At the heart of the Gospel, there is the love of God. This is the story told by Peter on the Day of Pentecost – the story of God’s love for us. In love, God offers to us the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 38). These blessings are undeserved – we are “far off” (v. 39). As the message of salvation was proclaimed, the Spirit of love was powerfully at work, creating faith – “they were cut to the heart and asked, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (v. 37). The story of salvation calls for our response. Can we hear this story of salvation without responding in faith, without earnestly seeking the blessings promised to us in Christ? – Sadly, there are people who hear the Gospel many times but are never gripped by the Gospel. We are only gripped by the Gospel when we allow the Spirit of God to do His work in us, drawing us to Jesus Christ. This emphasis on the Spirit is important. Repentance and faith come to us through the work of the Spirit in us. This is very different from the suggestion that we depend on our own ability to save ourselves through our own ‘good works’ of repentance and faith. Peter calls for repentance. When we repent , we turn from every attempt to save ourselves. It cannot be done. We put our trust in Christ. He alone can save us. We do not come to God, demanding that God must accept us because of our repentance.Trusting in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit.
We receive the power we need to live a new life, centred upon Christ rather than self. It is the power that comes from knowing that our sins have been forgiven. It is the Spirit’s power to change us, making us more like Jesus. What does it mean to be gripped by the Gospel? What does it mean to have faith in Christ? There are two elements in faith. First, there is faith in the events, believing that they really happened. Second, there is trust in what the events reveal. We trust in the love of God. What is faith? In one sense, faith is personal. In another sense, faith involves being in community with other believers – “they were added to their number” (v. 41). In Peter’s call for baptism, we see this second element of faith. In baptism, we are taken beyond the purely personal aspect of faith. Our attention is focused on the community of faith into which we enter. We are not simply isolated individuals. We belong to the body of Christ, in fellowship with other believers.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (1) We believe in one God.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (2) We believe in one God.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (3) We believe in one God.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (4) We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is love.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (5) We praise God the Father.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (6) We praise God the Father.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (7) We praise God the Father: who created the universe and keeps it in being.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (8) We praise God the Father: who created the universe and keeps it in being.

Statement of Christian Faith – (9) He has made us His sons and
daughters to share His joy, living together in justice and peace,
caring for His world and for each other.

Statement of Christian Faith – (10) He has made us His sons and
daughters to share His joy, living together in justice and peace,
caring for His world and for each other.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (11) We proclaim Jesus Christ, God the Son.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (12) We proclaim Jesus Christ, God the Son.

Statement of Christian Faith – (13) born of Mary, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, He became one of us, sharing our life and
our death.

Statement of Christian Faith – (14) born of Mary, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, He became one of us, sharing our life and
our death.

Statement of Christian Faith – (15) He made known God’s
compassion and mercy, giving hope and declaring forgiveness of sin,
offering healing and wholeness to all.

Statement of Christian Faith – (16) He made known God’s
compassion and mercy, giving hope and declaring forgiveness of sin,
offering healing and wholeness to all.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (17) By His death on the Cross and by His resurrection, He has triumphed over evil.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (18) By His death on the Cross and by His resurrection, He has triumphed over evil.

A Statement of Christian Faith (19) – He has triumphed over evil. Jesus is Lord of life and of all creation.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (20) He has triumphed over evil. Jesus is Lord of life and of all creation.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (21) We trust God the Holy Spirit who unites us to Christ.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (22) We trust God the Holy Spirit who unites us to Christ.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (23) We trust God the Holy Spirit who … gives life to the Church.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (24) We trust God the Holy Spirit who … gives life to the Church.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (25) We trust God the Holy Spirit who … gives life to the Church.

A Statement of Christian Faith (26) – We trust God the Holy Spirit who … gives life to the Church.

Statement of Christian Faith (27) – We trust God the Holy Spirit
who … brings us to repentance and assures us of forgiveness.

Statement of Christian Faith (28) – We trust God the Holy Spirit
who … brings us to repentance and assures us of forgiveness.

A Statement of Christian Faith (29) – The Spirit guides us in our understanding of the Bible.

A Statement of Christian Faith (30) – The Spirit guides us in our understanding of the Bible.

A Statement of Christian Faith – (31) The Spirit … renews us in the sacraments.

A Statement of Christian Faith (32) – The Spirit … renews us in the sacraments.

A Statement of Christian Faith (33) – The Spirit … calls us to serve God in the world.

A Statement of Christian Faith (34) – The Spirit … calls us to serve God in the world.

A Statement of Christian Faith (35) – The Spirit … calls us to serve God in the world.

A Statement of Christian Faith (36) – The Spirit … calls us to serve God in the world.

A Statement of Christian Faith (37) – We rejoice in the gift of eternal life.

