SLE Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
SLE Church Sermons
The Kingdom’s immeasurable worth is supremely valued by those who discover it and rejected by those who think they already know the King.
In the face of real evil, the Kingdom of heaven grows unstoppably, and both its future greatness and final judgement are settled.
The Kingdom that was once secret is now revealed and made understandable because Jesus suffered to heal us.
When Christians gather together, they must ensure the gospel is communicated rightly and clearly so that it builds up Jesus’ church.
When Christians gather together, they speak the gospel into the lives of both believers and unbelievers so that Jesus’ church is built up.
Without love, even the most impressive gifts and sacrifices are nothing, because love is the Christlike way that builds the church now and lasts forever.
The Holy Spirit makes all Christians essential members of Christ’s body and empowers them to serve others in various and interdependent ways.
The Lord’s Supper proclaims Christ’s self-giving death for his one body, so we must not receive it in ways that divide or despise that body.
When the church gathers, our conduct must not preach against the God we worship – obscuring His created order, dishonouring Christ, or dishonouring one another.
The gospel warns God’s people not to presume on spiritual privilege, but to flee idolatry and live with wholehearted loyalty to Christ.
Gospel-shaped freedom is not the right to serve ourselves, but the freedom to lay down our rights so others are built up and saved.
In these last days believers should hold their earthy things lightly and pursue undivided devotion to the Lord.
People who belong to Christ must live in line with who they are in Him: pursuing purity, wise judgement, and righteousness.
Division in the church is caused by pride and jealousy, but the gospel humbles and unites.
God’s wisdom is Jesus Christ crucified, and God gives us his wisdom through his Spirit so that we can live for him.
The LORD saves his people from judgment through the blood of the lamb and calls them to rightly remember his salvation.
Through his judgments, Yahweh reveals that he alone has power over Egypt, its gods, and Pharaoh’s heart.
We marvel in awe as God’s quiet covenant faithfulness cannot be stopped in the face of tyrannical power which threatens God’s covenant people.
Nahum closes by warning that when God exposes the true foundations of human power, collapse is not just deserved it is also unavoidable.
The future of God’s people is secure because the destruction of God’s enemies is assured.
Because of who the Lord is, he will judge injustice and become a refuge for those who trust him.
God sovereignly preserves his people through unseen means, even through unlikely, hesitant and imperfect servants.
The love shared between lovers can be profoundly passionate and powerful – and is therefore something to be received with delight and handled with reverent care.
Life and death can only make sense when we fear God and rejoice in his good gift of life.
Under God’s judgement, His people give voice to their grief, complain honestly to Him, and cling to hope in His mercy – even in the dark.
In his kindness, God brings us from emptiness to fullness of life through Jesus our redeemer.
Rejoice in the Father who gives the greatest gift – changing us from slaves to sons graciously through faith in Jesus.
Christians must press on in public godliness to reflect the salvation we have in Christ, which is proof that God is good, kind, loving, and merciful.
Christians must adorn the beauty of godliness toward one another because of the grace shown to us through Jesus.
Church leaders must hold fast to godliness and teach what is true so that the church may be firm in their faith and not be led astray by false teachers
God sovereignly, and reassuringly, preserves Paul through storm, shipwreck, and snakebite, so that His promised mission to Rome continues unhindered.
The gospel that opened Paul’s eyes now shines to the ends of the earth – unshakeable, reasonable, and demanding a response.
Even the scheming and impotence of human power serve God’s providential purposes – giving us confidence and a call to integrity in patience.
The resurrection of Jesus disrupts reality, causing alarm to those who deny him and giving hope to those who trust him.
We should be courageous in testifying the facts of Christ, with confidence that God’s plans will prevail even in the face of opposition.
The scandal of the gospel is that it transforms enemies and extends grace to outsiders.
God shows mercy to his true but imperfect king so that he can show us mercy through his true and perfect king.
God’s long-awaited chosen ruler establishes God’s kingdom in fulfilment of God’s covenantal promises by working through loyal followers
David returns to Jerusalem as king after Absolom’s revolt. But how will he find his people when he returns?
God frustrates rebellion and brings it to ruin, while David’s grief exposes his weakness as king to save.
God remains faithful to his word, even when the hearts of his people reject his chosen suffering king.
The sin of God’s King is repeated by his sons, upheld by corrupted systems, in which human schemes fail to bring true justice and reconciliation.
God’s King rules with justice, righteousness, mercy and steadfast love – making us long for the days of this to come.
God graciously promises everlasting commitment to David’s dynasty in order that he might be God and Father to his people forever.
The church must remain steadfast in the truth of the gospel of Jesus so that we won’t be distracted from our hope for the future.
God’s king is often opposed—but our hope is that God’s promises will slowly prevail through faithfulness and righteous actions, not grasping for control.
God’s King will not grasp for the throne but will be anointed through grief and dependence on God – giving us hope and longing for this kind of King to come.
The church is commanded to remain steadfast in work so that we keep loving one another while we wait for Jesus to return.
The church needs to remain steadfast in their mission to proclaim the gospel so that more people will put their trust in Jesus.
