Northern Life Sermons: 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 […]
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.
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 message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks Romans chapters 2 […]
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!
In this second message of the two-part series: The Great Prayer, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the rest of Jesus’ great prayer in John 17.
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.
Have you ever sat in a crowded room and felt completely and utterly alone? Melanie Brading explores themes of loneliness and finding God’s presence anywhere through Psalm 139.
Where do you feel at peace? Have you learnt to quiet your soul? In this fourth message of the Psalms Collective series, Stephanie Mee unpacks the answers to these questions from Psalm 131. This message will encourage you to be not proud, but content in the presence of God, like a weaned child.
Psalm 19 conveys the glory of God visible in creation. In this second message of the “Psalms Collective” series, Daniel Spiritosanto unpacks Psalm 19, encouraging us to live in the “sweet spot” of listening to God’s Word and living as we were designed to live.
Psalm 51 is David’s Psalm of repentance after sinning by committing adultery and murder. Stuart Roberts teaches from Psalm 51 that sin all takes away joy, yet in Jesus there is forgiveness that leads to rejoicing!
What road are you travelling along? Psalm 1 presents a picture of two roads that a person can live on—the road to life and blessing, and the road to destruction. In this message, Richard Ford unpacks the Way of Jesus in Psalm 1, encouraging us to come to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, […]
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. Ruts and Trenches A rut is an intentional […]
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.
Mark 1:40-45 records a story of Jesus being so deeply moved by compassion for a man with leprosy that he does the unthinkable—he reaches out and touches the man, healing him of his leprosy immediately. “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!
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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? […]
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 […]
Jesus came to bring joy to the world! Rachel Ford recounts a joyful story of triumph in a softball game, which points us to the truly joyful story of Jesus’ coming to earth. To listen to NorthernLife Worship’s creative rendition of this song, view this episode on our website, or head to northernlife.org.au
Even from His birth, Jesus had a very clear destiny when He came to earth. Richard Ford unpacks the destiny of Jesus on the cross and how the song What Child is This helps us understand the Jesus’ atonement for us on the cross. To listen to NorthernLife Worship’s creative rendition of this song, view […]
Have you ever been excited to receive a visitor? Daniel Spiritosanto unpacks the classic Christmas carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing in our ninth message in the Why We Sing series. Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us. He came to live with us and He does not leave us by His Spirit. To listen to NorthernLife […]
Israel knew a thing or two about waiting—they waited 400 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, 70 years in exile, and 400 years for the coming of the Messiah. In the 8th message of our “Why We Sing” Christmas series, Virginia Mathews unwraps the beautiful poetry of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. This […]
The value of an item is determined by the price that someone is willing to pay for it. In this Christmas message, Melanie Brading unpacks O Holy Night, showing us how the death of God’s son to redeem us gives every single human being inherent worth in the eyes of God. In response, we should […]
Christmas began in the heart of God, but it only finds its fulfilment when it reaches your heart. Andrew Dawkins preaches an evangelistic message on the beloved classic “Away in a Manger,” calling us to come to Jesus to “fit us for Heaven to be with Him there.” To listen to NorthernLife Worship’s creative rendition […]
2000 years ago, the characters of the Christmas story looked up and saw a star guiding them to Jesus. Stuart Roberts unpacks the well-known Christmas carol “The First Noel,” encouraging us to be guided by Jesus in everything we do. To listen to NorthernLife Worship’s creative rendition of this song, view this episode on our […]
There are spiritual moments in life that can change everything in an instant — one silent, holy night and our world can be turned upside down. That’s exactly what the beloved carol Silent Night is about, as Alex Grime explains. This message will challenge you to be open to the still, quiet, unassuming moments when God […]
Every promise starts with a word, but if that word doesn’t lead to action, it is an unfulfilled, unfaithful promise — all bark and no bite. In this message, Lachlan Ford preaches on O Come All Ye Faithful, contrasting the unfaithfulness of half-hearted carol-singing so-called-believers versus the faithful, promise-keeping Jesus, who is the long-promised Word of […]
The Christmas story is one of joy and exuberance, yet at the same time, longing and waiting in a dark and desperate world for a Saviour to come and “ransom captive Israel.” In this message, Morgan Ridley-Smith unpacks the historical and theological roots of O Come O Come Emmanuel. Tomorrow… Tomorrow, He will be here. […]
“Gloria in excelsis deo” — glory to God in the highest. In this first message of our new “Why We Sing” Christmas series, Karen Brading unpacks the familiar song Angels We Have Heard on High, lifting our eyes to see the glory of God in the Christmas story. God’s glory is seen in Creation, the Temple, […]
Special guest Keith Mitchell from Morling College preaches to our night service on the importance of our work to God. This message will challenge you to see your workplace as God’s mission field.
Virginia Mathews wraps up our 2021 vision series: Love in Action with a sermon on the Good Samaritan. This message will encourage you to follow Jesus’ example of putting love into action by seeing, heart and understanding; acting; and committing.
When we consider wholeheartedly following God, it matters what kind of master we follow. Jesus is a master worth: – LISTENING TO – OBEYING – REVERING – MY ALL This message will challenge you to respond to Jesus’ call with the words of Peter in Luke 5: “Because you say so, I will.”
