There are no coincidences! From the moment that we opened the sermon today we saw that Simon of Cyrene was compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross (or actually the cross-beam) of Jesus. This most likely had a great impact upon Simon’s life and that of his family (See Rom.16:13). Others were involved along the way, most likely including women (See Lk.23:27-31), who may have been trying to show compassion based on Proverbs 31:6-7, to condemned prisoners by offering some wine mixed with gall, perhaps as an anaesthetic. But Jesus was more concerned for them, and He refused it, most likely so that His senses wouldn’t be dulled on His way to the cross or during His time on the cross. Again Scriptures from Ps.22 and Isa.53 are fulfilled in the actions of the soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ garments, and with Jesus being crucified between two “robbers” or fellow insurrectionists, who were like Barabbas. Lots of detail is presented, but the main take away is that Jesus was “The Middle Man” (See 1 Tim.2:5; John 14:6), and He did not save Himself, even though He faced His “last temptation” (See vv.39-44, cf. Matt.4:3, 5). He stayed on the cross to guarantee the Salvation of His Elect, rather than simply making a “Provisional Atonement” that may never have been received by anyone. He always lives and makes intercession for the Believers! To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

This was as close as we could get to Reformation Day (31st Oct) to give our yearly update and reminder of the historical event in church history that has impacted the lives of multitudes. This was as close as we could get to Reformation Day (31st Oct) to give our yearly update and reminder of the historical event in church history that has impacted the lives of multitudes and still does.es and still does. To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

Brother Larry O’Mahoney sharing the Word and Song on the theme of “In the Father’s House there’s a place for me!” To watch the video from this morning’s service, just click on this link!

As if the flogging and scourging of Jesus was not enough, He was brought into the barracks of the Governor, and there the whole battalion was gathered, a number ranging between a few hundred to as many as 600 auxiliary troops; that is troops made up from the peoples of the surrounding regions, who were not kindly disposed towards the Jews, and would find having “The King of The Jews”, a great for of entertainment. Aside from dressing Jesus up as an Emperor and mockingly paying homage to Him, they then began to spit on Him and beat Him with their hands, and with the reed that they had placed in His right hand. All this was to mock Him and discourage any would-be followers of Him. Would you follow a Jesus like that? Maybe you’d prefer a conquering King, one who gives you all that you could want. Are you aware of who He really is, and that He holds the Universe in His hands? To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

Obviously Pilate knew that Jesus was an innocent man, and yet going against sound judgement he basically gave in to the demands of all the people in the crowd, just so as to avoid a riot. The next phrase is quite shocking from the Jewish people, “His blood be upon us and our children!” This phrase has often been wrongly used as a reason why Jewish people down through the centuries since AD33 have suffered so much hostility and persecution. But in reality, it was the generation from AD 33 to AD 70 that really experienced the effects of this statement, and it was particularly fulfilled in the years between AD 66 and AD70. The last verse, v.26 speaks of Jesus’ scourging. Not much is said about what a Roman scourging entailed, but historical details leave us in no doubt about how horrific a Roman scourging was. The fact that Jesus back was given stripes by the Roman whip, has been the basis for those who teach healing based on Isa. 53:4-5, Matt.8:17 and 1 Pet.2:24. In reality the writers of Isaiah and 1 Peter were not really thinking about divine healing of sick bodies, but on the other hand Matthew clearly saw this as being fulfilled when he witnessed Jesus casting out demons and healing all who were sick. To watch the video from today, just click on this link!

To watch today’s service, just click on this link!

