Sermons from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship

We are an independent evangelical church situated in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The Righteous will live by Faith 11/09/2026

The Righteous will live by Faith James continues the series “Where Feet May Fail”, looking at Habakkuk 2:1–4 and one of the most important statements in Scripture: “The righteous person will live by faith.” He begins with the idea of discovering something valuable in an unexpected place. On a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, James unexpectedly came across the words of In Flanders Fields. In a similar way, tucked away in the small and sometimes overlooked book of Habakkuk is a truth that lies at the very heart of the Christian gospel. Habakkuk has already complained to God about the violence and injustice in Judah. God’s answer — that he will use the Babylonians to judge Judah — leaves Habakkuk even more confused. At the beginning of chapter 2, Habakkuk decides to wait and watch for God’s response. James highlights this as an important lesson in prayer. When we ask God questions, we should also be prepared to watch for his answer. God may respond differently or on a different timescale from what we expect. Habakkuk discovers that God is gracious enough to hear our complaints and questions. God then tells Habakkuk to write down the revelation, make it plain and ensure that it can be carried to others. James explains that this shows the message is permanent, understandable and important enough to proclaim urgently. Yet its complete fulfilment lies in the future: God tells Habakkuk to wait because what he has promised will certainly come. The New Testament takes this promise further, connecting it ultimately with the return of Jesus Christ. God’s purposes may appear delayed, but they will not fail. James then reaches the central statement: “The righteous will live by faith.” Paul quotes these words in Romans 1 and uses them to explain the gospel and the doctrine of justification by faith. We cannot make ourselves right with a holy God by effort, religious achievement or good works. Salvation is entirely by God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Even faith itself is not something we manufacture in order to impress God; James points to Ephesians 2, where salvation is described as God's gift so that no one can boast. The message is therefore both profound and wonderfully simple. When the Philippian jailer asks Paul, “What must I do to be saved?”, Paul answers: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Jesus has taken our sin and its punishment on the cross. Those who trust him receive forgiveness and are counted righteous before God. The righteousness of Christ is given to us, so that our standing before God depends not on our performance but on what Jesus has completed. James uses Martin Luther as a powerful example. Luther struggled desperately to make himself acceptable to God through religious effort. His discovery of Romans 1 and the truth that “the righteous will live by faith” transformed his understanding of Christianity. Salvation was not something he had to earn; it was something God gave by grace. James closes by reminding the congregation that faith is not only how the Christian life begins — we continue to live by faith every day. Our confidence remains in Jesus, his finished work on the cross and his willingness to save, cleanse and keep those who trust him. The message of Habakkuk is ultimately one of enormous hope: we cannot save ourselves, but God has done everything necessary for us in Jesus Christ. 0:00 The Way of the Righteous 1:11 Finding Treasure in Unexpected Places 4:00 Habakkuk’s Hidden Gospel Truth 5:07 Habakkuk Waits for God’s Answer 9:31 Write Down the Revelation 13:28 God’s Promise Is Worth Waiting For 16:56 The Righteous Will Live by Faith 19:21 Saved by Grace Through Faith 22:15 Believe in the Lord Jesus and Be Saved 26:44 Martin Luther and the Discovery of Grace /episode/index/show/acf/id/43693429

Habakkuk - When God’s Answer Is Not What We Expect 11/01/2026

Habakkuk - When God’s Answer Is Not What We Expect Dave continues the series on Habakkuk, picking up from Florence’s message on lament. His main theme is that God does hear our prayers, but his answer may not be the one we expect. He begins with the old “Magic Eye” puzzle books, which required people to look beyond the obvious image to see what was really there. Dave uses this as a picture of Habakkuk’s journey: learning to see beyond immediate circumstances and recognise the bigger thing God is doing. Habakkuk lived at a time when Judah was full of violence, corruption and injustice. He cried out, “How long?”, asking God why he seemed silent. God does answer, but the answer is shocking. He tells Habakkuk that he is raising up the Babylonians to bring judgement on Judah. This leaves Habakkuk with an even bigger problem. The Babylonians are ruthless, violent and arrogant. How can a holy God use a nation even more wicked than Judah? Dave stresses that God is not endorsing Babylon’s evil. Instead, he is allowing them to prosper temporarily as part of a larger plan to judge and ultimately restore his people. God’s purposes are often much bigger than we can see. From this, Dave describes three ways God may answer prayer. Sometimes the answer is “not yet.” God may intend to answer, but according to his timing rather than ours. Dave illustrates this with his own experience of waiting six months for a visa to join Cherie in America, and with Abraham and Sarah waiting for Isaac. God’s timing may feel frustrating, but it is not random. Sometimes the answer is “not exactly.” God may answer differently from the way we imagined. Dave shares how he and Cherie lost out on a house they thought was perfect, only for the neighbouring house — already improved and still affordable — to become available later. Paul’s thorn in the flesh provides another example: God did not remove it, but instead gave Paul sufficient grace and a new perspective. Sometimes the answer is simply “not at all.” This is often the hardest answer to accept. Dave acknowledges that there are circumstances where suffering seems senseless and no explanation feels adequate. Yet Christians worship a God who knows what suffering is like. Jesus himself prayed in Gethsemane for the cup of suffering to be taken away, but the Father’s answer was no. Because Jesus entered suffering himself, believers are never alone in theirs. Dave then returns to Romans 8:28, clarifying that it does not mean everything that happens is good or that every tragedy has an obvious explanation. Rather, it means that God is able to work within broken circumstances for the good of those who love him, bringing redemption and restoration. When God’s answers make no sense, Habakkuk shows what faith can look like. He does not walk away from God. He keeps the conversation open, continues asking questions and remains humble. Dave closes with two things believers can trust even when they do not understand what God is doing: God’s character is good. God’s character is unchanging. We may not understand everything now, but we can trust the God who is compassionate, faithful and the same yesterday, today and forever. 0:00 A New Way of Looking at the World 1:48 Habakkuk and the Violence in Judah 4:22 “How Long?” — Habakkuk’s Lament 6:39 God Finally Answers 9:02 God Is Not a Vending Machine 10:56 God Raises Up the Babylonians 14:19 When God Says “Not Yet” 18:18 When God Says “Not Exactly” 21:26 When God Says “Not at All” 25:54 Trusting God When His Answer Makes No Sense /episode/index/show/acf/id/43581769

Habakkuk: When God Seems Silent 10/26/2026

Habakkuk: When God Seems Silent Florence begins a new series on Habakkuk, titled “Where Feet May Fail”, focusing on what happens when God appears silent in the middle of distress, injustice and uncertainty. She introduces Habakkuk as a prophet living in Judah around 600 BC, at a time marked by violence, injustice, conflict and ineffective leadership. Habakkuk cannot understand why God seems not to intervene, and he cries out: “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” Florence explains that Habakkuk’s response is an example of lament. Lament is not faithless grumbling. It is an honest, heartfelt cry to God about what is wrong, while still trusting him. She compares Habakkuk’s questions with Psalm 13, where David also repeatedly asks, “How long, Lord?” The fact that both men question God shows that believers do not need to hide their distress. Difficult circumstances are not always resolved quickly, and God does not always answer immediately. Yet Habakkuk and David continue addressing God because they believe he is there, he knows what is happening, and he cares. Florence asks how we respond when faced with personal difficulties or injustice in the wider world. We can look inward and be disappointed, look outward to powerful people and become disillusioned, or look upward to God. Turning to him with our questions begins the process of lament. She also warns against assuming that silence means God does not care. Like Martha asking Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care?”, we can become so focused on our circumstances that we wrongly interpret God’s apparent inactivity as indifference. Florence then gives a practical framework using the word LAMENT: L — Label the problem: identify honestly what is causing distress. A — Admit your distress to God: cry out directly to him. M — Mourn the situation: tell God openly how you feel. E — Entreat God: ask him to intervene and help. N — Name God’s character: remember his goodness, mercy, compassion, love and past faithfulness. T — Trust God for the outcome: believe that he remains sovereign and will do what is right. Lament therefore becomes a pathway towards hope. It allows us to give God our raw emotions, reminds us that we are not alone, helps prevent feelings from remaining bottled up, and allows trusted Christian friends to support us. Florence summarises the process with an important statement: “Lament is the process that moves us from distress to trust.” Looking back, we may discover that times when God seemed silent were actually times when he was doing deep work in us. Trust sometimes means simply admitting, “I can’t handle this, but you can,” and accepting that God’s will may be different from our own. The sermon closes by pointing to Jesus as God’s ultimate answer to suffering, injustice and evil. Because Christ has come, is with us in dark days, and will come again to make all things new, Christians can continue to trust God even when they do not yet understand what he is doing. 0:00 Introducing Habakkuk: Where Feet May Fail 1:44 Who Was Habakkuk? 3:05 When God Seems Silent 4:34 Habakkuk Cries Out to God 9:05 What Is Biblical Lament? 11:03 How Long, Lord? 14:00 Four Questions About God’s Silence 18:01 Lament Is an Expression of Faith 22:06 How to LAMENT: A Practical Framework 29:26 From Distress to Trust /episode/index/show/acf/id/43446999

