St Andrew's Church, Bellsmyre, Dumbarton

Links to new posts at “Christ in all the Scriptures / The Theology of G C Berkouwer”

Charles Cameron — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:56:34 +0000

Berkouwer’s Understanding of Scripture

“Evangelicals” and “Existentialists” – Learning from G. C. Berkouwer

Some links to articles on T. F. Torrance, Karl Barth and G. C. Berkouwer

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 23rd August 2009

It’s either one or the other – turning towards God or turning away from Him (Psalm 10).

Human Freedom (Part Six) – An Article on “Aldous Huxley”

Human Freedom (Part Five) – A Sermon

An Invitation

Charles Cameron — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:40:29 +0000

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

An Invitation

I invite you to visit the website of St Andrew’s Church, Bellsmyre, Dumbarton.

We are not a large congregation by Church of Scotland standards. Total membership is only around 150. However we do feel that we are one of the friendliest churches that you are likely to come across.

Our Minister is Rev. Dr. Charles Cameron (likes to be known as Charlie). His wife’s name is Sharon and she takes an active part in the life of St. Andrew’s too. Charlie has his own presence on the Internet and you can read more here.

If this has whetted your appetite, why not come along and join in the fellowship? The Service is on Sunday at 10.30 am, and you’ll be made very welcome!

Links to “Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton”

Charles Cameron — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:57:46 +0000

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 17th May 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton, 24th May 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 31st May 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 7th June 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 14th June 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 21st June 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 28th June 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 5th July 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s Dumbarton: 12th July 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 19th July 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 26th July 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 2nd August 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 9th August 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s , Dumbarton: 16th August 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 23rd August 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 30th August 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 6th September 2009

Preaching God’s Word at St Andrew’s, Dumbarton: 13th September 2009

Some Ideas for Preaching God’s Word

Charles Cameron — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:04:20 +0000

* Jesus told a story of God’s love – “the story of the prodigal son” (Luke 15:11-32).
* Jesus is the Story of God’s love – His Story is the Story of God’s perfect Son.

In Luke 15:13, we read of the prodigal son going into the “far country.” In Luke 15:20-22, we read of the joy of his homecoming – ^“²⁰So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²²But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.”
In Philippians 2:8, we read of Jesus going into “the far country” (Luke 15:13) – “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” – so that we might have an even greatest Homecoming of all - Christ has been “exalted … to the highest place.” He has been given “the Name that is above every name.” What a day it will be when “at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

———-

* Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who died on the cross for us – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
* Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd who rose from the dead for us – ^“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
* Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd who is coming again for us – “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2-4).

———-

* Jesus is the way of salvation – Concerning “the Name of Jesus Christ”, Peter tells us that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12).
* Jesus is the way of joy – Jesus tells us, “In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
* Jesus is the way of victory - Paul gives to us this word of encouragement: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

———-

Two men with the same name – Saul, the first kling of Israel, and Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor of Christ and His servants.
In both stories, we read of a new man.
* In the case of Saul, the first king of Israel, David was the new man. Saul was rejected. He was replaced.
The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king … So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:1, 13).
* In the case of Saul of Tarsus, it was very different. Saul became the new man. He became Paul the apostle. He was saved by the Lord. His life was transformed by the power of Christ’s love. He became a new creation in Christ Jesus. He had this great testimony: “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20).
- We don’t need to be like Saul, the first king of Israel – castaway, laid aside as of no further use (1 Corinthians 9:27).
- Each of us can be like Paul the apostle. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we have more than Paul’s own testimony. we have a call to each one of us. God is calling us to be transformed by the power of Christ’s love. He is calling us to become “a new creation in Christ” – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come!”

———-

* What God must do for us – He must save : “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
* What we must do for God – We must serve: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Salvation and service

* Salvation leads to service.

Those who have been saved by the Lord are to serve Him.

* Service arises out of salvation.
When we serve the Lord, we must never forget that we have been saved by Him.

Links to Bible Reading Notes from Rev George Philip and Rev James Philip

Charles Cameron — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:17:59 +0000

Old Testament

New Testament

1 John
2 John
3 John
———-
Rev James Philip’s Daily Bible Reading Notes

Links to my Bible Reading Notes

Charles Cameron — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:46:12 +0000

Genesis

Exodus

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Joshua

Judges

Ruth

1 Samuel

2 Samuel

1 Kings

2 Kings

1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles

Ezra

Nehemiah

Esther

Job

Psalms

Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Song of Solomon

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Lamentations

Ezekiel

Daniel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi

Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

Acts

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

1 Timothy

2 Timothy

Titus

Philemon

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1-3 John

Jude

Revelation

Links to “Day by Day with Berkouwer” and “Lessons from Hymns”

Charles Cameron — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:59:23 +0000

You may be interested in two series which I posted at my own blog some time ago.

Here are links for the first post in each series.

Day by Day with Berkouwer (1): Overcoming Polarization – with the Gospel

Lessons From Hymns (1)

The “Day by Day with Berkouwer” series has forty eight posts. The “Lessons from Hymns” series has forty posts. I have been thinking of resuming these two series – starting again at No. 1 and using a slightly different title for each series.

New Ministry

Charles Cameron — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:20:48 +0000

On Wednesday 29th April, I began a new ministry at St Andrew’s Church, Dumbarton.

A New Journey Through The Scriptures

Charles Cameron — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:10:09 +0000

At my Let’s Share the Good News and The Theology of G. C. Berkouwer blogs, you can still find the Reading for each day (in its own box at the top of the page). The “New Journey Through The Scriptures”, beginning with Genesis 1, starts tomorrow (22nd January 2009). If you follow these readings each day, they will take you through the whole Bible in three years.
I hope you will visit the “Daily Devotional Readings” and receive a blessing from the Lord.
—–
“When you read God’s Word, you must constantly be saying to yourself, ‘It is talking to me, and about me.’” (Soren Kierkegaard).
Let’s commit ourselves afresh to reading the Word of God day-by-day.
Here are some links which you may find helpful.

Look up Scripture passage

Read a specific comment online

Print a booklet containing monthly readings

Revived by God’s Word, we look forward to His glorious future.

Charles Cameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:53:26 +0000

Difficult times lay ahead for Jesus.

He would be betrayed by Judas Iscariot (John 13:21-30).

He would be denied by Peter (John 13:36-38).

For Jesus, there was His departure (John 13:31-33).

It would be a difficult time for His followers. He tells them to ‘love one another’: ‘By this all men shall know that they are His disciples’ (John 13:34-35).

Jesus points them beyond the difficult times. He speaks of His glorious future. He assures them that the best is yet to be.

He is preparing a place in His ‘Father’s House’ for us. He will come again to take us to Himself (John 14:1-3).

He is the Way to this place, the true and living way (John 14:6).

Now, He reveals the Father to us (John 14:9).

Now, He is working in and through us (John 14:12-14).

He is preparing us for His place: ‘Lord Jesus… fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there’(Church Hymnary, 195).