A Statement of Christian Faith (38) – We rejoice in the gift of eternal life.

A Statement of Christian Faith (39) – We have sure and certain hope of resurrection through Christ.

A Statement of Christian Faith (40) – We have sure and certain hope of resurrection through Christ.

A Statement of Christian Faith (41) – We look for His coming again.

A Statement of Christian Faith (42) – We look for His coming again.

Statement of Christian Faith (43) – We look for His coming again
to judge the world. Then all things will be made new.

Statement of Christian Faith (44) – We look for His coming again
to judge the world. Then all things will be made new.

Statement of Christian Faith (45) – and creation will rejoice in
worshipping the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit,
One God, blessed for ever.

Statement of Christian Faith (46) – and creation will rejoice in
worshipping the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit,
One God, blessed for ever.

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“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:1-4

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:5-25

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:26-38

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:39-56

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:57-66

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:67-80

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 2:1-20

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 2:21-40

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 2:41-52

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 3:1-22

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 4:1-13

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 4:14-30

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 4:31-37

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 4:38-44

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 5:1-11

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 5:12-16

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 5:17-26

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel
– Luke 5:27-32 & Luke 5:33-39″

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:1-11

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:12-16

“Church Without Walls”: Link to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:17-26

“Church Without Walls”: Link to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:27-36″

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:37-42

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 6:43-49

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 7:1-10

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 7:11-17

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 7:18-35

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 7:36-50

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 8:1-15

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 8:16-18 & Luke 8:19-21

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 8:22-25

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 8:26-39

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 8:40-56

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 9:1-9

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 9:10-17

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 9:18-10:24

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 10:25-42

“Church Without Walls” Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 11:1-12:59

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 13:1-15:32

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 16:1-18:17

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 18:18-43

“Church Without Walls”: Links to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 19:1-21:38

“Church Without Walls”: Link to “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 22:1-23

“Church Without Walls”: “Sermons on Luke’s Gospel” – Luke 22:7-38

“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 23:26-24:53

First (Trinity), Second and Third Sundays after Pentecost

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

How are we to live as God’s people in today’s world?

Service, Prayer, Love and Witness

Looking up to God and looking out to our community

Local Church Evangelism

Teaching Evangelism

Sharing our Faith Effectively

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): A Call to Prayer

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): Without Christ we can do nothing.

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): Keeping our eyes on Jesus

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): Christ at the Centre

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): Shaped by the Gospel

“Church Without Walls” (a Church of Scotland Report): Building on the Gospel

Fifth Sunday of Easter: Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 or Proverbs 4:10-18; Psalm 119:9-32; 1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14

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6th Sun, Easter: Acts 17:22-31; Ps 66:8-20 or Ezekiel 43:1-7a; Ps 115; 1 Peter 3:13-22; Jn 14:15-21-

OUTLINE

In our worship, we listen to the Word of the Lord.

In our worship, we hear the Story of God’s salvation.

In our worship, let us pray that the glory of the Lord will fill His Church.

In our worship, let us give all the glory to the Lord.

As we leave the place of worship, let us take the Gospel with us.

As we go into the world, let us pray that the fruit of the Spirit will be seen in us.

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Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47 or 93 or Dan 7:9-14; Ps 24:7-10; Eph 1:15-23; Lk 24:44-53

OUTLINE

Jesus is taken up into heaven. The Holy Spirit is given to us.

Jesus is taken up into heaven. May His Name be exalted in all the earth.

Jesus is taken up into heaven. He will come again with power and great glory.

Jesus is taken up into heaven. In Him, we will dwell in God’s house for ever.

Jesus is taken up into heaven. Saved by Him, let us live for Him.

Jesus is taken up into heaven. Let us preach Him to all nations.

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7Sun,Easter: Acts-1:6-14/Ps 68:1-10,32-35 or Is 45:1-7/Ps 21:1-7/1 Pet 4:12-14 & 5:6-11/Jn 17:1-11

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Day of Pentecost: Acts 2:1-21 …

OUTLINE

Speaking the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit leads us to worship the Lord.

The Holy Spirit leads us to serve the Lord.

The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus.

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Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1-3 John

Jude

Revelation

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Revised Common Lectionary – Year A

Revised Common Lectionary – Year B

Revised Common Lectionary – Year C

If you’re looking for a particular Sunday – once you’ve followed the general link, search for the exact phrase, using quotation marks, e.g. “Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost”.

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Two Weeks on … - As well as the studies on “Prayers of the Bible” and “Becoming a Christian” for which there are direct links (see below), this link includies studies on David; Moses and the Exodus; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; God and Nature; Social Justice; Women of the Bible; The Holy Spirit; The Old Testament; The Life and Teachings of Paul; The Life and Teachings of Jesus. If you want to find a particular study without having to scroll through all the other studies, e. g. the studies on David, search for the exact phrase, making sure that you include the quotation marks, “Two Weeks on David”.

