Jesus told his disciples repeatedly that in Jerusalem he would suffer and be rejected, die and then rise again. Now those three steps are being played out before their eyes. Driving home the lesson, the number three echoes through Mark’s
That’s funny
This sermon is an alternative, more devotional look at the verses, centring on the great gospel message of repentance and faith in Christ. It was preached in an evening sermon to complement the regular morning preaching as part of a
Salty sacrifice
Jesus is tackling sinful pride in his disciples which is leading them to mistreat others whom he would value and love. So he speaks firmly to the twelve. They have to change their mindset to one of humility and self-sacrifice,
Who’s the greatest?
Jesus is trying hard to get his disciples to see the principle of “strength in weakness”. This is God’s plan for his people. Jesus is going to be handed over to be murdered, but God will raise him up again.
Make your choice
The disciples are shocked by Jesus’ insistence that he will soon be dead. This leaves their dream of a renewed Israel in the dust. But, says Jesus, that’s where it should be for even the finest things of this world
Christmas Sermon 2020
Sin is the virus which has gone throughout the world. It has created fear in human hearts, especially the fear of death. As a result of our bad behaviour, God has had to put the the world into a form
Debt free
Philemon 15-19. God loves to see reconciliation. Paul presses this on his slave-owning friend, as he returns the runaway slave Onesimus to him. He hints that maybe God even brought about these circumstances so that they could come together in
The ‘lay aside’ rule
Philemon 1-3. Sitting beneath all Paul writes is a principle which Christians must apply to their lives. It teaches us how to think of the benefits and advantages we personally have. Applied well, it makes our lives suited to building
True justice
If the material universe is the ultimate reality, then our concerns about right, wrong and justice are simply human inventions to make life more bearable; they have no bigger meaning since the universe ‘doesn’t care.’ We, however, cannot treat them
Serious, self-denying service
The New Testament is very aware that churches can end up with leaders who abuse their position. Paul reflects on this topic in our verses, as he gives his final speech to the elders from the church in Ephesus (Ac