Northern Life Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Northern Life Baptist Church
Apocalyptic literature in the Bible (like Revelation, Daniel and Ezekiel) is full of numbers that has rich symbolic meaning. This message from Jonathan Shanks explores the meaning of 7 significant numbers in apocalyptic literature.
1 – Jesus is first
2 – We are His witnesses
4 – Whole-world coverage
7 – God is in control
10 – The Kingdom is more glorious
12 – Humanity is front and centre
3+1/2 – Set period before Christ returns
This sermon is the third message of The End of the World sermon series. Jonathan Shanks explores what Jesus, Luke, Paul & Peter have to say about the end of the world:
- AN UNPARALLELED SOCIETAL DECEPTION
- A CATACLYSMIC DISRUPTION OF THE PHYSICAL ORDER
- A GREAT MORAL RECKONING
- A GOD GLORIFYING COSMIC HOMEOSTASIS RESTORED
How does the return of Christ fit in with his millennial reign in Revelation 20? In this message, Benjamin Shanks surveys the three big interpretations given throughout church history: PREMILLENNIALISM, POSTMILLENNIALISM and AMILLENNIALISM. This message will encourage you to think about the story of the end of the world and how that changes the way we live now.
Jonathan Shanks kicks off "The End of the World" sermon series with a survey of the biblical theme of the Day of the Lord. Beginning in Genesis and following the thread throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament, this message will convict you to turn to God before His coming on the Day of the Lord.
In this last message of the Romans series, Jonathan Shanks preaches from the end of chapter 8 (18-39) on HOPE.
Our glorious hope is:
GLOBAL IN SCOPE
WHOLLISTIC IN EFFECT
SUPERNATURAL IN POWER SOVEREIGNLY PREDESTINED
JUDICIALLY INVINCIBLE
RELATIONALLY INSEPERABLE
The word "Spirit" appears 17 times in the first half of Romans 8—it's a chapter dominated by the theme of "Life in the Spirit." In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks what Life in the Spirit means.
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I AM FREE FROM MY PAST
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I SET MY MIND FORWARD
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I LOOK FOR THE SPIRIT
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I CRUCIFY THE FLESH
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I AM A CHILD OF THE FATHER
In the natural world, death follows life. But in the economy of God, life follows death. In this sixth message in the Romans series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Romans 6:1-23 looking at the This message will encourage you to die a little to live a lot!
In Romans 5:6-21, Paul tells two stories: The Adam Story, and The Jesus Story. Like a hologram, the Bible projects the world that these two stories create. The question is: which world do you want to live in?
In this third and final message of the Habakkuk series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks chapter 3—looking at what to do in “the dip” of life and faith: Remember. Accept. Trust. You can’t have chapter 3-type faith without chapter 1-type questions and chapter 2-type waiting.
Habakkuk chapter one introduces us to a prophet who is living in the tension of questions and faith. He is struggling with the apparent “un-fairness” of God. Throughout the chapter, Habakkuk begins to realise God is up to something behind the scenes. While Habakkuk is confused and even angry, God is very much in control […]
In this fourth message of the series on Romans: the apostle Paul unpacks for the Romans that faith is indeed the antidote for guilt, enmity, shame, pride, suffering and insecurity.
In this third message of the Romans series, Paul teaches that the Gospel is received by faith alone. Really.
Today’s message covers Romans chapters 2 and 3.On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg. In that moment, the Protestant Reformation was born. Luther was convicted by these passages in Romans. The title of this message then, is “How to Start a Reformation.” In this […]
In this message, Jonathan Shanks kicks off our Romans series with chapter 1: Righteousness & Wrath Revealed.
Many of us suffer from ‘blockages’ in our spiritual hearts. Jonah suffers from:
- A blockage of RESENTMENT
- A blockage of DISCONTENTMENT
- A blockage of AMBIVALENCE
The Book of Jonah is a well-crafted story. It brilliants subverts and plays with our expectations of what we think is going to happen. In chapter 3, Jonah brings the reality of Yahweh (gracious yet holy God) into the great city of Nineveh—a place of judgment, isolation and separation from God. When the reality of Yahweh is brought into a situation, it will be overthrown.
In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks Jonah 3, highlighting a call to bring our lives into alignment with the character of Yahweh and receive His grace.
Jonah chapter 2 records the prayer of Jonah from inside the fish. Sin, disobedience and rebellion will always result in judgment, isolation and separation, yet our God is a rescuing God. This message will encourage you if you feel stuck in sin.
