Preaching Blog

Well, this isn't technically a Blog - but we've caught your attention now! Our strap line is "A SMALL Church - seeking GOD - for BIG things".

Our sermons this Autumn are focusing on these three aspects so we learn and grow as a community. Here you will find a summary of the sermon themes, so you can follow the readings and comments and reflect on the questions posed. Use the scroll bar to access all the notes for previous weeks.

22 November 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small Church… seeking God …..for big things

Reading: Judges 6: v7-16

The Israelites were experiencing hardship after 7 years of abuse from the Midianites. They were crying out to God.

Are you suffering hardships? Where do you turn?

Do you think God hears your cry?

God’s answer is to use Gideon; not the biggest and greatest.

Gideon sees himself as the least important of the weakest tribe (v15).

How do you see yourself?

God sees Gideon as a brave and mighty man (v12).

How does God see you?

How do you see JMC … small Church? How does God see JMC?

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15 November 2009: Mrs Ann Matthews

Small Church … seeking God …..for big things

Reading: 1 Samuel 17

Following the theme 'small church seeking God for big things'. This week in our family service we are looking at a very big thing. A giant called Golliath.

1. The Israelites were terrified and dismayed at the sight of Golliath. There are all kinds of things and situations that frighten us of threaten to overwhelm us. What frightens you and how do you deal with it?

2. David faced an adversary who was seemingly invincible. Yet David met and defeated Golliath. What did David know that we need to learn today?

3. As Christians we are not exempt from lifes problems and difficulties, but we can approach them with confidence if we too learn and take to heart what David knew.

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8 November 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small Church … seeking God …..for big things

"Do this in remembrance of me"

Reading: Revelation 21: 1-8

1 Today the nation focuses on those who have been killed, injured and scarred by conflict. Poignant as we hear of the ongoing deaths in Afghanistan.

We look back in remembrance and reflect on pain grief and sacrifice.

What would you focus on?

2 It is not just war that badly affects life. There are many areas of life where we can look back in remembrance on pain, and grief, and suffering. Maybe there are issues for yourself or those close to you? Some from many years ago.

3 As Christians; we do not ignore the pain but, in Seeking God, we look beyond the past ... and the present ... to the future promised by God in Revelation.

AND we are all called to work to bring about His kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”

Are you? If so, how?

Take time this week to ask Jesus to guide you.

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1 November 2009: Mrs Katie Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things

Reading: Matthew 6: 5-15

This passage is at the centre of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching the disciples what it means to be a disciple, he emphasises that the attitude of the heart is what counts, it is more important than keeping religious rules and laws. To be a disciple is to not only to be a learner but to do so in the context of a relationship with God and each other.

What are the implications for us who say "Our Father" ?

•Belonging and relationship

•Provision

•Discipline and nurture

Reflection as individuals / in small groups.

1.What feelings are stirred in you when you think about God as "Our Father"?

2.Are there any responsibilities that come with having God as "Our Father"

3.Are you aware of times when you have been disciplined by God, how do you feel about that today?

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25 October 2009: Mr Mark Stennett

“Through God all things are possible” - Mark 10:17-31 (The Rich Young Man)

Jesus was approached by a rich young man seeking eternal life: he strived by his own efforts but it was his riches that proved a barrier to his faith.

Jesus compared a rich man entering the Kingdom to a camel passing through the eye of a needle: it is a saying that has many implications. Over the centuries there have been many interpretations but the most obvious is that for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle is simply impossible. It is impossible for anyone to reach heaven on their own merits or abilities; it is therefore by God all things become possible.

1.Do we believe in a God that can achieve the impossible?

2.what does that mean for us to believe in a God of the impossible?

3.are their areas of our life that act as a barrier to our faith?

Mark 10: 27: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

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18 October 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things

Reading: Acts 9: 10-19 (Ananias)

We are committed as a Church, and hopefully [as individuals] to seeking God. That is what a disciple – a learner – is. In reality it is often more about God seeking us... than we seeking God.

Ananias was a disciple- seeking God and willing to be used (v10-15). God spoke in a clear personal way to Ananias. Has He ever spoken to you? Are you seeking God? Making time for Him?

Such was Ananias’ relationship in seeking God:

•he could discuss with God (v13, 14)

•even though it contradicted common sense, he obeyed.

•Have you ever been in that situation?

•How does this fit with our objectives at JMC?

The impact of Ananias obedience was huge! (v15).

But be prepared in the end for God to get the glory.

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11 October 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things

1.God often takes people who are weak, vulnerable, desperate. (1 Samuel 1: 9-11)

2.Even the Church/priest can get it wrong; thinking she was drunk (v13-14).

At some time I am sure we have all felt let down by the Church. How do you respond?

3.God is gracious and Hannah had faith (v.17-19).

4.Hannah fulfilled her commitment to God even though it was precious and costly (v27-29). She gave Samuel to God, and of course he was used mightily.

What of our children, those we seek to disciple and mentor in JMC?

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4 October 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things

We are a Church seeking God for big things.

DO you assume that to do something big for God it has to be very scary or difficult, needing a big team or costing a lot, or be a highly complicated event?

Reading: John 4: 1-26; 39-42

1.Why did Jesus go to Samaria (Jews and Samaritans did not mix)? Answer: outreach!

2.v13 – Water ... that will never be thirsty again... The response: the woman asking for that drink .....

3.Jesus sensitively went deep into woman's real spiritual position.

It was her response ... to invite the village [not Jesus] (v29) – “come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done ... could he be the Messiah?"

4.v39 & 40 - The impact ... BIG things ... all from a small conversation at the well

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27 September 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things

Readings: Jeremiah: 33: 1-3; Matthew 5: 1-6

1.We have a responsibility to seek God. Do you? How?

The whole emphasis of the Christian faith is relationship. We worship a God of covenant. See also, Isaiah 55: 3; Jeremiah 33: 20; Ezekiel 37: 26.

2.How can we seek God even in the impossible?

Consider the context of Jeremiah and “call to me” great and unsearchable things. How is your understanding of God changing

3.Jesus re-emphasises that in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 3-5). See also Romans 11: 27, Hebrews 8: v10.

With less of you there is more of God and his rule. How does that apply in your life?

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20 September 2009: Rev Rob Hawkins

Small church …seeking God… for big things 

Reading: Acts 1: 12-14 and 23-26

A small church joins together in constant prayer and seeks to build disciples.

1The Disciples were a very diverse group … so is JMC

2This is a time of much change and uncertainty … Jesus had told them it was a waiting period…. The focus of their time together was prayer ….what do you think it was for?

3.Although there were 11 disciples [soon to become 12 again] many others were involved, in constant prayer. These others would become a key part of the Early Church.

4.They sought God’s guidance on a replacement. How do we seek guidance today? As a body and as individuals?

5.This happened before Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which transformed their lives.

Where do you think you are personally, in the way your life is shaped.

Are we a pre- or post- Pentecost Church?

What criteria would you use to make that judgement?

6.In conclusion what are you being called to do differently?