Did you notice that I missed out one of the fruit of the Spirit? Neither did I!

The missing fruit was the second to last: gentleness in the NIV, but also translated elsewhere as meekness, consideration or humility.

I love the definition that one of my Greek dictionaries gives for the underlying word:

“The quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance.”

Given that definition, I think the opposite would have to be being conceited or egotistical.

MARY’S SONG OF FAITH

(A Christmas sermon)

Text: Luke 1:46-55

Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Luke 1:1-55

Theme: Mary responds to God’s work in her with a song of praise that recalls God’s blessing to her and to his people.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Readings: Prov 10:8-14, 18-21; Matt 5:33-37

Theme: Our words and promises before God must be considered and kept.

Purpose: To urge you to be careful and thoughtful in what you say and promise to God, and to keep your promises.

IT’S NOT THE OUTLOOK – IT’S THE UPLOOK! Sjirk Bajema, 09-11-2

Sermon 1 on Heidelberg Catechism Lord’s Day 52 (Q & A 127)

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Church of our Lord Jesus Christ...

We ask that temptation won’t control us. It’s something so important that we need to ask it all the time. It’s in the Lord’s own model prayer, so it must be so! That’s why Answer 127 begins, “By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment.”

The Apostle John stated clearly in his message to a Jew that he was not the Christ but simply a messenger who was appointed to announce Christ’s coming. In fact, he likened it the role of a best man at a wedding who rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice for he then realizes that not only is his role nearing completion, but that “He must increase, but I must decrease" [Jn 3:30].  The Apostle John knew the purpose and goal of his life and ministry.  Even though the crowds went to him to be baptized and he had considerable following, his concern remained that Jesus would increase and that he would decrease.

The Apostle Paul and Barnabas had a similar mindset when the people in Lystra regarded them as gods after healing a crippled man [Act 14:8ff]. When Paul and Barnabas heard about this they tore their garments and reminded the people of Lystra that they were just men bringing the good news of Christ!