Sermons from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship

Alpha 2010 - Session 3 - How can we have Faith?

Session 3 of the 2010 Alpha Course held at Aberdeen Christian Fellowship. Iain Gillespie leads a series of studies with this third session focussing on "How can we have Faith?"

Meeting God at the Altar

This morning Vijay observes how often we fail to see how central the principle of sacrifice really is for discipleship. The first worship service ever to take place in the Tabernacle, recorded in Leviticus 9, was a series of sacrifices. A life lived in worship of God is a life that is completely placed on the altar. We give ourselves to God because he deserves our all. But, in a strange twist, it is we who are enriched by our offering, not God. We are the ones blessed and transformed by the ...

Alpha 2010 - Session 2 - Why did Jesus Die?

Session 2 of the 2010 Alpha Course held at Aberdeen Christian Fellowship. Iain Gillespie leads a series of studies with this second session focussing on "Why did Jesus Die?"

Praise the LORD

Sometimes we are very slow to learn important lessons.  James looks at a psalm in which the main point is emphasised no less than 13 times!  It's Psalm 150 and the main point is 'Praise the LORD'.

Testimony of Graham Cuthill

Graham's testimony: How he became a Christian, what matured him and where he is now in his walk with the Lord. Including how faith which was firm in crisis seeped away over time, and how God alerted him and welcomed him back into a strengthened relationship.  

Alpha 2010 - Session 1 - Who is Jesus?

Session 1 of the 2010 Alpha Course held at Aberdeen Christian Fellowship. Iain Gillespie leads a series of studies with the first session focussing on "Who is Jesus?". (Apologies for mobile phone interference at beginning of session).  

Christ is all that Matters

Iain starts a new series entitled 'Christ is all that Matters'. These will be studies from the book of Colossians. The first sermon reminds us that our identity is firmly centered in Christ.

Submission & the Road to Healing

Vijay preaches from 2 Kings 5:1-19 this morning. He unpacks the story of Naaman's healing. He observes that one of the biggest hindrances to God healing and restoring us is that we are unwilling to humbly submit to God's prescription. God heals and restores us His way not ours. And if we seek to benefit from his healing, we need to relinquish complete control.

Being With Jesus

Vijay looks at Acts 4:13 this morning and exhorts us to be famous for our passionate love and devotion to Christ. It is this core loving relationship we enjoy with Jesus that is the source of everything else we do as individuals and as a congregation. Our lives will be fragrant to our families, colleagues, community and world only because we can truly say we know Jesus and love Him.

How Can I Be Happy?

Most of us want to be happy and much of the time our happiness consists of good feelings in response to favourable circumstances.  But how do we find the kind of happiness that is marked by contentment and fulfillment, and lasts from this life to the next?  Tune in to Florence's message on Psalm 1 and learn how to have a fulfilled life, avoid a futile life and be ready for your future life.

The Main Thing Part 5 - Abundant Living Now!

Abundant Living Now! James continues his series in Psalm 23 by looking at the provision, protection and privileges which are ours as followers of Jesus Christ.

Vijay 18th July 2010 - A Surrendered sinner

In this morning’s sermon, Vijay looks at Jesus’ interaction with Simon, the Pharisee and the Sinful Woman in Luke 7.36-50. He explains, the only proper way to approach Jesus is on our knees, in humble surrender.

Vijay 11th July 2010 - Reasons for Gratitude

Unpacking Psalm 30, Vijay looks at the subject of gratitude. He identifies three reasons why the disciple of Christ ought to be grateful: because God lifts us up; because he answers prayer and because God’s favour remains on us forever. 

Vijay 4th July 2010 - Dealing with difficulty

Adversity and trials are an inescapable part of life. Vijay examines Hannah’s story, in 1 Samuel 1, for an excellent example of how our difficulties can be an opportunity for God to do some of his greatest work in us and through us.

Andy Hayes at IBC 27th June 2010

Andy Hayes IBC's pastor spoke at our Sunday service

The World to Come

In the concluding sermon to the series Building on Bedrock, Vijay looks at the believer's final eternal destination. He looks at the subject of heaven and the New Creation. Looking at Revelation 21-22, he explains that God's ultimate plans for the future is to restore and renew all of creation. Ultimately, the believer will live eternally in God's presence worshiping God and enjoying the riches of eternal life along with all those who trusted in God through Christ Jesus.

The Main Thing Part 4 - Good Times, Bad Times - but He is with me

Bad things happen.  Sometimes we go through very dark times.  In them there is only one source of genuine comfort, the presence of the Good Shepherd with us.  James continues his series in Psalm 23.