The story of Jonah is a mirror that shows us the way that we all run away from God sometimes. In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks “The Jonah In Us.”
In this final message of the Again series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the story of Peter walking to Jesus on the water. This message will encourage you to try… again.
In this second message of the Again series, Richard Ford preaches on the restoration of Peter in John 21:15-17. Exploring themes of failure, forgiveness, and trying again, this message will encourage you to minister again.
In this message, Benjamin Shanks kicks off our new 3-week series entitled Again. John 20:24-29 records the story of Doubting Thomas. What if Thomas isn’t a cold, cynical, intellectual skeptic but a hurting, despairing disbeliever? Thomas, like the rest of us, carries his hurt with him. He walks with a spiritual limp until the risen Jesus appears to him and walks with him to belief again.
This message will encourage those who have experienced hurt from Church to accept Jesus’ invitation to walk with him again.
Rev. Dr. Ross Clifford brings a message on Easter Sunday. The Resurrection changes everything!
John 17 gives us a glimpse behind the curtain at the most significant prayer in history.
Jesus’ prayer was about a RELATIONSHIP OF GLORY and the GLORY OF RELATIONSHIP. Eternal life is knowing God, and this message will encourage you to know God.
In this last message of the SEE23 Vision series, Virginia Mathews unpacks Ministry Mobilisation.
- The kingdom comes
- There are jobs to be done
- Your obedience is required
- A beautiful synergy
- To the glory of Messiah
p = mv…
Momentum equals mass times velocity. As a church, we are gaining momentum for the Kingdom. We want to keep a forward press and lean into the future the Lord has for us.
The fifth strategic key of our SEE23 vision is NEXT GENERATION. At NorthernLife, we believe we must focus on passing on the Gospel to the Next Generation. In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks Psalm 145 and its vision of commending the Gospel generation to generation.
In this fourth message of our SEE23 Vision series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks our strategic key: MISSIONAL PUSH.
The good news of the kingdom (Greek: euangelion) requires HEARERS and HERALDS to proclaim (Greek: kérussó) the message.
John 20:19-23 records the meeting of the disciples on the very night of the resurrection. After a tumultuous and chaotic week, the disciples gathered together on Sunday when the risen Lord Jesus appeared to them. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord!
In that sacred place of believers meeting together in the presence of Jesus, three things happen in John 20:19-23. The disciples:
- SEE HIS WOUNDS
- HEAR HIS VOICE
- RECEIVE HIS POWER
As part of our SEE23 vision and strategic key: BIG SUNDAYS, we want to commit to making Sundays big for our faith as we meet together to SEE HIS WOUNDS, HEAR HIS VOICE, and RECEIVE HIS POWER together. May we be a church who are overjoyed when they see the Lord.
Luke 5:1-11 records the story of the choosing of the disciples framed by an act of trusting obedience to the plan of Jesus by Simon Peter.
Six questions to ask yourself:
- Do you want to be part of God’s story?
- Do you recognise the season you’re in?
- Do you recognise the Master’s voice?
- Do you really want to be part of God’s story?
- Do you know what to do when God opens the floodgates of Heaven?
- Do you know Jesus hasn’t changed?
This message kicks off our SEE23 Vision series. Jonathan Shanks unpacks the first of our 7 strategic keys: spiritual formation.
Spiritual formation is essential for the health and growth of our church.
Miracles… God intervening supernaturally, transforming the natural order. The Bible teaches us to expect miracles, and yet the subject is not without complexity and mystery. Why does God seem to only sometimes answer prayers for miracles?
What if the real miracle you need is to be able to find faith for the day after the miracle?
Gideon was called by God to overcome his fear by stepping out in sovereign grace. This message encourages us to do the same.
Daniel was able to stand with faith in the lions den because he had learned over a life time to obey God on his backstage. What area of compromise are you working through in your life?
In this second message of the Strong Eyes CXX series, Jonathan Shanks looks at the life of David as a model of being faithful while the Lord slays giants.
FAITH-INSPIRED OBEDIENCE on the back stage leads to FAITH-ACQUIRED CONFIDENCE on the front stage.
Even when he was old, Scripture says Moses had strong eyes with faith for the future. In this first message of the “Strong Eyes CXX” series, Jonathan Shanks surveys the life of Moses as a faith-filled example for life.