Guided Tour of the Bible

Prayers of the Bible - This is a direct link to a series of studies which is also included in the “Two Weeks on … ” link (see above).

Becoming a Christian - This is a direct link to a series of studies which is also included in the “Two Weeks on … ” link (see above).

Thought for the Day

Through the Bible in One Year

Through the Bible in Three Years

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“Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 1:1-4 – This is the first in a series of sermons on Luke’s Gospel. To find other sermons, search for the chapter you’re looking for, using the exact phrase, using quotation marks, e.g. for Luke 2 – “”Church Without Walls”: Sermons on Luke’s Gospel – Luke 2:”.

“Church Without Walls” – This contains links to several articles on the “Church Without Walls” Report.

The Holy Spirit is the Breath of God. All Scripture is God-breathed. We experience the Breath of God upon our life when we listen attentively to the God-breathed Scriptures. Paul speaks, in 2 Timothy 3:15-17, of the relationship between the Breath of God (the Holy Spirit) and the God-breathed Word (the Holy Scriptures) – ‘the Holy Scriptures … are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work’.

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The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (1)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (2)

The Holy Spirit in the LIfe of Faith (3)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (4)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (5)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (6)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (7)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (8)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (9)

The Holy Spirit in the Life of Faith (10)

This series of short posts contains an article, “Karl Barth the Preacher,” first published in Evangelical Quarterly 66:2 (1994): 99-106. The article analyzes Karl Barth’s sermon on Ephesians 2:5 in order to lay bare his understanding of the nature of preaching, stressing its simplicity of content and its context in the life of the church. The article was prepared for the Web in September 2007 by Robert I. Bradshaw, http://www.theologicalstudies.org.uk/
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We approach Karl Barth’s preaching by way of a sermon preached by him on 14th August 1955. This sermon bears the title, ‘Saved by Grace’. It has been described as ‘truly evangelical preaching’. Before we look closely at the sermon itself, we should note what Barth himself says about the sermons preached in Basel Prison: ‘the prayers I gave were to my mind as essential as the sermons themselves’. Here, we have an essential key to
understanding Barth’s view of preaching. He emphasizes the vital connection between prayer and preaching (Deliverance to the Captives, (London, 1961), 35-42, 9 (from the ‘Preface’ by Dr. John Marsh, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford), 11 (from ‘Remarks’ by the Preacher). Most of the sermons in this collection were preached in Basel Prison, 11).
Prayer and preaching belong together. This important point is highlighted by the fact that this sermon (together with the other sermons contained in Deliverance to the Captives) is preceded by prayer and followed by prayer. This stress on prayer was not an artificial spirituality which the theologian took on when he stepped into the role of preacher. Barth stresses that ‘(t)he first and basic act of theological work is prayer’. He insists that ‘theology… can be performed only in the act of prayer’ (Evangelical Theology: An Introduction, (London, 1963), 160, emphasis original) …

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Link to the rest of the first post

Karl Barth the Preacher (1): Prayer and Preaching

Links to the rest of the posts in the series

Karl Barth the Preacher (2): The Bible and Preaching

Karl Barth the Preacher (3): Jesus Christ and Preaching

Karl Barth the Preacher (4): Preaching and the Preacher

Karl Barth the Preacher (5): The Preacher’s Message

Karl Barth the Preacher (6): Sin, Salvation and Preaching

Karl Barth the Preacher (7): Look to Christ

Karl Barth the Preacher (8): Jesus loves me!

Karl Barth the Preacher (9): Gathering Together to Hear God’s Word

Karl Barth the Preacher (10): Sent out to speak God’s Word

Karl Barth the Preacher (11): Religion and Revelation

Karl Barth the Preacher (12): Preaching and the Sacraments

Karl Barth the Preacher (13): “Keep before your eyes our Lord Jesus Christ”

Every new beginning is a time for both looking back and looking forward.

We look back. We ask, “What’s been going on in my life in recent years?” Whatever our particular circumstances, we’re all getting older! How have we grown older? Have we become colder? Have we become bolder?

We look forward. Whatever the past has been, the future can be different. We can be changed. It doesn’t need to be older and colder. It can be older and bolder.

Sadly, for many of us, the story is ‘older and colder’ – ‘most men’s love will grow cold’. Is this the story of your life? – ‘the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in – nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes’ (Matthew 24:12). Has the fire gone out? How long has it been since, in your heart, you said, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us … while He opened to us the Scriptures?’ (Luke 24:32)? Must we get colder as we get older? Can we not be raised from the ashes? Must we be overwhelmed by the spirit of evil? Cannot God restore in us the spirit of praise – ‘I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever’ (Psalm 89:1)?