The church can remain steadfast in faith amidst persecution because relief and glory await when Jesus returns to establish his kingdom.
Jesus exposes the danger of relying on external markers of spiritual confidence, reorienting identity around obedience to God
Jesus, God’s chosen servant and merciful ruler, confronts merciless religion and exposes its deadly nature while inviting people to draw near to him.
Our words are powerful and can deeply impact others. Wise people recognise the power of words and use it with discernment and discretion, seeking to build up, not tear down, being aware of what lurks ... Read More
We are to feel the weight of those who reject Jesus and face judgement; and rejoice with those who receive him by grace, finding rest and knowing the Father.
Following Jesus requires cross-carrying self-denial, but press on so that others may also receive the reward of knowing God.
Followers of Jesus are challenged to quell the fear of man with comforting and assured faithfulness to God.
Jesus’ resurrection assures us that nothing will ever separate us from God and his love.
The cross shows us an astonishing and amazing love beyond anything this world can offer – Jesus gave His life for the undeserving, at infinite cost, so that we might be brought back to God.
Out of compassion Jesus sends workers to proclaim his gospel to the lost and assures them that though they will be persecuted, God will provide for them.
Faith is believing that Jesus can do what we are helpless to do ourselves. Therefore, come to Jesus in desperation and faith, and take heart because he has saved us.
We all have to make decisions, big and small, and wise people do so only after seeking advice from others, weighing up risks and consequences and trusting God in prayer.
We gasp in awe at Jesus’ gracious and radical fulfilment of the Old Testament, not a preservation of old customs and hollow religion.
Jesus proves he has the authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic – challenging all to come to him in faith.
When confronted with the authority and power of Jesus you either marvel at him or flee. Which will we do?
We are invited to trust Jesus, whose authority over sickness reveals his power, compassion, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.
God’s justice brings an end to the sin of the proud and gives hope to those who humble themselves by trusting him.
God’s surprising avenue of enacting justice demonstrates both his uncompromising righteousness and his abounding mercy.
As we seek to follow Jesus together, the Apostle Peter assures us that we have everything we need to live a godly life. But what is this “everything”? How do we receive it? And what ... Read More
As we look forward to the year and years ahead, where will we go to look for the ‘good’ that we long for? Like David, let us long to find refuge in the LORD God, ... Read More
The spiritual discipline of giving challenges our generosity for the good of our heart’s hopes and assures us of true life today and eternally.
Spiritual Disciplines are to lead us to godliness and joy. The Word of God is sufficient to prepare us for eternity.
Join us for a special morning of music, community and festive cheer as we celebrate Christmas.
Following Jesus is worth it because when he returns, he will spare us from judgment and free us from sin.
God is unchanging in his justice, yet merciful to us because of his faithfulness to his covenant.
In John 9, we witness the transformation of a blind beggar whose life is radically changed by an encounter with Jesus. Through this healing, we see more than just restored sight—it’s a powerful revelation of ... Read More
The people of God are rebuked for their faithflessness in which they despise worship and God’s marriage covenants.
God challenges the cynical question of his people by showing them that his love is demonstrated in the defeat of their enemies.
We are able and willing to do good to others, serving with gratefulness and self-sacrifice, because God has already given us what we truly need through Jesus.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life we all need – what a great comfort in loss and hope to anchor our grief!
Since we have been graciously drawn near to God through Jesus we are exhorted to endure discipline and make every effort to persevere.
The Christian life is hard, rife with obstacles, difficulties and suffering. How are we going to make it to the end? Hebrews 11 teaches us to learn from the “Hall of Faith”, the greats of ... Read More
Jesus does away with the Old Covenant and brings in the New, giving us true security and assurance.
Jesus is the minister of a better covenant which promises perfect relationship with God.
Jesus, our forever priest-king, anchors us to God our Father and intercedes for us, so that we will remain close him and not drift away.
The immature are warned that they bear useless fruit and may walk away from Jesus, but the mature are assured that they bear good fruit and are exhorted to press on.
Jesus’ high priestly ministry is better because of his sacrificial sinless humanity secures eternal salvation – to our great comfort and assurance!
The preacher warns that unbelief causes hard hearts and rejection from God, and exhorts the listener to heed God’s Word and persevere towards rest.
Jesus is our better salvation because he saves us from both the penalty and the power of sin, enabling us to fulfil God’s intended purpose for humanity.
God speaks to us now by his Son, revealing fully and finally the salvation he had already spoken about through his prophets and angels.
God has brought the far off into community, through the blood of Christ, to be his church. Therefore, we aspire to be a community of maturing disciples of Jesus.
Followers of Jesus are challenged to demonstrate right judgement through righteous, wise, and love-filled living.
Jesus tells us that we do not need to be anxious about being in control over our lives because, as disciples of Jesus, God values us more than we might believe.
Jesus demands whole-hearted loyalty from those who have been graciously given treasure in heaven.
Jesus warns against self-centred-attention-seeking but points us to his Father who delights to reward those who seek him earnestly.
Correcting a big misapplication of the Law, Jesus calls believers to a righteousness that pushes beyond mere rule keeping to loving God and neighbour from the heart.
