Sermon I preached on John 1:1-5 at Banstead Community Church on 29th November 2020.
1. Jesus brings life to us
2. Jesus brings light to us
More sermons can be found HERE
(Photo: jannoon028)
KIDS TALK: FIXING YOUR EYES ON JESUS DURING ADVENT
This year my series of Advent Kids Talk are going to be linked to the book Fixated by Tim Chester which we are going to be using as a church. Here’s the first part.
Advent – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus during Advent
Powerpoint Pictures: Picture with lots of things to do with Christmas including a baby hidden away.
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Have a look with me at the following picture. On this picture are lots of stuff to do with Christmas. Things we get to enjoy around this time of year.
Have a good look and see how many of the items on the picture you can remember.
[Remove Picture]
Okay, what did you see?
Did you see the presents and the Christmas tree? Did you see the carol singers and the advent calendar? Did you spot Father Christmas and you couldn’t have missed the snowman? What about the turkey, the mince pie, and the Christmas pudding? Then there was the candles and the lights.
But there was something else in the picture that you might have missed.
It was hidden right down at the bottom. A baby.
Because Christmas is all about the birth of a baby.
At Christmas we remember the birth of a Saviour. The good news that Jesus Christ came into the world to save everyone who would trust in Him from their sins.
Now, this picture, I’ll put it up again, represent a danger we face. And that is being distracted. Getting wrapped up with all the other stuff to do with Christmas that we forget about Jesus.
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So, what are we to do?
“Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
We are to get rid of anything that would distract us and stop us remembering Jesus so that we can fix our eyes on Him.
Because fixing our eyes on Jesus is the most important thing we can do this Christmas.
And during our morning services in advent we are going to look at some of the reasons why.
But I hope it won’t just be on Sunday that we will be fixing our eyes on Jesus.
It will be something we do each day.
And to help, you hopefully will have already received your copy of a book of daily advent readings (Families / Adults) to encourage you to turn your eyes towards Jesus.
To fix your eyes on Him.
Every day, not just on Sundays.
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More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)
KIDS TALK FOR ADVENT
With Advent soon upon us, here are some series of kids talks to use in church in the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
Series #1: Why Advent?
Advent 1 – Why celebrate Advent?
Advent 2 – Advent says ‘Be Ready!’
Advent 3 – Advent says ‘Be Patient!’
Advent 4 – Advent says ‘Be Excited!’
Series #2: What should we do this Christmas?
Advent 1 – Recognise
Advent 2 – Repent
Advent 3 – Rejoice
Advent 4 – Receive
Series #3: Responding to the Good News of Christmas
Advent 1 – The Wonder of Mary
Advent 2 – The Obedience of Joseph
Advent 3 – The Joy of the Angels
Advent 4 – The Eagerness of the Shepherds
Series #4: Christmas at the Movies
Advent 1 – The Snowman
Advent 2 – The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Advent 3 – Home Alone
Advent 4 – Elf
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas is going to be different this year.
Not just for families.
But for churches too.
What are carol services going to look like with social distancing measures in place and no congregational singing?
Phil Moore has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help churches called ‘Home for Christmas’ which will be a collection of Christmas Songs including traditional carols like Hark the Herald angels sing and Silent Night, that churches will be able to livestream or use at in person events.
Check it out and support it if you can! (the goal has almost been reached)
CHRISTMAS RESOURCES ROUND-UP
After 10+ years of being responsible for Christmas services at Banstead Community Church, I’ve done a number of Christmas sermons, short carol service talks, and plenty of kids talks. For those looking for inspiration and ideas, here they are in one place.
Carol Service Talks (5-10 mins)
Christmas is about giving a gift to the people you love
Christmas in 3 Words
How far would you go to show someone that you love them?
Get peace this Christmas
Are you ready for Christmas?
The Unwanted Gift
Spreading Christmas Cheer
Open the Gift
Christmas Sermons
2 Corinthians 8:9
Galatians 4:4-5
Luke 24:13-35
Ephesians 2:1-10
Four Things to do this Christmas
1 Timothy 1:15
Psalm 72
Psalm 98
Christmas Through New Eyes
John 18:4
Matthew 1:16
Genesis 37:2-18
Matthew 1-2 Series
Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23
Christmas According to Moses Series
Genesis 3:1-15
Exodus 2:1-10
Leviticus 1:1-9
Numbers 24:15-19
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
Advent Kids Talks
Why Advent?
AD1 – Why celebrate Advent?
AD2 – Advent says ‘Be Ready!’
AD3 – Advent says ‘Be Patient!’
AD4 – Advent says ‘Be Excited!’
What should we do this Christmas?
