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
Pentecost 2022 Ps 104:26-36; Isa 44:1-8; Acts 2:1-21; 32-33 John 7:37-39 Introduction https://youtu.be/NOFzs-5AWG4 In some circles Pentecost is celebrated as the birthday of the Church[1], while in others the emphasis is placed on the power of the Spirit and his … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church June 2022 re Rev 15-16 Chapter 14 was both wonderful and sobering at the same time. Those who trust in Christ as Saviour and Lord have a reward waiting for them with Jesus on Mt Zion, … Continue reading
Rejection, Revival and the Power of the Spirit Introduction This Sunday is the Day of Pentecost, and in preparing a sermon I have been pondering what is impeding the coming of the Spirit in power on us like on that … Continue reading
Ascension 2022[1] Ps 47; Dan 7:9-14; Eph 4:7-16; Luke 24:44-53 Introduction https://youtu.be/n8D7CjUAVeE A famous scientist once testified[2], “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every [person] which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God … Continue reading
2 Peter week 4 False Teachers Ps 10:26-36; Deut 13:1-5; 2 Pet 2:1-10a[1]; Matt 7:1-20 Introduction https://youtu.be/5MSoF5hP3ZY In introducing this series on 2 Peter I pointed out that in hindsight I realised that the Spirit led me to do this … Continue reading
A Sermon for Pilgrim Church on Revelation 14 We have come full circle and reached the end of the age again. The last chapter in which the end of the age was reached was the final part of chapter 11. … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church May 2022 We know from chapter 12 that the one behind the persecution of Christians is the devil. Chapter 13 gives us an explanation of how the devil accomplishes his evil work. He does so through … Continue reading
Majestic Glory Ps 93; 2 Sam 23:1-7; 2 Pet 1:12-21; Mark 9:1-8 Introduction https://youtu.be/QnoZz6aF1b4 Three Sundays ago, we began a series on 2 Peter, primarily because of its very clear and focussed treatment of false teachers, a problem we have … Continue reading
Deepening the Wounds of Christ Introduction Recently I received an email request from a woman pastor intimately acquainted with the suffering, https://encouragingwomeninthechurch.com/about/https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/troubled-wa-rehab-centre-in-administration-c-6519107. Given she was blogging about the struggles of women being accepted into ministry, I began to pray seeking … Continue reading
The Power of the Wounds of the Lord “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17); “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in … Continue reading
John the Seer 1 John 1:1-5; Revelation 1:1-20; John 1:1-18 Prologue https://youtu.be/AtXOgoND7Oc Last Friday was set aside in the liturgical calendar for the celebration of the life of John the Apostle, hence the readings for today from his written works … Continue reading
2 Peter Week 2 2 Peter 1:5-11 Fruitful in Christ https://youtu.be/sGkFJz-Zthg Introduction Last week I explained I was beginning a series based on 2 Peter, a letter rather eccentric in various ways, but powerfully helpful in its defence of the … Continue reading
Sensing the Eternal Introduction After a lengthy struggle to overcome post-COVID fatigue, much praying about being true to the difficult call of God, I was violently awoken at 2.12 am by a terrifying body convulsing dream. Its contents I have … Continue reading
A sermon for Pilgrim church on Rev 12 In chapters 12 and 13, the power behind the persecution of the saints is revealed as Satan or the devil. This is hinted at earlier because the letters which mention persecution also … Continue reading
A sermon for Pilgrim Church on Rev chs 10-11 A pattern is developing in the book. We have already seen seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowl plagues are yet to come. In the case of the seals, the first … Continue reading
2 Peter week 1 2 Pet 1:1-4 Sharing in the Nature of God Why 2 Peter? https://youtu.be/yi_LO42j0u4 Introduction Today we are starting a new multiweek series grounded in 2 Peter. It was only after I had chosen the book that … Continue reading
Jesus and his Friends Ps 41; Prov 8 Acts 4:23-31 John 15:12-17 Reminder that this series is about the humanity of the Son of God, and today’s topic is certainly very human. Introduction https://youtu.be/oMCJUWyMlnQ Everyone I can think of has … Continue reading
Seeing in the Spirit Introduction I was praying recently in a small group dedicated to asking the Lord to heal the emerging schism (1 Cor 1:10) in the Anglican diocese of Perth between conservatives and progressives. On the surface the … Continue reading
Jesus and his Family Ps 27; Mic 7:1-17; Eph 3:14-21; Mark 3:31-35 Introduction https://youtu.be/_mj_K7QgJI8 Before making some comments about Jesus’ family life, I need to make it clear that the fundamental issue in today’s sermon isn’t good families or bad … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church 20/3/22 This week we have arrived at a new set of plagues, announced by trumpets. The first six of these are described in chapters 8 and 9. We have already discussed the first five verses of … Continue reading
War to End All Wars Introduction The inhabited world is in the midst of a titanic struggle, not over a temporary slice of Europe, but over who has the true authority over “all things” created (Eph 3:9; Col 3:16). Does … Continue reading
Jesus and his F/father Ps 89:19-37; Isa 63:15-64:9; Gal 4:1-7; Luke 2:41-52 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMx5dzU2REE Someone can only pray “Father!” (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6), by a revelation[1] given by the Spirit of Jesus, which is always a healing event. God’s timing … Continue reading
Holy Holy unholy Introduction Recently, I mentioned the controversy over several ordinations in the Anglican Church involving men who have not publicly repented of past sin. One involved a same-sex relationship, the other a man who in a long-term de … Continue reading