Disciples of Jesus are challenged with the expectation to be salt and light to the world.
Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is given to those who recognise their need for God’s grace.
Though innocent so far, David shows that he is a human like all of us: capable of acting in righteous, mysterious, and evil ways.
We rejoin the narrative of 1 Samuel after David defeats Goliath. How will people react? Especially, will King Saul react with thanksgiving or jealousy?
With sadness we watch as Saul’s disobedience results in failures of leadership and judgement upon him.
Despite all their evil in desiring their own king, God will not forsake his own people but will graciously save them through their king.
The first king of Israel is outwardly impressive, inwardly apprehensive, and empowered by the Spirit to do well. So long as he remains in the Spirit, walking closely to God, there is hope of security ... Read More
God’s people reject God in their desire for a human king, but God grants their request and paves the way for Jesus, the true king.
God warns that his holiness means he will not be treated lightly by his people or others.
In keeping his promises God raises up faithful leaders and brings down unfaithful leaders so that His people might be warned against faithlessness and encouraged to trust and hope in Him.
Our earthly relationships are good, but not ultimate – only relationship with God is ultimate and can satisfy.
Money is good, but pursuing it for satisfaction reveals it is not ultimate – treasuring Jesus is what satisfies.
Do you have a purpose in life? Does it satisfy you? This week we unpack one of our community’s top answers to the question: “What gives satisfaction in life.”
What is a disciple? As Jesus starts his ministry, we see him call the first disciples to come follow him and make followers of him.
Jesus proves that he is truly the Son of God when he resists temptation by trusting and obeying God.
The Lord’s judgement is fair – and inescapable. Turn to him in faith and repentance before his judgment comes and it is too late.
We fellowship and enjoy communion with the Triune God because the Spirit unites us in Christ the Son whom the Father loves – which flows out in our love for each other.
The Father loves and plans our salvation, the Son executes that plan, and the Spirit regenerates hearts to believe and trust – all by grace!.
We depend on God our Creator because the Father creates through and for the Son, and sustains and perfects by the Spirit.
We can know that the Triune God has spoken because the Father speaks in the Son through the Spirit – so listen to Him with profound thankfulness and obedience!
God, the Rock, is just which leads to righteous judgement on his wayward people, but His goodness leads to undeserved restoration.
God mercifully renews our stubborn hearts so that we can embrace the gospel of the risen Lord Jesus and choose life.
At the foot of the promised land, Moses sets Israel before 2 mountains: Mt Blessing and Mt Curse. Which one will they find themselves on?
These covenantal laws reflect God’s character, applying the 10 Commandments to life, and encourage obedience in a people who will also reflect His character.
Christian leaders are to minister God’s word to his people as they submit to the leadership of Jesus.
In contrast to the false worship of the land, true worship is directed by God and involves the whole of life joyfully lived for him so Israel are called to obey these commands!
God’s relentless grace and faithfulness shapes our hearts to be totally set apart in devotion and obedience to him.
With privileged and new identities, as those chosen and saved by God, comes the need for obedience and the warning of judgement for disobedience.
God enters into covenant relationship with his redeemed by speaking his Word. The redeemed respond to this grace in total love with undivided commitment and obedience to Gods covenant Word.
Israels past is marked by personal unbelief, fear and failure but God proved gracious and faithful, so they must trust his past grace for his future grace as they enter the land.
To our deep comfort, awe and encouragement, God reminds us that judgement is withheld so that all of God’s people will come to salvation in Christ to enjoy his eternal presence.
The gospel comes to the mega-city of Ephesus and makes a huge splash in culture. In Acts 19 we see the tale of 2 crowds. One that responds in mass repentance and another that responds ... Read More
God is always present with his people, those who believe in the Lord Jesus, because he dwells with by his Spirit.
Since God is the creator of everything idolatry makes no sense, so we must repent before Jesus returns.
Responses to the gospel differ so much because either God is active or unbelief is at work.
Paul and his companions kick off the second mission journey with a series of setbacks in their travel plans. The lessons we learn will challenge and equip us to preach the gospel to all nations; ... Read More
We reach one of the climaxes in the book of Acts where the Apostles and elders of the early church hold the very first council to discuss a monumental topic: how are Gentiles saved?
The book of Acts is about the journey of the gospel going out to the ends of the earth. In Acts 13-14, we see Paul and Barnabas persist in making disciples of Jesus Christ among the ... Read More
Promise. Salvation. Rejection. Grace. This is the pattern of God’s plan for salvation to the ends of the earth. Let’s rejoice in his great salvation, and let’s proclaim this salvation to the nations.
When Paul and Barnabas are set apart and sent by the Spirit, not even the Devil can oppose their work.
What makes a great Christian leader? The world has many different ideas about leadership, and often these ideas influence our expectations for Christian leaders. But are these expectations consistent with the gospel? As the leaders ... Read More
For believers to stand firm unto eternal glory, we must exercise humility and boldness. We need humble shepherds and need to be humble sheep. We need bold resistance in the battle against the enemy and ... Read More
Suffering is certain, but it catches so many of us off guard. So how will you respond to suffering when it comes? We continue our series in 1 Peter, where he writes to prepare the ... Read More
Christ is risen! The resurrection of Jesus makes everything right; our sinfulness, our relationship with God, and our sense of purpose. The hope of resurrection life frees us to worship God and enjoy him forever.
