Beyond Comparison: the virtue of Pure Love “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are … Continue reading
Living in the Glory of God the Holy Spirit Introduction https://youtu.be/1eZERd4_d3E This is our final sermon in the 3-part series of “Living in the Glory of God”, and my final sermon as the locum priest in charge of St Mark’s … Continue reading
Naming the Power of “Sin” “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault…”(Matt 18:15) Last night I (JY) had a sharp but very clear dream in which an unidentifiable assailant knocked a “Vulcan” to the ground … Continue reading
Living in the Glory of God the Son Introduction https://youtu.be/CYctSo8Lt4Y Last week I mentioned my distress at Christian leaders praying things like, “Dear God” and Loving God”, when Jesus himself characteristically prayed to God as…“Father/heavenly Father”. I used to think … Continue reading
A Church Confused By Culture “Essendon (Football Club) doesn’t speak truth to power, it genuflects before power.” (G. Sheridan The Australian 6.10.22) “Which leaders will protect your Christian values?….We won’t soon forget Victorian Premier Dan Andrews saying biblical views on … Continue reading
Living in the Glory of God as Father Introduction https://youtu.be/XIhDcyRzFlc Today we commence a 3-part series on “Living in the Glory of God”. It deals with living in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is an exposition on living … Continue reading
Trauma, Complementarity of Gifts and Revelation Introduction Coming to the close of a 4-week break, I have been under continual pressure in the night hours, which has been a significant strain on Donna and me. Yet since the scripture teaches … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church September 2022 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great … Continue reading
The Writing is on the Wall Ps 145 Rom 15:14-21; Matt 14:17-25; Dan 5:1-31 Introduction https://youtu.be/kt36eEFp9HA After hearing so much about Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar is introduced without any biographical or historical detail whatsoever[1]. This is a sign that as … Continue reading
Living in the River of God Introduction “Glory to God for all things.” (John Chrysostom). This is how I finished my last short teaching (Deeper Glory). I believe we need to take Chrysostom’s words in the broadest biblical way. This … Continue reading
Daniel 4: Humiliation and Return Ps 78 Phil 2:5-11 Matt 16:13-23 Dan 4:1-37 Introduction https://youtu.be/yx9TFzNiQ8M So far in our series on Daniel we have the impression of extreme godliness on the one hand, epitomised by Daniel and his companions, and … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church on Revelation 21 We are reaching the end of the book and the end of the age. We have repeatedly looked at God’s judgment of the wicked in the church age and his protection of his … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church on Revelation 20 In chapter 17 and 18 Babylon was judged. In chapter 19, the armies who tried to fight against the Lamb were defeated completely and the beast and the false prophet were thrown into … Continue reading
Deeper Glory Introduction Praying with a brother on Tuesday last week I noticed the colours of the spectrum reflected in the bottom of a mirror. Biblically, this has many rich associations: the promise of a new creation (Gen 9:12-17; Rev … Continue reading
Daniel 3: The Idol of Man Ps 49; Rom 1:18-25; Matt 4:1-11; Dan 3:1-30 Introduction https://youtu.be/AfCqYhrI2ME Chapter three of Daniel contains one of the most memorable testimonies in scripture. Three young Hebrews, faithful to their ancestral religion, deny the demands … Continue reading
Incomparable Father Introduction Why, with all the advantages of Eden, abiding in a “theatre of glory” (Calvin) dazzling and resplendent with evidences of the unsurpassable goodness of God, did Adam sin, whilst through the most severe tests Jesus remained faithful? … Continue reading
Daniel 2: Kingdom Vision Ps 44; Dan 2:1-49; 1 Cor 15:20-28; Mark 1:14-15 Introduction https://youtu.be/9TLhce1TYRU Looking at Daniel 1, we saw how Daniel and his friends were part of a successful peaceful protest movement against the attempts of the Babylonian … Continue reading
From Shame to Glory Long-time readers might recall stories of my disturbed teenagerhood, particularly of how I would take my fists to my own head or bash it against the wall. These were attempts to alert my parents to my … Continue reading
Daniel 1: Exile Ps 137; Dan 1:1-21; 1 Cor 10:7-21; John 6:41-59 Introduction https://youtu.be/qAsNijA7pfU The situation described in the first chapter of Daniel is, for the average Australian[1], virtually unimaginable. To begin with, we need to ask for divine help … Continue reading
Following Jesus in an Age of Rebellion Introduction Last week I accompanied Donna, an important detail, to the “Elvis” movie. Part way through I had a clear sense of the roots of the famous 60’s “sex, drugs, rock n’ roll” … Continue reading
The Church is Apostolic Ps 33 Zech 4:1-13; Rev 21:1-14; Matt 16:13-20 Introduction https://youtu.be/Do5sSTsqc38 In our exposition of the Church as “One”, “Holy”, and “Catholic” we have noticed that popular perceptions are deeply inadequate to convey the full meaning of … Continue reading
Fathers, Elders, Confessors Prelude Driving to a recent WA Elders Round Table meeting, I was uniquely moved to ask the Lord to speak to me via an odour. After I arrived, I noticed in corners of the church 2 aromatic … Continue reading
The Church is Catholic Ps 67:1-7 Ezek 36:22-38; Rev 14:1-7; Matt 28:16-20 Introduction https://youtu.be/-ylxBaFRoQs As with the “oneness” and “holiness” of the Church, its “Catholic” nature is a matter of common confusion. The English word “catholic” comes from the Greek … Continue reading
Beyond Trauma Introduction Since no one naturally confesses and repents, a number of responses to my Triple Trauma article were obviously initiated by the Spirit of the Lord (Zech 12:10). I see them as a sign of a wave of … Continue reading
The Church is Holy Ps 11; Ex 19:1-6; 1 Pet 2:1-11; Matt 18:15-20 Introduction https://youtu.be/ogrH9kOyWSQ Last week I spoke about our faith that there can only ever be one Church, a truth expounded many times in scripture and a reality … Continue reading
A sermon for Pilgrim Church July 2022 In the last two chapters (17&18) we saw the fall of Babylon. The fall of the beast, the false prophet and the dragon will be described in chapters 19 and 20. But before … Continue reading
Triple Trauma Introduction Prophets/intercessors are gifts to the Church (Eph 2:20; 4:11) granted heightened spiritual awareness through multiple traumas so that they might bring messages of grace to others. This explains the traumatic character of my last week. My triply … Continue reading
The Church is One Ps 133; Ex 19:1-6; Eph 4:1-6; John 17:1-26 Introduction https://youtu.be/YDBeFDQl8k4 Whilst the recent census statistics suggest that Christianity in Australia is in steady decline[1], since the fourth century, the majority of Christians have confidently testified[2] [in … Continue reading
2 Peter week 6 The Consummation Gen 7:6-10, 17-24; 2 Peter 3:1-18; Matt 24:15-31 Introduction https://youtu.be/1hj5sWHYYrk So far in our treatment of 2 Peter we have seen the apostle fiercely criticising the false teachers of his time, and I have … Continue reading
A sermon for Pilgrim Church July 2022 Chapter 17 began the narrative of the fall of Babylon, the great prostitute. She has great earthly splendour. But her allies turn against her and fight against her before turning to fight against … Continue reading