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength… and love your neighbour as yourself.” In this message, Rachel Li unpacks what it means to love God with all our heart, […]
David was a man after God’s own heart. Coming from that place of close relationship with God, David wrote many Psalms, including Psalm 27. This message will challenge you, being a wholehearted person after God’s own heart, to have a: — Captivated heart — Brave heart — Soft heart
A wholehearted disciple experiences: 1. Deep longings for God 2. Strengthening along the way 3. Transformational encounters with God In Psalm 84, the Psalmist writes “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord… Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” On our first Sunday back in the Ministry […]
In Daniel 9:20-27, God gives Daniel the roadmap out of exile: 1. The word goes out 2. The world waits 3. The one comes This message explores the meaning of the number 7 in the Hebrew Bible, and connecting the theme of the 7×7 Year of Jubilee to the coming of the Messiah. This message […]
Romans 1:17 says that in the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed… Daniel prays in chapter 9 that God would make His own righteousness known among all peoples by being faithful to His promises to the prophets. This message will challenge you to worship God in His righteousness revealed in the Gospel.
Daniel sees in a vision a 30,000 foot view of history. This message will encourage you that God is in control and Jesus wins in the end.
In chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel, Daniel refuses to conform to the laws of Babylon by remaining faithful to Yahweh. As a result, he is thrown into a den of lions. Yet even there God is with him and delivers his life. This message will challenge you to live with: 1. Faultless Integrity […]
They say pride comes before a fall… Kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were both prideful, yet while both suffered for their pride, one repented and the other did not. Pride can come from superiority or inferiority. This message will challenge you to find validation and identity in God every morning.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood up and stood out when they refused to bow down to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. Yet even as the young men experienced the fiery consequences of their bold stand, there was another in the fire. This message will both challenge you to take a stand and encourage you that God is […]
Daniel was faced with a “Red Sea moment”—if God didn’t come through in time, all would be lost… Faced with this terrifying prospect, Daniel sought the Lord and received a timely answer to his urgent prayer. God revealed the mystery of the king’s dream and delivered the people. This message will encourage you to stay […]
To kick off our new series in Daniel: Stand Up, Stand Out, Rachel Li unpacks the story of the arrival of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Babylon. This message will challenge you to not conform to society but remain faithful to God through it all.
Back-sliders beware. Back-bringers be bold! The battle belongs to the Lord. In this final message of our Faith in Action series through the Book of James, Jonathan Shanks unpacks James 5:19-20, challenging us to be bold in reaching out to those who, for many reasons, are backsliding in the faith. Be bold and have faith, […]
So you’re a brand new Christian and don’t quite know how to pray. Pray anyway and pray any way. You’re not sure whether God is there at all. Pray anyway and pray any way. You’re losing heart as a Christian and your prayers aren’t being answered. Pray anyway and pray any way. You’re on fire, […]
In chapter 5, James exhorts his readers not to swear oaths, but to live with honesty and integrity so that their “yes” means yes, and their “no” means no. This message will challenge you to live in the light of honesty and open integrity.
Any farmer knows that great patience is required to see seeds sown become the valuable fruit they were destined to be. James, in 5:7-12, exhorts us to persevere patiently until the time when the seeds that we have sown will bear fruit for His glory. So what are you waiting for? What seeds have you […]
James in chapter 5 warns of 3 dangers of wealth: the illusion of LIFELONG SECURITY; the illusion of INFLUENTIAL POWER; and the illusion of EXCLUSIVE OWNERSHIP.
Virginia Mathews speaks on building Christian community inside and outside the small group gathering.
This week, James teaches that we should not judge others, because judgement belongs to God. This message will challenge you to put your faith into action by withholding judgement on others… unless God has put you in that position.
James says that Christians are challenged by a three-fold paradigm: the World, the Flesh and the Devil. Jesus offers the Pathway through the paradigm. This message will challenge you to humble yourself before God in gratefulness for the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.
James 3:13-18 says there is wisdom from heaven, and wisdom from earth—wisdom that is pure and peace-loving, and wisdom that is evil and disordered. This message will challenge you to let go of the need to ‘win’ every exchange you have with others.
James says the tongue has the power of life and death—but do we consider the effect of our words on other people? This message will challenge you to use your words to build up instead of tear down.
There is faith that saves, and faith that doesn’t. There are deeds without faith and faith without deeds… but can such faith save you? This message from James 2:14-26 will deeply challenge and convict you to have genuine faith with deeds that is able to save you from death by Christ’s blood.
The Book of James exhorts Christians to not show favouritism to others, but to love them with the equal, sacrificial love of God. This message will challenge you in how you treat other people.
This week we are beginning an exciting 12-week series in the Book of James entitled “Faith in Action.” As an introductory overview to the Book of James, this message will challenge you to connect faith and action; belief and behaviour.
Do you relish or resent God’s requirements? In the last message of the sermon series Required, Philippians 4:4-8 provides the secret to learning to relish the requirements. This message will challenge you to find more joy in God.
What does the Lord our God require of us? In this May Mission Month message, Jonathan Shanks explores the third part of Micah 6:8—walk humbly. Jesus, the Word of God, set us the ultimate example of humility by coming to the world and suffering for us. This message will challenge you to witness to God […]
What does the Lord our God require of us? In this May Mission Month message, Jonathan Shanks explores the second part of Micah 6:8—love mercy. Mercy is an unmerited deviation away from retributive justice towards an emphasis on restorative justice. This message will challenge you to show mercy to those who don’t deserve it.