AD1 – Recognise
AD2 – Repent
AD3 – Rejoice
AD4 – Receive
Responding to the Good News of Christmas
AD1 – The Wonder of Mary
AD2 – The Obedience of Joseph
AD3 – The Joy of the Angels
AD4 – The Eagerness of the Shepherds
Christmas at the Movies
AD1 – The Snowman
AD2 – The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
AD3 – Home Alone
AD4 – Elf
Other Christmas Kids Talk
Eye-witnesses (Luke 1:1-4)
I don’t believe it! (Luke 1:5-25)
Chosen (Luke 1:26-38)
The First Christmas Carol (Luke 1:39-56)
A Message from God (Luke 1:57-80)
Luke 2:1-12
Getting them to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5)
Fit for a King (Luke 2:6-7)
Rescue NOT Reindeers (Luke 2:8-20)
1 Thing to Do Before You Die (Luke 2:21-40)
(Photo: Ben White)
SERMON: GENESIS 37:2-18
Sermon I preached on Genesis 37:2-18 at Banstead Community Church on 25th December 2019.
1. The Son is sent to those who hate Him
2. The Son seeks out those who hate Him
More sermons can be found HERE
(Photo: Freely Photos)
KIDS TALK: WHAT DOES ELF TEACH US ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Advent – What does Elf teach us about Christmas?
Powerpoint Pictures: Various scenes from Elf.
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You can’t beat a good Christmas movie!
Every year there are plenty of good and plenty of not so good Christmas films to watch.
And some of these movies remind us about what Christmas is all about. Why it is that Christmas is about good news of great joy that is for all people to hear.
Over this period of advent, we are thinking about 4 Christmas movies and what they teach us about Christmas.
So far we’ve seen that…
Unlike The Snowman, the Christmas story is a story with a happy ending, because it ends not with Jesus’ death but with His resurrection.
Unlike The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, the Christmas story has a happy ending for us – sins forgiven and eternal life in heaven – not by us trying harder to be a better person, but instead trusting in Jesus, the Saviour God gave to the the world.
Like Home Alone, the Christmas story has a happy ending of reconciliation, as those who trust in Jesus can be reconciled to God.
The final film is Elf.
You know the story. Buddy the elf, is a human who grew up at the North Pole with Santa’s elves, returns to New York to find his father and from there hilarity ensues. He also falls in love and helps Santa after his sleigh crash lands in Central Park. But that’s all the spoilers you are going to get!
In Elf we learn some important things, such as that the four food groups are “Candy, Candy Cane, Candy Corns, and Syrup” or the Elf code, “Treat everyday like Christmas; There’s room for everyone on the nice list; and The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
It’s that last rule on the Elf code which reminds us of the real Christmas story.
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“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Because that’s what angels did the very first Christmas.
After an angel announced to the shepherds good news of great joy for all people because a Saviour had been born in Bethlehem.
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
Christmas cheer was spread by the angels by singing loud for all to hear.
And that is what we should do with the Christmas story as well.
Because Christmas is a story with a happy ending, a happy ending of reconciliation with God for those who trust in Jesus as their Saviour, we should spread this by singing loud so that others can hear this good news and trust in Jesus too
So Elf reminds us that Christmas is a story with a happy ending to sing loudly about for all to hear.
SERMON: MATTHEW 1:16
Sermon I preached on Matthew 1:16 at Banstead Community Church on 22nd December 2019.
1. Without Joseph there would be no Messiah
2. Without Joseph there would be no multitude
More sermons can be found HERE
(Photo: Freely Photos)
KIDS TALK: WHAT DOES HOME ALONE TEACH US ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Advent – What does Home Alone teach us about Christmas?
Powerpoint Pictures: Various scenes from Home Alone including the scene at the end with Kevin reunited with his mother.
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You can’t beat a good Christmas movie!
Every year there are plenty of good and plenty of not so good Christmas films to watch.
And some of these movies remind us about what Christmas is all about. Why it is that Christmas is about good news of great joy that is for all people to hear.
Over this period of advent, we are going to think about 4 Christmas movies and what they teach us about Christmas.
Unlike The Snowman, the Christmas story is a story with a happy ending, because it ends not with Jesus’ death but with His resurrection.
Unlike The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, the Christmas story has a happy ending for us – sins forgiven and eternal life in heaven – not by us trying harder to be a better person, but instead trusting in Jesus, the Saviour God gave to the the world.
The next film is Home Alone.
Do you remember the story?
If you’ve never seen it, you’ve missed out.
It tells the story of 8 year old Kevin McAllister who wakes up and finds himself home alone with his family on the way to Paris. He thinks it’s great initially until he has to defend his house from two hapless burglars, which he does by setting booby traps.
Now what does this film teach us?
Among other things, that when building a homemade security system don’t forget the industrial fan with a pile of feathers or that tarantulas do have a purpose in this world.
