18

 1 John 4:14 – Fathers and sons – the love that does not spare

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:14 11/12/16 am – Fathers and sons – the love that does not spare Extract 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world. Main Points 1.  The love that spares other men’s sons 2.  Love that did not spare His own Son 3.  Lessons of Love

11

1 John 4:14 – Fathers and sons – the absent father

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:14 11/12/16 am – Fathers and sons – the absent father Extract 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world. Main Points 1.  The Father loves the Son 2.  The Father shows the Son 3. From the lesser to the greater

04

Isaiah 9:6 – The promise of a Child

Sermon from RN Evans on Isaiah 9:6 4/12/16 pm – The promise of a Child Extract For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Main Points 1.  The origins of the Promise 2.  The comfort of the Promise 3. The Light in the Darkness

04

1 John 4:14 – Fathers and sons

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:14 4/12/16 am – Fathers and sons Extract 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Saviour of the world. Main Points 1.  The background in the Old Testament 2.  The background in the New testament 3. The Christmas story

20

Matthew 25:21 – Well done good and faithful servant

Sermon from RN Evans on Matthew 25:21 20/11/16 pm – Well done good and faithful servant Extract 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Main Points 1.  Getting our Eschatology right 2.  The settling of accounts 3. Well done

20

1 John 4:17 – As He is so are we

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:17 20/11/16 am – As He is so are we Extract 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  Main Points 1.  John’s concern with the world 2.  The Christian identity

Minister Neil Evans

I want a Christian Counsellor.

I work a few days a week as a Mental Health Practitioner in our local NHS Mental Health Resource Centre. GP’s refer to us people with such concerns as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders and we then offer assessment and interventions such as counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness.

13

Matthew 11:25-30 – “I will give you rest”

Sermon from RN Evans on Matthew 11:25-30 13/11/16 pm – “I will give you rest” Extract 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Main Points 1.  God enters His rest 2.  “Come unto Me” 3.  There remains a rest

13

 1 John 4:16 – Knowing and Believing

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:16 13/11/16 am – Knowing and Believing Extract 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Main Points 1.  John’s distinction between knowing and believing 2.  Why believing proves so difficult 3.  Believing the Love of God

Minister Neil Evans

The Last Bastion of Eighteenth Century Welsh Calvinistic Methodism.

There is a church not far, far away that I drive past on a Sunday night after dropping my adult children off at their various residences. As I pass I see people leaving, having stayed behind for the familiar tea and biscuits after church fellowship. As I see them walk home I find myself wondering if they realise that they attend a church that can be thought of as the last bastion of eighteenth century Welsh Calvinistic Methodism. What is ‘eighteenth century Welsh Calvinistic Methodism?’ I hear you ask. Well, it can be summed up by the phrase ‘It is better felt than telt’, as a way of expressing what is viewed as important in Christian experience. Eighteenth century Welsh Methodist placed great store on subjective experience. It wasn’t enough to believe in Christ, you also had to ‘feel’ your belief in Christ. ‘Mere’ faith was viewed as inadequate, even dangerous and so Christians were encouraged by their leaders to ‘seek’ experience, ‘not to rest’ until experience was found and even to ‘sue God’ until you ‘felt’ what you believed.

Minister Neil Evans

The Chief of Sinners

The phrase ‘the chief of sinners’ seems to have moved from 1 Timothy 1v 15 via the hymns of Lucy Ann Bennett and Charles Wesley into the self-understanding of many Christians. Over the years I have heard many Christians refer to themselves, both in their conversations and public prayers, as ‘the chief of sinners’. Is it right to do so? I would argue that it is not. To do so not only misses the point of Paul’s argument to Timothy but also undermines the Christians’ experience of grace.

06

1 John 4:17 – God’s perfect love – part 3

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:17 6/11/16 pm – God’s perfect love – part 3 Extract 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. Main Points 1.  A reminder of the context 2.  A definition of perfect love 3.  The result of perfect love

06

1 John 4:18 – Fear and Torment

Sermon from RN Evans on 1 John 4:18 6/11/16 am – Fear and Torment Extract 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. Main Points 1.  What fear is 2.  What fear involved 3.  How fear is cast out

30

Hebrews 6:19-20 – The patience of Faith: The anchor for the soul

Sermon from RN Evans on Hebrews 6:19-20 30/10/16 am – The patience of Faith: The anchor for the soul Extract 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Main Points 1.  The Old Testament background to the book of Hebrews 2.  Fleeing for refuge 3.  An anchor for the soul

Minister Neil Evans

The Diary of a (Ministerial) Nobody: Part 1

A few years ago when read the reflections of a well-known preacher I came across a comment he made on his Ministerial colleagues.  He said that whilst he was always glad to ‘see the faces’ of his colleagues either in his own church or at Minister’s Conferences he ‘got very little from their preaching’.  This preacher is a frequent speaker at both Ministers’ Conferences and Christian gatherings.