A blog post from 2017. Although complaining and lamenting have some things in common, they should not be mistaken for one another. The Bible is plainly against complaining and grumbling. But lamenting is common and acceptable. Jesus never grumbled but … Continue reading
A blog post from 2017. A couple of weeks ago something great happened. It was something which I had been praying about for seven months and it finally happened. You would think that this answer to prayer would make me … Continue reading
A blog post from 2018. There is an interesting passage in 1 Kings about two prophets—one called “the man of God” and the other “the old prophet”. We are told very little about either of them; neither of them is … Continue reading
A blog post from 2017. I found myself thinking about money lately. In Acts there are two significant interactions between preachers of the gospel and people concerned about their ability to make money. The first story involves Paul and some … Continue reading
A blog post I wrote in 2018. People often tell me, “I don’t know what my spiritual gifts are. Should I do a spiritual gifts test?” I have no objection to spiritual gifts tests, but I don’t think that they … Continue reading
A blog post I wrote in 2017. In 1993 we visited the Bundaberg rum factory in Bundaberg Queensland. Bundaberg rum is made from molasses, which is a by-product of sugar production. The interesting thing about molasses is that although it … Continue reading
The Measure of Love Ps 14; 2 Sam 11:1-15; Eph 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 Introduction https://youtu.be/d0NWG7TMrwA We saw last week from Ephesians 2:11-22 that the Church is a living temple[1] whose dimensions in the Spirit will in the End fill the … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church 25/7/21 “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless … Continue reading
The Dying Seed Breaks the Bubble Introduction Whilst most of the Australian population is in COVID lockdown, here in glorious WA we rarely have these sorts of problems. And with a booming mining industry we are the only state running … Continue reading
Barbeques for the World: Perth as an End Time City of Refuge [25.11.05 4 a.m.] Introduction This is a story of two cities, one that lives for itself in resplendent luxury and one that lives for others in … Continue reading
One Temple Ps 89:31-48; 2 Sam 7:1-14; Eph 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 https://youtu.be/XAzjfpE4rws Introduction From the time of creation[1], God was working to make his home with humanity. In the Fall however, the Lord was made homeless.[2] However the plan … Continue reading
Blessed to be a Blessing Ps 24; 2 Sam 6:1-5; 12b-19; Eph 1:1-14; Mark 6:14-29 https://youtu.be/4oRedNzOnXQ Prelude: what would it take to shift a significant group of Australians from thinking if our country as a “Lucky Country to seeing it … Continue reading
Bridal Church and Global Mission Introduction This prophetic word has a very specific context. On July 4 Last our major newspaper, The Sunday Times, ran a front-page headed, In Bad Faith, followed by a 3-page expose of Youth With a … Continue reading
Searching For a Great Light Introduction The more important the message from the Lord the harder it is for me to hear him. Recently I have been persistently praying, and asking others to do the same, about the imminent coming … Continue reading
Crossing the Barrier Ps 130 2 Sam 1:1, 17-27 2 Cor 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43 Introduction https://youtu.be/Ey585Hz8UtQ Today’s readings are connected by intense expressions of need for God’s help, and just as intense expectations of deliverance. They challenge us to cross … Continue reading
Dealing with the Enemies of God[1] Ps 9:9-20; 1 Sam 17:32-49; 2 Cor 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41 https://youtu.be/BQ7moXzAjH0 Introduction The readings for today are united around the theme of the enemies of God and his people. Since no-one likes enemies, unless … Continue reading
Tasteless Salt to Blinding Light Introduction Despite the disability of living in a state whose physical health and economic prosperity are almost unrivalled (cf. Zech 1:15), and despite the relative prayerlessness and ungodliness of the Church, I sense the Lord … Continue reading
After Death Ps 17 1 Sam 28:3-20 2 Cor 5:1-10 John 14:1-14 https://youtu.be/aZGifrjkcrw Introduction Whilst some boldly proclaim, “No one can know!” what happens after death the gospel is a clear revelation of what awaits us. In the New Testament … Continue reading
Barnabas Psalm 98; Job 29:11–16; Acts 11:22–30; Acts 13:1–3; Matthew 10:7–13 https://youtu.be/RPvQxDmNFm0 Preamble Friday is the festival of Barnabas, apostle and martyr, hence our topic today. Also, I need to mention that the member of the congregation referred to later … Continue reading
After Death Ps 17 1 Sam 28:3-20 2 Cor 5:1-10 John 14:1-14 https://youtu.be/aZGifrjkcrw Introduction Whilst some boldly proclaim, “No one can know!” what happens after death the gospel is a clear revelation of what awaits us. In the New Testament … Continue reading
Sermon for Pilgrim Church 13/6/21 ESV Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from … Continue reading
Our Trinity https://youtu.be/NkerMA3eEvg Introduction Mention of “the Trinity” draws out wildly different responses from Christians, some people think the whole issue is too difficult, or plain irrelevant[1], whilst others fly into raptures of mystical love. One source of confusion about … Continue reading
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 ESV Dear friends and family…, let’s give our “flesh” deeds a long-lasting toss; we want a lifestyle of profit not loss. With Jesus all … Continue reading
The Pentecostal Church[1] Ps 104:26-3; Acts 2:1-21; Rom 8:22-27; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJj2kuI3-50 Introduction Pentecost is far more foundational to the fulfilment of the plan of God than generally recognised[2]. When Peter preaches, “This Jesus God raised up, and of … Continue reading
Ascension Today Ps 47; Acts 1:1-11; Eph 4:7-16; Luke 24:44-53 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1WJUhU9Co Introduction Since unlike the resurrection[1] Jesus’ ascension was a visible event, we must conclude that witnessing Jesus with their own eyes going into heaven (Luke 24:1; Acts 1:9-10) was … Continue reading
Abide in Love Acts 10:44–48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1–12; John 15:9–17 https://youtu.be/FUEgGBP5IGU Introduction “She loves me she loves me not.” may be a game played with a flower, but many Christians seem to judge whether God loves them or … Continue reading
Rule as a Shepherd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MB76j9KuFk Introduction[1] If we were created to share in the whole life of Christ (Col 1:16) we must adjust to the reality that this includes conquering with him. This language of believers conquering personal evil runs … Continue reading
A Vision of Fruitfulness Ps 22:26-32 Acts 8:2-40 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 https://youtu.be/OmKfM9HOM3A Introduction The Bible begins with a garden full of fruit-bearing trees (Gen 1:12) where all living creatures, including us, were commanded “to be fruitful and multiply” … Continue reading
Sermon for Dalkeith Road Church of Christ 18/4/21 “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Lk. 11:1 ESV) … Continue reading
The Gracious Power of the Cross 6. Shows God’s Love Ps 103:1-12 Ex 12:21-27 1 John 4:7-14 Matt 26:17-30 https://youtu.be/CQRKKQIq1kc Introduction In our dreadful time in history “God is love” has been exchanged for “love is God”. Not only do … Continue reading