Paul the Finisher 10/19/2026

Paul the Finisher Vijay concludes the series on the life of Paul, focusing on 2 Timothy 4:6–8 and Paul’s words near the end of his life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” The sermon begins with the reminder that life is short. Psalm 90 asks God to teach us to number our days so that we may live wisely. Knowing that life is brief should not make Christians fearful, but should make us think carefully about how we use the life God has given us. Paul is writing to Timothy knowing that his own death is near. Years earlier, in Acts 20, Paul had said that his ambition was to finish the race and complete the work Jesus had given him. Now, after years of travelling, church planting, relationships, persecution, imprisonment and suffering, he can say: “I have finished.” The sermon follows Paul as he looks in three directions: present, past and future. Paul looks at the present — a life poured out Paul is imprisoned and knows he will probably be executed, but he does not describe his life as being taken from him. Instead, he says his life is being “poured out as an offering to God.” This is the language of worship and sacrifice. Romans 12 describes Christians offering their whole lives to God as living sacrifices. Worship is therefore much bigger than singing: it includes our time, money, work, choices, ambitions, abilities and future. Something offered to God may sometimes appear wasteful when judged only by measurable results. But some things are worthwhile simply because of who they are done for. Like the woman who poured expensive perfume over Jesus, Christians can give extravagantly because Jesus is worth it. Paul looks at the past — fight, finish and remain faithful Paul summarises his life with three statements. He has fought the good fight. The fight was good not because suffering itself was good, but because Jesus was worth struggling for. Paul met the risen Christ, received mercy and was given a new purpose. He has finished the race. Significantly, Paul does not say that he won. Christianity is not a competition with other believers. God gives each person their own race to run. The call is simply to keep going and finish faithfully, even if we stumble along the way. And Paul has kept the faith. Faithfulness means continuing to trust and obey Christ, forgiving others and returning to Jesus whenever we fail. The sermon quotes Mother Teresa’s well-known observation that God has not called Christians to be successful, but to be faithful. Visible results are not the ultimate measure of Christian life. Paul looks to the future — the crown and the resurrection Paul can keep going because he knows where his story ends. He looks forward to the “crown of righteousness” that Jesus, the righteous judge, will give when he returns. This reward is not payment for Paul being an exceptionally good Christian. Everything in Paul’s life has depended on grace. Grace saved him, sustained him and will eventually bring him home. Yet grace does not make Christians passive. The sermon compares it to sailing: the sailor raises the sail, steers and responds, but the power moving the boat comes from the wind. Christians really do trust, obey, resist sin and persevere, but underneath everything is the power of God’s grace. Paul is about to be condemned by Rome, but Rome does not get the final verdict. Jesus does. The righteous judge sees every unnoticed act of obedience and every costly sacrifice made for him. That leads to the great Christian hope of resurrection. If death were the end, Paul’s enormous sacrifices could ultimately appear tragic. But death does not have the last word. Jesus will return, the dead will be raised, injustice will be put right and creation will be renewed. The final encouragement is therefore to keep going. When obedience is costly, when sacrifice seems unnoticed or when faithfulness is difficult, remember who you are following. A life given to Jesus is never finally lost. The Jesus who calls us at the beginning is the Jesus who sustains us through the race and meets us at the end. One day faith will become sight, and we will discover completely that Christ has always been worth it 0:00 Introduction: Paul the Finisher 0:37 Life Is Short — Numbering Our Days 2:09 Paul’s Final Words to Timothy 4:31 From “I Want to Finish” to “I Have Finished” 5:44 Paul’s Present: A Life Poured Out to God 9:09 Worship Means Giving God Your Whole Life 13:44 Paul’s Past: Fight, Finish and Remain Faithful 22:33 Paul’s Future: The Crown of Righteousness 24:54 Grace, Effort and the Christian Life 28:19 Resurrection Hope — Jesus Gets the Last Word /episode/index/show/acf/id/43356299

Paul the Pastor-Theologian 10/11/2026

Paul the Pastor-Theologian David continues the series on the life of Paul, looking at Paul as a pastor-theologian and asking what makes someone a truly great Christian leader. He begins with examples of fictional leaders such as Leonardo the Mutant Hero Turtle, Captain Kirk, Aragorn and Ted Lasso, arguing that great leaders have the ability to inspire a response. Leadership is not just about having good ideas; it is about turning vision into reality and moving people to act. David then applies this to Paul. Paul was not only a thinker or theologian. He was a leader whose teaching always moved from what Christians should believe to how Christians should live. Using Ephesians 4, David explains the fivefold pattern of church leadership: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. These roles are not given so that leaders can do everything themselves, but so they can equip the whole church for works of service. Church should not be like a football match where thousands watch while a few do all the work; every member has a part to play. David then shows how Paul combines theology and practical discipleship. In letters such as Ephesians, Colossians and Romans, Paul first explains the significance of Christ and the gospel, then asks how that truth should transform everyday life. For Paul, good thinking must lead to good practice. From Ephesians 4, David identifies three priorities for the church. First, unity. Paul repeatedly calls Christians to live in harmony, peace and love. Unity is beautiful, but fragile, and it requires deliberate effort. David says unity is maintained by keeping Jesus at the centre and by developing strong, genuine relationships with one another. Second, maturity. Christians begin as spiritual infants, but God wants them to grow. Just as babies move from milk to solid food, believers should move deeper in their understanding of Scripture, prayer, Christian community and service. Spiritual maturity means becoming increasingly able to recognise truth and resist false teaching. Third, believers should grow towards the fullness of Christ. David illustrates this with a car: is Jesus outside the car, in the boot, in the back seat, in the passenger seat — or is he driving? Christian maturity means allowing Jesus to take the wheel and submitting every part of life to his lordship. Drawing on Romans 12, David explains that this transformed life should be seen in sincere love, devotion, hospitality, prayer, service, perseverance and overcoming evil with good. He closes by reminding the church that leaders alone cannot produce a healthy church. The body grows when every part does its work. Using Jackie Pullinger’s phrase, David prays that Christians will have “soft hearts and hard feet” — hearts softened by God’s compassion and feet ready to go wherever he calls. YouTube Chapter Markers 0:00 What Makes a Great Leader? 3:12 Can Great Ideas Inspire a Response? 5:38 Paul the Pastor-Theologian 6:29 Five Types of Church Leadership 9:23 Leaders Equip the Whole Church 10:39 What Made Paul a Great Leader? 11:31 Theology That Leads to Action 14:49 Three Priorities: Unity, Maturity and Christlikeness 20:51 Growing from Spiritual Milk to Solid Food 25:48 Is Jesus in the Driver’s Seat? /episode/index/show/acf/id/43249048

Strength in Weakness 10/07/2026

Strength in Weakness Jeremy continues the series on the life of Paul, preaching from 2 Corinthians 11:16–12:10. His central theme is that Christian faithfulness is not measured by impressive achievements or by how much suffering we can endure in our own strength. Instead, the Christian life is about dependence on Christ, whose grace is sufficient and whose power is made perfect in weakness. Jeremy begins with a story about visiting a bamboo forest in Japan with his wife. They both went through the same tiring journey, but for very different reasons. His wife endured the early start and long walk to enjoy the beauty of the forest, while Jeremy admits that he focused more on proving what a supportive husband he was. The same suffering can therefore be endured for very different purposes. This leads into Paul’s conflict with false apostles in Corinth. These teachers were boasting about their credentials, achievements and authority. The Corinthians were impressed by outward signs of spiritual success, so Paul responds with deliberate irony. Instead of boasting about impressive accomplishments, he lists his imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, dangers, hunger, sleeplessness and concern for the churches. Jeremy explains that Paul was not glorifying suffering for its own sake. Paul endured these things because Christ and the gospel were worth the cost. His question was not, “How much have I achieved?” but “How much am I willing to give in loving and serving Christ and his people?” The first challenge, therefore, is that it is not about our achievements. Christian maturity is not measured by titles, visibility, theological knowledge or public ministry. Faithfulness may look like quietly serving, listening to someone who is struggling, caring for a difficult person or continuing to serve when nobody notices. Jeremy’s second major point is that it is not about our own endurance either. Paul had extraordinary spiritual experiences, including visions of heaven, but he refused to make those experiences the basis of his credibility. Instead, he spoke about his weakness and the “thorn in the flesh” that he repeatedly asked God to remove. God did not remove the thorn. Instead he told Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Jeremy says this is the heart of Paul’s endurance. Paul was not sustained by determination, resilience or spiritual experience, but by the grace and power of Christ. The sermon challenges the idea that strong Christians should be able to handle everything. Difficulties and unanswered prayer do not necessarily mean God has abandoned us or that our faith is weak. Sometimes God does not remove the struggle, but promises to sustain us within it. Jeremy closes with the story of a young man deciding whether to extend an enjoyable overseas trip or return home to lead young people in church. He chose the less glamorous path of service, not to prove himself, but in obedience to Jesus and dependence on Christ’s strength. The final message is simple: we do not endure suffering to prove what we have achieved, and we do not endure by proving how strong we are. We endure because Christ is enough. When we are weak, his strength is revealed. 0:00 Introduction and 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 1:31 The Bamboo Forest: Same Suffering, Different Purpose 3:44 Why Do We Endure Suffering? 4:33 It’s Not About Our Achievements 7:15 Paul Boasts in His Weakness and Suffering 11:30 Christ and the Gospel Are Worth the Cost 14:47 It’s Not About Our Own Endurance 17:31 Paul’s Visions and the Thorn in the Flesh 22:32 My Grace Is Sufficient for You 26:37 When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong /episode/index/show/acf/id/43205458