The death of Jesus reveals God’s promises fulfilled and His grace and mercy towards us.
In Christ, Christians have died to sin and given new life. The old way of life of living out sinful, God-denying, desires is over. Instead, the believer is to live out the rest of his ... Read More
Elect exiles are to pursue the good life even in the midst of suffering, because Christ’s victorious suffering enables and empowers them to persevere.
Belonging to God, and secure in their true identity and hope, Christians are free to subject themselves to, and honour, their spouse.
Having been freed and given great privileges, Christians are to be good ‘subjects’, submitting under and respecting the authority of various human institutions that they are part of. Christians recognise the God-given role of earthly authorities. ... Read More
Believers are chosen in Christ to live in ways that glorify God. What a marvel and assurance is this good news, and what a challenge to our lives in exile here.
As elect exiles, our core identity is that we are children of God. Knowing this, we seek to maintain and nurture a child-like attitude towards our heavenly Father as we live in anticipation of our ... Read More
It is God’s great mercy that gives true hope that sustains believers through trials and testing. Christians persevere in the faith by understanding the great mercies of God poured out on the believer and the ... Read More
Nehemiah ends on a very low note, with the people of God returning to old ways of unholiness and disobedience. We’re led to long for a rescue, restoration, rebuilding and renewal that addresses the heart of ... Read More
Repentance follows being deep in God’s word and confession, acknowledging sin to be turned from, and recommitting to God’s Law and true worship.
A long history of unfaithfulness is confessed, recognising and owning their guilt, is contrasted to Yahweh’s utterly amazing faithfulness.
As we return to the Book of Nehemiah and pick it up from chapter 8, we see a new phase in the rebuilding process – the focus is now on the reforming of the people. ... Read More
Jesus extends an offer that is so unbelievably good and one we can’t refuse: come to him, all who are weary and heavy laden, and he will give you rest for your soul!
The convincing news that Jesus did rise from the dead impacts our hearts and lives now and for eternity.
Jesus emptied himself of his glory and took on human form to connect with us, that we might have the perfect saviour – to our marvel and joy
This world, made weary by sin, longs for rest and restoration. Jesus has come to do exactly that! And so we’re able to enjoy the thrill of hope and great rejoicing.
The exhortation and encouragement to stand firm together requires unity, effort, and grace.
The return of Jesus gives hope and comfort to those grieving death, and motivates us to godly living while we wait for Jesus’ appearing.
What’s the bare minimum I need to do to live a Christian life? As we explore 1 Thessalonians 4 we see Paul is completely against this kind of thinking. Instead, he instructs us to live ... Read More
The genuine gospel minister greatly desires and rejoices in seeing steadfast faith. Know and appreciate how your steadfast faith greatly encourages those who minister to you – it is truly good news to them! So ... Read More
Authentic gospel ministry that produces genuine faith is transparently honest, deeply personal, and is embraced as God’s Word.
As we start our new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians, Paul begins the first chapter overflowing with thankfulness for the work that God has done in the lives of the Thessalonians. Our passage shows us ... Read More
There is an urgent need for more churches for Christians to gather and then for them to scatter into their communities to gather more people into God’s church. As Christians, we are called to understand ... Read More
The gospel compels disciples of Jesus to pray for and raise up labourers to plant churches – which will require gospel convictions and various personal sacrifices to do so.
As the wall is finished the remnant are counted, and though small the number represents the future hope of Israel.
