St John's Diamond Creek Talks: Recent Episodes
St John's Diamond Creek
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Read more about, or support the work of Glen Fairweather and the rest of Prison Fellowship at https://prisonfellowship.org.au
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Long-time St John's mission partner David Blackman has lived and served in Alice Springs for over 30 years, translating the Bible into native Aboriginal Languages, such as the Alyawarr speakers of Central Australia.
He joins us this week to catch us up with the Spirit-driven work he has achieved, and brings us both the successes and hardships he has faced while on mission.
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This week, two of St John's CMS partners, Chris and Julie Dean have joined us after returning from their mission in Timor-Leste, spreading the good news of God's love and salvation, and training local Christan leaders within communities in the country.
If you would like to support the work of Christ and Julie and see the work of CMS, please go to https://cms.org.au/missionaries/deancj/
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Water is the lifeblood of all life on earth, and God's love for us quenches our spiritual thirst.
This week, Tim introduces our new series, 'Living Water'. The series focuses on water themes throughout the Bible and how they can grow our faith and relationships with God.
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Despite our best wishes, not every year is a 10 out of 10 year. We often stumble into a new year after months of hardship or suffering. However, Jesus came to save the broken and the weary. So if you feel like you're not "thriving" this new year, Joel's talk this week will be just what you need to feel ready for this year.
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Kick off the new year by Listening to our first sermon series of 2025, and learn how to bring your faith and relationship with God into the new year too.
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Our story of Daniel continues, as the king of Babalon, Nebuchadnezzar, calls on him to interpret a dream no one else can. At this time, God reveals himself to Daniel to give him the meaning of the Nebuchadnezzar's dream, an act only God could achieve.
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Often the world we live in can feel alien to live in with Christian faith. Society usually contradicts what we believe, and frequently tries to mould us into something that does not align with how God wishes us to live our lives.
This week we start a new series looking at the book of Daniel, where Daniel and his friends are taken from their home and forced to live as Christians in an environment that is hostile towards their faith.
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Jesus tells a story of workers hired throughout the day to work in a vineyard. However, when the day is over, they are all paid the same amount for different amounts of work. This week, Tim unpacks this parable and shows us how God's ultimate and unending grace is shown through this story.
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As followers of Christ, we are not exempt from the hardships life brings us. However, through God, we can find help and strength through prayer to a loving God who watches over us.
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At Church, we often sing songs with lyrics of praise. "Praise the LORD, oh my soul". Praise is at the core of worshipping our God through prayer.
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God is our song, beginning to end. He is our chorus, our verse, and our bridge, and through Him, and He alone we can find strength.
This week, we will also hear from our Mission partners, Sam and Bec Gorfine, and the Mission they will be going on in the Northern Territory.
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Here at St John's, we support many Mission partners because we strongly believe in spreading God's word to the wider world.
This week, Max Sahl from Wycliffe Australia will show us the work they have been doing to bring God's word to the world through Bible translations.
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Spreading the good news of God is an important factor behind everything here at St John's, which is why we support the incredible work of organisations within the wider world that support this goal. This week, Tim will bring us a teaching focusing on the work of our Mission partners at Langham Partnership Australia and their work in Papua New Guinea.
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Do you trust money, people, or yourself? In this week's instalment of our Psalms series, Tim shares three important statements about placing your trust in God and God alone.
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This week we start a new sermon series focusing on praying the book of Psalms. Joel will be kicking off this series by starting from the beginning with the first Psalm.
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Jesus answers, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" to a rich man asking how to enter heaven. Join us as Delle teaches how Jesus tells us to live to enter God's Kingdom.
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Jesus invites everyone, including children, to follow him. How can a young person's faith influence your own?
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How do we present ourselves as Christians? Should we boast of our faith, or does God call us to stand humbly before him?
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As children of Christ, we believe Jesus died and rose from death, but how does this give us 'true hope'?
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We know about Saint John, Saint Paul, even Mother Teresa and Mary McKillop, but what about Saint Gary, or Saint Pam?
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We’ve spent the last few weeks thinking on statements about God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Today we turn to the Church – what is it we believe about the Church?
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Filled with the Holy Spirit, we’re empowered for mission – to know Jesus and make Jesus known. The Spirit gives us gifts to carry out this mission, and fruits within us to bear witness to the world. For more on the Holy Spirit, including the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, we’ve had a couple of series’ over the years. The 2019 series includes a couple of bonus episodes in addition to talks, including a Q&A.
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2019: https://stjohnsdc.org.au/talk-series/the-holy-spirit/
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2022: https://stjohnsdc.org.au/talk-series/holy-spirit/
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Today, we’re looking at the line of the Apostles' Creed: I believe that Jesus ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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We’ve covered the first few lines of the Apostles’ Creed already – that God the father is almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully Human. Today, we’re looking at the practicality of what Jesus did in his time on earth.
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There’s no mucking about today; it’s a big topic: How can Jesus be fully God and fully Human- and why does it matter?
We’re spending this term looking through the Apostles' Creed, line by line, in a series we’re calling “I Believe” – a line repeated throughout the Creed.
Today “I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary”
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How would you summarise the beliefs Christians hold? Since the second century, the best summary has been found in the Apostles’ Creed – a punchy statement of faith containing the foundational beliefs Christians across the world agree on.
We’re spending this term looking through the Creed, line by line, in a series we’re calling “I Believe” – a line repeated throughout the Apostles’ Creed.
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Casper, Slimer, Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense- ghosts appear throughout pop culture and we generally accept some rules around ghosts. They can be seen and heard, but usually can’t interact with physical objects, and definitely can’t eat or drink.
The idea of Ghosts goes back a long way into human history though, and in today’s passage we see the risen Jesus working to convince his disciples that he isn’t a ghost, but a fully resurrected body.
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Diving into a superhero movie these days can feel disorientating. You might not have read issue 486 of The Amazing Spiderman from 1982, and so are missing some important context for the new movie! Fortunately, your nerdy friend can explain things to you as you go – filling in details and throwbacks that were, at the time, foreshadowing things that are happening now.
Our passage today isn’t exactly like that, but what we do see is the risen Jesus joining dots from right throughout the Old Testament, pointing all the way through generations upon generations to what is happening right there in the 1st century- Jesus’ resurrection and the victory over death that’s just been won.
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A new day has dawned, where Jesus has conquered sin and death. Together with Christians all over the world, today we proclaim: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Who is Jesus? https://stjohnsdc.org.au/who-is-jesus/
Connect with us: https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
Next Steps
➜ Our recommended free Bible App. Includes audio and text versions of the bible in many different translations and languages. https://www.bible.com/app
➜ Read Luke's biography of Jesus for free on Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1&version=NIV
➜ Share your contact details with us so you can stay connected with our church. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
Where do we put our trust, and how do we justify ourselves? Are your actions accounting for your ‘goodness’? You’re probably a good person! That’s all it takes, right?
We’re wrapping up our look through the start of Romans today, and Joel explores the gift of righteousness Jesus offers.
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So far in our series through Romans, Paul has painted a bleak picture. But today, we come to two of the most hope-filled words in the whole bible.
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How do you identify? Anglican? Christian? No religion? And does it matter?
So far in our look at the book of Romans, we’ve seen how we all need the good news of Jesus, and that Jesus is also our ultimate judge. Today, Tim’s looking at whether or not our ‘religion’ and religious practices make a difference, or not.
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God is an inescapable judge, a righteous judge, and a fair judge.
We’re continuing our series on the Power of the Gospel, with our Life Groups Minister Delle Matthews opening up Romans chapter 2.
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Today we’re continuing our look through the book of Romans, a first-century letter to the church there, written by Paul. In this talk, Maddy takes a deep dive into why we desperately need the Gospel.
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Today we’re continuing our look through the book of Romans, a first-century letter to the church there, written by Paul. In this talk, Joel explores three ways Paul is in a posture for sharing the gospel or good news about Jesus: that he’s not ashamed, he's obligated, and he's so eager.
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In just the first 7 verses of Romans, we learn 4 things about the Good News of Jesus.
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If you'd like prayer updates from the Snibsons, you can sign up at CMS https://buff.ly/3ubLayr
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Who needs a doctor? The sick, or the healthy?
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Jesus' first priority in his ministry was spiritual healing, not physical.
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Jesus is powerful enough to cleanse us. Jesus is willing enough to step down into our mess. Jesus is loving enough to invite us into his big family.
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Have you ever thought – what I’ve done is too bad. Unforgivable. Irredeemable? Well simply put. You’d be wrong. With Christmas just around the corner, here’s your reminder that Jesus is our one true hope, and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
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It can be hard to see from our 2000 year of removal from the birth of Jesus, but his coming was the start of a revolution. Like all good revolutions, this one had an anthem in song: Mary's song, that we find in Luke.
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Today marks the start of Advent, a season of quiet anticipation for Christmas. Maybe not so quiet these days, as seasonal creep brings Christmas carols earlier and earlier, and pre-Christmas catchups mount. But as a church, we’re trying to make space for meditation as we think on four songs found throughout the bible, each reflecting on the character of God, and heralding Jesus’ arrival at Christmas.
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As we wait for Christmas, to celebrate the birth of our saviour, carols will be a big part of that. Singing to remind ourselves, and to bring praise to God for who his is and what he’s done. We’re starting a new series today looking at song from the bible, songs of salvation. Our song today is Miriam's Song, found in Exodus 15.
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What stories do we tell ourselves? Maybe stories of success, accomplishment, achievement. Maybe stories of failure, and an attitude of “I’m not good enough”.
We’re coming to the end of our series on identity, called You Do You, and well today be exploring how the stories we live in shape our identity.
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A Wright Brother; Australia's 3rd Prime Minister; St John's Diamond Creek. All celebrate 156 years in 2023. This Sunday is our Thanksgiving Service, where we thank God for the year that's been.
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We’re halfway through our You Do You series- exploring this idea of ‘expressive individualism’, and where we find our identity. Modern western culture says to find your true self, you just need to look inward. But as we’ve seen, looking inwards isn’t the answer.
Today, Tim continues the series and suggests to truly know ourselves we need to look UP, not just IN. To know ourselves is to know that we are made by and for God.
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There’s a saying, that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. The idea being that we are shaped by those we interact with the most. Today we’re exploring the idea that ‘You Do You’ doesn’t work, as we’re made as people who need community.
We’re continuing our series You Do You? Looking through Brian Rosner’s book on what’s called expressive individualism, with Joel today showing the communal aspect of our identity.
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Building projects abound in Melbourne - from road works, to level crossing removals, to new housing, they're everywhere. Too, vineyards and wineries are abundant on our doorstep, into the Yarra Valley.
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What’s more important, saying you’ll do something, or actually doing it? Today we’re hearing another story from Jesus, about the kingdom of heaven.
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When we focus on our own work and good deeds, we can fall into the trap of comparison. Instead, let’s focus on God’s scandalous grace, bringing joy and celebration when we see others also receiving that grace!
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Ten years is an incredible milestone, and one we celebrate today. Tim’s bringing a look at part of Paul’s letter in the new testament to the church in Corinth – from 1 Corinthians chapter 1, on just why Tim loves this church.
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For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been thinking about holding on, and standing firm in our faith. Today, Tim wraps up our series in 2 Thessalonians with the end of Paul’s letter, encouraging the church in Thessaloniki to stand firm in prayer and work.
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What do you hold onto in times of struggle?
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Throughout this series, we’ll continue to see how the Thessalonians are enduring persecution and threatened by wrong teaching. Paul’s letter encourages them to stand firm in their faith and to keep going with Jesus.
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When will it end? When we’re in the midst of suffering, it seems to go on forever. But today, we’ll see the end of Job’s suffering, as we also come to the end of the book of Job, and the end of this series on the problem of suffering.
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When you get to heaven, what’s the first question you’ll ask God?
In today’s talk, we’re looking at Job’s questioning of God. Why has God allowed suffering to run rife in Job’s life, and more broadly, why is there suffering in the world at all?
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Jesus shouted “MY GOD MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME!?” as he hung on the cross. But are we, as God’s created beings, allowed to talk to God in that way? Are we allowed to shout at God, get angry at God, lament with God?
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What do you say to someone who is suffering? It’s a privilege, but a hard situation to be in – to care for someone in their time of need. As we continue our series in the book of Job, exploring the problem of suffering, we’re about to meet Job’s friends, who are ready and keen to support their friend in his time of need.
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You don't have to look far to see suffering in our world. But how could an all-loving and all-powerful God allow suffering to continue?
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Zacchaeus was restored, and his life flipped upside down as he responded to Jesus’ grace and mercy on him. We too are called to live changed lives of repentance, thankful to God for all he has done for us.
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With all the safety nets around us - Centrelink, the NDIS, Superannuation - it can be all too easy to slip into a pattern of self-reliance, instead of trusting in Jesus.
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At St John’s we’re passionate partners in God’s worldwide mission, and so we give, pray, and equip people for mission work locally and around the world. Today, we’re joined by Adrian Lane, from Bush Church Aid, one of our mission partner organisations. Adrian is going to give us an update on the work of BCA, then share what it is to forgive, looking at Luke 23.
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At St John’s we’re passionate partners in God’s worldwide mission, and so we give, pray, and equip people for mission work locally and around the world.
Today, we’re joined by Jo Knight, who’s the CEO of Anglican Overseas Aid, one of our mission partner organisations. Jo will share some insights into the work of Anglican Overseas Aid, and how we here in Diamond Creek can get involved in God’s worldwide mission.
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Have you ever tried to tie your shoe with one hand tied behind your back? Or if you’ve ever broken your arm, or leg, you know how frustrating it can be to suddenly have restrictions on what you can do.
For our Mission Partners at Scripture Union, and the chaplains they support, this is exactly what their mission is like. Being invited into secular environments, unable to directly talk about Jesus, but still bringing the hope and peace that he offers.
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When our plans don’t work out, and we’re faced with setbacks, it can be hard to see the path Jesus is leading us on. We’ll all ask “why God?” when we’re struck by storms, but with the help of the Spirit, we can stand firm in our faith and trust the Jesus has won the ultimate victory for us.
