Listen to Sermons
Sermons are posted for the previous 3-4 months.
Sermon Title: From empty to full in spirit
Date: 29 January 2023
Text: Matthew 5:3-4
Summary: When we take the time to examine ourselves we come to understand that we are indeed 'poor' or empty in spirit. There are so many things that we fail in and sin permeates our lives. However, in this beatitude we are told that out of our emptiness in spirit, God promises to fill us with his spirit - an act of pure grace!
Date: 29 January 2023
Text: Matthew 5:3-4
Summary: When we take the time to examine ourselves we come to understand that we are indeed 'poor' or empty in spirit. There are so many things that we fail in and sin permeates our lives. However, in this beatitude we are told that out of our emptiness in spirit, God promises to fill us with his spirit - an act of pure grace!
Sermon Title: Dissention and unity
Date: 22 January 2023
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Summary: Dissention, conflict and differences of opinion occur throughout our lives and in many instances cause trouble and heart ache. This is no less so in religious groups. In this sermon we hear encouragement from St Paul about the benefits of unity in the central aspects of our faith even when there are differences in the way we see some things.
Date: 22 January 2023
Text: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Summary: Dissention, conflict and differences of opinion occur throughout our lives and in many instances cause trouble and heart ache. This is no less so in religious groups. In this sermon we hear encouragement from St Paul about the benefits of unity in the central aspects of our faith even when there are differences in the way we see some things.
Sermon Title: Look - the Lamb of God!
Date: 15 January 2023
Text: John 1:29-42
Summary: Based on the account in John's gospel of the point at which John the Baptist first lays eyes on Jesus, we hear his bold proclamation of who Jesus is and the profound impact he is going to have for the world. May this open your eyes to the impact Jesus can have on your life.
Date: 15 January 2023
Text: John 1:29-42
Summary: Based on the account in John's gospel of the point at which John the Baptist first lays eyes on Jesus, we hear his bold proclamation of who Jesus is and the profound impact he is going to have for the world. May this open your eyes to the impact Jesus can have on your life.
Sermon Title: New beginnings
Date: 8 January 2023
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Summary: On the anniversary of the first epiphany we here the story of the wise men and how it can shape our lives today
Date: 8 January 2023
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Summary: On the anniversary of the first epiphany we here the story of the wise men and how it can shape our lives today
Sermon Title: New beginnings
Date: 1 January 2023
Preacher: Tom Kitson
Text: John 1:1-14
Summary: On this New Year's day we are inclined to consider new beginnings - resolutions to do things differently and change our lives for the better. However as we hear from St John, there is a new beginning that tops any new beginning we might consider - God's new beginning that has far more profound implications for us.
Date: 1 January 2023
Preacher: Tom Kitson
Text: John 1:1-14
Summary: On this New Year's day we are inclined to consider new beginnings - resolutions to do things differently and change our lives for the better. However as we hear from St John, there is a new beginning that tops any new beginning we might consider - God's new beginning that has far more profound implications for us.
Sermon Title: Hope in a world of uncertainty
Date: 25 December 2022
Preacher: Bishop David Altus
Text: Luke 2: 10-12
Summary: In the past year, in fact, over the past few years, the world has been beset with pestilence (Covid), numerous natural disasters related to our changing climate and political and world conflict. The event of Jesus' birth brings today, just as it did 2000 years ago, a message of hope in the face of uncertainty. We need more than ever to not take this message of hope for granted - it is an eternal blessing.
Date: 25 December 2022
Preacher: Bishop David Altus
Text: Luke 2: 10-12
Summary: In the past year, in fact, over the past few years, the world has been beset with pestilence (Covid), numerous natural disasters related to our changing climate and political and world conflict. The event of Jesus' birth brings today, just as it did 2000 years ago, a message of hope in the face of uncertainty. We need more than ever to not take this message of hope for granted - it is an eternal blessing.
Sermon Title: What could possibly go wrong?
Date: 24 December 2022
Preacher: Bishop David Altus
Text: Luke 2: 1-14
Summary: When you think about it, really think about it, the whole story of Jesus' birth is comprised of a series of totally unexpected and improbable events. Not the sort of thing you would imagine for the birth of God's son, God the creator of the world and the Son who would go on to save us all from ourselves. And yet out of this paradox comes God's perfect plan for us and our redemption. What a miracle!
