Burwood Presbyterian Church

Introduction  One LOVE (v1-5)  Renew your love for Jesus.  Reconnect with church (join a Link Group!)  Love one another because we are all near-relatives of the Almighty.  One LORD (v6-9)  Trinity in unity, unity in trinity.  ‘Water and blood' – cleansing and atonement.  Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT sacrificial system.  One HOPE (v10-13)  Jesus Christ can raise the dead – do you believe this?  Conclusion  The fish and the anchor: two ancient symbols of hope and assurance in Christ.  Anchor your faith in Christ: one love, one Lord, one hope. 

Branches of the true vine [15:1-8] Jesus speaks of branches bearing no fruit. Jesus speaks about those who bears 'some fruit' Friends of the true God [15:13-16]

Introduction  God is willing and wanting to save sinners.  God does not delight in judgement over sinners.  God's desire to show mercy towards sinners is more than we can imagine.  Conclusion  Christ's death and resurrection shows the depth of God's heart to show mercy and to save sinners. 

Introduction  The severe mercy of God's grace.  God's welcome of repentance.  God's grace always outruns our sin.  In Christ, God displays the full measure of His undeserving goodness to sinful people.  Conclusion 

Introduction  A Certain Kind of Experience (v13-16a).  The inner testimony of the Holy Spirit (v13).  The eyewitness testimony of the Apostles (v14).  Your own personal testimony of Christ (v15).  A Certain Kind of Hope (v16b-19).  A Certain Kind of Love (v20-21).  Conclusion  Christian assurance is an outworking of the love that God has shown us in Jesus Christ.  It rests upon the testimony of God's Spirit within us, the testimony of the Apostolic witness, and the outworking of God's love in our lives.  ‘I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day!' (1 Tim 1:14).  ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!' Enter into your master's happiness.' (Matthew 25:23). 

Introduction  The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead really happened (v1-11).  The Resurrection gives meaning to our faith in Jesus (v12-19).  The Resurrection is the start of something greater to come (v20-33).  Conclusion  We can live today in light of our future resurrected glory with Jesus. 

Introduction:  1) The Prayer of an Afflicted Man (v1-11).  2) The LORD who Judges and Saves (v12-22).  3) The Hope of the Resurrection (v23-28).  Conclusion:  Repent and believe the good news, Jesus is Lord of Life.  Prepare to die. Don't be unprepared for eternity!  Prepare to live. Jesus died for you so you might live for him.  Expect the unexpected. Don't be surprised when life throws up some unlooked-for burdens and challenges.  Expect great things from God. God's grace is able to bring good out of evil – as Good Friday proves. 

Introduction  Love's call: ‘Let us love one another' (v7-8).  Love's content: ‘Christ's atoning death for us' (v9-10).  Love's commitment: ‘God's life in us' (v11-12).  Conclusion  Completing the circle of God's love:  Honesty about sin.  Hope for the future.  Help in times of need.  Hospitality to newcomers.  Holding out the hand of Christ.  ‘Beloved since God so love us, we also ought to love one another.' (1John 4:11) 

Introduction We must look out for spiritual scams by testing for the Truth. The Test of the true Spirit; Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Our Assurance: We are people from the God of Truth. Conclusion

Introduction  The Message of Love (v11).  Hate is a Murderer (v12-16).  Practical examples of God's Love in Action (v17-24)  Conclusion  ‘We should love one another.' (See 3:11,3:24)  Jesus is the great exemplar of God's love.  The challenge of loving others is to make it real!  If we are truly God's children, then we should love not merely with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. 

Introduction  ‘Father' is the Christian Name for God (v1a).  You are a Child of God… (v1b-3).  …but not if you keep on sinning! (v4-6)  ‘Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.' (v7-10)  Conclusion  What is a Christian? A child of God.  Has the right to call God ‘Father'.  Delights to ‘do righteousness'.  Purity will become a priority.  Faith in Christ, Fidelity in life, Fellowship with God's people.  ‘I am a child of God. God is my Father. Heaven is my home. Every day is one day nearer. My Saviour is my brother. And every Christian, is my brother or my sister too.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p259). 

Introduction  The protection that God promises is all encompassing.  We are called to find our refuge and protection in God  But does He really promise to protect us?  Christ has delivered us from the greatest danger so that we have security in the lesser until the day He returns  Conclusion  Christ's eternal victory is God's answer to our fleeting life. 

Introduction  God is God and we are not (v1-6).  God is wrathful and we are sinful (v7-11).  In God there is mercy, hope and wisdom (v12-17).  Conclusion  Christ's eternal victory is God's answer to our fleeting life. 