Guest speaker Dr. Omar Djoeandy speaks on his journey of discovering how a worldly definition of success falls far short of Jesus’ definition of success. This message will challenge you to reconsider your motivation and definition of success.
What does the Lord our God require of us? In this May Mission Month message, Jonathan Shanks explores the first part of Micah 6:8—act justly. At NorthernLife, we want to be a church that carries God’s heart for the nations by advocating for justice for the poor, widows, orphans and refugees. This May, we’re raising […]
Jesus said there is no greater love than to lay down your life for others. On Anzac Day, we commemorate the sacrifice of those who fought for the freedom we enjoy in Australia. We also remember how it points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who laid down his life for the world.
In chapter 2, Peter describes followers of Jesus as “living stones” that together form a spiritual temple built on Jesus as the cornerstone—the Church is alive! This message will challenge the way you view the role of the church in the world and the function of Christians in the church.
1 Peter 1 talks about the living hope we have been given in Jesus. Our hope, just like any living thing, can be grown, strengthened and matured. This message will challenge you to remain fixed on the gospel to grow your hope.
Join us for our Resurrection Sunday message from our Easter 2021 sermon series: One For All, All For One.
Join us for our Good Friday message from our Easter 2021 sermon series: One For All, All For One.
In the final week of the Gospel Lens Living series, Rachel Li unpacks what 1 Corinthians says about the way Christians should view death, resurrection and life through Gospel lenses.
“Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” (1 Cor. 12:15). The Corinthians didn’t understand the unique purpose God intended for each of them. Paul shows how Gospel lenses reframe the way we view ourselves and our part in the Body of Christ. For healthy body life to work, people […]
The Corinthians believed they had the right to do anything (1 Cor. 10:23), yet the Gospel shows that not everything is beneficial… This sermon will challenge you to consider how your loyalty to God and love for others affects your entire life.
What is our motivation for sexual purity? This sermon explores how Gospel lenses reframe the way we view sexual purity through HUMILITY, UNITY and IDENTITY.
Virginia Mathews kicks off our vision series for NorthernLife in 2021: Love in Action. This message focuses on the word: LOVE.
Jesus paid it all… yet all to Him we owe. This message looks at the ‘all’ that we owe to Him—our bodies as a living sacrifice.
The bible talks a lot about giving; financial giving. At NorthernLife we don’t so much. 2021 starts off with a teaching on stewardship, be encouraged the bible says you can give to the Kingdom of God and the proclamation of the Gospel as much as you want. How much do I want? Here in lies […]
Paul instructs Timothy to command those who are rich in this world to be rich in good deeds and willing to share. This message explores this challenging and encouraging passage of Scripture.
Unlike many other aspects of our lives throughout 2020, the Christmas story hasn’t changed – it still offers us FAITH, LOVE, HOPE, PEACE and JOY. Be encouraged by the unchanging story of the birth of the Saviour of the world.
This message reframes the well known I AM statement as “I am the real life journey” – be encouraged that Jesus is with us in every part of real life, through death and into eternity.
Life Hubs provide wonderful opportunities to grow disciples. This message covers the areas we hope to grow in through the ministry of LifeHubs at NorthernLife.
The raising of Lazarus from the dead was a tremendously significant moment in the ministry of Jesus – life from the dead would now be possible. This message explores the strange inversion in the economy of God whereby life is found through death. “Anyone who believes in Jesus will live even though they die, do […]
This is the second in our series of life hub training – DEEPER DEVOTION. We explore how LifeHubs can help achieve the second part of our church vision statement – LOVE OTHERS. This talk touches on how LifeHubs help us live out core values of: Life Matters, Canvas of Colour, Find out Help out and […]
Life Hubs Go Deeper. This talk focuses on how LifeHubs can provide the means for our congregation to Go deeper in loving God – we call it DEEPER DELIGHT. How can LifeHubs help people to deepen their delight in the Lord? – KNOWN AND LOVED, JESUS IS WORTH IT, GOD SPEAKS WE LISTEN, HIS GRACE […]
Introduction to the exciting new community coaching program launching next year at NorthernLife called C.O.A.C.H. Spoken by Virginia Mathews.
Jesus makes exclusive claims to truth, stating that He is the gate through which one must enter to have eternal life. It is easy to breeze through life assuming that when we die we will all go to heaven. This is counter to the teachings of Jesus. This message explores the good and challenging news […]
John 8 tells the story: In a moment of courage and vulnerability Jesus came to the rescue of a woman in trouble. As he reframed justice and goodness bringing all concerned to a level ground of conviction – He declared “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”. This message will give you hope that there […]
Virginia Mathews masterfully takes us through 4 Life Hacks for building relationships that foster pastoral care. This is essential training for life hub leaders at Northern Life and anyone called to care for others pastorally in the local church.
This talk explores what true freedom really is by unpacking the original design of the Ten Commandments and the mind-blowing meaning behind Israel’s covenant-keeping God. Freedom can be freedom from but more importantly it can be freedom for!
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
A prayer to appropriate the grace and generosity of God in the Gospel which leads to Daily Freedom in Christ.
The Trinity prayers are spoken-word prayers covering a biblical and theological overview of each member of the Trinity. These are prayers designed to teach as they honour and promote wonder as they worship.
The Trinity prayers are spoken-word prayers covering a biblical and theological overview of each member of the Trinity. These are prayers designed to teach as they honour and promote wonder as they worship.
