In relation to God is it better to be a Jew?

Sunday 23rd July 2023

Read: Psalm 53 (or 14); Isaiah 59:1-15; Romans 3:1-20

Sermon: Romans 3:1-20

Romans so far

Romans 3:1-8 Was being a Jew of any value
?
3:1-2 the value of being a Jew

3:3-4 Jewish unfaithfulness to the word and God’s faithfulness
Psalm 51:4; 62:4

3:5-6 If Jewish unrighteousness commends God’s righteousness God’s

wrath is unrighteous?

3:7-8 Lying to the glory of God?

Romans 3:9-20 Are Jews in a better position
?
3:9 Jew and Gentile under sin

3:10-18 as it is written: what does God’s word say about the Jews?

Psalm 5:9; 10:7; 14:2-3; 36:1; 53:2-3; 140:3; Proverbs 1:16; Isaiah 59:7-8

3:19-20 Works of the law cannot make righteous

Privilege is not immunity

Sunday 16th July 2023

Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-17, 30:1-6; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Ezekiel 36:26-28; Romans 2:17-29

Sermon: Romans 2:17-29

Romans 2: 7-20. Jewish privilege causes complacency

Romans 2:21-24. Complacency causes hypocrisy

Romans 2:25-27. Misplaced confidence, mistaken identity

Romans 2:28-29. Miraculously transformed identity

Conclusion. The challenge of privilege: where is your confidence?

God’s judgement on a sinful world

Sunday 9th July 2023

Read: Psalm 7; Zephaniah 3:1-8; Romans 2:1-16

Sermon: Romans 2:1-16

Romans so far

Romans 2:1-16
God is not biased and judges fairly on people’s works!
2:1-5 Those who presume to judge will also be judged

2:6-11 Judged impartially by our works!

2:12-16 The basis of judgment for those with the law and without the law

Judgement and us

The facts of life

Sunday 2nd July 2023

Read: Psalm 14; Jeremiah 51:12-19; Romans 1:18-32

Sermon: Romans 1:18-32

Introduction: Why we need lifesavers

Romans 1:18-21
. God has reason to be angry

Romans 1:22-32
. God gives humanity up to its dark and futile ways
a.
22-25. The foolishness of idolatry

b. 26-27. The destructiveness of unnatural passions

c. 28-32. The chaos of failed thinking

Conclusion: Giving God the glory he is due (Rom 11:33-36)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel

Sunday 25th June 2023

Read: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4; Romans 1:1-17

Sermon: Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-7 Introducing the gospel of Jesus and his apostle to the Gentiles
1-6 from Paul, the slave of Christ Jesus

7 to those in Rome set apart for Christ

Romans 1:8-15 The obligation of the apostle to the Gentiles visiting Rome

8 thanksgiving to God for the believers in Rome

9-15 prayer and purpose for the apostle to the Gentiles visiting Rome

Romans 1:16-17 Summarising the gospel in Romans

The Response in song: Longing for salvation in the face of judgement

Sunday 18th June 2023

Read: Psalm 137; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 6:12-17; Habakkuk 3:1-19

Sermon: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Introduction: A prayer as a psalm for all to sing

Habakkuk’s prayer
Habakkuk 3:1-2

God comes in power
Habakkuk 3:3-7

God comes as a warrior
Habakkuk 3:8-15

A final response
Habakkuk 3:16

Rejoice in God’s salvation
Habakkuk 3:17-19

How will God deal with evil? – part 2

Sunday 11th June 2023

Read: Revelation 18:1-24; Habakkuk 2:5-20

Sermon: Habakkuk 2:5-20

Habakkuk 1:1-2:4 Habakkuk’s complaints about evil

Habakkuk 2:5-20 Answer to second complaint: woe to Babylon
2:5 Babylonian self delusion

2:6-8 the plunderer plundered

2:9-11 the shameful house shamed

2:12-14 great labour for a bigger fire

2:15-17 Babylonian wrath and drinking the cup of Yhwh’s wrath

2:18-20 silent idols and silence before Yhwh

Revelation 18 The final end of evil ‘Babylon’

If God seems slow, wait for him

Sunday 4th June 2023

Read: Psalm 13; Hebrews 10:32-39; Habakkuk 1:12-2:4

Sermon: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4

Review: Habakkuk’s questions, Yahweh’s answer

Habakkuk
1:12-17. Habakkuk’s second question: How can a God like you use a people like that?

a.
Habakkuk 1:12-13. The character of God

b.
Habakkuk 1:14-17. The character of Babylon

Habakkuk
2:1. Habakkuk waits in faith

Habakkuk 2:
2-4. Yahweh answers: how to live while waiting

Conclusion:
Faith and patience (Hebrews 6:12; 10:35-39)