The lack of the fear of God in our hearts ruins the people and work of God. What is needed for us to fear God and not mistreat our brothers and sisters in God’s family ... Read More
God’s diverse people are devoted to the work of the LORD and can deal with difficulties because God is at work to achieve His purpose and provide protection. Being assured of this, God’s people are ... Read More
The grace displayed in the gospel of Jesus Christ redirects and reshapes our worship so that it is not focused on ourselves but directed towards God and welcoming of others. Knowing this, Christians are called ... Read More
In Nehemiah’s return to rebuild Jerusalem, God’s good hand works to provide and protect. Know that God has always been and will always be at work to sovereignly bring about His purposes, fulfilling His promises, ... Read More
The dust has finally settled. It has been decades now since Jerusalem fell to Babylon. Their unrepentant sins finally caught up with them – God sent in a foreign nation to exile swathes of people ... Read More
As we come to the end of this sermon series at about the halfway point of Acts, we see the gospel is truly in motion. God is committed to the global growth of the gospel. ... Read More
From individual stories of gentile conversion to an entire church filled with gentiles, Luke continues to show us how the gospel of Jesus impacts anyone who would hear and receive it with faith and trust. ... Read More
We discriminate in many ways, even when it comes to whom we think the gospel is for. But God shows no favouritism; His gospel is for everyone. In our passage today, we will see that ... Read More
The book of Acts contains some very well-known and equally lesser-known stories. Simon the ‘Magician’ and the Ethiopian Eunuch’s stories are probably not high on our most-read list but they offer crucial answers to a ... Read More
They say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. As we’ll see in this week’s passage, Jewish opposition to Stephen is ultimately opposition to Jesus, which is so typical of their long history of ... Read More
What’s so bad about having no fear? It depends on what you’re fearing. There’s some things that we should take deadly seriously. Acts 4:32–5:42 shows 2 groups of people who don’t fear God and therefore ... Read More
In Jesus’ life, He performed great works, but promised His disciples that they will do “greater works”. The key to these “greater works” was the return of Jesus to the Father and the sending of ... Read More
The disciples were told to wait. While they waited they prayed and held a seemingly insignificant election. Then, 50 days after Jesus rose from the grave, their world’s turned upside-down and the gospel they believed ... Read More
Any group led by a strong leader with charisma faces huge challenges when that leader is no longer in the picture. So, how will the fledgling church survive when Jesus steps out of the physical ... Read More
We finish off this short sermon series in these foundational chapters of the Bible and of human history with one more picture of the human condition. Humanity’s sin is given expression as they unite in ... Read More
Sin’s escalation comes to a peak in the time of Noah. Great sin results in great judgement, yet God graciously remains committed to His creation. Sadly, the dreadful human condition has remained the same after ... Read More
We grieve as we see human sin’s ongoing and downward spiral is revealed in murder, violenceand death, marvel at moments of grace, are warned about the paths of sin, and yearn for somerelief to this ... Read More
War between nations, war in our relationships, the daily struggles of work and life, the internal struggles of fear and shame, the slowing of our bodies in age, death and decay. We see it all ... Read More
The empty grave means Jesus is alive: this bears great personal and eternal significance for each one of us and for the world. In a world under the dark cloud of death, Jesus is the ... Read More
Who am I? Why am I here? All people, in all times, have sought to find answers to these questions of identity, significance, and meaning. Where do we go looking for answers? How have traditional ... Read More
The one true God creates a good world powerfully by his words in an orderly way. We read and celebrate the creator who also creates humanity personally with the ultimate goal of rest with him.
The Bible opens with a picture of paradise; it closes with an even greater picture of paradise. Our longings for life that is full and whole, filled with blessing and goodness will be fulfilled if ... Read More
“What is heaven like?” At some point we all ask this, and parents know what it’s like to try and fumble an answer when your very young child pops that question! So, how would you ... Read More
For those not familiar with watching sports on TV, what tends to happen during a highlight is you’ll see a number of replays of the action from up-close. Multiple angles of the same highlight giving ... Read More
Revelation 18 gave us the perspective of earth, seeing the Prostitute, the great city of Babylon fallen, seeing the lovers of the Prostitute in mournful lament. Revelation 19 gives us the perspective of heaven. The ... Read More
Back in Revelation 17, John, the author of this book, the one who was given these visions, is shown the judgement of Babylon that is to come. And now here in chapter 18, John is ... Read More
Ultimately, the solution to the seductive and threatening power of evil is not to take up arms against it but to resist it by delighting in the God who has broken the power of evil ... Read More
In last week’s passage (Luke 21:5-24), Jesus began a conversation with His disciples about the end of the world, the day of judgement, the coming of God’s Kingdom in full. The end began with the ... Read More
The prediction of the temple’s destruction triggers questions about the end of all things, the final judgement of God. Disciples of Jesus must know what are NOT signs and how to respond to them, and ... Read More
Jesus, having navigated the traps set against him, now goes on the attack. Jesus calls out and condemns the corrupt religion and leadership of Israel. He warns the crowds and all future people of God ... Read More
Many people put questions to Jesus. However, they are not seeking answers. They think they have Jesus where they want him. But Jesus cannot be tamed. He asks back, “Do you know who you are ... Read More
Jesus, humble king who brings peace, enters into Jerusalem and into the temple. He is shown to be the cornerstone, the very determiner of life and peace, yet he is rejected by the Jewish leaders. ... Read More
Jesus makes his final approach to Jerusalem. The King has arrived, in full control, in fulfilment of the prophesied Christ, but strangely, in humility. It is divine power combined with humility that wins glorious peace ... Read More