The Trinity prayers are spoken-word prayers covering a biblical and theological overview of each member of the Trinity. These are prayers designed to teach as they honour and promote wonder as they worship.
Is the bible just a myth? Doesn’t the bible support regressive practises like slavery? The bible contradicts itself! This talk addresses these common questions and more as we consider “can we believe the bible”?
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
The book of Job speaks to every generation about suffering. This midweek training at NorthernLife covers the entire book of Job in one session. We pray that you will be encouraged to see God’s goodness in every life season.
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalm 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in YahWeh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
Psalms 120-134 are known as the Psalms of Ascent. The people of Israel used these psalms to encourage and foster faith in Yahweh during their three annual pilgrimages home to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. We pray you will be encouraged on your discipleship journey also as you listen to these […]
The post Fear not – lessons from Gideon – Judges 6 & 7 appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
The post God is our Refuge – Psalm 46 – Jonathan Shanks appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
Faith in Christ provides for us enormous spiritual benefits. The apostle Paul moves now to the ramifications of our new life in Christ for own personal holiness.
The Church is called to be the body of Christ on Earth. This message explores Paul’s challenge and encouragement about the importance of unity in living out this call.
We have been eternally purposed together in Christ. This message explores what is required to fulfil such a calling.
Jesus has made a way for humanity to be reconciled to God by grace through faith. Furthermore, in Christ we have been appointed as agents of reconciliation. Be encouraged in the who, the how and why of Christian reconciliation.
Ephesians 2:1-10. What a passage of Scripture ! Be encouraged it is by grace through faith we have been saved. Let there be no boasting. This message makes much of the worth of Jesus. Together in Christ, we are his handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
Paul prays for the Ephesians church to be enlightened by the Spirit of God with wisdom and revelation. This message explores what it means for us to receive the power of this prayer, ultimately being challenged.
This message kicks off the vision series for Northern Life: TOGETHER 2020. Ephesians reminds believers just how mind-blowing it is that we be found IN CHRIST by faith. This message will encourage you with the truth that if you know JESUS you are BLESSED. And significantly, as the church, the body of Christ, we are […]
Jesus is the strongman who tames the spiritual strongman. Jesus is stronger than the the head of the house of demons; Beelzebul. Jesus is strong. And He calls His church to do His strong works in His name. This message explores Jesus teaching about binding the strong man and encourages to learn how to become […]
Jesus came for sinners not the righteous. This message explores how we can live with 2020 clarity on mission for Jesus as a church. The post 2020 Clarity – The healthy don’t need a doctor appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
The story of the wise men is a powerful reminder that at the core of the gospel is a group of outsiders who follow a sign to seek and find the Messiah. Wise people still seek Him, but far more importantly, the only wise God is constantly seeking us. This message reminds us to remain […]
Jesus lived the most fruitful and world impacting life in human history. And to do it, he lived in the unforced rhythms of grace. This message explores the rhythms of a fruitful life for the long haul.
This message explores the reality of the spiritual realm and impure spirits who can effect human beings. Was it all mental illness alone back in the first century or are impure spirits real? Jesus has the authority to bring peace no matter what has caused us to lose control of our lives.
When do you ever say “yes master”?. For Jesus to be our Lord He must be our master, the one to whom we gladly say, “yes master”. This message will explore the calling of the first disciples and their response of rapid obedience.
Jesus’ baptism was a significant moment of identity clarification and spirit empowerment. We all need the same if we’re going to live out God’s call on our livers as Christians.
Mark is the gospel of amazement. This message gives us Mark’s amazing introduction to Jesus the Messiah the Son of God, and shows us how to give an amazing introduction to Jesus from the ministry of John the Baptist.
How much do you try and control your life? How much control do we have? This message challenges us to avoid taking hold of the steering wheel of our lives and put our trust in God who is in control. The post God is in control – Proverbs 21:1-8 // Rachel Li appeared first on […]
We are told that religion divides. This is true. Human beings are spiritual beings and as such will always seek spiritual understanding and something to worship. Religion will not go away, it can’t be kept to the private realm because it answers the big questions of life. So what is unique about the claims of […]
This message explores the two classic arguments for the existence of God: the argument of cause and effect and the argument of design. The post Does God Exist? appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
We believe in the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they are. This message celebrates God’s goodness to Hornsby Baptist Church for more than a century and calls Northern Life to follow in the footsteps of belief into the future. The post Believe – Romans 4 […]
The people of God have always known that the blessings of God are given for a purpose. We have been blessed to be a blessing. This message will encourage you that not only do we carry a great responsibility – MUCH GIVEN MUCH REQUIRED – but our gracious God has also supplied us with all […]
Jesus said, I will build my church. The Church has a blueprint and it is found in Romans 12, Jesus is building his church off the blueprint. The Foundation is the gospel, the construction is through body life and the fit out is marked by humility and love. Be encouraged that Jesus is building his […]
Saying sorry can be the hardest thing in the world to do yet it’s more often than not the doorway to reconciliation and relational restoration. One of the great apology’s in Scripture is found in the encounter of the young prodigal son with his gracious Father. Luke 15 once again provides us with awesome insight […]
Father please renew my mind; restore what’s been lost; help me release my offender. This message will help you check in some baggage with the Lord and move towards greater freedom in Christ. The post Baggage Check – Colossians 3:1-14 appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
Fingerprints tells us a lot about who has been active where. This message explores the need for us to have our fingerprints on God, His fingerprints on us and ours on others in His name. The post Fingerprints – Mark 5:21-34 appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
The Jesus-way of discipleship involves content, apprenticeship and immersion—so should ours.
