Somewhat belatedly here is the last post considering Romans 8:18-27. So far we have seen that the Christian should expect suffering but that this is achieving a glory- one second of which will extinguish a lifetime of suffering. So, for the moment, everybody is groaning. Why? Because glory will be so good. Paul says that […]
So why be a Christian when to be one brings a guarantee of suffering? Here is how Paul goes on: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. It is easy to read a verse like that and assume Paul is playing down our […]
Apologies that the next three posts won’t have a Christmas feel. With three Christmas sermons to preach any inspiring (or mundane!) thoughts on Christmas are going to land in those! I’ve just finished preaching through Romans 5-8. However, the sermon on Romans 8:18-27 didn’t record properly. One or two people have asked me about it […]
Over the last two years we have had a vision statement as a church. I’ve explained some of the reasoning behind that here. In 2013 we’ll be spending some time reflecting on this idea: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” It is taken from Paul’s comments at the end of […]
My impression is that the last couple of decades or so have seen a renaissance in expository ministry- the commitment to open up a passage of the Bible and simply proclaim what is there. I am encouraged by the number of good expositors that have grown up within Woody Road and in some cases have […]
Let’s be honest- that’s not the most gripping title in the world (those who have listened to me enough will know that titles are not my strong point…). However, I do think understanding the difference between these two things and how they work together is helpful in understanding and living the Christian life. I’ve been […]
I enjoy being asked to preach at weddings. Over the years different couples have asked me to speak on a variety of passages. Getting the opportunity to talk from Song of Songs at a wedding recently was a particular highlight. However, nobody has ever asked me to speak on Ecclesiastes 9:9. I am somewhat disappointed […]
In my last post I noted that singleness can be hard. But one of the lovely truths that the Bible consistently celebrates is that what is hard can be used for good. You think of Paul in 2 Corinthians rejoicing in his weaknesses because they make him more useful for the Lord. Or ponder James’ […]
I think Christians can face a degree of tension when thinking about the subject of singleness. We know that it is portrayed as a gift in Scripture (more on that tomorrow) but it doesn’t always feel like that. If we are honest the difficulties and challenges seem far more apparent. Is Scripture wrong? My answer […]
I had a slightly surreal experience a few weeks ago. I was contacted by Songs of Praise. They were in the process of putting together a programme on singleness and, having googled “Christians and singleness”, came across an article that I wrote on the subject for Grace magazine ten years ago. I was interviewed over […]