Sermons from 2020

7 Sayings of the Cross (54 mins)

Dan Rudge preaches on the 7 sayings of the Lord Jesus on the cross. He raises some questions: “Father forgive them”; but who are the “them”? “Today in Paradise”; but where is Paradise? “My God, My God”; but why not “My Father, My Father”? Dan addresses these questions (and much else beside) in a wide-ranging helpful message. His headings for the Lord’s 7 sayings are: A word for the transgressors A word of truth A word of tenderness A word…

7 Title of Jehovah (46 mins)

Peter Scarsbrook speaks on 7 of the titles of Jehovah, namely: Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Ropheka, Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-Mekaddishkem, Jehovah-Nissi and Jehovah-Shammah. These “compound names” have much to teach us about the nature of God, and provide much by way of practical thought-provoking ministry flowing therefrom. (Message preached 5th Dec 2020)

7 Days of Creation (44 mins)

Ian Jackson preaches on “the 7 days of creation”. After reading Genesis 1, he explains how the chapter is foundational to all of Scripture. It is narrative, not poetry, giving a literal history of the 7 literal days of creation. Ian discusses various theories (gap theory, day age theory etc) and gives various weighty reasons why they ought not to be believed. He shows how Genesis 1 reveals the true nature of both God and man. Finally he points out…

Hymn Singing – February Weekends 2020 (80 mins)

80 minutes of hymn singing from the John Dennison ministry weekend in Feb 2020. Hymns: “When We Walk With The Lord”, “What A Fellowship”, “Gathered to Thy Name Lord Jesus”, “Man of Sorrows”, “Worthy Worthy Worthy”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, “Praise the Saviour”, “In Thy Name O Lord Assembling”, “Fairest of All The Earth Beside”, “Behold The Lamb with Glory Crowned”, “Crown Him With Many Crowns”, “O Lord Who Now Art Seated”, “I’m Pressing on the…

Christ Suffered!

GOSPEL – John Dennison preaches on 1 Pet 3:18 (“Christ has once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God”), and emphasises the two words “Christ suffered”. The sufferings of Christ were unmatched, were necessary, and accomplished what they were designed for – meeting the claims of God against sin and providing salvation for sinners. (Preached: 1st March 2020)

Singing and Worship

PART 6 – John Dennison give helpful ministry on worship in the context of assembly gatherings. After explaining the meaning and motive for worship, he points out the change the Lord Jesus announced in John Ch 4 and the ramifications for worship in our current era. He spends the rest of the message giving scriptural backing for the format of the open worship (singing, giving thanks, praying etc) at the breaking of bread meeting, and gives practical encouragement for those…

Assembly Reception and Letters of Commendation

PART 5 – John Dennison preaches on the topic of “assembly reception” or “coming into fellowship” in an assembly. He outlines the 4 key verbs in Acts 2:41-42 – “received” his Word, were “baptised”, were “added” and “continued”. He expounds the three reasons why a person can be refused fellowship, and the three ways someone can be received into fellowship. Finally he makes a persuasive case for the use of distinct seating at the Lord’s Supper for those who have…

Headship and the Head Covering

PART 4 – John Dennison works his way down 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (and 1 Cor 14:33-36) and deals with the Biblical subject of “the hierarchy of headship”, explaining 1. what it means for male and female roles in the local assembly and 2. how its symbolic display is seen in head coverings and hair length. He shows clearly that head coverings are not a “cultural issue” but rather something required of assemblies in all cultures, times and places. He explains…

What is Assembly Fellowship?

PART 3 – John Dennison asks the question “What is assembly fellowship?” He distinguishes between different kinds of fellowship in the Bible, each one of which involves three distinct things: partnership, partnering and partners. He then makes a persuasive case that a local assembly of God is a “doctrinal fellowship”. In other words, at its root assembly fellowship is neither a social experience nor a subjective experience but an objective reality; and what will determine if I am in fellowship…

The Lord’s Supper

PART 2 – John Dennison sets out the Biblical precepts, principles and practices that inform our understanding of the Lord’s Supper or the “breaking of bread”. The Bible’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper isn’t just “narrative”, it’s “normative”! So, why must the bread precede the cup? Why only one loaf and only one cup? Why on the first day of the week, every week? Why not on board a cruise ship while on holiday? And…should the bread be unleavened? John…

Cross Cultural Evangelism

PART 1 – Opening a teaching weekend on basic assembly principles, John Dennison speaks on the need for Christians to engage in cross-cultural evangelism as we seek to see people saved, baptised and gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus in today’s “global culture” –  a culture marked by mass emigration, migration and immigration. He gives examples from years of labour in Mexico and Arizona (USA) as he reports on what the Lord has done through the preaching of…

Nehemiah – Finding Opportunities in Days of Difficulty (40 mins)

Josh Jacob preaches on Nehemiah, a man who, returning from Babylon with a deep sense of yearning for the glory of God and the welfare of His city and His people, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem amidst all kinds of difficulties and opposition. Nehemiah fixed his focus (Ch 1), found the facts (Ch 2), formed the fellowship (Ch 3), fortified their faith (Ch 4), faced the foe (Ch 5), fulfilled his function (Ch 6). Readings from the first 6 chapters…

Samuel – Serving God in a Difficult Climate (42 mins)

Dan Rudge preaches on the young seer named Samuel, a young man who grew up in a climate that was corrupt and dangerous politically, morally and spiritually. In contrast to the other young men around him, the child Samuel stood out as a faithful devoted servant of the Lord. It’s not easy or popular, especially as a teenager with peer pressure all around, to stand against the spirit of the age – but Samuel’s example encourages us. The key is…

Ruth – Committed to the Lord Our God (42 mins)

Joshua Jacob preaches on Ruth the Moabitess who was marked by commitment to the interests of the God of Israel in a culture and situation naturally foreign to her. She was a disallowed stranger (Ruth Ch 1), a diligent worker (Ch 2), a dutiful pleader (Ch 3) and a destined mother (Ch 4). Josh draws lessons from the life and experience of Ruth to encourage us to overcome life’s difficulties and adversities through faith in the God under whose wings…

Gideon – Standing for God in a Difficult Time (42 mins)

Jonathan Black preaches on Gideon (from Judges Chs 6-8), a man who stood for God in an age when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. Jonathan gives practical ministry on Gideon’s quiet private preparation for the public role that he was later to have as he exercised faith in his God, despite his weakness and fear. Though a “mighty man of valour”, he knew what it was to depend on his God, first when he…