Paul the Church Planter 09/27/2026

Paul the Church Planter Florence continues the series on the life of Paul, looking at Paul the church planter and the establishment of the first Christian church in Europe at Philippi in Acts 16. She begins with an illustration from gardening. Artificial flowers may look convincing, but an artificial church cannot produce real spiritual life. Church planting requires genuine believers committed to Christ’s command to make disciples. Florence describes this as cross-shaped living: a vertical relationship with God combined with a horizontal concern for other people. Paul originally planned to preach elsewhere in Asia Minor, but the Holy Spirit repeatedly closed doors. After Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia asking for help, the missionary team immediately travelled to Philippi. Florence’s first lesson is therefore to heed the Holy Spirit. A closed door may be God redirecting us towards something he has prepared. At Philippi, Paul meets a group of women praying beside the river. Among them is Lydia, a successful businesswoman. As Paul speaks about Jesus, “the Lord opened her heart” to respond. Florence emphasises both God’s work and human responsibility: God opened Lydia’s heart, but Paul faithfully spoke the message. Lydia and her household are baptised, and her new faith immediately produces hospitality. The second lesson is to pray for open hearts whenever the gospel is proclaimed. The story then changes dramatically. Paul encounters an enslaved girl whose owners profit from her fortune-telling. Although her words about Paul sound truthful, Florence explains that their religious context could misrepresent the God Paul preached. Paul commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus. This leads to the third lesson: exercise discernment, looking beneath appearances to distinguish truth from error. Because the girl’s owners have lost their source of income, they turn against Paul and Silas. The missionaries are beaten without trial and thrown into prison. Florence reminds Christians not to be surprised by opposition when faithfully following Jesus. Yet at midnight Paul and Silas are not complaining — they are praying and singing praises to God. An earthquake shakes the prison, the doors open and everyone’s chains fall loose. Florence’s fifth lesson is to continue in prayer and praise even, and especially, in difficult circumstances. Habits of prayer formed in good times help sustain us in bad times. The terrified jailer then asks one of life’s most important questions: “What must I do to be saved?” Paul replies, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Florence explains that genuine belief includes repentance — turning from an old life of unbelief towards a new life of trust and obedience. The jailer and his household believe, are baptised, and begin caring for Paul and Silas. Lydia and the jailer come from very different backgrounds, but both demonstrate the same cross-shaped life: faith towards God and practical love towards others. Finally, before Paul and Silas leave Philippi, they visit the growing church at Lydia’s house and encourage the believers. Florence’s final challenge is simple: resolve to encourage other people in the church — and then actually do it. 0:00 Artificial Flowers and a Real Church 2:18 Paul the Church Planter 4:22 Redirected by the Holy Spirit 8:44 Lydia and the First Converts in Europe 14:54 The Slave Girl and Spiritual Discernment 18:31 Opposition, Beating and Imprisonment 22:17 Prayer, Praise and the Prison Earthquake 27:07 The Philippian Jailer 32:49 Believe in the Lord Jesus and Be Saved 35:03 A Growing Church and the Power of Encouragement /episode/index/show/acf/id/43046933

The Life of Paul - Acts 15 09/21/2026

The Life of Paul - Acts 15 Vijay continues the series on the life of Paul, focusing on Paul the controversialist in Acts 15:1–21. The controversy is not about a minor church preference, but about the heart of the gospel: is Jesus Christ enough? He begins with an illustration of doctors disagreeing over a scan. Some disagreements do not matter much, but others are life-changing because they concern what is actually true. In the same way, Christians may disagree over many secondary matters, but Acts 15 deals with a central question: how is a person saved, and who belongs to the people of God? The issue arises because Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus. Some Jewish believers from Judea insist that Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses. Vijay explains that this was not a silly question. Jesus is Israel’s Messiah, the fulfilment of Israel’s Scriptures, and circumcision and the law were given by God. So the early church had to wrestle seriously with what Gentile inclusion meant. Paul and Barnabas strongly oppose the idea that faith in Jesus needs to be supplemented by becoming Jewish. The church sends them to Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders meet to discuss the matter. Peter reminds the council of Cornelius in Acts 10. God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles before they were circumcised or placed under the law. Peter’s point is that God had already accepted them by faith. Israel itself had always depended on God’s grace, because knowing the law never gave sinful people the power to keep it. Therefore, both Jews and Gentiles are saved in the same way: by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus. Barnabas and Paul then report what God has done among the Gentiles. James turns to Scripture, especially Amos, to show that this Gentile inclusion is not Scripture being cancelled, but Scripture being fulfilled. God always intended to take a people for his name from among the nations. James’s judgement speaks to both sides. Jewish believers must not make it difficult for Gentiles turning to God. If God has welcomed them, the church must not block the doorway. But Gentile believers must also understand that grace does not mean life remains unchanged. They are called to turn from idolatry and sexual immorality, and to live in ways shaped by love for Jewish brothers and sisters. Vijay’s main application is that grace cuts in both directions. It stops us from adding barriers to the gospel, but it also stops us from using freedom selfishly. The Christian question is not always, “Am I allowed to do this?” Sometimes the deeper question is: what does the love of Jesus ask of me? The sermon closes by noting that Paul does not dominate the council, even though he has strong convictions. Mature Christian conviction is strong enough to speak, humble enough to listen, willing to change, and secure enough not to control the outcome — because Christ is enough. 0:00 Paul the Controversialist 0:38 When Disagreements Really Matter 2:35 The Question: Is Jesus Christ Enough? 3:53 The Acts 15 Controversy 5:34 God Opens the Door to the Gentiles 9:07 A Sincere but Wrong Challenge 11:26 The Jerusalem Council Meets 12:16 Peter: Saved by Undeserved Grace 19:35 James: Scripture Is Being Fulfilled 25:32 Grace Changes How We Live 34:33 Strong Conviction with Humility /episode/index/show/acf/id/42971953

The Life of Paul - Acts 13 09/13/2026

The Life of Paul - Acts 13 James continues the series on the life of Paul, moving from Paul’s hidden years into the beginning of his missionary work in Acts 13. He begins by setting the scene in the church at Antioch in Syria, where Paul has become part of a spiritually gifted church. While the believers are worshipping, fasting and praying, the Holy Spirit tells them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he has called them. James highlights that the mission begins not with human strategy, but with the Spirit’s calling and the church’s prayerful obedience. Paul and Barnabas are sent to Cyprus, where they proclaim the word of God. James stresses that although the church can and should do many good things, there is one thing only the church can do: proclaim the word of God. In Paphos, they meet opposition from Elymas, a sorcerer and false prophet, who tries to turn the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. Paul confronts him in the power of the Holy Spirit, Elymas is struck blind, and Sergius Paulus believes, amazed at the teaching of the Lord. The journey then moves to Pisidian Antioch in modern-day Turkey. John Mark leaves them at Perga, which later becomes a source of tension between Paul and Barnabas. In the synagogue at Antioch, Paul is invited to speak. James explains that Paul’s sermon traces Israel’s history through David to Jesus, then centres on Christ’s death and resurrection. The heart of Paul’s message is that through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, and everyone who believes is set free from every sin. James dwells on the wonder of that promise: our worst sins, recurring sins and secret sins can all be forgiven through Christ. The response is dramatic. The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathers to hear the word of the Lord. Some Jewish leaders become jealous and oppose Paul, but this becomes the catalyst for the gospel being preached to the Gentiles. James points to God’s purpose: Paul was called to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. The sermon closes with encouragement. Even when Paul and Barnabas are expelled from the region, the gospel continues to spread, and the new disciples are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. James compares this to the fire of the gospel coming to Ireland through St Patrick: once lit, it could not be put out. His final challenge is that the same fire is still burning today, and believers in Aberdeen are called to carry the gospel into dark places by the power of the Holy Spirit. 0:00 Introduction: Paul the Missionary 2:32 The Church at Antioch 3:59 Led by the Holy Spirit 5:51 Set Apart for the Work 7:43 Sent to Cyprus 10:14 Opposition from Elymas 13:03 Saul Becomes Paul 15:45 The Word of God Comes with Power 17:02 From Paphos to Pisidian Antioch 19:15 Paul Is Invited to Speak 21:25 Paul’s Sermon: Jesus, Death and Resurrection 22:01 Forgiveness of Sins Through Jesus 25:32 The Whole City Comes to Hear 28:04 Turning to the Gentiles 30:34 Appointed for Eternal Life 31:38 Opposition and Gospel Progress 33:13 The Fire Is Still Burning /episode/index/show/acf/id/42888170

The Life of Paul - the Hidden Years 09/06/2026

The Life of Paul - the Hidden Years Malcolm continues the series on the life of Paul, focusing on “the hidden years” after Saul’s conversion and before his wider public ministry. The passage is Galatians 1:11–23, where Paul explains that the gospel he preached was not invented by people or passed on to him second-hand, but received by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Malcolm begins by placing Paul’s story in context. Last week looked at Saul the persecutor being transformed by Jesus on the road to Damascus. This week looks at the quieter period that followed: Paul’s time in Arabia, then Damascus, then eventually Jerusalem. These were years about which we know little, but they were not wasted years. God was preparing Paul. A key issue in Galatians is that false teachers were challenging Paul’s message, mission and authority. They objected to his gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, his mission to the Gentiles, and the fact that Paul himself had once persecuted the church. Paul’s answer is that God had chosen and called him by grace, even before he was born. Malcolm highlights that Saul was not someone naturally looking for Christianity. He was zealous, convinced and committed to destroying the church. Only God could reach him — and God did. The persecutor became the preacher. This shows that God comes to unlikely people, in unlikely places, and changes them by grace. The sermon then draws out three main lessons. First, God’s presence matters more than God’s programme. Paul did not rush immediately into public ministry or to consult the apostles. He spent time away, probably in solitude, reflection and re-reading Scripture in light of Christ. Malcolm compares this to being stripped of busyness and control, reminding the church that activity matters, but simply being with God matters more. Second, when a life is changed, the news gets around. The churches in Judea did not know Paul personally, but they knew his story: the man who once persecuted the faith was now preaching it. Their response was to praise God. Malcolm asks whether our changed lives cause others to glorify God too. Third, God’s sovereignty will win out. Even Paul’s attempts to destroy the church were eventually turned by God into part of his purposes. Malcolm uses Aberdeen church history to reflect on outward religion, decline and renewal, stressing that Christianity is not merely about social morality, but about living relationship with God. The sermon closes by challenging listeners to allow God time to prepare them. Hidden seasons, waiting, solitude and uncertainty may feel unproductive, but they can be places where God does his deepest work. The prayer is that, like Paul, our lives would lead others to say: “They praised God because of me.” 0:00 Welcome and Series Introduction 0:55 Continuing the Life of Paul 2:50 The Hidden Years After Conversion 5:28 Reading Galatians 1:11–23 8:18 The Trouble in Galatia 10:58 Paul’s Message, Mission and Calling 13:54 Only God Could Reach Saul 16:16 God’s Presence Matters More Than God’s Programme 20:34 The Hidden Years Were Not Wasted Years 25:02 When a Life Is Changed, the News Gets Around 28:42 God’s Sovereignty Will Win Out /episode/index/show/acf/id/42799100