Here, only in Matthew’s Gospel we are given some details about what led up to Pilate’s giving in to the demands of the Jewish people, when they asked for “Jesus, Barabbas” (Jesus son of the father), and condemn Jesus the Christ to death by crucifixion. Yes the crowds were swayed by the religious leaders, and yet they still made the wrong choice – asking for a murderer rather than the life giver! Also, there is an interesting incident that took place that day, when while Pilate was on the judgement seat, his wife sent word to him, telling him of a dream she had had, which was probably some kind of warning to Pilate. And yet in spite of this, and the fact that Pilate stated numerous times that he believed Jesus to be innocent, he went against his own conscience in order to please men! To watch today’s video, just click on this link

After going through 3 trials by the Jews, a short trial before Pilate and then before Herod, Jesus is brought back to Pilate the Governor of Judea. What takes place here is a detailed dialogue between these two men. One had been given the job to rule over Judea and to bring law and order and stop any uprisings, and the other is accused of being a leader of a sedition and one who opposed Rome. In the end Pilate stood Amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene! To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

To watch the video from today’s service, just click on this link

It is great to know what the LORD has done in the past for His people Israel, and for others you know who have shared their testimonies. But what happens when it SEEMS as if the LORD is not there, not helping, not listening? Does this mean you have sinned in some way, and are so self-deceived that you don’t even realise it? Or could it be that no matter what you will go through, you can be confident that NOTHING WILL EVER SEPARATE YOU from the LOVE of God. See the connection between this psalm, and part of it which Paul quoted in Romans 8, and how it could be an encouragement to any believer that was facing death, the sword, nakedness, persecutions etc. To watch the video from today, you can click on this link!

From the Glory of the Old Covenant to the Even Greater Glory of the New Covenant! To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

This is really a continuation of Psalm 42 that we looked at a few weeks ago. They would have been one psalm at one point, as you’ll find out in the opening comments on this psalm. There is a sense in which the psalmist knows what to do and needs to snap out of his negativity, and go back to where he ought to be – at the house of the Lord, the Temple or The Church, and there worship his God, who is his exceeding joy! If you would like to watch the video from today’s church service, you can click here!

To watch today’s video, just CLICK here!

To watch today’s video just click here!

This is the closing psalm of Book One of The Psalms. In it David speaks about those who consider the poor or needy, and is reminded of a time when he was on his sick bed or death bed. Whilst his enemies were spreading gossip and slander about him and hoping that he would die, David was asking the LORD for grace, and healing, and acknowledging his sin, and trusting that the LORD would raise him up. To watch the video from today, just click on this link!

An exposition of Psalm 14 showing what David meant when he wrote that ‘The Fool has said in his heart, “There is no God!” To watch the full video from today, just click on this link!

The Lord has proved Himself time and time again as the one who can deliver on His promises. But like David, can we WAIT PATIENTLY on the LORD? When you have testimonies to share, don’t keep them to yourself, but rather share them with THE GREAT CONGREGATION and with the lost, so as they will SEE, and FEAR, and PUT THEIR TRUST IN THE LORD. Believers get a NEW SONG in their hearts and mouths and can recount countless times when they SOUGHT the LORD and cried out to Him, and He heard them and DELIVERED them. But there are also many who NEVER ONCE in their entire lives have ever CALLED UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD. We need to encourage them to do that, knowing that when they do, HE WILL SAVE THEM (See Rom.10:8-13).

David learned to be careful with his words when in the presence of the wicked. But he did find it hard to hold back and eventually he poured out his heart to God. However, David acknowledged that he was suffering for his sins and saw that the LORD was against him. He saw his need to confess his sin and know the LORD’s forgiveness. To watch today’s video, just click on this link!

This morning Larry walked us through Luke 10 on the story of the Good Samaritan, and challenged us as to whether we act like this Samaritan. To watch today’s video, just click here on this link!

This is one of the penitential psalms, which include Ps.6; 32; 51; 102; 130; 133; and 143. These are types of psalms in which a person acknowledges their sin and need of repentance and forgiveness. In this particular psalm, David acknowledges and confesses his sin as he sees it as the reason why he is experiencing physical pain and suffering. We need to bear in mind that not all suffering is directly caused by an individual’s sins (See Job and the Blind man in John 9). To watch today’s video, just click on this link!