Inner West Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Inner West Church
A special celebration service reflecting on God's grace over the past 10 years of Inner West Church.
Message from Pete Greenwood at 44:15
SCRIPTURE: Eph 2:11-22
Scripture:
- 1 Corinthians 15: 12-14; 20-22; 35-38; 42-44; 51-57
- Romans 8:10-11
Preacher:
- Kirsten Byrnes
Pete continues in our series on 2 Corinthians on the topic of Genuine Generosity.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-14
Kirsten begins a new series on Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:1-11
Guest speaker Ben Connolly brings us the final sermon in our series on Esther.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 9:20-10:3
Jordan continues in our series in Esther with a message on the God in the Reversal
SCRIPTURE: Esther 8:1-9:19
Kirsten continues in our series in Esther with a message on God and the Evil One.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 7:1-10
Pete continues our sermon series in Esther with a message on Esther 6 God in His Providence.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 6-1-14
Pete Greenwood continues our series in Esther looking at how power can be used for the sake of others.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 5:1-14
Kirsten continues our series in Esther on the topic of God in Our Choices.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 4:1-17
Pete continues in our series on the book of Esther with a message on God in the Injustice.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 2:19-3:15
Jon begins our series in Esther: God in the Silence talking about the context of Esther, the exposure of the powerful and the elevation of the powerless.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 1:1-2:18
Pete concludes our series in the Gospel of John with our focus on Encounters with Jesus by looking at the way Peter Encounters Jesus at the end of the Gospel.
SCRIPTURE: John 21
Pete continues in our series in John: Encounters with God on the topic of The Blind Man.
SCRIPTURE: John 9
Pete continues in our series in John: Encounters with Jesus on The Crowd & The Core.
SCRIPTURE: John 6
Kirsten continues our series in John with a message on the Samaritan Woman and her Encounter with Jesus.
SCRIPTURE: John 4:1-30, 39-42
Pete continues our series in John: Encounters with Jesus on the topic of Nicodemus.
SCRIPTURE: John 3
Chris Swann begins our series in the Gospel of John: Encounters with Jesus with a message on The Wedding.
SCRIPTURE: John 2:1-12
Pete considers Mary Magdalene's journey to the empty tomb.
PASSAGES: Psalm 16:7-11, John 20:1-18
Kirsten explores the experiences of Peter, Mary, and the Centurion during Jesus' crucifixion.
PASSAGES:
Matthew 26:26-35, 57-75
John 19:1-3, 23-27
Mark: 15:25-39
Pete looks at how the coming of King Jesus helps us overcome fear.
PASSAGES: Zechariah 9:9-12, John 12:12-19
Pete closes our series on our church's vision to be a family of disciples on mission with Jesus to our local neighbourhoods. This sermon is on our identity as witnesses.
PASSAGE: Acts 1:1-9
Kirsten continues our series on our church's vision to be a family of disciples on mission with Jesus to our local neighbourhoods. This sermon is on our identity as local.
PASSAGE: Luke 10:25-37
Pete continues our series on our church's vision to be a family of disciples on mission with Jesus to our local neighbourhoods. This sermon is on our identity as family.
PASSAGE: John 13
Pete begins a new series on our church's vision to be a family of disciples on mission with Jesus to our local neighbourhoods. The first sermon is on our identity as 'disciples'.
PASSAGE: Luke 19:1-10
Pete continues our series in Psalms for All Seasons on the topic of Psalms of Wisdom.
SCRIPTURES: Psalm 111 & 112
Bishop Genieve continues our series in Psalms on the topic of Psalms of Thanksgiving.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107
Kirsten continues our series in Psalms for All Seasons on the topic of Psalms of Imprecation
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 58
Pete continues our series in Psalms for All Seasons on the topic of Psalms of Trust.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27
Rhys Bezzant joins us to kick off our series in Psalms called Psalms for All Seasons in which he takes us through the season of Praise.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 149
Stephen Tan begins our Advent series with a message on The Kingdom of the Messiah
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9-12
Pete continues our series in Romans 8 on the topic of Saved for Hope.
Audio from the Inner West Church Retreat
SCRIPTURE: 8:18-27
Pete Greenwood continues the series on Numbers looking at the providence of God in the weird and wild story of Balaam in Numbers 22-24.
Pete continues our series in Numbers on the topic of The Bronze Snake.
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21
Pete continues our series in Numbers on the topic of Water from the Rock.
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 20
Campbell continues our series in Numbers on the topic of "Who can stand before the Lord?"
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 16
Pete continues our series in Numbers on the topic of Three Levels of Sin.
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 12
Pete continues our series in the Book of Numbers on the topic of Complaints and Quail.
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 11
Pete begins our series in the Book of Numbers on the topic of Into the Wilderness.
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 1:1-3; 10:11-36
Campbell continues our series Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Expectation
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Pete continues our series Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Death.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18
Kirsten continues our series Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Holiness.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Jon continues our series in Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Relationships.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
Pete continues our series Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Opposition.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - 16
Pete continues our series Gospel in Life on the topic of Gospel in Leadership.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - 20
Pete begins our series in 1 Thessalonians preaching on Gospel in Life.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Acts 17:1-8
Pete wraps up our series on Strange People on the topic of Strange Hope.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 20:27-40
Campbell continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Love.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-36
Pete continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Forgiveness.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1-10
Kirsten continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Family.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:19-21, 18:29-30
Jon continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Generosity.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 12:13-34; Ecc 2:20-23
Andrew Reid continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Reality.
