Discipleship Crisis: stop imitating ordinary people Introduction A global prayer figure was recently accused of sexual improprieties, https://ministrywatch.com/international-house-of-prayer-relieves-mike-bickle-of-duties-begins-formal-investigation/. True of false, what I have noticed is that he shares a cultural trend common in Pentecostal-Evangelical circles, tolerating imitation. Whether this … Continue reading
Worship Old and New Part 3: Rival Stories [] = omit from spoken presentation https://youtube.com/watch?v=2uQIfBWi3wg&si=lrBcgi6MSWvg_fn_ Practical Application: Apostles’ Creed[1] I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our … Continue reading
Worship Old and New Part 2: Starting in Heaven https://youtube.com/watch?v=RL4K0vMu3yY&si=ZId27zZHqdDcDDH2 Practical Application (to be sung) Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and singing: … Continue reading
Meditation on Nothing Background In the post World Prayer Assembly environment, the Church in Perth is increasingly recognising its desperate need for a new type of leader. This teaching is designed to sharpen our focus on this point of need. … Continue reading
Worship[1] Old and New: Recovering the Presence and Power of the Story of Jesus Part 1: Confronting the Crisis https://youtube.com/watch?v=AVxzCXVCvCA&si=5KQxwQrJFx8iZgRe [] = words omitted from preached sermon Bible Readings: Psalm 148; 2 Ki 17: 28-34; John 4:1- 26; Rev 3:14-22 … Continue reading
Children of the Light (Yes 2023) Background The connection between our referendum on an Indigenous Voice to parliament and our recent World Prayer Assembly is largely unseen, though real. I have long believed in a God-appointed spiritual oversight for the … Continue reading
The Test of Love World Prayer Assembly 2023 (7.10.23) Introduction The World Prayer Assembly is over, and though unable, due to medical issues, to attend all sessions, I was able to attend enough to gain some sense of its overall … Continue reading
Hearing the Silence of Heaven Introduction Very early this morning I was very conscious I was not hearing anything from the Lord. That is, the consciousness of not hearing was pronounced. As I prayed into this awareness, clarity emerged. To … Continue reading
Jesus: Marriage and Divorce Ps 105:1-6, 37-45; Ex 16:2-15; Phil 1:21-30; Matt 19:1-12 Introduction https://youtube.com/watch?v=iSTs49ntARs&si=uYymAJ9UjWrZhILh The modern sense of a legally approved court annulment stripped of the notion of fault[1]stands in strong contrast with the circumstances of Jesus’ day where … Continue reading
Read Your Life Introduction What a couple of weeks health wise, breathlessness due to an ongoing heart condition that took us into RPH emergency, then chronic nagging from kidney stones, then a heavy head cold. Finally, just as I as … Continue reading
Marriage, in the Light of Eternity Darlington Christian Fellowship 19/9/21 Eph 5:21-33 https://www.darlingtonchristianfellowship.com.au/sermons/ Prelude It is no accident that the primary bearers of New Testament revelation about marriage, Jesus, Paul, and John[1], were single men, because their painful submission to … Continue reading
Married for War Introduction I have long taught that the key to finding understanding, strength and growth in a Christian marriage comes from a revelation of the marital relationship between Christ and the Church, this is clearest in Paul’s words … Continue reading
Reversing the Curse “You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:2) Prophetic Images I recently re-read the 2 volumes 1500-page commentary on Ezekiel which intriguingly contains references to the prophet as a “living idol”. Daniel Block … Continue reading
Encouragement for Intercession “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4:15) Introduction Following the greatest … Continue reading
The Intercessory Life (first written 2015, uploaded 2023) Personal Matters I have long believed that God is working through even the seemingly “minor” things of life to bring us to Jesus. Sometimes however we are surprised to discover an aspect … Continue reading
Re-porching the Church Introduction In a week when I have been disturbed by “believers” falling away from the faith (2 Cor 13:5-6), as Jesus warned, “many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be … Continue reading
The Elders Bible Reading 1 Pet 5:1-11 https://youtube.com/watch?v=TmwiTjk9L7E&feature=share Introduction[1] To speak on the topic of eldership. To do this I have had to return to some of my old lecture notes, and the subject of Church Ministry and Sacraments, which … Continue reading
Glory of Transfiguration Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97; 2 Pet 1:16-21; Mark 9:2-10 Introduction [] omitted from sermon when preached The focus of today’s readings is the transfiguration when Jesus’ whole being shone with the radiance and glory of God. … Continue reading
Power to Pray Today Introduction In perhaps a prelude to things to come (https://world.prayerassembly.org/), that is, if it pleases the Lord to revive us (Hos 6:2), I was inundated over the weekend with opportunities to teach, preach and testify. These … Continue reading
Ephesians 4:1-16 Darlington United Church 30/7/23 Introduction https://youtube.com/watch?v=2rGmCA3JKso&feature=share Ephesians 4 is a text which speaks deeply and to the crisis[1]f acing the people of God in Australia today. We are witnessing unprecedented and intensifying cultural irrationalities dominated by issues of … Continue reading
Blessed be… Bible Reading Ephesians 1:1-14 Introduction https://youtube.com/watch?v=B6Po4542J50&feature=share We mistakenly assume our outlook on spirituality is the best possible, but recently reading a theological paper I came across a description challenging these assumptions, “Having entered the classroom…I was surprised to … Continue reading
Sex Maddened: unmasking the deep face of evil Introduction This week I received an A.P.N. bulletin with two consecutive headlined articles, first, Number of Teens in America who Identify as LGBT Skyrockets. About a quarter of US teens no longer … Continue reading
Unfolding the Secret of Perth “the Sovereign Lord does nothing until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets” (Am 3:7) Introduction Why does Perth exist? Often boastful of residing in the most isolated city in the world, viewed … Continue reading
Beyond the Pharisees Introduction It is easy for devout believers to be deceived into becoming reactive critics and cynics, as if the madness of our current culture had permanent significance. The recent forced acquisition of Calvary hospital in Canberra is … Continue reading
Wave of Glory? Many are speaking about a “wave of glory” visiting Perth this year (https://world.prayerassembly.org). This is generally accompanied by great confusion. Our real state before God is expounded in the teaching below. Introduction I had a long and … Continue reading
Indigenous: the missing Voice of the LORD (Noel Blyth and Robert Capp, cited below, were long term missionaries to Aboriginal people.) Introduction Most of us have never heard an Aboriginal person preach or prophesy. And amidst much longing for an … Continue reading
Confession Community and Revival Aflame Church Perth 5/6/23 https://youtu.be/4OBL18vsdHo Introduction I have been asked by my old friends (Pastors) Jimmy and Evelin to give an “exaltation message on prayer for revival”. Such a message could lead in two possible directions. … Continue reading
Growing Older and Growing Younger Introduction I came to Christ 50 years ago during a globalised youth movement which became known as the Jesus Movement. This was a genuine Spirit-led revival. Meeting Donna the following year (1973), it isn’t surprising … Continue reading
Simple “Only God” A Dream to Expound In the dream I was working with a team to solve a simple legal case, the complexities of the law, imaged by countless filing cabinets, meant it had to be. The context of … Continue reading
Holy Communion Introduction Most contemporary believers lack a clear sense of personal/covenantal covenant identity. This is clearest in our common attitude to the Holy Communion/Lord’s Supper. Whilst Scripture sees this sacrament as uniting us with God in Christ. “The cup … Continue reading