It’s All Pointless
Thursday 1st January 70
Ecc 1:2-14
Speaker: G. Parker
It's all pointless declares the preacher as he walks out of the church onto the street. Wait, where is he? How did he get there?
Length: 00:13:12
Suffering for Christ
Sunday 7th March 10
1 Pe 4:12-19
Speaker: D.Smith
And the reason we don’t like it is because deep down we subscribe to the western philosophy of suffering
- Summed up in the bumper sticker
- ‘poop’ happens
Think about this:
Western understanding is suffering = poop
- Not just senseless, but repugnant and disgusting. A toxic element of life to be avoided at all costs
When does it happen?
- Just happens
- Random and senseless, like a drive by shooting, taking out victims unexpectedly, without reason or provocation
So we end up with a western view that says that all suffering is toxic and there never is a reason for it.
- Now bring that into Christian circles and what have you got?
- A Jesus who fixes that
Like a cosmic ointment that cures all ills
Length: 00:30:31
He Bore Our Sins
Sunday 28th February 10
1 Pe 2:21-25
Speaker: D. Smith
While this was going on the tension in the town was high
- Peter was recognized
- First by a café waitress - Hey you were with him
I was not, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
- Then by another older woman, Yes you were
I swear on my mother’s grave I do not know him.
- Then a crowd gathered and agreed, you’ve got the accent – you speak like him
Then he started to swear and curse like only a fisherman could, denying any association with him whatsoever, I swear to God…
And right then,
- While Jesus was being taken to be beaten, whipped, spat on, laughed at
- And nailed onto a cross for the sins of the world
A rooster crowed
- A sound that cut Peter like a knife
- Only then did he remember what Jesus said
- “What have I done?”
Bible says that he went outside and wept bitterly.
Length: 00:39:07
Paying the Ransom
Sunday 21st February 10
1 Pe 1:17-25
Speaker: D. Smith
When we talk about eternal life
- We can think of it as a time thing
- Gives us a few more years after we die (well a few thousand years)
- 10,000 if you believe Amazing Grace
- Eternal means forever
Start to talk like that – bit boring actually
- Extension of what we have now
But the Bible is saying that your eternal life actually begins now…
- And it’s a time thing, but it’s so much more
- And as we come to faith, something changes in us, we become a new creation, we have a new birth
- We begin to enter into our eternal destiny
- Not just new beliefs - A new person
Length: 00:22:23
Love Jesus More!
Sunday 14th February 10
Luke 7:36-50
Speaker: G. Parker
Growing up I was taught what not to do as a Christian. Now I think there's only one goal, love Jesus more. If I do that, then the rest will take care of itself.
Length: 00:24:14
Am I Being Saved
Sunday 7th February 10
1 Peter 1:2-9
Speaker: D. Smith
Some people think they don’t need saving
- Not particularly in trouble
- But let’s think for a bit
What is it then, in your mind that sets life right?
- Takes the wrongs in the world and restores, recovers, repairs?
Length: 00:32:01
Living Godly Lives
Sunday 31st January 10
2 Peter 1:2-11
Speaker: D. Smith
[v4] This is where our feet leave the ground
- This is what takes the lives of those who know God and sets them apart
- People who share in God’s divine nature
- If you’re here and you count yourself not a Christian (glad you’re here – always welcome – not here to twist your arm)
- But in your experience have you noticed the change in someone who knows God?
Not talking about crazy Christians
- Whites on all four sides of their eyes Christians
- Talking about people with that genuine, heart of love, that know God
Length: 00:29:42
DNA evidence
Sunday 10th January 10
Evidence of sonship
Speaker: Jenny Pryor
Evidence of sonship (only half the sermon, sorry)
Length: 00:16:13
Isaiah’s Transforming Call
Sunday 3rd January 10
Isaiah 6:1-8
Speaker: P. Millard
God is a transforming God. A refreshing message about the need for transformation and the call to what is important.