The life of Paul - Episode 1 09/01/2026

The life of Paul - Episode 1 David begins a new series on the life of Paul, focusing first on Saul before he became Paul and the grace of God that transformed him. He opens with a searching question: what is the worst thing you have ever done, and do you believe there is a way back to God for you? He walks through several biblical examples — Abraham, Moses, Rahab, David, Jonah, Zacchaeus, the woman caught in adultery, Peter, Thomas and the thief on the cross — showing that God repeatedly restores sinners who turn back to him. David stresses that the gospel is a gospel of grace. While some sins may seem more socially acceptable than others, before God sin is sin — but equally, grace is grace. There is no such thing as an unreachable sinner. Whoever comes to God in humility and repentance can find mercy through Jesus Christ. He then introduces Paul as one of the most significant figures in church history: missionary, church planter, apostle, pastor, theologian and author of many New Testament letters. But Paul’s story begins very differently. When we first meet him, he is still called Saul, and he is present at the stoning of Stephen. David describes Saul in three ways. First, he was zealous — passionate and committed, but at first committed to the wrong cause. Second, he was a Pharisee, sincerely religious but badly mistaken, because his understanding of Scripture had become obscured by traditions and self-righteousness. Third, he was a persecutor, actively trying to destroy the early church. This leads to one of the sermon’s key warnings: religious sincerity is not enough if it is not rooted in truth. Saul was devoted, but he was profoundly wrong. His pride and false understanding blinded him to Jesus. David then shares part of his own testimony: childhood exposure to church, drifting away, grief after his mother’s death, depression, and eventually being drawn back into church through a former youth worker. He describes how God spoke to him through John 11, especially Jesus’ words: “I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?” For David, the answer became yes. Turning to Acts 9, David retells Saul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul is heading out to arrest Christians when Jesus meets him in power, asking, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul is blinded for three days, then Ananias is sent to pray for him. The scales fall from Saul’s eyes, and he is baptised. David explains that Saul’s blindness reflects the spiritual blindness he had been living in. His three days of blindness also echo Christ’s death and resurrection. Saul is not merely restored to his old life; he is given a new identity. The persecutor becomes a disciple. Saul becomes Paul, a man whose life is now defined by being in Christ. The sermon closes with the challenge that Paul’s story proves no one is beyond God’s reach. The new life Jesus gave Paul is available to all, and it begins in the same way: surrender. 0:00 Introduction: Is There a Way Back? 1:20 Biblical Stories of Grace and Restoration 3:08 No Unreachable Sinner 7:42 Beginning the Life of Paul 9:33 Saul, Paul and a New Identity 11:00 Saul at the Stoning of Stephen 12:04 Saul the Zealous Pharisee 15:44 Saul the Persecutor 18:00 Dave’s Own Story of Coming to Faith 25:19 Saul Meets Jesus on the Damascus Road /episode/index/show/acf/id/42641235

Luke 22 08/23/2026

Luke 22 Vijay preaches from Luke 22, focusing on Peter’s denial of Jesus and what it reveals about human weakness, self-confidence, prayer, repentance and the grace of Christ. He begins by reflecting on the fact that most of us carry around two versions of ourselves. There is the version we are happy for others to see — our strengths, achievements and best moments — and another hidden version containing our compromises, failures and weaknesses. Often, pressure reveals things in us that we did not realise were there. Vijay says the better question is not simply, “Who am I really?” but: Given the person I really am, what can the grace of God make of me? Peter’s story shows that Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. Peter confidently tells Jesus that he is ready to go with him to prison and even to death. But Jesus knows that Peter will deny him three times before the rooster crows. Peter’s love for Jesus is real, but his self-knowledge is incomplete. Vijay then shows how pressure exposes Peter’s weakness. Peter follows Jesus after his arrest, but “at a distance.” Around the courtyard fire, he denies three things: his relationship with Jesus, his place among Jesus’ followers, and even the connection between his own identity and Jesus. The test reveals flaws Peter never expected. The sermon then turns to prayer. Vijay contrasts Peter’s self-confidence with Jesus’ dependence on the Father in Gethsemane. Jesus tells the disciples to pray so that they will not fall into temptation, while Peter sleeps and later falls. Vijay explains that prayer is not only about asking God for things; it forms us into people who place our confidence in God rather than in our own control. He warns that while planning and preparation are good, control can become an idol if we depend on it for the security only God can give. Finally, Vijay highlights the grace of Jesus. Jesus warns Peter, prays for him before he falls, looks toward him after he fails, and already sees the restored Peter who will later strengthen his brothers. Peter’s bitter tears are not the end of his story; they are the beginning of his return. The sermon closes with the hope that failure is not final when brought to Christ. Like Peter, we may not fully know ourselves, but we can bring the whole of ourselves to Jesus. The good news is not “I am enough,” but Christ is enough for me. 0:00 Introduction: A Change of Plan 1:01 The Two Versions of Ourselves 4:06 What Can God’s Grace Make of Me? 6:08 Jesus Warns Peter 7:12 We Don’t Know Ourselves as Well as We Think 12:22 Peter Follows at a Distance 14:23 Peter’s Three Denials 19:32 Where Do We Place Our Confidence? 20:34 Prayer Trains Us to Depend on God 29:46 The Grace of Jesus in Peter’s Failure 36:00 Repentance, Restoration and Future Purpose 42:10 Bring the Whole of Yourself to Jesus /episode/index/show/acf/id/42528805

Jesus and the fallen woman 08/18/2026

Jesus and the fallen woman Cheri preaches from Luke 7:36–50, the account of Jesus at the home of Simon the Pharisee, where a woman known for living a sinful life comes to Jesus with tears, perfume and extravagant devotion. She begins by linking this sermon with the previous week’s message on the woman caught in adultery, and with her reflections on Rahab and Hagar. Her focus is on how God responds to women who are shamed, rejected or treated as “fallen” by society. Cheri explains the setting of the story: Jesus is invited to a formal meal at a Pharisee’s house. A woman enters uninvited, weeping at Jesus’ feet. She lets down her hair, washes his feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses them and pours costly perfume over them. In that culture, her actions would have been socially shocking, deeply humble and emotionally exposed. Simon’s response is judgement. He assumes that if Jesus were truly a prophet, he would reject the woman. But Jesus knows both the woman’s heart and Simon’s thoughts. He tells a parable about two people whose debts are forgiven: one small, one large. The point is clear — the one forgiven more loves more. Jesus then contrasts Simon’s cold hospitality with the woman’s costly love. Simon gave Jesus no water for his feet, no kiss of welcome and no oil for his head. The woman, by contrast, lavished love on Jesus. Though Simon appears respectable, his love is small. Though the woman appears shameful, her faith and devotion are great. Cheri highlights that Jesus does not shame the woman. He honours her, forgives her publicly and says, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Her love does not earn forgiveness, but reveals that she has received it. The sermon challenges listeners not to play at Christianity, keep Jesus at arm’s length, or value social respectability over devotion. God sees the rejected, the unpopular and the ashamed. His banquet has room for the poor, the broken and the outsider. The call is to stop making excuses and respond to Jesus with wholehearted love 0:00 Introduction: Fallen Women and Jesus 2:12 Jesus Invited to Simon’s House 4:31 The Woman Enters with Tears and Perfume 6:37 Washing Jesus’ Feet in Humility 8:18 A Costly Gift of Honour 9:30 Simon’s Judgemental Response 11:17 The Parable of the Two Debtors 14:11 Simon’s Cold Hospitality 16:21 Her Many Sins Have Been Forgiven 22:08 Simon and the Woman Contrasted 26:28 Final Challenge: Don’t Play at Christianity /episode/index/show/acf/id/42477055

