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
Pure Water Introduction My old mentor Geoff Bingham often spoke of the gospel possessing a power to “evoke” (spontaneously draw out of hearers) faith and repentance (Rom 1:16). This dynamic is hard for us to comprehend because it is so … Continue reading
The Baptist[1] Ps 139:1-11; Isa 49:1-6; Mal 3:1-6; 4:1-6; Matt 3:1-17 Introduction https://youtu.be/HBDXdL_q9lw In the Church calendar, last Friday was the anniversary of the birth[2] of John the Baptist[3], since John is in many ways an important figure in all … Continue reading
Living Words Introduction Reading the signs, the Lord is laying a foundation in preparation for a “quiet revival” among us. The restoration of a liveliness we have once known but lost through transgression (Rev 3:2). Such a “quiet revival” can … Continue reading
2 Peter week 5 Evil Impostors Ps 1; Jer 12:1-4; Matt 24:3-14; 2 Pet 2:10b-22 Background https://youtu.be/neBWMDjDGvA This is the second sermon on the false teachers in 2 Peter chapter 2, last time[1] I gave a present-day context for preaching … Continue reading
Sermon on Revelation 17 As we get towards the end of Revelation, we are introduced to two contrasting women: the prostitute and the bride. The prostitute and her demise are described in chapters 17 and 18. We must wait until … Continue reading
Creating Space Introduction I was in a prayer gathering yesterday with experienced “prophetic intercessors”, focussing on the great Christ-hymn of Colossians 1:5-20, especially on “that in everything he (Jesus) might be preeminent/first place” (v.18). With very many names bandied about … Continue reading