Introduction To understand the meaning of baptism is of vital importance and something which generates much misunderstanding and, sadly, even division amongst the congregation of believers. In fact the work of God in baptism should, conversely, bring about unity. The … Continue reading
Promise Gen 22:1-19; Ps 105:1-11; Gal 3:15-18;John 8:39-59St Mark’s 22.5.16 https://vimeo.com/163252033 4 minute video precedes sermon (Questions below followed by…? allow the congregation to verbally respond.) Introduction Throughout our series on Galatians we have seen Paul engaging in one long argument against … Continue reading
In a recently read article about the parents of autistic and intellectually handicapped children it was revealed that the “overwhelming majority” of parents had negative experiences in their churches and with their clergy when it came to accommodating their disabled … Continue reading
Undying Love Personal Matters In prayer last Friday we were directed to this text; “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, … Continue reading
Surely the greatest wonder of Christian truth is God sharing in humanity. Not simply a theophany or a god appearing in the guise of a human such as in Hinduism or Greek mythology where a God takes the form of … Continue reading
Despised Personal Matters Last Friday morning we were led to pray into a very unpleasant subject. The experience of being “despised” is one you are unlikely to hear expounded in Church today. But the Bible has a lot to say … Continue reading
Faith and Spirit Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-6; Ps 32; Gal 3:1-9 Luke 24:44-49St Marks 1.5.16 Introduction Galatians 3:1-9 is a passage where Paul gets fired up against those false teachers who are trying to persuade Gentile Christians that they need to … Continue reading
Perplexed About Nothing Personal Matters In our Friday prayer time last week the Lord started to speak with us from 2 Corinthians; “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but … Continue reading
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by … Continue reading
In his high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed for his disciples. He prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” (17:22). What is this glory which … Continue reading
Angels of Heaven Personal Matters In prayer last Friday we began to engage with an alien topic for mainstream Western Christianity. Though there are hundreds of references to angels in scripture in practical terms for most of us they may … Continue reading
Unrestrained Personal Matters Someone at Friday prayers was asking the Lord why in his young adults’ fellowship there was an unrestrained response to Christ one week and next time they met the usual measured spirituality. Certainly the cry of dereliction, … Continue reading
Club or Church ? Lev 11:1-12; Ps 26; Gal 2:11-14; Mark 7:1-23 St Mark’s9.4.16 “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the … Continue reading
Great Things Personal Matters At our Friday morning prayer last week a brother quoted Paul, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in … Continue reading
The Law and the Glory 2 Cor 3:1-18 Yarloop Christian Fellowship 3.4.16 “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our … Continue reading
The ABC recently screened a documentary about transgender kids in the US.[1] The youngest child in the documentary was five years old. There is a movement to enable children labeled as transgender to transition as soon as possible. The belief … Continue reading
Unclean Spirits Personal Matters A man tries to kill himself by running straight in front of my friend’s car, a brother’s niece hospitalised and on suicide watch, children who are too anxious to go to school, a ministry forced to … Continue reading
At the end of his last meal with his disciples Jesus “took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same … Continue reading
I recently watched a documentary about a 16-year-old boy in the UK who wanted to become a drag queen. He had already come out as gay and had decided to come out as a drag queen at his school prom. … Continue reading
Crucified Eyes 20.3.16 Introduction We are living through one of the most dramatic shifts in the history of Western Christianity, from being the most respected institution in the nation as a holy presence the Church is now tolerated by the powers … Continue reading
Living Repentance Personal Matters Two people attending a shared prayer time recently had been independently drawn to the same passage during the week; “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which … Continue reading
Jesus Plus…Tradition St Mark’s 6.3.16 Deut 6:4-7; Ps 78:1-8; Gal 1:11-14; Matt 15:1-9 “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any … Continue reading
Fathering Grief Personal Matters An important message sometimes needs multiple confirmations. This word began as I was listening to angry undertones from some Indigenous Christians on Sunday about the way their ancestors had been treated by whites. As I prayed … Continue reading
Find Your Voice Introduction I was in inner city Melbourne for a conference last week and experienced an ugly contrast between the world and the Church. Walking down Swanston St I came across a very conspicuous brothel with a neon … Continue reading
Prayer is sometimes a struggle. There are prayers which seem to be answered immediately and without the need to pray over and over. We don’t seem to need to devote hours of prayer for those matters. But then there are … Continue reading
5 “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you”. 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; … Continue reading
Signs of Satan Personal Matters Spiritual passivity rules much of the Body of Christ; my local Anglican congregation hardly reacts to my preaching and charismatic gifts lie dormant in corporate worship across the churches. Yet believers never seem to lack … Continue reading
Lately, because of certain events which occurred at work, at home and at church, I have been feeling like I am less that a person. Rather I feel that I have been treated as less than a person. I have … Continue reading
On the Journey with Jesus 4: The Way St Mark’s 24.1.16 Introduction The popular approach to the theme of being On the Journey with Jesus emphasises Christ as a loving companion and guide to me on my life journey. Jesus … Continue reading
Fire: Safe or Good? Personal Matters “There is nothing left in Yarloop. Everyplace we have been working in and holding services in is gone…. You can make plans for another meeting on the 17th unfortunately.” (Dr. Bob Chapman). So reads … Continue reading