Sermon preached by Pastor Vincent Bourrel on 28th November 2021

Introduction

The cities of Capernaum, Chorazin and Bethsaida on the shores of the Sea of ​​Galilee, were the theaters for most of Jesus’ miracles (v. 20), however, most of the inhabitants of these cities have rejected Jesus’ mission to save sinners, and they did not repent of their sins.

It was in Capernaum that Jesus healed the paralyzed and suffering servant of a Roman centurion (Mt 8.5-8). It was in Capernaum that he healed the mother-in-law of the apostle Peter, who was suffering from a fever and demoniacs, and he healed all the sick « so that what had been announced by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: He took our infirmities and he took charge of our illnesses ”. (Mt 8.14-17)

It is in front of Capernaum on the Lake of Galilee that Jesus calms the storm with one word, then on the other side of the lake, he delivers a demonic (Mt 8.23-27). It is in Capernaum « in his city » that he heals a paralyzed man, (Mt 9: 1-8). It is in Capernaum that he heals a woman who had been suffering from blood loss for 12 years and he resuscitates the daughter of Jairus (Mt 9:18-26).

The inhabitants of these cities did not oppose Jesus, they did not drive him out, they did not threaten him as in Nazareth. Jesus teaches, preaches and works hallucinating miracles, but they do not repent, they are simply indifferent. Jesus said that if such miracles had been done in the pagan cities of Tire or Sidon (Lebanon) and even in Sodom (renowned for its sin) these cities would have long repented.

Sermon preached by Julien Grenier, Agape campus minister, on 14th November 2021

This morning we will complete our study of the book of Revelation. We will study chapters 21 and 22, the end, the eternal state, the new heavens and the new earth. That moment when the bride comes to meet Christ, who reigns forever and ever. 

Before we read our two chapters I would like us to remember in what context the apostle John writes this prophecy. The apostle John is writing in 95 after Jesus Christ, he is in exile on the island of Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea not far from Ephesus. In 95 after Jesus Christ, the Church was experiencing an unprecedented persecution. The emperor Domitian had the Christians impaled in the fields at the entrance to Rome… The message was clear: You are not welcome, if you don’t want to end up like your brothers, abandon your faith and your Jesus… In 95 after Jesus Christ John was old, he was alone, he was the last apostle still alive. I imagine that it must not have been easy every day. And it is in this context, in order to strengthen his courage and his faith that the Lord Jesus appears to him and says: « Come, I will show you something, I will show you the things that are coming soon.

Sermon preached by Luciano Branco, Pastor of Église Évangélique Baptiste de Toulon, on 7th November 2021

I’d like to set up the backdrop for the passage we’ve just read:

– Verses 1-15 narrate the multiplication of the loaves. The text says that « a multitude followed him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. » (Jn 6.2). John provides a significant time clue:  » Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. » (Jn 6:4) For Jesus, it’s the last Passover. He is crucified a year later. That’s the final stretch, yet a crowd of at least 5000 men have only one obsession: miracles.

– Verses 16-25 recount how the disciples sailed across the Lake of Galilee to Capernaum. It’s obviously an unparalleled experience: Jesus walks on the water, Peter steps out of the boat to walk a few steps too, Jesus calms the storm, etc. The crowd still follows Jesus as paparazzi! Look at their concerns: « So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” (Jn 6:24-25). Bus Jesus questions their intentions and motivations, « What are you looking for? What do you want from me? » Jesus answered, « Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. » (Jn 6:26)

Let’s update Jesus’ statements, « You came here this morning because you want your prayers answered, you want God to do miracles, to multiply. You are here only because you are going to eat and drink. That’s why you are here this morning! » It’s the kind of speech that sets the mood, isn’t it?

Sermon preached by Anthony Granger of Portes Ouvertes on 31st October 2021

Today is the Sunday of the Persecuted Church. Firstly we will watch a video about the persecutions happening around the world.

Title slide: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed –2 Corinthians 4:8

Let’s talk about the 2021 Index of Persecution. This year, the yellow color has disappeared. Yellow signified « Strong Persecution ». Now we start directly with Orange, or « Very Strong Persecution ». This shows us that persecution continues and increases, as it does every year.

Sermon preached by Luc Massou on 24th October 2021

Let’s read Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 5-7

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

In today’s sermon we will hear about the following points:

1. God wants us to accept and live in our context
2. God wants us to be peacemakers where he has placed us
3. How we can be peacemakers