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God’s gift of the Holy Spirit reconciles us to him, bringing us into relationship with our creator. Empowering us for his mission, carrying us through the quagmires and bogs of life.
The Holy Spirit also works through us for the ministry of reconciliation with each other, breaking down barriers of culture and race, and uniting us as one heavenly family.
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We all face storms in our lives; seasons of uncertainty and trial. Today, we’ll look for answers to big questions we ask in these storms – Why is God letting this happen? What Good could come from this? And Where is God in all of this?
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Is it crazy to believe in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Are the claims of Christianity too far flung to be reasonable, justifiable, and above all, true? That’s the question Paul was asked in his ongoing legal drama that we’re following through in Acts, and one Tim will explore with us today.
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Josh Bartlett from Wycliffe Australia joins us, exploring 3 pillars for engaging well with God's Word.
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Even in the midst of challenges and opposition, God’s calling us to lean into his plan for us, to take action and responsibility for God’s plans to happen.
Paul, who was Saul before he encountered the risen Jesus, was a busy man. He’s responsible for writing half of the booms found in the new testament of our bibles. The book of Acts follows his journey most closely, and today we’re picking up our long running series “The Church on Mission”, which we started back in 2018!
It’s a tough time for Paul, facing criminal charges in a Roman court. Reading through this courtroom drama, we’ll pick up some tips from Paul on responding to critics, while still being faithful to Jesus.
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Who first told you about Jesus? Maybe your parents, or a trusted friend. Maybe this podcast right now is the beginning of your experience with Jesus – welcome if that’s you. If you do want to explore questions of faith, life and meaning, register for our Alpha course, starting in May at the website too.
For the people of Iran, they might never have someone explain who Jesus is to them- that he is the Son of God, saviour of the world, reigning forever with God the Father. Today we’re joined by Meysam, a pastor at the Persian Resurrection Church, who meet here at St John’s on Saturday nights.
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A new day has dawned, where Jesus has conquered sin and death. Together with Christians all over the world, today we proclaim: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Who is Jesus? https://stjohnsdc.org.au/who-is-jesus/
Connect with us: https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
Next Steps
➜ Our recommended free Bible App. Includes audio and text versions of the bible in many different translations and languages. https://www.bible.com/app
➜ Read Luke's biography of Jesus for free on Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1&version=NLT
➜ Sign up for ALPHA - a place to ask questions about Faith, Life, and Meaning. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/alpha
➜ Share your contact details with us so you can stay connected with our church. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
Who is worthy of worship? In Revelation 5, we get the answer: The Lion of Judah. Except, this lion is actually a Lamb?
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What do we worship? We were wired for worship, and what we worship matters.
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The Church in Laodicea suffered from lukewarmitis. Neither hot, nor cold, they had no zeal or passion for God. How do we listen to God, and answer him when he knocks?
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Starting out a new year is a great time to find new rhythms - God-created ways to help us flourish.
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Starting out a new year is a great time to find new rhythms - God-created ways to help us flourish.
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Starting out a new year is a great time to find new rhythms - God-created ways to help us flourish.
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Starting out a new year is a great time to find new rhythms - God-created ways to help us flourish.
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God's audacious plan was to send his Son to Earth to live amongst humanity.
So who did God choose to use, and to tell about this infinite infant? Not who you'd expect the ruler of all creation to pick.
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What's better: a short-term fix, or a long-term solution? The ancient Israelites made sacrifice after sacrifice, but this was just a bandaid solution. The real, long-term solution is what they were waiting for.
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Who is Jesus? A good teacher? A prophet with wise things to say?
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.
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It's been 155 years since our foundation stone was laid, and St John's continues to proclaim Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins.
What good news that is!
After 10 years at St John's, the Mackenzie family are heading off to Plentylife where Kirk will become their Senior Minister.
In his final talk at St John's, Kirk gets to pick his own topic, and heads out swinging reminding us of GRACE - the unearned, undeserved, loving gift of God.
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At St John’s, we are passionate partners in God’s global and local mission. We believe that God loves the whole world and so we pray, give money, and equip people for mission work locally, around Australia and throughout the world. Today, we're joined by Andy Corley, who's the International Director of Prison Fellowship and he will be speaking about the ministry of Prison Fellowship.
Find out more about Prison Fellowship at https://prisonfellowship.org.au
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We've all got stories about a bad boss. In this series, we look at Flawed Leadership in Israel's history.
It’s coming to the end of the year, so you, like me, might be about to undertake a performance review at work. You’ll sit down with your boss, and line by line go over your job description and goals you might’ve set earlier in the year. For me, this is a great chance to take stock, and reflect on how far we’ve come as a church, and thank God for his provision.
For King Saul, we’ll take a look at his job description, which was very clearly written out in the Old Testament; exactly what God expected of his Kings, and compare it to his actual performance. Tim’s finishing off our series on Flawed Leadership – so you might be able to guess how Saul’s performance review went.
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We've all got stories about a bad boss. In this series, we look at Flawed Leadership in Israel's history. When we try to carry it all on our own, we inevitably fall. When Israel's first king eventually lent in to relying on God though, we saw great change.
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We've all got stories about a bad boss. In this series, we look at Flawed Leadership in Israel's history.
What do we do when we hear God's call? Lean in and trust, or ignore it and carry on our own ways?
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We've all got stories about a bad boss. In this series, we look at Flawed Leadership in Israel's history. What we want and ask for isn't always in our best interest. God's got a plan, and as hard as it can be, we need to trust Jesus' way.
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Jesus loved to talk in parables - using fictional stories to demonstrate real truths. Delle wraps up this series with an uncomfortable topic - God's judgement.
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Jesus loved to talk in parables - using fictional stories to demonstrate real truths. In this talk, Joel examines what gets our priorities in life.
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Jesus loved to talk in parables - using fictional stories to demonstrate real truths. These parables aren't always the easiest to understand, so Andi brings us two tips on reading and interpreting parables.
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Jesus loved to talk in parabales. Using fictional stories to demonstrate real truths. This series will explore a few of these parables, with Kirk starting with the parable of the weeds.
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In today’s talk, we’re wrapping up our God in the Everyday series, and through it, we’ll be exploring what actually takes up the vast majority of our every-day – the mundane ebb and flow of our lives. Where is God when we’re on autopilot? By the end of this service, I hope you’ll be equipped to think about your routine activities, and how you might leverage your routines to help you to show more thankfulness, to ground your days in Jesus, and to ultimately love God more.
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Going through our daily lives, as we work, study, rest, as we disagree and face conflicts, as we go through hard times, as we interact with our natural world – God is with us in all these situations.
Tim continues our series by asking what God says about His creation, and how we should care for it.
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Going through our daily lives, as we work, study, rest, as we disagree and face conflicts, as we go through hard times, as we interact with our natural world – God is with us in all these situations. Kirk continues our “God in the Everyday” series.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Going through our daily lives, as we work, study, rest, as we disagree and face conflicts, as we go through hard times, as we interact with our natural world – God is with us in all these situations. We're continuing our “God in the Everyday” series.
The creation story reveals God as someone who creates and puts energy and time into his creation. Work isn't just paid - it's any purposeful activity involving mental, emotional or physical energy. Whether it's paid work or not is beside the point. God is our ultimate boss, and we can use the jobs that we do – paid and unpaid – to be generous towards others, redeeming work through good use of power. Work is important and good- but also broken and corrupted.
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Going through our daily lives, as we work, study, rest, as we disagree and face conflicts, as we go through hard times, as we interact with our natural world – God is with us in all these situations. Today we begin a new series – “God in the everyday”. We’ll be spending the next five weeks exploring how God is present in our lives through every season, and how following Jesus isn’t isolated to being at church on Sundays. How we live and look at our world needs to be done through the lens of Jesus’s life, death and resurrection.
Today Joel begins our series looking at how God is with us through the hardest of times- and why God even lets suffering in our world continue.
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As Christians, we believe that God designed us to live a certain way – primarily living to love God, and love other people. Believe it or not though, we don’t always do that very well. The core message of Christianity though, is that God – through the life death and resurrection of Jesus – has forgiven us. So as forgiven people, we should be extending that gift of forgiveness.
Today, Kirk continues our series on Jesus and Relationships, and the extraordinary forgiveness that we’ve received, as well as the extraordinary call to extend that grace to others.
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You know in soppy rom-coms, and so-bad-they’re-good dramas, when the two main characters have an argument based on a misunderstanding? Like, the boyfriend sees his girlfriend hugging another guy, and gets really jealous and upset, only to find out much later that it was her brother? Maybe, like me, you yell at your TV at that point – JUST TALK TO THEM! So much drama and conflict, just because you couldn’t tell them that you’re upset, or because you’ve misinterpreted something.
Well Jesus’ teaching in this passage from Matthew 18 is a good lesson not just for writers of dodgy movies, but for all of us when we deal with conflict and sin.
Tim will unpack the passage for us, as we read from Matthew, chapter 18.
Today we start a new series of talks, with our Associate Minister Joel kicking us off. We’ll be spending the next four weeks thinking about Jesus and Relationships. Joel today starts by asking the question “what is greatness”? In our bible reading that Karen is about to bring us, we see Jesus flip expectations of the answer to this question, throwing out what we might traditionally consider to be great.
If you responded as Joel prayed for the first time, that is amazing news. God’s word says that there is a massive celebration in heaven when that happens. Please tell someone that you’ve made that decision to trust Jesus with your stumbling blocks. Email me at andy@stjohnsdc.org.au, or reach out through our website. Myself or the other members of our staff team would love to help you take these next steps.
What’s the end of the Christian story? That’s what Wei Han is taking a look at today, as we see in the visions of the book of Revelation.
The great Australian dream is so different to the image we see in Revelation. The Christian Dream makes a huge difference in how we live our lives, living in the hope of Jesus Christ, and waiting the day when we sing those two songs of salvation and worship.
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Neville Naden from Bush Church Aid brings today's message.
There’s no reconciliation without unity. Secular reconciliation requires one person doing something for someone, and that person returning the favour. Biblical reconciliation though says that God has done everything required for reconciliation. We have relationship with God, meaning we are in relationship with each other as the body of Christ.
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God's plan for reconciliation begins with the unifying work of the Holy Spirit. In this series, we'll look at how the Holy Spirit transformed the early church.
How did the early Church open themselves up to the work of the Spirit? Kirk brings us the conclusion of our Holy Spirit series.
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God's plan for reconciliation begins with the unifying work of the Holy Spirit. In this series, we'll look at how the Holy Spirit transformed the early church.
Tim brings 5 ways the Spirit-filled church can be radically living.
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God's plan for reconciliation begins with the unifying work of the Holy Spirit. In this series, we'll look at how the Holy Spirit transformed the early church.
Delle continues our series, looking at the foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit - ancient prophets who told of his coming.
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God's plan for reconciliation begins with the unifying work of the Holy Spirit. In this new series, we'll look at how the Holy Spirit transformed the early church. Joel begins this series, looking at the bringing together of God's scattered people at Pentecost.
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This talk was given on Reconciliation Sunday, during Reconciliation Week 2022. Reconciliation is all about restoring broken relationships, and Reconciliation Week seeks to highlight the broken relationships in Australia’s shared history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
We are Ambassadors of Reconciliation. As followers of Jesus, we are called to reconciliation. We have been reconciled with God through Jesus, and are compelled to take steps to reconcile broken relationships, both as individuals and as a society. We are one humanity, and one family. You’ll find the full copy of our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://stjohnsdc.org.au/k3hv
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Are you waiting for something exciting? As followers of Jesus, we all are - his second coming. So far, Christians have been waiting 2,000 years, and there are certainly those who scoff at the idea of Jesus coming back. This isn't new though; as Peter writes in this passage, there were already scoffers scoffing just a few years after Jesus' death and resurrection!
Have your bible ready at 2 Peter chapter 3 as Kirk brings us the conclusion of our Alway Remember series.
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Jesus brings radical, life-changing good news. It's important, and core to the Christian faith. This good news is so important that altering it will erode away at the truth, and cause calamity. Tim unpacks a complex passage and reminds us to hold on to the truth of Jesus.
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REMEMBER REMEMBER REMEMBER!!
When there's something important on, you'll probably send someone multiple reminders to make sure they don't forget. Peter, in this section of 2 Peter, does the same thing, and Andi Fidock unpacks it for us.
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Peter's letter encourages us to remember important things about God, and his call in our lives. Joel launches our series remembering that God has called us to live Godly lives.
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After a decade on mission in the NT, our Mission Partners Kate and Tavis are wrapping up. In this special visit, they share some stories from their time in the territory, and look to the steadfast hope we have in Jesus.
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Humans believed that the Sun revolved around the Earth for thousands of years. Seeing things from only our own fixed perspective led us to assume that we were at the centre of everything. Copernicus, when he put forward the theory that the Earth revolved around the Sun - a huge change in focus, and one that wasn't widely accepted for another century.
Easter Sunday presents another paradigm shift, one where God himself came to Earth and served as sacrifice for the entire world.
This Easter, Tim presents challenges with the facts, the alternatives and the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
Next Steps
➜ Our recommended free Bible App. Includes audio and text version of the bible in many different translations and languages. https://www.bible.com/app ➜ Read Luke's biography of Jesus for free on Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1&version=NLT ➜ Sign up for ALPHA - a place to ask questions about Faith, Life, and Meaning. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/alpha ➜ Share your contact details with us so you can stay connected with our church. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
There's been a huge amount of upheaval in the last two years, through the pandemic, but at the end of the day, the human heart hasn't changed much since Jesus' death and resurrection 2000 years ago.
We all present ourselves to others as slightly better than what we actually are. We try and smooth out the internal wrinkles that we all have.
God though, knows us intimately. He knows and sees all our wrinkles, our imperfections. But God still seeks us out, knows us, and loves us.
There's no point hiding from God, or pretending to have it all together when we talk to God. So while we might present ourselves in a way that hides some of those stuff ups to others, we can be completely open and honest with God.
