has made us as sons and What we now should be.

Many of the letters written by Paul, the Apostle, were the results of controversy. His letter to the church at Galatia is no exception. The local believers were on the verge of being sidetracked from the truth of the Gospel. Paul had to do something about it. "Stay on course", he urged them. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Temptation To Wield Power Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

There are two types of power in the world - secular power wielded to serve the individual and God’s kingdom power - given to serve others.

Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem and when the moment is right, James & John take Jesus aside and ask him to grant them a favour. It’s a simple enough request. They want to sit on his right and left hand sides in glory. They’ve understood what he’s just told them about his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-45

Denomination: Anglican

Paul's Prayers For His Converts Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

Paul prays for power, for inner strength, a foundation and experience of love and an awareness of the fullness and glory of God.

One way of telling what a Christian’s chief concerns and priorities are is to study the contents of their prayers. We all tend to pray about what concerns us, and tend to forget to pray about the things that don’t. At the same time it can be good to listen to others prayers so we can learn and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

The Ark Of The Lord

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

The story of the Ark’s return to Jerusalem is a sharp reminder of what happens if God’s instructions are flouted and the blessing that obedience brings.

THE ARK OF THE LORD I expect some of you will, like me, have wasted a couple of hours watching the film "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark". It’s a fantasy adventure story loosely based on the fact that the Ark of the Covenant was lost without trace nearly two and a half thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

God's Love And Ours Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

The wonderful thing about being made God’s children is that he gives us his Spirit to enable us to be like him, and that likeness is shown most clearly in our love for others. And so, as we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in u

I always get edgy when I hear someone make a definitive statement about God. There are so many aspects to God that any single statement always feels a bit deficient. So, for example, when someone says God is all-powerful, I find myself waiting for them to add that he’s also all-knowing, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Anglican

Bless The Lord, O My Soul

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

David bares his soul in recording his relationship with God - who Forgives, who Heals, who Preserves, who Provides and who Satisfies.

Do you ever talk to yourself? In Psalm 103 King David is addressing himself. “Bless the Lord”, he exclaims, “Bless the Lord, O my soul”. It’s clear that he’s holding a conversation with himself. This isn’t by any means a unique experience for a believer. In fact it’s often a sign that a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

An Eager Unashamed Debtor For The Gospel

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Paul tells the believers at Rome why he is so eager to visit them; because he is a debtor to and is not ashamed of the Gospel.

I think that most people want to visit the capital city of their homeland. I remember when my parents took the family to London when we were in our teens. To visit the capital was quite an occasion, especially nearly 50 years ago when travelling wasn’t so easy as it is now. It was quite something ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Forgiving Father

Contributed by Jim Pye on Mar 20, 2001

Lectionary : Lent 4

25/3/01 6 p.m. Luke 15:1-3,11-32. 151Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3Then Jesus told them this parable:... 11 "There was a man who had two sons. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican