Facts… and alternative facts

Sunday, 17 April 2022 by

Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 17 April 2022

Facts... and alternative facts

We live in a world of facts… and alternative facts. We live in a world of truth… and fake news. But that is nothing new—just remember the account of the Fall, and the facts and alternative facts that were shared there. And the Resurrection of Jesus follows the same theme—there is fact, and alternative fact. The facts are clear: Jesus died, Jesus was buried, Jesus was raised. Jesus is alive! The alternative facts are clear, too: Jesus is a notorious con-man, who needs to be silenced, and a lie is propagated, and spread, to deal with the facts. It is no different today—and the choice is just as stark: Do you believe Jesus is risen? Do you disbelieve that Jesus is risen? On the one hand, the facts transform life—and offer real hope. On the other hand, the alternative facts continue life as we know it—and offer the same as the Garden of Eden Fall. What do you believe?

Scripture References: Matthew 27:57-66, Matthew 28:1-20, Psalms 16:1-11

From Series: "Matthew"

More From "Matthew"

Powered by Series Engine

Sunday, 19 June 2022
Christ and Conscience
from Bernard Gabbott
In the third in our series ‘Christ and…’, we are looking at ‘Christ and conscience’ – how do we make ethical and godly decisions about key matters in life? Moreover, is there some standard, some concrete and accessible standard, of the ‘good’ that guides us in such decision-making? In Colossians 3:1-11, Paul reminds us that our lives as God’s people are defined by, circumscribed by, ‘the Messiah’ – by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the ‘good’, and He is real. He is the defining standard for ethical decision-making.
Sunday, 12 June 2022
Christ and Cash
from Bernard Gabbott
In the first sermon in our series, ‘Christ and…’, we saw three building blocks:  there is a King, and His name is Jesus;  Jesus is interested in image-bearers of God;  and this kingdom has a message to tell the world. Those building blocks are remarkably helpful in thinking through Christ and cash. As Jesus starts His first training session with His disciples – kind of like a citizenship induction course – in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), He wants them to know that they are part of His kingdom by being connected to Him, that in this kingdom God is their Father, and that the kingdom priorities are the focus – God’s mob are focused on serving their King and being interested in His image-bearers. That means, they have no need to worry about their material wealth, or to focus on storing up assets and investments and possessions here – their Father knows what they need! Instead, they can focus on God’s kingdom!
Sunday, 5 June 2022
Real Jesus: The Point
from Ben Connelly
When we think about Jesus we often stop after considering Christmas and Easter. But Jesus’ life had a point. He came to show us who God is. Jesus can show us who God is because He is God, He is the One who created the world, and He is the reason for its creation. He came, so that, by dying He could bring us before God as holy and blameless. Now He reigns as the head of the church. Paul reminds us that Jesus is supreme in all the world and also sufficient for our salvation.