bible – Page 4 – St. Luke's Church Ramsgate

This Sunday 23rd November 2025

This coming Sunday is called, ‘Christ the King’. So, what kind of king is Jesus?

Work Hard, (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Are you tired of doing good? There are all kinds of reasons why people might answer, ‘Yes’ to that question. Continuing our short series of talks on 2 Thessalonians

Remembrance Sunday, (Job 19:23-27a; 2 Thes. 2:1-8)

Job 19:25: ” I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, when we celebrate the courage and bravery of those who risked and gave their lives protecting our country and freedom. It is also a time to remember the horrors of war, which helps to encourage us to do all we can to avoid war breaking out in the future.

Perseverance and Faith (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

“We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thes. 1:12)

This week we begin a mini-series on the short letter of 2 Thessalonians.

Our Hope, our Joy, our Crown (1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5)

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Dare to Share (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

We will be considering how Paul and his team went about sharing the good news of Jesus in the early days of the church and what lessons we can learn today.

God Speaks to Depression (1 Kings 19:1-15a)

‘After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.’ (1 Kings 19:12)

We learn more about God’s help for Elijah.

The Army of God (2 Kings 6:8-23)

Matthew 26:53: Jesus said, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels.”

Like Eisha, Jesus is aware that he has an angelic army at his disposal, as he declares in the verse above. Yet, Jesus shows even greater strength and courage. When soldiers arrive to capture him, he allows it, going through with his crucifixion, trusting that God would bring the greatest victory of all, the Resurrection. Will we follow Jesus’ courageous example?

The Great Escape (Exodus 14:10-18)

Exodus 14:13a: “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.”

This week we look at the victory God gives to the Israelites, when they are trapped between the advancing Egyptian army and the Red Sea.

Joy in Victory (Psalm 126)

Jesus says: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20)

Thinking of World War II it is often the case that the greater the suffering or challenge the greater the joy when the suffering or challenge is overcome. In the quote above, Jesus was preparing the disciples for his imminent death. For many at the time, the death of Jesus was a reason to rejoice. A trouble maker had been eliminated, the status quo maintained.

But, the greater joy would be reserved for Jesus’ disciples. Although, they would go through the trauma of losing Jesus, they would discover the amazing joy of seeing him again as the one who had defeated sin and removed the fear of death, not just violent death as at the end of World War II, but the fear of death full stop. That is the incredible joy that people are still discovering today, as they come to follow Jesus.