The woman caught in adultery 08/10/2026

The woman caught in adultery Cheri preaches from John 8:2–11, the story of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” She explains that this passage has been on her mind because of her recent teaching on Rahab and because of pastoral conversations with young people, especially around questions of sexuality, gender, fear, shame and Christian discipleship. Cheri says the church often finds this subject hard to talk about because it is surrounded by fear. Some fear being misunderstood, accused of hatred or facing consequences for holding to a biblical sexual ethic. Others, especially those wrestling personally with sexuality or gender, fear rejection, judgement and being pushed away by Christians. Families and friends can also feel afraid of saying the wrong thing. She makes clear that her aim is not to debate the whole subject, but to ask how the church can respond to real people in a way that is faithful to Scripture and like Jesus. In John 8, the Pharisees drag a woman before Jesus, not because they care about righteousness, but because they want to trap him. If Jesus shows mercy, they can accuse him of rejecting the law of Moses. If he calls for stoning, he appears harsh and risks conflict with Roman law. Cheri compares this to the pressure the church feels today: go soft and risk denying Scripture, or go hard and risk losing people. Jesus refuses to play the role the Pharisees assign him. He does not shout, panic or rush to answer. He stoops, writes on the ground, and calmly takes control of the situation. Cheri sees this as a model for the church: we do not need to react in fear, outrage or culture-war terms. We can hand difficult questions back to God, the true lawgiver. When Jesus says, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone,” he does not deny the woman’s sin or reject Scripture. Instead, he exposes the unworthiness of the accusers. One by one, they leave. Jesus then speaks to the woman directly: “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” Cheri highlights both grace and truth. Jesus protects her before he commands her. He creates safety, then calls her to holiness. The sermon’s main challenge is that the church must stop seeing people primarily as issues, debates or culture-war symbols. Instead, Christians are to see individuals made in God’s image: sinners in need of grace, just like everyone else. Cheri calls the church to be a safe place of honesty, humility and transformation, where people can encounter Jesus, receive mercy, and hear his call to “go and sin no more.” 0:00 Introduction: The Woman Caught in Adultery 2:07 Why This Passage Matters Today 5:00 Scripture, Sexuality and Wrestling Faithfully 8:52 From Culture War to Discipling Souls 12:38 Fear on Every Side 15:00 Reading John 8:2–11 18:00 The Pharisees’ Trap 23:58 Jesus Refuses to Play Their Game 27:00 Let the One Without Sin Cast the First Stone 30:00 Neither Do I Condemn You 33:00 A Safe Place for Grace, Truth and Transformation /episode/index/show/acf/id/42381550

Logos Hope team - The power, authority and honour of the name of Jesus. 2nd Aug 2026 08/02/2026

Logos Hope team - The power, authority and honour of the name of Jesus. 2nd Aug 2026 The Logos Hope team share a service centred on the power, authority and honour of the name of Jesus. The team begin by introducing themselves and the work of OM’s Logos Hope. Bauka, from Kazakhstan, explains that although the team come from different countries, the focus is not on flags or national identity, but on introducing people to Jesus. He also asks the church to pray for Kazakhstan, where evangelical Christians are a very small minority. Anne Marie then shares a short testimony using the illustration of fleas in a jar. When a lid is placed on the jar, the fleas learn to jump only so high; even when the lid is removed, they keep living as though they are still restricted. She connects this to Ephesians 4, encouraging people not to live trapped by past hurt, fear or limitation, but to walk freely in the calling God has given them through Christ. Gloria’s main message focuses on God’s name. She begins by asking people to think about the name of someone they love, showing that a name is not just a sound or label — it represents the person. In the same way, God’s name reveals his character, authority and presence. She teaches from the third commandment, warning against taking God’s name in vain. This does not only mean using God’s name as a swear word; it means treating his name as empty, casual or powerless. Gloria challenges the church not to reduce God’s name to everyday slang, but to recover reverence for the name of the Lord. She then explains that God revealed himself to Moses as “I am who I am”, showing that God is self-existent, unchanging and unlike any human being. In the New Testament, this power and revelation are fully seen in Jesus Christ. Gloria points to passages such as Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9–11, Romans 10:13 and Proverbs 18:10, showing that salvation, help, deliverance and refuge are found in the name of the Lord. Gloria walks through several names of God, including El Elyon, El Shaddai, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rohi and others. Each name reveals something of God’s character: provider, healer, peace, shepherd, righteousness, sanctifier, restorer and Lord of hosts. Her main challenge is that believers should honour the name of God, call on him with faith, and trust that the power in the name of Jesus is still active today. The sermon closes with declarations over the names of God and a call to live with renewed confidence, reverence and dependence on Jesus. 0:00 Logos Hope Team Introduction 0:27 Bauka from Kazakhstan 2:01 Praying for Kazakhstan 2:36 Anne Marie’s Testimony 3:13 The Fleas in the Jar Illustration 4:12 Living Worthy of God’s Calling 5:47 Gloria Begins: The Name of God 9:35 Why Names Matter 12:35 Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain 17:25 The Name Above Every Name 20:38 Calling on the Name of the Lord 24:25 The Names of God 29:36 Declarations Over God’s Names 36:57 Closing Challenge and Response /episode/index/show/acf/id/42290830

Living in times of change, uncertainty and instability 07/28/2026

Living in times of change, uncertainty and instability James preaches from Isaiah 6:1–8, where Isaiah sees the Lord in the year King Uzziah died. He begins by reflecting on Bob Dylan’s song “The Times They Are A-Changin’”, using it to introduce the theme of living in times of change, uncertainty and instability. His central message is: In a time of change and uncertainty, we need to fix our eyes on the one who is unchangeable and completely dependable. James explains that Isaiah’s vision happened at a real point in history, around the death of King Uzziah. Uzziah had reigned for 52 years, so his death marked a time of national transition. There was uncertainty about what kind of king Jotham would be, and Uzziah’s own downfall was a reminder that even strong human leaders are flawed. Against that background, Isaiah says, “I saw the Lord.” James stresses that while earthly kings come and go, the true King remains seated on the throne. The Lord is high and exalted, in complete authority over history, nations, creation, and our personal lives. James then turns to the details of Isaiah’s vision: the Lord’s robe filling the temple, the seraphim covering their faces and feet, the shaking doorposts, the smoke, and the antiphonal cry: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” He explains that God’s holiness is central to who he is. God is utterly different, pure, separate from sin, and glorious. The phrase “Lord Almighty” or “Lord of Hosts” reminds us that God has countless heavenly beings at his command, serving his purposes and ministering to his people. James also reflects on the glory of God in creation, using the Isle of Skye as an example of breathtaking beauty. But he says there is an even greater glory: the glory of redeemed humanity, people transformed by the grace of God and made part of the new creation. Isaiah’s response is not pride but repentance. He cries, “Woe to me! I am ruined!” James points out that a true encounter with God reveals our sinfulness, even in our best actions. Isaiah recognises that he is a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips. But God responds graciously. A seraph touches Isaiah’s lips with a live coal from the altar and declares his guilt taken away and his sin atoned for. James connects this to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood takes away sin. Finally, Isaiah hears the Lord ask, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” Isaiah responds willingly: “Here am I. Send me.” James highlights that Isaiah offers himself before knowing the full cost. His surrender comes from having seen the Lord. The sermon ends by challenging believers to respond in the same way: in uncertain times, look to the unchanging Lord, receive his grace, and make ourselves fully available to him. 0:00 Introduction: The Times Are Changing 2:07 Change, Uncertainty and the Unchanging God 4:10 Reading Isaiah 6:1–8 6:12 The Year King Uzziah Died 10:15 Isaiah Sees the Lord on the Throne 14:20 The Seraphim Around the Throne 16:22 Holy, Holy, Holy 20:26 The Lord Almighty and His Heavenly Hosts 24:28 The Whole Earth Is Full of His Glory 28:30 Isaiah’s Repentance and Cleansing 32:33 Here Am I, Send Me /episode/index/show/acf/id/42238730

Love - 1 Corinthians 13 07/20/2026

Love - 1 Corinthians 13 Florence preaches from 1 Corinthians 13:1–7, focusing on the “missing ingredient” in the Corinthian church: love. She begins with a humorous cooking illustration, adding the wrong amount of garlic and almost forgetting the chicken in a curry, to show that sometimes one essential ingredient can be missing. In Corinth, the church had spiritual gifts, activity and ability, but they lacked love. Florence explains that the love Paul describes is agape love: a self-giving love that keeps giving even when the other person does not deserve it. This is the love of God, shown most clearly in Jesus Christ. She then asks two main questions. First, why is love important? Paul says that even impressive gifts — eloquent speech, prophecy, knowledge, faith, generosity and sacrifice — amount to nothing if they are not exercised in love. The Corinthian church was assessing itself by its gifts, but God assesses his people by their fruit, especially love. Spiritual gifts do not compensate for a lack of Christlike character. Second, what does love look like? Florence walks through Paul’s description: love is patient and kind; it is not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable or resentful. Love does not delight in wrongdoing or gossip but rejoices in the truth. It protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. She applies each quality practically: patience with difficult people, kindness that genuinely blesses others, humility rather than self-promotion, refusing to keep a record of wrongs, avoiding gossip, believing the best where possible, and continuing to hope for redemptive change because failure does not have to be final. Florence admits that none of us naturally measures up to this picture of love. Replacing the word “love” in the passage with our own name can be discouraging. But replacing it with Jesus fits perfectly, because Jesus is the fullest expression of love. Since his Spirit lives in his followers, Christians are equipped to grow in this kind of love. She closes with three responses: develop a fresh appreciation of God’s love for us, desire a fresh rekindling of our love for him, and display a fresh outpouring of love for others. The sermon ends by pointing to the love of Christ shown at the cross, and introducing the hymn “Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean.” 0:00 The Missing Ingredient 1:45 Reading 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 3:01 Agape Love: The Love That Keeps Giving 4:56 Why 1 Corinthians 13 Sits Between Spiritual Gifts 5:48 Why Love Is Important 7:34 Gifts Without Love Are Nothing 12:53 What Love Looks Like 17:03 Love Is Not Selfish, Irritable or Resentful 22:13 Love Rejoices in Truth and Endures 24:41 Responding to God’s Love /episode/index/show/acf/id/42150725

