Providence Baptist Chapel

Dr. Luke records that people brought those with all kinds of illnesses to Jesus, and He healed them. Christ is the "Great Physician" — He can heal all our diseases, He charges nothing, and cures the soul of the most widespread and serious disease of sin for good.

Pride is the original sin and the root of all evil. However, we often let it silently enter our thoughts, words, and attitudes. Obadiah provided a clear diagnosis of this problem with the words: "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?"

In closing his personal testimony of God's faithfulness throughout his life, David expresses full confidence that the Lord will continue to lead and follow him in the days ahead. God's goodness and mercy are ready to restore and heal the damage caused by sin, and the Psalmist stands assured and confident in the Lord's presence.

Hypocrisy is one of many subtle sins of the heart that Jesus Christ clearly identified as detestable - something God hates and will not accept. Instead, every genuine believer should remove hypocrisy from their lives and seek to live with integrity and sincerity.

The Lord pleaded with His people yet again, after they had deserted their God and sought unholy and useless alternatives. They had laboured to dig reservoirs to hold valuable and lifesaving water, but they held no water. How similar to us, in labouring to find alternatives to salvation in Christ alone by faith alone.

One of God's many attributes, revealed in the Old Testament, is His mercy and compassion. We see the same character in the life of Christ. It is striking how often the Gospel writers record how He was moved with compassion. This should be a driving motive for believers and translate into genuine compassion in our witness of and for Christ.

The death and resurrection of Christ are the pivotal events upon which the Christian faith is founded. But who was responsible for Christ's death? While many bear blame, Peter explained that God delivered His Son, and Christ willingly laid down His life. Ultimately, all for whom Christ died share in the responsibility for His death.

Since the fall of humanity, people naturally experience fear and anxiety. For believers, it is important to focus on the concerns of Christ. However, sinful anxiety will arise when we lose sight of Christ and true peace will leave us. This message explores the persistent issue of sinful anxiety and how we should address it.

In the beauty of Boaz and Ruth's love story we can miss the far bigger picture. Here is redemption, deliverance and hope, During one of Israel's lowest points, the promise of a Saviour who will restore life is again given to them and to us.

Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple teaches us that whilst the temple was to bring benefit to the nation, it would chiefly point to Christ, and the sole remedey for the disease of sin. Christ is the One greater than Solomon

The courtship and marriage of Boaz and Ruth was designed in heaven, before the foundation of the earth. God's provision to Ruth of her Kinsman-Redeemer, gave security and protection to a vulnerable woman. Each astonishing detail of this union mirrors that of Christ to His chosen and precious people.

The God of the Bible is called "The God of Peace", "God of Love" and "God of Hope". Paul tells us the Old Testament Scriptures were written so we might have hope. The God of Hope, gives us His Word, so that we might have hope and abound in this hope.

Because of the fall of humanity, discontent is one of the subtle sins Satan exploits to weaken us. We consider the i) Definition; ii) the Development of Discontent in a heart & life and iii) how we can be Delivered from this enslaving and weakening sin.

Oh how the grace of God amazes me! How does God appear in the day-to-day challenges of a believer's life? The answer is seen in the powerful account of Ruth, as the Lord's providential care and provision for this faithful believer's needs. Boaz so beautifully pictures Christ as our Kinsman-Redeemer in numerous delightful parallels.

Salvation in Christ is a divine gift and the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible describes, through various verbs, how the Spirit grants new life to the soul. We plot the Spirit's actions to understand the meaning of being born again and why this new birth is essential.

Pleasant words are like honey, beneficial to both soul and body. The tongue is a little member says James, yet how much power it has and how much damage it can do. We consider the Power of the Tongue, the Damage it can cause and how to Control the tongue.

The book of Ruth is a wonderful narrative recording God's rescue and protection for a vulnerable woman. It mirrors the provision of free and sovereign grace in Christ's salvation. What lessons we learn from this book, showing "Christ in all the Scriptures".

What a truth, despite being said in scorn, that "Christ receives sinners". Satan's greatest lie, that will keep most people outside of Christ, without hope and without heaven is "heaven is only for good people". Praise God that Christ still receives those who acknowledge themselves as sinners.

The word of God highlights several so-called "subtle" sins which it gives surprising prominence to, such as ingratitude. Paul saw it as a causal sin in his masterful description of the decline of pagan humanity, preceding a sobering list of 20 others we might consider worse. What is ingratitude? How does it lead to other sins? In what ways are we vulnerable to falling to it? How can we seek the opposite positive virtue?

Coming to faith in Christ necessarily involves a crisis. We need to come to an end of ourselves and fully believe the word of Christ. The healing of the Nobleman's son powerfully illustrates the reality of conversion, as he went forward believing Christ had healed his son and given new life.

