When we think about God or about salvation, we usually think in terms of the present time. Christians often don’t think about what is to come. But neither do we consider what happened before the creation of the world. In … Continue reading
No Reputation: the Humble Father Introduction Times of great uncertainty are typically paired with great moves of God. Globally, “the Donald” is the Lord’s Trump card to whip up political instability and fear of economic meltdown. Nationally, conservative believers remain … Continue reading
How can we determine what church is intended to look like? There are many different forms of church in the present day. Is there a New Testament pattern for church that Christians must emulate? To find the answer to this … Continue reading
Under the Canopy of Heaven 2. The Opening of Heaven Alive@5 2.7.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqX6OtY4MoA In the introduction to last week I emphasised that our age has witnessed an eclipse of the reality of heaven both in wider culture and in … Continue reading
Under the Canopy of Heaven 3. The Will of Heaven Alive@5 2.7.18 Introduction Rev 4:1-11; Mark 14:32-42 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x33OY_WAvvU Over the last few weeks I’ve emphasised that the heavenly world which once belonged exclusively to God has now been united to … Continue reading
Faith and Righteousness Hab 2:2-14; Ps 119:25-32; Romans 1: 8-17; Mark 6:30-34 Introduction (Bibles Rom 1:8-17) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9C9QnUoYiw Donna was telling me the other day about how our 8 year old twin grandchildren were fighting over something their mother said, disputing … Continue reading
Under the Canopy of Heaven 1. The Throne of Joy Alive@5 15.7.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJ79FPw6G0 At a foundational level the spiritual impoverishment of contemporary Australian Christianity can be traced to our inability to enter the worldview of the first followers of … Continue reading
Armageddon Today Rev 16:1-16 Zion Fellowship 8.7.18 Introduction The legalising of same-sex marriage, the passing of euthanasia laws and the prosecution of anti abortion protesters have left many Bible believing Christians in Australia feeling besieged. Some Christian spokesmen are … Continue reading
Riot East Vic. Pk. Baptist 24.6.18 Ps 2:1-12; Acts 4:23-31 Introduction Through a series of prayer meetings recently I believe the Lord has been sharing with me insights into his plan to revive the Church (cf. Am 3:7). This … Continue reading
Where has the Spirit Gone? Alive@5St Mark’s17.6.18 Part 4: Laying on of Hands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjCcqqpsWTo Key Text: Matt 19:13-15; Acts 4:23-31 Introduction Last week we saw that being “in the Spirit” meant sharing in the end-time reality that had arrived in … Continue reading
Sharing in Christ 3. Glorification Dan 12:1-4 Ps 73:11-26 1 Cor 15:35-49 John 12:22-33 St Marks 17.6.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRQc79e-p_w This is the final sermon in the series “Sharing in Christ”. In the first episode I argued that Jesus was as … Continue reading
Where has the Spirit Gone? Alive@5St Mark’s27.5.18 Part 3: In the Spirit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ABr3cXIZc&t=18s Key Text: Luke 10:17-22 Introduction The shift from lots of religious talk (2 Tim 3:5) to the manifest power of God’s kingdom in signs, wonders and gifts … Continue reading
Sharing in Christ 2. Suffering Isa 52:13-53:12; Ps 22:1-22; 1 Pet 2:18-25; Matt 27:45-54 St Marks 10.6.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uIJLRw7dGw Last week I spoke on how Jesus was as human as each of us; with the great exception that he never … Continue reading
Where has the Spirit Gone? Alive@5St Mark’s27.5.18 Part 2: The Spirit of Righteousness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngrqt2KEFCc&list=PLUbVkCgxf6wVASwlhxbsia_LpJ48i0XlF Key Text: “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen … Continue reading
Sharing in Christ 1. Humanity Isa 7:1-14; Ps 40:1-10; 1 Tim 3:14-16; John 1:1-14 St Mark’s3.6. 18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S47pL9QGq8 From New Testament times every Church failing is grounded in a failure to share fully in the life of Christ (Col … Continue reading
Where has the Spirit Gone? Alive@5St Mark’s27.5.18 Romans 1:16-20; 8:1-11 https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdYYTl5Ht4o Part 1: Introducing the Problem Read Roman 8:1-11 “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of … Continue reading
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, God’s Holy Spirit has great power; to comfort us in our sad hour. David hurt others and he … Continue reading
Discerning a Wedding Word Introduction As a republican I studiously avoided watching the recent royal wedding. Then however, just after praying for growth in discernment in my life, I found myself bombarded with comments about the sermon of Bishop Michael … Continue reading
Rainbow Submission. Introduction Last Saturday Donna and I were privileged to attend the Diversity Dinner in Perth, reputedly Australia’s most multicultural city in Australia, to celebrate our diversity in Christ. Folk were there from many nations in an open and … Continue reading
Call and Gifts Alive@5 6.5.18 Jer 1:4-10; Rom 12:3-8; Luke 3:21- 22 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKbFGdT8tBQ I used to teach that God calls us to perform a particular task and gives us the gifts to perform that task. This is true, … Continue reading
Cities of Blood 2 Introduction My previous article suggested that the selfish bloodletting of the City of Man directly opposes the sacrificial spirit of the City of God founded on the shed blood of the Lamb. I argued that the … Continue reading
Cities of Blood Introduction Whilst attending the usual mid week prayer meeting in the CBD I was struck by the scarcity of city-workers to intercede for the welfare of our city (Jer 29:7). The people of God will gather to … Continue reading
Unbelief St Marks 15.4.18 Num 13:25-14:4; Ps 78:9-22; Heb 3:12-4:2; Mark 6:1-6 Introduction https://youtu.be/dZvq5VkJPn8 In the Gospels, Jesus is said to be amazed only twice; at the great faith of a Roman centurion who believed he could heal his sick … Continue reading
Jesus and the Bible Alive@5 8.4.18 Deut 6:4-9 John 5:30-47 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SxUY4F-NBshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=allFFmkEa-4 Why is it that only 20% of professing Australian Christians regularly read their Bibles? Clearly, most of the Church does not experience “the word of God (as) living … Continue reading
This is a message given to Tabor combined chapel 4th April 2018. Easter is the time when we remember the amazing grace of Jesus shown in his death. In his life, Jesus showed grace to the world, to all the … Continue reading
Foundation’s Sacrifice “Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem…Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great … Continue reading
The Cross in Hebrews Isa 55:1-9; Ps 37:23-26; Heb 9:23-28; Mark 10:35-45 St Marks 4.3.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CnmJ8LWIl8 The booming popularity of the gay pride parades testifies that we are living in the midst of an unprecedented cultural revolution; but it … Continue reading
The Cross through the Eyes of Paul St Mark’s 25.3.18 Isa 50:4-9 ;Ps 40:1-10;1 Cor 1:18-35; Luke 23:1-49 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avzl7v1pZGM Preaching on “The cross through the eyes of Paul” might call for an exposition of his big theological ideas, ransom, … Continue reading
Blood and Light Introduction The New Testament presents becoming a Christian as an incredibly radical transition. In commissioning Paul to preach to the Gentiles Jesus said, “I am sending you…to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness … Continue reading
Repentance Leads to Life Alive@5 St Mark’s 11.3.18 Introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_YXxgb4vmE Against the strong prophetic background of God’s calling sinful Israel to turn away from evil and come back to him (Jer 26:3; Ezek 14:6; Isa 55:6-7 etc.) Christ’s proclamation of … Continue reading