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The crown of creation – Genesis 1 Sermon

In this sermon we start a new series on the book of Genesis. The ancient and modern world had a lot view of creation and humankind for different reasons – but the Bible shows us that creation is the glory of God, and human beings are the crown.

Enjoyed this sermon? See more on the sermons page.

If you’d prefer the audio-only podcast, see here.

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The Trinity – Firm Foundations #14

People think the Trinity is hard and mysterious, boring, and irrelevant. In this session of the Firm Foundations course, I want to demonstrate that the opposite is the case!

Find out more about the Firm Foundations course by watching the Introduction. The previous session (part 13, on God’s unity) is here.

Books I mentioned in the video:

  • The Good God by Mike Reeves
  • Delighting in the Trinity by Tim Chester
  • Connected by Sam Allberry
  • Communion with God by John Owen – abridged version available here.
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A new year prayer for 2023

Happy New Year from Understand the Bible! This year we will be picking up where we left off in the Firm Foundations series. (If you aren’t subscribed on YouTube or signed up to the mailing list, please do so to get the new episodes as they are made!)

I came across a lovely prayer the other day, and I would like to share it with you. It’s a prayer for the new year, taken from the Valley of Vision. (The Valley of Vision of a collection of puritan prayers and devotions). The prayer uses old-fashioned language (thees and thous), and has a few unfamiliar words, but I think it’s a lovely prayer to open the year with.

It asks the Lord to be with us in everything we do, that we may serve him and grow in our service day by day.

O LORD,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise; testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to they calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me they grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.

My thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

Valley of Vision “New Year”

What a way to start the year! I pray this would be true of each of us in these coming twelve months, and always. God bless you through 2023!

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“Which crisis are you celebrating this year?” – Christmas Message 22 – Romans 8:31-39

An honest Christmas message: given all the crises we seem to be dealing with, is there any real hope at the moment? We look at Romans 8:31-39 to see that Jesus gives us hope especially in times of hardship.

Looking for more?

Last year’s Christmas message is still available to watch, Can you find Christmas lights bright enough for 2021?

All Christmas content on Understand the Bible is under the Christmas category. You might also enjoy the advent series about the day of the Lord.

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Preparing for the Day of Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Sermon

We live in between the first and second coming of Christ. What does that mean for how we live – how should we be preparing for Christ’s second coming?

Enjoyed this sermon? See more on the sermons page.

Sermons are also available on the podcast.

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There is only one God – Firm Foundations #13

In this session we turn to think about the question – how many gods are there? The answer has far-reaching implications for everything about our civilisation.

Find out more about the Firm Foundations course by watching the Introduction. The previous session (part 12, on God’s Truth) is here.

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Are you ready for the day of Christ? – Zechariah 14:1-21 Sermon

The third part of our Advent series on ‘The Day of the Lord’, looking at a picture of the end – the day of Christ. What will that be like, and are we ready for it?

Enjoyed this sermon? See more on the sermons page.

Sermons are also available on the podcast.

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Christmas reveals who we trust in – Isaiah 2:6-22 Sermon

The second part of our Advent series on ‘The Day of the Lord’. When God draws near, it reveals who or what we are really trusting in.

Enjoyed this sermon? See more on the sermons page.

Sermons are also available on the podcast.

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