Genesis

Genesis 4 Can you really believe what the Bible says about ... evil?

Sun, 17/03/2013 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

“It’s not fair”.

That’s how it feels so often.

So many of the difficulties in life are not problems of our own making. Character traits, habits, situations that we’ve inherited from our upbringing, from our parents, from the neighbours we just happen to have, from our employers, from the general economic downturn. All kinds of difficulties happen to us, and it’s left to us to cope with the situation we’ve inherited.

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Genesis 2:4-25 Can you really believe what the Bible says about... marriage? Part 2

Sun, 10/02/2013 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

We come today to the second part of our look at the question: Can you really believe what the Bible says about marriage?

I planned to spend these weeks looking at the early chapters of Genesis long before the government announced the timing for the debate that has made this topic so contemporary. Rather than change tack, it seems to me all the more worthwhile to revisit that question. Can you really believe what the Bible says about marriage.

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Genesis 2:4-25 Can you really believe what the Bible says about... marriage? Part 1

Sun, 27/01/2013 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

Today, in the West, traditional marriage seems to be under attack. In March 2011, the office of national statistics released some figures, showing that the marriage rate was at its lowest since 1895. From 1981 to 2009, the number of marriages conducted in the UK had fallen by a third. We’re not talking about church weddings here, just about weddings full stop.

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Genesis 1:1-25 Can you really believe what the Bible says about... creation?

Sun, 13/01/2013 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

So here’s the question: Can you really believe what the Bible says about creation?

Many people today dismiss what the Bible says about creation. It’s out of date. It comes from a pre-scientific era. We wouldn’t read a 3000-year old document for advice on medical matters, or to learn about civil engineering. Modern science has explained our origins. So why would we read an even older book to learn about them?

And how about how we take care of our planet? We don’t need the Bible to do that, do we?

Actually, the Bible has quite a lot to tell us.

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Genesis 22 - We love because he first loved us

Sun, 22/07/2012 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

What is the most precious thing that you would give up for someone?

In some ways, that’s a measure of love, isn’t it? The more you love someone, the more you would sacrifice for them.

That’s one of the problems with our society today. We are reluctant to give things up. Our attitude is that if I’m entitled to it, then I’m entitled to it. And yet love doesn’t try and claim my rights, but freely gives up my rights.

When I was at school, the question was about your last Rolo. The one at the end of the packet. You’d only give that to a very good friend.

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Genesis 21 - Eyes fixed on the future

Sun, 15/07/2012 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

Picture the scene. You’ve taken the bus into Sevenoaks, and you’re waiting at the bus station for a bus to bring you back to Kemsing. The timetable says that the last bus of the day is due to leave in two minutes. There’s no sign. So you wait until the appointed time. And there’s still no sign. At which point, you start to wonder whether the bus timetable was a cruel joke. Perhaps the bus will never come.

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Genesis 20 - A Church Full of Hypocrites

Sun, 08/07/2012 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

I’m sure you’ve often heard it said that the it’s not worth being a Christian. After all, the church is full of hypocrites.

And, of course, the second half of that is certainly true. The church is full of hypocrites. And what a good thing that is – otherwise there wouldn’t be space for someone like me.

This morning we continue reading the story of Abraham.

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Genesis 18:16-19:38 - Being one of God's People

Sun, 24/06/2012 - 10:30 -- James Oakley

Those of you who were here last week will remember that I said God is holding out to us the most amazing offer. He offers not just to be a God, but to be our God.

I also said that this amazing offer comes to us only through Jesus.

What I didn’t do was elaborate on what that means. Why is it so special to have God as our God? What difference does it make? What does it look like? What blessings come from it?

Basically: Why would anyone want to be a Christian? And what’s so good about being one if you are?

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