The New Year has come and it’s time to take stock. How did 2021 go for you? How did your investments go – the investments into your studies, your work, even your own financial portfolio? ... Read More
Zacchaeus sought to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but faith brings him much more. In a surprising twist, he finds that he has been the one sought after. This is a man who characterizes the ... Read More
In life we wait for many things, ranging from the trivial to tremendously important. There is great relief and joy when what we wait for arrives, but yet there always remains a sense that there’s ... Read More
Sometimes it’s hard to see properly in this dark and troubled world. It’s hard to find true hope and to look forward to the future with any certainty of things being better than today. We ... Read More
The Kingdom of God is surprisingly upside down. Who gets in? Those who have nothing to give: little children. Who is left out? Those who have so much: the rich and powerful. Why? Because Jesus’ ... Read More
Who will stand justified before God? Who will stand with the King when he returns and brings us into the eternal Kingdom? It will not be the self-righteous who stand proudly on their own merits, ... Read More
It’s been almost 2000 years since King Jesus lived on earth and then ascended back to heaven. It may cause believers to question why He hasn’t returned, lead believers to stop praying in faith and ... Read More
It happened again. Another Christian “prophet” predicting the return of Jesus at a certain date… and another “prophecy” coming, going, and failing. With more and more craziness happening around us the temptation for believers is ... Read More
As Jesus enters into the final ‘movement’ towards Jerusalem, the focus sharpens on the Kingdom of God and the King of the Kingdom. Jesus is the King that has brought in the Kingdom of God ... Read More
The dragon flexes his muscles in Revelation 12 and unleashes two beasts forming an unholy trinity to devour and destroy believers in Revelation 13. As we turn the page to Revelation 14 we will see ... Read More
Satan, the defeated dragon has been cast down to earth, unable to destroy the church, yet he remains dangerous, seeking to do as much damage as he can. Satan raises up two beasts in this ... Read More
Ever since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus the church has faced persecution and Christians have lost their lives simply because they chose to follow Christ. Blood continues to be spilt even to this day, ... Read More
The Book of Ezekiel seeks to reveal the LORD God to us in judgement and in hope. In the final vision of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), we are given one last and very great revelation of ... Read More
Israel’s (and humanity’s) hope lies in the LORD Himself who acts to vindicate His holy name, who acts by giving new life through His very own Spirit. Nothing short of re-creation is needed for new ... Read More
Finally! Finally, we get to the great ‘hope’ we’ve been longing to hear in the second ‘half’ of Ezekiel’s book. This section of hope kicks off with the reversal of Israel’s bad leadership that has ... Read More
Chapter 33 brings to the end the first half of Ezekiel which has the singular point of revealing God’s judgement, which will fall upon both Israel and all the nations. At the centre of this ... Read More
After weeks of judgement messages upon Israel for her well-deserved sins, God gave them the final word last week. Babylon had now surrounded Jerusalem; their judgement had arrived. With these words, God’s focus moves. From ... Read More
Over the past 20 chapters of Ezekiel the warning of judgement to come has rung out again and again. Well, the end has now begun. Nebuchadnezzar has marched his forces to Jerusalem to begin his ... Read More
Many of us proclaim that Jesus is Lord and Saviour – but in our heart of hearts do we actually trust something else to give us security in life? Have we made an alliance in ... Read More
One commentator writes: “No one presses the margins of literary propriety as severely as Ezekiel (does in chapter 16).” It’s a shocking chapter telling the shocking story of Israel’s treatment of God couched in the ... Read More
The remnant in exile is to be clear on the reasons and the tragedy of the LORD’s judgement, so that they would commit themselves to being faithful to the LORD, rejecting idolatry, longing for the ... Read More
Last week we saw that God’s patience had run out. Ezekiel was being commissioned as prophet of doom and gloom. Well, that doom and gloom is here. And it is perhaps more worse and more ... Read More
There is a timer counting down slowly for all of us – with an unknown quantity of time on it. Every moment it counts down until at some point we will have run out of ... Read More
Ezekiel is one of the most challenging books to read and understand, but it is worth our effort, because it is the word of God, and it seeks to give us a deeper and clearer ... Read More
What is a ‘Vision’? It is what we hope we will become. A vision acts as both a guide (where do we want to go) and a measure (how are we going at the moment). ... Read More
We believe that the saving grace of Jesus Christ has broken down all barriers among believers. Through the gospel, believers from all backgrounds are reconciled to God and with each other. We relate to each ... Read More
Every Christian is encouraged to be continuously and actively involved in discipling others, whatever your age or stage of life.
Prayer is the privilege of every believer to speak to our heavenly Father. We believe that God calls His people to pray in response to His Word, expressing our trust in and dependence on God’s ... Read More
We believe the Bible is God’s word and that it reveals to us His plan for salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. We believe it is one unified story that was inspired by God and ... Read More
God seeks his honour and glory above all else, achieving that through the proclamation of the death and resurrection of his Son to believers, that they might mature into the likeness of Christ, and to ... Read More
Judgement is held back from the earth until all of God’s people are sealed. An encouragement about the identity of God’s people, a comfort that their pain and suffering is not forgotten, and a reminder ... Read More
The Lamb opens the seals showing his sovereignty in judgement on the earth and in the persecution of believers, as final judgement awaits. This brings understanding, comfort and perseverance to believers as they await final ... Read More
The vision of heaven sees God on His throne in charge and in control over all rule and all creation, and sees Jesus the Son as the slain lamb who reveals and fulfils God’s plan ... Read More
We have a happy ending as Job is restored by God in the sight of all, helping us see how good and gracious Yahweh is.
