West Kilbride Parish Church

In this sermon, we look at the sixth commandment which instructs us not to murder. Whilst this seems simple on the surface of things, we see how Jesus interprets this in the Sermon on the Mount and that this commandment is truly about anger - and how Jesus sees even anger as leading to judgement. We therefore see how we all fall short - and we see the wisdom in trying to contain our anger before there are further consequences. First preached: 22nd February 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we look at the Fifth Commandment which is to 'Honour our Father and our Mother'. We think about how painful this might be for those who have lost their parents - or those who didn't have or who don't have a good relationship with their parents. But we think through why this commandment is important and why it is necessary that we honour our parents even if we don't agree with them. First preached: 15th February 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we consider the fourth commandment to keep the Sabbath Day. We consider whether the 10 commandments are binding for the Christian - and if not, then how they are relevant to us today. We then consider how we can Sabbath in a way which gives God glory and which is helpful for us as humans. First preached: 8th February 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In the third of our series looking at the Ten Commandments, we think about third commandment and honouring the name of the Lord. We think about how significant names are - and how important it is not to misuse the name of the Lord - the one who is YAHWEH and Abba. First preached: 1st February 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In the second of our series in the Ten Commandments, we consider idolatry and why idol worship is offensive to God. We think about the idol the Israelites created in the wilderness (the golden calf) and consider the idols we might have in our own lives. We also think about how idolatry is not good for us - and how God wants us to have the best and most fulfilled life possible. And this can only come by putting him first in our lives. First preached: 25th January 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In this new series, we consider the 10 commandments from Exodus chapter 20 and ask ourselves the question: 'Are they still relevant today?' In this sermon, we look at the first commandment and how it shapes all the other commandments and tells us what God requires from us. First preached: 18th January 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we think about the 2030 vision that the elders and teams have been working on. We think of the issues that we face as a church in line with many Church of Scotland congregations and how the 2030 vision is seen as a way of addressing these weaknesses. However, we also use Proverbs 3: 1-6 and Proverbs 16: 1-9 as a reminder that any plans that we make must be in line with God's plans - and unless God is in the plans we make, we will surely fail. Therefore, to seek after God in prayer is paramount as we seek to deepen our faith (Know Jesus) and share the gospel with our community (Make Jesus known).

In this sermon at the start of 2026, we study Philippians 3 and see Paul's wholehearted desire to 'know Christ'. We link this in with our vision statement ('Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known') and ask whether our desire to know Christ is the same as Paul's. We also look at the practical implications of having a life changed by Jesus in terms of our stewardship and our resolutions. First preached: 4th January 2026. Speaker: James McNay.

In this third part of our series, we think about how it was prophesied by Isaiah that Jesus would be born of a virgin and called Immanuel. In Matthew's Gospel, we see how this is fulfilled and how Matthew recognises its fulfilment. We also think about why it is important that Jesus is born of a virgin and what Jesus being Immanuel (God is with us) means for us. First preached: 30th November 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon on the eve of Advent, David Clark considers Deuteronomy 18: 15-22 and Moses foretelling that there will be a Prophet to come. This is fulfilled in Jesus - as explained in Acts 3: 17-26. First preached: 23rd November 2025. Speaker: David Clark.

In this sermon as we come towards Advent, we focus on Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and how they are fulfilled in the New Testament. In this sermon, we consider Malachi 4: 1-6 and Matthew 11: 1-15 and think about the 'Elijah who is to come' and how this was fulfilled in John the Baptist. We then compare John the Baptist and Elijah and see how they both encouraged people away from idolatry and towards God - with John pointing towards Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. First preached: 16th November 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we complete our study in Romans 6 and think about what it means for the power of sin to be broken and to instead be a slave to God. And of course, it is in being a slave to God that we are most free. First preached: 2nd November 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, David Clark leads us through Psalm 116. First preached: 26th October 2025. Speaker: David Clark 

In this sermon, Brian Murray reflects on Luke 18: 1-8 and the parable of the persistent widow. First preached: 19th October 2025. Speaker: Brian Murray.

