Dromore RP Church - Sermons

We live in a "face value culture": we all make snap judgments about who is important, worthy of our time, interest and respect. But such favouritism can have no place in the church, since the King and Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, has shown us nothing but grace. Here, we consider the need to be a welcoming church - to everyone.

We all have a "longing for belonging"; our world is full of human attempts at creating community, whether it's in sport, politics, even expressions of sexuality. Community is idealised in our culture, from T.V. shows like 'Friends' to social media interaction. But the Church is different. Created by God through the person and work of Jesus Christ, here we find a place where anyone can belong, and...

The book of Ruth ends with a family portrait and a family tree. The "big reveal" is that Boaz and Ruth are part of the family line that leads to King David - and eventually, King Jesus! Through their loving-kindness to one another, God would eventually display his loving-kindness to the world, sending the Redeemer that sinners need.

The work of Boaz in redeeming Ruth is filled with pictures that teach us about the work of Jesus in redeeming sinners. Here we consider some of them.

When enemies are poised to strike; when we suffer doubts in our faith; when we feel we face the strongest of Satan's temptations; is there any way that we can still be confident?

Naomi and Ruth, facing desperate needs, take a big risk and approach the only person who can help them - Boaz, a "kinsman redeemer". Ruth risked ridicule, rejection and maybe worse, not knowing what kind of response she would get from her redeemer. For us, we can approach a Redeemer without any such risks! The Lord Jesus Christ can redeem us from our sins and give us a guaranteed inheritance of et...

The Psalms are honest down-to-earth songs and prayers to God that don't shy away from the frustrations and heartaches we experience in this fallen world. Psalm 10 shows us what to do when we are left asking, "Why, O Lord?"

Even in the "just so happens" moments, God is at work! In this passage we see him over-ruling in what we might call "coincidence" to begin to provide for the needs of his people.

Some things in life get our wholehearted effort - and some don't. No Christian is immune from those moments of distraction, tiredness and less-than-wholeheartedness in worship; equally, however, every true Christians wants to be more wholehearted in our worship. Psalm 9 gives us some help in achieving this goal.

It's relatively easy to claim to be a Christian; but there will be clear evidence if someone is the "genuine article". Ruth 1 shows us that both Naomi and Ruth had genuine, bold faith in God - even if it meant that sometimes they shed bitter tears.

"What is man...?" Is there a more important question for us to ask?! Who are we? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Psalm 8 answers these crucial questions for us, but does so by directing our gaze first to our great God, worthy of our praise!

The Book of Ruth is a beautiful short story that gives us a miniature version of the whole Bible story. But it begins with the mistakes of a man who should have known better. Despite his failures, God mercifully provides for us even when we have drifted a long way from him.

We see injustice all around us, almost every day. Sometimes we are the victims of small or large injustices ourselves; sometimes justice never seems to come. And yet, as Christians we can have confidence despite the world's injustices, for the reasons we find in Psalm 7.

What do we do when life gets agonisingly difficult? Rant? Binge? Pull the duvet up? Or appeal to a God who promises us steadfast, unending, gracious love? Sometimes sorrow will be the substance of our prayers - but praying those prayers can strengthen our assurance.

What gives us the right to pray to God and expect to be heard? Only the gracious, steadfast love of God for sinners, given to us through Jesus Christ. His love is our entryway into the place of prayer. Once there, what should our prayers be like?

Ever felt like saying - or shouting! - "Give me some space!"? We naturally gravitate towards people, entertainment or distraction when the pressures of life pile up. Psalm 4 shows us that, instead, we can turn to a gracious God and Saviour for the space we need.

The Lord's Supper is a simple yet wonderful gift from the Lord Jesus for the good of his church. Here we consider one of the two elements: the cup, and what it means for those who take it.

Life is full of pressure - at home, in work, in the church, perhaps even in our own minds and hearts. King David was no different from us - and the pressures he faced were a shadow of what his greater son, the Lord Jesus, would also face. Here we have a psalm to help us deal with life's pressures.

The Psalms include clear prophecies and promises concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. At times, they even describe in detail some of Jesus' life experiences. Psalm 2 is a particularly clear example of all of this. It tells us about God's chosen King, hated by the nations, but ultimately coming to judge the nations, offering grace if we submit to Him beforehand. Who else could this be but Jesus Christ...

Psalms 1 & 2 serve as the gateway to the Psalter - the songbook of the Bible. But before we can praise God, we need to know whether we are walking in the way God has marked out for us in His Word - the way that will lead to blessing, happiness, joy. Psalm 1 shows us whether we are on that path or not.

The Bible is made up of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over a period of about 1500 years - but it is all about one great story. That story is encapsulated here in Genesis 3:15 - the first ever announcement of a Saviour coming for sinners!

The Bible is made up of 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over a period of about 1500 years - but it is all about one great story. That story is encapsulated here in Genesis 3:15 - the first ever announcement of a Saviour coming for sinners!

"I love you, but I'm really disappointed in you"; words we wouldn't want to hear from anyone - but least of all Jesus! Yet, that's what he says to the last of the seven churches to whom he writes. Jesus speaks strongly, directly, passionately to the church in Laodicea - but he speaks out of love. It's dangerously easy to become lukewarm Christians in a lukewarm church; but nothing sickens Jesus mo...

Genesis 3 might seem a very bleak chapter of the Bible, but in fact it is also full of great hope. God deals with the sins of the serpent, Adam and Eve, but in doing so gives his image-bearers guarantees of salvation despite their sin.

Philadelphia receives only encouragement from Jesus. Despite limited strength, they were serving him faithfully. To such churches, Jesus gives the wonderful reassurance that he has set before them an "open door" - a God-given opportunity - to proclaim his name and to look forward to eternal life with Him!