Who Do You Think You Are? Part 3 - It's All in the Mind!

It's all in the mind - and to a large extent it is!  In this, the third and final message in Florence's series, "Who Do You Think You Are?", she looks at the importance of the way we think and explores how a renewed mind leads to renewed thinking. 

Resurrection

Continuing the theme of Christian Hope, Vijay looks at another great expectation. Unpacking Philippians 3.20-21, he observes that when Jesus Christ returns he will raise the bodies of the dead, reuniting soul and body. Jesus will give to those who have trusted him, bodies like his own glorious body. He points out that the literal resurrection of physical bodies is unique to the Christian vision of life after death.

Iain Gillespie - 09.05.2010

The Return of Christ

Vijay looks at the subject of 'Hope'. He looks specifically at the one event that seems to define Christian Hope, the Second Coming of Jesus. Basing his sermon on Phil 3.20-21, he notes that Jesus inaugurates the 'Last Days' and the Kingdom of God when he first came to earth. Since his ascension, Jesus now rules the Church from heaven by means of the Holy Spirit. As he promised, he will one day return from heaven and fully establish his just and eternal Kingdom on earth. In light of Jesus' r...

The Main Thing Part 3 - Need Guidance?

The shepherd of Psalm 23 promises to be our guide.  Where, why and how does he guide us?  Find out as James continues his series "The Main Thing".

Hope

As part of the 'Foundations' series, Vijay now turns to the subject of Hope. In this Sunday's sermon, he looks at the universal experience and nature of hope. He concludes the sermon reminding us that God alone is big enough for the incredible hope that we have as children of God. All other basis for hope is inadequate. God alone will accomplish what he has set out to do.

Who Do You Think You Are? Part 2 - Self-worth, security and significance

Knowing that we are precious in God's sight is good news.  Regardless of what other people think of us, or even how we view ourselves, the important thing to recognise is that we are valuable to our God and Saviour.  As well as the need to be valued, we also need to feel secure and significant.  Tune in to the second part of Florence's series Who Do You Think You Are? to learn what God says about these important aspects of our identity.

Waiting for Sunday

On this Easter Sunday, Vijay reflects on the meaning of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Like the disciples, it feels like we are in the longest Saturday waiting for Easter. But, God's faithfulness assures us that Sunday is on its way.

Church Planting: Establishing Kingdom Colonies

Focusing on Acts 11.19-30, Vijay looks at the subject of church planting. Church planting is the process through which healthy Christ-centred churches are started and established. He makes some observations and offers guidelines based on the passage.

The Glory and Goodness of God

For today's Baptism Service, looking at various portions of Exodus 32-34 and John's Gospel, Vijay explores how the glory of God is seen in the goodness of God. God's glory is ultimately seen in Christ Jesus. And paradoxically, the place where the glory of God is most visible is in the goodness of God revealed at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Evangelism: Telling God's Story (Pt. 3)

Vijay continues part three of his sermons on Evangelism based on Acts 17.16-34. This morning he looks at how we tell God's story. He speaks about the attitudes, activities and dispositions that allow us to be effective when persuading people to become followers of Jesus.

Evangelism: Telling God's Story (Pt. 2)

This morning Vijay continues looking at the subject of evangelism. Picking up where he left off in Acts 17.16-34, he focuses on the question 'what is evangelism'. Evangelism, he notes, is primarily the verbal task of communicating God's story revealed in the person and work of Jesus. It is persuading others to become followers of Jesus through verbal explanation and elaboration.

The Christian and Worry

Iain looks at the biblical response to worry. He highlights that our God is able to deal with anything that we bring to Him in prayer.

Evangelism: Telling God's Story

Vijay looks at the subject of Evangelism this morning. Basing his sermon around Acts 17:16-34, he suggests that evangelism is what followers of Jesus do when they share with others the 'good news' for what God has done for them, the world and all creation through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This sharing is intended to persuade the listener to become a follower of Jesus Christ and enjoy God's ultimate restoration offered in him.

Iain Gillespie - 7th February 2010

Iain continues his series by giving an overview of the Gospel of John, highlighting that Jesus is God.

World Missions: Leaving Home for Christ

Continuing the 'Foundations' series, Vijay looks at the subject of the Christian missionary enterprise. The sermon focuses on Jesus' Great Commision to his disciples found in Matt 28.16-20. World Missions, Vijay explains, is what the Church does in obedience to Jesus' assignment to make disciples of all nations. It involves individuals and communities crossing borders and cultures for the sake of Christ. It is the proclamation (both in word and deed) that God's commitment to restore the worl...