SCRIPTURE: Ps 86, Luke 6:17-27
Pete continues our series Strange People on the topic of Strange Hospitality
SCRIPTURE: Luke 14:1-14
Pete begins our series on Strange People on the topic of Strange Calling.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 5:1-11; 27-32
Bishop Genieve closes our series on Hosea with the topic of Loves Through to the End.
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 14
Chris Swann continues our series in Hosea on the topic of God Loves Through Religious Hypocrisy
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 4, Matthew 22:15-22
Jon continues our series on the topic of "God's Love through Abuse of Power".
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 6:1-7:2, Romans 5:6-8
Pete continues our series Hosea on the topic of God Loves Through Idolatry
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 8
Jon continues in our series on Psalms by teaching us how to savour Scripture. In a slight departure from our normal sermon series, he leads us through a discussion using a framework for engaging with Scripture.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 16
Pete Greenwood opens up our series 'Scripture' demonstrating how scripture is true, authoritative and formative in the Christian life.Â
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:1-8, Luke 24:13-32
Pete Greenwood preaches from Psalm 105, highlighting how a vibrant spiritual life spent seeking God's face naturally fuels mission in the world.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 105
Final sermon in our Leviticus series. There are two paths to follow - one of obedience that leads to blessing, and one of disobedience that leads to curse. Which will we choose?
Preacher: Pete Greenwood
Passage: Leviticus 26
Jon Tran preaches from Leviticus 23 & 25, highlighting how God teaches his people to set apart time as holy. They were to celebrate the God who had made, saved and provided for them and in doing so, were restored by him.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23:1-8, 25:1-12 & Matthew 11:25-30
Pete Greenwood preaches on what true and right worship of God looks like, worship that springs out of a renewed heart.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 17:1-16, Ephesians 1:3-10
Jon Tran preaches on the way God makes a way to be with his people by giving them a clean slate through the Day of Atonement and how this day finds its fulfilment in the cleansing sacrifice of Jesus at the cross.
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9:1-14
Jon Tran preaches on the way God makes a way to be with his people by giving them a clean slate through the Day of Atonement and how this day finds its fulfilment in the cleansing sacrifice of Jesus at the cross.
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9:1-14
Guest preacher David Williams unpacks the Levitical laws of cleanliness and uncleanliness, pointing us to the great hope we have in Jesus to be the one who washes God's people clean.
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 11:1-8, 11:39-47 & Mark 1:40-45
Guest preacher David Williams unpacks the Levitical laws of cleanliness and uncleanliness, pointing us to the great hope we have in Jesus to be the one who washes God's people clean.
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 11:1-8, 11:39-47 & Mark 1:40-45
We need a priesthood good and consistent enough to mediate between us and the greatest reality, the holy God of the Bible. In an age where human failures are more visible than ever, who can we trust in to bring us to God?
Jon Tran preaches from Leviticus 8-10 and Hebrews 7, pointing us to see that the ministry of Israel's priests finds its culmination in Jesus, our Great High Priest. It is only through Jesus alone that we can come before the holy God without fear of being consumed.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 8 & Hebrews 7:23-27
We need a priesthood good and consistent enough to mediate between us and the greatest reality, the holy God of the Bible. In an age where human failures are more visible than ever, who can we trust in to bring us to God?
Jon Tran preaches from Leviticus 8-10 and Hebrews 7, pointing us to see that the ministry of Israel's priests finds its culmination in Jesus, our Great High Priest. It is only through Jesus alone that we can come before the holy God without fear of being consumed.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 8 & Hebrews 7:23-27
What does it take for sinful humans to enter into the presence of a holy God? Pete Greenwood opens up our new series drawing out the grand story the sacrifices tell. Israel had to be purified and make restitution before they could come to worship and offer tribute to God. All these offerings culminate in a meal of fellowship with the awesome God of creation.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 1:1-17, Romans 12:1-2
What does it take for sinful humans to enter into the presence of a holy God? Pete Greenwood opens up our new series drawing out the grand story the sacrifices tell. Israel had to be purified and make restitution before they could come to worship and offer tribute to God. All these offerings culminate in a meal of fellowship with the awesome God of creation.Â
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 1:1-17, Romans 12:1-2
Our society sends us conflicting messages. Do relationships really complete us? Or are we wholly sufficient in and of ourselves?Â
Pete Greenwood finishes up our series 'Sweet Little Lies', helping us to understand, challenge and subvert this cultural narrative as he preaches from Genesis 2 and John 4.Â
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 2:18-25, John 4:1-17
Our society sends us conflicting messages. Do relationships really complete us? Or are we wholly sufficient in and of ourselves?Â
Pete Greenwood finishes up our series 'Sweet Little Lies', helping us to understand, challenge and subvert this cultural narrative as he preaches from Genesis 2 and John 4.Â
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 2:18-25, John 4:1-17
Conflicts, fragmentation and a global pandemic have rocked our society's expectations that history should look like an exponential curve. What do we do when things don't go our way, or when suffering comes?Â
Pete Greenwood helps us to understand, challenge and subvert this cultural untruth as he preaches from Genesis 11 and 1 Peter 1.Â
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11:1-9 and 1 Peter 1:3-15
Our actions are of far greater consequence than we credit them for. How can we be certain that anything that we do is harmless? What does a life look like lived for the good of others rather than a life lived by this motto?Â
Guest preacher Stephen McAlpine preaches on the third sweet little lie of the series, 'It's not hurting anyone'.Â
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20Â
YOLO (you only live once) and FOMO (fear of missing out) are alive and well in our culture. YOLO is a view of the good life that says that life is all about maximising fulfilment today. FOMO is the result of when you can't. But is this the best way to live?Â
Jon Tran unpacks how the Gospel helps us to understand, challenge and subvert this cultural narrative.Â
SCRIPTURE: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
'Be true to yourself' and 'follow your heart' is the cry of our culture. But is this the way to the best life?Â
Pete Greenwood opens our new series on 'Sweet Littles Lies' by unpacking how the gospel helps us to understand, challenge and subvert the dominant cultural narratives around us.Â
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 17:5-10, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
We spend a lot of our energy chasing it, but contentment can be elusive. But Paul in says that he's found the secret to contentment - God.Â
Pete Greenwood preaches on how God can be our source of contentment and how this contentment works itself out in our day to day lives.