When Yahweh appears with questions, Job recognises the ignorance behind his words and repents. He realises he has been too demanding and is reminded that God is God and in control, worthy of his trust, ... Read More
Our search for wisdom must find its destination in the fear of the Lord. As Christians, we need to recognize the heightened, yet ultimately limited, human ability to seek and get what we need and ... Read More
When someone is suffering and grieved, there is commonly five stages of experience during these difficult times. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. What sometimes makes the book of Job hard to understand is that ... Read More
Job’s friends’ wisdom about suffering is wrong in content and attitude. True wisdom that comforts and helps consists of proper understanding as well as humility and grace. That is, true wisdom is both theological and ... Read More
Job, a prosperous and faithful man, has everything he has destroyed in a test – yet he passes, establishing for us that he has done no wrong in God’s sight.
More important than the truth of the resurrection of Jesus is our desperate need for it to be true. Without the resurrection of Christ Jesus, we live life in the shadow of death without escape ... Read More
Laodicea, rich and successful, became self-sufficient and Jesus-deficient. The church thought greatly of themselves, yet Jesus has the opposite assessment. The church needed to renew their zeal for Jesus and for what Jesus gives or ... Read More
Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, was not showing much love to Christ’s church. Opposition was not new, the other churches were encountering it as well. But in the face of discouragement and hostility, Jesus ... Read More
In a time of increasing persecution and the need to persevere under trial, Sardis was a bright shining light: a church that had it all together. The envy of all other churches and the place ... Read More
The church at Thyatira, an insignificant trade city, faced great socioeconomic pressures to conform to false worship and works. The church were strong in doing the works of Jesus, but they made the grave error ... Read More
Pergamum, at the very centre of Roman Religious Worship, where ‘Satan’s throne is’, posed a huge challenge to the Pergamum Church. The great threat of compromise to avoid pain or to enjoy gain was exacerbated ... Read More
Following Jesus is hard – not just because our sinful nature wants to keep rebelling against our loving saviour, but also because our world (and even some who claim the name ‘God’s people’) press hard ... Read More
Ephesus is enduring and discerning but has lost its first love. Jesus, the ruler of his church, calls them to repent, warning them of failure to listen and encouraging them with a promise for those ... Read More
In our first part of this series, we will be exploring the letter to the churches (Revelation 1-3). John’s message to the seven churches is a message that God’s church needs to hear through every ... Read More
In what is one of the strangest parables Jesus ever taught, we are challenged to be better than the world in living in light of the future. The people of this world cleverly and consistently ... Read More
“Forgiveness… can you imagine?” A line sung at one of the most poignant moments in the musical Hamilton when the main character’s wife shows him forgiveness after an adulterous affair. The lyric rings with astonishment: ... Read More
Following Jesus is hard. The past few weeks we’ve read Jesus laying down challenge after challenge to our discipleship. But I think that in this week’s passage Jesus will throw down the ultimate challenge: if ... Read More
As Jesus feasts with the Pharisees, we see clear reasons why they will NOT be a part of the heavenly feast when the Kingdom of God comes in full in the future. Their attitudes and ... Read More
Life is full of BIG questions, but none are more important than questions about salvation. In this passage, an unnamed questioner asks Jesus: “will those who are saved be few?”. Jesus responds by urging his ... Read More
A disciple of Jesus walks daily in personal repentance be it through suffering or blessing.
Christmas is coming! With that deadline, despite all that is happening in our world today, we’re busy preparing ourselves: getting presents ready, making travel plans to (hopefully) be able to see family, and generally organising ... Read More
Money and material possessions are good gifts from God, but they have a way of troubling all people – fostering greed in those who want more and more and inducing anxiety for those striving after ... Read More
The Christian faith will always be lived out amidst disapproval, opposition and persecution. What Jesus experienced will be unavoidably experienced by all his disciples. So then how are we to deal with this fact of ... Read More
It’s not often we get to see the anger of our Lord Jesus on full display. Imagine standing in the room as Jesus scolded the Pharisees with some of the harshest words you’ve ever heard ... Read More
CS Lewis popularised the idea that Jesus is either liar, lunatic, or Lord – we can treat him no other way. Well, in this week’s passage Jesus is not only accused of being a liar ... Read More
What if I could guarantee that your prayers would always be answered positively? Maybe you’d ask in return, ‘How can you pray with such confidence? On what are you basing this confidence?’ Well, what Jesus ... Read More
Love God. Love neighbour. Nothing new for believers. The great challenge is extent – disciples are to be devoted to lavishly loving others unconstrained by limits and loving Jesus by drawing near and listening. These ... Read More
Being on mission for Jesus. Sharing the gospel. Evangelism. Our first responses to hearing these things can often be guilt, fear and a sense that we are duty-bound. In our passage this week in Luke’s ... Read More
Who is Jesus and what does it mean to follow him? In this confronting passage, the cost of following Jesus is shown to us. Following Jesus will cost us our personal pride and will completely ... Read More
The call to follow Christ Jesus can seem to be difficult and daunting. He graciously provides experiences of his glory and majesty to encourage and enable ongoing faith and obedience. In the word of God ... Read More
