Q. 11. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.

God's promise in Genesis 3, to overturn the curse of the fall and defeat Satan, was gloriously fulfilled in Christ in the New Testament. There were four times in the old Testament when God drew especially close to his people to not only re-affirm this overarching promise but also to reveal more fully different aspects of his promise. (Think of Noah, Abraham, Moses and David).  

Rev Paul Gibson explored some of the important aspects of the Abrahamic Covenant and how it works out in the lives of believers even today, before the congregation rejoiced in celebrating the sign and the seal of the covenant being given at the dual baptism of Skye and Eilah this morning.

Genesis 1:26-2:25

If persecution is to come in the West, it's not likely to be expressed as an intolerance towards faith in Jesus Christ. It's more likely to come because of the world's absolute outrage and fierce hostility against the moral and ethical teachings that we celebrate and live by.

Rev Paul Gibson explains three signicant implication of the bible's teaching about God's created order that the church must graciously and boldly defend and stand upon, irrespective of the cost.

1 John 2:18-27

Christians are warned to be careful about who they listen to and what they believe. The apostle John was warning believers to look out for people who were trying to deceive them, twisting God's word and denying it's truth, by proclaiming a Christ that was not the one God sent forth into the world.  Rev Paul Gibson preaches on the safeguards against false teaching and teachers that God has given believers in the church today.

Ezra 4

Ezra chapter 4 gives us an insight into some of the tactics that Satan always uses to attack the people of God.  He will tempt them to compromise.  He'll seek to intimidate them - lies and slander are his stock-in-trade. And he'll try to get them into trouble with the authorities, often by misrepresenting either their history or their views. Andrew Shripton encourages Christians not to be surprised or discouraged when opposition arises.

Genesis 3; Matthew 4

When you understand some of the basic ways that Adam failed God when he was tempted in the Garden (Genesis 3) you begin to see the beauty of Christ's success when he was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4). The devil still uses the same tactics and when we give into that temptation, as we all have, Rev Paul Gibson explains why we so desperately need a saviour who did not sin.

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Q9: What is the work of creation?

A: The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.

1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 6:19-34

Exodus 10:3-20; Deuteronomy 6:4-15

When the Israelites were called out of Egypt to go and worship God, Pharoah made three attempts to get to compromise and settle for less than what God commanded.  The devil still uses these three tactics today to tempt Christians off the right path. 

Rev David Randall Snr picks out these three temptations to compromise that believers today still need to be aware of and be on-guard against.

Pressure in the Christian life is a test; of who we are, of what we believe and of how we are living our lives.

To be assured we are in the faith we need to be tested, but we also need to be encouraged.  Listen to this sermon by Rev Paul Gibson to be hear three key truths that all believers need to remember that they have already been blessed with through knowing Christ.

Psalm 135; Ephesians 1:1-14
Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?

A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

The Apostle John wrote about the ultimate hallmark of what it means to be a Christian and a community of believers. Whilst the world may say that "love is blind", true love is the evidence of those who have been given eyes to see. Rev Paul Gibson preaches on the test of love and some of the practical implications it will have as it works itself out in the lives of believers.

Q5: Are there more Gods then one?
A: There is but One only, the living and true God.

Q6: How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A: There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

How does genuine faith manifest itself in a believer's life? We are to "walk in the light" but what does that mean? What does righteouness actually look like in practice? 

Rev Paul Gibson preaches about the way we are to walk, the confession we make and the wonderful promise on which we stand.

What is the most valuable thing you have ever been given? 

Mr Stephen Macdonald encourages us to remember what God has done in our salvation, how we have a role, a holy calling, to live in light of what He has done.  We are to fan into flames the gift of God and share the gospel with others, passing it on to the next generation as we seek to build up the church, each other and bring glory to God.

How do you know if you are in the faith and have eternal life?

Rev Paul Gibson begins a new series on 1 John, looking at how the Apostle John polemically warned the believers about false teachers as well as pastorally giving them some hallmarks of the faith that they could check themselves against and grow in assurance of their salvation.

What does it look like to live wholeheartedly for the Lord?  Andrew Shrimpton draws some of the lessons we can learn from the people described in Ezra 3; true unity; giving priority to worship; obeying the Word; bewaring discouragement; and resting in the assurance that God's Word is true.

 1 Thessalonians 1

Ezra 2

Andrew Shrimpton brings an encouraging word to remind us that the book of Ezra is something we need to learn from, not just about.  No matter the political upheaval of the times, you can trust God's Word, you have a great God who is in control of events and you are part of a bigger story.