But Servants

“If you died tonight, and Jesus asked you, “Why should I let you into my Kingdom”, what would you say? The assumption of most people in most places is that they’ll basically be ok. At funerals, people assure one another “he’s in a better place”, “her suffering is over”, “he’s with God now”. Our general default perception is that if I’ve been sincere in my religion, and morally good, God will welco...

Why does God allow suffering? As we witness so much pain and turmoil in the world around us almost inevitably the question comes - why? If God is so good and loving and powerful, why does he let suffering happen? Why doesn't he do something about all the pain and suffering? The Bible has much to say in answer to those questions. Part of that answer comes in Luke 13:1-9. Introduction: Why?     ...

We all understand the importance of being ready. Whether for those upcoming exams, or the job interview, or the driving test, or the meeting with the client. Driven by our anxieties, we labor hard to make sure that we are ready, because we know the consequences of not being ready may be very great indeed. But will you be ready to face Jesus when he returns to judge the world? Introduction: Being r...

What place do you have for suffering in the Christian life? Is the Christian life all prosperity? Or all suffering? Or something else. As Peter closes his letter, he teaches us to expect suffering now, and glory later. But even in the midst of suffering we are blessed, when we suffer for doing what is good, entrusting our future to our faithful creator. Introduction: Prosperity Now?             Co...

There’s so much pressure in our world today to conform, to fit in with the values of the world around. For example, it's becoming increasingly clear how different the Christian view of marriage and sexuality is. And holding a different view often leads to slander and rejection. But Peter reminds us that as God's holy people, we've been called to witness to the world around us and to be...

What you are looking forward to in the future will affect how you live now. If you’re hope is great. You’ll press on when life is tough. You’ll keep going despite the pain, despite the sacrifices. Today, we’ll see that hope is vital if we’re to keep going in the Christian life too. For times of suffering will put our faith to the test. If we're to keep going, we'll need to keep our eyes on...

You can tell a lot about a person by what they say. Words have a particularly revealing power about them. As you listen carefully enough to what someone says, you can very quickly discover, someone’s priories, their worries, what is important to them. But more so – words have a particular revealing power to disclose the nature of a relationship between two people. What do your prayers reveal about...

Whether it's the East or the West, we're often taught that we need to love ourselves, before we can love others. But in Luke 10:24-37 we're challenged to love our neighbour first at expense of ourselves, as an expression of our supreme love for God. This talk was Part 4 of a series on "Selfless" for St Mary's Cathedral Church Camp in 2016. This sermon was an adapted versi...

How do you feel about following Jesus on mission? As we seek to reach out, we may feel a mix of disappointment, reluctance, fear as we realise that following Jesus on mission is not as easy as we thought. So what will keep us going on mission when we face rejection: it is the joy of salvation. Introduction: How do you feel about following Jesus on mission?    Context   1. Rejoice that Satan has be...

There is nothing more important in life than working out who Jesus truly is. Who is Jesus? • A legend people have made up? • A misguided lunatic? • A good moral teacher? • The Lord of this universe? Our answer will determine where we spend eternity. Introduction: The Million Dollar Question           Context                Setting: Jesus' private prayer    1.    Who is Jesus? (18-20)   a.    ...

We do not like to speak of death. It’s one of the last taboos of society. It’s uncomfortable. It’s confronting. It’s reminds us all too much of our failure to control our lives, of our sheer helplessness. And yet every time a loved one dies, we’re confronted with the unchangeable reality of life – that we will all die. Where can hope be found in the face of death? In Luke 7, we read of one of the...

“Handle with Care” – They’re the words that are written on anything that is very precious and requires special attention. As he finishes this sermon on the plain Jesus warns us – we must handle his words with care. Or beware – the consequences will be great. How are you responding to the words of Jesus? Introduction: Handle With Care           Context    1.     Take care how you judge (6:37-42)  ...

