Who are we? What are we called to do? How is God speaking to us as a church today? How are we and how will we respond to His prophetic word to us?
Sermons by Chris Johnson (Page 29)
Light is a key metaphor in the New Testament but what did the writers understand it to mean when they used it? We immerse ourselves in the Old Testament to begin the process of understanding more deeply the power of what Jesus and the New Testament writers were saying and seeking to respond to God’s revelation.
Polar Explorers Holiday Club service
Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily. To daily face the truth that we can only save our life by handing it over to Jesus. It is in the daily decision to take up our cross and follow Jesus that we become who we were created to be.
How do we know the truth about a report we hear? Whether it is on the TV, in the papers or on social media? In the rush to get the scoop, lies and half-truths mascaraed as news. Some people see the resurrection of Jesus like that. Fake news, concocted because people need something to believe. Even some Christians think that we are asked to believe entirely on the basis of blind faith rather than evidence. This is not the case. Chris offers three types of evidence: Historical, Psychological and Experiential.
The principalities and powers behind the religion, politics and betrayal had to be drawn out and displayed for what they truly are. The involvement of each in Jesus sacrifice accomplished made this plain. As a result we can be set free from the fear of death to hear the truth and love as we have been loved.
The Lord Jesus asked His disciples to remember Him through symbols of bread and wine. Reminders of His broken body and poured out blood. Blood is more than a metaphor in the bible. Understanding God’s view of blood is a vital key to understanding the relationship between life, death, sin and forgiveness. In the shedding of Jesus’ blood, the pouring out of His life, the symbol of animal sacrifice becomes the reality of Jesus’ death for our sin. Christianity is not about clever philosophies and fancy theories but flesh and blood, wood and nails reality.
In order to benefit from God’s offer of a New Covenant we must enter the covenant. We must accept the terms and conditions – Repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We can re-enter the covenant again and again. We do not have to wait until the next covenant service or communion service. How then shall we live as people of the New Covenant?
What is the offence of the Cross? It is condemning, foolish and makes exclusive claims. But something can be offensive and correct. We go a little deeper in our understanding of meaning of the cross.
In this series our aim is not to come up with clever theories about the cross but to reap its benefits, live its life and proclaim its gospel. Chris aims to inspire us to discover again the wonder and power of the cross of Christ. In the first talk he focusses on the revelation which the cross brings about who we are, who God is and how we can be reconciled.