Don't you care if we drown? 07/13/2026

Don't you care if we drown? Jeremy preaches from Mark 4:35–41, the account of Jesus calming the storm. He begins by connecting the disciples’ fear in the boat with our own experiences of anxiety, uncertainty and hardship. Even when we know Jesus is with us, difficult circumstances can make us ask the same question the disciples asked: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jeremy shares honestly about his own anxiety, including the move from Singapore to Aberdeen, and uses the story of his young nephew on a rope playground to show how fear can overwhelm trust, even when help is close by. The sermon is built around three truths about Christ. First, Christ is in control. Jesus was asleep in the boat, but that did not mean he was unaware or powerless. Jeremy points out that Jesus knew they were going to “the other side.” The storm was real, but it was not outside Christ’s authority or purpose. Second, Christ cares. Jesus did not have to calm the storm, but he responded to the disciples’ distress with compassion. Jeremy reminds the church that Jesus’ care is seen not only in moments of help and comfort, but supremely in salvation. Christ cares for his people because they are loved children of the Father. Third, Christ calls us to grow. Jesus’ question — “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” — was not a rejection of the disciples, but an invitation into deeper trust. Jeremy explains that Jesus was teaching them to look beyond the storm and remember who was in the boat with them. The main challenge of the sermon is to respond to life’s storms with faith. Christians are not promised a life without hardship, but they are promised the presence of Christ. Because Jesus is in control, because he cares, and because he is growing our faith, we can trust him and be still. YouTube Chapter Markers 0:00 Reading Mark 4:35–41 1:04 Opening Prayer and Introduction 2:06 Jeremy’s Story of Anxiety and Moving to Aberdeen 3:07 The Rope Playground Illustration 4:08 The Disciples’ Fear in the Storm 6:09 When We Ask, “God, Don’t You Care?” 8:13 Three Truths About Christ 10:18 Christ Is in Control 12:23 Christ Cares for His People 17:32 Christ Calls Us to Grow 20:35 Learning to Trust God in the Storm 23:43 Peace Be Still: Faith in Christ’s Presence /episode/index/show/acf/id/42058910

Blind Spots 07/05/2026

Blind Spots Part 1 – The Ten Commandments overview. Derek reads Exodus 20 and makes three points: the commandments were given after God's rescue of Israel (not as a condition of it), they're guidance for the saved rather than a means of earning salvation, and each one is a broad principle meant to be applied widely rather than treated as a tick-box exercise. He illustrates this with the 8th commandment ("you must not steal"), showing it covers tax evasion, underpaying workers, time-theft, and misusing power of attorney. Part 2 – The blind spot. Turning to the 9th commandment ("you must not bear false witness"), Derek argues it also covers ignoring or failing to investigate credible reports of wrongdoing — illustrated with a dashcam analogy about withholding evidence from police. He grounds this in God's character as one who hates injustice (Proverbs, Psalm 97), then gives three extended case studies of the church failing this test: the Ravi Zacharias scandal, corruption he personally witnessed in a Pakistani mission hospital (including the human cost of stolen aid money), and a cover-up in an Aberdeen church after a woman reported a sexual assault. He then offers five reasons Christians stay silent: Pollyanna syndrome (disbelief that Christians could do wrong), fear of bad publicity, fear of personal cost, inadequate hatred of evil, and spiritual warfare/demonic discouragement. He's careful to note not all allegations are true, but they must still be properly investigated rather than dismissed. Part 3 – Brief notes on confidentiality and when it must be breached for safeguarding, naming the church's safeguarding leads, before ending on a hopeful note from Revelation about the ultimate triumph of good. 00:00 Intro: A Blind Spot in the Church02:11 The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)06:56 Applying the 8th Commandment: What Counts as Stealing?09:16 The Blind Spot: Redefining "Bearing False Witness" 11:00 Illustration: The Dashcam Witness 14:00 Case Study: Ravi Zacharias 17:00 Case Study: Corruption in a Pakistan Mission Hospital 22:00 Case Study: Cover-up in an Aberdeen Church25:14 Five Reasons Christians Stay Silent 31:00 Safeguarding, Confidentiality & Closing Hope /episode/index/show/acf/id/41966405

Psalm 145 - 28th June 2026 07/04/2026

Psalm 145 - 28th June 2026 Vijay’s sermon concludes the Psalms series by focusing on Psalm 145, a psalm of praise by David. His central point is that praise is what happens when our hearts catch up with reality — when we truly see God as he is. He begins by observing that people naturally talk about what they love: football, children, hobbies, interests. Yet Christians often struggle to speak of God with that same wonder. Psalm 145 shows that praise is not something we simply switch on emotionally. It grows as we give God our attention, remember his works, see his character, recognise his sustaining care, and discover his personal nearness. Vijay’s first point is that praise begins when we choose to give God our attention. David starts Psalm 145 with the words “I will”, showing that praise begins with a deliberate act of focus. In a distracted world of notifications, worries and constant scrolling, our attention is easily captured by small things. Worship re-centres us on the greatest reality: God himself. The second theme is remembering God’s faithfulness. Vijay notes that humans often remember wounds, disappointments and threats more easily than blessings. But when we only remember the painful parts of life, we distort reality. Scripture repeatedly tells God’s people to “remember” because forgetting God leads to fading wonder and fading praise. The sermon then moves to God’s character. God’s greatness is not merely power; it is greatness joined to goodness. David describes the Lord as gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Christians see this most clearly in Jesus: welcoming sinners, touching lepers, weeping with the grieving, and dying for rebels at the cross. Vijay also highlights that life itself is a gift sustained by God. Creation is not independent or self-running. Every breath, heartbeat, meal and moment depends on the God who opens his hand and gives life. Recognising this dependence produces gratitude. Finally, the sermon reaches the personal wonder of Psalm 145: the infinite God is near to those who call on him. Unlike human greatness, which often creates distance, God’s greatness means that nothing escapes his care. He notices every detail, every tear, every cry for help. Praise deepens when we see that the God who rules the universe also turns toward us in love. Vijay closes by connecting Psalm 145 to the whole book of Psalms. The Hebrew title of Psalms means “praises”, even though the book contains lament, sorrow, fear and confusion. This is because every part of life, even the darkest parts, can become part of praise when placed within the greater reality of God’s greatness, goodness, kingdom and fatherly care. YouTube chapter markers 00:00 Introduction and thanks to those serving children and youth01:03 Why we naturally talk about what we love02:04 Psalm 145 and where praise really comes from03:07 Praise begins when our hearts see reality05:13 Reading Psalm 145: David’s praise of God06:16 Praise begins with choosing to give God our attention10:20 Remembering God’s mighty works and faithfulness15:00 God’s works reveal his gracious and merciful character20:00 Life itself depends on God’s sustaining care24:45 The infinite God is personally near to those who call31:59 The whole journey of the Psalms leads to praise36:07 Closing prayer: fixing our eyes on God /episode/index/show/acf/id/41962930

Praise: Psalm 126 06/30/2026

Praise: Psalm 126 The Text: Psalm 126 (New Living Translation) — a psalm of praise recalling Israel's return from exile in Babylon. Opening Hook — The "Fresh Start" Effect Vijay begins by observing the universal human longing for a fresh start — at New Year, birthdays, or even a Monday morning. Beneath that, he argues, is a deeper desire: not just to improve, but to be made new — to undo mistakes and mend what's broken. That longing, he says, sits at the heart of Psalm 126. The Historical Context The psalm recalls Israel's return from decades of Babylonian exile. When the Persian king Cyrus allowed them to go home, it seemed impossible — like a dream. The surrounding nations even marvelled: "The Lord has done amazing things for them." Vijay notes this sits at the literal centre of the psalm — the focus is on what God did, not what Israel achieved. The Deeper Exile Israel's real problem was never Babylon — that was just a symptom. Their deeper problem was distance from God. And Vijay broadens this: it's everyone's story. All humanity was created for relationship with God but has wandered far — making us all spiritual exiles. Jesus as the Way Home Jesus didn't come merely as a moral teacher or inspiring figure. He came to bring exiles home. At the cross, he experienced the exile we deserved — crying out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" — so that we could be brought in, adopted as children of God, and welcomed home. Restoration Is a Process When the psalmist prays "restore our fortunes," it seems puzzling — weren't they already home? Vijay explains: restoration has begun, but it isn't finished. He illustrates this with a vivid image of a derelict house. When someone buys it, the ownership changes instantly — but the renovation takes time. Similarly, when someone trusts Christ, they belong to God immediately, but God then begins the ongoing work of rebuilding from the inside out. The Desert Image The psalmist prays for restoration "as streams renew the desert" — referring to the Negev, where dry riverbeds suddenly burst to life when the rains come. The prayer is: Lord, do that for our dry places — our regret, grief, guilt, and shame. Closing — Sowing in Tears The psalm ends with a farmer image: he weeps as he plants, because every seed buried could have fed his family — yet he trusts the harvest. That, says Vijay, is what faith looks like. Not just believing in your head, but entrusting yourself fully to God's promises even when you can't yet see them. Every act of obedience — forgiving someone, resisting temptation, keeping on praying through disappointment — is sowing seed in hope. The final promise: tears are real, but they're not the last chapter. The harvest is coming. The Bible ends not with sorrow or exile, but with joy — every sin removed, every tear wiped away, every exile brought safely home. 0:00 Introduction & Series Context 1:18 The Fresh Start Effect 2:19 The Deeper Longing to Be Made New 3:32 Psalm 126 — Reading 4:46 Israel's Exile and the Impossible Return 6:44 God's Amazing Things — The Centre of the Psalm 7:16 Israel's Story Is Everyone's Story 8:49 Jesus — The Way Home 10:33 Restoration Has Only Just Begun 12:09 The Derelict House Illustration 14:36 Streams in the Desert 15:29 Sowing in Tears — What Faith Looks Like 18:28 The Final Chapter Is Joy 19:32 Baptism — Being Brought Home /episode/index/show/acf/id/41905775