We are called as Christians to have feet fitted with the good news of Jesus. This message will challenge you to take your part in the cause of world evangelisation.
The story of the Good Samaritan is the gold standard for “love in action”. Jesus’ profound story will challenge you yet again to “find out and help out” the people He puts in our path.
This message unpacks the details of our 1000 brave days vision with regard to the importance of “together”. The message is based out of Paul’s instruction to the believers at Corinth found in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13.
What sort of person do you have to be, to be used by God? When Samuel was told to anoint the new king of Israel, David did not look like the obvious candidate. God’s choice was different from what anyone expected. God is looking for women and men after His own heart. Willing to listen, […]
Would it be recognisable if the Lord’s presence did not go with us? This is the question Moses asks himself. His answer is a resounding, yes. If God is not the defining marker of the people of God, the people are not God’s people. This message challenges us afresh to realise that no gift from […]
God takes us through storms to teach us lessons that couldn’t be learned in the calm. Lachie Ford preaches his first sermon at church after being trained as a lay preacher through the preaching farm at Northern Life.
Esther needed to be reminded of the reason behind her life in the Persian palace of Susa, together with the risk involved in following hard after God and the rewards that follow obedience. Our lives are not too dissimilar.
Esther provides a unique contrast between two men, Haman and Mordecai. One exhibits the prideful behaviour of a Narcissist, the other that of a humble and godly man. This message explores the difference, ultimately pointing to the life of humility points to the greatest life: the life of Jesus Christ.
How has God been working in your life behind the scenes. He is always working all things together for God for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.
The Holy Spirit is the gift of the Father and the fulfilment of the hope of glory, Christ in us. This message explores the impact of Holy Spirit on the life of the believer.
God the Son is our Lord Jesus Christ. He is Prophet, Priest & King. This message shows us how Jesus is the prophet to save us from our ignorance, the priest to cleanse our guilt and the King to correct our corruption. You will be encouraged.
This message explores what Scripture has to say about God the Father. His incommunicable attributes, His communicable attributes and the nature of His character as Heavenly Father.
How do you bring unity into the diversity of life? At the core of all life is the greatest example of unity and diversity every to exist – the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. This message aims to soak you in the truth of Trinitarian reality. Be encouraged.
The “parable of the workers in the vineyard” highlights three significant things we can miss in life. We can be so focused on “what’s in it for me” that we miss grace, we miss our reward and we miss our purpose.
The body of Christ (the Church) is the vessel through which God chooses to reach the lost. Be encouraged by the great story of the feeding of the 5000 as we consider what this means for multiplication in mission. As the church grows through evangelism and discipleship so grows the body of Christ. The bread […]
Be encouraged by this epic story of transformation – the blind man receives sight, the spiritual authorities struggle with unbelief and religiosity and a blind man comes to faith in the Messiah. This message will challenge you to believe again that God can do the miraculous in and through the local church. The post 2020 […]
Jesus sent out the 72 in the power of the Spirit to do the work of the Son. On a shared mission, they had a clear message of invitation and warning, empowered with the authority of Jesus’ name. Be encouraged by Luke 10. The post Sent – Luke 10 appeared first on Northern Life Baptist […]
The Spirit empowers the church to be witnesses of gospel truth. We witness together. I am not the body of Christ, by faith, we are the body of Christ. This message explores the wonderful opportunity we have at Northern Life to invest our best into a unique window of opportunity for growth. Be encouraged to […]
How do we use the resources entrusted to us in this one solitary life? This message will challenge you about stewardship and encourage you to engage wholeheartedly in the work of the gospel in this generation.
Biblical evidence for the resurrection. Circumstantial evidence for the resurrection. A prayer for spiritual empowering through the resurrection.
This message is a study on Paul’s great teaching on the resurrection found in 1 Corinthians 15. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ we find our victory, the credibility of our faith and a hope beyond the grave.
Jesus died to pay for the sin of the world. In doing so He made a way for the lost to be found.
A teacher, a prophet, a Lord, a King, a Saviour, the Son of God? Who do you say He is, and if so, what now?
Final judgement according to deeds. It’s one of the strangest truths we find in the Bible—certainly for a good evangelical. We are saved by grace alone through faith, yet Scripture time and again reminds us that when we come before Christ the judge, our faith in Him shall be required to show its works. Faith […]
What do you put your trust in? Jesus says seek first the kingdom of God and all that we need will be provided.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray using the Lord’s prayer and the parable of the persistent friend. God centric prayers // faith filled prayers // shamelessly audacious persistent prayers.