Introduction  A Desire to Obey God's Word (v3-6).  A Love for our Fellow Christian (v7-11).  The Joy of Salvation (v12-14).  Conclusion  Christian assurance means to know that you have been saved.  To keep the ‘oven' warm, the fire of the Spirit must be burning.  You must be diligent in re-fuelling the fires of your faith.  If God's new covenant is sure (and it is), if his promises are true (and they are), and if his character cannot change (and it can't) – then full assurance is possible for everyone in Christ, no matter how strong our present fears may be. (Don Carson) 

Introduction  The Deceitfulness of Sin (v8, v10).  Sin's Double Cure.  The Faithfulness of the Father (v9).  The Righteousness of the Son (2:1-2).  Conclusion  Don't be self-deceived. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  Be honest. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Be patient. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  Be thankful. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defence – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 

Introduction  Balconeers and travellers.  God is Light (v5).  From Darkness to Light.  Darkness: Physical, Intellectual, Moral, Scriptural.  The Power of the Light.  3. Walking in the Light (v6-7). Conclusion  Where am I walking right now?  Be a traveller (Put on your Gospel shoes!)  Come into the light (Turn from your sins)  Live in the Light (Trust and follow Jesus)  Walk in the Light (Daily obedience)  Be a witness to the Light (Evangelism) 

Introduction 1. The Historical Truth of the Gospel (v1-2). 2. The Joy of Knowing God in Jesus Christ (v3). • Knowing God as Creator. • Knowing God as Father. • Knowing God as Saviour. 3. The Double Joy of Christian Fellowship (v4). Conclusion • Gospel. The Gospel is his tori cally tru e and le ads us to God. • God. God invites us into Fell ows hip with Him s elf. • Fellowship. Fellowship with God lea ds to everlasting joy. • Everlasting Joy is available to anyone who turns to Jesus in repentance and faith. This joy also empowers us to share the Gospel with others.

Introduction Doubting God's Love for Us. The Nature of God's Love for Us is an Electing Love. The Outworking of God's Love in Grace and Judgement. Conclusion

Introduction  God the Creator (v1-4).  Heaven and Earth are Full of His Glory (v5-30).  The Waters and the Dry Land (v5-13).  Plants for Food (v14-18).  Sun, Moon and Stars (v19-23).  All Creatures Great and Small (v24-32).  God the Redeemer (v33-35).  Conclusion  Things to keep in mind about Creation:  This is our Father's world – Creation is essentially good.  Life is meant to be enjoyed (under God).  Don't confuse the Creator and Creation.  Don't worship created things.  Sin is real, but God has set a limit to it.  This world is not beyond redemption.  Look to Jesus as our Redeemer.  Be a good steward of creation (read Ecclesiastes!) 

Introduction 1. A Heart-stirring Theme (v1-5). - How many reasons can you think of to praise the LORD? 2. The Praiseworthy LORD (v6-19). a) Righteous Deliverer and Mighty King (v6.19). b) Revelation (v7-9). c) Mercy (v9-12). d) Grace (v13-14). e) Eternal Life (v15-18). 3. An Open Invitation (v20-22). Conclusion - We are so prone to forget what God has done for us, that the practice of remembering God's mercies is a very helpful exercise. - ‘Forget not all his benefits' – so that your heart may be enlarged in love and thankfulness to the LORD

Introduction:  Home is Where the Heart is (v1-4).  Strength for the Journey (v5-7).  Home at Last (v8-12).  Conclusion:  In 2025 …  Remember your first love for the LORD.  Make an effort to get to church on time.  Parents – teach your children to delight in the LORD.  Sing at church! Participate in the songs of praise.  If you're in a valley of tears, look to Jesus.  Spend more time with God – you'll enjoy Him! 

Introduction:  A Milestone Moment (v1).  It's Okay to Ask Questions … (v2-6).  … So long as your Questions lead to Faith (v7-19).  Ask the right questions (v7-15).  Wisdom and her children (16-19).  Conclusion:  Seven Positive Reponses to Doubt:  Talk to God about it.  Read the Psalms and Gospels.  Sing.  Don't give up meeting together.  Choose to act by faith.  Don't get stuck on ‘Why'.  Keep going back to what you know to be true. 

Introduction:  Look Back (v1-9).  Look Around (v10-13).  Look Forward (v14-18).  Conclusion:  We are living in the Last Days:  Christ could return at any moment.  But the Lord's patience means salvation.  Don't waste the life that God has given you.  This doctrine is absolutely vital to our faith and life:  It provides a strong motive to Godly Living.  It provides a great reason for Evangelism.  It provides a powerful peace in uncertain times. 