Violent anger can start with an inner bitterness and resentment. But soon it will progress. In the life of a believer it means the rejection of the Sovereignty of God. It is damaging, destructive and will distance our relationship with others. What forms does anger take and how are we to put-off and mortify this subtle sin?

Do we have zeal for the Lord and for His truth and glory? Zeal means heat and jealousy for God's glory. A willingness to promote and to defend His truth. Some have no zeal, others have a wrong kind of zeal. What is real zeal and how can we cultivate it?

The cry of all creation is that the Creator should come, the bride of Christ, His church calls for him to return. All who are thirsty can come to Christ, whosoever will may come, and take of the water of life freely. What is this water of life?

Selfishness is the root of all sin. This is the #1 sin on Paul's list given to Timothy and is a mark of the perilous times of the last age, before Christ returns. What is selfishness, how might we unknowingly be selfish, and how can we learn from the selflessness of Christ?

What does God take pleasure in? Surely not in poor sinners like us? Yet, despite all our failings & weaknesses, the Psalmist tells us that the Lord takes pleasure in His church & people. He will beautify the meek with His salvation. What a gracious God we have.

When the Apostle John wrote to his dearly beloved friend Gaius, he commended him for walking in the truth, which brought him immense joy. Gaius was distinguished by his openness and hospitality to outsiders, highlighting a stark contrast to Diotrephes. This illustrates the vast difference between spiritual prosperity and backsliding. We explore seven signs of spiritual decline compared to seven signs of spiritual health.

Thomas' name stands as a by-word for unbelief in Christ. He would not believe unless Christ appeared to him, personally and allowed him to see and touch His wounds. Yet, the words of Christ were enough to bring him to own Christ as "his Lord and His God".

The Apostle Paul does not take for granted that all his readers have been raised to new life in Christ. He states, "If ye then be risen with Christ." Christ's resurrection is the basis of new life for Christians. If we have been raised with Him there will be a new power and new purity evident.

Some passed by, some were spectators only, some engaged and others stood by the cross of Christ. Jerusalem was swollen with pilgrims, as many as 200,000 became ear and eyewitnesses to Christ's death. What is your reaction to the cross? Do not pass by without first considering the immense significance of His death.

Paul concludes his letter to a church experiencing great persecution. He gives 20 exhortations, exhorting them to rejoice, pray and give thanks. There are no carve-outs or exceptions. This 3-legged stool for Christian living is always, without ceasing and in everything.

As Christ concludes His teaching on how we are to speak to the Father in prayer, we find a wonderful summary of the mindset of every believer. It is not my life, my power and glory, but The Lord's kingdom, power and glory we seek and desire when we pray and in our lives.

Christ's love for His people on the cross is undoubtedly the defining action of human history. For those who believe, Christ and His love have a lasting, transformational impact on us. Does the love of Christ motivate, constrain, and compel you?

The word "Amen" is unique, being used in Hebrew, Greek, & many other languages, appearing 50x in the Bible. What does it mean, and how does the Bible instruct us in its usage? What were the early church practices of the congregation saying "Amen," & how did the Reformers view its significance? We explore 12 impacts of the fervent use of the word "Amen" by a congregation.

Being tempted does not equate to sinning. However, the flesh, the world, and the Devil seek to lure us into sin, violating God's holy laws. It's no surprise that the Saviour teaches us to seek God's help so that we do not succumb to Satan's traps, and when the Tempter approaches, we will be empowered to resist him. This is the battleground.

Before the global flood the thoughts of humanity were "only evil continually". God was rightly grieved. Yet, despite the necessity of judgement, He gave grace to Noah. His great master plan of salvation was launched and the Lord shut Noah in. We are either shut in or shut out of Christ.

We note the vital importance of spiritual training. This lifelong endeavour calls for wisdom from the One who expertly trains all His children. We explore what training a child means, identify applications and insights from God's Word. We acknowledge our need for God's help, for perspective, patience, and the assurance of His promise to guide and lead us in this essential pursuit.

Oh, the love and kindness of God, as He seeks to draw lost sinners to Himself for cleansing and forgiveness from sin. In one verse, four colours are used to depict very simply, yet graphically, our natural state and the transformation of the Gospel within us.

Christ meets our deepest need. The weight of our sin is a significant debt continually increasing. Before Christ can erase this debt, through His atoning work on the cross, we must first confess our sins. Only then can we experience pardon, forgiveness, and true peace.

In the final chapters of Zechariah, we see Christ in all His glory as the Saviour who will return to earth. The certainty of Christ's first coming foretold and its reality, assures us of the same certainty for His return as King and Judge of all the earth. We have a certain hope and can anticipate His glorious return.

The Lord Jesus Christ's earthly ministry can be summed up by one phrase: "that you may believe." This theme is a cornerstone throughout John's Gospel, where the word "believe" is used 99 times. We reflect on the purpose and intention behind Christ's ministry. His great desire was for us to place our faith and trust in Him.