God alone saves

Recent Sermons

• Sunday, 4 December 2022

  Hark the Herald Angels Sing

  from Bernard Gabbott

  ‘Hark the herald angels sing’ attempts to capture this whole gamut of truthful experiences (shock, wonder, awe, humility, obedience, discovery, veracity, verbosity, announcement, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told), amazing emotions, and deeply appreciative responses. It is a song that riffs off the account of Luke 2:1-20, draws in theological summary from something like the Nicene Creed (and Philippians 2:5-11), and reminds us of the true goodness of theologically rich and Biblically-rooted carols. Put simply, it is a song of wonder!

• Sunday, 27 November 2022

  O Come, O Come, Immanuel

  from Bernard Gabbott

  God’s mob are a singing people. This is what we will do forever (just look at Revelation 4, 5, and 7!). It is what God’s mob have done right throughout their history (just look at the Psalms!). It is what characterises our gatherings now. And singing has been crucial at key turning points in church history (Luther’s songs set to pub tunes applied truth to the minds of people!). But what IS a Christian song? In fact, what IS a song? Here is a rough definition: ‘Truth to music, to stir emotion and to invite a response’. Now, there are probably many things to quibble with in such a definition, but it is a starting point to help us think through what we do as we sing as God’s mob. First, ‘truth’ is central: the truth of the faith. Second, this ‘truth’ is set to ‘music’ – and music is both an aid to memory and a spur to ‘emotion’. Third, the stirring of ‘emotions’ is crucial for songs – and emotions are a gift from God, rightly used to respond from deep within our natures as His image-bearers. And, finally, this ‘response’ is the right application of truth warmly received, in daily life.

• Sunday, 20 November 2022

  The Fight

  from Ben Connelly

  Having warned us about the dangers of false teachers and what will happen if we follow them, Jude now shows us how we can avoid their traps. He reminds us of the importance of praying, building each other up and waiting patiently for the return of Christ. He tells us to look out for our friends and help them with their doubts. Then in a final exclamation of praise he reminds us that ultimately Jesus is the one fighting for us, and he is waiting to present us to God with great joy. We need not fear because Christ is on our side and is working to protect us from all the attacks that come our way.