In this sermon, we think about how Paul shows how perverse it would be to continue living in sin just so that the grace of God could increase. Living in this lawless (antinomian) way is impossible for God's children who have been reborn and who now live by the Spirit. First preached: 12th October 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we see who we are in our natural selves in Adam - but also the benefits that Jesus brings to us as the 'second Adam'. We think about the 7 'buts' in this passage - and the 1 'now' which shows the wonderful benefit of faith in Jesus Christ. First preached: 28th September 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we think about all the benefits of faith - and the wonder that at just the right time, whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We also think of the amazing reality that when we believe in Jesus, we are friends with God because of what he has done. First preached: 21st September 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we look at the positive outworkings of faith in Jesus - that faith brings us peace, joy (even in suffering) and hope. First preached: 7th September 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we think about the kind of faith that Abraham had - and that it was not blind faith, but a faith based on God's Word. Similarly, even when the evidence goes against it, we are called to have faith in God who can do the impossible because of what his word says. First preached: 31st August 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon on Romans 4: 9-17, we think about how Abraham had faith before he was circumcised and how therefore he is the father of all who have faith. This meant that for Jewish background believers and for Gentile background believers that what was important was faith in Jesus Christ. And only that faith could save them. We then go on to think about how no matter who we are, that we too can be saved by faith - and that we shouldn't be surprised to see the unlikely saved by faith too. First preached: 10th August 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we re-start our series in Romans that we began in Autumn 2024. We re-cap the first chapters of Romans, before concentrating on Romans 4: 1-8. In this passage, Paul makes it clear that Abraham was declared righteous by faith and not by his deeds and how, in the Lord Jesus, this remains the same for us. First preached: 3rd August 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In the third of our series looking at our connections and relationships, we come to 1 Corinthians 7 and think about marriage and singleness. We think about the boundaries that God has put in place which are not to restrict us - but to allow us to flourish. We look at what a blessing it is to be married... and what a blessing it is to be single - and that whatever we are called to, we should honour God in our relationships. First preached: 15th June 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, Robin Davis leads us to think about Pentecost from Acts 2: 1-13. First preached: 8th June 2025. Speaker: Robin Davis.

In the second in our series about being connected, we look at our relationships with each other. We think about how we are not meant to be alone - but are made in the image of God for relationship. As the Godhead is in relationship and is love; so we are to be in relationship with each other and to love. First preached: 25th May 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this series, we are thinking about our relationships and our connections. In this introduction to this series, we think of the most important connection of all - our connection with Jesus. Do we love Jesus more than anyone and anything else? If we do, he calls us to follow him. First preached: 18th May 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

We were delighted to have Mark Fleming with us for National Sports Sunday. Mark is the National Director for Sports Chaplaincy in Scotland. In this sermon, Mark speaks from Matthew 5 about being salt and light. First preached: 11th May 2025. Speaker: Mark Fleming

In this Sunday Evening sermon, we think about the basics of the gospel and what is most important in our lives - that Jesus died and rose again. First preached: 4th May 225. Speaker: James McNay.

This is our final sermon in Matthew's Gospel. Though Jesus has completed everything that he has to do through his death and resurrection, the story has not ended. Because Jesus gives us a commission to 'Go and make disciples of all nations baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit'. First preached: 4th May 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we continue our series in Matthew's Gospel and consider the empty tomb. The women who go to the tomb early on the Sunday morning find it empty - and then meet with the risen Jesus. The guards fall into a faint when they see the angel of the Lord and the stone rolled away. After speaking to the priests, they accept a bribe and spread the rumour that Jesus' body was stolen by the disciples. We are therefore confronted with the empty tomb - and we have to  decide for ourselves what happened as we weigh up the evidence. First preached: 27th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

Throughout Holy Week in 2025, we travelled through Matthew 27 as Jesus went to the cross. In this sermon, Jesus is crucified and buried. We think of what this signifies and means for us as sinful humanity.   First preached: 18th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

Throughout Holy Week in 2025, we travelled through Matthew 27 as Jesus went to the cross. In this sermon, we think of the mockery that the soldiers show Jesus - despite Jesus being the very Son of God and the Saviour that we need. First preached: 17th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

Throughout Holy Week in 2025, we travelled through Matthew 27 as Jesus went to the cross. In this sermon, we think about the choice the crowd made to release Barabbas and not Jesus - and how the innocent took the place of the guilty. First preached: 16th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

Throughout Holy Week in 2025, we travelled through Matthew 27 as Jesus went to the cross. In this sermon, we think about the dilemma facing Pontius Pilate who clearly knows that Jesus is innocent. First preached: 15th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

Throughout Holy Week in 2025, we travelled through Matthew 27 as Jesus went to the cross. In this sermon, we think about the plight of Judas Iscariot. First preached: 14th April 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

We were delighted to have Rev. Ross Mitchell preaching on Palm Sunday! Here is his message from Matthew 21: 1-11. First preached: 13th April 2025. Speaker: Ross Mitchell.