Next Steps
➜ Our recommended free Bible App. Includes audio and text version of the bible in many different translations and languages. https://www.bible.com/app ➜ Read Luke's biography of Jesus for free on Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+1&version=NLT ➜ Sign up for ALPHA - a place to ask questions about Faith, Life, and Meaning. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/alpha ➜ Share your contact details with us so you can stay connected with our church. https://stjohnsdc.org.au/connect/
The big reveal!
Okay, if you've been following the series it probably isn't a shock: Jesus is the Good Shepherd promised throughout the Bible.
What makes him so good though?
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The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 has echoes of the Good Shepherd theme right through it. Tim explores how the disciples missed these references, and how Jesus is the one promised to lead the flock.
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After hearing the theme song of the Good Shepherd over the last few weeks, today we get the big reveal as Jesus himself steps onto the stage and takes up the role of the Good Shepherd God promised to send.
But what kind of shepherd would leave 99 sheep to go and find one lost sheep?
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Ezekiel 34 shows another example of human shepherds turning bad. But in this passage, we see God (who promises to send a Good Shepherd we know to be Jesus) also turn his attention to the flock, and those sheep who use and abuse other sheep.
Tim gives two resources in this episode:
- Good On You: https://goodonyou.app.link/download
- Baptist World Aid Ethical Guide https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/ethical-fashion-guide/
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You don't have to look far to find leaders who are failing those they lead. From those on the global stage, to the local church, leaders often don't meet our expectations for good leadership.
While God is the Good Shepherd, he places human shepherds in his stead to lead his people. Unfortunately, though, Bad Shepherds rise and fail us.
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The Lord of the Rings has Concerning Hobbits, Star Wars has The Imperial March, Les Miserables has Who Am I? Theme songs represent characters and pop up when they come into focus. Through the Bible, there's a theme song that pops up - "The Good Shepherd". Originating in Psalm 23, this series follows The Good Shepherd theme right through the bible, culminating in the person of Jesus.
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What do you give up to follow Jesus? A career? Your friends? Your FAMILY? Kirk takes a look at this confronting passage, and explores the privilege it is to be on mission with Jesus. Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Tim continues our series, Sent Out By Jesus, thinking about what kind of recruitment ad Jesus might've commissioned when looking for his disciples and followers.
The role of being on mission for Jesus is likely to be dangerous, hazardous, and not well rewarded in this lifetime. So why would we sign up for that?
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In Joel Snibson's first talk at St John's, he looks at our calling as followers of Jesus to be people of peace.
Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to heal and drive out evil spirits. Did these disciples feel ready and prepared to be sent? Simon the Zealot- an anarchist, and Matthew the Tax Collector- a public servant! An unlikely couple of people, and not exactly a dream team. But Jesus sends the unlikely - he sends us.
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Tim Johnson encourages us to re-focus our hearts on mission, however that might look for you. Whether you're on an overseas mission trip or going to work or school, it's such an important way we can show the love of Jesus to people who don't yet know Him.
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As we kick off 2022 at our Launch service, Kirk reminds us of the messiness of being a part of God's Mission.
In fiction, we can categorise characters into Goodies and Baddies, but real life is much harder. Is Solomon a Goodie or a Baddie?
Tim Johnson wraps up our series looking at the life of Solomon.
Solomon's story starts off pretty well, but halfway through chapter 10, the author of 1 Kings starts subtly digging at Solomon's actions and decisions - listing the things he's done that contradict God's instructions for kings.
Solomon was a great king of Israel; but what happened to his building project?
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Kirk kicks off our Summer Stories series with an intro to the second King of Israel - Solomon.
God's story is woven through time, spanning generations and generations, culminating in the birth of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit and a human mother - Mary. Mary and her cousin Elizabeth were entrusted with key parts of God's plan of redemption, and they fell to their knees in worship of God, trusting him because of the way he had worked in the lives of their people for so long. We as followers of Jesus are part of God's story too - will you trust him in the same way Mary did?
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With nearly two years of cancelled plans under our belts, you'd be forgiven for suffering from 'hope fatigue'. Why bother getting excited about plans to come, when they'll probably get cancelled anyway?
The angel speaking to Mary offers her something exciting and thrilling; a miracle baby who will grow up to be the saviour of the world. This message sparks a thrill of hope for Mary, and for us all.
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When you're tired, you're not at your best. You might be more irritable, or forgetful, or just plain cranky. The pandemic has left us all feeling weary, but there's still hope in the grace of Jesus.
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This week we're joined by Nils von Kalm from our Mission Partner Anglican Overseas Aid, looking at Mark 5:25-34.
We've been proudly supporting AOA for nearly 30 years, partnering with them to give people across the world an abundant life to the fullest.
On our 154th Anniversary, we give thanks to God for the life and ministry of St John's. But what would have happened if 154 years ago, the founders of St John's said "Lock it in!" and kept everything exactly the same? Or if, when laying the foundation stone, they said "Great! Job done." and didn't complete the building?
A relationship with Jesus requires coming back to him, building on the foundation of faith, and deeply rooting yourself in him.
Give thanks in all you do:
Wake up in the morning - give thanks to God for your comfy bed.
Eat your breakfast - give thanks to God for yummy food.
Go to work or school - give thanks to God for work and education.
Being grateful is good for us; it increases the quality of your sleep, reduces stress, and decreases the likelihood of suicide.
Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians that we should be grateful for Jesus in all we do:
Wake up in the morning - give thanks to God for Jesus.
Eat your breakfast - give thanks to God for Jesus.
Go to work or school - give thanks to God for Jesus.
Even through some of the longest times in lockdown in the world, we've got a lot to be thankful for - and psychologists have found those who count their blessings are more likely to have a generally positive attitude in life.
Paul, writing the letter to the Colossians, was locked down too - in jail. Delle kicks off our Thank FULL series exploring how Paul was able to find things to be thankful to God for in the midst of his imprisonment.
We're all hungry for something. Hungry for community and connection, hungry to see each other again, hungry to get back to school and hungry to return to the familiarity of routine. But what does it mean to have enough with all this hunger?
Bishop Kate Prowd joins us and looks at the line from the Lord's Prayer "Give us today our daily bread".
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In times of distress, it's important for God's people to talk to each other and to God, and remember that God knows the troubles in our lives. Brian Rosner from Ridley College brings us a timely reminder that God hears and listens when we call out to him in times of trouble.
Find out more about Ridley College at https://ridley.edu.au
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Bible Breakfast is BACK to breakfast time! Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. We'll start at 8am and finish by 8:30am. Pop us on while you're having breakfast and getting ready for the day.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 7:11-17.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get it touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Bush Church Aid support churches across Australia in remote and regional areas, and we're proud to call them our Mission Partner. Adrian Lane visits us and takes a look at what Jesus has to say about his return.
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Bible Breakfast is BACK to breakfast time! Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. We'll start at 8am and finish by 8:30am. Pop us on while you're having breakfast and getting ready for the day.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 7:1-10.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get it touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Imagine attending a prayer meeting and ragging on someone else at that meeting - during your prayers. That's exactly what one of the esteemed Jewish leaders did in this passage. Meanwhile, that other person prayed a simple prayer - just seven words long - which Jesus highlights as the example to follow.
Kirk concludes our Teach Us To Pray series looking at humility in prayer.
Bible Breakfast is BACK to breakfast time! Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. We'll start at 8am and finish by 8:30am. Pop us on while you're having breakfast and getting ready for the day.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 6:43-49.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get it touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com
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We're continuing our series on prayer with Tim looking at persistent prayer.
How do you go sticking at things for the long haul? Sticking at things for a long time, even when it's hard going. As lockdown rolls on and Melbourne became the most locked-down city in the world, we are persisting with that, keeping on going.
Persistence is hard going. How do you go persisting in prayer?
Bible Breakfast is BACK to breakfast time! Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. We'll start at 8am and finish by 8:30am. Pop us on while you're having breakfast and getting ready for the day.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 6:37-42.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get it touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
We're continuing our series on prayer with Kirk looking at bold prayer. God wants us to be in relationship with him, asking things of him, like a kid asking their dad for an egg, or a neighbour asking a friend for a favour in the middle of the night.
Bible Breakfast is BACK for 2021 - just, at lunchtime now. Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. Pop us on while you're having lunch and reset for the afternoon.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 6:27-36.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get in touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com Connect with us at
➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
In 2020's lockdowns, 26% of Australians said they spent more time praying and on spiritual pursuits - and that they wanted to continue that beyond COVID.
For the next few weeks, we'll be sitting at the feet of Jesus, just as his disciples did, and asking "Lord, teach us to pray."
Tim begins our series on Prayer by looking at Jesus' prayer in Luke chapter 11 - the Lord's Prayer - and how simple it is.
Bible Breakfast is BACK for 2021 - just, at lunchtime now. Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. Pop us on while you're having lunch and reset for the afternoon.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 6:12-26.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get in touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com Connect with us at
➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
We're experiencing a lot of change at the moment, both at St John’s and in our wider society, so it's good to get back to the basics of what the church is.
In this series, we'll be looking at three fundamental truths of our identity as a church; this week, Kirk takes a look at being sent into the world by Jesus - the idea of MISSION.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Bible Breakfast is BACK for 2021 - just, at lunchtime now. Join Andy, Katherine, and Ella for a friendly bible discussion. Pop us on while you're having lunch and reset for the afternoon.
Today we'll be looking at Luke 6:1-11.
Each and every day, we get messages from every angle - commercials, politicians, social media... it can become overwhelming. Let’s focus our days on Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
Need a bible? Get in touch at https://stjohnsdc.org.au or read it online at https://bible.com Connect with us at
➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
We're experiencing a lot of change at the moment, both at St John’s and in our wider society, so it's good to get back to the basics of what the church is.
In this series, we'll be looking at three fundamental truths to what our identity as a church; with Tim exploring how we as the Church are the Body of Christ.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
We're experiencing a lot of change at the moment, both at St John’s and in our wider society, so it's good to get back to the basics of what the church is.
In this series, we'll be looking at three fundamental truths to what our identity as a church; with Delle bringing our first look at the Church being God's Temple.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Who's in control of your life? In Our Deepest Desires we're examining our desires for Power, Approval, Comfort and Control - and how to understand and approach them with a Godly heart.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
Isn't it nice to be comfortable?
In Our Deepest Desires we're examining our desires for Power, Approval, Comfort and Control - and how to understand and approach them with a Godly heart.
When looking beyond the surface of our actions, we find the deeper desires that influence how we behave.
In this series, we look closely at our innate deepest desires of Power, Approval, Comfort and Control - and how to understand and approach them with a Godly heart.
Scratch beneath the surface of our actions, and you quickly reveal the deeper desires that drive those actions.
This new series is all about delving into the heart of idolatry, and the variety of problems it presents to us in our life and faith. We'll look at four core idols - Power, Approval, Comfort and Control - and explore how idolatry is a challenge for all of us.
The final chapter of Paul's letter to the Galatians leaves us with an encouragement to support our brothers and sisters in Christ; carrying one another's burdens. As Paul has made clear throughout this letter, we're a family of believers, and mutual care should characterise our community.
Tim concludes our Freedom in Jesus series, with Galatians 6:1-18.
Do you ever feel like you aren't good enough? In this part of Paul's letter to the Galatians, he lists a whole range of things that are in opposition to living "in the Spirit", or living to get your own way; from sexual immorality, to witchcraft, envy and drunkenness. Just reading this passage at face value, you could come to the conclusion that if you can check off each one of these things as something you don't do (much), then you're good with God - or the inverse, if you have done these things, you're not good with God.
Andi Fidock takes a look at this list, and one that follows, with the lens of the grace of Jesus - that we don't need to do anything to be loved more by God, nor can we do anything to make God love us less.
Once Jesus came to earth and died on the cross, the Old Testament law of the Jewish people was fulfilled. It no longer held value, as everything needed for our salvation was done by Jesus. Paul continues his letter to the Galatian church by reiterating that the only thing that counts, the only thing with value is what Jesus has done - adding things to the gospel ruins it.
Delle Matthews continues our Freedom in Jesus series.
In this section of Paul's letter to the Galatians, he tries something we can't recommend; but comes to a conclusion we can all agree with.
Tim continues our Freedom in Jesus series, reminding us that we're all family in Jesus.
Have you ever been told that God has a "WONDERFUL" plan for your life? Is that the whole truth though? Kirk continues our Freedom in Jesus series, looking at Paul correcting some false teaching within the Galatian church.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
"Before and After" photos can reveal stunning changes. Before and after dieting and exercise; before and after renovations; before and after following Jesus! Paul, in Galatians, describes a before and after that the Jewish people went through - before Jesus, they were restricted by the Old Testament Law, but after, they were free in Jesus!
In Julie's final talk at St John's, she tackles one of the densest parts of the letter to the Galatians. The church in Galatia was looking back to the time before Jesus, at the law of Israel - something Jesus came to fulfil and free them from. Paul challenges the church, if you're going to look back, look all the way back to Abraham and God's promises to him before the law.
Those same promises are available to us, as our inheritance through Jesus.
Connect with us at ➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au ➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc ➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
You IDIOTS!
Paul starts this part of his letter to the Galatians calling them absolute idiots. Why such a strong telling off? Tim explores the right and wrong way to live the #blessed life.
A strongly worded passage, this part of Paul's letter to the Galatians refers to another leader in the early church - Peter (or Cephas, same person). Paul calls out Peter's actions, as he was withdrawing from eating and interacting with those who weren't Jewish - a hypocritical action for someone proclaiming the good news of Jesus for all.
Kirk continues our series Freedom in Jesus, reminding us that there are no "those people" in Christianity, but rather we are one in Christ.
One of Tim's dear friends adding water to wine. Another squirting tomato sauce on pizza.
When we make additions to things that are already great, we can ruin them.
Jesus' message of grace and forgiveness is already everything we need. Adding to it will ruin it.
Tim continues our Freedom in Galatians series looking at Galatians 1:11-2:10.
