This short message was written as a follow-up to a discussion in church about the kingdom of God, which never comes to an end. The book of Daniel begins with the exile of the nation of Judah to Babylon. In … Continue reading
Seeing the Invisible from 9.9.16 Personal Matters We started our time of prayer with this text, “But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” (2 Cor 10:12). Comparisons between … Continue reading
Prosperity versus Spirituality Personal Matters Last week I was in Bandung Indonesia for an Asian Christian leadership conference. This Christ-centred event raised more sharply than ever the question of whether a spiritually mature Church can ever exist in a materially … Continue reading
Orphan-age from 26.8.16 Personal Matters In recent weeks I have been praying consistently about the dreadful situation of fatherlessness permeating the spiritual atmosphere of Church and nation. (“Fathering” encompasses male and female.) This issue confronts me regularly in ways like … Continue reading
Bear the Burden St Mark’s Bassendean Isa 53:1-6;Ps 32; Gal 6:1-6; Matt 22:33-40 Introduction As we have been discussing for several months the Galatian Christians were being strongly tempted to take on keeping the Old Testament Law as a means … Continue reading
Royal Sacrifice from 19.8.16 Personal Matters We were led into prayer by this scripture, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” called to offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to … Continue reading
The Show-Off Spirit Rise Up St Mark’s Anglican21.8.16 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his … Continue reading
Indignation = anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment from 13.8.16 Personal Matters When the Lord really wants to get a message across he has a way of lining up events so that his testimony is … Continue reading
Trust the Truth from 5.8.16 Personal Matters Scepticism about religion is viral. Whilst 92% of Australians trust nurses only 35% trust ministers of religion, largely because news about sexual abuse in the church seems endless[1]. “Brand church” appears toxic. … Continue reading
In January 2016 a teenager stole a car and ran over a pregnant woman—Sarah Paino. She died but the baby was saved. The sentencing of the teenager was reported recently. When I heard the news story about the teenager being … Continue reading
The Dove and the Desert from 29.7.16 Personal Matters Several young Christians in Perth recently and independently had a vision of a dove flying over a vast desert, and believed this was a message from God about Australia. The … Continue reading
This is a short message delivered to a combined Church gathering addressing the question: “What is God saying to the Church?” We are asking tonight, what is God saying to the Church? I believe that there is something to be … Continue reading
from 15.7.17 Personal Matters Christians always seem to be divided. Quite independently two folk recently sent me an article about Hillsong which claimed, “Houston has single-handedly destroyed Christianity in Australia”. The writers of such articles seem not to grasp … Continue reading
I confess that I am very insecure about my own capacity. Every time I write something and put it in the public sphere, I wonder if I have said something which is not correct. How can my ponderings on topics … Continue reading
Jesus is the Kingdom Introduction When Gary told me that he was about to spend six months on the topic of the kingdom of God I was both surprised at the length of the series but not the topic. Just … Continue reading
Little Ones E.Vic. Pk. Baptist 17.7.16 “There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.” Malcolm Turnbull’s words failed to ring true for … Continue reading
Trouble from 8.7.16 Personal Matters It is not possible to get through a week without being troubled by news about the Church’s response to same-sex marriage, a pastoral leadership crisis or some such thing. The people of God seem to … Continue reading
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being … Continue reading
Recently while driving I saw a sticker on a car windscreen which read, “I have no problem with God. It’s his fan club I can’t stand.” The quote is attributed to Albert Einstein. Although I do not know whether Einstein … Continue reading
Our Mother Gen 21:1-14; Ps 122; Gal 4:21-31; John 8:31-47 St Mark’s 2.7.16 Introduction ““Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Sometimes the pressures of life make you feel like … Continue reading
Tent of Joy Perth Prayer 7th anniversary 22/6/16 https://www.facebook.com/Perth-Prayer-319659381407140/ Scriptural Framework Seven What comes after “7” represents a significant change of focus and perspective in the Bible e.g. after the 7 day creation we have the story in … Continue reading
The Order of Truth from 24.6.16 Personal Matters Jesus promised, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God…the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and … Continue reading
Eat Again from17.6.16 “he…in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call … Continue reading
For Beauty and For Glory Zion Fellowship 19.6.16 Prelude In a deep but often hidden way the Lord is dynamically at work in our nation “to present…to himself…a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.” (Eph 5:27). … Continue reading
Holy Smoke from10.6.16 Personal matters Last week one of the brothers brought this puzzling text to us; “To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so … Continue reading
A message spoken at a combined church meeting: When I was asked to speak about unity I thought about all the Christians who I have found it very difficult to get on with and consequently avoid ever speaking to. I … Continue reading
This is a sermon preached at Ocean Keys Baptist Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe … Continue reading
The The Silence of the Lamb Personal matters Why does God sometimes not reply to our requests? This issue was raised for us by Jesus’ rebuttal to a man who sought personal justice; ““who made me a judge or … Continue reading
Jesus’ Heaven Personal Matters Last Friday a brother shared about reading Jonathan Edwards on how in heaven we will delight forever in new facets of the glory of God. This is the picture given us in Revelation of the ceaseless … Continue reading
Bad Person Personal Matters Last Friday one of the brothers who ministers to young adults was deeply disturbed about the scarcity of spiritual fathers/mothers in the Church. This led us to a key passage in Paul; “I do not write … Continue reading