West Kilbride Parish Church

The Sixth Commandment - Exodus 20 / Matthew 5

In this sermon, we look at the sixth commandment which instructs us not to murder. Whilst this seems simple on the surface of things, we see how Jesus interprets this in the Sermon on the Mount and that this commandment is truly about anger - and how Jesus sees even anger as leading to judgement. We therefore see how we all fall short - and we see the wisdom in trying to contain our anger before there are further consequences.

First preached: 22nd February 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Fifth Commandment - Exodus 20 / Matthew 15

In this sermon, we look at the Fifth Commandment which is to 'Honour our Father and our Mother'. We think about how painful this might be for those who have lost their parents - or those who didn't have or who don't have a good relationship with their parents. But we think through why this commandment is important and why it is necessary that we honour our parents even if we don't agree with them.

First preached: 15th February 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Fourth Commandment - Exodus 20, Mark 2, Colossians 2

In this sermon, we consider the fourth commandment to keep the Sabbath Day. We consider whether the 10 commandments are binding for the Christian - and if not, then how they are relevant to us today. We then consider how we can Sabbath in a way which gives God glory and which is helpful for us as humans.

First preached: 8th February 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Third Commandment - Exodus 20 / Exodus 3

In the third of our series looking at the Ten Commandments, we think about third commandment and honouring the name of the Lord.

We think about how significant names are - and how important it is not to misuse the name of the Lord - the one who is YAHWEH and Abba.

First preached: 1st February 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Second Commandment - Exodus 20 / Exodus 32

In the second of our series in the Ten Commandments, we consider idolatry and why idol worship is offensive to God. We think about the idol the Israelites created in the wilderness (the golden calf) and consider the idols we might have in our own lives. We also think about how idolatry is not good for us - and how God wants us to have the best and most fulfilled life possible. And this can only come by putting him first in our lives.

First preached: 25th January 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The First Commandment - Exodus 20

In this new series, we consider the 10 commandments from Exodus chapter 20 and ask ourselves the question:

'Are they still relevant today?'
In this sermon, we look at the first commandment and how it shapes all the other commandments and tells us what God requires from us.

First preached: 18th January 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

Proverbs 3 and 16 - Vision for 2030

In this sermon, we think about the 2030 vision that the elders and teams have been working on. We think of the issues that we face as a church in line with many Church of Scotland congregations and how the 2030 vision is seen as a way of addressing these weaknesses.
However, we also use Proverbs 3: 1-6 and Proverbs 16: 1-9 as a reminder that any plans that we make must be in line with God's plans - and unless God is in the plans we make, we will surely fail. Therefore, to seek after God in prayer is paramount as we seek to deepen our faith (Know Jesus) and share the gospel with our community (Make Jesus known).

Knowing Jesus - Philippians 3: 1-14

In this sermon at the start of 2026, we study Philippians 3 and see Paul's wholehearted desire to 'know Christ'. We link this in with our vision statement ('Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known') and ask whether our desire to know Christ is the same as Paul's. We also look at the practical implications of having a life changed by Jesus in terms of our stewardship and our resolutions.

First preached: 4th January 2026.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Coming of the King - Born of a Virgin, Immanuel!

In this third part of our series, we think about how it was prophesied by Isaiah that Jesus would be born of a virgin and called Immanuel. In Matthew's Gospel, we see how this is fulfilled and how Matthew recognises its fulfilment.
We also think about why it is important that Jesus is born of a virgin and what Jesus being Immanuel (God is with us) means for us.

First preached: 30th November 2025.

Speaker: James McNay.

The Coming of the King - The Prophet

In this sermon on the eve of Advent, David Clark considers Deuteronomy 18: 15-22 and Moses foretelling that there will be a Prophet to come. This is fulfilled in Jesus - as explained in Acts 3: 17-26.

First preached: 23rd November 2025.
Speaker: David Clark.

The Coming of the King - The Support Act

In this sermon as we come towards Advent, we focus on Old Testament prophecies about Jesus and how they are fulfilled in the New Testament.
In this sermon, we consider Malachi 4: 1-6 and Matthew 11: 1-15 and think about the 'Elijah who is to come' and how this was fulfilled in John the Baptist.
We then compare John the Baptist and Elijah and see how they both encouraged people away from idolatry and towards God - with John pointing towards Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

First preached: 16th November 2025.

Speaker: James McNay.

Romans 6: 12-23 - Slaves to God

In this sermon, we complete our study in Romans 6 and think about what it means for the power of sin to be broken and to instead be a slave to God. And of course, it is in being a slave to God that we are most free.

First preached: 2nd November 2025.

Speaker: James McNay.

Psalm 116 - What shall we render unto the Lord?

In this sermon, David Clark leads us through Psalm 116.

First preached: 26th October 2025.

Speaker: David Clark 

Luke 18: 1-8 - Persistence in Prayer

In this sermon, Brian Murray reflects on Luke 18: 1-8 and the parable of the persistent widow.

First preached: 19th October 2025.

Speaker: Brian Murray.

Romans 6: 1-11 - The Broken Power of Sin

In this sermon, we think about how Paul shows how perverse it would be to continue living in sin just so that the grace of God could increase. Living in this lawless (antinomian) way is impossible for God's children who have been reborn and who now live by the Spirit.

First preached: 12th October 2025.

Speaker: James McNay.