Following Jesus is all it takes to be a Christian, but the church in first-century Galatia (now Turkey) tried to add things on top of that. Paul's letter to the Galatians starts off really nice - "grace and peace be with you!", but quickly, his tone changes and he sets things straight with the church. Andi Fidock brings us the start of our series "Freedom in Jesus"
Connect with us at
➜ Website: https://stjohnsdc.org.au
➜ Facebook: https://facebook.com/stjohnsdc
➜ Instagram: https://instagram.com/stjohnsdc
At St John's, we're passionate partners in God's worldwide mission. We support organisations like Open House through prayerful and practical support, as well as financially. Paul Burgess, from Open House gives us an insight to Open House's 50-year history, and their mission to offer a place to belong, and long-term friendship and support to those who are disadvantaged or socially isolated.
Find out more about Open House at https://www.openhousecic.org.au/
At St John's, we're passionate partners in God's worldwide mission. We support organisations like Open House through prayerful and practical support, as well as financially. Paul Burgess, from Open House gives us an insight to Open House's 50-year history, and their mission to offer a place to belong, and long-term friendship and support to those who are disadvantaged or socially isolated.
Find out more about Open House at https://www.openhousecic.org.au/
During the school holidays, we spend time asking questions about stories about Jesus or that Jesus told.
This week, Kirk thinks about "Doubting Thomas" and his interaction with the risen Jesus.
During the school holidays, we spend time asking questions about stories about Jesus or that Jesus told.
Join Julie as she looks at Jesus appearing to the disciples just after Easter.
Easter Sunday - and Jesus' resurrection - elevates the Easter story from a nice tale of sacrifice, to a world-changing event with implications for everyone everywhere.
Jeremiah was given a harsh message from God - that he would uproot and tear down, overthrow, destroy and bring disaster. But in chapter 32, we see hope. A new agreement between God and his people, not written in stone like the Ten Commandments were, but written on people's hearts.
Tim concludes our Weeping Prophet series by exploring this new covenant which is made complete in Jesus, and offered freely to all.
This passage from the book of Jeremiah is basically a smackdown from God towards false prophets. Jeremiah, as a true prophet of God, received a message that was straight from God, for God's people. Kirk takes a look at how to spot a false prophet, and how we can test prophecies today.
When Julie first moved to Melbourne, she bought thermals and wore them 11 months of the year; growing up in the NT and Far North Queensland meant she took a few years to acclimatise. At first, it was a shock to the system, but she got used to it in the end. Juda, similarly, acclimatised to changes in their society - changes that led them away from God.
What's the worst job you've ever had? Jeremiah had a rough time, being called as a prophet of God as a teenager, he had some hard truths for God's people. God gave him words to "uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" - most of those actions are pretty negative!
Tim Johnson begins our series "The Weeping Prophet".
Psalm 97 has a lot to say about joy. But what is joy? How is it different to pleasure? Kirk wraps up our series Songs of Joy, looking at the differences between joy and pleasure.
Praising God is something that can feel easy when everything is going our way - but what happens when life throws challenges in our path? Julie gives us four reasons to praise God in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
We had to learn heaps in 2020. From coughing into your elbow to scanning QR codes, there was lots of change. As we get back to some level of normality and we get to do things again (outbreaks notwithstanding), there's a sense of joy.
This new series looks at three Psalms - songs from the Old Testament - featuring Joy.
Tim looks at worshipping God, through song - praising him, through bowing and submitting to God, and through sitting - listening to God.
2020 brought challenges and plenty of lessons. Will we learn from those lessons, or just snap back to our lives from 2019?
Julie leads us through a story about Jesus - a story of Jesus appearing to his followers after his death and resurrection and helping them find a haul of fish.
What stands out to you in this story from John 21?
What do you like about this story?
What does this story show us about Jesus?
What does this story show us about people?
On New Years Eve, Tim and his family where holidaying. Spending time at the beach, shopping and hanging out. Then they got a call that the border between NSW and Victoria was closing. They needed to travel hundreds of kilometres on a moments' notice. They then needed to spend nearly two weeks in quarantine.
Life throws curveballs in our direction all the time - even beyond living through a global pandemic.
How does Jesus suggest we live with challenges and disappointments? He certainly doesn't say that by following him life will be all rosey.
Spitting isn't great, socially. It's pretty gross, especially in a pandemic. But when Jesus spits in his hands and rubs it into a blind man's eyes, the blind man is healed - but only after a second attempt by Jesus. Initially, the man has blurry vision. What a weird story! Kirk explores how we also have a blurry view of Jesus.
Through 2020, we saw scenes that we may never have expected - supermarket shelves empty of food and toilet paper. In 2021, Tim encourages us to trust that Jesus will provide all our needs, just as he did for the 4000 people (and the 5000 in a previous chapter), with enough food for leftovers.
With a New Year upon us, you might've been asked: "Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?". Julie challenges us - if your resolution is something that could be achieved in your own strength and effort, think bigger! Rely on God for your New Year's Resolution, and trust in his strength to get it done!
The finale of our Faith in the Dark series looks at the high point of the book of Hebrews - a challenge to fix our eyes on Jesus. After spending 10 chapters pumping up Jesus ("How Good is Jesus??") the author now encourages us to focus on Jesus, and run the race set out before us. Kirk explores how following Jesus is more of a marathon than a sprint.
Today we're reading Luke 2:22-40 - and this will be our last Bible Breakfast of 2020! We hope you've enjoyed it as much as we have, and would love your thoughts as we assess it going into 2021. Email stream@stjohnsdc.org.au.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Kirk is back with Linda and Andy, chatting through Luke chapter 2, verses 22-40.
Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Di is back with Andy and Di, chatting through Luke chapter 2, verses 1-21.
We're doing a Christmas series for the next 2 weeks, then taking a break.
Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
Whether your faith is like a huge spotlight, or just a pocket torch, a little bit of light can illuminate dark places. Andi reminds us that faith, regardless of how small you might think yours is, can light up the way when we find ourselves in dark places of our lives - when we're frightened, unsure, or filled with doubt.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Ella is back with Andy, as well as first time guest, Katherine, chatting through Luke chapter 1, verses 26-38.
We're doing a Christmas series for the next 3 weeks, then taking a break.
Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
Following God through Dark Times, when we can't quite see the path in front of us can be immensely challenging. In this part of Hebrews, we see examples of Old Testament characters following God through their own dark times, without the knowledge of Jesus coming and what he would achieve.
Tim continues our Faith in the Dark advent series.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Linda is back with Andy, as well as first time guest, Di, chatting through Luke chapter 5, verses 33-39. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
How do you have faith in something you can't see? Kirk launches our Advent series Faith in the Dark, exploring faith and hope. Starting from Hebrews 11, we'll be thinking about having faith in darkness and putting our trust in Jesus this Christmas.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Linda joins Kirk and Andy to chat through Luke chapter 5, verses 27-39. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
For our thanksgiving service, Julie talks about how we can and should be grateful to god, and be thankful for all the good things that he has done. We should focus on the Lord, and by doing that we can improve our lives.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Kirk is back with Andy and Ella to chat through Luke chapter 5, verses 17-26. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
Tim finishes our Generous Giving thinking about the attitude and results of giving. Are you content in your giving, giving cheerfully and not under compulsion? Are you thinking deliberately about your generosity?
Giving deliberately and generously is good for your relationship with those you're being generous towards, good for their relationship with God, and good for your relationship with God - it's good to be generous!
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Kirk is back with Andy and Ella to chat through Luke chapter 5, verses 12-16. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
In this weeks sermon, the second in the Generous Giving series, Kirk talks about giving both generously and enthusiastically. Our western culture can often at times encourage us to spend money only on ourselves, and discourages us from donating to others who could use our money more than us.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Kirk is back with Andy and Ella to chat through Luke chapter 5, verses 1-11. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
In this new sermon series, Senior minister Tim Johnson talks about giving in the church, both in modern day and in the days of Paul. He talks about why we should give generously, and how it is useful.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In this week's Breakfast Bible discussion Ella is back with Andy to chat through Luke chapter 4, verses 31-44. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
In this weeks sermon, Julie talks about Leadership. Jesus used leadership all the time, he was constantly leading not only his disciples but complete strangers. Julie talks about how to be a leader like Jesus, how to follow his example, and how to be the best leader we can be.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
This week's Breakfast Bible discussion Robyn joins Kirk and Ella to chat through Luke chapter 4, verses 14-30. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
In this weeks sermon, Tim has a look at Luke Chapter 7:36-50, where Jesus is having a dinner party with some pharisee's until a woman comes in and washes Jesus's feet with her hair. Tim talks about how in Jesus, we are known, and that he loves us no matter what.
We get slammed with messages full of agendas from every angle these days, it can become overwhelming. Let’s start our day with Jesus so we can be well equipped to handle what comes our way.
In the first episode of our Breakfast Bible discussion, Kirk, Ella and Andy chat through Luke chapter 4, verses 1-13. Need a bible? Read online for free at bible.com or get in touch with us at stjohnsdc.org.au and we'll try and hook you up with one.
There's a lot going on in this passage (Luke chapter 7, 18 to 25). Andi takes us through each piece of the story, following John the Baptists disciples as they question whether Jesus is the one they'd been waiting for.
Jesus heals people, and tells the disciples to go back to John and report what they'd seen. We also see Jesus give a warning to the Jewish leaders - and to us - to be aware of the Kingdom of God, and to choose Jesus above all else.
A small story with a big impact - Kirk looks at the story of Jesus coming to a funeral procession. This funeral was especially tragic, as a young man had died, leaving his mother alone with no males to support her (which would have been a big deal in ancient Israel).
Do you believe in miracles? Have you seen any in your life? Ask God about it, but know that there's no magic formula for a miracle.
In this quick story, Jesus arrives at Capernaum, a small town with amazing faith. We meet a few characters: a sick servant, a Roman Centurian, the disciples of Jesus, and the Jewish Leaders.
How can we have a faith that surprises Jesus, like the Roman Centurian does? Trust Jesus and step towards him in faith, asking big things from him!
In this weeks sermon, Tim Johnson covers how we, as Christians, need to be skeptical of bad spirits, and compare their messages to both the holy spirit and the holy bible.
As a church we have a mission; know Jesus and make Jesus known, but who's responsible for achieving that mission? In this weeks sermon, Tim dives into John chapters 15 and 16, and has a look at how the Holy Spirit, AKA the Advocate, lives within all of us and helps us spread the word of the Lord and do his work.
Do you hate exams? Yeah, Kirk does too. They create unnecessary stress and pressure, and we generally just don't want them in our lives. You can feel like you push unhelpful information into your brain, while pushing actual helpful info out the other side!
When Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would "teach you all things", he didn't mean like cramming for an exam. The Holy Spirit teaches us things in unison with the things Jesus taught when he was on earth.
Kirk continues our Spirit of Truth series, exploring the idea of spiritual learning.
When our hearts are troubled, where can we go for comfort? In John 14, we see Jesus preparing his followers for a time when he will leave them, when they'll feel alone and abandoned, frightened and anxious. Jesus tells them "do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust God, trust also in me.". Through the following chapters, Jesus talks a lot about who he'll send next to look after his followers - the Holy Spirit, referred to in these passages as the Spirit of Truth.
The Holy Spirit is a person - not the force. Over the next few weeks, we'll get to know him more through this series.
Listen to the talk 'The God of all Comfort' from our series from 2 Corinthians here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bw0XbJa4_o
As we finish our Back to the New Future series, Julie looks back into history, at times when God's people faced hardship and pandemics. In Matthew 4:12-17, Jesus experienced some darkness - his friend and cousin John the baptist had been imprisoned, and would go on to be executed.
The darkness we experience allows the light and glory of God to be the most evident. A dark backdrop lets light shine the brightest.
Kirk looks to the book of Deuteronomy and Ancient Egypt, to see what we can learn from the Israelites and how it applies to our world today.
Tim Johnson starts our new series taking at look at Psalm 119:129-136. How will our world be different post COVID and what can we do as followers of Jesus in our new future.
Learn more about St John's at https://stjohnsdc.org.au
Josh Bartlett, from Wycliffe Bible Translators, shares from Acts chapter 4, verses 5-37. How did the followers of Jesus react and move on after Jesus left them? What can we learn from the beginnings of the church in the time of COVID?
Josh is one of our Mission Partners - you can find out more at https://stjohnsdc.org.au/mission
Learn more about St John's at https://stjohnsdc.org.au
REPENT. It's one of those words you hear most often from wacko Christians on busy corners in the city, yelling to "REPENT!". It's a word that can make you cringe. But at the heart of this word, is something beautiful.
Tim finishes our 2 Corinthians series, unpacking how God is ready and willing to forgive you, and encourages us all to "chuck a U-ie", and repent. Find out more about St John's at https://stjohnsdc.org.au
If you aren't a follower of Jesus right now, this reading might suggest you're "wicked", "in darkness", "unclean" and "contaminated". Rest assured - we don't think that! Find out what this part of the bible is talking about with Kirk.
If you've been investigating Jesus and Christianity but find the behaviour of Christians a stumbling block, look more closely at Jesus. The only criteria of being a Christian is to admit that we've stuffed up, and aren't perfect people. We are called to be like Jesus, but will always struggle to do so.
Paul, the writer of 2 Corinthians, seeks to not be a stumbling block for others. Through all kinds of struggles and hard times, Paul says to show ourselves as servants of God, showing our hope in Jesus by the love that we show in our lives.
This weeks service hit a couple of technical issues, so you'll notice the video stuttering. Sorry!
Paul writes to the church in Corinth to not take the grace of God for granted. He uses plain language, without flowery language or big words to show the gospel plainly: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus was blameless, but was given the blame for us. God wants to be friends with us, in constant relationship. All of us at some stage though, have turned our back on God.
Julie continues our God Through 2 Corinthians series.
Paul's letter to the church in Corinth describes human bodies as clay jars in chapter 4, and in chapter 5, as tents in which we are burdened and groan. The bible tells us that we will live in an eternal house in heaven - much better than a tent!
Trainee Youth Minister Andi continues our God Through 2 Corinthians series exploring what it means to be raised to a new body, and what we do while we wait in these temporary tents.
Treasure hidden in clay jars. We are the clay jar - a not very impressive exterior. Within us though, is a hidden treasure of great value. As we continue our 2 Corinthians series, Tim explores clay jars and the treasure within them.