Jesus explains in Matthew 13 what we should expect in following Him and being part of the Kingdom of Heaven. We can expect the favour of God like a growing mustard seed, we can expect significant push back from the enemy, and we can expect to be smitten with the Lord himself – a treasure […]
Jesus often taught in parables (mysteries of the master). On this occasion He describes four types of hearers (soils). This message will enlighten you about the awesome arrival of Israel’s Messiah and how He was received in the first century. It will also challenge you about how good the soil of your heart is right […]
The Kingdom of God moving forward always involves relational bravery because we are filled with a fiercely relational God! This message explores the powerful relationships found in the early church of Acts chapter 2 and inspires us to believe again for Christ filled community. The post Relational Bravery – Acts 2:42-47 appeared first on Northern […]
The name of Jesus is matchless in worth, matchless in power. This message comes from the healing of a lame man at the gate called Beautiful in Acts 3. Can we ask for anything in his name? This message will encourage you in your faith and inspire you to bravely and humbly minister in the […]
John comes with a lifetime experiencing the presence of God in ministry and mission. To say that speaking on “bravery from the book of Acts” is in his sweet spot, is an understatement. This message will encourage you to keep being filled with the Holy Spirit. The post Spirit Filled Bravery – John Harvey appeared […]
The ministry of Jesus was supernatural and it was natural. The church is the body of Christ and our ministry as such is both supernatural and natural. This message explores the wonder of Pentecost and identifies the factors surrounding the supernatural bravery shown by the body of Christ in her initial exploits in His name. […]
Courage for Christians comes from the power of the gospel. This message explores the early church prayer of Acts 4 and identifies three aspects of Gospel Bravery; narrative ballast, spoken truth, signs following. This message will encourage you to share the gospel and leave the result to Christ. The post Gospel Bravery appeared first on […]
Moments change our lives, moments change the course of history. Kingdom Momentum comes after the right decision has been made in the “Um” moment! God has ordained certain seasons (kairos time) for His people which demand from us timely obedience. This message explores the example of Jonathan and his armour bearer as they take on […]
“God can do anything except overcome a complete lack of discipline”. This is an intentionally provocative statement. Salvation is by grace alone through faith. Yet we are called in the New Testament to make every effort to become all we can be through the sanctifying work of the Spirit with our obedience to His leading […]
Guest missionary speaker – James Mollenhauer The post What would it take to change the World appeared first on Northern Life Baptist Church.
If character is made up of the sum of our habits, our habits are the fruit of our choices. As we started a new year at Northern Life, this message challenged and encouraged us to make good God honouring choices regarding living for the purposes of Christ’s glory. The message is based on a short […]
Jesus has inspired us to create for over 2000 years. He is our icon, life and hero. This message unpacks Paul’s extraordinary ancient hymn found in Colossians 1:15-20 This message will magnify Jesus and inspire you.
What would it be like to overhear a conversation in heaven between God the Father and Jesus the Son before Christmas? What would it be like to hear the Father’s heart in preparing His son for mission “Salvation of humanity”. Christmas message at NorthernLife 2018 our last in the local primary school, gets creative and […]
Jesus restores lost, broken, sinful people to the glory of their God designed destiny. He is the restoration master. This message explores how Jesus fulfils the prophetic hopes of Israel in his coming to Earth, life, death and resurrection. In Christ there is hope for every exile to “come home”.
Education and Health in the 21st century owes its origins to Jesus! This message surveys how the teachings of Christianity have impacted education and health in Western Society up until the present day.
Jesus taught and lived a life regarding wealth which has profoundly affected the use of money throughout history. This message surveys and explores how Jesus was a game changer when it comes to wealth.
In the Greco-Roman first century world into which Jesus was born the “pecking order” of social status was paramount in all of life. As Cicero said, “rank must be preserved”. Where you sat in the pecking order of society was the most important thing to discover and defend. Jesus said, you know how the gentile […]
Democracy has it’s roots firmly embedded in the life and teachings of Jesus! Jesus taught the value of equality, he demonstrated a life lived under the rule and reign of His Father in heaven and he promised freedom to those who would receive his grace. EQUALITY – RULE OF LAW – FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE, sounds […]
Jesus both taught and demonstrated through his life and relationships that women and children are intrinsically valued by creator God. In contrast to the prevailing culture of His day, Jesus lifted women and children upward to a place of human equality in every way. This message is a challenge to the church to continue what […]
Jesus taught that we should pray for our enemies and forgive them for sinning against us. He modelled this most profoundly in dying on a cross for the sin of the world and asking the father to “forgive them, they know not what they do”. This message explores what forgiveness is not, what it is […]
We have been made in the image of God by a loving creator God. This truth gives every human being infinite worth and dignity as image bearers of the Living God. This message explores how Jesus revolutionised our world by teaching and modelling a life which treated every human being equally.
It is genuinely nothing short of extraordinary that Jesus is the most influential figure in human history 2000 years on from his seemingly inglorious execution on a Roman cross. From the most unlikely of circumstances empowered by the Spirit of Christ, Christ has truly built his Church. This message kicks off our series based on […]
Esther courageously steps into her divine appointment and hope is restored for all of Israel. This message will encourage us to step up and step out “for such a time as this!”
The book of Ruth gives us a tremendous example of compassion through companionship. This message will encourage you to have eyes to see the person God has given you to support through challenging times.
How do small groups contribute to the development disciples? This message explores the 7 keys for LIFE HUBS to make disciples. CONVERSATION-COMMUNITY-CONVERSION-COMMUNION-CONTENT-CHARACTER-CALLING This is the concluding message of the LIFE HUBS teaching series.
Life Hubs are small groups at NorthernLife Baptist Church. Life Hubs go deeper towards accomplishing our mission of Loving God, Loving Others and Making Disciples. This message explores how Life Hubs go deeper in devotion one for another. The message is based in the challenging words of Paul to the Church in Rome // Romans […]
Northern Life small groups are known as LIFE HUBS. In LIFE HUBS we aim to “go deeper”. Loving God is all about deeper delight. This message explores how small groups can deepen our delight in the Lord, expressed in our core values for loving God. Known and loved – Jesus is worth it – God […]
Ten Reasons to tithe from the Old and New Testaments. This message tells the story of a local church revitalisation and what a growing weekly budget meant for kingdom ministry. The message ends with an excellent spoken word prayer from the Doxology – PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.
