Psalm 119

Introduction Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem. There are other acrostic poems in the psalter and you might recall that four of the five chapters of the book of Lamentations were acrostic poems. But none of them have matched the scale of Psalm 119, because this acrostic poem comprises not 22 verses to correspond with … Continue reading Psalm 119 →

Psalm 118

Introduction Today's psalm is a psalm of thanksgiving in which the psalmist leads the people in praise to the Lord for his steadfast love and for rescuing them from their enemies. It begins with praise; then, in verses 5 to 18, the psalmist describes how the Lord helped them; after that, in verses 19 to … Continue reading Psalm 118 →

Ecclesiastes 03–05

Introduction We began to study the book of Ecclesiastes last Sunday evening and it's a difficult book. The scholars debate who wrote it and what it's about and how to divide it up into parts. Some think it was written by King Solomon and others think it was written by someone else: perhaps by a … Continue reading Ecclesiastes 03–05 →

Ecclesiastes 01+02

Introduction We're beginning a new series of sermons on the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and my plan is to divide the book into four sermons. No doubt most, if not all of you, have read Ecclesiastes from time to time. And if you've ever scratched your head when reading it and if you've wondered … Continue reading Ecclesiastes 01+02 →

Human Sexuality

Introduction I said last week that the elders have asked me to preach from time to time on what you might call 'hot topics'. And so, last week we spent our time thinking about the topic of assisted dying. Well, ages ago I preached two sermons on human nature and human knowing which you can … Continue reading Human Sexuality →

Ephesians 06(10–24)

Introduction Paul has been addressing wives and husbands and children and parents and slaves and masters or workers and bosses in the previous verses of his letter to the Ephesians. And now, in today's passage, he addresses all of us, every believer. And this passage is really about perseverance. It's about persevering in the Christian … Continue reading Ephesians 06(10–24) →

Psalm 117

Introduction Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm, but -- as one of the commentators says (Futato) -- its theme is one of the grandest, because it's about the worldwide worship of the Lord our God. The text In verse 1, the psalmist calls on 'all you nations' and on 'all you peoples' to praise and … Continue reading Psalm 117 →

Psalm 116

Introduction In the previous psalm, the psalmist said about the gods of the nations that they have mouths, but cannot speak; and they have eyes, but cannot see; and they have ears, but they cannot hear; and they have noses, but cannot smell; and they have hands, but they cannot feel; and they have feet, … Continue reading Psalm 116 →

Ephesians 06(05–09)

Introduction Let me begin by reminding you again that we're in the part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians where he is teaching us how to live in the world as God's people. And he's already addressed wives and husbands and children and parents. Today we're studying what he has to say to slaves and … Continue reading Ephesians 06(05–09) →

Psalm 115

Verses 1 to 3 This psalm begins with the psalmist declaring that God should be glorified and not us. 'Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory.' Our chief end in life is not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever. And … Continue reading Psalm 115 →