Who Do You Think You Are? Part 1 - Image is Everything!

Florence begins a short series about discovering our identity in Jesus Christ. In part one, she looks at how the image of God became disfigured in human beings, was revealed in Jesus Christ and is being restored in his followers.

The Missionary God

This morning, Vijay looks at the subject of 'Mission' as part of his 'Foundations' series. He begins this part of the series by showing how Mission is part of God's very nature. All God's interactions with his creation, history and humanity reveals that God is the Missionary God. He is busy in the world making something spectacular for the entire creation. The Church's mission is participating in the Mission of God.

The Main Thing Part 2 - As Good As New

James continues with his series on Psalm 23 and explains how God restores us inwardly so we can become "as good as new". Visit our website

God is in Control, Now Live Like He is!

Vijay gives an exhortation for 2010. He reminds us, from the story of Esther, that God is in control behind the scenes of our lives, events of the world and human history. The knowledge that God is in control should lead us to courageous action, not to complacency or compromise. Let us live our lives this year as if God really mattered to us.

War Against the World

Continuting the 'Foundations' series, Vijay concludes the topic of Spiritual Warfare. Focusing on 1 John 2.15-17, Vijay looks at the 3rd spiritual enemy, the 'world'. The 'world' is the system of life that is lived in opposition to life under the rule of God. The 'world' pressures us to conform to cultural and social values, traditions, customs and philosophies that contradict God. The believer wages war against the world by being aware of the world's scams and living with an eternal perspect...

Jonah - Part 6

What do a great fish, a vine, a worm and a scorching east wind all have in common?  Tune in to the final part of Florence's series on Jonah for Grown-ups to find out!

The Flesh: The Enemy Within

Vijay continues to look at the subject of Spiritual Warfare as part of the 'Foundations' series. Galatians 5 is the text in focus. This morning he looks at the second enemy that the believer engages in battle, the 'flesh'. The 'flesh' is the human tendency towards evil. Although faith in Christ breaks the ultimate power of the 'flesh' over the believers, they can still expect to struggle against the pull of the 'flesh' No amount of human willpower can defeat the influence of the 'flesh'. It i...

The Main Thing Part 1 - James 21st Nov 2009

James begins a new series on Psalm 23 called The Main Thing, exploring what it means to know God.

Jonah for Grown-Ups - Part 5

Have you ever been angry at God's compassion towards those who you think don't deserve it?  Tune in to part 5 of Florence's series on Jonah for Grown-ups and discover some of the factors which gave rise to Jonah's anger.  Perhaps you'll be able to relate to some of them!

Spiritual Warfare: Kingdoms in Conflict

In these ongoing 'Foundations' Series, Vijay looks at the subject of Spiritual Warfare. In today's sermon, he suggests that the believer can expect supernatural evil opposition pushing towards destructive attitudes and actions. He then outlines the 3 enemies (the devil, 'flesh' and 'world') that form the combined assault against the child of God.

Why should we follow Jesus? Ian Gillespie 25th Oct 2009

Ian continues his series, focussing this week on Luke's Gospel

Why? A study in the life of Job (Final instalment), James 11th Oct 2009

In James's final message on the life of Job, he looks behind the curtain to find out the real reason why Job suffered as he did. 

Vijay Pillai - 04 October 09 - Suffering: The Forge of Holiness

Continuing the 'Foundations' series, Vijay looks at the role of suffering in forming holiness. Fleshing out several passages in 1 Peter, Vijay looks at how God uses the fires of our suffering to refine our character and bring us to the place where we can.

Ian Gillespie - 20 September 09 - Knowing The Love Of God

Iain continues his series about the love of God, by emphasizing the need to experience God's love in our own lives.

Robert Smith - 13 September 09 - Issachar People

Robert explains the Calling, Condition and Context of the Issachar people in 1Chronicles 12:32

Marks of Disciples - Vijay - 6th September '09

In this sermon, Vijay expands the meditation he gave the church at the church's AGM. Followers of Jesus are marked by a number of things. In John 1:35-51 we see 3 'I's that mark them. Disciples are 1) inclusive, loving and accepting all they meet; 2) they invite others to meet Jesus and 3) they expect God to increase their numbers and maturity.

Jonah for Grown-Ups: A Story of God's Outrageous Grace - Part 4

Jonah FINALLY did what God told him and went to Nineveh with a message of judgement and - guess what? The people all cried out to God and he had mercy on them! Tune in now to listen to Florence's fourth message in her series "Jonah for Grown-ups".