Lament, Trust and Praise 06/18/2026

Lament, Trust and Praise Florence continues the series “Lament, Trust and Praise”, moving into the theme of praise through Psalm 118. The sermon’s main message is that God’s people are called to praise him not only when life is easy, but also in times of difficulty, because his love endures forever. She explains that Psalm 118 is full of confidence in God’s steadfast love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness. The psalm may have been used at Passover, and Florence notes its strong connection to Jesus, especially as he approached the cross. The sermon follows five main responses from the psalm. First, we should thank the Lord for his enduring love. The repeated phrase “his love endures forever” reminds us that God’s love outlasts every difficult circumstance. Florence encourages listeners to say this truth aloud and let it shape their perspective. Second, we should focus on the Lord in difficult situations. The psalmist is hard pressed and surrounded by enemies, yet he keeps returning to the truth that the Lord is with him and is his helper. Florence encourages believers to take refuge in God rather than relying ultimately on people or circumstances. Third, we should praise the Lord for what he has done. The psalm speaks of the Lord’s right hand acting with power. Florence encourages specific praise, not vague thankfulness, and suggests remembering the many ways God has helped, protected and sustained us. Fourth, we should rejoice in the Lord’s provision of a Saviour. Florence highlights the verse, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” explaining that it points to Jesus. Though rejected by people, Jesus is God’s chosen foundation. Through him, believers are saved from sin and given secure hope. Finally, we should exalt the Lord for his goodness and love. The psalm ends in personal praise: “You are my God, and I will praise you.” Florence explains that praise means adoring God for who he is and thanking him for what he has done. The sermon closes by encouraging listeners to praise God throughout the week, especially when life is hard. 0:00 Introduction: Lament, Trust and Praise 0:39 Psalm 118: Praising God in Difficult Times 1:04 Praise in Every Circumstance 2:05 God’s Enduring Love and Faithfulness 3:07 Five Bends in the Road 3:52 Give Thanks: His Love Endures Forever 7:13 Focus on the Lord in Difficulty 13:24 Praise the Lord for What He Has Done 20:39 The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone 25:46 Rejoice in the Day the Lord Has Made 29:53 Rejoice in the Lord’s Provision of a Saviour 31:56 Exalt the Lord for His Goodness and Love /episode/index/show/acf/id/41691740

Psalm 100 - Praising God with our whole being, James Mackenzie 06/12/2026

Sermon Summary — Psalm 121: The Lord Who Keeps His People 06/03/2026

Sermon Summary — Psalm 121: The Lord Who Keeps His People Speaker: Vijay Main Bible passage: Psalm 121 Theme: Trusting God to keep us through the whole journey of life. Vijay closes the Psalms of Trust section of the series by preaching from Psalm 121, one of the Songs of Ascents sung by pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem. He frames life as a pilgrimage: we move through changing seasons, uncertainty, weakness, ageing, and eventually death. Psalm 121 speaks to travellers who know the road may be long and difficult, but who are promised that the Lord will keep his people all the way home. The sermon gives four reasons why the Lord can be trusted on life’s journey. First, God is powerful enough to keep his people. When the psalmist says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills,” Vijay explains that ancient pilgrims would not only see beauty but danger: exposure, robbers, exhaustion, and uncertainty. The answer is not found in the hills themselves, but in the Lord, “who made heaven and earth.” Faith lifts our eyes beyond the problem to the Creator. Second, God is attentive enough to preserve his people. Vijay highlights the repeated word “keep” in Psalm 121. God does not promise a pain-free life, but he does promise that suffering, evil, and calamity will not finally destroy his people. Like a harness on an aerial adventure course, God may not prevent every stumble, but he prevents the final fall. Third, God is always near. The Lord is described as “your shade at your right hand.” Vijay explains that the right hand was the vulnerable side in battle, so this image shows God standing close to his people at the place of greatest weakness. God does not merely send help; he himself is the help who walks beside us. Fourth, God’s keeping is total and comprehensive. The psalm’s language, heaven and earth, day and night, going out and coming in, now and forevermore, shows that no time, place, season, or circumstance lies outside God’s care. Vijay notes that the psalm leaves the danger unspecified so each believer can fill in the blank: diagnosis, grief, family heartache, uncertainty, or anything else. The promise remains: the Lord will keep you. Vijay ends with the image of a turbulent overnight flight. The passengers may panic because they cannot see the route, but the journey depends on the pilot, not the passengers. In the same way, our hope is not in our own strength or understanding, but in the Lord who keeps us. One day the journey will end, the final hill will be behind us, and we will look back and say, “He kept me.” Key Takeaway Psalm 121 assures God’s people that the journey may be hard, frightening, and uncertain, but the Lord who made heaven and earth is powerful, attentive, near, and faithful. He will keep his people from now and forevermore. 00:00 Opening thanks and OM update 02:23 Psalms series: moving from trust to praise 03:01 Life as a pilgrimage 04:58 Introducing Psalm 121 06:57 Reading Psalm 121 08:26 God is powerful enough to keep us 11:11 “My help comes from the Lord” 16:34 God is attentive enough to preserve us 18:02 What “keep you from all evil” means 21:16 “He will not let your foot be moved” 23:53 The God who never slumbers or sleeps 26:55 God is always near 30:42 God’s keeping is total and comprehensive 35:10 The turbulent flight illustration 37:06 The promise: the Lord will keep us 38:46 Closing prayer /episode/index/show/acf/id/41521425

Psalm 62: Trusting the Lord Our Refuge 05/25/2026

Psalm 62: Trusting the Lord Our Refuge Speaker: James Main Bible passage: Psalm 62 Theme: God is completely trustworthy as our refuge in every circumstance. James continues the church’s series through the Psalms, moving through the theme of trust. After Psalm 23 showed the Lord as shepherd and Psalm 27 showed the Lord as protector, Psalm 62 presents the Lord as our refuge. Trust, James says, is not optional for Christians; it is part of the whole journey of faith from beginning to end. He explains that Psalm 62 is not abstract theology. David wrote it out of real experience: enemies, danger, betrayal, and pressure. David had learned through life that God was his salvation, rock, defence, glory, strength, and refuge. A major phrase in the sermon is “my soul silently waits for God.” James reflects on both outward silence and inner stillness: the peace of waiting for God, trusting that he will act. But the Psalm also honestly acknowledges enemies and distress. David’s peace is disturbed by the reality of opposition, yet that leads him back to telling his own soul to keep waiting on God. James then highlights the central command of the Psalm: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before him.” This is where trust and lament meet. Trusting God does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means bringing pain, fear, grief, crisis, and confusion honestly to him. He gives examples of what this looks like: in health crises, financial trouble, betrayal, bereavement, and any situation where life feels overwhelming. God as refuge does not mean we avoid every storm, but that the storm will not finally engulf us. James also warns against false refuges. David tells us not to place ultimate trust in people, status, wealth, possessions, or security. These things may fail, but God remains trustworthy. The sermon closes with praise. Psalm 62 ends by showing God as powerful, loving, and just. James connects this to the cross of Jesus Christ, where God’s power, steadfast love, and justice meet. Jesus is the ultimate proof that God is our refuge, because through him our sins are paid for and we are safe from judgment. Key Takeaway Psalm 62 calls us to trust God at all times, pour out our hearts before him, and refuse false refuges. God is our rock, salvation, defence, and refuge — worthy of complete trust from the beginning of life to the end 00:00 Introduction: lament, trust, and praise 01:02 Psalm 62: trusting the Lord our refuge 01:34 Tutankhamun’s mask and seeing Psalm 62 up close 03:02 Psalm 62 as sung worship from David’s real life 04:49 “My soul silently waits for God” 06:40 God as salvation, rock, and defence 08:15 David confronts his enemies 12:02 David tells his soul to keep trusting 16:56 “Trust in him at all times, you people” 20:01 Pour out your heart before him 22:33 Trust and lament in real life 23:38 God as our refuge above the floodwaters 26:35 False refuges: people, status, and possessions 29:41 Hearing God’s truth twice 32:04 God’s power, steadfast love, and justice 34:23 The cross: where power, love, and justice meet 35:57 Closing prayer /episode/index/show/acf/id/41413955

Psalm 27: The Lord Our Protector 05/21/2026

Psalm 27: The Lord Our Protector Speaker: Cheri Main Bible passage: Psalm 27 Theme: Trusting God when we feel under attack. Cheri presents Psalm 27 as a prayer and song for those who feel afraid, accused, misunderstood, mistreated, or under threat. The Psalms are described as the prayer book and songbook of God’s people, giving us words to pray when we do not know what to say. The sermon focuses on God as light, salvation, and stronghold. Because the Lord is our protector, we do not need to fight our battles in our own strength or react out of fear. Cheri uses images of ancient fortresses, Scottish hill forts, and historic battles to show how God can cause enemies to stumble without us needing to take control. A key theme is learning to wait for the Lord. Some threats are misunderstood or perceived; others are very real and painful. In both cases, Psalm 27 calls God’s people to confidence rather than fear. Cheri also highlights David’s “one thing”: to dwell in the house of the Lord and gaze on his beauty. His courage comes from intimacy with God. This is connected to fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured opposition and the cross without losing heart. The sermon closes by warning against treating God like a magic wand or genie. God’s help is often a process, not an instant event. We come to him honestly, ask him to teach and lead us, and trust that his goodness will be seen as we wait. Key Takeaway When we feel under attack, Psalm 27 teaches us to seek God as our protector, stay focused on him, bring our fears honestly to him, and wait with courage for his goodness to come through. 00:00 Opening and introduction to Psalm 27 00:45 The Psalms as prayers for God’s people 03:46 Psalm 27: a prayer for those under attack 05:10 “The Lord is my light and my salvation” 07:06 Enemies stumble and fall 10:07 Letting God fight for us 12:43 “One thing I ask”: dwelling with the Lord 13:19 Fixing our eyes on Jesus 15:51 God keeps us safe in his dwelling 17:04 The tabernacle as David’s place of safety 20:12 David’s honest prayer to God 21:12 “Come and talk with me” 23:16 God is not a magic wand 24:48 God’s help is often a process 25:17 “Wait for the Lord” 26:48 Final encouragement: be strong and take heart /episode/index/show/acf/id/41377045

