Preaching Program Term 3/4 2018

Act justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
God’s people are called to engage in the practical struggle to apply biblical principles in the day to day issues of life.  A simplistic “proof texting” approach to these complex issues will not cut it. We consider some of the “hot button’ ethical questions and some of the big themes of the Bible that should inform and shape our response.

Principle 1  
19^th August  Walking with the living God   Micah 6:1-8    Greg Burke
26^th August  Slavery   1 Corinthians 7:21-24 James 5:1-6    Greg Burke
2^nd Sept      Obeying God or human authorities? Romans 13:1-10,  Lk 20:20-26  Dave and Liz

Principle 2
9^th Sept   Living to please God   1Thess 4:1-12  1Peter 4:1-11    Janine Steele
16^th Sept Pornography          Philippians  4:4-9      Janine Steele

Principle 3
23^rd  Sept     Love your neighbour   Luke 10:25-37         Steph Colacino
30^th Sept     Racism     Revelation 7:9-17         Greg Burke
7^th October The Environment       Genesis 1:24-2:3  Psalm 24   Katie Bolton
14^th October Domestic violence     Ephesians 5:21-6:4      Greg Burke

Principle 4
21^st October   Living in the light of Jesus’ return 1 Thessalonians  5:1-11  2 Pet 3:10-15   Russ James, Bible League
28^th October   Social media     Matthew 23:23-28; Luke 13:7-24    Janine Steele
4^th November  Euthanasia       Psalm 139             Janine Steele
11^th November War Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 4:1-5    Bruce Pollard
18^th November  Work          Genesis 1:26-2:4; 3:17-19 Matthew 12:1-14 Greg Burke
25^th November  Disability    Luke 14:12-24       John 9:1-12           Janine Steele

Recommended reading for our sermon series on Contemporary Ethical Issues

Issues Facing Christians Today  by John Stott.
“Issues Facing Christians Today-helps thinking Christians sift through and respond to a sweeping array of complex and pressing topics. Fully endorsed by John Stott, this fourth edition of his time-tested book has been thoroughly revised and updated by Roy McCloughry. The authors bring important current issues under the lens of biblically informed thinking. Combining a keen global awareness with a gift for penetrating analysis, they examine such concerns as – Pluralism and Christian witness- Cohabitation- Environmentalism and ecological stewardship- War and peace- Abortion and euthanasia … and much more An entirely new chapter on bio-engineering has been contributed by Professor John Wyatt of London University. Including a study guide, Issues Facing Christians Today is essential reading for Christians who wish to engage our culture with insight, passion, and faith.”  These are the Publisher’s notes and they sum up this excellent book very well.  It is a little dated now, the fourth edition was released in 2006, but most of its chapters are as relevant as ever.  In particular, Stott’s arguments for the necessity of Christian involvement in what are sometimes seen as “secular issues” is a timely reminder of the need for biblically informed and academically rigorous engagement with our world on issues that affect us all.

Issues Facing Christians today can be ordered from Koorong direct or through the church office. It costs $25