John 13:1 to 30 - What's in the picture?

Jesus washing the disciples feet is a beautiful picture, but what does God want us to see in the picture? We need to think about the context – the imminent death of Jesus; the love of Jesus and the sovereignty of Jesus.

Then we can see that the washing was a demonstration of what was going to happen at the Cross. The Cross would be a sovereign display of power in weakness; a sovereign sacrifice that cleanses completely; and a sovereign example for disciples to follow.

To listen to Nick McQuaker preaching from John 13:1-30 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 23rd October 2011 use the link below.

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John 12:37 to 50 - Jewish Unbelief

Why didn’t many Jews believe Jesus? They had many convincing signs right in front of their eyes. Some did believe, even amongst the leaders. But many did not.

Yesterday we looked at John’s explanation. He shows us about God’s promises and God’s purposes. The Jews rejected Jesus in the same way they always seemed to ignore the prophets in the Old Testament. And God eventually confirms them in their unbelief. But this is not a failure of God’s plan, it is in fact the way God chooses to work and to catapult the gospel to all the nations.

So what do we need to do? Listen to the appeal of Jesus; follow Him and to be sure of eternal life.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from John 12:37-50 at Christ Church on Sunday morning 16th October 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 10:19 to 25 – Jesus, the willing servant

What keeps us going as believers? What keeps us going through trials, through persecution, through just the every day toil and grind of life? What keeps us believing, keeps us trusting? Last night as we continued our studies in Hebrews the writer of Hebrews in chp 10:19-25 gave us three encouragements to how to keep going. Firstly we are to continue to draw near to God. As believers in Jesus we can keep on drawing near, not because we deserve to, not because we earn’t it but because of Jesus’ once for all sacrifice. His sacrifice has opened the way for us to enter the Most Holy Place. Not the earthly most holy of holies but the heavenly most holy of Holies, the very throne room of God. As such the writer says because we can confidently enter the very presence of God without fear of death. We are to draw near to God and we are to continually draw near. We do this predominately through prayer but also by spending time with God, enjoying intimacy with Him, reading his word, praising Him, revelling in His grace, deepening my love and understanding of Him. So the first way we are to keep going is to draw near to God. The second way is to continue to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. We are to cling onto the hope of Heaven. It is this hope that will stop us from swerving to avoid persecution or giving up because of the monotony of life. We need to keep reminding our selves of the great hope in order to keep going. Then thirdly we keep going by considering others, by spending time with other believers. In other words we need to be those who are committed to our church families, this will mean attending regularly at church meetings on a Sunday, midweek. The writer says we are to keep on meeting together because we need one another, to spur one another on, particular in light of the fact that judgment is coming. I take it he tells us to do this so that we will all be standing firm on that day, safe and secure in Jesus. If you want to keep going then follow the Writer to the Hebrews clear commands.

To listen to Mark Ventham preaching from Hebrews 10:19-25 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 16th October 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 10:1 to 18 – Jesus, the willing servant

God was speaking throughout the Bible, leading us to Christ. In the Old Testament we have the shadow but in Jesus we have the reality. A man who really did fulfil the law completely and offered himself unreservedly to God. That’s why Jesus is now at the place of honour in heaven, waiting for the end of all things when He will return and judge all men.

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Hebrews 10:1-18 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 9th October 2011 use the link below.

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Hebrews 9:1 to 28 - Once for All

The limitation of the Old Covenant ceremonies was pointing to our need of something of something better that is only found in Christ who is the once for all sacrifice (23-28)

To listen to Graham Nicholls preaching from Hebrews 9 at Christ Church on Sunday evening 2nd October 2011 use the link below.

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