Text: 
Matthew 4:1-11
Genesis 2: 15-17

The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
We too are led into the wilderness of our lives, facing trials and choices.
He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
We hunger for righteousness, yet we are often tempted by bread that does not satisfy.
But Jesus said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Let us worship the One who endured the desert to bring us the Bread of Life.  Let us find our strength in Him.

Today's Sermon is based around the reading from Matthew 4 - The Temptations of Christ.
Watch the recording here: 
​https://youtu.be/j76_DmpHgEs

Text: 1 Corinthians 3: 1-15

Call to Worship based Deuteronomy 30:15–20
Today the Lord sets before us choices
We choose life, that we may live as the people of God.
The Lord calls us to love Him,
to walk in His ways,
and to keep His commandments.
We will seek to love the Lord our God,
listen to His voice,
and hold fast to Him.
For the Lord is our life and the length of our days.
In Him we find our hope and our future.
Let us worship the God who sets before us life--
the God who calls, who leads, and who blesses.
We choose the Lord our God.
We choose life.
Let us worship Him together.
 
The previous chapter finished with Paul expounding the realisation of our full potential as Christians.

In chapter 3 Paul really changes gear from expounding ideal Christian life to dealing with the actual reality of immature Christian life! His overall thrust in these verses, 1 Corinthians 3: 1-15, is to encourage growth. He uses 3 images in quick succession to get his message of growth across, firstly human development, secondly gardening, thirdly building.
​
You can watch the recorded sermon here: https://youtu.be/5u4LbjHfPbw

Text: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-12

Friends, we gather today, called to be a beacon of hope and love in our community. Remember the words of Jesus: "You are the light of the world."
We are called to shine brightly, illuminating the path for those who seek truth and love.
Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, may our faith be evident in all we do.
We will let our light shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
As we worship today, let us commit to being reflections of God’s love and grace.
Together, we shine! Amen.

Hamish continues our Case Studies in Corinthians with a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 2. You can watch it here: 
https://youtu.be/Sy_HoR6h2zA

Text: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31 

This passage reflects the debating culture in Corinth. It is imbued with the language of debate. The key message is that, whilst the Greeks and Jews perceived the death of Jesus on a cross as weak and foolish, it is actually the power and wisdom of God.

The Jews were scandalised by the idea of a seemingly weak and crucified God. The Greeks were offended by the ugliness of a bloodied, beaten man on a cross. And yet Paul reverses all that and points to the cross as the beautiful answer of a God prepared to suffer in order to reach us in our helplessness and lift us up to his level!

Watch the recorded sermon here:  https://youtu.be/upWbndO7IcA