Hertford Baptist Church
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Sermon Notes April 2010
Sunday 3 April
am Death is dead -
Steve Fenton
For two thousand years lives have been radically transformed as a consequence of that first Easter day. But there remains only two responses to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – to believe or disbelieve. Today, on the anniversary of that history changing day, we will be considering the evidence for the resurrection of Christ – and then hear from some modern-day believers as they describe their journey to faith ahead of their baptism.
pm Doubting Thomas John 20 : 24-29
David Lockwood
We have been told over the years that to be like Thomas is not a good thing because he didn’t believe straight away in Jesus’ resurrection. Yet Thomas, like many of us, just asks the burning question, I want to see it to believe it; I want to investigate this for myself. The Christian message is not a fairytale or children’s story, it is one that invites us to investigate through the eyes of those who were actually there.
Sunday 11 April
am All-age service “Change”
Change can be a difficult thing in our lives, but it is something of a reality that we all have to face. Some change can be painful and hard. Some change is exciting and enjoyable; when God is the cause and in the centre of that change, it is always a change for the better.
pm Jesus and Film II Son of Rambow 1 Cor 8-11:1
David Lockwood
Widely popular and slightly out of the main stream, this popular movie focuses on the life of two boys from completely different backgrounds growing up in the early 80’s. The film draws out two main themes for us to look at and focus upon through a Christian lens. The first is on role models and the second is on Christian distinctiveness. The Apostle Paul talks about both of these themes in 1 Corinthians as the early church wrestled with practical identity in being Christians in a multi-faith society.
For two thousand years lives have been radically transformed as a consequence of that first Easter day. But there remains only two responses to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – to believe or disbelieve. Today, on the anniversary of that history changing day, we will be considering the evidence for the resurrection of Christ – and then hear from some modern-
pm Doubting Thomas John 20 : 24-
David Lockwood
Sunday 11 April
am All-
pm Jesus and Film II Son of Rambow 1 Cor 8-
Widely popular and slightly out of the main stream, this popular movie focuses on the life of two boys from completely different backgrounds growing up in the early 80’s. The film draws out two main themes for us to look at and focus upon through a Christian lens. The first is on role models and the second is on Christian distinctiveness. The Apostle Paul talks about both of these themes in 1 Corinthians as the early church wrestled with practical identity in being Christians in a multi-
Sunday 18 April
am Fears and Faith: Keys to Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-7
Paul Davies
We begin a series on Proverbs today. Along with Psalms and Song of Songs, Proverbs is grouped among the “writings”, a subsection of which is “Wisdom Literature”, and this includes Ecclesiastes, Job and Proverbs. These proverbs are not all to be taken individually at face value but rather seeing a trend in the teaching. The best way to discover this trend is to ask who benefits if this proverb is followed and whose power is limited? The central message of Proverbs is that wisdom (personified in the book) does not come from clever philosophy but from fear of the LORD (1:7 & 9:10) and faith in the LORD (3:5-6). This is our challenge: not to be clever but to have fear of and faith in the LORD.
pm It’s not the Donkey’s fault Numbers 22:21-35
John Low
Balaam knew exactly what God wanted him to do yet he tried to bend God’s will to his own and was allowed to follow the wrong path. He ends up being rebuked for his sin by his own very polite donkey, and his insane actions are shaped for a divine purpose. But he misses out on the best God had for him and is viewed badly by history.
In contrast, Jesus clearly intended that like his Father we should be good to the ungrateful, give to those who definitely don’t deserve it and not to judge others. Our generous society is drawn to helping those in need who deserve aid, yet we will be accounted as sons and daughters of the Most High God because we show mercy to the undeserving, the unloved, the ungrateful, and the wicked.
am Fears and Faith: Keys to Wisdom Proverbs 1:1-
We begin a series on Proverbs today. Along with Psalms and Song of Songs, Proverbs is grouped among the “writings”, a subsection of which is “Wisdom Literature”, and this includes Ecclesiastes, Job and Proverbs. These proverbs are not all to be taken individually at face value but rather seeing a trend in the teaching. The best way to discover this trend is to ask who benefits if this proverb is followed and whose power is limited? The central message of Proverbs is that wisdom (personified in the book) does not come from clever philosophy but from fear of the LORD (1:7 & 9:10) and faith in the LORD (3:5-
pm It’s not the Donkey’s fault Numbers 22:21-
John Low
Balaam knew exactly what God wanted him to do yet he tried to bend God’s will to his own and was allowed to follow the wrong path. He ends up being rebuked for his sin by his own very polite donkey, and his insane actions are shaped for a divine purpose. But he misses out on the best God had for him and is viewed badly by history.
In contrast, Jesus clearly intended that like his Father we should be good to the ungrateful, give to those who definitely don’t deserve it and not to judge others. Our generous society is drawn to helping those in need who deserve aid, yet we will be accounted as sons and daughters of the Most High God because we show mercy to the undeserving, the unloved, the ungrateful, and the wicked.
Sunday 25 April
am The Power to Bless Proverbs 10:6-14 & 15:1-4
am The Power to Bless Proverbs 10:6-
Geoffrey Williams
Words have great power and this power can work either for bad or for good. We look at some of the teaching of Proverbs about the power of words, either to harm or to bless.
Words have great power and this power can work either for bad or for good. We look at some of the teaching of Proverbs about the power of words, either to harm or to bless.
Crushing or healing? 15:4
Making angry or calming? 15:1
Thoughtless or thoughtful? 15:2
Angry or patient? 15:18
Finding fault or affirming? 16:28
pm God’s plans Jeremiah 29:4-
Andy King
We face many ups and downs in our lives. Sometimes it is hard enough just keeping our heads above water, let alone living our lives the way we ought. How do we know that we are in the right place; where God wants us to be? And does God really want what is best for us? Often it can feel like whatever we do and wherever we go, disaster happens, problems arise, things go wrong. Can that be part of God’s plan for me?