Lachlan Ford preaches on Revelation 21:4 in the seventh message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Stuart Roberts preaches on Jeremiah 29:11 in the sixth message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Stephanie Mee preaches on Romans 15:13 in the fifth message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Richard Ford preaches on 1 Peter 5:6-7 in the fourth message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Kathleen Esser preaches on Proverbs 3:5-6 in the third message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Rachel Ford preaches on Joshua 1:9 in the second message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
Daniel Spiritosanto preaches on Isaiah 41:10 in the first message of our “Glorious” series looking at seven of the most glorious passages in the Bible.
In this final message from our Philippians series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Philippians 4:8-13—Paul’s final exhortations to the church at Philippi.
- Think on good.
- Be content.
- Be generous.
- Trust God.
“Rejoice in the Lord always… Do not be anxious about anything.” In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul sets up a paradigm juxtaposing rejoicing and anxiety. Both are internal responses to external realities. How are we to rejoice always? To not be anxious about anything?**
Paul gives the answer. The Lord is near. That means He is close and coming.
This message will encourage you to pray and know that the Lord is near.
Perfect means complete, mature, finished. In Philippians 3, Paul calls us to be perfect. In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks what it means to be a perfect Christian. Perfect Christians: 1. DO die daily 2. DON’T live as enemies of the Cross 3. DO look through to the resurrection
We relate to the world on the basis of what we know about it, yet there are holes in our ‘knowings’ that can’t be filled. This message from Philippians 3:10-14 will encourage you to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
If you were to die tomorrow and stand before the pearly white gates of Heaven and an angel were to ask you why you should be let into Heaven, what would you say? Would you cite your long list of achievements and accomplishments in this world? No—you would plead the righteousness of Jesus, and put […]
Philippians 2:15 says “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” Christians are called to stand out among the world. This message will encourage you to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”
In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul exhorts the Philippians to unity through humility by looking at the example of Jesus on the cross. In this message, Benjamin Shanks teaches on the need for gospel unity through humility.
“Whatever you do, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel.” What does it mean to live a live worthy of the gospel? In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Philippians 1:27-30.
The Apostle Paul said “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Amidst suffering and difficulty, Paul was able to refocus his gaze on the Gospel and it transformed the way he lived. Can we be a people who say, with Paul, “to live is Christ and to die is gain?”
I love my church! The Philippine church was quite possibly Paul’s favourite church. Why? They had Gospel JOY, Gospel UNITY, and Gospel LOVE. The Gospel is absolutely central to everything we do at NorthernLife, and this message will encourage you to get involved.
“No chips. No chocolate.” What are the soul conversations you have with yourself? Psalm 103 tells us of soul conversations, where we preach the gospel daily and remind ourselves of all the benefits of God.
What sort of person are you? In this final message in the Wayform series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks and answer to that question for 1 Corinthians 13. We are “born from above, pursuing love.” Love is the calling of followers of Jesus. This message will encourage you to life a live marked by the pursuit of […]
Matthew 4:1-11 records the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Dealing with temptation is an enormous part of spiritual formation in the way of the Master. In this ninth message of the series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks a strategy for dealing with temptation based on Jesus’ response to the Devil. 1. STONES TO BREAD — Desire […]
The Way of Jesus requires saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’—to set boundaries. This message by Jonathan Shanks explores the idea of boundaries in the Christian life and will encourage you to pursue holiness, humility and wholeness by saying ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to the right things. Boundaries are required for: Holiness Humility Wholeness
In the Gospels, Jesus invites us into a life of apprenticeship where we learn from him how to live in the easy-yoke rhythms of The Way. This message explores Jesus’ rhythms of UNHURRY, LOVE, REST and WORK.
In Philippians 4 Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” We can rejoice always because God is with us. We can rejoice always because God is able. We can rejoice always because God is able to save.
In this fifth message of the Wayform series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Romans 8:28-30 and the Reframe Principle—reframing the past by thanking God for what he didn’t do. Romans 8:28 says that God works ALL things for GOOD for us. By reframing the past, we can see that even in suffering or the prayers that weren’t […]
Repetition rewires the brain. It’s the reason why you can easily brush your teeth, or drive a car, or play an instrument. It’s also the reason why we believe lies if they repeated enough. Lies repeated enough creates ruts in our thinking, because repetition rewires the brain. In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks the repetition […]
A lie believed as truth will affect you as if it were true. Over time we can come to believe lies about who we are and what we are worth. This message unpacks 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, showing that strongholds of deception exist, but can be rooted out by the power and truth of the Gospel.
