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http://www.stonehavenbaptistchurch.com/

Stonehaven Baptist Church, The Old Courthouse, Dunnottar Avenue, Stonehaven (2026)

31/05/2026

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31/05/2026

Baptist Buzz 31.05.26

This passage from Mark 6:6–13 focuses on Jesus sending out the twelve disciples on their first mission. Up to this point in Mark’s Gospel, the disciples had mainly observed Jesus’ ministry. They had watched him preach, heal, and confront evil spirits, but now their role changed. Jesus called them to himself and sent them out “two by two” to continue his work. The sermon emphasizes that this moment marks the transition from being followers who watch to servants who participate actively in God’s mission.

The context is important. Jesus has just been rejected in his hometown of Nazareth because of the people’s unbelief. Rather than becoming discouraged, he continued teaching from village to village. His response to opposition is not retreat but persistence. This demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the work God gave him to do. Alistair Begg compared this to a coach gathering players together and assigning them a task: Jesus gathers the disciples and gives them clear instructions for their mission.

A major theme is authority. Jesus gave the disciples authority over evil spirits and sent them out as representatives of himself. Their authority is not personal or self-generated; it came entirely from Jesus. They are extensions of his ministry, proclaiming his message and performing works in his name. The sermon stresses that Christian ministry always begins with being close to Christ. The disciples’ effectiveness did not come from education, status, or personal talent, but from having “been with Jesus.” This principle still applies today: true Christian service flows from a living relationship with Christ rather than from human credentials alone.

A second theme is simplicity. Jesus instructed the disciples to travel lightly: no food, no money, no extra clothing. The purpose was not to establish a permanent rule about poverty or clothing but to teach dependence on God and freedom from unnecessary burdens. Travelling light would allow them mobility and flexibility as they moved quickly from place to place. Their lack of possessions would also demonstrate trust in God’s provision. Alastair warned against interpreting these instructions in a literal or rigid way. Jesus was not commanding all Christians in every age to wear sandals and carry staffs. Rather, the principle is that followers of Christ should avoid becoming so attached to material possessions that they are unable to respond when God calls them.

The sermon then discussed hospitality. Jesus tells the disciples to stay in the same house while visiting a town rather than moving around seeking better accommodations. This prevented them from appearing selfish or opportunistic. Their mission was not about comfort, status, or personal gain. Alastair explained that constantly upgrading to better homes would undermine the credibility of their message. Christian workers must conduct themselves with integrity so that their behaviour supports, rather than contradicts, the gospel they proclaim.

Another important point is the expectation of animosity and rejection. Jesus warned that some towns will refuse to welcome or listen to the disciples. In such cases, they are to shake the dust from their feet and move on. This symbolic act reflected Jewish customs of separating from impurity and served as a testimony against those who rejected the message. The disciples were not to force themselves upon people or engage in aggressive confrontation. Their task was gentle persuasion, not coercion. Yet they were also not to compromise the seriousness of the gospel message. Rejection carried consequences because the message they proclaimed was God’s truth.

The summary of the disciples’ mission is simple: they preached repentance, cast out demons, and healed the sick. In essence, they continued the ministry of Jesus. Christians today still have the same central message: proclaiming who Jesus is, why he came, and what he accomplished through his death and resurrection. The church does not need to invent a new message but faithfully communicate Christ’s message.

Finally, the sermon stressed the urgency of the gospel. The disciples were sent out quickly because people needed to hear that the kingdom of God was near and that repentance was necessary. Repentance is described as a genuine change of heart, mind, and direction—a turning away from sin and toward Christ. The message remains urgent today because all people will one day stand before Christ in judgment. Therefore, believers are called both to proclaim the gospel faithfully and to live lives consistent with the message they preach. -G

24/05/2026

Baptist Buzz 24.5.26

Today we watched an Alastair Begg video as part our worship, which reflected on Mark 6;1-6, where Jesus returns to his hometown of Nazareth with his disciples. The sermon explains that this visit was important because it prepared the disciples for the rejection they themselves would face when preaching the gospel. Jesus had already performed miracles, gathered followers, and taught with authority, but in Nazareth he met with disbelief from people who had known him since childhood. The central theme is that unbelief often surrounds the advance of Christian faith.

When Jesus taught in the synagogue, the people were amazed by his wisdom and miracles. They asked where he had gained such authority and wondered how an ordinary carpenter could perform such works. However, their amazement did not lead to faith. Instead, their familiarity with Jesus became an obstacle. They saw him only as “Mary’s son,” the local carpenter whose family they knew personally. Because they viewed him through what Alistair Begg called “the veil of ordinariness,” they struggled to believe he was truly sent by God.