We all have rules in our lives that dictate to a certain extent how we live our lives. Right now, in the lockdown, we have many extra rules going on as well. Some people are sticklers for rules - they love 'em, and will take them even further than originally intended. Others though, look for loopholes and ways to skirt the rules. In the Bible, we have two sections, the Old Testament, and New Testament - before Jesus came, and after. In Jesus, we have someone who is faithful to the promises of God in a way that humanity never could. Kirk continues our series God Through 2 Corinthians looking at 2 Corinthians 3:1-18.
What do you smell like? One of Julie's coworkers (who'll remain nameless) thinks that coriander smells like hate. And he's totally right. It's awful. So why does Paul, in his letter 2 Corinthians suggest that to some, the good news of Jesus smells like death? Julie continues our God Through 2 Corinthians series looking at 2 Corinthians 2:5-17.
Let your yeah nahs be yeah nah and your nah yeahs be nah yeah. Maybe it's a good thing Paul wasn't Australian. Tim continues our series through 2 Corinthians looking at how Jesus makes all the promises of God "Yes".
Where do you find comfort? Netflix? A doona? Food and drink?
God is described as the God of All Comfort, in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. Tim explores this idea of finding comfort in God, to begin our new series GOD: Through 2 Corinthians.
The smallest light can illuminate a whole room. With the darkness all around us, especially in the midst of COVID-19, it's important to remember the light of Jesus. His death and resurrection brings light into our world, and when the darkness seems its darkest, his light shines the brightest.
We're living in dark times. First responders, healthcare workers and others all face that darkness head-on, so others don't have to. In times like this, we need people willing to sacrifice their own comfort and safety to face the darkness on behalf of others.
The darkness in our world has been faced head-on by Jesus, being sent to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, so that we can live in the light of his resurrection.
Jesus' entry to Jerusalem a week before his death was not the triumphant royal parade many of his followers expected. He rode in, not on a war chariot, but a donkey. Many asked then, and continue to ask now - "Who is this man?". Julie explores who Jesus is and was this Palm Sunday.
With the increasing restrictions on day-to-day life, many of us are missing and grieving the loss of being together. Since the beginning of the year, we've been going through a series - In The Valley - looking at 'valley' emotions, those difficult emotions we have to deal with.
As we continue through the valley that is Coronavirus, it's important to fix our minds on God for our comfort and protector.
In our first Live Streamed service, we welcomed Chris and Julie Dean, our new link missionaries from CMS. Chris and Julie hope to go to Timor Leste (once the global shutdown is lifted) to bring the good news of Jesus to people there. Chris looks at Luke 24, and the reality of the risen Jesus.
Hope. Through all the Valley emotions in this series, hope remains. The state of mind that something good might happen, or something bad might not happen. Through the bible, we see an ultimate hope in Jesus - the belief that something good WILL happen. Kirk finishes our In The Valley series with this valley emotion - hope.
This is a tough topic. We believe that God has something to speak into all the circumstances of our life, including fun times and tough times.
Through this series, we're dealing with difficult emotions. In this episode, we look at despair. Tim encourages us to trust this difficult area of our emotions to our loving heavenly father. To trust that God's word speaks into all areas of our lives. And to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit as we delve into this topic.
If this podcast has brought up difficult topics for you, you can always contact Lifeline, on 13 11 14
Do you feel guilty about buying things you don't need? Or about drinking too much on the weekend? Maybe sugar and chocolate is your guilty pleasure. What does the bible tell us about feelings of guilt? Julie continues our In the Valley series, looking at the feeling of guilt, and what Psalm 38 says about it.
The imagery of 'anger' is often fire - burning with anger, smouldering with anger, anger flaring up inside us. There's always a spark to it as well, something that sets us off. Do you get irritated, annoyed, or frustrated? Don't we all. Tim continues our In the Valley series with this look at Psalm 137, and the anger contained within.
There are many ways the Bible approaches the feeling of fear - too many to fit in one talk, in fact - whether it's a helpful caution or a reverent fear or an irrational anxiety.
This week, Kirk bring us one of these examples from the book of Psalms as well as a personal example from his own life as he explores how the love of Jesus fits into all this.
As the first of the year, this new series - In the Valley - focuses on various "negative" emotions we might face in life, and where we might find biblical examples of some of these feelings.
This week, Tim shines a light on grief and its relation to love, as well as a prominent example of grief from David in the book of Psalms.
This week in our Summer Stories series, Kirk brings us one of Jesus' many parables from the book of Matthew, in which he points out the hypocrisy of the religious elite and the importance of repentance.
This week, Jack Joynson debuts his first talk as he explores a story from the book of Acts and how we might relate in many different ways to some very different characters.
If you were the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present creator of absolutely everything, and you wanted to reveal yourself to the human race, how would you do it? God chose to do it by becoming a human himself. Sending Jesus down to earth, to live and breath and one of us.
This Christmas, Kirk looks at how God speaks to us, initially through the prophets of the Old Testament in the Bible, then through Jesus.
The Sunday before Christmas, Tim concludes our series O Come O Come Emmanuel. This talk looks at the verse of the carol calling Jesus "Rod of Jesse", as seen in the prophecy from Isaiah. Images of despair and destruction precede the passage read in this episode, a prophecy which ultimately came to pass in 722 BC, and in 587 BC, with foreign armies destroying Israel and capturing their people.
But the beginning of this passage encourages Israel to look for a shoot coming from the stump of Jesse - a new king from the line of Jesse and of David. That King is who we celebrate at Christmas - and who we look forward to his coming again - Jesus.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight.
The carol O Come O Come features names of Jesus from prophecies hundreds of years before his birth. This week, Delle looks at the verse and name - Dayspring.
The Christmas Carol O Come O Come features different names of Jesus from prophecies 200 years before his birth. Andi looks at the verse "Lord of Might", the future hope of a just lord, ruling over all the nations.
Advent is again upon us, and this year, these four Sundays leading us to Christmas will be spent exploring the various names given to Jesus in the popular Christmas carol: O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
This week, Kirk kicks off our Advent series by looking at the first name Jesus is given: Emmanuel - "God with us" - and what it means when Isaiah receives the name in a prophesy over 400 years before the first Christmas.
How would you want to be captured in a portrait? What would you include? What would you omit? And when that portrait was finished, would you still be recognised by those who knew you?
In the wake of three baptisms, special guest Bishop Kate Prowd brings us this week's talk on the nearness of God even in the darkness of life and how we can reflect who Jesus is just as he reflects us in the suffering that he faced.
This week, Julie brings us a story from the book of Mark, of the freedom that comes through mission, and invites three guests to talk about their experiences with different parts of local mission.
This week, St John's celebrates its 152nd birthday and as is tradition, we spend the time giving thanks to God for all he has done in the past year. Also, Tim brings us a story from Luke that highlights the importance of thanksgiving.
What does it mean to be a Christian in this day and age? Sometimes we can complicate the answer when it can easily be summed up in one word: love. But for such a common and meaningful word, "love" can be vague. So what does it really mean?
This week, Tim rounds out the series by looking at one final interaction where Jesus is once again approached with a question. But this time, there is no trickery, just an earnest teacher of the law seeking an answer.
Death is inevitable, whether we often think about it or not, and that can be troubling. But have any of us got reason to believe there is more to life than just our physical existence? And if so, how confident can we really be?
This week, Tim brings us the next group of opponents: the Sadducees, as they approach Jesus with their intricately woven questions on death and the possibility of resurrection, while also exploring what hope we might have in the face of death.
No one really enjoys paying tax. Some of us don't mind, but tax is generally regarded as a "necessary evil" in our modern society. In Jesus' time, however, tax served as a harsh reminder of foreign rule - of Roman occupation.
This week, Tim continues the story as the teachers of the law send in the Pharisees to confront Jesus with a question about this controversial tax.
This week marks the beginning of a new series looking at some of the altercations between Jesus and various opposing groups.
In this first talk of the series, Tim explores an interaction between Jesus and some of Israel's highest authorities as they confront Jesus and challenge his authority.
Our Bible reading for this episode is a famous one. It's one of the most well-known passages on love and you've most likely heard it at a wedding at some point.
This week, our talk comes from guest speaker and Vice-Principal of Ridley College, Tim Foster. Tim offers a different perspective on Corinthians than the one most commonly preached at weddings and encourages us to base our lives on a spectacular love.
In this final installment of Spring Sagas and the end of the story of the prophet Elijah, we meet his devoted student, Elisha, as they walk and talk their way through ancient Israel.
This week, Julie presents the story at the end of years of hard work endured by Elijah and the handing over of God's power from one great prophet to another.
Continuing our storytelling series on the prophet Elijah, we jump forward to the book of 2 Kings as King Ahab is succeeded by his son, Ahaziah.
This week, Kirk, aided by Jack and Lachie, tell the story of an injured king and his reliance on false gods, while tackling the reality of God's violence.
Where our Winter Wisdom series left off, Spring Sagas picks up as we follow the story of Elijah in the book of 1 Kings.
This week, Tim returns to bring us a tale of injustice and the abuse of power.
This week, Tim is back to present how God's will can be realised through different means and how we see this in the story of Paul in the book of Acts.
This week, Kirk considers Paul's provocative actions in the book of Acts as Paul finds himself in a meeting with the both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, two groups of Jewish leaders with different views.
Mission requires us to speak about our experience as Christians to people from all walks of life, all with different prior experience, whether that's on the other side of the world, in your local community, or anywhere in between.
This week, Tim returns from mission abroad to continue our series on The Church on Mission, where, as we see in the book of Acts, Paul uses both his Roman citizenship and his Jewish heritage to his advantage as he tells the story of his conversion to a mob of angry Jews.
Mission is not just going overseas to share Jesus with different cultures but it can start right where you're at. Even by sharing your faith at work, school, or home you are participating in God's mission.
Today marks Andi's first talk and the return of the Church on Mission series. In this series, we continue following Paul as he spreads the news of Jesus in the book of Acts. Along the way, he returns to Jerusalem where he is met with both hospitality and opposition...
Fully trusting God can be difficult, especially in the face of conflict. But as the Bible teaches us, conflict is inevitable, and as Christians, our job is to handle adversity with the grace and love of Jesus himself.
This week, Julie shares with us a story where Jesus predicts his return to Earth to deliver ultimate judgement. This may be confronting to hear, but the good news is: because of the cross, we have nothing to fear.
Fully trusting God can be difficult, and serving him with everything can be even harder. But just as we call Jesus our Lord, we are called to serve him as our Lord.
This week, Tim is back to share with us a story from the book of Luke: a parable of servants being prepared to serve their master when he someday returns from the wedding feast.
Fully trusting God can be difficult, especially when we are so focused on our own worries. And while worry or stress is not inherently evil, it is certainly useless or unhelpful.
This week, Kirk brings us a message from Luke that tells us not to stress because God will provide, just as he does for the birds in the sky and the grass on the ground. Only he cares for us a whole lot more.
Fully trusting God can be difficult, especially when we are tempted to hold on to parts of our lives as if we are keeping them a secret from Him. One area many Christians struggle to bring to God is money - how we view it and how we spend it.
Tim returns this week to share with us the lessons behind one of Jesus' many stories from the book of Luke: the Parable of the Rich Fool.
Fully trusting God can be difficult, especially when we can't see where he is leading us. In these times, it's tempting to put on a mask to suit our surroundings. It's tempting to try and hide parts of our lives from God.
This week, Tim brings us our first installment in this new series on trusting in God with everything we have.
This week, Julie continues our Winter Wisdom storytelling series by bringing us another story from the life of Elijah - a story of physical, emotional, and spiritual burnout and God's response to our weakness.
Continuing our Winter Wisdom storytelling series, Tim brings us another tale from the life of Elijah - a tale of misplaced devotion in false gods and the power of the one true God.
This week marks the beginning of a new storytelling series, this time centered on the prophet Elijah and his journey. For the first story, Tim brings us a tale of famine and the importance of trust in God.
This week, to celebrate 100 years of Bush Church Aid, guest speaker Adrian Lane from BCA shares some of the journey the society has taken since 1919. He also brings us a story from the Bible of using what we have now in the best way we can.
This week, to celebrate 100 years of Bush Church Aid, guest speaker Adrian Lane from BCA shares some of the journey the society has taken since 1919. He also brings us a story from the Bible of small beginnings and great plans for the future.
Wrapping up our series on the Holy Spirit, Andy throws some questions from you at Kirk and Tim.
Can you lose a gift of the Spirit? Why speak in tongues when God understands English? These questions and more, on this episode.
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Kirk wraps up this series on the Holy Spirit by exploring how the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophesy should be used, as well as tackling one of the more challenging passages in the Bible.
Continuing our deep dive into the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12, today, Kirk and Andy look at Tongues, Prophecy and Miraculous Powers. Next week: a special Q&A episode. Text your questions anonymously to 0490 453 293, or email them to questions@stjohnsdc.org.au.
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Throughout our series on the Holy Spirit, many spiritual gifts have been described, as well as their use in the church.
This week, Kirk takes a closer look at two spiritual gifts in particular: tongues and prophesy. Why are people given these gifts and how should they be used?
Our current series of talks focus on the Holy Spirit- one of three persons of our God. In the next three bonus episodes of the St John's podcast, we'll take a deep dive into the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12. In this episode, Andy and Kirk look at Wisdom, Knowledge, Healing, and Distinguishing Between Spirits - what are these gifts, and how might they be used to bring God glory.
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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The most well-known verses on love- seen at weddings across the globe. Where would we be without love? Love is the best characteristic you can have in everything that you do, which is why Paul in his letter to Corinth says that you are only a clanging gong without love.
Episode 6 of Christianity Explored.
The finale of this series, exploring the life of Jesus, his death and resurrection, today Andy and Tim look at how a decision to follow Jesus impacts your life here and now. The bible says that those who believe and are baptised will receive the Holy Spirit, but who or what is that?
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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Your church is too small - at least, your view of what a church is, is too small. Many people see the church as a building, or a bureaucracy, or a Sunday service, but the bible describes the church more as a united body of people, filled with God's Holy Spirit, and given a variety of gifts so that together, we can do amazing things in the world.
