Sermons from July 2023
Saved While Preparing for a Children’s Meeting! (15 min)
Neil Morton relates the fascinating story of his conversion to Christ while preparing to take a children’s meeting. Neil had a profession when he was younger, but had never actually been saved. Years of anxiety and trouble came to an end in early 1993 as he studied how he would explain Acts 4:12 to a group of children. God works in mysterious ways. (Testimony given in Canada on 5th Mar 2021)
How A Country Boy Was Saved (30 min)
Steve Budd grew up in rural Eastern Canada. The gospel first impacted his family about 1930 when Isaac McMullan brought gospel meetings to one room School house in a country area just north of Moncton, New Brunswick, called “New Scotland”. Steve was a thoughtful, observant and serious-minded young child who, despite his tender age, experienced a real conversion to Christ in July 1960. (Testimony given in Canada in 8th Aug 2020). (Photo: Magnetic Hill, Moncton, NB, Canada)
Major Prophets: Major Faith (37 min)
Michael Penfold preaches on the faith of the 4 major prophets. Isaiah: faith in the midst of anxiety and fear. Jeremiah: faith in the midst of opposition and persecution. Ezekiel: faith in the midst of frustration and disappointment. Daniel: faith in the midst of pressure and intimidation. Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7. (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter, 16th July 2023)
Hymn Singing and Scenery from the USA (50 min)
50 minutes of hymn singing by a group of men and women from Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, Michigan, USA, selected from a number of their CD’s, produced in the 1990’s and the 2000’s. Composer and director: Elizabeth Vallance. Hymn selection: Love, Wonderful Love of God & For God So Loved the World O Lord When We The Path Retrace O Lord It Is Thyself To Meet There is a Name I Love to Hear & Thank You Lord for…
Never to Come Back Anymore (38 min)
Steve Howard was a preacher’s son. But that didn’t make him a Christian. Born in 1949, he grew up on the East coast of Canada during the days when men like Herb Harris, Fred Holder, John McCracken and his own father Doug Howard, were pioneering gospel work in Newfoundland and the Maritimes. The prayers and tears of Herb Harris made a deep impression on young Steve, as did the “Two Roads Chart”. Another voice to Steve was the phrase John…
The Spirit Himself (59 min)
In the last of a 3 part series on “Resources in the Trinity”, David Gilliland preaches on “the Spirit Himself”. From the epistle to the Romans chapter 8 he looks at seven of the ministries of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people of God. Readings: Rom 8:1-4, 8-17, 22-23. (Message preached in Ontario, Canada) Complete series: The Father Himself Jesus Himself The Spirit Himself
Jesus Himself (46 min)
In the second of a 3 part series on “Resources in the Trinity”, David Gilliland preaches on “Jesus Himself”. From Luke’s Gospel he links “Jesus Himself” with 1. the dignity of His person, 2. the dependence of His prayer life, 3. the drawing near of His presence and 4. the declaration of His peace. Readings: Luke 3:21-23, 38, 5:15-17, 24:13-17, 30-48. (Message preached in Ontario, Canada) Complete series: The Father Himself Jesus Himself The Spirit Himself
The Father Himself (48 min)
In the first of a 3 part series on “Resources in the Trinity”, David Gilliland preaches on “the Father Himself”. From John’s Gospel he shows that the Father has resources for our every need. The Father’s heart, house, hearing, hands, husbandry, helper, holiness, hedge and honour. Readings: John 12:26, 14:2-3, 16-17, 25-26, 15:1-3, 8, 16:23-24, 26-28, 17:11-13. (Message preached in Ontario, Canada) Complete series: The Father Himself Jesus Himself The Spirit Himself
How a Zealous Hutterite Man Found Peace in Christ (14 min)
Cody Waldner grew up on a Hutterite colony in Manitoba, Canada. He kept all the rules, went to church regularly, got sprinkled, took communion, and even studied the Bible in German – but he could find no peace. His sins troubled him and his efforts to make himself acceptable to God weren’t working. At one point he even turned to alcohol just to soothe his pain. Listen to find out how Cody finally found true and lasting peace in Jesus…
The Worship, the Wedding, the War (27 min)