Date: 24 December 2022
Preacher: Bishop David Altus
Text: Luke 2: 1-14
Summary: When you think about it, really think about it, the whole story of Jesus' birth is comprised of a series of totally unexpected and improbable events. Not the sort of thing you would imagine for the birth of God's son, God the creator of the world and the Son who would go on to save us all from ourselves. And yet out of this paradox comes God's perfect plan for us and our redemption. What a miracle!
Sermon Title: The grand narrative
Date: 18 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 1:1-7
Summary: The apostle Paul starts off his great letter to the new Christians in Rome with this succinct, but all-encompassing statement that outlines the mission of Jesus and its significance for them and also for us today. This forms a wonderful backdrop to the coming celebration of Christmas in 7 days time.
Date: 18 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Romans 1:1-7
Summary: The apostle Paul starts off his great letter to the new Christians in Rome with this succinct, but all-encompassing statement that outlines the mission of Jesus and its significance for them and also for us today. This forms a wonderful backdrop to the coming celebration of Christmas in 7 days time.
Sermon Title: Are you the one?
Date: 11 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Summary: This question "Are you the one?" was asked by John the Baptist when he was imprisoned by Herod regarding the person Jesus who was causing a disturbance among the people with his message of the Kingdom. Even John had uncertainty despite the fact that his whole ministry was foretelling the coming of the Messiah. The passage from Matthew provides a compelling response to the question by linking the acts of Jesus with the prophesy of Isaiah. The 'One' is truly God in human form, on earth, to complete his mission of salvation. What a preparation for Christmas!
Date: 11 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Summary: This question "Are you the one?" was asked by John the Baptist when he was imprisoned by Herod regarding the person Jesus who was causing a disturbance among the people with his message of the Kingdom. Even John had uncertainty despite the fact that his whole ministry was foretelling the coming of the Messiah. The passage from Matthew provides a compelling response to the question by linking the acts of Jesus with the prophesy of Isaiah. The 'One' is truly God in human form, on earth, to complete his mission of salvation. What a preparation for Christmas!
Sermon Title: Jesus - the one we need
Date: 4 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Isaiah 11:1-3
Summary: In this passage from the book of Isaiah there is a foretelling of the coming Saviour - one sent by God who will have qualities and characteristics that are quite opposite to those evident at that time in the people of Israel. That stark comparison confirms the need for Jesus and his sacrifice for us no less today than it was back then.
Date: 4 December 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Isaiah 11:1-3
Summary: In this passage from the book of Isaiah there is a foretelling of the coming Saviour - one sent by God who will have qualities and characteristics that are quite opposite to those evident at that time in the people of Israel. That stark comparison confirms the need for Jesus and his sacrifice for us no less today than it was back then.
Sermon Title: Watch, pray
Date: 27 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 24:36-44
Summary: Just as there is lots of watching going on at the moment with regard to the enormous floods in SE Australia, we are encouraged by Jesus to be alert and watchful regarding the time when this world will come to an end and we will be united with God in eternity.
Date: 27 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Matthew 24:36-44
Summary: Just as there is lots of watching going on at the moment with regard to the enormous floods in SE Australia, we are encouraged by Jesus to be alert and watchful regarding the time when this world will come to an end and we will be united with God in eternity.
Sermon Title: The mercy of God
Date: 20 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 19:11-27
Summary: A common theme that is woven through each of the Bible texts on which this sermon is based is the mercy of God. This mercy reaches its fullest expression in Jesus' death on the cross and is exhibited in a moving way when he declares to the thief who is being crucified with him that 'today you will be with me in paradise'. In today's uncertain world we need this assurance more than ever.
Date: 20 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 46; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 19:11-27
Summary: A common theme that is woven through each of the Bible texts on which this sermon is based is the mercy of God. This mercy reaches its fullest expression in Jesus' death on the cross and is exhibited in a moving way when he declares to the thief who is being crucified with him that 'today you will be with me in paradise'. In today's uncertain world we need this assurance more than ever.