Believers are given different gifts to do good things within the church and beyond- not everyone has the same gifts, and if they did, the church simply wouldn't operate. The number of volunteers that just make things happen behind the scenes would astound you. No one can say that they can do it all, and no one can say that they aren't needed in the body of Christ (that is, the church).
Episode 5 of Christianity Explored.
Having head knowledge about Jesus' life, death and resurrection isn't enough. Belief in Jesus, and acknowledging the need for grace because of our failures requires us to accept in our hearts, and voice that we need Jesus. In this episode of Christianity Explored, Andy and Tim tackle the need to repent, or chuck a U-ie, from the way we think our lives should be going, and let Jesus lead us.
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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Healing, faith, prophesy, tongues - the list goes on. These are all names of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, but what do they mean, and why are they given to us? In this new series, we'll take a closer look at the Holy Spirit and its role in our relationship with God and each other.
This week, Julie takes us to Corinth, a city of great diversity and individualism not unlike modern Australia. In the letters written by Paul to the new Christians of this city, he describes these "spiritual gifts" and why we have them.
Australia Votes 2019.
On the eve of the federal election, we're taking another look at Kirk's talk just before the 2016 election, asking "who would Jesus vote for?". While we won't tell you how to vote, we'll look at how we can approach the election in a way that's God honouring.
Episode 4 of Christianity Explored.
This week, Andy and Tim shift from looking just at the historical account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the book of Mark, and begin looking at what that means for us today.
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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Like last week, this week's Come and See episode features an interview with Rod and Di, two regular members of the church congregation, as they sit down to discuss their journey as Christians. Led by Julie, this special Come and See service aims to focus on what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus in the modern age, as well as the challenges faced along the way.
Episode 3 of Christianity Explored.
This week, Andy and Tim continue looking through the biography of Jesus, written by Mark (the book of Mark in the bible). We investigate the claim that Jesus is not dead, but rose from the grave 3 days after his brutal death, and what the repercussions for that are.
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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This week, Anna and Lachie, two regular members of the church congregation, sit down to discuss their journey as Christians. Facilitated by Kirk, this special Come and See service aims to focus on what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus in the modern age, as well as the challenges faced along the way.
Episode 2 of Christianity Explored.
This week, Andy and Tim continue looking through the biography of Jesus, written by Mark (the book of Mark in the bible). We focus on the cross, and why it's become such a central part of Christianity today.
Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
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The importance of those who encourage in the church is often understated. However, whether it's mentoring new leaders or encouraging those exploring the Christian faith, these 'encouragers' are vital to the growth of the church.
This week's episode features an interview with David Blackman from Wycliffe Bible Translators in Alice Springs as well as his response to today's Bible reading. And as we see in Acts, without the support and encouragement of Barnabas, the early church would not have flourished in the way it did.
Jesus is risen!
Every reason we might deem ourselves unworthy of Jesus' love was taken to the cross on Good Friday, but now that Jesus is risen, we too can be invited to life in abundance. We have all been invited to a banquet and all we need to do is accept Jesus' offer.
On this Easter Sunday, Julie brings us a message of joy, and, as we read in this week's bible reading: Now nothing is able to separate us from the love of God.
Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? And how should we respond to the fullness of life that Jesus offers by sacrificing himself on the cross?
As Tim brings us the message he explores this very question: Could we even call it Joyful Friday? After all, with all the suffering Jesus endured on the first Good Friday, what has any of it got to do with joy?
This podcast exclusive mini-series encourages you to explore the person of Jesus, by looking through his biography, written by his follower Mark, as an eye witness to the life and teachings of Jesus. Andy and Tim explore the beginning of the book of Mark in the bible, which you can find at https://bible.com/app
We'd love your questions to answer on next week's podcast: you can email them to questions@stjohnsdc.org.au
In this episode, we hear another story. Together, we'll use the Biblical Storytelling method of bible study, and ask these questions while listening to the story:
- What do you like about this story?
- What questions might people have?
- What do we learn about people?
- What do we learn about Jesus/God?
- What are you going to do this week in response to this story?
- Who could you tell this story to this week?
We'd love your feedback on this episode, seeing as it's a bit different. Email me at andy@stjohnsdc.org.au.
In this episode, Julie tells us a story. Together, we'll use the Biblical Storytelling method of bible study, and ask these questions while listening to the story:
- What do you like about this story?
- What questions might people have?
- What do we learn about people?
- What do we learn about Jesus/God?
- What are you going to do this week in response to this story?
- Who could you tell this story to this week?
We'd love your feedback on this episode, seeing as it's a bit different. Email me at andy@stjohnsdc.org.au.
Over the past eight weeks we have looked at different aspects of our identity as followers of Jesus. But despite our new identity in Christ, not everything has been resolved. We still groan as we experience the effect sin has on both ourselves and the world around us. We groan as we wait for a time when all that is wrong with the world will be made right again. To conclude our series on identity, Tim looks forward and discusses the future hope we have in Jesus and the promises he has made.
The topic of gender can be both a complicated and sensitive subject. After all, it forms a key part of many people's identity. This week, Tim is back to tackle some difficult questions. What does the bible have to say about gender and how is it still relevant today?
We all lean on something. Whether it's a job or a relationship, a hobby or even our own moral compass. These things are often great influences on our lives but how can we truly lean away from these things and begin to fully trust God, even in the hard times? How do we begin to walk, not by our own sight, but by faith? This week, Julie unpacks what it means to be a child of God as well as the benefits of being adopted into such a large and loving family - a family with faith as its unifying crest.
Through this series, we've seen how we as humans are made in God's image, how we're whole people with thoughts, emotions and a conscience, but also how there is a brokenness about humanity, and regardless of our race, nationality, age and gender, we are slaves to sin. This week, Tim looks at what the bible means when it says we are "in Christ", free from condemnation. What difference does it make to our identity to be a follower of Jesus, to identify as a Christian?
I've got to break free, I've got to break free! - Queen, I Want To Break Free
'Cause I need freedom now and I need to know how, to live my life as it's meant to be - Mumford and Sons, The Cave
So what is freedom? What does it mean to break free? Is freedom just the ability to make our own decisions without hindrance? What about when those decisions impact the freedom of others?
Jesus said by following his teachings, we will be his disciples, and know the truth - the truth that will set us free. Isn't that limiting to follow someone else's teaching - how can that set us free?
Are humans basically good, or basically bad? In the opening chapters of the bible, we see God create humanity, and proclaim them to be "very good", and yet just two chapters later, we see Adam and Eve fall into temptation and eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Tempation continues to follow humanity, and in this episode, Tim explores the three elements of tempation: Doubting the goodness of God, doubting the trustworthiness of God, and putting ourselves in the place of God.
There is more to a person than just the physical impulses. Science would say that you and your personality, your memories, your decisions, are nothing more than electrical signals in your brain, reacting with nerve cells and molecules. The bible though, commonly refers to body, soul and spirit.
What do these spiritual elements mean for us as whole people though? What does the bible mean when it talks about our soul and our spirit? Come along with Tim as we investigate.
What sets humanity apart from the animals? God made humans and animals; he gave them life. But humanity is importantly said to be made in the image of God. What does that mean? Can we find the image of God in the differences between humans and animals? Or in the relationships we have with each other and with God? Or perhaps the fact that we were placed by God to rule over his creation?
Tim investigates these ideas and more in this episode.
This week begins a new series, running through the next 10 weeks, asking the questions "Who Am I?". Throughout this series, we'll be looking at passages from the entire story of the Bible, beginning this week with creation in Genesis.
Fundamentally, what can be said of every human, and everything in the universe? That God created them. In this episode, Tim explores humanity in the light of being creatures, known by God, created for a purpose.
Throughout January, the talks at St John's have taken a different format to usual, meaning they haven't been appropriate for the format of a podcast. In this episode, Andy and Tim chat about what the teaching has been in January, and will catch you up on the biblical storytelling that's been happening.
The six questions used in the storytelling method are:
- What do you like about this story?
- What questions might people have about it?
- What do we learn about people?
- What do we learn about God/Jesus?
- What do you need to do in response to this story?
- Who can you tell this story to this week?
The podcast will resume its weekly format in February.
The end of the prophecy of Malachi is downright brutal. The end of the final sentence: "..or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Wowsers.
Fortunately for us; we can turn the page into the New Testament, and see the next part of God's plan, the coming of Jesus to bring us mercy and forgiveness.
You don't have to look far in our world to see injustice. The plight of refugees being held in indefinite detention, or the impact of climate change on developing nations and the failure of wealthier nations to respond in a timely manner, or something else.
We need Christmas because God, through Jesus, brought and is bringing justice to His world.
The book of Malachi, the last book of the Bible before Jesus was born, is pretty harsh towards Church leaders of ancient Israel. Julie brings us this second talk in our Why We Need Christmas series, showing how following Jesus is about focusing on him, and making small decisions which bring you closer to him, and not about a single big moment. Likewise, falling away from Jesus is often about small decisions to do the 'easy' thing, slowly moving further and further from Jesus, until you look back and realise it'd be too hard to get back.
What decisions are you making this week to move slowly towards Jesus?
With his final talk at St John's, Sam launches our Advent series leading into Christmas: Why We Need Christmas. This series looks at the prophet Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, as evidence of why Israel (and ourselves), need Jesus to come and live as one of us.
Sam looks at the questions posed in the first chapter of Malachi, 'Does God love us?', and 'Do we love God?'.
Like Sam Johnson, who's excited about his train set, and wants to show his dad, Andrew and Rosemary invite us to come and see how Jesus has been at work in their lives.
Coming from two very different life experiences - Andrew a staunch atheist, and Rosemary attending Sunday School from day dot - these two share how they came to follow Jesus, and the strength and support that came from that.
When we find something really good, like an exceptional bowl of strawberries and ice cream, we feel compelled to tell others about it, and to get them to try it for themselves. In the same way, we're inviting you to Come & See how good a relationship with Jesus is!
In this episode, Julie chats with Chais and Phil about their life before and after getting serious about Jesus.
[Editors Note: apologies for the low audio quality this week]
When making a decision, Christians often look for a sign from the Holy Spirit; a prompting, or a miraculous sign clearly saying "YES, GO THIS WAY".
Even Paul though, facing a decision to return to Jerusalem, experienced the Spirit both encouraging him to go, and working in the lives of his friends to persuade him not to go. How do we discern what God is telling us, and make Godly decisions without being paralysed in waiting?
In this section of Acts, Paul is compelled by the Spirit to end his journey through the ancient world by returning to Jerusalem, where he doesn't know what will happen to him, other than he has been prompted that prison and hardships are waiting for him. As he finishes this journey, he says farewell to many of the church leaders he has met from Ephesus, Greece and Asia.
Alongside Paul's farewells, he also warns these leaders of hardships that are likely to be encountered by them, but encouraging them to persevere because their relationship with Jesus is so important. Kirk unpacks these warnings in this episode.
In a story which includes someone being raised from the dead, you'd imagine that would be the focal point- the highlight of the story. In this passage of Acts though, this act of raising a young man from the dead is not prioritised, and instead, the act of Paul preaching the Word of God is highlighted, along with sharing of the Lord's Supper.
There is power in prioritising the Word of God, in gathering and sharing the Lord's Supper (also called Communion), and as we gather we can expect the power of God to be at work amongst us.
This passage in Acts is real history, with real people, and real events in time - a good reminder that the bible is about real people, and it is a historical account. But what do we do with this story? How do we learn from it and what can we take away about God from this riot in Ephesus?
Tim examines the cause of the riot (Acts 19:23-28), its escalation (Acts 19:28-34) and its resolution (Acts 19:35-41).
During Paul's journey through Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece, he spent a long time in specific places - two years in Ephesus alone. While he was there, he would have worked his trade, making tents. The people of Ephesus, believing so strongly in the good news he was preaching about Jesus, people began using Paul's sweaty rags to heal people. Exciting, but also weird.
As well as the extraordinary miracles Paul and others performed in the name of Jesus, in this passage we see the most extraordinary miracle: Crowds of people repenting from their sorcery, burning their spell books, worth over 100 years wages.
This episode launches our new series, The Church on Mission, following Paul as he travels around Greece and Asia Minor in the first century, commonly referred to as his 3rd Missionary Journey. Kirk gives us an introduction to reading Acts, unpacking how to read this historical account, and how we can learn from history.
This section of Acts speaks about some supernatural occurrences, including speaking in 'tongues', and 'prophesying', which Kirk explains and shows how these things are to be expected as Christians, but not a guaranteed experience, and that these things aren't the defining elements of being a Christian.
We've finished working through the first letter Peter wrote to early Christians in the first century, and this week, Julie brings us a "P.S.", reminding us all that God loves us. Psalm 23 describes God as our Shepherd, and Julie looks at four things we can learn about God from this song.
Following Julie's talk, we hear from three people from our community and how they respond to God's love.
Finishing off this first-century letter to early Christians, Peter addresses the'elders' of the communities he is writing to; that is, the senior leaders of the church. He gives them three tips for good leadership within the Church, which can be easily translated to any leadership positions. Peter then addresses people in positions of 'followers', under someone else's leadership.
Essentially, Peter says to lead and be led with humility. Kirk explores humility for leaders, and humility for followers in the final talk in our Strangers: Far From Home series.
As Megan delivers her final talk at St John's after filling in during Tim's leave, she shows off her Latin vocabulary and looks at the phrase sub specie aeternitatis, meaning "from the perspective of eternity". Peter uses this section of his letter to first-century Christians to lift our eyes to the reality of eternity - the present reality of suffering can make our lives difficult, but we must live in the light of eternity and things to come.
Peter writes about ways people in the first century lived in the day-to-day, debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, detestable wild living - and while they might not be a part of our day-to-day focus, there are still signs of living for today. If time is short, maximising the amount of pleasure in your life might be making sure you have the best clothes, that your money is secure, that your own personal success is guaranteed. Having the perspective of God, from an eternal point of view, can help us persevere the storm, knowing that there is a connection to eternity.
Continuing our look through Peter's letter to first-century Christians, scattered throughout the Roman Empire, Peter addresses a people who are beginning to be persecuted for their faith. Within a few years of this letter being written, Christianity is outlawed throughout the Roman world, and Christians are arrested for their faith.
