Sermon Series – ‘The Bible’

A Sermon Series preached around the Benefice in the Autumn of 2024.

Here is a quote from an unknown author:

This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveller’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character.

Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object; our good is its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes to glory itself, for eternity.

Please join us in discovering its Good New

Part 1: The Bible – Introduction – Rev Louise

Bible Readings: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 and Mark 4:13-20

Part 2: Creation – Rev Simon

Bible Readings: Genesis 1:1-5, 1:26-2:3 and John 1:1-14

Part 3: Exodus and Promise – Rev Louise

As we continue in our journey in and through the Bible we reach the Exodus and God’s promises to his people. God is in the business of rescue that is supremely shown in the death of Jesus for our sins. Biblical history is littered with examples where individually and collectively people have managed to create chaos for others and implosion for themselves.

Despite all the self help manuals you buy, ultimately we need saving from ourselves, our problem is all too often that we think we’re fine! Deep down and with self-awareness most of us would acknowledge that we’re not and need help. Exodus gives us a foretaste of the nature of God to redeem us from the mess of life and give us hope for the future.

Obeying rules doesn’t work but knowing we are loved and invited into a relationship with God does. There is much to learn from the failings of the past for us all, but we can have confidence in Jesus, for all that will be.

Bible Readings: Exodus 2:23-25, 3:1-10 and Luke 4:14-21

Part 4: Judges & Kings – Rev Louise

Rulers by definition are a rare breed, in positions of power through hereditary, ability or skulduggery! What does it take to be a great leader? Winston Churchill said “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that count.” It’s about character certainly, but more importantly it’s about who we serve.

The late Queen had a book in her jubilee year written about her, speaking of her Christian faith it was titled ‘The Queen and the King she serves’. This has echoes in our the Bible verse from Luke 12:34 ‘For where your treasure is , there will be your heart also.’; we focus on what we value. If this is ourselves, above others, the pursuit of power, wealth and influence will blind us to calls to serve and care for those in need.

In some ways we are all leaders and a good question to ask is what legacy we are leaving with others. What would we want them to say of us when we aren’t here? Certainly if we follow the humility and servant heartedness of Jesus, the King of Kings we will be on the right track.

Lead well!

Bible readings: 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 41-49  and Luke 12:22-34

Part 5: Prophets & Exile – Rev Simon

I wonder if you struggle with that age old challenge, to heed the wisdom of others. I sadly at times pride myself on my fierce independence to my cost! Words of advice and guidance are what helps us to steer a way in life through the obstacles that humanity and the world present. We can think unfortunately that we know better and head blindly into a situation, with a little forewarning it would have been so much easier. For example failing to listen to instructions and advice can find us in exasperation looking for something, failing to use a key to access somewhere or finding someone a little challenging! If only we’d listened it would have been far more straight forward. When it comes to the wisdom of God, the Bible as a narrative of our relationship with God is an ongoing circular loop, where we have failed to agree with God’s wisdom and rejected the relationship he invites us into. Nothing is new, and the prophets warning and our ancestors lack of sorrow is repeated time and time again to us and in us. We exile ourselves by our selfishness from God and each other. We will see today that the God sent his son Jesus as a messenger. Are we prepared to listen and know that he has plans for us, far better than our own?

Bible Readings: Nehemiah 2:17-20 and Mark 12:1-12 

 

Part 6: Jesus and the Gospels – Rev Louise

Our journey through the Bible has brought us to the end of the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures. For over 400 years there is silence from the prophet Malachi to the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke recording the birth narrative of Jesus. Suddenly everything changes, the long awaited Saviour bursts onto the scene.

Jesus’ arrival has been echoed throughout the previous 2,000 years plus of scripture. It has been calculated that there are at least 351 scriptures in the Old Testament that are fulfilled by Jesus. They didn’t happen by the most unlikely chance in History, God promised and kept to his word, the gift of Jesus.

As we look at this stage in Biblical history, can we encourage you to have a wonder and an awe that we now live in AD (Anno Domini-the year of the Lord) and not BC-Before Christ.

Amen!

Bible readings: Psalm 22:1-11,30-31 and Luke 24:1-12

Part 7: Revelation – Rev Louise

It was a tumultuous time for the Church of England in the period leading up to the Sunday when Rev Louise preached this sermon (17 November 2024) with the publication of a damning review of the Church of England’s handling of the child abuse committed by John Smyth and the subsequent resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. 

There have been systematic failures in the safeguarding provision for the young and vulnerable, a lack of action and accountability which led to the Archbishop’s resignation.

Lessons need to be learnt and there is no defence for inertia and a failure to confront evil. It’s time that lessons are acted upon and history no longer repeats itself. It seems highly likely that there will be fundamental changes in the safeguarding provision in the future.  Please help us  ‘to be watchful yet caring, trusting yet ready to question’. The church is a family and we need to protect and care for all its member

Bible Readings: Revelation 22:1-7 and John 11:17-27 

In all 3 churches in our Benefice there is a strong commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm.  If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please get in touch with one of the Safeguarding Contacts either in our Benefice or in the St Albans Diocese.