In this sermon, we see Jesus being falsely accused and condemned by the High Priest and the Council. The priests and elders were unable to see beyond their own power - and saw Jesus as an inconvenience and someone to be got rid of at any cost. We think about how we are to stand for truth - even when it is inconvenient - and how much Jesus went through, just for us. First preached: 30th March 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we think about Jesus being betrayed by Judas. We note how Jesus' demeanour has changed from agony to peace as he centres himself in the Father's will. And we see an example for us in prayer. And we see how amazing it is that Jesus is willing to go through betrayal and desertion as he goes to the cross - something that only he can do - and him alone. First preached: 23rd March 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we consider Matthew 26: 36-46 and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We think about the agonies that Jesus went through and his temptation to not go through with the cross. But we see how he submits himself to his Father's will and says 'Your will be done'. First preached: 16th March 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we hear of Jesus predicting that all the disciples will desert him before he goes to the cross. We see how Jesus sees this as a fulfilment of Scripture and also the disciples vociferous denials that they will do such a thing. We reflect on how though the disciples are well-meaning - that they are also human and cannot do what they want to do - something Paul reflects in Romans 7. Despite this, Jesus also gives the disciples encouragement that after he is risen, he will meet them again at Galilee - therefore there is hope of forgiveness and reconciliation for the disciples. First preached: 9th March 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this Evening Service reflection and as we were celebrating Communion, we focused on the Last Supper from John's gospel. We asked the question as to why it was so different from the version in the other three gospels and wondered at the amazing example Jesus shows in washing the disciples feet. First preached: 2nd March 2025. Speaker: James McNay

In this sermon, we think about how Jesus chose the Passover Meal to be his 'last supper' and how through taking the bread and wine he points towards the cross and the resurrection. First preached: 2nd March 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

We continue our series in Matthew's gospel, and we read of Jesus being anointed with expensive perfume at Bethany. In this sermon, we see Mary's great act of devotion sandwiched between the chief priests plotting to kill Jesus and Judas plotting to betray Jesus. And we ask the question - which is the bigger waste? The perfume poured over Jesus head or the three years that Judas has spent with Jesus which hasn't softened his heart. Hopefully we see that Mary's act of great love for Jesus is not a waste - and that we too ought to love Jesus wholeheartedly. First preached: 16th February 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we look at Jesus final teaching on the end times and the separation of the sheep and the goats. We think of the consequences of rejecting Jesus by not showing the fruit that shows we are a true disciple but also the glorious inheritance of the kingdom for those who trust in Jesus and walk with him. First preached: 9th February 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this Sunday Evening sermon, we think about the new life that we have in Christ. And we think also about having a heavenly perspective that is fully focused on Christ - who is our all in all. First preached: 2nd February 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

We were delighted to have Paul Algeo from Blythswood Care with us sharing about the work of Blythswood and from James 2: 14-26 - Faith and Works. First preached: 2nd February 2025. Speaker: Paul Algeo.

In this sermon on Matthew 25: 14-30, we consider the Parable of the Three Servants (perhaps more commonly recognised as the Parable of the Talents) as Jesus continues his teaching on the End Times. We think about being ready - but also the need to be prepared and making sure that we are. This sermon was preached on the Sunday after Storm Eowyn and so the illustration of the Red Alert which appeared on smartphones throughout the Central Belt of Scotland is used. First preached: 26th January 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon from Matthew 25: 1-13 we resume our study in Matthew's Gospel looking at the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. This parable is part of Jesus' teaching about the end times as he comes towards the end of his earthly life. In this parable, he encourages the disciples to be ready and to be prepared - and the dire consequences if they aren't. Similarly, we are encouraged to be ready and to be wise - and to be locked in with Jesus for eternity! First preached: 19th January 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, David Clark helpfully leads us through Hebrews 1 and asks the question as to whether we think of Jesus as a baby, man or the Son of God.   First preached: 12th January 2025. Speaker: David Clark.

In this sermon, we think about how the story of Jesus continues post-Christmas and doesn't stop. We consider the story of Jesus at the temple and the lessons that we can learn as we enter 2025. First preached: 5th January 2025. Speaker: James McNay.

In this sermon, we think about joy mainly from Matthew 2: 1-12 and the story of the wise men. We also think about general revelation and special revelation - and how although the Wise Men began with a general revelation that the King of the Jews was born, it was through special revelation that they ended up with a personal encounter with Jesus - and they worshipped him. First preached: 15th December 2024. Speaker: James McNay.

For the second Sunday in Advent, Robin Davis leads us through the theme of 'Peace' from Isaiah 9 and Luke 2. First preached: 8th December 2024 Speaker: Robin Davis.