Baptism: A Meditation   14.3.21 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as … Continue reading →

The Gracious Power of the Cross 3. Saves Believers Isa 1:10-20; Ps 32:1-5; 1 Cor 1:18-2:5; Matt 6:19-34 https://youtu.be/tAM5kHucD4M Introduction The title of today’s talk in our series, The Cross Saves Believers, needs to be interpreted carefully. As a very … Continue reading →

A sermon for Dalkeith Road Church of Christ 7/3/21 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt. 5:7 NIV). “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7 ESV) This sermon finds you in the … Continue reading →

Restoring the Godly Virtue of Sex Introduction Australian media has been awash with multiple allegations of rape in federal parliament. Numerous investigations have been launched. Unquestionably, alcohol, naked ambition, and the gross lack of respect characteristic of our political scene … Continue reading →

The Gracious Power of the Cross 2. Peace with God Isa 52:13-53:12;Ps 51:10-19; 1 Pet 2:21-25; Matt 4:12-22 https://youtu.be/O2ZGcqZwQP0 Introduction Any series on the cross must be a series about Jesus. If, “Jesus Christ is the atonement.” (Barth), “he/Jesus is … Continue reading →

The Gracious Power of the Cross 1. Atonement for Sin Heb 10:1-14; Ps 51:1-9; Matt 3:1-17 (Lev 16:1-34) https://youtu.be/jd_qayw-wIQ Introduction To my shame, especially as someone who likes to see themselves as a “prophet of the cross”, it took some … Continue reading →

The Glory of Transfiguration 2Ki 2:1-12; Ps 50:1-6; 2 Cor 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9 8.2.21 https://youtu.be/50hkffEnx94 Introduction The focus of today’s readings is the transfiguration, when Jesus’ whole being shone with the radiance and glory of God. Compared to other high … Continue reading →

Some thoughts about prayer from 2017. I don’t know if you have ever had this experience or not, but sometimes there are things I pray about and they seem to have no answer.  No matter how many times I pray … Continue reading →

A reflection written in August 2018. This week I prayed as I went grocery shopping.  I do this every time I go out shopping.  I have a desire to make sure that I do not exclude God from the mundane … Continue reading →

This was written in July 2018 It has been a few months since I wrote a blog post about dementia.  I finished reading John Swinton’s Dementia: Living in the Memories of God.  In it, Swinton constructs a theology of God’s … Continue reading →

I wrote this in March 2018. As part of trying to come to grips with my mum’s dementia diagnosis I have been reading an excellent book by John Swinton Dementia: Living in the Memories of God.  In the book he … Continue reading →

Fleeing to Jesus for Refuge Jesus Talk Num 35:6, 9-15; Ps 62:1-8; Heb 6:13-20 https://youtu.be/pK2jAuSI0iE Introduction The followers of Jesus live in a society increasingly opposed ideologically to our faith. The most recent and threatening example of this is the … Continue reading →

 The Universal Gospel of God Isa 40:21-31, Ps 147:1-11, 1 Cor 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 https://youtu.be/R7GoMzMbDcA Introduction In his final sermon last week Dale pointed to Paul’s great prayers in Ephesians, that the Church is “his (Christ’s) body, the fullness of … Continue reading →

This was written in March 2018 Thinking about dementia has made me ponder death.  Dementia is generally part of old age and aging is a reminder of the reality that we are all going to die.  This is something that … Continue reading →

This was written in February 2018 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My … Continue reading →

This was written in February 2018.  I have made minor edits. Last year my mum was diagnosed with dementia.  I am currently trying to process the grief that goes along with this.  As part of that process, I decided to … Continue reading →

Barnabas was Paul’s fellow worker in the second half of Acts (see chapters 13-15), but he is far more important to the New Testament than he is often given credit for.  Apart from being an apostle in his own right … Continue reading →

The original context of this post was that it was spurred on by my desire to market one of my books.  This is why I refer to marketing. Why can’t I be a complete person on my own?  Why can’t … Continue reading →

Perhaps you have read about spiritual gifts.  And perhaps now you are objecting, “That’s all very well, but I don’t seem to have any spiritual gifts.  Why not?”  There are a couple of possible answers to this question.  So let’s … Continue reading →

Among Christians there is a divide about the place of women in the Church.  Complementarians believe that women must be subordinate to men in home and church.  Women are denied roles in church leadership.  The main passages used in support … Continue reading →

Conspiracy of Fear “the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me…“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of … Continue reading →

Filling the Void Jan 2021 Introduction We live in increasingly extreme times. From the ideologues of political left and right, to antivaxxers, to climate change warriors and deniers, to those who speak as the final authority on their sexuality/gender unquestioning … Continue reading →

Lessons from America “I myself will lift up your skirts over your face, and your shame will be seen.” (Jer 13:26) Preamble As a child of parents who lived through WW II, there wasn’t anything much America could do wrong … Continue reading →

The Baptism of our Lord 10/1/21 Gen 1:1-5; Ps 29:1-11; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 https://youtu.be/bDbnGxpr9Vg Introduction The bible teaches of the one baptism uniting all Christians (Eph 4:5), but the Church is divided over the age of baptismal candidates, how … Continue reading →

The City Worth Dying For Introduction Many mature Christians are sure the Lord has revealed to them something much better than the present state of Church and nation, but it has not yet come to pass. Why? A significant factor … Continue reading →

Today is 6th January 2021.  I found this reflection on the pandemic which I wrote in April 2020.  It is probably still pertinent. Yesterday was Good Friday 2020.  We are all in isolation because of COVID19.  Yesterday I read the … Continue reading →

“Tented for Us”: The Mystery of Christmas Introduction Recently I stated that the renewal of Western Christianity depends on a “tent dwelling” spirituality “looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Heb 11:9-10). Since … Continue reading →

  Part II: Whose City? Heb 12:18-25 Rev 21:1-14    Audio: https://www.daleappleby.net/media/podcastmanager/BeyndPolit.mp3   Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA4tpuU2cBQ   Introduction   It is much easier to argue with someone over political right and wrong than it is to wrestle against the evil spiritual … Continue reading →

 Beyond the Political Part I: The Dilemma of Our Times Gen 4:1-17; Matt 5:21-23 Audio: https://www.daleappleby.net/index.php/mp3-sermons/51-recent-sermons/1076-the-dilemma-of-our-times Video: https://www.stmarksbassendean.church/post/the-dilemma-of-our-times Introduction Daniel says the God who “changes times and seasons; removes kings and sets up kings; gives wisdom to the wise and … Continue reading →

The Straight Way of the Lord Isa 40:1-11; Ps 85:8-13; 1 Cor 1:1-9; Mark 1:1-8 Audio: https://www.daleappleby.net/index.php/mp3-sermons/51-recent-sermons/1075-the-straight-way-of-the-lord Video: https://www.stmarksbassendean.church/post/the-straight-way-of-the-lord Introduction John the Baptist’s one great mission in life was to prepare his hearers for the coming of the Lord. As … Continue reading →