Who is Jesus and what does it mean to be his disciple? It seems like a simple question with a simple answer! In this 6-week series, we will be looking at a section in the ... Read More
In this final chapter of Ruth all things are now worked together for the good of his people. The clouds that Naomi dreaded in chapter 1 now break with big mercies and gracious blessings as ... Read More
At the end of chapter 2 we saw that while Boaz had taken care of Ruth (and Naomi) economically, there were some big family issues still to be resolved along with the long term security ... Read More
When Yahweh providentially orders the steps of Ruth to meet her redeemer, Boaz, who pledges to protect and provide for her, she is showered with grace, which is recognized by Naomi as Yahweh’s loving kindness ... Read More
The choice of turning to Moab leads to death, leaving a bitter Naomi to return to Bethlehem with Ruth (who has turned from Moab to follow her) believing that Yahweh has dealt bitterly with her. ... Read More
Joshua finishes with two speeches that cover the same point: the LORD God has been utterly faithful to His people, graciously doing everything to make Israel His people and blessing them. In response, the people ... Read More
The Eastern tribes showed commendable loyalty to the LORD and unity with their Western brothers, but when it is threatened, confrontation rightly results. Clarification of intentions for ongoing loyalty to the LORD and unity with ... Read More
Over many chapters and with great detail, the distribution of the land as an inheritance is recorded. This highlights the greatness of the inheritance, given to all the people of Israel, because of the utter ... Read More
So far we have seen specific and particular cities being taken by Joshua and Israel. Now in chapters 9-11 are given a bit of a montage of the broader conquest of the land. Through a ... Read More
Achan is a strong cautionary tale about the deadliness of disobedience, a personal sin that impacts an entire nation. God’s people must take faithful obedience with the utmost seriousness, looking to Christ’s obedience, first and ... Read More
Israel is perched just inside the Promised Land, about to battle to take the City of Jericho. However, before any military action begins, crucial spiritual actions must take place first: these indicate whether the people ... Read More
After a long 400-year wait, God’s people finally cross over into the Promised Land of rest. Through the might of the LORD alone, the people are brought in. The LORD’s might is something they are ... Read More
As Israel enters the promised land Yahweh encourages Joshua to be brave and promises His presence with them all the way, while Joshua encourages the people to fulfil their oaths and take the land together.
Rahab fears Yahweh and responds in faith seeing refuge from Him and is promised refuge from the coming battle. Rahab’s actions demonstrates for us what true and proper faith in Yahweh looks and acts like.
Paul hopes to find the Corinthians responding in love towards him, repentant, and self-consciously restored in faith. This letter was written to prepare the Corinthians for Paul’s third visit—that he may be warmly welcomed rather ... Read More
Fearing that the Christians have failed to discern the false teachers among them, Paul bitingly takes them down (as well as the Corinthian preoccupation with outward strength), showing that God works His strength through weakness.
The Corinthians are to make the right judgement on true gospel ministers and ministry. The Corinthians must respond to Paul as the true gospel minister, receiving him and his ministry and rejecting the disobedience and ... Read More
Gospel people are generous people. Calling on the Corinthians to meet their financial commitment, in response to the gospel, for the sake of those in need and for the glory of God.
After laying out the case for embracing him and his ministry, Paul rejoices that the Corinthians have shown godly grief when confronted with their sin.
Paul makes a final appeal to the Corinthians to receive the grace of God through his faultless ministry, and heed God’s promises to separate from the false teachers.
The great promise and hope of all believers is the eternal, glorious future. In light of that future, Christians are to live by faith, courageously seeking to please the Lord, and to persuade unbelievers to ... Read More
Paul does not lose heart in his gospel ministry, pressing on in plain preaching and personal weakness, because the gospel itself and God is powerful.
Paul writes to show the Corinthians that not only is the new covenant ministry of the Spirit surpassingly better than the old, but also that the Spirit leads us to hope, confidence, and boldness in ... Read More
Paul defends his trustworthiness based upon his clear sincerity, his gospel-shaped character, his abundant loving concern, and writes to rebuild his trust with the Corinthians.
God’s all-encompassing mercy and comfort comforts Paul and all believers, so that they can bring comfort to others. In our affliction, we receive comfort from God so that we can comfort others in affliction.
Jesus Christ was raised to be the King with all authority. So, we should trust in and live for the resurrected King who is in control over the present and the future.
Jesus has borne our sins, healed our wounds, and returned us to God. All these show us how wondrous Jesus is in how He serves us.
Being thoughtless and careless and faithless in our use of freedoms will lead to our own destruction and the destruction of others. So… always use your freedoms in a way that only ever grows your ... Read More
Though having rights by tradition and Law, Paul gave them up to win people to Christ. In this way, Paul modelled for Corinth why they should give up their rights.
Knowing truth is not enough: applying it in loving ways is what is most important. Our knowledge must never be used to puff ourselves up and lack consideration for others, instead our knowledge should always ... Read More
It’s not often you get to focus on such a necessary ‘need-to-hear-but-rarely-spoken-of’ topic like domestic violence and abuse within a sermon. So in the providence of God our sermon series in Ephesians coincided with the ... Read More
As mentioned on Sunday, here is a downloadable copy of Faith Ho’s talk given at the SLE women’s group ‘Bloom’. Last Sunday’s sermon covered a very narrow view of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 in the context ... Read More