Introduction: 1. Danger (v1-3). 2. Damnation (v4-12). 3. Defend (v13-22). Conclusion: Are you in danger of being ‘scammed' by a false teacher? • The danger of false teachers is real. • Their damnation is assured. • We must defend ourselves from their fake flattery. Remember Balaam's donkey: • Have the courage to ask questions of your leaders – even if you feel like a donkey? • The temptation to ignore or water down the Gospel is not going away until Christ's return. • Even so, Christ will save his church.

Introduction:  The Truth We Need (Reminder).  The Truth We Can Trust (Eyewitnesses).  The Truth That Is From God (Revelation).  Conclusion: 

Introduction:  Simon Says: ‘Know This!' (v1-2)  Sanctification is Good for You (v3-4).  Be Sanctified! (v5-11)  Conclusion:  Sanctification is God's spiritual health care program.  Sanctification is co-operating with the Holy Spirit in order to put God's word into action.  Sanctification is the right response to sin's corrupting power.  Sanctification means change – for the good.  Sanctification is for all of life.  Sanctification keeps you from falling away.  Be sanctified! Pick one of the areas Peter mentions in v5-7 and start there. 

Introduction:  A Noble Task: Praising the LORD (v1).  Ponder This: His Works and His Word (v2-9). Glorious and Majestic.  Memorable.  Providential.  Faithful and Just.  Effective and Enduring.  To Him Belongs Eternal Praise (v10).  Seven Suggestions to warm your heart:  Take delight in God's creation.  Dig deeper into God's Word.  Play some good Christian music.  Share your personal testimony.  Give thanks to God for every meal you eat.  Start a prayer journal.  Write a poem about the greatness of the LORD.  Conclusion:  Make praise a greater priority in your life.  There will never be a time when God is not praised and worshipped and adored by his people.  Use Psalm 111 as a blueprint for praise. 

Introduction:  The Exalted Messiah (v1).  The Kingly Messiah (v2-3).  The Priestly Messiah (v4).  The Victorious Messiah (v5-7).  Conclusion:  Enjoy the Advent season  Renew your faith and hope in God.  Share the Gospel.  Tell of the Glory of the King, and his victory for us.  Be mindful of the truth  Jesus is Lord.  Jesus is my Lord.  Pray  For the saving of many lives this Christmas. 

Introduction: Overflowing with Jesus Attention on Jesus Living a life-giving life A life-giving life is a life overflowing with Jesus 3 words that reflect your life? Conclusion:

Introduction:  From Life to Death (17-18)  What has happened looks like it doesn't make sense  God uses this to display his sovereignty over death, and for His Glory  Points forward to Christ  Psalm 77:19, Psalm 119:75  Widows growing faith.  Faithful Prayer (19-21)  Elijah trusts God and pours out his heart to him in prayer  Lessons about prayer urgency of  necessity of  value of secret/private  earnestness of  the art of  perseverance of  boldness of.  From Death to Life (22-24)  Just like Christ with the widow of Nain  Declares the Glory of God  Death temporarily defeated with this first resurrection, points forward to the ultimate defeat of death through Christ  Death still a powerful separator, but not an eternal one  Any death should make us reflect on our own readiness for death.  Conclusion: 

Jesus' healing ministry tells a story—a story of goodness and the redemption of creation. But it also highlights our need to have not only our ears opened and our tongues loosened, but our hearts revived. Mark 7:31-37 reminds us that only Jesus can open our hearts and minds to truly hear, understand, and believe the gospel.

Introduction:  The Assurance of Faith (v1-5).  The Obedience of Faith (v6-14).  The Outworkings of Faith (v15-25).  The Remembrance of Faith (v26-27).  Conclusion  Genuine faith has ‘substance' to it – and power.  Jericho was conquered by faith; Rahab was saved by faith.  God doesn't disappoint those who trust in Him.  Obey God without grumbling and without doubting.  By faith, we overcome evil.  Not by force, by faith.  Remember: everything we need for life in abundance is found in Jesus Christ. 

Introduction:  What does God's Kindness (hesed) mean for someone like Rahab – a Gentile, female, prostitute? How can she be saved?  Helped by a Harlot (v1-7).  Finding Faith in a Forsaken Land (v8-14).  Grace Received and Applied (v15-24).  Conclusion  Don't write off a “Rahab”.  The Gospel is very powerful – so share it.  Be prepared to put your life on the line.  Show Kindness (Hesed) to others.  There is only one true God.  Don't be found dead in Jericho.  Live for Jesus – you won't regret it. 

