Listen to Sermons
Sermons are posted for the previous 3-4 months.
Sermon Title: A fair day's work for a fair day's pay?
Date: 23/9/23
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 20:1-16
Summary: In this parable on which this sermon is based we hear Jesus put forward a view on industrial practice that is enanthema in the world of today. In doing so he is highlighting the radical nature of God's grace in that although we totally don't deserve it, God nevertheless provides forgiveness and eternal life no matter at what point an individual comes to Him. Radical indeed!
Date: 23/9/23
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 20:1-16
Summary: In this parable on which this sermon is based we hear Jesus put forward a view on industrial practice that is enanthema in the world of today. In doing so he is highlighting the radical nature of God's grace in that although we totally don't deserve it, God nevertheless provides forgiveness and eternal life no matter at what point an individual comes to Him. Radical indeed!
Sermon Title: It's all about Christ
Date: 17/9/23
Preacher: Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer
Text: Romans 14:1-13
Summary: You might say " I wish I had a stronger faith", but our standing before God does not depend on the fruits of our faith, but solely on the merits of Christ and his saving work. St Paul admonishes us to welcome those we deem weak in the faith, and stop quarreling over disputable matters on which Scripture is silent, and we rely on personal judgment.
Date: 17/9/23
Preacher: Rev Dr Andrew Pfeiffer
Text: Romans 14:1-13
Summary: You might say " I wish I had a stronger faith", but our standing before God does not depend on the fruits of our faith, but solely on the merits of Christ and his saving work. St Paul admonishes us to welcome those we deem weak in the faith, and stop quarreling over disputable matters on which Scripture is silent, and we rely on personal judgment.
Sermon Title: Submission to authorities
Date: 10/9/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 13:1-14
Summary: This sermon deals with the relationship that Christians should have with earthly authorities - the Government, the judiciary, etc. The guidance given by St Paul outlines how we should relate to Government in the context of the gospel and our relationship with God.
Date: 10/9/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 13:1-14
Summary: This sermon deals with the relationship that Christians should have with earthly authorities - the Government, the judiciary, etc. The guidance given by St Paul outlines how we should relate to Government in the context of the gospel and our relationship with God.
Sermon Title: Sincere love in action
Date: 3/9/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 12:9-21
Summary: In this reading from Romans Paul is laying out what sincere love means in tangible, practical terms for a Christian. it is not an easy road to travel, but driven by the Spirit, it is fulfilling and brings about change, not only in ourselves but in those around us. The example of Martin Luther King is provided as a powerful example of this.
Date: 3/9/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 12:9-21
Summary: In this reading from Romans Paul is laying out what sincere love means in tangible, practical terms for a Christian. it is not an easy road to travel, but driven by the Spirit, it is fulfilling and brings about change, not only in ourselves but in those around us. The example of Martin Luther King is provided as a powerful example of this.
Sermon Title: Christian vocation
Date: 27/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Romans 12:1-8
Summary: This sermon examines the impact of what God has done for us on our vocations in life. To do this it draws on the account in Exodus of the bravery of two Hebrew midwives during the period of enslavement of the Israelites and also on the letter of St Paul to the Romans where Paul is explaining God's actions, our response and what we can expect this will yield in our lives.
Date: 27/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Exodus 1:8-2:10 and Romans 12:1-8
Summary: This sermon examines the impact of what God has done for us on our vocations in life. To do this it draws on the account in Exodus of the bravery of two Hebrew midwives during the period of enslavement of the Israelites and also on the letter of St Paul to the Romans where Paul is explaining God's actions, our response and what we can expect this will yield in our lives.
Sermon Title: Dogged faith
Date: 20/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 15:10-28
Summary: In this sermon, based on the account of the Canaanite woman who refused to take no for an answer we gain an insight into our relationship to God and his great mercy toward us, despite us not deserving anything from him.
Date: 20/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 15:10-28
Summary: In this sermon, based on the account of the Canaanite woman who refused to take no for an answer we gain an insight into our relationship to God and his great mercy toward us, despite us not deserving anything from him.
Sermon Title: Courage! I am. Do not be afraid
Date: 13/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 14:27
Summary: One of the realities of our lives is that there will be times of hardship - storms that test us. The text on which this sermon is based is the account of Jesus coming to rescue his disciples when they were out in a boat on a stormy sea, fearing for their lives. Just as they were saved, so are we when we keep our eyes on Jesus who is always approaching to save in the storms of life.
Date: 13/8/23
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 14:27
Summary: One of the realities of our lives is that there will be times of hardship - storms that test us. The text on which this sermon is based is the account of Jesus coming to rescue his disciples when they were out in a boat on a stormy sea, fearing for their lives. Just as they were saved, so are we when we keep our eyes on Jesus who is always approaching to save in the storms of life.
Sermon Title: What do you have? What do you need?
Date: 6 August 2023
Reader: Tania Nelson
Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Summary: When we think of what we need and what we have we usually think of our possessions. However the account of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish is really not about material things but rather food for our souls - something that all of us need!
Date: 6 August 2023
Reader: Tania Nelson
Text: Matthew 14:22-33
Summary: When we think of what we need and what we have we usually think of our possessions. However the account of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish is really not about material things but rather food for our souls - something that all of us need!
Sermon Title: Intercession, separation, conquerors
Date: 30 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 8:26, 28, 37
Summary: In this magnificent passage of the letter of St Paul to the Romans there are 3 strong themes: the ongoing intercession of the Spirit for us in our prayer life, the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that because of this we are more than conquerors. Pastor Matt unpacks this for us in this sermon.