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 30:7-9, Philippians 4:10-23
God's story helps us to make sense and find a large story for our own.
Rachel interviews Campbell as he shares his story of journeying with ME/CFS. God meets us in our fallenness, walks with us through our brokenness. He loves us, gives hope, and a place to belong in Jesus.
Pete, Catherine and special guest David Williams talk about how we can see the redemption Jesus brings through a pleasure & pain paradigm. Â
Death and resurrection aren't just a part of the Christian story, but the shape for the Christian life. As in the waters of baptism we die to sin. We also experience his resurrecting power in our everyday lives as we wait for the culmination of all God's promises when Christ returns.
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:15-4:3
"You are enough" - this is the mantra of our age. But scripture tells us a very different message: only Jesus is enough. Pete Greenwood preaches on how Jesus' finished work alone is enough to give us life, meaning and hope for the future. Everything less than Jesus' work will fall short.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 3:6-13, Philippians 3:1-14
Guest speaker Bishop Genieve Blackwell unpacks how to work out our faith in response to God's grace in Christ.
Everyone wants to be unified, but that is easier said than done. To a church struggling to be united, Paul lays out what creates disunity - selfish ambition and vain conceit - and what it takes to become unified - adopting the same attitude of humility that Christ Jesus had.
Preacher: Kirsten Wade
Guest speaker Brad Watson (wearesoma.com) helps us see how living a life worthy of the Gospel isn't about working harder to be better, but trusting completely in Jesus who has made us worthy, so that we can joyfully work, and even suffer, for Him.
What is the greatest boast of our lives? Jon Tran preaches from Philippians 1:12-26 showing how confidence in Jesus produces rejoicing in Jesus and culminates in boasting in Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:12-26
Pete Greenwood preaches on how grounding ourselves in God's story brings us joy as we reflect on the past, have confidence in the present and anticipation for the future.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 28:6-9, Philippians 1:1-11
Pete Greenwood finishes off our 'Commitments' series by explaining that our mission is to bear witness to God's mission to us, that we fulfil this mission by making disciples, and that the power to be on mission comes from knowing Jesus' authority and faithful presence with us.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:1-9
Pete Greenwood helps us consider our commitment to prayer as a church. While we could all spend more time praying, Pete's emphasis is on improving the depth of our prayers, in line with what Paul prays for the church in Ephesians 3. For power to be strengthened inwardly, and to grasp the immensity of God's love in Christ.
Jon Tran preaches on IWC's fifth commitment: We are committed to being generous.
Generosity is something we all like to receive but can often find it difficult to practice. From Luke 7 we see that selfishness and shame are both barriers to our generosity. But God's gift of forgiveness in Jesus sets us free to be truly generous.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:36-50
Pete Greenwood preaching on Inner West Church's fourth commitment - family. The Gospel means that we have become sons and daughters of God, a part of the same spiritual family. What does it look like for us to live together as God's family? How can we continue to grow and thrive as God's family?
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:3-6; 2:19-22; 4:29-5:2
What does it mean to follow Jesus? How does discipleship to Jesus impact all of our lives? How can we walk the way of Jesus with commitment?
Pete Greenwood preaches on the third of Inner West Church's commitments: following Jesus in every sphere of life.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:24-27, Romans 12:1-2
How do we change? Pete Greenwood preaches on how the Gospel is the power that renews individuals and communities.
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Titus 2:11-14
Pete Greenwood kicks off the series 'Commitments' with the first of Inner West Church's commitments - a commitment to the Bible.
From Psalm 119 and 2 Timothy 3, Pete preaches on how the Bible is God's true word, how the Bible is authoritative, and how the Bible forms us as God's people.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:1-8, 169-176; 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Jon Tran preaches on the need for disciples of Jesus need to see him for who he is, to be taught by him, and to give him as the message of their lives.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:13-35
Pete Greenwood preaches on the resurrection of Jesus and how it not only reveals that Jesus is deserving of our worship, but transforms our hearts and gives us power to do so with great joy.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:1-10, Acts 2:22-36
Pete Greenwood finishes our series 'Kingdom Come' by preaching from the Matthew 22 and the parable of the wedding banquet. God has invited us into his kingdom, will we be a people who go out and do the same?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:1-14, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Jon Tran preaches from Jesus' parables of the treasure and the pearl. God and his kingdom are the most precious treasure in this life, but do we live as if this is true?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:19-21, 13:44-46
Pete Greenwood preaches from the parable of the yeast. We are either working in the yeast of the Kingdom or the yeast of the self into our lives. Jesus' parables challenges us to ask the question of which yeast is at work.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:33,16:1-12
Pete Greenwood preaches from Jesus' parable on how the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. From this parable Jesus answers the questions of how the Kingdom begins, how it grows and what it is for.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:31-32, Ezekiel 17:22-24
Jon Tran preaches on the parable of the weeds. Through examining the Sower, the Enemy and the harvest, we hear Jesus' call to hear his words, understand them and to live them out.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:24-30,36-43
Pete Greenwood opens up our new series 'Kingdom Come: Parables of the Kingdom'. Preaching from the parable of the sower (Matt. 13) Pete unpacks the questions of what the Kingdom is, what Kingdom work looks like, and how we can bear Kingdom fruit.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:17-23, 13:1-9 and 13:18-23
Jon Tran preaches from Psalm 134 about the God who not only deserves to be blessed, but who Himself bends down to bless.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 134, Mark 13:32-42
Pete Greenwood preaches from Psalm 126 on how joy remembered and joy anticipated serve as bookends to our joy in the present.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 126
Guest preacher Martin Rogers (GraceWest Bible Church) unpacks one of the shortest psalms and explores how to bring calm and quiet to your spirit.