Length: 00:28:03
Christmas Day Service
Friday 25th December 09
Jesus born into the heart of a family
Speaker: Riley & Bam
Myths about Christmas BUSTED! (For a purpose and reason). Incorporating the Bam and Riley Podcast LIVE Christmas Show!
Length: 00:47:45
Advent - 4 Consummation
Sunday 20th December 09
When He Comes Again
Speaker: W. Teague
We don't have to wait for the baby, so what are we waiting for? The second coming of Christ. Does it make your heart tingle?
Length: 00:22:56
Advent 3 - Incarnation
Sunday 13th December 09
The messiness of God's purpose
Speaker: G. Parker
The messiness of God's purpose is felt through Mary & Joseph. That doesn't mean God got it wrong!
Length: 00:27:56
Advent 2 - Preparation
Sunday 6th December 09
Matt 3:1-12
Speaker: D. Smith
Let me ask you this…
- Do you ever think your life needs a turn around?
- Do you ever get to the point of saying, “I can’t do this anymore.”
- I can’t live like this, look at me
- What was I thinking…
- I need to change something, I need to detox my life, I need to turn something around – because this life is heading nowhere
Length: 00:29:05
The Measuring Stick
Sunday 22nd November 09
James 2:14-26
Speaker: D. Smith
This is not a call to make your life busier
- None of us need that
- It’s unhealthy, it’s unwise
- It’s a sickness of our society
It’s not even a call to look at your works
- And align them to your eternal destiny
- To make them kingdom works
- To make them good works
That’s good too, but it’s not what the Bible is saying here
- The Bible is calling us to faith
- Faith that transforms
- Faith that invites Jesus to the centre of our lives
- Faith that causes us to grow
- Faith that causes us to make life decisions around kingdom values
- Faith that causes us to take the next exit of the western freeway and follow that small 4wd track to God knows where.
Length: 00:28:51
There is No Condemnation
Sunday 15th November 09
Romans 8
Speaker: J. Pryor
What Paul and Jesus are both saying is that holiness is not an optional extra to following Jesus. They're both saying, "Having been set free from the penalty of sin, we can now live in freedom from the power of sin - by his Spirit". Which means it's actually possible to live in the way God intended us to live.
Length: 00:39:45
Life of the Beloved - Given
Sunday 1st November 09
Romans 12:1,2
Speaker: D. Smith
We have keep reminding ourselves that our Christian faith is not about ourselves
- It’s not about me
- Not a life aid for me
- Not a helpful resource for my family
- I am not even the point of my own salvation – but God is, as is a world that’s suffering
Length: 00:30:14
Life of the Beloved - Blessed
Sunday 27th September 09
Genesis
Speaker: D. Smith
Humans are in deep need of blessing
- We’re insecure, fearful
- Down on ourselves, convinced that we’re no good
- Doubt our worthiness
We need to be blessed, affirmed in our belovedness
- Friends must bless friends
- Parents must bless children
- Pastors, carers and leaders must bless those in their care
And – we need to know we are blessed by God
Length: 00:35:48
Life of the Beloved - Chosen
Sunday 6th September 09
Matt 3:17; 1 Pe 2:4-10
Speaker: D. Smith
The Father said to the Son
- I love you, you are loved
- I’m pleased with you
- You’re a good Son
Do you remember your own father talking like that to you?
- I love you, I’m pleased with you
- I believe in you, I’m so proud of you
- Whatever you put your hand to, I’ll be there with you and for you
- I know you can do it
- I’ll always be pleased with you
Or a father to a daughter?
- I love you, I’m pleased with you
- You are beautiful, my heart fills my chest when I think about your beauty
- You look fantastic and always do whether you’re made up or not, but the real beauty is what I see inside
- Your heart for people, your love of life, your love for God
- I’ll always be pleased with you
Length: 00:32:46
Sex and Young People
Sunday 13th April 08
And Now I'm Praying for the End of Time!