Date: 30 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 8:26, 28, 37
Summary: In this magnificent passage of the letter of St Paul to the Romans there are 3 strong themes: the ongoing intercession of the Spirit for us in our prayer life, the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that because of this we are more than conquerors. Pastor Matt unpacks this for us in this sermon.
Sermon Title: Adoption into God's family
Date: 23 July 2023
Reader: Dennis Clark
Text: Romans 8:12-25
Summary: One of the deep needs of humans is the need to belong, the hunger for community and for acceptance. The good news for Christians is that we have been adopted into God's family as true sons and daughters and that we don't have to have done anything to be given this amazing gift. This is truly something worth celebrating!
Date: 23 July 2023
Reader: Dennis Clark
Text: Romans 8:12-25
Summary: One of the deep needs of humans is the need to belong, the hunger for community and for acceptance. The good news for Christians is that we have been adopted into God's family as true sons and daughters and that we don't have to have done anything to be given this amazing gift. This is truly something worth celebrating!
Sermon Title: What will be your legacy?
Date: 16 July 2023
Reader: Danny Perkins
Text: Matthew 13:1-9
Summary: This sermon is based on Jesus' parable about the consequences of seed falling onto various types of ground - referring to the various responses people have when they hear about God. This challenges us to consider how we will live our life and ultimately how we will be remembered with regard to our faith.
Date: 16 July 2023
Reader: Danny Perkins
Text: Matthew 13:1-9
Summary: This sermon is based on Jesus' parable about the consequences of seed falling onto various types of ground - referring to the various responses people have when they hear about God. This challenges us to consider how we will live our life and ultimately how we will be remembered with regard to our faith.
Sermon Title: Doing the things I don't want to do
Date: 9 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 8: 1-11
Summary: How often in life do you find yourself doing the very things that you know you shouldn't, despite your best intentions? We seem to be in an ongoing arm wrestle to combat our most basic tendencies. The apostle Paul knew all about this and describes it eloquently in the text on which this sermon is based. Thank God for his never ending forgiveness!
Date: 9 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 8: 1-11
Summary: How often in life do you find yourself doing the very things that you know you shouldn't, despite your best intentions? We seem to be in an ongoing arm wrestle to combat our most basic tendencies. The apostle Paul knew all about this and describes it eloquently in the text on which this sermon is based. Thank God for his never ending forgiveness!
Sermon Title: Trust
Date: 2 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Summary: The account in Genesis of Abraham and God's instruction for him to sacrifice his only son is an extremely challenging one, raising many questions for us. In this sermon, pastor Matt unpacks for us the many parallels between this account and the sacrifice of Jesus that has saved us and emphasises the importance of trust in our relationship with God.
Date: 2 July 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Summary: The account in Genesis of Abraham and God's instruction for him to sacrifice his only son is an extremely challenging one, raising many questions for us. In this sermon, pastor Matt unpacks for us the many parallels between this account and the sacrifice of Jesus that has saved us and emphasises the importance of trust in our relationship with God.
Sermon Title: Sheep, wolves, snakes and doves
Date: 18 June 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 10:16
Summary: In the text on which this sermon is based we hear Jesus telling his disciples that they must have the characteristics of sheep, wolves, snakes and doves. Given that this also applies to us in our life, what on earth can this mean? Listen and find out.
Date: 18 June 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 10:16
Summary: In the text on which this sermon is based we hear Jesus telling his disciples that they must have the characteristics of sheep, wolves, snakes and doves. Given that this also applies to us in our life, what on earth can this mean? Listen and find out.
Sermon Title: Leaps of faith
Date: 11 June 2023
Preacher: Vicar Tom Kitson
Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Summary: Have you had times in your life where, although you were not at all confident in the outcome of a decision, you simply decided to go ahead in hope? This sermon is based on the account in the Bible about how Abram repeatedly took leaps of faith based entirely on his belief and trust in God delivering even in the face of things looking completely hopeless, or at the very least, very uncertain. We can learn a lot about putting our faith in a God who will deliver in our lives also.
Date: 11 June 2023
Preacher: Vicar Tom Kitson
Text: Genesis 12:1-9
Summary: Have you had times in your life where, although you were not at all confident in the outcome of a decision, you simply decided to go ahead in hope? This sermon is based on the account in the Bible about how Abram repeatedly took leaps of faith based entirely on his belief and trust in God delivering even in the face of things looking completely hopeless, or at the very least, very uncertain. We can learn a lot about putting our faith in a God who will deliver in our lives also.
Sermon Title: The apostolic blessing in our lives
Date: 4 June 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Summary: On this Sunday that included children and parents of the St Paul Lutheran School receiving Bibles donated by the St Paul congregation, the sermon unpacked the significance of this blessing that emphasises the trinity, and using a variety of props, demonstrated how it has practical implications for all of us in our lives.
Date: 4 June 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Summary: On this Sunday that included children and parents of the St Paul Lutheran School receiving Bibles donated by the St Paul congregation, the sermon unpacked the significance of this blessing that emphasises the trinity, and using a variety of props, demonstrated how it has practical implications for all of us in our lives.
Sermon Title: Go!
Date: 28 May 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Numbers11;24-30
Summary: In celebrating Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit, there is an awareness of how the Spirit provides lots of very practical gifts that enable us to GO and put those various gifts into action within the communities in which we find ourselves.
Date: 28 May 2023
Preacher: Pastor Matt Bishop
Text: Numbers11;24-30
Summary: In celebrating Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit, there is an awareness of how the Spirit provides lots of very practical gifts that enable us to GO and put those various gifts into action within the communities in which we find ourselves.
