Is it lawful to pay taxes?

Sunday 12th March 2023

Read: Genesis 1:26-2:8; Matthew 22:15-22

Sermon: Matthew 22:15-22

Matthew 21-22 Confronting Jesus’ authority

Matthew 22:15-22
Giving to Caesar and giving to God
22:15-16a an unlikely alliance to test God’s Son

22:16-17 Teacher, answer this – yes or no

22:18-20 testing God’s Son

22:21-22 giving to Caesar and to God

Giving to God what belongs to him

The Many and the Few

Sunday 5th March 2023

Read: Psalm 93; Isaiah 40:9-11, 52:7-12; Matthew 22: 1-14

Sermon: Matthew 22: 1-14

Matthew 22:1-2 The kingdom of heaven is like a royal wedding


Matthew 22:3
First call to the invited guests


Matthew 22:4-6
Second call to the invited guests


Matthew 22:7
The king’s response


Matthew 22:8-10
New invitation, new guest list, different response


Matthew 22:11-14
Attendance is always on the king’s terms

They forgot God’s works, his miracles and his judgements.

Sunday 8th January 2023
Read: Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 106

Sermon: Psalm 106

1-5 Praise and prayer

6 – 43 Israel’s sin and the need for God’s mercy

6 – 12 Israel’s sin and God’s mercy at the Red Sea (Exodus 14)

13 – 15 Because of their sin, God gave them empty souls (Numbers 11)

16 – 18 Because of their sin, God sent fire and judgement (Numbers 16)

19 – 23 Because of their sin, God set Himself against Israel (Exodus 32)

24 – 27 Because of their sin, God judged them in the wilderness (Num 13–14)

28 – 31 Because of their sin, God sent a plague (Numbers 25)

32 – 33 Because of their sin, God disciplined Moses (Numbers 20)

34 – 39 Because of their sin, Canaan was polluted (Deuteronomy 7; Judges)

40 – 43 Because of their sin, God gave them to their enemies. (Judges)

44 – 48 God’s mercy to Israel

44 – 46 God heard their cry

47 – 48 Praise and prayer to the merciful God

Benediction: 1 Peter 2:9-12

Understanding the scale of Jesus’ birth by John’s birth

Sunday 25th December 2022
Read: Genesis 11:27-12:8; Luke 1:1-25

Sermon: Luke 1:1-25

Introduction

Luke 1:1-4 An orderly account of historic events

Luke 1:5-7 Another childless couple advanced in years

Luke 1:8-12 When God speaks in his temple

Luke 1:13-17 The greatness of John

Luke 1:18-23 Made dumb for being dumb

Luke 1:24-25 Waiting as Yhwh takes away reproach

 

Waiting for salvation through judgment

Sunday 18th December 2022
Read: Psalm 130; John 1:1-5, 14-18; Micah 7:1-20

Sermon: Micah 7:1-20

Introduction: threat and promise; judgment and salvation in Micah

1-7. Waiting for Yahweh

8-20. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13)
· 8-10. Jerusalem’s remnant waits for Yahweh’s light
· 11-13. Yahweh promises restoration and desolation
· 14-17. Prayers answered
· 18-20. There is no god like Yahweh

Conclusion: how can Yahweh forget sin and acquit sinners?
· 2 Corinthians 1:20
* John 1:14

 

Truly no man can ransom another…

Sunday 20th, March, 2022
Read: Genesis 44: 1-34; Psalm 49 (nb 5-9); Matthew 20:20-28

Another cliffhanger…

1-5. Mission accomplished?

What is Joseph’s goal?
6-17. What can wash away their sins?
“The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20).

18-34. Judah’s generous plan

What has happened to Judah?

Judah’s problem and ours:
“Truly no man can ransom another…” (Psalm 49:7)

Matthew 20:28