The sermon highlights three responses from the people of Nazareth: they were amazed, offended, and deprived.
First, they were amazed. Jesus’ teaching and miracles astonished them because he lacked the background expected of a religious leader. He had no formal education, no academic credentials, and his followers were ordinary men such as fishermen and tax collectors. Yet his wisdom and authority could not be denied. Still, amazement alone was not enough to produce faith. A person can admire Jesus intellectually or emotionally while remaining spiritually unchanged.

Second, they were offended. The people questioned Jesus’ identity and treated him with contempt. Referring to him as “Mary’s son” may have been intentionally insulting, since Jewish tradition usually identified men through their fathers. They dismissed him because they thought they already knew who he was. The sermon compares this attitude to modern scepticism, where people reject Christianity because Jesus appears too ordinary or too distant from modern life. Despite witnessing evidence of his power, the people of Nazareth refused to accept his claims.

Third, they were deprived. Because of their unbelief, Jesus performed very few miracles among them. Alistair Begg emphasized that this was not because Jesus lacked power, but because unbelief prevented the people from receiving the blessings of his kingdom. Jesus would not perform miracles simply to entertain or satisfy sceptics. In the same way, spiritual blessings such as forgiveness and transformation are not experienced by those who stubbornly reject Christ.

The sermon connects this story to modern society, arguing that Christianity still advances in a culture of unbelief. Religious faith is often dismissed as irrational or outdated, both in intellectual circles and everyday life. Alistair shared examples of people who appreciate the Bible as literature or history but refuse to engage seriously with its message. He argued that many people today resemble the crowd in Nazareth: interested, curious, even amazed, but unwilling to commit themselves in faith.

The sermon is directed toward people who repeatedly hear the Christian message but remain undecided. Alastair was amazed that some continue attending church and hearing the gospel while never fully accepting or rejecting it. He urged listeners to “move off the fence” and stop delaying a decision about Christ. He reassured those who feel unworthy or beyond forgiveness that their weakness and sin are actually the reason they need Jesus. Salvation, he explained, is not for the morally perfect but for those who recognize their need.

The sermon ended with a reminder that Jesus was rejected by many, even in his own hometown, but those who receive him in faith become children of God. Will you remain trapped in indecision or respond to God while the opportunity remains. -G

17/05/2026

Baptist Buzz 17.5.26

Alastair Godfrey spoke today on the opening words of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd.” He began by asking an important question: who is this Lord who has the right to be “my boss, my owner, my shepherd”? In a culture where many people resist authority and insist on being “captain of their own destiny,” David’s words stand out clearly. David is not reluctant or embarrassed to belong to God; instead, he seems to say with joy and confidence, “Look who my shepherd is!”

Alastair explained that the wellbeing of sheep depends entirely on the quality of their shepherd. A poor shepherd who neglects his flock, fails to treat wounds, or does not protect them from danger leaves the sheep vulnerable and in distress. But David speaks of a shepherd who provides everything necessary — food, safety, guidance and protection, even in the darkest and most difficult circumstances. The emphasis of the Psalm is not really on the sheep, but on the greatness and goodness of the Shepherd.

To illustrate this, Alastair described experiences from his younger days walking high in the mountains. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks and able to see for miles in every direction, he became deeply aware of how small he was in comparison to the greatness of God, who created such magnificence. Yet the wonder of Psalm 23 is that this mighty Creator of the universe is not distant or uninterested. David says, “The Lord is my shepherd.” God knows us personally and desires a relationship with us individually.

Alastair went on to explain that we belong to God not only because He created us, but because He redeemed us. Referring to Isaiah 53, he quoted the words: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Humanity naturally wanders from God, stubbornly choosing its own path, yet Christ took upon Himself the penalty for that rebellion. Through Christ, God has both created us and bought us back.

The comparison between people and sheep is therefore very appropriate. Anyone who has worked with sheep knows their tendency toward stubbornness, foolishness and blindly following one another into danger. In many ways, we are the same. Yet despite our failings, God delights in His people. He provides for them, directs them and blesses them with His care.

Towards the end of the sermon, Alastair spoke about the way shepherds mark their sheep to show ownership. In the past this might have been done with markings on the wool or small cuts on the ear, while today sheep are often identified by yellow ear tags carrying important information. In the same way, the Good Shepherd knows His own people and will gather them to Himself. The challenge was personal and searching: are we carrying His mark?

