Sermons

Your true purpose in life flows not from your abilities, achievements, or circumstances, but from what Jesus Christ does through you. Like John the Baptist, who was considered the greatest prophet not for his own works but because he pointed to Christ, every Christian's significance comes through letting the Lord minister through them. When we allow Jesus to work through us, He gives spiritual gifts and opportunities that reveal our genuine calling, whether in hospitality, giving, teaching, or helping others. The key outcome of a God given gift is not what we do, but what Christ does through us.

Your purpose in life cannot be fully understood apart from Jesus Christ, who is the eternal Word and the source of all true understanding. While humanity bears God's image through creation, there is a deeper purpose found in becoming children of God through faith in Christ. This transformation occurs when we receive Christ and allow Him to work through us, revealing our specific gifts and callings. Our ultimate reason for existing (raison d'être) is not merely what we do, but what Christ does through us as we draw closer to Him through the Gospel and His Word.

Salvation extends far beyond the initial moment of conversion or the sinner's prayer. A good representation encompasses both Jesus' ministry to the lost, as seen in His encounter with Zacchaeus, with its challenge for a change of ways and example of change in behaviour. Jesus’ call is not just to conversion but also for the new believer to pursue godly perfection. The Lord's work of salvation includes not only forgiveness of sins but also the ongoing transformation of the believer's character through sanctification, ultimately looking forward to Christ's return. This broader understanding of salvation helps explain why many Christians struggle with living the Christian life after conversion, when their new salvation needs time to find help and hope through the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work.

Real transformation doesn't come through New Year's resolutions or geographical relocations—it comes through returning to Jesus Christ, Who is the true beginning. The eternal Word became flesh and dwelt among us, bringing God's presence into our midst. When we face difficulties or seek a fresh start, the answer isn't found in changing circumstances alone but in drawing near to Christ, Who is full of grace and truth, and allowing His Holy Spirit to work within us.

The initial passion and devotion we experience when first meeting Christ can gradually dim as worldly pressures and responsibilities crowd our lives. Like the church at Ephesus, many believers maintain good works and sound doctrine while losing their burning love for the Lord. The solution lies not in mere activity but in genuine repentance and returning to those practices that marked our early walk with God - earnest prayer, hunger for His Word, and wholehearted worship. Our invitation into the King's garden demands nothing less than our first love restored.

Being salt of the earth is not about doing good works or creating Christian institutions - it is about who we are in Christ. When believers embrace their God-given distinctiveness rather than trying to blend in with the world, even a small percentage can transform their community. The Lord calls His people to promote what is good and resist what is evil, not by starting programmes, but by living openly as those who belong to Him. Just as salt in Jesus' time both fertilised good growth and prevented corruption, Christians are meant to stand out and influence society through their different way of thinking and living.

God's promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 reveals a pattern that extends far beyond the building of a physical temple. While David wished to build God a house, God instead promised that it was He who would build David's house - establishing an eternal dynasty that would find its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ. This reversal teaches us that God's plans are always greater than human intentions, and His Kingdom comes not through our efforts but through His sovereign work. The peace and rest that David temporarily achieved in his earthly kingdom points forward to the perfect and eternal peace found in Christ's reign.

The birth of any child reveals the miracle of God's creation, but the birth of Jesus Christ uniquely bridges Heaven and Earth. Through Joseph's eyes, we see the extraordinary responsibility of raising One who was both fully human and fully Divine. The humility of Christ's birth in a manger foreshadows His ultimate purpose - to become the perfect sacrifice for humanity's salvation. This same Jesus, who began His earthly journey as a helpless infant, now reigns as King of Kings, watching over us until His return.

The heart of Christmas lies not in our search for God, but in God's initiative to seek us. Through the Incarnation, God demonstrates His desire to reach humanity by sending His Son in human form. While religious observance and family traditions have their place, Christmas fundamentally represents God's personal approach to each individual, inviting them into a relationship through Christ. The Gospel narrative, particularly through the four evangelists, reveals this divine pursuit from different angles - showing Jesus as both Messiah and Emmanuel, God with us.

The Kingdom of God operates as a divine monarchy, not a republic. While God the Father maintains His rule from Heaven, He established His Kingdom on Earth through Christ's birth into the royal line of David. This truth appears even in modern children's stories like The Blood of the King, which mirrors the Christmas narrative of royal lineage. The Church flourishes when it embraces this monarchical structure, recognising Jesus as its sole ruler rather than operating by democratic principles. Through Christmas, God demonstrated that He not only rules from above but comes near to His people.