Paul wrote to Timothy and instructed him to teach the rich not to put their hope in worldly riches. This message explores the Scriptural charge to the rich to be rich in good deeds.
The book of Nehemiah ends on a bit of a downer. After all the work of rebuilding and lots of great leadership lessons for us 21st century folks, the prophetic hope of renewal and transformation given by Jeremiah is no where near complete. The book of Nehemiah ends with frustration and spiritual apathy because at […]
Nehemiah shows how to avoid distractions in accomplishing a God glorifying call on his life.
Micah tells us what the Lord requires of us: To Act Justly, To love Mercy and to walk Humbly with our God. God desires that his people act justly because He acts justly. This sermon explores how Nehemiah responded to the injustice he discovered in the Jerusalem community and how he responded. Additionally we look […]
Whenever God does something new and life giving there will be “push back” from the enemy. Predictable Resistance. This message explores what Nehemiah and the people did in response to this resistance and considers how we might respond ourselves.
Team work makes the dream work! Nehemiah motivates the people to begin rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. This message explores the power of delegation in accomplishing a goal.
Vision is a picture of a preferred future that produces passion. This message explores the way in which Nehemiah unleashes his vision for a preferred Jerusalem to his fellow Israelites. Many of us carry a sense of call / purpose / burden to engage in some good thing for the Lord. We pray that this […]
Sometimes everything hinges on one simple yet very scary question. Do you have the courage to ASK IT? God’s new thing may be on the other side of that question!
The book of Nehemiah begins with a fair amount of presumed knowledge. This message sets the historical context for the book and then explores the hope-filled reality of serving a God who loves doing new things! As Isaiah 43:19 says “BEHOLD, I AM DOING A NEW THING”. What new thing is God doing in your […]
We are a sent people committed to sending others. We have been blessed to be a blessing. As the Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Spirit, the Spirit sends the Church, the Church sends ministers of the gospel. We nurture new life in Christ, we train up, we raise up, we send out […]
We are disciple making disciples who live intentionally to develop others’ in Christ. We are disciples making disciples of Jesus. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave His disciples a very clear mandate. This has not changed for us in the 21st century. By God’s grace and the gospel we lead people to Christ, coach […]
We are apprentices of Jesus, learning to live the way He said we could live. This process centres around character transformation. Peter reminds us that growth in the grace and knowledge of the kingdom is a possibility and expectation of all who followers Christ Jesus as Lord. We embrace effort with servant hearted intentionality to […]
Our faith is grounded in the truth of the gospel. Jesus Christ—fully God, fully man—lived a perfect life to die a perfect sacrificial death and rose victoriously and powerfully from the dead. This is historically verifiable truth, which is the bedrock of our Church. After the resurrection Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and sent His […]
Jonah was angry and had a heart which was blocked up with resentment, discontentment and ambivalence. This message explores these blockages in our own lives and how we can find freedom through a new heart.
Jonah learns that God is: a God of second chances a God of singleminded focus a God to be feared and obeyed a God of miraculous mercy
Have you run from the Lord’s call on your life? Have you found yourself stuck in the consequence of rebellion? Sin offers us much but only delivers in the short term. Jonah’s prayer in the belly of a fish is a powerful that no matter how bad the situation, “salvation comes from the Lord”. This […]
The story of Jonah running from the Lord’s call on his life is like a mirror we hold up to ourselves. As we relate to his fears, self justification and wrong assumptions of God we are reminded just how much we need God’s grace. The love of God in Christ Jesus is enough to reach […]
Humanity has proven rather adept at building walls throughout history. Pride and shame, guilt and fear all contribute. We build walls not only between countries, we build them in our hearts to keep people out. This message explores how Jesus has made away to tear down both the wall of sin separating us from God […]
When Peter wrote his first letter of the New Testament suggesting followers of Jesus could experience “joy unspeakable” one may imagine he was out of touch with the challenges of “real life”. Then again, considering the fact that he was writing to a church who were witnessing the martyrdom of many of it’s members it […]
Through the blood of Christ we can experience peace with God, peace with ourselves and peace with others.