The sermon concluded with several questions for reflection. Do we truly belong to Him? Do we recognise His right to rule over our lives? Do we seek His guidance and help? Do we acknowledge His authority? And do we know the deep peace and contentment that come from living under the care of the Good Shepherd?-G

11/05/2026

Baptist Buzz 10.5.26

We welcomed Jim O’Hara, and his wife Sandra, today. Jim started his sermon by reflecting on how easy it is for Christians who have read the Bible for years to become too familiar with it. Sometimes we know the stories so well that we stop noticing the details or how different parts connect together. Mark’s Gospel is carefully written, and these two miracles are linked on purpose.

Both stories involve women who are restored by Jesus — one older woman and one young girl. Both are called “daughter” in some way, both are connected to the number twelve, and both involve situations considered “unclean” in Jewish culture. The woman’s bleeding made her ceremonially unclean, and touching a dead body also caused uncleanness. But instead of Jesus becoming unclean by contact with them, the opposite happens: Jesus brings healing, life, and restoration.

Jairus, an important synagogue ruler, comes to Jesus completely desperate because his daughter is dying. Even though he was respected in the community, his need drives him to fall at Jesus’ feet and beg for help. Jesus immediately agrees to go with him, showing how willing He is to stop for individuals, even in the middle of busy public ministry.

On the way, though, another desperate person appears — the woman who had suffered with bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money trying to get better, but nothing had worked. She believed that if she could simply touch Jesus’ clothes, she would be healed. The sermon points out how much faith and desperation there is in that moment. She doesn’t want attention; she just wants help.

As soon as she touches Jesus, she is healed immediately. But instead of carrying on quickly to Jairus’ house, Jesus stops and asks, “Who touched me?” The disciples are confused because the crowd is pressing all around Him, but Jesus keeps asking until the woman comes forward trembling and afraid.

This becomes the key moment in the sermon. The preacher explains that Jesus wasn’t simply interested in performing a miracle and moving on. The woman wanted healing, but Jesus wanted a relationship. He wanted her to know Him personally, not just receive something from Him. The sermon uses the idea of “I-It” and “I-Thou” relationships — meaning that many people treat God like a tool or a source of blessings, rather than someone they truly know and trust personally.

The woman, despite her shame and fear, comes honestly before Jesus, and instead of rebuking her, He speaks gently: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” The preacher explains that this healing points to something much bigger than physical recovery. Jesus is offering salvation, peace with God, and complete restoration.
The story then returns to Jairus, whose daughter has now died while Jesus was delayed. Naturally, Jairus must have felt devastated. But Jesus tells him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” The preacher highlights this as a challenge for all Christians — trusting Jesus even when circumstances seem hopeless.

When Jesus arrives at the house, people are mourning and laughing at His claim that the girl is “sleeping.” But Jesus takes her by the hand and raises her back to life immediately. The miracle shows that even death is not beyond His power.

The sermon finishes by comparing the two kinds of faith in the story. Jairus was respected and important; the woman was isolated, ashamed, and frightened. Yet Jesus warmly accepts both. The big message is that real faith is not about being strong, confident, or impressive. It is about coming honestly to Jesus, even weak and broken, and trusting who He is. Jesus welcomes desperate people and invites them into a real, personal relationship with Him. Will you come to Him?-G

03/05/2026

Baptist Buzz 3.5.26

Today we watched a video of Alistair Begg preaching on Mark 5:1-20, presenting the dramatic account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man as a vivid illustration of both the human condition and the transforming power of Christ. It began by highlighting the church’s mission to reach those “outside” of Christ, emphasizing that true Christianity is not about religious activity but about bringing spiritually lost people into a living relationship with Jesus.

The passage introduced a man in an extreme state of need: isolated, violent, self-destructive, and living among tombs. He was beyond human control and alienated from society and himself. While his condition is unusually severe due to demonic possession, the preacher argued that he represents, in essence, the spiritual state of all people apart from Christ. In Ephesians 2, the sermon explains that those outside Christ are “dead in transgressions and sins”—spiritually lifeless, even if outwardly functional. This challenges the common notion that becoming a Christian is merely adding religion to an otherwise decent life; instead, it is a transformation from death to life.

The encounter between Jesus and the man revealed both Christ’s authority and the inner conflict of the human heart. The man ran to Jesus yet at the same time resisted him, reflecting the tension many experience when confronted with the call to surrender their lives. The sermon emphasized that coming to Christ is not easy or superficial; it often involves painful change, as individuals must relinquish deeply rooted sins or attachments. This struggle explains why some people, even when recognizing the truth of the gospel, hesitate or refuse to respond.

