The ASK Podcast

We started a new tradition in Scots Kirk this New Years Day.....it was a bit of a risk having a service on a day and a time that no one had done before in Newcastle (as far as I know!)...12 noon on New Years Day.... I was surprised (pleasantly) at the attendance - including some people who just walked in of the street....I tried to set out a vision for the year....I aimed it at our area, but it could be applied anywhere....

This is the short sermon given at Scots Kirk Christmas Day service....on the gifts brought by the wise men....what do they mean? 

This is a sermon delivered in Scots Kirk on Sunday 21st looking at 2 Corinthians 8:9 and the gift of Christ...

John 7:30-31 - If only people had a sign they would believe in Jesus. Is that true? What are the best reasons for believing?

John 7:28-29 - In some ways these are the most challenging words of Jesus....he addresses religious people and tells them that they do not know God....do we?

John 7:25-27 - People are confused about Jesus.....they think they know about the Messiah but they havn't a clue....how often does our religion get in the way of Christ?

John 7:24 - Jesus then gives us a brilliant principle. This is how you judge...And this is especially how you judge Jesus....

John 7:21-23 - Jesus explains to the crowd why people want to kill him. And he talks about circumcision....why? And what significance does that have for us today?

John 7:19-20 - Does Jesus have a persecution complex? Is he demon- possessed? The notion that everyone loves Jesus but hates the church is unbiblical....

John 7:17-18 - How can you test if Jesus is telling the truth? How can you know? Do you have the ability to judge? Jesus provides us with one basic answer....

John 7:16 - Where did Jesus get his teaching from? Why was it different from the Rabbis? What can we learn from it??

John 7:14-15 - The Jewish leaders are amazed at Jesus's teaching....how could he get it without having been educated?! The snobbery of the 'educated' is still with us today....what is real learning?

John 7:10-13 - Jesus goes in secret to the passover....but what do people think of him? Is he a good man? A deceiver? Why would we be afraid?

John 7:6-9 - Jesus says that his time has not yet come...what does he mean? And he says that the world cannot hate the disciples, but they do hate him! That seems counter intuitive....is it still true?

John 7:1-5 - Even Jesus's brothers don't believe him....Why would people not believe Jesus? And where does that lead them?

John 6:67-61 - Jesus asks the disciples if they are going to leave him too. Peter gives a classic answer - one that we would do well to learn!

John 6:64-66 - This is a deep and hard teaching from Jesus. Not only are there those who do not believe...but there are those who appear to be his followers and yet who turn back. Why?

John 6:63 - One of the most important verses in the whole bible...and so crucial to us today....we need both the Word and the Spirit....

John 6:60-62 - Even Jesus's disciples find some of his teaching hard. What is his response? Why is it good for us to find some of the teaching hard?

John 6:57-59 - What is the guarantee of eternal life? It is the life given by the Father to the Son.....do you want it? Take and eat....

John 6:52-56 - This is one of the most difficult sayings of Jesus....and yet it is also profound and really helpful....and practical...

John 6:48-51 - Jesus makes an astonishing claim....one that has deep and profound implications for us....

John 6: 44-47 - Jesus sums up his previous teaching about how to get eternal life by coming to him.

John 6:41-43 - One of the main reasons that we do not believe is that we are too busy grumbling....here is a great example...

John 6:37-39 - Why do some come to Christ and some not? Jesus gives an answer that most Christians today would not agree with....

John 6:34-36 - Jesus explains about how he is the bread of life....he makes an offer which is extraordinary - if we believe in him we will never hunger nor thirst....

John 6:32-33 - What's better than the bread of Moses? The bread of heaven! Which is way more than a Welsh singalong!

John 6:28-29 - What is the one work that God requires?

John 6:25-27 - Jesus says that the crowd are more interested in bread than they are in the meaning of the signs...Is bread more important to us?

John 6:22-24 - Jesus didn't get into the boat - yet he is not there! So where is he? What are we looking for when we search for Jesus?

John 6:19-21 - Jesus walks on the water....and the disciples are terrified. Why?

John 6:16-18 - Why does Jesus make the disciples go on a boat when he, and they, knew there was going to be a storm? How do we cope with the storms in our lifes?

John 6:14-15 - After the feeding of the 5,000 - the Jews claim he is a prophet...then they try to make him King. Can we make Jesus King? Any lessons for today?

John 6:12-13 - A bit of a personal one today....reflecting on a life not wasted...that of my mother....

John 6:10-11 - Jesus gives thanks - when there appears to be nothing to give thanks for....and yet he is able to multiply even the smallest of resources....a great hope...

John 6:8-9 - Andrew now introduces the wee boy with his five loaves and two fish....what does this have to do with Elisha? And with us?

John 6:5-7 - Jesus tests Philip....asking him a 'trick' question. Philip is so logical he doesn't really know how to answer.....

John 6:1-4 - John begins to tell the story of the only miracle recorded in all four gospels....

John 5:45-47 - One of the reasons that people don't believe is that they don't accept the Scriptures....so how can they believe in the One of whom the Scriptures speak....?

John 5:43-44 - What are the common reasons that people have for not believing in Christ? Jesus gives us another one that is really surprising and perceptive...

John 5:41-42 - Why don't people who have the evidence believe? Jesus says it is a matter of the heart....and a desire for self glory...

John 5:39-40 - The fourth witness to Christ is the Scriptures....so why do people still refuse to come to Christ, even if they study them?

John 5:36 - Jesus brings his second witness - a greater one. His miracles. What are miracles? What are they evidence of?

John 5:31-35 - What is the evidence for Jesus? Can he be his own witness? What about John the Baptist? Who is the one who points you to Christ?

John 5:30 - Why is Jesus the judge? How does he judge? On whose law? Is he fair?

John 5:28-29 - There will come a time when all who are in their graves will come out. This is not Zombie Jesus - this is the King and Judge and Saviour - who raises people - some to life and some to be condemned. Which one will you be?

John 5:25-27 - Life from the dead...Jesus offers physical and spiritual eternal life....! Incredible.

John 5:24 - Becoming a Christian is really quite simple. Hear and believe!

John 5:20-21 - We don't often think of Jesus as the Judge. Is that not the Father? Not according to Christ....