The authority of Jesus

Alliteration's aidful art:

In Mark chapter 1 we see:

The authority of Jesus’ sermon: authority over the scribes.

Authority over Satan.

Authority over sickness.

I would have liked an "s" for the call of the first disciples too. Jesus' authority over sinners is not especially the point being made there. Jesus' authority over sailors is rather silly! A parishoner suggested Jesus' authority to call students (since disciples means learners).

In chapter 2 we see Jesus’ authority over sin.

Then we see his authority over the Sabbath.

In chapter 4 we see Jesus’ authority over the storm and the sea.

Pet Service Sermon Notes

Reading: John 10

My advice is keep it brief!

Here are my notes, which may or may not make any sense:

Lots of animals in the Bible, no pets

Our dog: Caleb – voice – Basset hound

I know Caleb & Caleb knows he

Caleb recognises my voice, but he doesn’t always listen & obey it, sometimes he wont follow me, follow someone else just as happily

Do you recognise Jesus’ voice? (Bible)

Do you do what he says? Do you follow him?

Are you one of his sheep?

Stupid, disobedient dog

I kind of love Caleb and care for him, but I love myself more!

Though we are often stupid and disobedient, Jesus cares for us enough to die for us

Jesus is the perfect Owner

Our Apostolic Ministry

Warning: if you are planning to attend church in Warbleton or Bodle Street Green Parish churches tomorrow, this post contains spoilers!

A prayer for before the sermon:

Our Father,

we pray that you would teach us your wisdom.

Reveal to us Christ’s glory, we pray,

that we might put our faith in him.

Amen.

Some jottings / handout on the lectionary readings for tommorow:

Our Apostolic Ministry

Proclaim Christ Crucified: God’s Surprising Saving Power

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 & John 2:1-11

We all share in an apostolic ministry

What can we learn about apostolic ministry from these passages?

Apostolic ministry preaches Christ (1 Cor 1:23)

What do we want to be known for as a church?

--> Make much of Christ, make him known

Apostolic ministry preaches Christ crucified

God’s way of saving those who believe (1 Cor 1:21) from perishing (v18)

--> Keep Christ crucified central

An unattractive seemingly weak and foolish message (1 Cor 1:18, 22-24)

--> But don’t change the message!

The good news of Christ crucified is the saving power and wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:18, 24)

Jesus has great, unique, surprising transforming power – the power of God himself (1 Cor 1:25)

Jesus provides 760 bottles (Jn 2:6) of the best wine (Jn 2:10)

--> Have confidence in Jesus and his gospel (Jn 2:11)

God deliberately uses the weak and foolish to show his wisdom and power (1 Cor 1:19-21)

--> The “weak” should be encouraged

Jesus uses the servants (Jn 2:7-9)

Jesus can use even our weak “watery” efforts and transform them

--> Obey Jesus - “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5) – even if it seems stupid

--> Complete dependence on Jesus – his wisdom and power not ours

--> The “proud” (wise, noble, influential, strong) need to be humble (1 Cor 1:19, 26-28)

--> Boasting only in the Lord (1 Cor 1:29, 31)

A prayer for after the sermon:

Our Father,

we thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ,

who has become for us wisdom from God,

our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

We pray that we might boast only in him.

Transform us, by Jesus’ great power,

that in our weakness,

we might live and speak in ways that powerfully proclaim Christ crucified,

for the glory of his name.

Amen.

Keeping going as a Christian

I liked the way Tony Baker's headings fell out of the text of James 1 on Sunday morning and were memorable:

(1) Look forward (to the crown of life God has promised) v12

(2) Look within (to temptation from your own evil desires) vv13-15

(3) Look up (to God the giver of good gifts) vv16-18

Better Wise Up!

God-willing I will be preaching on Ecclesiastes 7 on Sunday morning.

I may or may not to some extent plagiarise Vaughan Roberts' sermon from the St Ebbe's church website that goes:

(1) Embrace suffering (vv1-6)

(2) Avoid temptation (vv7-10)

(a) Extortion / bribery

(b) Impatience

(c) Anger

(d) Nostalgia

Above all, (3) Fear God (vv11-18)

(4) Accept limitations (vv19-)

Do not let your hearts be troubled

Some jottings for a sermon on John 14vv1-14. The audio should appear on our church website in due course.

John 14:1-14 - Antidotes to Troubled Hearts

How to face the future / live without the physical presence of Jesus

V1 – “Trust in God; trust also in me”

3 Reasons for confidence in Jesus:

(1) Jesus promises us a prepared place in his Father’s house in heaven

(vv2-4)

Plenty of rooms

Jesus prepares a place for us by going to the cross

Even for rebels and failures (13:38)

Heaven being in the Father’s house with Jesus (Phil 1:23)

(2) Jesus is the true and living way to the Father (vv5-11)

A unique exclusive claim: Jesus personally is the only way

An inclusive invitation: a way open to all (v2)

The Way for the lost; direction

Truth for the deceived, ignorant, confused; meaning; real, authentic; reliable

Life (1:3-4) for those dead in sin; abundant (10:10) / eternal life (17:3)

We can know God the Father (v7) because Jesus perfectly reveals the Father (vv9-10) – mutual indwelling (vv10-11); to know God, look at Jesus

Jesus words and works are from the Father and prove he is the Son (vv10-11)

(3) Jesus will do even greater things through his disciples when they ask in his name in prayer(vv12-14)

“anyone who has faith” (v12)

“because Jesus is going to the Father” (v12) – cross, resurrection, Spirit

“asking in Jesus name” (v13, 14) = according to his will (1 Jn 5:14)

for the Father’s glory (v13)