Person: John the Baptist
Humility
We must be aware of the danger in thinking that our personal style of worship or connection to God is the ‘right way’….
Find
The ministries of John and Jesus remind us that we should never be surprised who comes to faith in God….
Genuine
Jesus did not use any PR or advertising, instead he said, “Don’t take my word for it, check out the product!”…
Check
Jesus would only be the Messiah if he came and did what the Messiah was called to do…
What was going on at Jesus’ baptism?
The way of Christ is a way of the poor, the marginalised, the hurting and the broken. It is the way of the common and the ordinary, and a humble and lowly path….
What then should we do?
John explains to those coming for baptism what they need to ‘do’ and it’s not rocket science….
Child
Luke 3:21-22. When you become a Christian you become a beloved child of God. You also become part of a community called to join in with God’s mission in the world….
Justice
Luke 3:18-20. Sometimes, as Christians, we are called to stand up for what is right and speak out against injustice….
Action
Luke 3:10-17. John’s advice two thousand years ago is as relevant today as it was back then — for us to have compassion and to act with love….
Ready
Luke 3:4-6. Christians are followers of Jesus and they expect Christ to be involved in every part of their daily lives….
Baptism
Luke 3:3. Christians get baptised as a sign that they are identifying themselves with the Jesus movement, and showing that they are turning back to God….
Listen
Luke 3:2b. There are many ways in which God speaks and God wants to speak to you and into your life….
Scene
Luke 3:1-2a. We might look for answers from a minister, religious figure, or an organisation, but God is not constrained by us or our systems and will speak through those who are open to hearing God’s voice….
Light
Luke 1:76-80. One of the greatest metaphors for Christ is as a light in the darkness — the darkness in the world, and the darkness in our own lives….
Promise
Luke 1:69-75. Trusting in the promises of God, especially when life is tough, is no easy thing to do, but trust is a decision of the mind and an act of will….
Praise
Luke 1:65-68. Worship is a way of establishing a right perspective or relationship with God. We are saying, “God, you are king, and we are your subjects.”…
Prophecy
Luke 1:16-17 – Today, we can meet the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, and it changes everything….
Barren
Luke 1:5-7. The story of Liz and Zechariah doesn’t begin with joy but with heartache….
Why was Jesus baptised?
At the beginning of Mark’s gospel we dive straight into the essentials of John the Baptist preparing the way and Jesus’ baptism. Rev Gav explains why they are so important….
Could Jesus have done it on his own?
Jesus was both fully God and human, therefore did this make him a super-human with no need for any outside support or help?…
Will we behold the Lamb of God?
John the Baptist calls Jesus The Lamb of God but where did this expression come from and what does it mean?…
Why is baptism all about water?
Rev Gav explores why water is an important symbol in creation, history, and why it is used in the ceremony of baptism….
Is it okay to doubt when things go wrong?
What do you do when you give your life to a cause and everything seems to go inexplicably wrong? Can we hold onto hope? Rev Gav explores….
and then