Campbell Brice preaches from Psalm 127, reminding us that God is the builder his house, that he guards his city, and that he makes for himself a family through Jesus Christ.
Guest preacher Julie-Anne Laird explores Psalm 120 for resources on how to handle 'low level anxiety' as Christians in a world that increasingly marginalises faith.
Psalm 122 urges pilgrims on the journey to pray for and seek peace and security for Jerusalem. Christians ought to have the posture towards the church - globally and locally - praying and working for her unity, security and maturity.
Jon Tran begins 2022 with a reflection on the spiritual power of 'lifting our eyes' to God as we approach another year of challenges.
Christmas stories always follow the same plot - something extraordinary, a miracle, breaks into the lives of ordinary people. It turns out all these stories are pale imitations of the Christmas story itself, the true story of hope that something far greater than ourselves can come close enough to save us in spite of ourselves.
Josh Allen from Laneway Church closes our series in Jeremiah by preaching on the unshakable hope that is found only in Jesus.
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:12-26, 1 Peter 2:9-10
Jon Tran explores the nature of redemption in the strange tale of the prophet Jeremiah's real estate portfolio.
The God of the Bible is the God who redeems. Jon Tran preaches on our need for both redemption, and a Redeemer. God's redemption frees us from the consequences of our sinful idolatry and into the hope of the total redemption of all things in the future.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 32:1-15, 1 Peter 1:18-21
Pete Greenwood preaches on God's purposes in giving his people new hearts, a new covenant, and the promise of a new city.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31:27-40, Hebrews 9:11-15
Pete Greenwood preaches on how lament and hope help us to deal with the brokenness within and around us.
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31:15-26, John 13:1-11
Rhys Bezzant preaches on hope in exile from Jeremiah 30-31, exploring the way in which a hope grounded in God's story not only changes our future destination, but also who we fundamentally are in the present.
Scripture: Jeremiah 30:1-11, Acts 3:16-23
Jon Tran continues our series 'Hope in Exile' by uncovering the various ways in which we deal with exile. Self-trust and mistaken religion won't get us home. Only a hope in a God who is both sovereign and faithful is strong enough to carry us through exile and into home.
PASSAGES: Jeremiah 24:1-10, 29:15-32
What does it mean to live as spiritual exiles waiting for a heavenly home? Jeremiah's answer: "Seek the peace and prosperity of the city." Pete Greenwood unpacks what that means for us here in this place and at this time.
Campbell Brice helps us consider how to be effective and wise stewards of one of our most valuable resources - our time.
Pete Greenwood preaches on the influence wealth, money and possessions have and how we can be free to be content and generous through the gospel of Jesus.
PASSAGES: Mark 12:41-44, 1 Timothy4:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:6-10
What are my talents and passions? What should I do with them? What obstructs them? What will free me to use them for the good of others? Pete Greenwood continues our series on Good Stewards as we continue to consider what it looks like to live as stewards of all that God has made.
PASSAGES: Exodus 35:30 - 36:1, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Jon Tran opens up our series on Good Stewards by unpacking the source, the perspective and the freedom of stewardship from Genesis 1 & 2.
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:26 - 2:17
To finish our series on Jonah, Pete Greenwood considers the vast differences between Jonah's attitude towards the Ninevites and God's. Jonah is filled with anger and bitterness towards Nineveh and God, while God is relentless in moving towards Nineveh and Jonah with abundant mercy and compassion. We learn that unless we realise just how merciful God is to us, we won't ever learn to be merciful to others.
Pete Greenwood preaches from Jonah 3 on what it takes to see true revival take place individually, corporately and societally.
Passages: Jonah 3 and Acts 2:36-41
Jordan Lemley preaches on how the grace of God meets, renews and transforms us, even in our darkest moments.
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 1:17-2:10, 1 John 1:5-10
Jonah is a complex, beautiful book, designed to expose the depths of human fallibility and the heights of God's mercy. God's Mission to redeem and restore the world is in full view, as he mercifully works on mission through flawed people.
In this sermon, Pete Greenwood looks at the three decision points that Jonah faces in chapter 1. He largely fails, but God is still merciful, and we are pointed forward to Jesus, our perfect hero who succeeds at every challenge and empowers us to be used by God, despite our flaws and failures.
Jon Tran preaches from James 5:13-20 on how the Cross of Jesus doesn't only help us to speak honestly about our sickness and sin, but how it also gives us hope that God is the God who is making all things whole again.
Passages: Isaiah 53:4-5 and James 5:13-20
How can we live through uncertainty, hardship and suffering? Campbell Brice preaches from James 5:7-12, encouraging us to persevere in hope because God has not left us alone in our hardship but has come to be with us in Jesus.
We all like to believe things that we know aren't really true. One of most tightly held illusions is that we have the ability to control the future. James helps us see past these illusions to the truth - that we can't control our lives and protect us from all harm, but there is someone who can.
