1. God's Gospel Romans 1.1-7
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- Last Updated: 18 November 2015
- Written by Dale
God's Gospel Romans 1.1-7
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 21 August 2011
Bible readings: 2 Samuel 7.11b-16; Psalm 89.1-4; Romans 1.1-7; John 20.24-31
Introduction to Romans and the Roman church, and the summary of Paul's gospel
Worth singing about 21 Aug 11
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- Last Updated: 20 March 2014
- Written by Dale
Worth singing about
We have a gospel to proclaim... so the song goes. Good news for all. Good news about what? Actually good news about whom? Good news about the name of the saviour. The fame, the glory, the reputation of the King - Jesus, our Lord.
And the news? Birth, of course. Born among his people, as one of them. One of the great paradoxes. Word of God, with God in the beginning, creator of all. Made flesh. The creator takes creation to himself, and sheds God light on human life.
And. His death. Another paradox. Lord of all. Great King. Cruelly killed on a cross – for the ones he came to save. Gave his life for them – so they could live.
And there’s more.
Answering prayers 14 Aug 11
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- Last Updated: 20 March 2014
- Written by Dale
Answering prayers
What a great encouragement it is to see God answer prayer. And what a great encouragement are brothers and sisters in the Lord. “in the Lord” – now there is a description. The word “Christian” is only used three times in the New Testament. What words did they use instead to describe each other?
You can see the answer at the end of Romans. “In Christ” or ‘in the Lord” occurs maybe a dozen times in Romans 16. Brothers and sisters in the Lord are those who share a common Lord, a common trust, a common experience of grace and forgiveness, a common hope of eternal life in Christ.
And a common experience of encouraging each other.
9. God intended it for good Genesis 37-50
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- Last Updated: 28 October 2015
- Written by Dale
9. God intended it for good: Genesis 37-50
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 8 August 2011
Bible Readings: Genesis 45.1-15; Psalm 91; Acts 7.1-16; Luke 22.39-46
Joseph: God's suffering saviour who understood what God was doing when he was living what looked like a wasted life. Jospeh is the end of the first part of the story, but the end of the big story is in Revelation.
An Anglican History: Part 3. The Development of the Western Church
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- Last Updated: 20 March 2014
- Written by Dale
An Anglican History: Part 3. The Development of the Western Church
In 597 Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory I as a missionary to Britain from Rome. He established a mission in the south east and built a cathedral at Canterbury where he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Augustine’s mission had great success with the Anglo-Saxon pagan kingdoms. The church became strong enough to be a centre of mission to central Europe.
It took some time for the the churches from the Celtic tradition and those from the Roman tradition to find a way to work together. In 663 a conference at Whitby resolved the disagreements. After this the church in England was under the authority of Rome.
Charlemagne
Read more: An Anglican History: Part 3. The Development of the Western Church
8. Struggling with God Genesis 32
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- Last Updated: 28 October 2015
- Written by Dale
8. Struggling with God Genesis 32.22-32
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 31 July 2011
Jacob struggling with God. Fear and anxiety and the Lord who strives for Jacob
Disciple not Christian? 31 Jul 11
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- Last Updated: 20 March 2014
- Written by Dale
Disciple not Christian?
Nicholas has summarised some of the latest thinking on how churches can express themselves in ways that will help them grow and function as real churches. Last week he mentioned the idea of discipleship, and wrote, “The words ‘Christian’ and “Disciple’ are synonymous in the Bible.”
Of course. But not now. Back then ‘disciple’ was the original term. They only started to use the term ‘Christian’ after it had been coined as a kind of nick-name. The only Christians were disciples. Nowadays ‘Christian’ can refer to almost anything. Even in the church.
‘Disciple’ is a good word to use. It is much more definitive. ‘Apprentice’ is probably a reasonable equivalent for us. ‘Disciple’ means ‘learner’ but in a certain sense. Not in the sense of someone who studies books, listens to lectures and passes exams, but in terms of someone who is taught how as well as what and why. A person apprenticed to Jesus.