Introduction:  Joshua's First Day on the Job (v1-5).  God Says: ‘Be Strong and Courageous!' (v6-9).  Joshua Leads the People (v10-15).  The People Promise to Follow (16-18).  Conclusion  How to be a good leader:  Meditate on God's Word – morning and evening (v8).  Be careful to do what it says (v8).  Lead from the front (v10).  Be decisive (v10).  Delegate (v10).  Communicate (v11).  Use the carrot and the stick (v13-15).  Expect loyalty (v16-18).  Offer apprenticeships to develop new leaders (v1).  Be an encourager (v1-18). 

Introduction: 1. The Voice of the Nations: Rebellion (v1-3). - This is not merely madness, it's badness. 2. The Voice of the Father: Rebuke (v4-6). - God laughs at our folly. 3. The Voice of the Son: Authority (v7-9). - Never underestimate the power of prayer and evangelism. 4. The Voice of Wisdom: Repentance (v10-12). - Be wise, be warned, and be willing to kiss the Son. Conclusion - Am I ready to meet God (if I should die this very day)? - Am I trusting in Jesus alone for my salvation? - Have I surrendered my all to Him? - Do I truly love him – heart, soul, mind and strength?

Introduction:  Injustice is a terrible thing. It hurts like hell.  But hope can be found in the unlikeliest of places.  David Pleads for God's Help (v1-10).  The Injustice David Faced (v11-18).  David's Final Vindication (v19-28).  Conclusion  This is how to cope with every kind of injustice in life:  Pray (v1-3).  Pray specifically (v4-10).  Stand firm in your faith (v11-18).  Resist the Devil (v19-25).  Find your joy in Jesus! (v26-28)  If you can get justice (or if you can help others), you should. This is pleasing to God. 

Please note: There is a 5-second pause at 26:46, after which 5 minutes of the recording are missing.

Introduction: 1. How to do All the Good You Can (v1-10) a. Restore Sinners Gently (v1) b. Carry Each Other's Burdens (v2). c. Exercise Humility and Self-awareness (v3-5). d. Support those who Teach Us the Word (v6). e. Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good (v7-10). 2. What Crop are you Growing? (v11-18) - Boasting in the Flesh (v11-13). - Boasting in the Cross of Christ (v14-18). Conclusion If we love God, we will also love one another by …. 1. Good works, well done (the fruit of a living faith). 2. Loving and caring for each other (doing all the good we can). 3. Sowing the Gospel seed in your local community, your workplace, and your world. 4. Investing in eternity (to reap eternal life).

Introduction: 1. The Battle Within (v16-18). 2. The Acts of the Sinful Nature (v19-21). 3. The Fruit of the Spirit (v22-23). 4. The Only Way to Live (v24-26). Conclusion It is both necessary and in our best interests to side with the Spirit against the flesh in our struggle with sin. For this is the beginning of the New Kingdom and the New Creation where Jesus will reign forever. - Be disciplined * Take note of your sins. * Feel God's displeasure. * Remember your danger. * Consider Christ's love. * Fight early - repent, pray, run. - Be realistic * The struggle will go on in this fallen world. - Co-operate with the Spirit. * Let Him lead you to the Cross.

1. Get Equipped with God's Armour 2. Get Equipped with God's Weapon 3. Get Equipped to Fight for Christ

Introduction: - Martin Luther's ‘Freedom of a Christian' (1520). 1. Christ Has Set Us Free! (v1) 2. Cutting Away at the Fabric of the Gospel (v2-12). 3. The Freedom to Love (v13-15). Conclusion - ‘A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all.'

Introduction: - Allegory: a story that explains a complex idea in an easy way. - Who is your mother? (Whose child are you?) 1. Sons and Mothers (v21-23) - Genesis 16: Ishmael and Hagar. - Genesis 17: Isaac and Sarah. 2. The Allegory Explained as Two Covenants (v24-27). 3. The Personal Application (v28-31). Conclusion 1. Love Your Mother: Sarah. - We are Sarah's children, through faith in Christ. - The promises of God lead us to Christ today. 2. Honour Your Father: Abraham. - God's Covenant with Abraham is critical. 3. Glorify Your Saviour: Christ. - Get rid of the slave woman and her son. - Say ‘goodbye' to legalistic righteousness. - Finish the race with Jesus as Lord. The Law is not our mother. Grace and merit are like two wives who can't live together.

Introduction: 1. A Pastor's Love for His People (v19-20). 2. There Will Be Tears (v8-18) - No Freedom (v8-11). - No Fellowship (12-16). - No Future (v17-18). Conclusion 1. Freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Don't let the world enslave you all over again. Stand firm in your faith. Be prepared to suffer for the truth if need be. 2. Fellowship. Love your local church. Get involved in the joyful ministry of making disciples – to God's glory, and our good. 3. The Future. In this life, there will be tears. The thing that makes it worthwhile is the promise that God is perfecting us in Christ, to spend eternity together.