Speaker: D. Smith
You say: That’s not us
- we’re not praying for the end of time
- we really do love each other
I say: Is that so?
- you love each other?
- How much?
- Do you love him unconditionally?
- Will you still love her if she doesn’t want sex?
- Do you love each other enough to spend the rest of your life together?
- If that’s true, then you’ll be married.
- That’s what marriage is
Length: 00:47:02
Philippians 4:2-9
Sunday 19th July 09
The Peace of God, which Transcends all Understanding
Speaker: D. Smith
Part of the reality of being human is this…
In each of us there’s an anxiety
- An unsettledness
- Or an insecurity
Am I doing the right thing?
- Am I in the right place?
- Is my life of any worth?
- What about me? My life?
- Is this what I’m supposed to be doing?
Length: 00:32:25
Philippians 3:11-14
Sunday 28th June 09
Pressing On
Speaker: D. Smith
QUESTION: Are you in the same place in regards to Christ as you were this time last year?
- June 2008 – in that last year, in what way have you pressed on? In what way have you taken hold?
Have you pressed on with the church in its mission? – there’s no shortage of things to do
- Wag, Opshop, the school, children and youth
These are not hobbies or pastimes.
- They are things that God has asked our church to press on with.
- And to be a part of this church means to be a part of the mission…
- In whatever form that takes, according to your gifts that the Spirit has given…
Length: 00:27:15
Philippians 3:1-14
Sunday 21st June 09
Confidence in Christ
Speaker: D. Smith
When Paul says:
I consider it a loss
- Everything that I once thought was to my profit
- Everything that’s now chasing me
- Everything that I invited into my life
- When I thought I was smart or clever or cool
- Everything that came from my failures and weaknesses and terrible accidents
I don’t want to put my confidence there
I want to gain Christ and be found in him.
Length: 00:29:22
Philippians 2:19-30
Sunday 14th June 09
Timothy and Epaphroditus
Speaker: D. Smith
I normally don’t talk about people and travel plans in the middle of my letters…
- I usually save that for the end
But I couldn’t resist it, because Timothy and Epaphroditus illustrate exactly what I’ve been trying to say to you.
Length: 00:26:14
Philippians 2:12,13
Sunday 24th May 09
It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose
Speaker: D. Smith
But I knew that God was real – and I knew that he was in my life – and I knew I liked it and wanted it
- It was time for me to stand up, be counted
- I responded to every altar call
- People must have thought I had every problem under the sun – I was down there every week
- I didn’t care, because I knew that I needed everything of God I could get
Length: 00:29:40
Philippians 1:20-30
Sunday 19th April 09
Courage
Speaker: D. Smith
We have to stop thinking of our faith as something out there
- Relating to someone out there
- That secures my future somewhere
We need to bring the reality of Christ home, here
- To where it affects our lives
- To where the challenges and changes are uncomfortable
- To where our character is chiselled into that of Christ’s
- So that he is exalted in our bodies
That takes courage
Length: 00:22:34
Philippians 1:12-19
Sunday 5th April 09
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
Speaker: D. Smith
There’s not much that’s more effective that the devil could do
- Than to get us to believe our own lies
- For us to come across hard times, grief, anguish, rejection, isolation – and then say – that’s it for me
- That’s as good as I’ll get
- That’s as much as I’ll ever do
Length: 00:30:33
Philippians 1:9-11
Sunday 15th February 09
Abounding in knowledge and depth of insight
Speaker: D. Smith
Knowledge of the truth is so important for people of faith
- It saves us from all these half-baked, self-serving pop theologies
- That equate God’s favour with my abilities
- And that if I behave myself then God will reward me with wealth
- And assumes that if it’s in a worship song, it’s true
Length: 00:24:27
Philippians 1:1-8
Sunday 1st February 09
Grace and peace to You
Speaker: D. Smith
It doesn’t say - He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day you feel too tired and hot to do anymore!
Length: 00:23:26