Do you know God as Father? A key part of spiritual formation is knowing and being known by Father God. BELIEVING & BECOMING BELONGING BEHAVING
Kicking off our new spiritual formation sermon series: Wayform, Jonathan Shanks introduces the concept of spiritual formation in the way of the master. Jesus invites us to an light-burden, easy-yoke life. This message will encourage you to submit your will to the Lord to be spiritually formed.
Have come to the end of our 1000 Brave Days, SEE23 is the new vision for NorthernLife in 2022 and 2023. In this message, Jonathan Shanks preaches on Mark 8.
Mark 10:46-52 records a story of Jesus asking a blind man what he wants Him to do for him—he wants to see! “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 5:21-34 records a story of Jesus healing a man’s shrivelled hand on the Sabbath. Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 5:21-34 records a story of a woman reaching out to touch Jesus’ cloak and finding healing for her lifelong bleeding. “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 5:35-43 records a story of Jesus raising a dead girl to life. Jesus has power over life and death! “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 2:1-12 records a story of some men carrying their lame friend to Jesus and lowering him on a mat in the middle of a crowd for Jesus to heal. “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 7:24-30 records a story of Jesus being impressed by the faith of a Gentile woman that he delivers her daughter from a demon. “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Mark 7:31-37 records a story of Jesus taking a deaf and mute man aside from the crowd and opening his ears and loosening his tongue. Jesus does all things well! “Changed” is a two-week sermon series from NorthernLife featuring eight stories of transformational encounters with Jesus that changed everything.
Life is a string of choices. At the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses puts before the people of Israel two choices: life or death; obedience or disobedience; God or not. This message from Jonathan Shanks will encourage you to choose God!
When Jesus died on the cross, he shed his blood. But why did he die such a death? Did he need to go through this pain suffering, characterised in the Gospels by so much blood? In this episode of Midweek Training, Richard Ford unpacks the biblical and theological significance of Jesus blood.
This message tackles the difficult topic of blessings and curses. Deuteronomy 28-29 spells out the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God’s word. Do curses still exist? What does blessing mean? What does it mean that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us? The ultimate blessing of […]
In the Book of Deuteronomy, God commands the people of Israel through Moses to “not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of JUSTICE.” This message unpacks biblical justice—which is restorative justice that works to give power and a voice to the most vulnerable.
In Deuteronomy, God commanded the people of Israel through Moses to “purge the evil from among you.” Because of what Jesus has done for us, our sin has been dealt with, yet the imperative in the life of a Christian is to “put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5).
What does it look like to be wholeheartedly on the shared mission of Jesus? This message looks at the fear of the Lord—the beginning of knowledge which, rightly applied, leads to wisdom and to life. FEAR – OBEY – LOVE – SERVE
How is your memory? Do you learn from your mistakes, or do you repeat them over and over again like the Israelites in Deuteronomy? This message will challenge you to remember the things God has done for you, to preach the Gospel to yourself daily.
Our God reigns outside of time. He is Alpha & Omega and His wisdom is perfectly hindsight-informed wisdom. What if that means that He is engaging with generations at once, answering the prayers of future great-grandchildren in your life today? In this Deuteronomy-series message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the problem of idolatry to the people of […]
Deuteronomy 6 contains the Shema—the most holy Jewish prayer. In this second message of May Mission Month in our Deuteronomy series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the key drivers for mission from Deuteronomy 6.
We’re starting a new series at NorthernLife through the book of Deuteronomy, called “Ready, Set, Go.” In this first message of the series, Jonathan Shanks encourages us to STEP OUT, STEP IN, and STEP UP as we follow God.
For those of us who believe in Jesus, we have an identity spoken over us, yet there is intentionality involved in appropriating our identity and living it out. This message will encourage you to establish Godly, life-giving habits of righteousness. Righteousness is a GIFT. Righteousness is a CALLING. Righteousness is a HABIT.
Why did Jesus have to rise again from the dead? This Easter message in our “Why Easter?” series explores the resurrection of Sunday.
Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? In this Good Friday message from 2022, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the story of the Gospel, showing from Scripture that Jesus died: 1. To bring us close to God 2. To reveal God’s character
The story of Palm Sunday — Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem — contains three key elements: the RIDE, the ROAD and the WORD. In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks the story of Palm Sunday, encouraging you to receive Jesus with open palms, and to praise him with uplifted palms.