Psalm 23: Trusting the Lord as Shepherd 05/17/2026

Psalm 23: Trusting the Lord as Shepherd Main Bible passage: Psalm 23 Theme: Trusting God reshapes our inner life. Vijay introduces this sermon as the beginning of ACF’s move from Psalms of Lament into Psalms of Trust. He explains that trust is central to the whole life of faith, even in lament, because lament brings suffering towards God rather than turning away from him. The sermon defines biblical trust as placing yourself in the care of God. Unlike mechanical trust, such as trusting a car to work, trusting God is personal: it means becoming vulnerable before him because of who he is. Psalm 23 is then explored as a picture of how trusting the Lord transforms our inner life. 1. Trust forms contentment David begins, “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” Vijay explains that “shepherd” in the ancient world was not only a caring image but also a royal image of authority and rule. Everyone has a “shepherd” — something that leads their life, whether success, approval, control, money, culture, or God. False shepherds train the heart to feel it is always lacking. But when the Lord is our shepherd, we learn contentment. This does not mean having everything imaginable, but no longer experiencing life as fundamentally deficient. 2. Trust forms peace in suffering When David speaks of walking through the darkest valley, Vijay notes that valleys were dangerous but often necessary routes for shepherds to take their sheep to pasture and water. Life can feel like that: dark, confusing, frightening, and beyond our control. He contrasts explanation with peace. We often seek relief through diagnosis, answers, or understanding, but explanations have limits. The deepest peace comes from the Lord’s presence: “You are with me.” In the valley, David stops speaking about God and begins speaking to God. Vijay connects this to Jesus, who entered suffering himself on the cross, crying out from Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Because Jesus has walked through suffering from the inside, believers can trust him in the valley. 3. Trust gives courage before enemies In verse 5, the image shifts from shepherd to host. God prepares a table in the presence of enemies, anoints David’s head with oil, and makes his cup overflow. Vijay explains that in the ancient world, this was a powerful sign of welcome, protection, honour, and belonging. The enemies are still present, but David is not overwhelmed because he belongs to the Lord. Vijay illustrates this with the courage of the 21 Egyptian Christian labourers killed by ISIS in Libya, who refused to deny Jesus because they knew they belonged to him. 4. Trust strengthens hope for the journey home Vijay closes with verse 6: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” He explains that the Hebrew word translated “follow” carries the stronger sense of pursue. God’s goodness and love do not casually trail behind his people; they pursue them. Using Francis Thompson’s poem The Hound of Heaven, Vijay describes God as the one who lovingly pursues people, not to destroy them, but to bring them home. Psalm 23 ends not merely with sheep returning to a pen, but with God’s people dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. Key Takeaway Trusting the Lord as shepherd changes the inner life of a believer. It forms contentment, gives peace in suffering, fills the heart with courage before enemies, and strengthens hope that God will pursue his people with goodness and love until he brings them home. 00:00 Introduction: moving from lament to trust 01:49 What biblical trust means 03:04 Introducing Psalm 23 04:58 Trust forms contentment 06:26 Everyone is led by a shepherd 09:31 False shepherds create a sense of lack 10:54 God provides what we need 13:43 The shepherd refreshes and guides 14:44 Trust forms peace in suffering 18:56 “You are with me” 20:49 Jesus enters the valley of suffering 23:13 Trust gives courage before enemies 25:22 The 21 Egyptian Christian martyrs 28:03 Trust strengthens hope for the journey home 28:39 God’s goodness and love pursue us 29:31 Francis Thompson and The Hound of Heaven 32:28 Final reflections: the shepherd brings us home 33:36 Closing prayer /episode/index/show/acf/id/41320690

Psalm 77 - Lamenting unanswered prayer 05/04/2026

Psalm 77 - Lamenting unanswered prayer Sermon summary Florence preaches on Psalm 77 as part of a series on lament, trust, and praise, focusing especially on lamenting unanswered prayer. She begins by naming the “noise inside our heads” — worry, doubt, distress — and explains that the Bible does not sugarcoat painful realities. Biblical lament is presented as a faithful practice: crying out to God, bringing complaints honestly, asking God to act, remembering what he has done, and ultimately reaffirming trust. Psalm 77 shows Asaph in deep distress. He cries out to God, prays through the night, cannot sleep, and asks raw questions about whether God has rejected him or forgotten to be compassionate. Florence emphasises that these honest questions are included in Scripture, showing that God can be approached with raw emotion. The turning point comes when Asaph chooses to remember God’s past faithfulness. His focus shifts from his circumstances to God’s character. Florence draws out four movements in the psalm: Asaph looks around, looks in, looks up, and looks back. Remembering God’s works leads him to praise God’s holiness, power, and faithfulness. The sermon then points to the Exodus, where God made a way through the Red Sea — “a pathway no one knew was there.” Florence applies this to those who feel trapped in sorrow or weariness, suggesting that God may still be leading them through, even when they cannot yet see the way. Finally, she connects the “way” to Jesus Christ, who calls himself the way in John 14:6. Unlike Asaph, Christians can also look forward to the hope of eternal life, where God will wipe away every tear. The closing encouragement is: whatever is happening in life, look around, look in, look up, look back, and look forward. 00:00 Introduction: the noise inside our heads 01:21 The Bible does not sugarcoat reality 01:36 Recap of the lament, trust, praise series 02:42 What biblical lament is 04:08 “Hallelujah Anyway” and remembering God’s goodness 05:13 Psalm 77: lamenting unanswered prayer 06:37 Asaph looks around: crying out to God 08:23 Crying out as a faith-filled step 09:55 Asaph names his struggle and complaint 11:06 Lament is not a quick formula 12:04 God’s timetable and growing trust 13:41 Asaph’s honest questions to God 15:30 Raw questions are welcomed in Scripture 16:20 The mismatch between belief and experience 17:17 God’s character is reliable despite our feelings 18:53 The dark before the dawn 19:14 Asaph looks in: remembering what God has done 20:46 The importance of what we think about 22:48 Asaph looks up: praising God’s character 23:40 Remembering God’s works leads to praise 25:04 Practising praise in private prayer 25:49 Keeping our eyes on Jesus 27:00 Asaph looks back: God’s rescue at the Red Sea 28:27 Feeling trapped in sorrow or hopelessness 29:21 A pathway no one knew was there 30:45 Jesus as the road, the way 31:50 Following Jesus does not exempt us from sorrow 32:27 Summary: look around, in, up, and back 33:39 Christians can also look forward 34:43 The future hope of no more tears 35:03 Closing encouragement: look around, in, up, back, and forward /episode/index/show/acf/id/41147185

Psalm 58 04/27/2026

Psalm 51 - 19th April 2026 04/24/2026

Psalm 51 - 19th April 2026 Vijay preaches on Psalm 51, David’s great psalm of repentance after being confronted by Nathan over his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. The sermon begins by distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy guilt. False guilt can burden people for things that are not their fault, while real guilt can become unhealthy if it traps us in the past. But healthy guilt faces sin honestly and leads us towards repentance, change, and restoration with God. Vijay explains that Psalm 51 teaches us that repentance begins not with ourselves, but with God’s character. David appeals to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy. Forgiveness is not based on how sorry we feel, how much we punish ourselves, or whether we can “forgive ourselves”; it rests on the mercy of the God who forgives. David then confesses his sin without excuse. He names it as transgression, iniquity, and sin: rebellion against God, inner corruption, and missing the mark. Though David’s actions hurt Bathsheba, Uriah, and others, he recognises that all sin is ultimately against God. The sermon then moves to David’s request for cleansing. Vijay explains that David is asking for more than legal pardon or ritual cleansing; he wants God to restore the relationship and cleanse him from the inside out. This leads to the heart of the psalm: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” True repentance is not only asking to be forgiven, but asking to be changed by the Holy Spirit. Vijay shows that forgiveness changes people outwardly too. David says he will teach sinners God’s ways and praise God again. Forgiven people become reconcilers and worshippers. The example of John Newton and Amazing Grace illustrates how God’s mercy can reshape a life and continue teaching others long afterwards. The sermon also stresses that God desires a broken and contrite heart, not merely outward religious acts. David’s failure does not become a good thing, but God uses even repentance after failure to teach humility and bring restoration. Finally, Vijay explains that sin is never purely private. David’s sin damaged his kingdom, but his restoration also had wider effects. God continued his promises through David, Solomon, and ultimately Jesus. The sermon closes with the story of Mick Fleming, whose life of trauma, violence, guilt, repentance, and transformation shows how God meets broken people, forgives them, changes them, and makes their lives a source of good for others. Core message God meets us in guilt, forgives us through his mercy, changes us by his Spirit, restores us into relationship with him, and uses our restored lives for the good of others and the glory of God. /episode/index/show/acf/id/41001985

Sermons from Aberdeen Christian Fellowship

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