PRAYER HAS POWER – Transformation We pray with shameless persistence and authority. Life is spiritual. Mysteriously God has invited His church to interact with Him in prayer. By grace we pray persistently, passionately and humbly approaching the throne of Grace through Jesus. We believe that for every situation Prayer has Power. Through our dependence on […]
FIND OUT. HELP OUT. Since people matter, we believe in listening to stories, understanding journey’s, discovering opportunities and providing solutions. Love, loves with action. We listen and respond. We get involved. Whether it’s finding out a new persons name at morning tea, or investigating a tragedy unfolding in Malawi. We find out, we help out, […]
God is painting His story on a canvas of generations in the colours of the nations – we are a canvas of colour. God’s plans for our church are beyond one generation and one ethnicity. We respect and appreciate each generation, we enjoy and rely on our diversity. We are not the body of Christ […]
LIFE MATTERS All living things matter; people and planet, we steward everything for God’s glory in the context of loving relationships. We are called to exercise our authority as true humanity in Christ through stewardship of all creation. As we take care of each other and our environment we desire to bring glory to […]
HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH – Faith We are free and have access to His endless supply. He is able to provide all of our needs. Christ’s finished work on the cross, His glorious resurrection from the dead, ascension to Heaven and provision of the Spirit is sufficient to grant us true freedom – HIs Grace […]
GOD SPEAKS WE LISTEN – Obedience We believe the bible and are led by the Holy Spirit. We are a bible believing Church. God’s words matter more than any other words. We want to know His words, listen to them and obey them. We expect Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father to guide us […]
JESUS IS WORTH IT – CORE VALUE #2 He is our treasure, delight, first love and reason for being. To worship Him is our joy. He deserves our very best. This core value encapsulates “The Lordship of Christ” it also speaks of commitment to the “cause of Christ”. There is a cost involved in […]
At the core of who we are as a church is the understanding that we are known and loved by Father God. Through faith in Christ we are have passed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, been given life a new, born from above and know from the inner witness of […]
Habakkuk the O.T. prophet has moved from wondering to waiting. He has given his complaints to God and received answer enough to realise that all he truly has to hold on to is the sovereign goodness of His God. Chapter three leads him to worship – whether there is fruit on the vine/sheep in the […]
When we are in the dip, struggling with holding the tension of questions and faith, it is beneficial to listen, write and wait. This message explores what to do when we find ourselves in the dip of faith.
The life of faith involves seasons of intense questioning and doubt. This first message of three in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk explores the journey of one minor prophet as he deals with God’s decision to raise up the Babylonians in judgement of Israel. The modern day application is not missed as we consider […]
The history of the world is heading towards a definitive predetermined end point known only by God. This message explores this reality and how a thorough and robust belief in the Sovereignty of God affects our involvement in world mission.
The Day of Pentecost opened up access for all by faith to the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This message is an encouragement to us that God has not finished sending His power upon His Church!
Seven principles to empower couples exploring long term relationships heading towards marriage.
Classic bible inspiration. Trusting God no matter what. From the “five smooth stones series”
This message explores the problem/mystery of suffering and evil in the world, and how this reality impacts world mission.
New Years message encouraging us all to avoid the way of the sluggard who regularly fails to take initiative towards wise living.
The heart of God is to reach the nations with the message of the Gospel, bringing transformation and eternal life. This message explores this awesome biblical theme.
Jesus is the master teacher. i.e. He knows everything there is to know about everything there is to know, which includes you. Listening to Him sounds like a good idea! This message explores why Jesus is the greatest teacher to ever teach and why He should be our teacher.
The birth of Christ is a “wonder”. He is the love of the world and brings God’s love for the world. This message explores the covenant love of God fulfilled in Christ.
The final message in our series in 2 Corinthians. This message explores what Paul means by “demolishing strongholds”. If you struggle with recurring sin in your life and long for a breakthrough or wonder why certain issues seem to plague your church, this sermon might be of help.
John 8:12 “I am the Light of the World”. What does Jesus mean when He claims to be the light of the world? This message explores the wonder of Jesus the Light!
Christmas is truly a wonder! God has become human and His name is Jesus. The life, the light, the love, the hope of the world.
A famine has struck Judea and Paul is intent on delivering much needed aid from the Church at Corinth to the Apostles in Jerusalem. He does not miss the opportunity to teach the Corinthian church about generosity in the kingdom. This message unpacks the principles and patterns behind sowing and reaping.
True repentance is so much more than feeling sorry for being caught doing wrong. Repentance and faith by God’s grace bring us into a place of transformation in heart, head and hands. This message explores these concepts as we unpack Paul’s teaching on repentance to the Corinthian church.
This message explores freedom in the shape of a cross. How is salvation both a free gift and an invitation to carry a cross?. Beginning with the back story of why the cross is so important, we consider Paul’s list of challenges which constitute some of his cross to bear. This brings encouragement to us […]
This message explores hope and new beginnings in Christ. We are encouraged to allow the love of Christ to compel us into the world with the message of reconciliation unbound by fear.
Discouragement is a fact of life. In this message we explore how Paul suggests we find encouragement in the midst of discouragement.
This message explores the highs and lows of leaving our comfort zone and navigating the path of God’s plan for my life.
Exercising dominion over the beautiful world God has created and made available for us to enjoy involves love. As rivers like human veins wind through the earth brining life and sustenance, we who are in Christ, we who are new humanity are called to be the life giving veins of the Earth; loving our neighbour […]
Humanity has been charged with an enormous responsibility – to look after the planet on God’s behalf. Through varied passages providing insights into how God functions as carer and nurturer of His creation, this message points to how we might best fulfil the calling to “have dominion” of the world.
First message in a series on creation exploring the issues involved in a “human centred” view of the world compared with a “God Centred view. Genesis 1 and 2.
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a challenge to His listeners; build your life on the rock not the sand. This message unpacks Jesus’ warnings about a. Self Deception b. Spacial Perception c. Grace Reception
Jesus teaches us how to carefully shape community into it’s best form, truth in love, loving truth. Do unto others with regards judging, as you would have them do unto you. Gently, carefully, skilfully.
We all live our lives for something. Every dollar will be spent, every minute used. Jesus warns us how not to do this, and encourages how we should do it.
Jesus reframes generosity by illuminating our true motivations behind giving. Matthew 6:1-4 There is a way of giving which is higher and more effective coming from the heart. This is the type of giving our Father in Heaven is seeking and for which he gives eternal reward.