Ezra 4 — It didn’t take long for those who returned from captivity in Babylon to face opposition. The work of rebuilding the Temple was opposed in a number of ways by the people that lived around Jerusalem. The forms this opposition took and the way the leaders responded provide some valuable lessons on dealing…
II Chronicles 14 & 16 — King Asa faced two obstacles at either end of his reign, one great and one small. He responded differently to each one and it is the stark contrast between his responses that Pastor Brendan draws out in this sermon. In this much loved Old Testament story we find some…
Philippians 1:7-8 — Why was the Apostle Paul’s ministry successful? Because of his education? Because of his gifting? Because the times suited him? These no doubt played a part, but more than anything else his success can be attributed to his love for those he ministered to. The necessity of love in Christian ministry is…
Philippians 1:6 — We are often frustrated and disappointed by the half-finished projects in our lives. We had all the right intentions but weren’t able to see it through. This is the complete opposite of God’s work of salvation. What He begins, He finishes! In this lesson, Pastor Brendan reminds us that God must begin the work of…
II Samuel 12:1-15a — “Thou art the man.” …So said the prophet Nathan to King David when he confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. David responded with repentance and received forgiveness from the Lord, but the damage had been done. There would be awful long-term consequences stemming from his sin.…
Philippians 1:5 — How does the New Testament define “fellowship?” Is it similar to the way we use the term today? This is crucial to understanding Paul’s thanksgiving in the opening of his letter to the church at Philippi. In this sermon Pastor Brendan takes us through what the New Testament teaches about fellowship and then…
Philippians 1:3-4 — Have you ever paused to consider the wonder of prayer? The fact that we can actually communicate with the Creator of the universe is truly amazing. This is a reality that the Apostle Paul certainly grasped for it is reflected in the quality of his prayer life. As we begin to study Paul’s prayer in…
Ezra 3:1-6 — What was the first thing the remnant built when they returned to Jerusalem? Why was this significant and what does it say about their priorities? They built an altar and reestablished worship according to the Law of Moses. In this lesson Pastor Brendan takes us carefully through the text and then draws…
Ezra 1:5-2:67 — In this text we see how a remnant was willing to return from Babylon to what was a difficult set of circumstances in their former homeland. There was a long and dangerous journey ahead. There was lots hard work to be done in rebuilding Jerusalem. God providentially provided for those returning and…
Ephesians 4:17-32 — Unfortunately broken relationships are all too common in our society and even in the church. Many of our personal relationships are not what God intends them to be, but by God’s grace restoration is possible. In this sermon we consider some things we must leave and some things that we must cleave to in…