Pete Greenwood was the guest preacher at Rock City Church Melbourne on Sunday August 8 2021. He preached on 'The Spirit of Peace' from John 14:15-31. Having the Holy Spirit means peace with God, peace in yourself and peace in the world.
https://rockcitychurch.melbourne/
Only once does James use the word 'grace' in his letter. So when he does, we better pay attention! Grace for James ushers into the Christian heart a sense of humble awareness of the kind of life we ought to live.
Pete Greenwood helps us consider the two kinds of wisdom - worldly and heavenly - and why the former enslaves and the latter enriches.
In today's sermon from Jon Tran, we are remind of James' famous warning that the tongue can be a powerful and deadly weapon. Christians must clean up their speech, but that means first cleaning up our hearts, because we speak what our hearts are full of. Only God can do this, but what does it take?
Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are empty. But a living faith that flows out into all sorts of good works - that is a wonderful and precious thing! How do we get there? Pete Greenwood takes us through the nuanced wisdom of James to help us catch a vision for having a true faith that truly works.
Our human tendency is to favour those who will benefit us, while discriminating against those who do not. How can we identify, and reverse, this ugly trait? Jon Tran shows us the fierce wisdom of James, which challenges us to show mercy, while also revealing how the Gospel makes that possible.
Pete Greenwood preaches on the place of listening, doing and beholding, which work to bring about Christian maturity as we are led to behold and become more like Jesus.
Jon Tran unpacks the nature of desire - what it is, how sin corrupts and disorders it, and what it means to resist the temptation to desire some things more than God.
What does it mean to 'consider it joy' in the middle of trial? How is that the key to Christian maturity? Pete Greenwood unpacks all this and more as we begin our new series in the book of James.
Campbell Brice finishes the series with perhaps one of the rarest virtues of our age - the fruit of self-control. How can we learn to practice moderation over our impulses?
Pete Greenwood considers the fruit of gentleness which springs out of an inner attitude of humility and self-forgetfulness. Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4; 1 Corinthians 4:6-13
Does our culture have a faithfulness deficit? Is it a fantasy to expect that people are true to their word and say sorry when they let others down? Pete Greenwood considers all this and more as we look at the fruit of faithfulness from the story of David and Jonathan.
Readings: 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:12-23; 2 Timothy 2:8-13
Campbell Brice explores the rather abstract-sounding idea of 'goodness'. What does it mean to be good and to bring good into the world? Passages: Genesis 1:31-2:1; 3:1-8; Luke 6:43-47
Guest preacher Ven. Canon Heather Patacca gives us an inside look into what biblical kindness is, its grounding in Christ, and what it looks like in everyday life.
Passages: Ephesians 2:1-10 and Luke 6:32-36
Jerry Bridges describes impatience as a 'respectable sin' - a sin that is commonplace and yet largely undealt with by most Christians. Pete Greenwood helps us understand why impatience is inexcusable, while patience is essential and beautiful. Passages: Proverbs 19:11; Ephesians 4:1-16
Pete Greenwood talks about the often misunderstood concept of biblical peace. It is far deeper and richer than simply the absence of concept, but something that includes the whole of life being put to rights.
Passages: Numbers 6:22-27 ; John 14:25-27; 16:33
Guest preacher Ps Nathan Oliver (The Church Next Door) helps us understand what joy is, how you can get it and how you can maintain it.
Jon Tran preaches on how the Spirit shows us that God is Love, how the Spirit makes us into a people of love, and how the Spirit energises our love.
PASSAGES: Philippians 2:5-11 and Galatians 5:1-6, 5:13-26
Pete Greenwood introduces a new series on the fruit of the Spirit. We explore the question, "How can we change?", before seeing the way the Spirit brings about true change and the fruit this change bears in the life of the Christian.
Pete Greenwood explores what it takes to be a faithful witness - someone who stands up for their convictions about Jesus and justice.
As Jesus faces his accusers in a sham court, Jon Tran looks at how we ourselves put Jesus on trial, how he judges us and what kind of judge he is.
Jon Tran looks at the moment of Jesus' betrayal and arrest to help us consider how we might overcome moments of pressure, and resist the temptation towards self-deception, self-preservation and self-worship.
Suffering is a reality for all human beings, and one that remains a deep and disturbing puzzle. But Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane unlocks for us the secret to not only facing up to suffering, but enduring it. Pete Greenwood helps us consider this important truth.
Jesus' final meal inaugurates a regular opportunity for Christians to except God's invitation to bring their fear and pride to His table, and find transformation in the grace of Christ.
Note: Due to Pete Greenwood coming down suddenly sick, Jon Tran takes over the sermon at 10:30.
Jon Tran preaches a sermon written by Pete Greenwood to begin a new Lent series looking at Jesus' darkest hours before being crucified at the cross. Through being anointed with a costly perfume at the hands of a mysterious woman, we see how Jesus' sacrificial death is the sweetest of all fragrances.
Passages: Hosea 14:1-16; Mark 14:1-11
Jon Tran finishes our series with an in-depth look at the transformative practice of the Sabbath. A regular rhythm of rest helps us treat God as God, and brings us into a relationship of deeper trust and dependence on Jesus.
Jon Tran continues our mini series on prayer by giving practical wisdom on how to establish a consistent and fulfilling prayer life. Passages: Psalm 55, Matthew 6:5-13
Jon Tran helps understand how prayer is essential to developing deep spiritual roots. Passages: Hosea 11:1-4 and Luke 11:1-13
Pete Greenwood begins part 1 of two weeks on Scripture Meditation as a spiritual practice. He looks at the Bible as God's truth, God's Story and the revelation of God's Son, and how we can become re-enchanted with the beauty and power of Scripture. Passages: Deuteronomy 4:5-10 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17.