Sam explores what happens when Christians suffer for doing good, and sees how Peter shows that they are blessed for their suffering, that suffering exercises their hope, and that Christians participate in suffering with Jesus- just as he suffered for us.
Grappling with harder and weightier topics in the Bible together as we strengthen our community and our faith in God. Megan tackles Peter's instructions to first-century Christian Slaves, Wives and Husbands to submit to authority. These early Christians were freed in their relationship with God, and welcomed into this new family - no Jew or Greek, Slave or Free, Male or Female. The identity of these people broke through previous barriers of their culture. How does Peter's instruction to submit follow through to us in the 21st century? Megan looks at the trajectory which Jesus himself set the culture on, and where it is leading us today.
How do you know how to take the right path in life? Sam explores these two verses from Peter's letter to first century Christians, and how they show us which path we should take in our lives.
Should we walk the path of isolation, of assimilation, or of proclamation?
Peter's letter to churches scattered across the known world of the first century speaks to the identity of the recipients of the letter and reminds them that they are a chosen people - chosen by God.
Julie looks deeply into the phrases used to identify these early Christians, and by extension, us today. Being called 'living stones', and a 'royal priesthood' isn't something we easily relate to today, but 2000 years ago the context of the ancient world would have made these identities make more sense.
A 2000-year-old letter written by one of Jesus' friends, 1 Peter presents the Christian life as a journey that we all go on - beginning when we decide to start our relationship with Jesus, and ending when we see him face-to-face.
Peter gives us directions for this journey, and this week Kirk explores Peter telling Christians to "be holy", by being obedient. Obedience has a pretty lame reputation in most contexts, but Kirk shows us how being obedient can be a very good thing.
Peter's letter to early churches scattered across the world speaks to people waiting in hope of something great to come. Though the people this letter was originally written to were facing trials and persecution, Peter encourages them that trials "...have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
Megan explores waiting and how we are still waiting for Jesus. The experience of waiting is expected and purposeful for God's people- we do not wait in the dark, but rather we wait with evidence.
Over the next 9 weeks, we'll be reading through the first letter Peter wrote to early Christians, scattered throughout the known world- included in the Bible as the book of 1 Peter.
Peter was the leader of the early church, the first to realise that Jesus was and is the Son of God. Peter still though, was human. Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of his arrest, claiming not to know him, nor be his follower. Regardless, Jesus forgives and restores Peter to his identity as a follower of Jesus, and as the leader of the church.
This letter from Peter is addressed to "elect exiles"; what does this identity mean for Christians? Sam explores who this letter was written to then, and how that can still identify us today.
We've all got stories of times we've failed in our lives. Whether it's leaving the Salmon out of a Salmon Tortilla, or leaving $200 in cash in an ATM. Tim looks at the failure of Peter, one of the key leaders of the early church, when he denies knowing Jesus three times just as Jesus is arrested and crucified. Jesus knows our failures, he isn't surprised by them, or unaware of them: he knows everything we've done in our lives. BUT Jesus knows about these failures, and forgives Peter, just as he forgives us, giving Peter a new life, with new purpose.
This biography of Peter's failure and life serves as an introduction to our new series, Strangers Far From Home, looking through the book of 1 Peter, an open letter written by Peter to believers scattered throughout the world.
"If you take the work of God's mission out of the Bible, all you're left with is a front and back cover." Kat Shields takes a look at what mission looks like and finds that for the most part, it is ordinary. An ordinary life, saturated with gospel intentionality- a commitment to building relationships modelling Jesus, and talking about faith as a natural part of conversation.
Kat is a regular member of our Sunday evening service, bringing us this talk from Luke 18.
Wycliffe Bible Translators aim to see disciples of Jesus growing through the Scriptures available in the language that speaks to their hearts. To that end, they are actively working on translating the Bible into new languages. While there are 2,000 languages currently being worked on, there are still 1,500 languages with no one working on a bible translation.
Josh Barlett visits us to give us an update on his work with Wycliffe and looks at the story of Pentecost, when the disciples began telling people about Jesus in many foreign languages, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As a church, we're proud to support a number of excellent organisations across the world. We give 15% of our offerings to missions, including Anglican Overseas Aid. Their CEO, Bob Mitchell joins us, sharing about their work in Syria, as well as reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan- asking who is our neighbour?
The final section of Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi packs a whole bunch of great points into a pretty short section. Tim manages to squish seven talks worth of tips from Paul into just one! Paul gives us seven things to help us "stand firm" in Jesus. Both Paul and Jesus knew of the challenge that many people go through, with the burden of worry and anxiety. Paul speaks to this in his letter, and Tim lends his thoughts and experiences to the reality of anxiety in our lives.
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety to an extreme, reach out to someone for help. You can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Julie continues our Joy in Your Life series, looking at Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi. With her triathlete training, Julie was given heaps of tips and skills, and in the same way, she gives us three tips on finishing a spiritual race.
If you've done enough "good things" in your life, you get to go to the Good Place, right? And if you haven't done enough "good things", then you'll go to the Bad Place, right? God says no! The only right way to be right with God is through a relationship with Jesus. It's not about the things that you do in your life, it's all about Jesus. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians even says it's not about Jesus PLUS anything. It isn't about Jesus plus these few key things, or traditions; it's just about putting your faith in Jesus.
If you think you've done too many bad things, so many that God can't love you, to put it plainly: you are wrong. Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus can receive God's love and forgiveness.
Our journey through Paul's first-century letter to the church in Philippi continues this week, exploring a slightly unusual phrase: "...work out your salvation...". Tim looks at what this phrase doesn't mean, to try to understand what it does mean.
What do we do in our lives to 'work out our salvation'? Tim offers a framework in his talk, which you can find here.
UPDATED: Apologies, as we originally used the wrong audio for this episode. Call it a lesson in humility.
Continuing our series through Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi, Tim explores what Paul says about humility. Paul makes it clear that if you're a Christian, you've received love and acceptance through Jesus, before you've done anything at all. Our reaction to that, though, our response to God for uniting himself with us, it to be united with others. If it's true that we're loved by God, we should be loving others. If we have the Spirit of God within us, we should be united with others through that same Spirit.
In response to Jesus, we necessarily need to live differently.
Do you have a mate (or maybe yourself), who is fully devoted to something? Do they use every spare moment to work on their cricket skills? Are they like a sheepdog, focused on herding the flock? Paul, the author of this letter to the church in Philippi, was fully devoted to persecuting Christians, throwing them in jail, and giving them a hard time. That was until he had an encounter with Jesus, and turned his devotion to the spreading of the good news of Jesus. Paul laid his life bare for Jesus, willing to give up his freedom (he's writing this letter from prison), and willing to give up his reputation - Paul says that he'd be happy for people to be preaching the Gospel even if they do it in a way that brings Paul harm; as long as they are preaching the good news of Jesus! What are you willing to give up for Jesus? Would you let yourself be lowered down to bring Jesus up in glory?
When you think about Christians, how would you describe them? Would you think that they're judgmental? Bigot? Do-gooder? Paul, in the first century, wrote a letter to a new church in Philippi, saying that believers should be characterised by the joy in their lives. Throughout the book of Philippians, Paul uses the word joyful, or rejoice, over and over again.
Paul says that we can find joy in 'partnership' in the Gospel. He finds joy in the fact that both he and those in Philippi are on the same team, sharing the good news of Jesus. Tim Johnson looks at some of our mission partners, and how we can be finding joy in those partnerships.
When Julie was 17 years old, she lived in a Buhdist temple in Thailand. She learnt of compassion, and elements of Buhdism, as well as the power of positive thinking, and even dabbling in palm reading.
Julie's outward picture looks pretty good: a successful career, a dynamic social life, Julie saw the world as her stomping ground, and was stomping proudly. Though her life on the surface seemed positive and strong, living in China for a time threw a number of challenges at her, and she found all those positive things she had relied on brought no relief or support. Julie found her support in a Christian family, and the way that they lived out their faith, to love God and to love others. She was stunned that they not only believed that, but lived it out!
Christianity is about more than being a good person though- it's about a relationship with the God that loves you!
If you don't have much experience of church, or Jesus, this talk is for you.
Kirk shares some stories about how he came to be standing up talking about Jesus to people, his experiences around Christianity and how he came to follow Jesus.
This episode features a clip from The I.T. Crowd. The I.T. Crowd is ©Channel 4 2006-2013
For four weeks, starting last week, St John's is hosting author Stephen Abbott, as he leads a course about sharing Jesus in everyday ways. This episode is a snippet of week one of the course, which continues on Wednesdays until May 16th. If your interest has been piqued, you can join the course by registering at http://stjohnsdc.info. Payment can be made for the course's handbook online, or in person at the events.
Jesus' resurrection is real. Jesus' resurrection is miraculous. Jesus' resurrection is about relationship.
Tim takes a look at John 21:1-14, and the third time the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples. In this somewhat ordinary time, the disciples go fishing, and then have breakfast with Jesus. But this simple story shows us somewhat profoundly what the resurrection of Jesus is about.
If Jesus is really risen from the dead, and if he is really with us now, what would you say to him? Maybe you'd say, "Jesus, I do believe you rose from the dead, and I want to start following you.", or maybe you'd say "Jesus, I don't know if you're real or not, but if you are, show me!", or if you're already a follower of Jesus, you'd ask him for help with something you're struggling with, or you'd thank him for something great in your life.
Jesus is alive. The resurrection isn't about wowing us, but being in relationship with us.
After Easter, Jesus hung around for a while. This mini-series follows the Resurrected Jesus as he meets with his disciples and transforms their lives. Sam begins our series looking at how Jesus took the fear of the disciples, and turned it into peace and purpose; how he took their doubts, and turned it into worship, and ultimately took death and turned it into life.
Sam bases this talk on the book of John, in the bible, chapter 20, verses 19-31.
Jesus is risen! Easter Sunday celebrates the new life we have in Jesus; but to get to that new life, Jesus had to be broken. This revelation of the resurrection was first encountered by Mary Magdalene, and Simon Peter. In this talk, Julie looks at the reactions of these two followers of Jesus, and how the resurrection changed their lives.
How has Easter, and the resurrection of Jesus changed your life? Has it? Should it?
Superheroes are huge at the moment. 2700 years ago, a prophet named Isaiah wrote about someone who would come and save the world; but unlike Superman, Batman, and the Flash, who are obviously super, Isaiah's hero is named The Servant. This ordinary character doesn't sound impressive, nor like they could save the world. Yet at Easter, we remember this person, this factual person, Jesus.
The greatest outrage of our nation this year has been focused towards the Australian Cricket Team, and their faults and failings. The players broke the rules, and went against the spirit of the game, and have been harshly criticised by people who themselves, have undoubtedly bent or broken rules to their own benefit. No body does the right thing, all the time. No one! This is why we all need the hero of the Servant, of Jesus. We don't need to earn forgiveness, as God offers it freely through Jesus Christ, and his death on Good Friday.
Kirk wraps up our series on the prophecies of Isaiah, and the character of The Servant. Isaiah 50:4-11 speaks of the Servant being obedient, even to death, and that they are to be obeyed, in the same way that God is to be obeyed. The Servant, who we living so far in the future from these prophecies know to be Jesus, is said to bring a light into dark places. God doesn't promise to make life easy for Christians, and the Christian faith isn't one of earning God's love, but accepting God's freely given gift. God does promise to love us, though, and be with us in those dark places, and tough life circumstances we might find ourselves in.
Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus was born, that a figure called the "Servant" would come. In Isaiah 49:1-13, it seems as though this Servant is the nation of Israel; but at the same time, is going to restore Israel. This Servant will also restore the entire Earth, all the nations, and show God's compassion to everyone. Tim looks at how we as a Church are likewise called to serve the nations beyond our own walls.
Some 700 years before Jesus, a guy named Isaiah wrote about a mysterious person called "The Servant of the Lord". Tim begins this series looking at the Servant being the one to bring justice to the world. Chapter 42 of Isaiah is applied directly to Jesus in the book of Matthew, referring to Jesus as the Servant who God has chosen, and it is this passage which Tim focuses on in this talk.
Julie Blinco puts on her P-Plates and delivers her first talk at St John's. Wrapping up our Vision 2022 series, she looks at how we are to share Jesus, and 4 practical things we can all be doing.
This week's talk refers to Acts 20:17-24.
Trusting that God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, by 2022 we aim to be: An Intergenerational Community, which is Loving like Jesus, Growing in Jesus, and Sharing Jesus. Tim this week, looks at how, as a community, we can be Growing In Jesus. We grow up and mature in many ways in our life, but how do we mature in our relationship with Jesus in our work, in our school, in our everyday lives?
In Colossians 1:28, this episode's passage, Paul writes that we should be proclaiming Jesus, admonishing (or correcting), and teaching everyone with all wisdom. Tim explores these three areas, and how we carry them out with 'all wisdom'.
In this week's episode, Tim looks at the first point of our Church Vision, to "Love Like Jesus". Love is thrown around in our culture all the time, and something that everyone gets on board with. Jesus shows us a much deeper way of loving though. Christian love doesn't come naturally or easily, and involves massive personal sacrifice. God is love, God loves us, and if we love one another, God lives in us.
The bible reading for this talk is 1 John 4:7-12.
Kirk continues unpacking our new church vision, Vision 2022, looking at our desire to be an intergenerational community. Jesus asks his followers, "Who is my mother, and who is my brother?". As Christians, we are all a part of God's family, and should treat each other as such. Doing life together, with people from generations outside of your own, can be one of the best examples of Christian life.
The bible reading for this talk is Matthew 12:46-50.
This week at our annual St John's Training Day, senior minister Tim Johnson explores how we should consider our priorities, in the context of St John's Vision 2022, when compared to knowing Jesus and making him known. In an example of this from the New Testament, Paul writes to the church in Philippi telling them of a choice he has come to make. A choice between knowing Jesus and everything else in his life.
This week's Bible reading is from Philippians 3:7-11.
In the fourth instalment of our Look at Jesus series, senior minister Tim Johnson explores the social connections we form with people of different faiths and the negative stigma around the Christian faith as he challenges us to always be ready to defend our faith. In the Bible, we see Philip invite Nathaniel to meet Jesus.