But in all seriousness, there is something we can learn about the Christmas from Home Alone which is a reminder about the lengths God goes to reconcile people to Himself.
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In Home Alone, the mother, once she realises that Kevin is all alone goes to extraordinary lengths to get home to him. Taking whatever flights she can, and when there is no longer any flight available, she gets a ride with a polka band she had never met before. She was determined to get back to her son, and when she does we have that great reunion – the happy ending!
God’s love for us is so great that He goes to great lengths to get us back. He sends His Son to earth to be born as a man so He can die as man in our place to bring us back to God, to reconcile us and restore to us the relationship that sin destroyed if we trust in Jesus.
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
So Home Alone reminds us that Christmas is a story with a happy ending of reconciliation with God for those who trust in Jesus to be the Saviour.
OPEN THE GIFT
A short Christmas message I preached at Banstead Community Church on 15th December 2019.
Open the Gift
KIDS TALK: WHAT DOES THE MUPPET’S CHRISTMAS CAROL TEACH US ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Advent – What does The Muppet’s Christmas Carol teach us about Christmas?
Powerpoint Pictures: Various scenes from The Muppet’s Christmas Carol including the scene at the end with Scrooge smiling.
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You can’t beat a good Christmas movie!
Every year there are plenty of good and plenty of not so good Christmas films to watch.
And some of these movies remind us about what Christmas is all about. Why it is that Christmas is about good news of great joy that is for all people to hear.
Over this period of advent, we are going to think about 4 Christmas movies and what they teach us about Christmas.
We saw that the Christmas story unlike The Snowman is a story with a happy ending. It ends not with Jesus’ death, but with His resurrection.
The next film is The Muppet’s Christmas Carol.
Do you remember the story?
At the start of this film, it looks like we have another Christmas movie in need of a happy ending. Scrooge is miserable and causes misery to those who work for him. He doesn’t have the Christmas spirit! Bah humbug!
But on the night before Christmas, he is visited by his old business partners who are being tormented in death because of their past actions, and warned that if he didn’t change his way, that is what will happen to him. Then follows visits from three ghosts: Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future which explain why Scrooge is the way he is, show the suffering his behaviour is causing to others, and his future if he does not change.
Scrooge wakes up a changed man and we have a happy ending, with him having Christmas dinner with Kermit the Frog!
There is an important difference between The Muppet’s Christmas Carol and the Christmas Story.
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In The Muppet’s Christmas Carol, Scrooge is his own saviour who gets his happy ending by trying harder to be a better person.
Whereas the happy ending of the Christmas Story for us – sins forgiven and eternal life in heaven – comes not by saving ourselves by trying harder to be better people, but instead by trusting in the Saviour God gave to the world in the Christmas Story – the Lord Jesus.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
So yes, Christmas is a story with a happy ending, but only for those who trust in Jesus to be the Saviour.
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More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)
KIDS TALK: WHAT DOES THE SNOWMAN TEACH US ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
Advent – What does The Snowman teach us about Christmas?
Powerpoint Pictures: Various scenes from The Snowman including the final scene of the melted snowman.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can’t beat a good Christmas movie!
Every year there are plenty of good and plenty of not so good Christmas films to watch.
And some of these movies remind us about what Christmas is all about. Why it is that Christmas is about good news of great joy that is for all people to hear.
Over this period of advent, we are going to think about 4 Christmas movies and what they teach us about Christmas.
The first film is The Snowman.
Do you remember the story?
One winter’s day, a young boy builds a snowman. At the stroke of midnight, he discovers that the snowman has come to life, and a night of fun and adventure begins, including a flight to the snowman’s party. At the end of the night, they return to the boy’s home and say goodnight.
The next morning, the boy wakes up after the best night ever. He can’t wait to do it again. But this dream is shattered. The snowman has melted and the boy’s adventure is over.
The Snowman is a story that needs a happy ending.
And it seems that Christmas story in the Bible does too.
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Jesus whose birth we celebrate, grew up to have exciting adventures with His followers, but ends up dead and lying in a tomb.
Like the little boy, those who followed Him, were devastated.
A couple of days after Jesus died, two of His followers were taking a journey to Emmaus when they were joined by a mysterious man.
They said to Him, “but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21)
They thought that Jesus was the King who had come to save His people from their sins. But with Him dead, that hope was gone.
Christmas is story that appears to need a happy ending.
But soon these two followers of Jesus would soon discover that it does have a happy ending.
Because what happened next was that, for the two followers of Jesus, “their eyes were opened and they recognised him.” (Luke 24:31)
The mysterious man they were talking to was Jesus, risen from the dead. He is the Saviour after all, which means we can be saved from our sins.
Unlike The Snowman, the Christmas story in the Bible is a story with a happy ending, and it can be for you!
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More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.
(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)