Understand the Bible

I think many of us feel uncomfortable about saying that we hate anything - but yet the Bible does tell us to hate certain things.   The passage is online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+97&version=NIVUK   The Doctrine of Repentance is available in lots of places online e.g. as a PDF here: http://www.onthewing.org/user/Watson%20-%20Repentance%20-%20Modern.pdf   The Unde...

Shame is a dirty word in our society, yet the Bible has a lot to say about it. Should we feel shame? And how? What does the Bible say about it?   This is what was to be the sermon at Wednesday Worshippers today (18th March 2020) but due to the coronavirus situation had to be online instead!   The passage is online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james+4%3A1-10&version=NIVUK...

The second part of the series in repentance (unfortunately I didn't record the first part!) The passage is 1 John 1:5-10.  The book I mention is called "The Doctrine of Repentance" by Thomas Watson, a puritan, and - because it is well out of copyright - is available for free online e.g. here . These sermons are based on his section "Ingredients of Repentance" - the first one we looked at was sorro...

Many people have the view that, on the day of judgement, God will tot up our good deeds and - if we've done enough - will let us into heaven. Many people think it doesn't matter whether you have faith, just that you've done enough good deeds. But what does the Bible say? The passage is Hebrews 11:1-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+11%3A1-6&version=NIVUK If you like this...

One of the biggest questions people ask: if God forgives us anyway, why should we bother trying to good in the first place? In the fourth part of our series on Justification, Jesus gives us the answer.   The passage is available online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+7%3A15-23&version=NIVUK   For more information about Understand the Bible and to continue the discuss...

One thing which always used to puzzle me: if Jesus never sinned, why did he want to be baptised by John the Baptist? In this next part of the series on Matthew, we think about this passage.   Read the passage online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+3%3A13-17&version=NIVUK   For more information about Understand the Bible and to continue the discussion see https://understan...

Some people have the view that being a Christian is only about keeping the rules and looking down on everyone else. But, as we see in this video, we need a far greater obedience to be considered righteous by God. The main passage in the video is Galatians 2:11-21 - read online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=galatians+2%3A11-21&version=NIVUK If you like this video, don't for...

"We wanna be free to do what we wanna do" - everybody wants freedom. But what is true freedom, and where does it come from?   The main passage in the video is Romans John 8:31-47 - read online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+8%3A31-47&version=NIVUK You can read the 39 Articles (with updated English version) online here: http://archive.churchsociety.org/issues_new/docume...

Justification is probably one of the most important issues which Christians don't think much about. And yet, at the time of the reformation it was described as the doctrine on which the reformation would stand or fall. Why is it so important? In this new series, we delve into the topic of justification, following the 39 Articles - a document produced at the time of the reformation, part of the fou...

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to get ready for the boss coming to visit? What did it feel like? John the Baptist here is warning people what they need to do to get ready for the Lord's coming.   Read the passage online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+3%3A1-12&version=NIVUK   See all videos on Matthew through the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist...

At Christmas time, when you see the baby in the manger, do you see a baby? Or do you see a sign from God? What we see reveals who we are really trusting in. Read the passage online via BibleGateway - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=isaiah+7%3A10-17&version=NIVUK . Sermon preached at All Saints, Fordham, on 22nd Dec 2019. Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack....

At Christmas, why did Jesus need to be born as a baby? Couldn't God have done it in another way?   Read the passage online via BibleGateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=hebrews+2%3A10-18&version=NIVUK Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

What do you want most from Christmas? Presents? Turkey? Tinsel? Family time? Rest? I think we are all searching for something deeper at Christmas...   The page I refer to in the video can be found here: http://understandthebible.uk/start-here/ Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

It's sometimes easy to get a view that everyone is "nice", except for a few bad apples. The Bible won't let us get away with such a rosy view of human nature.   Read / listen to the passage online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+19-21&version=NIVUK Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

What does this passage in Judges teach us about how God does and does not want us to worship him? Read / listen to the passage online on BibleGateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+17-18&version=NIVUK Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever done something so bad that you think God couldn't possible forgive you? Read the passage online here . Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

It's so hard to get to church these days: sports clubs, shopping, work commitments, family time - not to mention you can get almost everything online including sermons, worship music, etc. It's hard to prioritise church. And yet, the Bible teaches that church is as important as it ever was. Why? The article I refer to about the Sabbath is here . Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.s...

Holman Hunt's famous picture "The Light of the World" portrays Jesus knocking at a door with no handle on the outside. Only you can open the door of your heart. But is that how grace works? Read / listen to the passage online here . Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes we just don't know why things are happening. This passage helps to encourage us that God always has a plan. Read / listen to the passage online here . If you'd prefer to see this as a video, you can subscribe to the YouTube Channel . Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

"If you don't ask, you don't get" - is that how it works with God? You can read / listen to the whole passage online here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+13&version=NIVUK The YouTube channel is available here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7FHWCupn6tq39btG6z4Oqg The Podcast is available here: https://anchor.fm/understand-the-bible (including Apple, Spotify, Google, Sti...

Politicians like to market themselves as the ones who will sort everything out. But there is an enemy which no politician will be able to sort out. Read the passage on Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+10%3A17-12%3A7&version=NIVUK Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

People often have difficulty reconciling two aspects of God's character - his justice and his mercy. How can God be both? Can we simply live any way that we like? Read the passage online: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges+10%3A1-16&version=NIVUK Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe

Why is it that leaders so often disappoint? And what should we do about it? Get full access to Understand the Bible at utbible.substack.com/subscribe