Calvary Chapel Maidstone

13/01/2025

Jesus was the master storyteller. But each story carried a significant spiritual meaning.

In the Parable of the Minas we read of a coming king, who has left his servants the means to do business.

When he returns he calls them to account for their labours, and rewards them accordingly.

But what of the wicked servant who failed to yield a return?

Who are the citizens who refused to have the king reign over them?

Once the parable is understaood in context, we must ask ourselves, ‘What is God saying to us through this parable, both as individuals and as a church?’

Pastor Matthew Hobbs draws three principle lessons from the parable, alliterated in the words, ‘Watch’, ‘Witness’ and ‘Worship’, which form a vision for the church going into 2025.

Message delivered on Sunday 12th January 2025

https://youtu.be/P82-clAYj_I

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=luke-1911-27-the-parable-of-the-minas

23/12/2024

10/11/2024

The Kings of the North came from the Seleucid Empire.

The Kings of the South came from the Ptolemic Empire.

Daniel continues the revelation given to him by the angel in verse 20, of the brief reign of the Northern King, Seleucid IV.

Then verse 21 to 34 deal with his successor, Antiochus IV, aka Antiochus Epiphanes.

The angel describes him as a vile person, who will viciously slaughter the Jews and desecrate the temple.

While this may be a near prophecy, to be fulfilled between 175BC and 164BC, there is a greater fulfilment of this prophecy in the figure of the Antichrist who will make war with the Jews and desecrate the temple during the Great Tribulation, spoken of by Jesus.

These are mighty prophecies that we see fulfilled, verifying the accuracy and reliability of God’s Word, and giving us an insight into the future for Israel and the whole world.

The eighteenth sermon in a series by Ian Fox.
Message delivered on Sunday 10th November 2024.

https://youtu.be/ahNRrL3U0xA

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=daniel-1120-35-kings-of-the-north-and-the-south-part-2

03/11/2024

World history is replete with accounts of battles fought, battles lost and victories won.

Of kings and princes, generals and emperors, the rise of empire, the decline of nation and the intrigues and betrayals behind the scenes.

Daniel 11 gives an impressive account of the rise and fall of the Medo-Persian Empire and its leaders.

Then the emergence of Alexander the Great and his subsequent conquering of not only Medo-Persia but much of the known world.

Then, after Alexander’s death, the dissolution and division of his Greek Empire between his four generals.

Daniel continues to speak of how eventually one of the generals, Seleucus, took control of the north and another general, Ptolemy, took control of the south of the Greek Empire.

These are the Kings of the North and the South.

What is most amazing about Daniel 11 is not its accuracy to historic detail, but that it was all written before it happened.

The angel who had appeared to Daniel in chapter 10 reveals everything to the old prophet; what the future holds, both immediate and far into history.

This then is a testament to the accuracy and reliability of Scripture, and the God who authored it.

The seventeenth sermon in a series by Ian Fox.
Message delivered on Sunday 3rd November 2024.

https://youtu.be/AjHjaxAvQ8E

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=daniel-111-19-kings-of-the-north-and-the-south

28/10/2024

Paul was in prison, but while his body was in chains his heart was not.

His love and concern for the Christians in Philippi is evident in his letter to them.

He longed to hear that they lived worthy of the gospel, that they stood fast in one spirit, that they were not terrified of their adversaries, but were an example to all.

Paul knew that it was not only he who faced conflict, but all believers will face conflict of varying sorts.

However, consolation could be found in Christ and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

So as he encouraged them toward godly conduct, he knowingly did so that it is not without the need to strive will that be achieved.

The third sermon in a series by Ian Fox.
Message delivered on Monday 28th October 2024.

https://youtu.be/cFsueqVz3cM

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=philippians-127-24-godly-conduct-spirit-filled-unity

27/10/2024

With the Mosaic Covenant came the Law of Moses.

With the Law of Moses came the Sin Offering and the Trespass Offering.

The Law of Moses formed the terms of the Mosaic Covenant, a series of 613 commandments for the Israelites to observe to maintain a covenant relationship with the Lord.

If these laws were kept, God promised blessing on the people.

If these laws were broken, God promised curses on the people.

To break the Law is to sin, and the Sin Offering served as a means for that sin to be covered and to stop the promised curses from falling on the nation.

