Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Great expectations… Jesus’ parable: A nice sea-side farm yarn? (v. 1-9) Jesus’ parable: Hiding and revealing the secrets of the Kingdom (v. 10-17) Jesus’ parable: Hearing the message of the kingdom (v. 18-23) ‘Whoever has ears, let them hear’
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline The King’s Admirers: ‘Could this be the Son of David?’ (v22-23) The King’s Accusers: ‘You’re demonic!’ (v24-37) The King’s Sceptics: ‘Show us a sign!’ (v38-45) The King’s Family: True disciples (v46-50) The Kingdom of God has come upon you
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Where’s your hope? Hope Hidden… In the grain fields (v. 1-8) In the synagogue (v. 9-14) Hope Revealed… To bruised reeds (v. 15-21) In his name the nations will put their hope
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Come to…? Jesus’ invitation: Come to me! Jesus’ gift: Soul rest Jesus’ yoke: Learning from him Jesus’ heart: Gentle and humble Come to Jesus, together, today
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline The blind men and the elephant… It (really!) matters how you respond to Jesus (v. 20-24) Because God IS the Jesus-God (v. 25-27) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline When Jesus disappoints … ’… should we expect someone else …?’ 11.1-3 Dealing with Doubt – a powerful report (Isaiah 29.18, 35.4-6, 61.1) 11.4-5 – the blessing in accepting Jesus as he is, not as we want 11.6 Examining our Expectations – take the case of John the Baptist…
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Wise living in a culture of fear ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’: The book of Proverbs Foolish fear: The dread of holiness Wise fear: Trembling joy Growing more (and less) fearful this year
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Love along the grain? The goodness of love The poetry of love The dangers of love The wisdom of love The flame of love
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline Getting your expectation right matters Meaningless From: Questions Observations from nature Observations from life Testing the theory The teacher’s response (2:17, 20) A real/current response? Something more (Ecc 12:13-14) What difference does Jesus make? (Rom 8:18-25) Present. Future. A hope based on Jesus (1…
Read the Bible passage Sermon outline An armchair or a wheelchair question? Introducing Job: A truly wise man (v. 1-5) Job’s test: Fearing God for nothing (v. 6-12) Job’s agony: Unjust suffering (v. 13-19) Job’s wisdom: Persevering worship (v. 20-22) Job’s God: The sovereign ruler of all things (ch. 38-42) Wisdom in suffering: the blessing…