Sermon Title: Work and food
Date: 13 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Summary: This sermon is based on a text that says that those who do not work will not eat. Pastor Matt unpacks this in the context of today and what it is really saying in its wider Christian context.
Date: 13 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Summary: This sermon is based on a text that says that those who do not work will not eat. Pastor Matt unpacks this in the context of today and what it is really saying in its wider Christian context.
Sermon Title: I know that my Redeemer Lives
Date: 6 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Job 19: 23-27
Summary: In spite of the great suffering Job endured, and the devastating losses he suffered, Job was able to look forward to the return of his Redeemer, and the fact that he will be alive in his Redeemer's presence. We too have this assurance, being part of that great crowd of witnesses who have heard of the fulfilment of the promise of God to send a Redeemer.
Date: 6 November 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Job 19: 23-27
Summary: In spite of the great suffering Job endured, and the devastating losses he suffered, Job was able to look forward to the return of his Redeemer, and the fact that he will be alive in his Redeemer's presence. We too have this assurance, being part of that great crowd of witnesses who have heard of the fulfilment of the promise of God to send a Redeemer.
Sermon Title: 3 connections
Date: 30 October 2022 (Reformation Sunday)
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Summary: In this sermon to commemorate the Reformation that occurred 500 years ago, we learn of 3 connections between the story of Zaccheus and the message of the reformation.
Date: 30 October 2022 (Reformation Sunday)
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 19:1-10
Summary: In this sermon to commemorate the Reformation that occurred 500 years ago, we learn of 3 connections between the story of Zaccheus and the message of the reformation.
Sermon Title: Everything turned on its head
Date: 23 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 18:9-14
Summary: In the world of today success is driven by excellence, productivity, doing good, being a 'good person'. This sermon is based on an account of how Jesus takes this idea and turns it all on its head, showing that when it comes to God, people who promote themselves in this way will be humbled while those who we often consider to be 'bad' or 'unsuccessful' human beings will receive the special recognition and acceptance of God.
Date: 23 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 18:9-14
Summary: In the world of today success is driven by excellence, productivity, doing good, being a 'good person'. This sermon is based on an account of how Jesus takes this idea and turns it all on its head, showing that when it comes to God, people who promote themselves in this way will be humbled while those who we often consider to be 'bad' or 'unsuccessful' human beings will receive the special recognition and acceptance of God.
Sermon Title: The justice of God encompasses mercy
Date: 16 October 2022
Preacher: Bishop Mike Fulwood
Text: Luke 18:1-8
Summary: How often do we feel that God is not answering our prayers, is too slow in doing so or doesn't deliver what we want? In this sermon we get to understand what is special about God's justice and its connection to grace, so that instead of wanting speediness, we can instead appreciate the slowness of God's responses to our prayers.
Date: 16 October 2022
Preacher: Bishop Mike Fulwood
Text: Luke 18:1-8
Summary: How often do we feel that God is not answering our prayers, is too slow in doing so or doesn't deliver what we want? In this sermon we get to understand what is special about God's justice and its connection to grace, so that instead of wanting speediness, we can instead appreciate the slowness of God's responses to our prayers.
Sermon Title: Classic God
Date: 9 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Kings 5:10
Summary: The account of the healing of Naaman has many threads. Principal among these is the fact that God does not conform to expectations - not the expectations of Naaman, of the king of the time and not of most people today. He does the unexpected. He acts paradoxically. And in doing so he shows his amazing grace to us.
Date: 9 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: 2 Kings 5:10
Summary: The account of the healing of Naaman has many threads. Principal among these is the fact that God does not conform to expectations - not the expectations of Naaman, of the king of the time and not of most people today. He does the unexpected. He acts paradoxically. And in doing so he shows his amazing grace to us.
Sermon Title: Doing our duty
Date: 2 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 17:10
Summary: What significance does duty have in your life? What do you think Christian duty involves? In this sermon Pastor Matt explains the teaching of Jesus to his disciples on this topic.
Date: 2 October 2022
Preacher: Matt Bishop
Text: Luke 17:10
Summary: What significance does duty have in your life? What do you think Christian duty involves? In this sermon Pastor Matt explains the teaching of Jesus to his disciples on this topic.