The Sin Offering protected the people from God’s judgement, but it prefigured a greater sacrifice made by Jesus Christ; The Man who is our Sin Offering and offers a far superior sacrifice.

What are the rites of the offering?

What lies beneath these rites?

How does Jesus fulfil the Sin Offering for us today?

The fifth sermon in a series by Pastor Matthew Hobbs
Teaching delivered on Sunday 27th October 2024

https://youtu.be/gXRiOSJWHIE

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=leviticus-41-12-the-sin-offering-part-1

25/10/2024

The Church in Corinth had demonstrated a selfishness in its attitude toward one another and abuse of the spiritual gifts that sought to elevate some and denigrate others.

In between the two chapters that speak of spiritual gifts, Paul seeks to address a balance by illustrating how love is to be desired far above gifts.

For a time will come when gifts will cease, but a time will never come when love will cease.

The passage is divided into three sections:
1. The Importance Of Love
2. The Definition Of Love
3. The Permanence Of Love

A challenging passage for every Christian at any given point in their personal walk.

The twenty-fourth sermon in a series by Pastor Matthew Hobbs.
Teaching delivered on Monday 21st October 2024.

https://youtu.be/ayPsQnRjlAY

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=1-corinthians-131-13-the-character-of-love

20/10/2024

It is the third year of King Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Two years have past since Cyrus decreed that the Jewish people could return to Israel.

However, now the Lord has a message for Daniel.

During an extended time of prayer and fasting of three weeks, an angel appears before Daniel - dazzling in appearance and awe inspiring.

Miraculously, only Daniel sees the vision, those with him see nothing.

Daniel feels all strength and vigour leave his body, while those with him experience a supernatural terror fall on them.

What could this mean?

Falling to ground on his face, Daniel hears the man speak…

At first it becomes apparent that there has been a battle in the heavenlies, as it has taken the length of Daniel’s fast for the angel to breakthrough and reach him.

Now he has arrived, he can share the message he has been given. He is to tell Daniel what will happen in the latter days to his people, Israel…

The sixteenth sermon in a series by Ian Fox.
Message delivered on Sunday 20th October 2024.

https://youtu.be/Oo5hFbbR7f4

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=daniel-101-111-daniels-angelic-visitation

19/10/2024

One of the best known quotes of Jesus is drawn from John 14:6; a favourite of evangelists and those who share the gospel everywhere, these words proclaim a bold and challenging truth.

Jonny takes a deep dive into the verse to explore the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and His extraordinary claim and to answer the questions:

How is Jesus the way?

What is truth?

How can Jesus say He is Truth?

What is the Life?

The first of a two-part apologetics study by Jonny Bourne.
Presented on Monday 16th September 2024.

https://youtu.be/mdcodkJX5DY

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=apologetics-the-way-the-truth-the-life-part-2

17/10/2024

One of the best known quotes of Jesus is drawn from John 14:6; a favourite of evangelists and those who share the gospel everywhere, these words proclaim a bold and challenging truth.

Jonny takes a deep dive into the verse to explore the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and His extraordinary claim and to answer the questions:

How is Jesus the way?

What is truth?

How can Jesus say He is Truth?

What is the Life?

The first of a two-part apologetics study by Jonny Bourne.
Presented on Monday 9th September 2024.

https://youtu.be/8hLu0-msju8

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=apologetics-the-way-the-truth-the-life-part-1

14/10/2024

Paul was being held in chains, bound to the palace guard when he wrote to the church he founded on his second missionary journey.

But instead of it being the end of the line and place of despair, as it would be for many, it was a place of great encouragement to Paul and those who knew him.

New ways to further gospel presented themselves to Paul, and his faith in the face of trial emboldened others to share the gospel too.

Some shared with mixed motives, but as long as Christ is preached, Paul rejoiced!

But what of the end of his suffering, would he be freed, or would he face ex*****on?

While that may not be absolutely certain at the time of writing, Paul could see benefit in both. Both were gain, to other serve the Lord on earth or in heaven, both were desirable.

https://youtu.be/TBnd3Z5Z7G4

https://calvarychapelmaidstone.uk/?ctc_sermon=philippians-112-26-for-the-christian-to-live-is-christ-and-to-die-is-gain