Seeing the Invisible Introduction An aged Christian friend commonly shares how he loves testimonies, for no one can argue with a personal experience. There is something to this claim, especially when backed, as it should always be, by the foundation … Continue reading →

Worship Old and New Part 6: Charismatic Gifts in the Bible and Today Bible readings  [] =omitted from verbal presentation https://youtube.com/watch?v=ybRpjiH2YH8&si=jaHRNh1QP-sECZM4 Luke 3:15-22 Acts 2:29-33 1 Cor 12:1-11 Introduction In the process of coming to Christ [from an unchurched background][1], … Continue reading →

Worship Old and New 5: Confession and Repentance   https://youtube.com/watch?v=dXh-S-7rOGs&si=Fout7LKsMweRB9gR  Bible readings Psalm 32 Mark 1:9-15 Acts 19:11-20 James 5:13-16 Preamble For a consistent Christ-centred approach like I intend, tonight’s focus on confession of sin is especially difficult. Whilst it … Continue reading →

Is Hell Really Real? A Meditation Background It has been a most difficult week. Besides my usual cardiac symptoms, I have come down with excruciating arthritis in both knees, making mobility at times extremely difficult (sceptics can see for themselves: … Continue reading →

Worship Old and New Part 4: The Lord’s Supper as the Story of Jesus Bible Readings  [ ]  = not preached Luke 22:14-22 1 Cor 11:27-34 Introduction  https://youtube.com/watch?v=25p1TBuRIwU&si=b1e0D-OREXTknuUW A well-known Evangelical teacher prophetically spoke of the Lord’s Supper, “Satan fears … Continue reading →

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 →

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV Dear friends and family…, when we feel “faith” getting weaker … 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 →

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25 ESV Dear friends and family…, when we “sow” stingy we soon “reap” empty; but giving freely we get back plenty. Jesus faced cruelty, pain and no … 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 →