Monthly Archives: December 2011

Christmas Day sermon – nominative determinism and Jesus as Saviour

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

Ask kids to bring up toys. What are their names? When Mary was told by the angel Gabriel to name her son Jesus, the name carries with it the purpose for which he was born. Jesus comes from the Latin … Continue reading →

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Midnight service talk – when the holy meets the unholy

Posted on December 25, 2011 by

One of the things I like most about the midnight service is the special sense of quiet which is almost holy. There’s something different about coming to church in the middle of the night. As I grew up in rural … Continue reading →

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Handel’s Messiah for joyful Christmas Eve…

Posted on December 24, 2011 by

I posted this last year and found it so helpful I’ve posted it again this year; for unto us a child is born, as Son is given…have a very joyful Christ-centred Christmas!

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The Christmas Story in 1:51 mins on Youtube

Posted on December 24, 2011 by

Here’s the telling of the true story of the birth of God with us, stripped down to the bare essentials and given a modern taste:

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Mez McConnell on what the estate needs…no, not more well intentioned kindnesses

Posted on December 23, 2011 by

Mez McConnell has a really refreshing and encouraging post on why kindness shown in various social projects is not what the inner city, UPA, estate needs.  Here’s some choice quotes from his post. In my opinion, most inner city housing … Continue reading →

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95 theses against the assumptions of secularism

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

In 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 theses “Disputation on the power and efficacy of indulgences” on the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg.  What Luther did that morning arguably began the reformation of the church in Europe.  There … Continue reading →

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Holy Trinity West Bromwich Carol Service Talk 2011

Posted on December 18, 2011 by

As we come to the close of 2011, I wonder what sort of year you think it has been? Has it been a better, happier, more contented year than 2010? Has humankind climbed the ladder of progression toward the sort … Continue reading →

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Love the Lord your God with all your…a spiritual check-up

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

The Lord our God has given us four ways and means of loving him: with our heart, soul, mind and strength. Each person will have stronger or weaker or non-existent love in some of these areas.  And so, we must … Continue reading →

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A plug for my old college – Oak Hill does Vimeo

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

Someone at Oak Hill College has been busy doing Christ-centred promo videos with the students on how college prepares folk for Christian ministry. Here’s a couple (three) which apply to our urban context, brilliant:

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You know you know God as Father when you cry to him in suffering, “Father!”

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

It’s easy to call God “Father” in happy, blue sky days.  When life falls apart and the sky turns dark, then what do you do?  Here’s a brilliant concluding sermon moment by Alistair Begg on suffering and belief:

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