Your first Love l 30-Apr-2010
(Duration: 26:50 | size: 17.1MB)
Preacher : Rev. Dr. John Illsley
Bible Reading : Revelation 2: 1 - 7

The Narrow Gate l 25-Apr-2010
(Duration: 26:36 | size: 15.3MB)
Preacher : Rev. Dr. John Illsley
Bible Reading : Luke 13: 22 – 33

Today we look at a little passage where Jesus talks about the way to God’s kingdom. Jesus makes it plain that it is not straight forward and easy. Yes, Jesus is going to prepare a place for us, but the way to that place is through a narrow gate and along a narrow path. There are other more obvious and easier paths but they lead nowhere good. We are here in church today because we believe Jesus is the way, truth, and life; we believe that no one comes to God except through Jesus, but that way is not easy. Jesus’ instructions are that we must “STRIVE”. The word is defined as: 1. To exert much effort or energy; endeavour. 2. To struggle or fight forcefully; contend If anything is worthwhile doing or achieving it will require an effort. We will explore that effort and the benefits of succeeding today.

In 1981, a Minnesota radio station reported a story about a stolen car in California. Police were staging an intense search for the vehicle and the driver, even to the point of placing announcements on local radio stations to contact the thief. On the front seat of the stolen car sat a box of crackers that, unknown to the thief, were laced with poison. The car owner had intended to use the crackers as rat bait. Now the police and the owner of the car were more interested in apprehending the thief to save his life than to recover the car. So often when we run from God, we feel it is to escape his punishment. But what we are actually doing is eluding his rescue. Many people have no interest in Jesus because they think they have no need. Over the last few weeks we have been reminding ourselves that we are united in one thing – we need a Saviour.

The Impossibility of Christianity l 11-Apr-2010
(Duration: 15:10 | size: 9.6MB)
Preacher : Rev. Dr. John Illsley
Bible Reading : Mark 10: 23 – 31

There are two different view points of where the world is going. There is first the Christian one that says that evil and sin have come into the world and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. Only God’s intervention will change things; and that is what we celebrate at Easter and look for in the future. The opposite is evolution. This suggests that the world is evolving into something better; that we have abolished slavery, child labour and made many improvements to life. The trouble with this idea is that too frequently it is proved to be totally false. World wars, ethnic cleansing, financial greed, and military dictatorships do not seem to be progress.

Our text today says, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” That is why we worship God: because he does the impossible.

The Risen Christ l 04-Apr-2010
(Duration: 17:52 | size: 11.4MB)
Preacher : Rev. Dr. John Illsley
Bible Reading : Luke 24: 1-12

Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy. Churches are filled with flowers, and there are special hymns and songs.

The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity. On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave. The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.

On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty. Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection changes everything. We are an Easter People.