In this final sermon in the 5240 x Multiply series through the Book of Luke-Acts, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the final 16 chapters of Acts. Taking the Gospel to all the world will involve: INTELLECTUAL RIGOUR SPIRITUAL POWER HUMBLE SUBMISSION COURAGEOUS COMMITMENT
The early Church were all together and praying for breakthrough—and breakthrough happened! This message will encourage you to pray for breakthrough in Jesus’ name.
The Gospel sees the dead come alive, the lame walk, the leaper cleansed and the sinner forgiven, but for every Resurrection Sunday there is a Monday Morning where we learn that the Christian life is not easy—it is full of suffering, persecution and weakness. Why? In this sermon, Benjamin Shanks unpacks this question, looking at […]
In Acts 3:6, Peter said “silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” That same presence and power of God that healed the lame man is what inhabits every believer! This message looks at the birth of the early church and will encourage you to have boldness in your faith.
What is the greatest gift the Father has given? His presence. This message unpacks Pentecost and the Gift of the Father—the Holy Spirit. God with us.
The Good News of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is NEWS WORTH SHARING. This message will encourage you to share the gospel with others.
“The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost,” (Luke 19:10). What does it mean to be lost? In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks the story of creation as humanity being lost apart from God, and how Jesus’ mission is the Ezekiel 34 mission of God himself come to seek and save His lost people.
Jesus came teaching in parables, and bringing the kingdom to earth in power. This message looks at the meaning behind Jesus’ parables and His power.
When Jesus was bringing His kingdom to earth, there was a mission to be shared. After a prayerful night, He chose 12 from among His followers to be called apostles. When He ascended to Heaven, he empowered these 12 to carry on the mission to reach the ends of the world with the Gospel.
The Mission shared:
is PRAYER SATURATED
has ROLES DESIGNATED
has CHALLENGES ANTICIPATED
VISION SUNDAY!
In this message Jonathan Shanks kicks off our 2022 vision series: 5240 x Multiply. We’re reading through the books of Luke and Acts in 10 weeks with a view to seeing the kingdom MULTIPLY, which is our 2022 vision.
Jesus was foretold, appeared and anointed.
In the fourth and final week of our series Xponential: The Abundant Kingdom, Jonathan Shanks unpacks our 12 Core Values at NorthernLife. This message will encourage you to love God, love others and make disciples.
Our Core Values:
Known & Loved
Jesus is Worth It
God Speaks We Listen
His Grace is Enough
Life Matters
Canvas of Colour
Find Out Help Out
Prayer Has Power
Gospel Grounded
Life Learners
Coaching Community
Sent Senders
The Kingdom of God runs on an economy of exponential multiplication—multiplication of sacrifice. In 2 Kings 4, a man from Baal Shalishah brings a first-fruits offering to the prophet Elisha who God uses to multiply the bread to feed 100 people.
This message will challenge you to have FIRST FRUITS FAITH that would give first to God sacrificially of the best of your time, talents and treasures because Jesus is worth it.
Our God is able to exponentially multiply to provide for His children in need. In this message, Stuart Roberts shows how God doesn’t look at what we DON’T have, but starts with what we DO have and is able to multiply that to be enough for us.
What type of person does Jesus say, “well done good and faithful servant” to? The ones who multiplied what they were given. The kingdom of God is an exponentially multiplying kingdom. This message will challenge you to multiply the kingdom.
Is suffering redemptive? Does something always good come from our pain and how does that affect the way we approach suffering?
In this follow-on sermon from our Christmas Day message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks seven questions that arise from the raising of Lazarus:
- Has the life event you’re experiencing been designed for the glory of God?
- Has the Lord intentionally delayed his answer/solution to your prayer?
- Can you reframe your situation?
- Is God allowing you to feel?
- Is this event designed to be a revelatory, “kairos” moment?
- Has Jesus given you new life?
- Are you still wearing the grave clothes?
In the Christmas story, Heaven and Earth meet like the kiss of life. Jesus came to revive dreams—the Father’s dream, Israel’s dream, and our dream of life with God.
Thousands of years ago a baby was born in Bethlehem. His name was David, and though he rose to be Israel’s champion, he sinned and let us down. Two thousand years ago, another baby was born in Bethlehem—Jesus. Benjamin Shanks preaches on the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, showing how Jesus is our true champion who will not let us down once. This is why we sing.
To listen to NorthernLife Worship’s creative rendition of this song, view this episode on our website, or head to northernlife.org.au