How do you explain what its like to listen to preaching which gives you Christ? Listening to preaching is not just listening to a lecture, getting information or just emotion and good stories. I don’t really know how to describe it but I love what John Owen says about it – which, once you … More Owen on Preaching, Sinclair on Children and Christ
“Does God call me to belong to a local church where the Word of God is not being taught?” That was one of the questions I have often been asked. I hope to have an occasional series looking at these kind of questions. To some the answer to this particular question is so obvious that … More Does God Call Me to Belong to a Local Church where the Word of God is not being Taught?
Things did not look good for the church at the beginning of the 2nd Century. John was in exile on the waterless island of Patmos. All the other apostles were dead. Jesus hadn’t returned. The Roman Emperor had decided to make Christians the scapegoat for every ill. False teachers, heresies and compromisers plagued the churches. … More What Should the Church be doing in 2017? Jesus’s Plan is…..
I don’t often like writing about my own congregation, St Peters. But yesterday was such an encouraging day that I thought I would make an exception. As we drove home from the church last I saw this double rainbow in a perfect arch over St Peters – it was a beautiful symbol, not of man’s … More In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day – A Rainbow over St Peters
This is the longer version of my article in Christian Today. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/brexit.time.for.the.church.to.stop.doing.politics.and.start.doing.faith/89591.htm There is an old Chinese curse which says ‘may you live in interesting times’! In that case Britain is truly ‘cursed at the moment! I doubt there have been such interesting times in national and political life since the end of the Second … More What Brexit tells us about the Church in the UK
One of the great privileges of being in St Peters at the moment is hearing some phenomenal bible teaching/preaching. We have a team of preachers – Will Traub, Harry Mealyea are two of our elders who always do a great job. Craig Anderson one of our young men is another excellent preacher. John Ferguson … More The Folly of Reductionism – Preaching From St Peters
This is my assembly address. It was too long….and, in fact, I deviated a lot from what is written below and missed out a lot….I preached my heart out – but there is too much in my heart! It was also a bit bitty…. It was somewhat like throwing out a dozen darts in the hope … More Discerning the Times – Retiring Address at 2016 General Assembly
I find it astonishing just how the Word of God speaks directly into our situation today. Sometimes I wonder if I am reading too much into it – but it seems as I study to preach on the latter part of Isaiah, it could have been written today for the church today. Of course it … More The Word of God for Today
Last week I received a phone call asking me if I would be willing to write the Mail’s Easter essay! Is the Pope a Catholic?! It was actually a difficult task (2,000 words) and to be honest I was not sure if they would take it. Apart from a few edits to the first paragraphs … More The Dangerous Betrayal of Scotland’s Christian Heritage – Article in The Daily Mail – Easter Saturday 2016
I love the Lord’s Day. I love gathering with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day. It is an oasis in the midst of the desert. I joyed when to the house of God, go up they said to me. Sunday morning worship and Sunday evening worship is for me the highlight of … More Why I love the Public Worship of God
