Who is this Sermon For?

I've had a very interesting situation in the last couple of days. I was invited to preach a sermon of my choice in a church a few weeks ago. Now for the record I find that freedom to pray and choose a passage to share with God's people very hard to enjoy. Here I prefer …

Cheering the Right Team

******You've heard them say the earth is hardRelationships are complicated in statusThe economy tends to get worse everydayFamily is no longer a safe space for childrenJobs are hunting grounds for corporate predatorsEverywhere you look someone is out to get you****** The man you loved has betrayed you with a friendThe little savings you put aside …

When We Get Heaven All Wrong

In the last few days, Kenyans have been glued to their television and newspapers watching the unfolding horror propagated by "pastor" Paul Mackenzie of the ironic Good News International church. The question in many people's minds is how this pastor managed to convince people to sell off property, move to his land and fast to …

Asking the Right Questions in Discipleship

The work of discipleship is both easy and hard. It is clear and messy. Straightforward and yet deeper than we imagine. It's possible to say that person is sorted now only to find yourself dealing with the unthinkable. Easy to tick a box too early and assume growth. But the fact that we are lifelong …

Subtle Problems still need Subtle Prayers

Whenever we go to the hospital we immediately realise two things, there are many sick people out there and many with more serious conditions than us. It's easy to feel whatever is ailing us is nothing compared to what our neighbour is going through. Haven't you had that feeling when people are sharing prayer points? …

When Freedom Doesn’t Lead to Happiness

When that rebellious phase sets in children imagine an adventurous life beyond the home. They think of what life would be if there were no limitations and dad wasn't always there to ruin their fun. The grass on the other side looks green. They imagine the freedom of being an adult. To come in when …

The Price of the Ungrateful Heart

They say the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Well, that's until you get there. It's so easy to imagine that your life would be far much better if you got that job, that promotion, a bigger salary, a life partner or a better one for those married, a child, …

Faithful Preaching that Doesn’t Bore to Death

When I started expository preaching someone told me I was teaching and not preaching. Now when you get a feedback like that in an African context you know that was one boring lecture. Just think about that lesson you didn't like in college or highschool and imagine having it just before lunch with a teacher …

The Ministry of Critics

When we think God has called us to the ministry we think of words like the Gospel, the lost and those needing discipleship. We imagine walking together to establish the kingdom either where Christ is not known or clarifying the Gospel where there exists confusion. I don't think any of us comes along to be …

The Idol of the People Pleaser

You meet this guy who always shows up when he's needed. He never wants to fail people. If anything he'll go out of his way to serve others. You think, if everyone was like him how far would this ministry go. Why can't people be this committed? But then you realise something, he doesn't take …