Sermons

‘Clarity for navigating life’s grey areas’ (Sam Braid, 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1)

AudioPhilip

Sometimes things in life are black and white. Other times things are grey. The Bible calls us to love God and to love our neighbour, yet it is not always clear what that looks like. 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 reveals that in first century Corinth, idol worship was prominent and posed a bit of a conundrum for the Christian community. Worshipping idols was clearly wrong, but did that mean they shouldn’t eat the meat sacrificed to those idols and what about going out to dinner at a pagan’s house? The Apostle Paul teaches us how to navigate such a scenario, while providing the wisdom of God and the example of Christ to enable us to tackle any tricky situation we might find ourselves in. We learn that God has given us great freedom in the Christian life, not to live recklessly or indulgently, but to wholeheartedly serve God and seek the good of many. This requires clarity around the important issues as well as a servant-heart. After considering this passage we may need to repent of thoughtlessness and selfishness, but we will also gain greater peace and confidence to navigate life’s complexities.

Message

‘See the warnings against hypocrisy given by the Saviour (2)’ (Luke 12:1-12)

AudioPhilip

Followeing on from the things Jesus concluded in Luke 11:29-54, He had mre to say about hypocrisy as :Luke reciords in Luke 12:1-12. The whole section can be understood as awarning about the ‘leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy’ (Luke 12:1-2), as Jersus gives some reasons why hypocrisy is to be avoided. The truth behind Jesus’ teaching is that God wants the truth to be in our hearts, where the light it will bring will deliver us from inner darkness.

Message

Outline

• The thirty-seventh in this series
• Avoid being like the Pharisees!
• A working definition of hypocrisy
• See how Jesus gives us reasons to avoid hypocrisy …

  1. Because all truth will be revealed (v.1-3)
  2. Because the Lord will be the Judge (v.4-7)
  3. Because only faithfulness will be rewarded (v.8-12)

‘We are all hypocrites…’
The one in the mirror
Having the light within!

‘See the warning against hypocrisy given by the Saviour (1)’ (Luke 11:29-54)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus spoke out in judgement on the Pharisees in Luke 11:29-54, He did not mince his words or hold back. If there was anyone that made Jesus angry, it was the self-righteous, hypocritical religious leaders who did everthing they could to advance themselves in the eyes of the people, but failed to live honestly before God. Hypocrisy is such a dangerous snare for all of God’s people. We must beware iof it and avoid being like these Pharisees at all cost!

Message

Outline

• The thirty-sixth in this series
• From bad to worse
• Committed unbelief
• See how Luke tells us that Jesus spoke against …

  1. The blindness of their hearts (v.29-36)
  2. The falseness of their lives (v.37-54)

The importance of…
Truth on the inside

‘See the accusation against.. and the defence of… the Saviour’ (Luke 11:14-28)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus chose to heal a man from demon possession in Luke 11:14-28, he got much more than he was expecting in terms of opposition to his miracle. Those who observed the miraculous deliverance of the man, could only reach a conclsuion that was opposite to what might have been made by those with ‘two eyes’, attributing the miracle to the works of the evil one. But Jesus was not deterred and used the opprtunity to press His claims and to point out what responsing to Him the right way really means.

Message

Outline

• The thirty-fifth in this series
• Encouragements and discouragements
• Divided witnesses
• See how Luke tells us of …

  1. The ‘crime’ Jesus committed (v.14)
  2. The accusation they levelled (v.15-16)
  3. The defence Jesus gave (v.17-28)
    R
    S
    N

Courtroom drama
What’s your verdict?
Hearing and heeding…

‘See the teaching about prayer by the Saviour’ (Luke 11:1-13)

AudioPhilip

After Jesus had left the home of Marth a and Mary, the dfisciples observed Him (as was His usual custom) praying. They aked Him therefore to teach them to pray. In Luke 11;1-13, we find the respoonse Jesus gave them in which he laid down for them a pattern for prayer, encouraged them to be persistent in prayer and also encouraged them by reminding them that God the Father welcomes their requests. The challenge for us is not so much understanding what Jesus said, but doing what He said!

Message

Outline

• The thirty-fourth in this series
• Connecting back to last week…
• What the disciples observed about Jesus
• See how Jesus taught about…

  1. The pattern needed for ordered prayer (v.1-4)
  2. The persistence needed for effective prayer (v.5-10)
  3. The assurance needed for answered prayer (v.11-13)

The hardest thing to do?
Spurgeon’s comment
‘Teach me to pray!”

