(SERMON) Hosea 8 "Lord we know You"

In Hosea Chapter 8 the nation of Israel cries out "Lord we know You!" but God doesn't recognise them at all.  God says you recognise His people by their fruits - and Israel was not fruitful!   Sadly the reasons why they were not fruitful are just as common and dangerous to the church today as back then: the twin threats of Ritualism and Liberalism.  Praise the Lord that in Jesus Christ and Him crucified we find the antidote to both!

(SERMON) Communion

The breaking of the bread in homes and together as a church is the fourth thing the Church must be dedicated to.  Communion is challenging, it must not be received unworthily and without discernment.  It is the great sign and bond of the fellowship of believers, but more importantly it is - by the power of the Holy Spirit- the partaking in Christ's very body and blood.

(SERMON) Teaching - 2 Peter 1.16-21

Are we obstinately single-mindedly dedicated to the teaching of the Bible?  Do we actively reject false teaching as strongly as the Bible calls us to and do we seek after wholesome teaching with all our hearts?

Within all of this, what is the role of the minister in the New Covenant?  The historical Anglican view that the minister is primarily a teacher and preacher brings back the Biblical focus; let us not forget it again,

(SERMON) Hosea 6-7

The Promise of Christ's return and a constant call to hold on to Him should compel us to be brutally honest and wholehearted in our life of faith,

(SERMON) Fellowship - Acts 2.42-end

Fellowship was right at the heart of the apostolic church - alongside teaching, prayers, and communion.  Fellowship which is not shallow but rather radical and irrationally loving must be put back at the heart of the church today.  Ultimately, Christ was forsaken by His Father so that we might have fellowship with both God and each other; we must be changed by this truth day by day.