Are you blessed? Are you prospering? Are you living the good life? The search for blessing is a universal phenomena. For most of us - that means financial security, emotional joy, social inclusion. In Luke 6:17-26, Jesus teaches us what it looks like to be truly happy, but in a real shock, he tells us it's the inverse of what our culture thinks. Introduction: Are you blessed?           Context...

The Jesus of the bible is an extraordinary character. He is completely in control. He commands the winds and the waves and they obey him. At his touch people are healed. At his word the dead are raised. By his authority sins are forgiven, and his opponents are put to shame. But in the Garden of Gethsemane, we meet a Jesus who is overcome with sorrow to the point of death. We're given a window...

Being prepared is essential to life. Whether exams or a job interview, or the wedding proposal, to not be prepared could prove disastrous. Are you prepared to meet Christ on the judgement day? Thankfully, Luke 3 tells us how to be prepared – through repentance. This sermon was preached at St George's Church, Penang on 12th December 2021. Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/But...

Do you long for God to intervene in our world? To show his rule, to turn the blackness to light, to conquer evil and to put an end to suffering and death. The Christmas message tells us that God has intervened in our world, if we faith to see it. This sermon was preached at St George's Church, Penang on 19th December 2021. Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants Ch...

Death is a taboo topic that we prefer not to speak of. It’s uncomfortable. It’s confronting. The truth is that many of us fear death, even as Christians. Hebrews 2 gives us wonderful hope in the face of death, for we're reminded that Jesus came to destroy the devil and deliver us from the fear of death. This sermon was preached at St George's Church, Penang on 13th January 2021. Check out...

Have you ever felt that you failed Jesus? Have you ever felt that by what you said or did, you really let him down? You wonder could Jesus really love someone like me? If that is you, then this passage ought to be of enormous relief. For here John puts side by side, the failure of Jesus, and the faithfulness of Jesus. And so invites us to a greater understanding of the cross, where Jesus suffered...

Our prayers reveal what is most important to us in life. And our prayers in the face of death reveal what lies at the very centre of our hearts - what matters deep down. John 17 is a precious jewel in the Scriptures, because here we're invited, like no-where else in all Scripture, to listen to Jesus pray to his Father on the eve of his death. What do Jesus' prayers reveal about what matter...

The Christian life is long and painful. With many hills to climb, many challenges to face, many pressures to give up. What will motivate us to keep proclaiming and living for Christ? In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5, we’ll consider three powerful gospel motivations: • The judgement day is coming (5:6-11a) • The love of Christ controls us (5:11b-15) • The offer of reconciliation won’t last (5:16-6...

The Christian life is long and painful. With many hills to climb, many challenges to face, many pressures to give up. What will motivate us to keep proclaiming and living for Christ? In this sermon on 2 Corinthians 5, we’ll consider three powerful gospel motivations: • The judgement day is coming (5:6-11a) • The love of Christ controls us (5:11b-15) • The offer of reconciliation won’t last (5:16-6...

Love is the defining mark of the Christian life. Love is the supreme sign of the health of the church. Love is the heart of the Christian gospel and the Christian life. Love is a command not difficult to understand, but extraordinarily difficult to live. This sermon was preached at St George's Church, Penang on 6th January 2021. Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServa...

Why does Judas need to be replaced before the mission to the nations can begin? What are the qualifications for apostles? Are there modern-day apostles today? This sermon was preached at Subang Jaya Gospel Centre on 7th February 2021. Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants Check out our Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/796ZzZs0BKjvfJH3H8kaIr?si=5911d4ecb0d846c...

What is the significance of the ascension of Christ for our lives today as Christians? In this sermon, we consider Luke's account of the Ascension of Christ in Acts 1:1-11. This sermon was preached at St George's Church, Penang on 13th May 2021. Check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ButServants Check out our YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcGLBzrqj...

What pastor or leader that has had the greatest impact on your Christian growth? Authentic gospel ministry that powerfully impacts lives is so often a ministry where what is preached is also lived. Paul gives us an example worthy of imitation in 1 Thessalonians 2. Introduction Context 1. Faithful gospel ministers persevere not give up (1-2) 2. Faithful gospel ministers please God not people (3-6)...