Some of you who are reading these words may be regular worshippers. Some may not have worshipped God in His House for many years. To each and every one of us, God gives the opportunity of a new beginning – Is it not time to make a new beginning with God?

Older and colder? There’s a better way than this. You can get older and bolder – bolder in worship, bolder in witness.

Let us be bold in our worship – ‘Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we might receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16). However long it has been since you worshipped the Lord in His House, dare you doubt that God is able to ‘restore your soul and lead you in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake’ (Psalm 23:3)? God is able to do this for you. Of that, there is no doubt. Are you willing to ‘let go and let God have His wonderful way’? Are you willing to begin again with God?

Let us be bold in our witness – ‘they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness’ (Acts 4:31). How can we expect to speak for God if we do not listen to Him? To those who have stopped listening to Him, God is still speaking. He calls us to listen to Him. He calls us to come to Him. This is His Word to us – ”Listen now, My people, and come to Me; come to Me, and you will have life!’ (Isaiah 55:3). We will have no ‘impact’ on our ‘world’ until God’s Word has made its impact on us. The ‘world’ will not listen to us if we are not listening to God. God has something to say to us. Are we listening? He has something to say to our world. Will we be His voice?

Some of you – regular worshippers as well those who have not attended Church for a very long time – may be saying, ‘This is very serious’. Yes! You’re right! It’s very serious! I can hardly emphasize how serious it is. Listen to what God’s Word says – ‘How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?’ (Hebrews 2:3). Do not dismiss this as my words! This is God’s Word! To those who persistently refuse to listen to Him, God speaks His Word of warning – ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’ (Hebrews 10:31).

Alongside the Word of warning, there is His wonderful promise – Christ is ‘able to save to the uttermost all who come to God through Him’ (Hebrews 7:25). The crucified Christ holds out His loving arms to embrace all who bow before His Cross and pray for a new beginning with God. Many opportunities for a new beginning may have been missed. God has been speaking. We have not been listening. Now, there is a new opportunity. Make sure that you do not miss this opportunity for returning to the Lord. He may never come so close again. He may never again speak to you so clearly and strongly. This is your time. It is the time of your salvation – if you will return to the Lord.

The enemy is defeated.

David defeats Goliath. This is not only a story about David and Goliath. It is about the Israelites and the Philistines. It is about ‘God’ and the ‘gods’(1 Samuel 17:43, 46). Victory comes from the Lord. It is given by grace. It is received by faith (47). Notice the contrast between the attitude of Saul – unbelief -and the attitude of David – faith (1 Samuel 17:33, 37). Unbelief is all around us. Don’t be pulled into it. Don’t forget God. Remember what He has done for you and thank Him that He will not fail you now (1 Samuel 17:37). Put off the armour provided by men. ‘Put on the whole armour of God’(1 Samuel 17:38-40; Ephesians 6:11). We will not win the victory if we fight in our own strength. We must draw our strength from the Lord. He helps us. We are ‘strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man’(Psalm 121:2; Psalm 124:8; Ephesians 3:16).

In Christ, we have the victory in Christ.

‘I will give thanks to the Lord…’(Psalm 9:1-2). The enemy is defeated (Psalm 9:3-6). ‘The Lord sits enthroned for ever’(Psalm 9:7). ‘The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble’(Psalm 9:9). What an encouraging Psalm this is: We have the victory in Christ. Nevertheless, it is not easy when we face determined opposition from the enemies of Christ and His Gospel: ‘Behold what I suffer from those that hate me’(Psalm 9:13). In this situation, we must call upon the Lord: ‘Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail’(Psalm 9:19). Though the conflict is raging all around, we must – taking our stand in Christ – declare God’s praises and rejoice in His salvation (Psalm 9:14). ‘The Lord dwells in Zion’(Psalm 9:11): ‘Blest inhabitants of Zion, Washed in the Redeemer’s blood’, may we always say, ‘Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy Name.’

Pass the message on.

There are some things that are worth repeating! The story of God’s amazing grace is worth repeating over and over again – ‘Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress’(Psalm 107:6, 13, 19, 28). The call to praise the Lord is also something we need to hear again and again – ‘Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men’(Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31). Let us ‘consider the great love of the Lord.’ Let us ‘give thanks to the Lord’ (Psalm 107:43, 1). ‘The great love of God is revealed in the Son, who came to this earth to redeem every one. That love, like a stream flowing clear to the sea, makes clean every heart that from sin would be free… It’s yours, it is ours, O how lavishly given! The pearl of great price, and the treasure of heaven!’