Norman Mellish preaches on the events surrounding the return of Christ to earth as recorded in Revelation Ch 19 – the 4 Alleluias, the marriage of the Lamb, the battle of Armageddon, the beast and the false prophet cast into the lake of fire, and the judgement of the living nations – all of which precede the inauguration of the 1,000 reign of Christ in His kingdom. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, 24th Oct 1998)
4 Marked Out Men in John’s Gospel (27 min)
Michael Penfold preaches on 4 marked out men in the gospel of John. “One of the officers” (18:22), “one of the servants” (18:26), “one of the soldiers” (19:34) and “one of the 12” (20:24). Lessons are drawn from each one, in relation to sinners, saints, the Scriptures and the Saviour respectively. (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter, 25th June 2023) (Photo: a street in Jerusalem)
Football Got a Tremendous Grip on Me (40 min)
Born in Belfast, Sammy Maze was good with his feet as a young lad. He progressed well and knew the thrill of playing in front of 60,000 people at Old Trafford in Manchester. But the Lord worked in his life to bring the reality of eternity before his mind through early influences in Sunday School, and through a cousin who prayed for him and took him to gospel meetings. By the grace of God, Sammy was saved at an open…
All Hope Seemed to Have Gone (19 min)
Albert McShane (1914-2002) grew up in Kilmore, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland. Deep impressions of eternal matters were made on his mind in Sunday School. As a child he lost a brother, and event which, with other family bereavements, weighed heavily on his heart. As a youngster he heard both Hawthorne Baillie and Frank Knox in series of gospel meetings. Troubled over many months, he was finally awakened to his urgent need of salvation in a prayer meeting in 3rd January…
Our Minds and Our Hardships (39 min)
In the last instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins takes up the issue of trials and hardships and how they affect our minds. He does so from the life of Job. Readings: Job 29:1-25, 30:1, 9, 16, 24, 42:9-17. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds and our homes Our minds and our hot-headedness Our minds…
Our Minds and our Hopelessness (Depression) (52 min)
In the sixth instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins takes up the issue of depression and God’s “repair for our despair”. The story of Elijah running for his life in 1 Kings 19:1-19a is the Scripture passage under consideration. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds and our homes Our minds and our hot-headedness Our minds…
Our Minds and Our Hot-headedness (50 min)
In the fifth instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins takes up the issue of anger, one of the works of the flesh. He takes up Jonah’s anger in Jonah Ch 4 and gives scriptural counsel on dealing with anger and becoming less hot-headed and more controlled in our minds. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds…
Our Minds and Our Homes (51 min)
In the fourth instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins emphasises the incredibly important impact of our thinking on marriage, family and the home. Readings: Eph 5:21-6:4, Heb 13:4. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds and our homes Our minds and our hot-headedness Our minds and our hopelessness Our minds and our hardships
Our Minds and Our Helpfulness (52 min)
In the third instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins explains what it is to have the mind of Christ. It will make us helpful harmonious people, willing to serve others, and not standing on ceremony demanding apologies and making sure we get our pound of flesh. Reading: Eph 4:25-32, Phil 2:2-8, 1 Cor 13:4-7. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds…
Our Minds and Our Holiness (46 min)
In the second instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins explains the importance of the Christian mind in living a holy life. What fills our minds directs our feet and regulates our lives. You are what you think. Reading: Gen 1:1-3, 31, Prov 4:23, 16:32, 25:28, Eph 4:23-5:16. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds and our…
Our Minds and Our Hearts (53 min)
In the first instalment of a 7-part series on “the Christian mind”, Dr. A.J. Higgins explains what the Bible means when it talks about “the mind”, i.e. a person’s non-material being, made up of intellect, emotion and will. How does a Christian’s mind differ from that of an unbeliever? Reading: Psa 139:23-24. (Message preached in Iowa, USA, 2004) Complete series: Our minds and our hearts Our minds and our holiness Our minds and our helpfulness Our minds and our homes…
