In Micah 6:8 there is a famous statement about the fundamentals of faith: act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.  But just a few verses earlier there is a much less famous statement, which nonetheless we should … Continue reading →

One Foundation, One Temple   2 Chron 7:1-16; Ps 26; 1 Cor 3:1-23; John 2:13-22 St Marks 2.10.16. Introduction This is the third in our series on 1 Corinthians and once again Paul is taking on problems amongst the church members. … Continue reading →

Father Revealed                                                                                                     from 23.9.16 Personal Matters What is blocking of a fuller revelation of God’s Fatherhood to the Church? A vital answer appears at the climax of Jesus’ teaching ministry in John; “O righteous Father, even though the world … Continue reading →

Embarrassed Isa 29:11-19; Ps 17; 1Cor 1:26-2:16; Matt 27:27-54   St Mark’s 25.9.16 Introduction This is the second sermon in our series on 1 Corinthians, and as with all Paul’s communications with this divisive, arrogant, immoral and confused church what he … Continue reading →

Over the last two days [19-20 Sept] I attended a conference in Adelaide hosted by the gender studies department at University of South Australia.  Much of the terminology and the references to theorists went over my head, since gender studies … Continue reading →

Confusion                                                                                                                 from 16.9.16 Personal Matters Open up a conversation about abortion, global warming, refugees or same-sex marriage amongst congregational members and watch what happens to “the unity of the Spirit” (Eph 4:3). Whereas the LORD promises “I will give … Continue reading →

This short message was written as a follow-up to a discussion in church about the kingdom of God, which never comes to an end. The book of Daniel begins with the exile of the nation of Judah to Babylon.  In … Continue reading →

Seeing the Invisible                                                                                                  from 9.9.16 Personal Matters We started our time of prayer with this text, “But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Cor 10:12). Comparisons between … Continue reading →

Prosperity versus Spirituality Personal Matters Last week I was in Bandung Indonesia for an Asian Christian leadership conference. This Christ-centred event raised more sharply than ever the question of whether a spiritually mature Church can ever exist in a materially … Continue reading →

Orphan-age                                                                                                    from 26.8.16 Personal Matters In recent weeks I have been praying consistently about the dreadful situation of fatherlessness permeating the spiritual atmosphere of Church and nation. (“Fathering” encompasses male and female.) This issue confronts me regularly in ways like … Continue reading →

Bear the Burden        St Mark’s Bassendean       Isa 53:1-6;Ps 32; Gal 6:1-6; Matt 22:33-40 Introduction As we have been discussing for several months the Galatian Christians were being strongly tempted to take on keeping the Old Testament Law as a means … Continue reading →

Royal Sacrifice                                                                                              from 19.8.16 Personal Matters We were led into prayer by this scripture, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” called to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to … Continue reading →

The Show-Off Spirit                                                                    Rise Up St Mark’s Anglican21.8.16 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his … Continue reading →

Indignation = anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment           from 13.8.16 Personal Matters When the Lord really wants to get a message across he has a way of lining up events so that his testimony is … Continue reading →

Trust the Truth                                                                                                        from 5.8.16 Personal Matters Scepticism about religion is viral. Whilst 92% of Australians trust nurses only 35% trust ministers of religion, largely because news about sexual abuse in the church seems endless[1].  “Brand church” appears toxic. … Continue reading →

In January 2016 a teenager stole a car and ran over a pregnant woman—Sarah Paino.  She died but the baby was saved.  The sentencing of the teenager was reported recently.  When I heard the news story about the teenager being … Continue reading →

The Dove and the Desert                                                                                       from 29.7.16 Personal Matters Several young Christians in Perth recently and independently had a vision of a dove flying over a vast desert, and believed this was a message from God about Australia. The … Continue reading →

This is a short message delivered to a combined Church gathering addressing the question: “What is God saying to the Church?” We are asking tonight, what is God saying to the Church?  I believe that there is something to be … Continue reading →

                                                                                            from 15.7.17 Personal Matters Christians always seem to be divided. Quite independently two folk recently sent me an article about Hillsong which claimed, “Houston has single-handedly destroyed Christianity in Australia”. The writers of such articles seem not to grasp … Continue reading →

I confess that I am very insecure about my own capacity.  Every time I write something and put it in the public sphere, I wonder if I have said something which is not correct.  How can my ponderings on topics … Continue reading →

Jesus is the Kingdom Introduction When Gary told me that he was about to spend six months on the topic of the kingdom of God I was both surprised at the length of the series but not the topic.  Just … Continue reading →

Little Ones                                                                                         E.Vic. Pk. Baptist 17.7.16 “There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.” Malcolm Turnbull’s words failed to ring true for … Continue reading →

Trouble                                                                                                           from 8.7.16 Personal Matters It is not possible to get through a week without being troubled by news about the Church’s response to same-sex marriage, a pastoral leadership crisis or some such thing. The people of God seem to … Continue reading →

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being … Continue reading →

Recently while driving I saw a sticker on a car windscreen which read, “I have no problem with God.  It’s his fan club I can’t stand.”  The quote is attributed to Albert Einstein.  Although I do not know whether Einstein … Continue reading →

Our Mother                        Gen 21:1-14; Ps 122; Gal 4:21-31; John 8:31-47 St Mark’s 2.7.16 Introduction ““Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Sometimes the pressures of life make you feel like … Continue reading →

Tent of Joy                                                                 Perth Prayer 7th anniversary 22/6/16  https://www.facebook.com/Perth-Prayer-319659381407140/ Scriptural Framework   Seven What comes after “7” represents a significant change of focus and perspective in the Bible e.g. after the 7 day creation we have the story in … Continue reading →

The Order of Truth                                                                                           from 24.6.16 Personal Matters Jesus promised, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God…the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and … Continue reading →

Eat Again                                                                                                            from17.6.16 “he…in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call … Continue reading →

For Beauty and For Glory                                                        Zion Fellowship  19.6.16 Prelude In a deep but often hidden way the Lord is dynamically at work in our nation “to present…to himself…a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.” (Eph 5:27). … Continue reading →