The episode involving the demons entering a herd of pigs underscored several truths: the destructive intent of evil, Jesus’ supreme authority over it, the completeness of the mankind’s deliverance, and the value of a human life over material loss.

Despite witnessing this miraculous transformation, the local people react with fear and ask Jesus to leave. Alistair suggested this might have been due to economic concerns - 2000 pigs was a big loss- or an unwillingness to confront their own need for change. The transformed man became a powerful contrast—now calm, clothed, and in his right mind—but instead of rejoicing, the community resists the implications of what Jesus has done.

Finally, the healed man’s desire to stay with Jesus is denied. Instead, he is sent home to share his story: to tell others how much the Lord has done for him and how he has shown mercy. This becomes a model for Christian witness—simple, personal testimony rather than complex argument. Go and gossip the Gospel!

The sermon ended by connecting this story to the gospel itself: Jesus ultimately took the place of broken, alienated people, suffering and dying so they might be restored. Believers are then called to share this message, acting not as passive recipients but as active participants in reaching others with the hope and transformation found in Christ. Will you go and tell? - G

27/04/2026

Craft Group. Once again Donna found us something beautiful to make. It may have strained our eyes and taxed our dexterity but the results were gorgeous- don't you think?

26/04/2026

Baptist Buzz 26.4.26

Today’s sermon by Dick took a fresh look at the well-known story in Mark 4:35–41, where Jesus calms the storm, and encourages us not to just remember it—but to really think about it. It starts with a simple, slightly funny example of someone mishearing “I’m sinking” as “I’m thinking,” which sets up the main idea: if we take time to think properly now, it might help us when we feel like we’re sinking later in life.

For many people, this passage is very familiar—something heard many times before. But that familiarity can actually be a problem. Dick pointed out that we can get so used to the story, and even to the idea of Jesus, that we lose a sense of awe about who He really is. We can forget His greatness, His power, and even the kind of respectful fear that the Bible talks about. And if that happens, when life gets tough, we’re much more likely to panic.

The story begins with Jesus telling his disciples to go across the lake. They listen and obey straight away, but then a huge storm hits. This is really important: they weren’t in trouble because they did something wrong—they were in trouble because they did exactly what Jesus told them to do. That goes against the idea that following God means life will be easy. The sermon compares this with Jonah, who got into a storm because he disobeyed God. In contrast, the disciples obeyed—and still ended up in danger.
This reminded us that following God doesn’t mean we’ll avoid hard times. The Bible actually shows the opposite in many places. People who trusted God still suffered, sometimes even losing their lives. So if we expect God to keep us out of trouble completely, we’re setting ourselves up for a shock when difficulties come—whether that’s illness, financial stress, or loss.

Then we see Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm. This shows his humanity—he was exhausted after a long day and needed rest, just like anyone else. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that Jesus understands what it’s like to be human. He knows what it’s like to be tired, stressed, and under pressure, which means we can come to him honestly with whatever we’re facing.

But the disciples are terrified. The storm gets so bad that they wake Jesus up and ask, “Don’t you care if we drown?” It’s not really a calm request—it’s more like a frustrated outburst. They’re so overwhelmed that they can’t see beyond the situation in front of them. Even though Jesus had already said they were going to the other side, they don’t trust that promise in the moment. And if we’re honest, we often react in the same way—asking questions like “Why is this happening?” or “Don’t you care?”

Jesus then stands up and speaks to the storm, and instantly everything becomes calm. Not gradually—completely calm, right away. This shows something incredible: His words have authority over nature itself. The same Jesus who was asleep from tiredness is also the one who controls the wind and waves. He is both fully human and fully God.

After calming the storm, Jesus asks them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The issue isn’t that the storm wasn’t real—it clearly was. The issue is where their trust was. Faith only works if it’s placed in something reliable, and Jesus is showing that he is completely trustworthy.

Interestingly, the disciples don’t respond with relief—they’re actually even more afraid. They start asking, “Who is this?” because they’re beginning to realise they’re in the presence of God Himself. This kind of fear isn’t just panic—it’s a deep sense of awe and respect.

The sermon finished by encouraging us to hold onto that sense of who Jesus really is. Yes, he is loving and caring—but he is also powerful and worthy of reverence. If we keep that bigger picture in mind, then when life’s storms hit, we won’t be so easily overwhelmed. Whether the storm passes quickly or not, we can trust in the One who is in control of it all—the One whom even the wind and waves obey. -G

Stonehaven Baptist Church

31/05/2026

31/05/2026

24/05/2026

17/05/2026

11/05/2026

03/05/2026

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