I Wasn’t Sure If God Was Satisfied With My Believing (20 min)
Phil Howard grew up in a Christian family. His father was a travelling evangelist. As a 4-year-old young Phil was coaxed into a profession of faith which wasn’t real. Over the years he had doubts and struggles, especially when one persistent and perceptive preacher, Mr Fred Holder, kept asking him if he was saved. The Lord eventually used the parable of the two foundations in Matthew Ch 7 to reveal Phil’s true situation, which led to Him finding true rest…
What Wilt Thou Say When He Shall Punish Thee? (25 min)
Peter Smyth grew up in an area of Northern Ireland that was greatly impacted by “the troubles”, yet as he tells his conversion story, it is “soul trouble” that impacted him for eternity. Sitting under earnest gospel preaching, a verse from Jeremiah deeply concerned him: “What wilt thou say when He shall punish thee?” (Jer 13:21). Readings: Gen 28:10-21, 47:7-10, 48:1-4, 49:33. (Testimony given in Chalfont St Peter, 9th Apr 2023)
Reverencing a Real God (24 min)
How real is God to me? Is He a living reality in my life day by day? Brandon Doll preaches on reverencing a real God and the effect that this should have. He develops his theme from three passages in Deuteronomy about fearing the Lord. Readings: Heb 5:7-9, 12:28-29. (Message preached Stout, Iowa, USA, April 2022)
The Reality of the Local Assembly (49 min)
David Gilliland preaches on the reality of assembly fellowship, and reminds his audience of a number of features of an assembly from 1 Corinthians Ch 14; completeness, composition, convocations, concord, contribution and consideration. Readings: 1 Cor 14:23-26, 32-34, 39-40. (Message preached at Cork Conference, Ireland)
The Unrestrained Flesh (40 min)
Mervyn Hall preaches on a third obstacle to the life of faith, “the unrestrained flesh”. The flesh, with its covetousness and cravings, causes strife and contentions among believers. Reading: James 4:1-3. (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter, 2nd July 2023) Complete series: The untamed tongue The untrained mind The unrestrained flesh
The Untrained Mind (37 min)
Mervyn Hall preaches on the untrained mind, another “obstacle to a life of faith” outlined in the New Testament epistle of James. Our minds either exhibit earthly wisdom or heavenly wisdom. The characteristics of each are set forth. Reading: James 3:13-18 (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter on 11th June 2023) Complete series: 1, The untamed tongue 2. The untrained mind 3. The unrestrained flesh
The Untamed Tongue (43 min)
Mervyn Hall preaches on the untamed tongue, one of the “obstacles to a life of faith” outlined in the New Testament epistle of James. He explains the metaphors used – horses’ bits, ships’ rudders etc. Reading: James 3:1-12 (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter on 28th May 2023) Complete series: The untamed tongue The untrained mind The unrestrained flesh
Forwards not Backwards; Heaven not Earth; Others not Self (33 min)
Michael Penfold preaches on the three key Christological paragraphs of the New Testament epistles and draws the main lesson flowing from each: Hebrews 1 – forwards not backwards, Colossians 1 – heaven not earth, and Philippians 2 – others not self. (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter, 4th June 2023)
The Rapture of the Church (28 min)
Andrew Ussher preaches on the next event in God’s prophetic programme – the rapture of the church prior to the beginning of “the tribulation”, outlining its characteristics and its sequence. Readings: John 14:1-3, 1 Cor 15:51-58, 1 Thess 4:13-18. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, 4th Nov 2013)
Spiritual Survival Secrets for Students (30 min)
John Dennison preaches on how to succeed and survive at School and University, from the experiences of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon. How does a young person cope with the pressure to conform to the culture around them in their educational environment? Readings: Acts 7:20-22, 19:9, 22:3, Dan 1:3-20, 2:17-18, 6:10. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, Nov 2011)
Christ Supreme (32 min)
John Grant (1942-2020) preaches on “Christ supreme” from Hebrews Chapter 1. This glorious chapter sets out Christ’s unique relationship, His unbroken relationship, and His undisputed relationship. Then follows details of the power, permanence and pre-eminence of Christ’s kingdom. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, MI, USA, Nov 2011)