Pete Greenwood introduces a new series living a life of deep spirituality by considering what it takes for someone to be spiritually formed: understanding your influences, reordering your loves and establishing good habits. Passage: Colossians 3:1-4
Pete Greenwood explores the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman in John 4. Their conversation helps us analyse the problem of spiritual thirst in our society, and gives us guidance towards gaining a deep and sustained spirituality.
Jon Tran dives into how our attitude towards money and the things money can buy impacts our ability to be generous.
The Melbourne lockdowns, and the pandemic more generally, has exposed a number of deep spiritual problems in our society. Jon Tran tackles the first of three in this series - busyness. Our hectic lives leave us exasperated, anxious and with little margin for important things. What solution does the Bible offer to ridiculously busy people?
Rev. Dr. Peter Adam finishes our series by exploring the topic of old age. How can we grow old with grace and use our final years in God's service? Listen in to find out.
Passages: Psalm 16; Luke 10:38-42
Drawing on his own personal experience living with significant health problems, as well as his many years of knowing and working with those with disabilities, Campbell Brice takes us through what the Bible says about an undeniably real aspect of being human - disability.
Passages: Isaiah 53:1-61; Corinthians 12:12-27
Stephen Tan explores how the Biblical story helps us understand race and ultimately how the Gospel is designed to build the church into a transcultural community.
Guest preacher Amy Brown (Kids and Youth Minister, St. Jude's Carlton) speaks on how children are made in God's image, precious to Him and essential members of His church.
Passages: Psalm 139:13-16; Mark 10:13-16
The beginning of a new series on what it means to be created as humans in the Image of God. Pete Greenwood takes on a journey through different views on the meaning of the Image, before showing how through sin it has been disfigured, and finally how it is being restored in the Perfect Image - Jesus Christ.
Passages: Genesis 1:26-31; Colossians 1:15-20; 2 Corinthians 3:18
Guest preacher Chris Swann brings us to the stunning conclusion of Revelation - the vision of heaven coming down to earth as Jesus brings about the healing of creation. Chris helps us understand how to live in confident hope in light of this glorious future.
Jesus wins. That's the final verdict of Revelation. He wins over sin, evil, Satan and even death itself. He will win on the day he comes again to judge the world. But what does that mean for our lives today? Join Pete Greenwood as he explores this special topic.
Campbell Brice explores how Christians can live in culture without becoming enslaved by the beastly powers of greed, excess and consumerism.
Revelation 15-16 contain some disturbing images of judgement, reminiscent of the famous 10 Plagues of Egypt. But their deepest meaning helps us understand God's commitment to dealing with the world's problem with injustice, by punishing, warning and offering mercy.
The Dragon and Beasts from Revelation 12-14, including the infamous Mark of the Beast, are among the most confusing images in the whole book. The Beasts are the influence that the Dragon, Satan, hold over the world, using corrupt power to seduce and enslave. Pete Greenwood teaches us what it takes to be free of these beastly powers, and come into the life of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
To give your allegiance to Jesus is to invite an uncomfortable life. Jon Tran teaches us how Revelation 7 & 11 provides some tender promises about how to endure suffering for the sake of Christ.
Chris Porter explains the enigmatic seals and trumpets of Revelation 6 and 8, and shows how they reveal how God gives us confidence to face chaotic moments in history.
Just as the earth revolves around the Sun, so all of reality revolves around the Throne of God. John's vision of this heavenly place gives us an insight into why Jesus is worthy of being the centre of our lives, and what difference that makes.
A church that does not have a healthy inner life cannot hope to withstand great external threats of living in a chaotic, fallen world. Pete Greenwood considers Jesus' warnings and encouragements to the seven churches of Revelation 2-3.
Pete Greenwood begins a new series on the weird and wonderful book of Revelation. He introduces us to John's vision, explains what an 'apocalypse' really is, and shows us how Christ gives us the power not to fear the tides of history.
Pete Greenwood brings the series on Acts to an end considering how Paul urges us to 'finish well' the endurance race we call life.
Jon Tran investigates how the Gospel of Jesus can help us navigate murky cultural waters.
How can a community develop enough grace to allow differences without fractures? Campbell Brice explores Acts 15 for the answer.
Is it possible for a community to gain and maintain racial unity? It seems like a long shot in our world of increasing racial division. But Acts 10 tells a different story. Pete Greenwood takes us through how the Gospel can bring harmony and overcome barriers.
Pete Greenwood introduces the most famous conversion to Christianity of all time - the experience of Saul/Paul on the Damascus Road. Here we discover three elements of a true conversion - an encounter with Jesus, an exposing of darkness, and an embrace of mercy and grace.
Jon Tran shows us the kind of deep community that is generated by a group of people who are empowered to live out the Gospel in everyday life.
Pete Greenwood begins a new series on the book of Acts by calling the church to the type of prayer that God uses to bring revival to a city.
Campbell Brice preaches on the difficult privilege of prayer, and how we can come face to face with God.
Jon Tran preaches on the insidious nature of idolatry, and how only the Gospel has the power to bring true transformation.
Pete Greenwood asks the question "How would our lives change if God really lived among us?"
Guest preacher Andrew Judd from Ridley College explores the famous, and also rather enigmatic, Ten Commandments from Exodus 20.
