The Heart

Heart Condition – Peter v Judas

Apr 26 2018

Heart Condition – Peter v Judas

(audio sermon by Gary Sampson)

Peter denied Jesus, Judas kissed him. Who did better? Actions don’t always reveal heart. But heart determines destiny. So guard your heart

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The Parable of Parables

Aug 29 2013

The Parable of Parables

Matthew 13:1-23

Our hearts need to be humble, sincere, and dedicated if they are to produce the fruit of the kingdom. How do you tell this to farmers? You tell them that their hearts need to be like soft, deep, rich soil – the ideal place to grow a harvest. That’s what Jesus did when he used the Parable of the Sower. He was speaking to a Galilean farming community and he spoke about a farmer throwing seed on four different types of soil: a hard path, soil covered rock, a mound of weeds (thorns), and a patch of good soil.
I can imagine all the farmers nodding in agreement. They knew how seed responds to different types of soil. But as soon as Jesus finished giving this exposition on seeds and soil he said “He who has ears, let him hear,” and he got up and walked off. He did not bother to explain the parable! More

The Converted Heart

Jul 25 2013

The Converted Heart

The Rich Man and Jesus – An imaginative but possible rendering of Mark 10:17-31

The sound of running feet made Jesus and the disciples turn. It was a young man, finely dressed. He was full of energy and his eyes danced with enthusiasm. Looking directly into Jesus’ face he dropped to one knee and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The disciples grinned, it was a warm sight. The man was obviously wealthy and successful and it was good to see him taking an interest in spiritual matters; so many who came to Jesus were poor and broken.
Noticing the Jewish tassels on the man’s cloak Jesus said “You know the commandments.” “Teacher” he replied “I have kept them since a boy.” Now it was Jesus’ chance to smile. Here was a model Jewish man, diligent in all matters, the kind of man every father would want for his daughter. More