‘See the sisters who loved and served the Saviour’ (Luke 10:38-42)

Philip

In Luke 10:38-42, we find Jesus in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Distinctions are often made between thse two sisters, and often the conclusion reached is ‘Be like Mary and don’t be like Martha, after all, Martha was too busy for Jesus and Mary wasn’t’. Maybe that’s right. Maybe it isn’t. Both sisters were busy. It’s just that their choices were different. Both loved and served Jesus and He was gentle and encouraging to both.

Message

Outline

• The thirty-third in this series
• Where we left off…
• A common (but incorrect) approach to the text?
• See how Luke wants you to note…

  1. The tension behind the busyness (v.38-40)
  2. The frustrations behind the outburst (v.40)
  3. The misunderstanding behind the accusation (v.40-42)

Balancing acts
The warning from Martha
Making the better choice

‘Finding your rest in Jesus’ (Matthew 11:28-30)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus invited his hearers to ‘Come to Him and find rest’ in Matthew 11:28-30, his words have long stood out like a beacon on a dark night. We live in a world where there are so many demands on us – in terms of time, responsibility and commitment – at work, school, family and community. As followers of Jesus, we also have the extra burden of being hated and misunderstood by the world, all of which means that what Jesus offers is so more important for believers to take up.

Message

Outline

Life in Nepal
Life in Australia
Rest, but what kind?
See what Jesus says in this text…

  1. Come to me (v.28)
  2. Take my yoke (v.29)
  3. Find rest (v.30)

Would you prefer a heavy yoke?
Becoming like Jesus..
The ‘hidden’ things
A life of rest…

‘Thinking about the Apostle Peter’s first sermon’ (Acts 2:14-41)

AudioPhilip

When Peter got up to preach at Pentecost, it was his first time ever! Luke records a summary of his sermon in Acts 2:14-41 which only takes up about 7 minutes, and yet it is chock full of Old Testament quotes that had found their fulfillment in Pentecost’s events. The sermon is also clearly Christ-centred, explaining the purpose of God behind his death and resurrection, and entreating his hearers to believe the gospel and receive the promises of God – for those who believe and also for their families.

Message

Outline

• My first sermon
• The setting of Peter’s message
• A ‘very good’ sermon!
• See how Luke tells us of …

  1. The Word of God – as the authority on the day’s events (v.14-21)
  2. The Son of God – as the Saviour of men (v.22-36)
  3. The plan of God – for the salvation of His people (v.37-41)

A powerful seven-minute journey
Salvation
Being bold

‘See the most well-known parable of the Saviour’ (Luke 10:25-37)

AudioPhilip

Many people can tell you what the Parable of the Good Samaritan is all about and what Jesus was teaching by it. However, many people can also take the parable in a rather simplistic fashion which makes it all sound ‘nice’, even sort of ‘ a good thing to do’. But Jesus meant so much more by this parable that is recorded in Luke 10:25-37 which follows a long section in which Jesus has been shaping and forming the minds and hearts of His disciples. In that sense, the parable therefore means far more that many might have thought!

Message

Outline

The thirty-second in this series

  • Where we left off…
  • Samaritans and Jews
  • See how Jesus told of the Samaritan’s compassion that was…
  1. Genuine and not ‘put on’ (v.30-32)
  2. Based on needs and not on worth (v.33)
  3. Not just words but costly actions (v.34)

This unsafe world
The law of God
The One who was truly ‘good’

‘See the disciples who went out to represent the Saviour’ (Luke 10:1-24)

Philip

While much of Luke 9 has been about the theme of discipleship, Luke 10:1-24 continues to follow that theme. When Jesus enlarged the number of His disciples from 12 to 72 (6 times as many!) and sent them out to represent Him wherever they went, this was a major challenge for each of them. They were to rely on Him, even though He was not physically with them, and yet the result of their witness was not only joy, but also confirmation of His victory over the evil one.

Message

Outline:

• The thirty-first in this series
• Those errant 12…
• Imperfect but still used!
• See how Luke tells us of …

  1. The method that Jesus employed (v.1-11)
  2. The unbelief that Jesus expected (v.12-16)
  3. The joy that Jesus (and the 72) experienced (v.17-24)
    The joy of
    The joy of
    The joy of

A story from the life of Genghis Khan
Jesus sent by the Father
Workers in the harvest field – sent by Jesus