Pete Greenwood explores how you can find true meaning and purpose for your life. The secret is found in this remarkable encounter with God on Mount Sinai.
In Exodus 18 we find the great leader Moses burning out from the weight of personally caring for hundreds of thousands of people. A visit from his father-in-law changes his attitude from self-reliance, to understanding the gift and grace of community. Preacher: Jon Tran
Pete Greenwood begins a new series continuing the story of Exodus (see sermons from 2019 for sermons on chapters 1-15). Today's passage gives us insight into why and how God provides for us even in times of greatest need. He provides for us daily, deeply and eternally.
Pete Greenwood preaches on how the death of Christ brings goodness into the midst of crisis, particularly in this COVID-19 world.
Pete Greenwood concludes the series on the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus' teaching that there are two ways to be religious. Empty religion is the religion of trying to make yourself acceptable to God through external morality. True religion is coming to God empty handed, and asking him to change you from the inside out.
Pete Greenwood continues our series on the Sermon on the Mount with the second enemy of flourishing, an attitude of harsh, condemning criticism of others.
Ps. Pete Greenwood speaks from 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 as part of our first ever live-streamed service. In times of crisis God's people have access to deep resources of comfort. We explored where to find comfort, how to nurture it and how to share it.
If you or anyone you know needs help at this time, please get in contact with us at info@innerwestchurch.com.au.
Campbell Brice preaches a timely sermon on how Jesus gives us resources to deal with one of the greatest enemies to our flourishing - anxiety - even in the midst of a global pandemic.
Chris Porter continues in the Sermon on the Mount looking at the ways that we can use religious 'masks' to cover up internal sinfulness.
Jon Tran shows us Jesus' teaching that there are three virtues that Christians who pursue wholeness need to lean into - truthfulness, mercy and love.
It's impossible to flourish in life without healthy relationships. Pete Greenwood begins unpacks Jesus' controversial teaching on anger and lust, showing how they destroy relationships and cut us off from flourishing.
Jesus introduces his listeners to the secret to experiencing true flourishing. But first, he challenges two classic attitudes that simply don't work - lawlessness and legalism.
Listen to Pete Greenwood as he preaches on Matthew 5:17-20. 9 February 2020
Pete Greenwood begins a new series on the Sermon on the Mount on the first day of Inner West Church's new season as an independent church and their fifth birthday celebration. Readings: Isaiah 51:1-3 & Matthew 5:1-16
Chris Porter on Psalm 128 as part of our Summer Psalms series. Psalm 128 and Hebrews 12:18-24 19 Jan 2020
Pete Greenwood on Immortality from Ecclesiastes 12 as part of our Chasing after the Wind series from Ecclesiastes Sunday 15th of December 2019
Pete Greenwood on Pleasure as part of our Chasing after the Wind series in Ecclesiastes
Joel Snibson preaches on the goodness and challenge of human relationships from Ecclesiastes 4.
Pete Greenwood preaches on Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 on the futility of trying to control your life. November 17, 2019
Note: recording begins 1 minute into sermon.
Chris Porter on the place of Wisdom from Ecclesiastes from Eccl 1:12-18, 2:12-16; John 1:1-18 10th of November 2019
Chris Porter finishing our short series on Gospel Rhythms, looking at Celebrate, Eat and Sabbath. Nehemiah 8:1-12 and John 6:44-54
Chris Porter introducing our series on Gospel Rhythms as a means of discipleship, and covering the first of the rhythms: Bless. 29th September 2019
Joel Snibson on the coming kingdom from Luke 13:18-35 to close out our series On the Road with Jesus 22nd September 2019
Campbell Brice on the healing of a woman on the sabbath from Luke 13:10-17, in our series On the Road with Jesus 15th September 2019
Wayne Chan preaching on Public Christianity from Luke 12:1-12 as part of our series On the Road with Jesus 1st September 2019
Campbell Brice on Luke 11:33-54 as part of our series on being On the Road with Jesus. 25th August 2019
Pete Greenwood on Luke 11:14-28 as part of our On the Road with Jesus series from Luke 18 August 2019
Pete Greenwood on Jesus' disciples request to teach them to pray, as part of our journey on the road with Jesus from Luke 11:1-13 11 August 2019
Pete Greenwood on being good stewards of our time, talents and treasures from Matthew 25.
Pete Greenwood finishes the series with Romans 8:31-39 on the glorious assurance of the Gospel.
