David Clifford

ID 54316Apr 1, 1973

Jesus' call to Matthew, a tax collector, illustrates the transformative power of following Christ, emphasizing that true transformation is evidenced by a changed life and a willingness to use one's gifts and resources for God's service. The sermon highlights how Christ's call to Matthew, a despised tax collector, led to an immediate and radical change, evidenced by Matthew opening his home to host Jesus and his followers, and subsequently writing the Gospel of Matthew. The core lesson is that genuine conversion results in a new creation where old desires fade and new priorities emerge, demonstrated by the automatic cessation of former sinful habits and the eager embrace of Christ's service. The message concludes by urging listeners to examine their own lives for evidence of this new life and to fully surrender their homes, possessions, and talents to Christ's disposal, following the example of Matthew and others who prioritized Christ above all else.

ID 53652Apr 8, 1973

That true goodness comes not from self-effort but from making room for the Lord Jesus Christ within one's heart. It uses the example of the "good man of the house" who prepared a guest room for Jesus, illustrating that inviting Christ into our lives is the sole means to become good and righteous. The message contrasts this with the common misconception that good works lead to salvation, asserting that Christ's indwelling presence transforms us, enabling us to do good works. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to give Christ the preeminent, first place in their lives, allowing His goodness to flow through them.

ID 53647Apr 6, 1973

Believers are called to bear spiritual fruit for God's glory, just as a farmer plants a vineyard for fruit. Using the parable of the wicked tenants from Mark 12, it illustrates how God has provided protection, instruments, and defense for His vineyard (the earth and its people) through various means, including the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself as the strong tower. The core lesson is that true spiritual fruitfulness comes not from human effort but from abiding in Christ, the true vine, allowing His life to flow through believers. The message concludes by emphasizing that a decisive 'cut' from worldly things and self-will is necessary for this divine life to manifest, leading to fruit for God's praise.

ID 53645Apr 6, 1973

Climbing the mountain with the Lord offers a foretaste of His glory and coming kingdom, as seen in the Transfiguration of Jesus. This event, where Jesus appeared in glory with Moses and Elijah, demonstrated the divine attributes of power, wisdom, and holiness. The Father's voice from heaven declared Jesus as His beloved Son, commanding listeners to hear Him, emphasizing His preeminence over Old Testament figures. The sermon highlights that beholding Christ's glory transforms believers into His likeness, and that the ultimate focus in God's eternal kingdom will be solely on Jesus.

ID 53643Apr 4, 1973

Christ is presented as both Master and Saviour, demonstrating His authority over every situation, including demonic possession, disease, and death. The sermon details three encounters from Mark 5: the man delivered from demons, the woman healed by touching Jesus' garment, and Jairus' daughter raised from death. These accounts illustrate Christ's power to bring deliverance, healing, and life, emphasizing that true salvation and wholeness come through faith in Him, not through self-effort or external remedies. The message concludes by urging believers to rest in Christ's sufficiency and to trust His power for themselves and their loved ones, highlighting that His grace is adequate for every need.

ID 53642Apr 3, 1973

Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever, actively ministering to people through His Holy Spirit. The sermon highlights Jesus' healing of the man with the withered hand in the synagogue as a primary example of His ongoing restorative power. This healing illustrates that Jesus still restores those who obey Him, uses willing individuals for His purposes, heals those who touch Him in faith, and maintains authority over evil spirits. Furthermore, Jesus continues to call individuals to serve Him, emphasizing the importance of both His sovereignty and human responsibility, and He still ordains and empowers preachers to proclaim His word. The core lesson is that Jesus is present to restore individuals, enabling them to be useful in His service, just as He restored the man's hand, his home, and his livelihood.

ID 53641Apr 1, 1973

The Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus Christ as the Servant of God, emphasizing his ministry and obedience. This Gospel, believed to be the earliest written, was likely intended for a Roman audience, hence its focus on action and immediate fulfillment, with the key word being 'straightway.' Mark's account highlights Jesus' divine nature and his mission to serve and give his life as a ransom, as seen in his interactions with Peter and the initial events of his ministry. The sermon encourages listeners to heed Jesus' words and follow his example of service and obedience, recognizing that failure is not final and God offers second chances to believers.

ID 53640Jan 27, 1972

Christ is preeminent in all things, as demonstrated by his role in creation, sustenance, the church, and resurrection. The sermon emphasizes that God has made Christ number one in every aspect of existence, and believers are called to reflect this by placing Christ first in their own lives and churches. This involves recognizing his authority and allowing his life to live through them, leading to true goodness and glorifying God. The message concludes by urging listeners to make Christ number one in their hearts, ensuring all aspects of their lives are at his disposal for his glory.

ID 53639Jan 27, 1972

The glorious person and work of Christ are central to Christian faith and maturity, as highlighted in Paul's letter to the Colossians. The sermon emphasizes that Christ is preeminent in creation, the church, and redemption, being the image of the invisible God and the fullness of the Godhead. This preeminence is demonstrated through his passion on the cross, where his blood provides redemption, reconciliation, and justification. Therefore, believers are called to give Christ his rightful, preeminent place in all things, recognizing that all blessings come through his person and work.

ID 53637Jan 17, 1975

The crucial role of obedience, both Christ's and believers', as an underlying theme in Philippians. It argues that while salvation is a gift received by grace through faith, it necessitates an ongoing process of working out that salvation through good works, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. This outward exhibition of faith is not about earning salvation but about demonstrating its reality and effectiveness in daily life, mirroring Christ's own obedience unto death and fulfilling God's good pleasure.

ID 53636Jan 16, 1975

Fellowship is a central theme in Philippians, encompassing participation in the Gospel, grace, the Spirit, suffering, and giving. Paul deeply valued and experienced fellowship, even in hardship, highlighting how God provides through His faithfulness when human fellowship is lacking. The sermon emphasizes that true fellowship involves association in spiritual deeds for God's glory, not mere social gathering, and calls believers to embrace these various dimensions of fellowship in their Christian walk. Ultimately, the sermon concludes that while human fellowship is precious, the ultimate fellowship is with God Himself, which sustains believers through all circumstances.

ID 53635Jan 12, 1975

The central importance of the "gospel" as a key word in Paul's letter to the Philippians, arguing that it underpins the themes of joy, unity, and fellowship. The message traces Paul's missionary call to Macedonia, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's guidance and Paul's dedication to preaching the gospel, which he understood as a divine mandate. It highlights that true fellowship in the gospel involves hospitality and living out the message, and that suffering for the gospel's sake, rather than hindering it, actually furthers its cause. The sermon concludes by stressing that Christ is the absolute center of the gospel and that a life lived in accordance with the gospel is essential for its effectiveness.