Chris Porter on the horror of sin in Romans 7:7-25 as part of our Glorious Assurance series 16 June 2019
Pete Greenwood on the liberation that comes from the Gospel from Romans 6:15-23 19 May 2019
Campbell Brice on being United with Christ from Romans 6:1-14 as part of our Glorious Assurance series from Romans 5-8 12th of May 2019
Joel Snibson on how grace and life reigns, from Romans 5:12-21 as part of our Romans 5-8 series on the Glorious Assurance of the Gospel. Sunday 5th of May 2019
Guest preacher Brian Rosner on Romans 5:1-11 as we start on our series looking at the next four chapters of Romans. 28th of April 2019
Pete Greenwood on 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 in our Easter Sunday service. 21st of April 2019
Pete Greenwood preaching on Mark 10:13-27 as part of a baptism service. Sunday 14th of April 2019
Pete Greenwood on Exodus 11:1-12:36 in our Deliverance series on the book of Exodus. 31st of March 2019
Chris Porter on Exodus 7:8-10:29 in part of our Deliverance series in the book of Exodus. 24th of March 2019
Pete Greenwood on the Freedom from Fear that is comes from God's mighty hand; in our Deliverance series from Exodus Exodus 5:22-7:7 17th March 2019
Pete Greenwood preaching from Exodus 4:18-5:23 in our series on Deliverance from the book of Exodus 12th March 2019
Chris Porter on the fears of Moses in Exodus 3, as part of our Deliverance series in Exodus. This was recorded at our annual retreat and some silences have been removed; background noise is part of the track. Exodus 3:1-4:17 3rd of March 2019
Pete Greenwood starting our sermon series on Deliverance in Exodus (Some brief audio missing from beginning) Exodus 1-2 24th of February 2019
Join us as Pete Greenwood expands on the command to love one another in our two week series on This Kind of Church. John 15:5-17 Sunday 3rd February 2019
Sam Williams on David waiting for the Lord from Psalm 27 in our Songs of Summer series. 20th of January 2019
Pete Greenwood on the Thrill of Hope from O Holy Night, in our Great Expectations Advent series. Luke 2:25-35 23rd of December 2018
Chris Porter kicking the year off on resolutions from Psalm 131 in our Songs of Summer series. 6th January 2019
Pete Greenwood on what we are asking for when we sing 'Love's Pure Light' in Silent Night. Part of our Great Expectations advent series. Sunday 16th of December 2018
What are we really asking for when we sing about Peace on Earth? A look at Hark the Herald Angels Sing with Chris Porter Sunday 9th of December 2018
Pete Greenwood on the first of our Advent series looking at the meaning behind common Christmas carols. What do we really expect when we ask for Joy to the World? Psalm 98 Sunday 2nd December 2018
David Williams on Genesis 42-50, as part of our series on Broken Family, Unbroken Promises 25th November 2018
Chris Porter on Jacob and Esau in our Genesis series. (Gen 25 & 27) Sunday 28th October 2018
Sam Williams on Genesis 21 and 22, and the Abraham and Isaac narrative. Sunday 21st of October 2018
Chris Porter preaching from Pete Greenwood's sermon, on Genesis 15 & 17 Sunday 7th of October 2018
Chris Porter on how the Psalms of Ascent can teach us to pray. Psalm 121, 130, 122. 23 September 2018
Sermon audio cut off at start.
John Forsyth speaking on Family Violence, as part of our Just Life ethics series. Mark 10:32-45 and Ephesians 5:25-33 9th September 2018
Topical sermon from Chris Mulherin on Climate Change as part of the Just Life ethics series. Bible readings are interspersed through the sermon, and ends with a Q&A. 26th of August 2018
John Forsyth (Vicar of St. Jude's Church) preaches on Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 and Matthew 5:1-12.
Tim Curtis starting off our series on ethical living: A Just Life, considering the topic of marriage. Sunday 5th of August 2018
Pete Greenwood in the first of our ongoing prayer series: Teach Us To Pray. Sunday 29th of July 2018
Pete Greenwood on a theology of Work for our Everyday Rhythms series. Including reflections from Campbell Brice and Gillian Porter. Sunday 22nd July 2018
Alex Zunica on what it means to Eat like Jesus in our Everyday Rhythms series. Sunday 15th of July 2018
Guest preacher Todd Engstrom from Austin Stone, Austin TX on Hebrews 11 and the Role of Faith 6th May 2018
Pete Greenwood on John 13:31-35 in our 2 part Everyday Rhythms series 8th of April 2018
Chris Porter on Deuteronomy 6:4-12 for our 2 part Everyday Rhythms series 15th of April 2018
Guest speaker Matt Pingatore from Seed Gospel Communities (facebook.com/seedgospelcommunities) preaches on Colossians 4:2-6.
Jamie Bester preaches on Acts 20:32-35 & 2 Corinthians 8:1-9.
Apologies for the sound quality! Our normal recording tech had a hiccup.
Pete Greenwood preaches on Psalm 133 & 1 Corinthians 12. Q&A follows the sermon at 33:00.
Rev. Dr. Rhys Bezzant guest preaches on Matthew 3:7-17 & Romans 6:1-10. Q&A starts at 33:14. 1. Is there a difference between faith and baptism as the means by which we are united to Christ? (33:14) 2. Understanding the 'objective' nature of baptism. (36:10) 3. How do you put into practice Paul's instructions in Romans 6:11 to 'consider yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ'? (38:08) 4. How does faith work for infants? (40:14) 5. How do we maintain unity around baptism when different people see it as symbolising different things? (43:30) 6. What does Peter mean when he refers to baptism as 'by which we are saved' in 1 Peter 3? (44:45)
Pete Greenwood preaches on "What is the Church?" from Genesis 12:1-3 & 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.
Pete Greenwood finishes our series on the book of Daniel with a sermon on chapters 10-12.
Pete Greenwood preaches on the Gospel identity of 'Servant' from Philippians 2:1-11 and Matthew 25:31-46.
Pete Greenwood preaches on Philemon from the perspective of the Apostle Paul.
Note: Part of the audio was not recorded, so it was re-recorded later and edited in. As a result the quality will change towards the end of the track.
SOMA Two Nights was a two-session event designed to introduce the concept of structuring churches around 'missional communities'. Duke Revard from SOMA North America is the presenter.
More information and resources can be accessed at wearesoma.com and saturatetheworld.com.
SOMA Two Nights was a two-session event designed to introduce the concept of structuring churches around 'missional communities'. Duke Revard from SOMA North America is the presenter.
More information and resources can be accessed at wearesoma.com and saturatetheworld.com.
Guest speaker Dr. Wesley Hill preaches on Christian community from 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.
Pete Greenwood begins a new series on John 13-17, called "Mission After Me". This first sermon is on John 13:1-17.