Tim references the Bible at John 1:43-51
This week, Delle Matthews continues our Look at Jesus series by following John the Baptist and his disciples as they follow Jesus.
The Bible reading comes from John 1:35-42
Our Look at Jesus series continues with Kirk exploring why John the Baptist would call Jesus the "Lamb of God". What the heck does that mean? Kirk refers to the bible, John 1:29:34.
In her first sermon at St John's, Robyn Delbridge kicks off our new series, Look at Jesus, picking up where our Christmas series left off, in the book of John. We meet John the Baptist, who is telling everyone he can about Jesus, who is about to start his public ministry. When asked by the religious leaders, John makes it clear that he isn't the be all and end all, and that soon, someone even greater will be them.
The reference for this talk is John 1:19-28.
The bible is set up to reveal God's character to us, so we can get to know him better. The beginning of the bible, Genesis 1, and the creation of the universe, reveals part of God's character which is often overlooked: his creativity.
At our 11pm Candlelit Christmas Eve service, Kirk shares a reflection of zooming out from the Christmas story, to remember to look at the full life of Jesus, and to remember that the baby in a manger lived, died and was brought back to life, all for us. Kirk refers to the bible passage John 1:1-14.
Tim Johnson shared a brief message at our 5pm Family Service on Christmas Eve; looking at the reactions to news in 2017, and how we might react to the Christmas story.
Sam concludes our Walk in the Light series, a week before Christmas. At the end of the letter of 1 John, John writes encouragements to the Christians who will receive this letter. Sam pulls out some hashtags that John might have used in his letter, if it were written in 2017.
Love #ChildrenOfGod #Truth #LifeAndDeath
In this episode, Bishop Philip Huggins joins us for a special service of baptism and confirmation. We heard from a number of people publicly declaring their faith in Jesus, and the Bishop reflects on that truth.
Delle Matthews, self-proclaimed grumpy old woman, tears apart the commercialisation of Christmas, and looks deeper into the meaning of Christmas. Our society is trying to reclaim the "true meaning of Christmas" to be to love one another, to be kind, and to give some meaningful presents. A season of love sure sounds great doesn't it? But what is love? Where does it come from? The message of Christmas being a season of love is close to the truth, but misses a critical element, twisting the truth in subtle ways.
The finale of our series, Jesus and the Spirit. Kirk looks at truth, fake news, and how we can be guided by the Spirit into all truth.
Tim continues our Walk in the Light series. Advent is a time of remembering the first coming of Jesus, and looking forward to the second coming, still to come. You can tell a lot from a snapshot of a single point in time, like an old family photograph. Who we are is shaped by whose we are; our identity is closely tied to our parents. John speaks of Christians as being children of God, and so as Christians, we should find our identity in that relationship.
The truth is sometimes hard to hear. Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an advocate, which Kirk spoke about last week, and the Spirit of Truth. What does that mean for us? Sam explores this idea in the second of our Jesus and the Spirit series.
Continuing our Walk in the Light series, Tim looks at the three tests and measures John gives us to gauge how we're going with walking in the light of Jesus. 1: Follow the commands of God, in the context of a relationship with him. We don't follow God's commands to earn his love; rather God loves us regardless, and to honour him, we strive to follow his commands. 2: How do we treat each other? With love, or with hate? Finally, 3: Do you continue to believe the truth about Jesus, that he his the son of God.
If you're wrestling with these tests and questions, keep asking questions about them. They are of vital importance, and fundamental to the Christian faith.
As Christians, we believe in one God, with three distinct identities: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first two of these, are pretty easy to understand, at a basic level. God the Father is the big guy in the sky, God the Son is Jesus, God in human form, but the Holy Spirit? That's tougher to wrap our tiny human brains around. This series looks at what Jesus said about the one who would come after him, the holy spirit.
The beginning of a new series in our morning services, Tim Johnson looks at the start of a letter written by John, one of Jesus' 12 disciples. John wrote this letter as someone who was there with Jesus, who had seen him, and heard what he had to say. The letter is not an intellectual exercise, and the truth of God shapes the way we live.
Our challenge is to walk in the light of God, rather than to persist in darkness. You might be conscious of areas of your life, which you struggle to hand over to God, and you might be worried about how that affects your relationship with God. Worry not! John is clear, the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. John doesn't say we need to get rid of every sin in our life, but that we should strive to walk in the light; not worried when we fail (which we all will).
On our 150th birthday, we gathered as a body of believers to celebrate. We were joined by Archbishop Philip Freier, who spoke from John 15.
The final chapter in our series on Ruth, our story concludes with the redemption of Ruth and Naomi through Boaz. The book concludes with a list of names, of the descendants of Ruth, all the way to King David, the greatest king of the Old Testament. The New Testament, and the story of Jesus begins with a similar list, from Abraham to David, and then to Jesus himself.
Ruth was part of God's plan, and if you think you aren't, you're wrong. God brings all kinds of people, and brings them into a relationship with himself.
The third chapter in Ruth's story; we've met the main characters, and now the drama really begins. Ruth and Boaz find themselves in a potentially volatile situation, but Boaz's character is revealed as he holds true to the law, and continues to protect and uphold Ruth.
Caution: This episode is rated PG, and deals with issues around sexuality.
In this episode, we meet Boaz, owner of a field where Ruth has been picking up the scraps dropped during the harvest. He demonstrates faithfulness to God's law found in the Old Testament, and goes above and beyond to ensure that Ruth is cared for; following not just the letter of the law, but the heart of it. Tim asks the questions: what is God doing in this story, and what do we see God's people doing?
The book of Ruth zooms right in on a single family, in the times when Judges ruled Israel. These were hard times for most people, and in particular, Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi. This four-week series looks at Ruth's story, and how she finds hope in hard times.
In this episode, Tim explores Naomi's relationship with God, and the hard truth that God gives, and takes away. How do you treat God in hard times?
Continuing our Luke mini-series, we see Jesus tell a story about two men, praying to God. One prays loudly, basically saying "Thanks God, that I'm so great. Also, that other guy is the worst." The second man, a tax collector, someone usually corrupt and generally not liked, prays humbly, and earnestly. Jesus says, be like him. How do we get right with God? Be humble. Kirk explains what that looks like.
In this talk, Kat Shields encourages us to persevere in prayer, and pray without ceasing. Jesus tells his followers a story about an unjust judge, who shows justice to a widow for his own benefit. The story is flipped on its head though, when Jesus says that God is nothing like the unjust judge, and will bring justice in all circumstances.
At the conclusion of our Peacemakers series, we gathered together for services of reconciliation and healing, bringing teaching together with opportunities for people to deal with hurts they have been harbouring and people they have failed to forgive. Ros brings us this talk, and explores how to move on from conflict in our lives.
Dealing with conflict is not just a matter for individuals but a group activity that should be a marker of the church community. Jesus prays for unity and love in the church and our community should be counter-cultural in the way that we deal with conflict: not ignoring it but being willing to repent and forgive and to move forward with reconciliation and love. What a powerful witness this would be if we did it!
Continuing our Peacemakers series, on how to deal with conflict, when we get to the end result of the self-examination process, and after gently raising the issue with another person we must aim to seek reconciliation. Jesus commands us to prioritise sorting out conflicts even over worship and participation in religious traditions! He also challenges us to go and seek reconciliation if we know someone is holding something against us for what we did to them.
Rather than sweeping conflict under the carpet and avoiding it we need to honestly and gently approach with other people when they have hurt or wronged us. Jesus tells us to go directly to the other person and deal with it one-on-one. This is perhaps the most ignored command in Scripture and we are often guilty of gossiping or complaining to other people rather than addressing the person concerned.
The starting point for dealing with conflict is to search our own hearts and lives and see what we have contributed to the problem. Jesus tell his disciples to remove the log from their own eye before they try to remove the speck from someone else’s eye. Conflict gives us an opportunity to come before God, and to ask whether there are idols in our life that are fuelling this conflict, before repenting of the areas where we are causing the conflict.
While many people see conflict as simply a problem it is also an opportunity where we can bring glory to God in the way that we approach it. As Christians we want to glorify God in all that we do and conflict is no exception. David in Psalm 37 is honest about conflict but encourages trusting in God and committing our way to him in the midst of it. He warns that evildoers will face God’s judgement but that the meek will enjoy peace.
The second episode in our Peacemakers series identifies that dealing with conflict is a gospel issue. This is not some sideline topical issue that we may or may not want to think about but is at the heart of our everyday lives. Broken humans are in conflict with God and considered his enemies. Fortunately for us, through the cross, God brings reconciliation and restores a conflict filled, broken relationship. When we're forgiven by Jesus, we need to apply the truth of the gospel to our own relationships and be active in seeking reconciliation.
This new series looks at the reality of conflict. The Church today is the most conflict prone organisation in the world, and the most conflict adverse. This, believe it or not, should be expected! The Church brings in people with different habits, different backgrounds, different life experiences. The only common thread is Jesus. There is no criteria for goodness in the church.
The Bible passage for this talk is James 4:1-3.
The final week of White (space) July addresses the lack of faith we often have when it comes to trusting God about the future. Younger generations, in particular, are put under a lot of Aussie pressure to set themselves up well for the future. Own a house, settle down, have savings, have investments, protect yourself!
The Christian life brings an alternate mindset that acknowledges we are in a lot less control than we’d like to be and that that’s okay. In fact, it might even be good for us to embrace this a little more!
Continuing our White (space) July series, Tim takes a look at Luke 10:38-42. This is a well-known passage warning against too much work but it’s relevance only seems to be growing. It’s not that Martha is wrong to work hard, it’s that her priorities are all wrong compared to her sister who is sitting quietly at the feet of the Lord. Mary has effectively carved out some white space for herself, whilst Martha’s life is too crowded.
Keen listeners will remember our White (space) Christmas series from late 2016. In God’s word, we have a powerful and repeated command to embrace Sabbath rest. Most of us at St John's are, by our own admission, ignoring or badly failing this command. This preaching series aims to help us do rest better and, when we do, everyone in our lives (family and friends) will benefit. Most importantly, our relationship with Jesus will benefit.
This week, we look at how Jesus reacted to the Pharisees' view of the Sabbath. As much as rest is a massive part of the Sabbath, it is ultimately about our relationship with God (and, consequently, with other people). It’s not about a legalistic “no work” day once a week but rather a day where work is set aside to fully focus on relationships.
Jesus gave us two rituals to show outwardly the grace we receive inwardly, baptism, and communion. In this mini-series, Tim looks at these sacraments, and how they display Jesus working in our lives.
Jesus gave us two rituals to show outwardly the grace we receive inwardly, baptism, and communion. In this mini-series, Tim looks at these sacraments, and how they display Jesus working in our lives.
The finale of our I AM series, Delle Matthews concludes with Jesus referring to himself as "the vine", and his followers as "the branches". How do we remain in Jesus, and attached to the vine?
Possibly the most well known I AM statement from Jesus. Our series continues this week to explore who Jesus says he is. We live in a "post-truth" world, but what is truth? Jesus claims to be the truth, above all.
Andrew Bowles delivers his final sermon at St John's. Jesus sits at the heart of the Christian faith, making several bold statements about himself. When Lazarus dies, Jesus mourns for his friend, but establishes and displays his power over death, stating that he is the resurrection, and the life.
Whose voice do we listen to? In this instalment of our 'I Am...' series, Sam Oldland reflects on Jesus' statement that he is 'The Good Shepherd', and that those who listen to him and respond are truly hearing the voice of God. From John 10:11-21.
Continuing our I AM series, we go back to what is at the heart of the Christian faith, and examine Jesus, and his revelation of God. There are seven times in the Gospel of John where Jesus said 'I am', and gave a series of images that explained who he was. This week, we look at Jesus when he spoke of himself as 'the gate' in John 10:1-10. Tim Johnson looks at what this means, with Jesus claiming to be the exclusive way to a relationship with the God the Father.
Continuing our I AM series, we go back to what is at the heart of the Christian faith, and examine Jesus, and his revelation of God. There are seven times in the Gospel of John where Jesus said 'I am', and gave a series of images that explained who he was. This week, we look at Jesus when he spoke of himself as 'the light of the world' in John 8:12-20. Sam Oldland gives us his first talk at St John's, and looks at what this means, with Jesus as the one who sheds light on the darkness, and saves us from it.
When we go back to what is at the heart of the Christian faith, we find Jesus, and his revelation of God. There are seven times in the Gospel of John where Jesus said 'I am', and gave a series of images that explained who he was. The first we are looking at in this series comes from John 6:35-59, where Jesus spoke of himself as 'the bread of life'. Tim Johnson looks at what this means, with Jesus as the one who nourishes and sustains those who believe in him.
Easter Sunday is the most joyful day for the Church, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. But the first Easter was not joyful to start with - in fact, it was a time of confusion and fear for Jesus' disciples. Andrew Bowles looks at Luke 24:1-12 and how the disciples came to realise that Jesus was unexpectedly alive again. How can we know today that Jesus is risen from the dead, and how will this change how we think and feel about our lives and the world around us?
The Lost series has been building to this moment. The crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday marks the beginning of the most important point in all of time. But is it too late? Have you, or I strayed too far for Jesus to love and forgive? In Luke 23:32-43, a criminal, dying next to Jesus on another cross, asks Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes in His Kingdom. It wasn't too late for that criminal, and it certainly isn't too late for us.
Our 'Lost' series continues on Palm Sunday as Jesus enters Jerusalem, from Luke 19:28-44. While this was a joyful celebration of his kingship, it ends on a sad note as Jesus mourns that the city will reject him very soon. This story gives us a helpful way to understand what our response should be to those we love who have said 'no' to Jesus.
In the lead up to Easter we are doing a short series reflecting on what it means for someone to be 'lost' when it comes to their spiritual life, and the concern that Jesus had for those who were lost. This week we look at Luke 19:1-10, where the story of Zaccheus shows Jesus' mission to seek out those who seem to have no hope of coming to God.
We finish our series on Leviticus with an overview of what we have learned, and looking at 26:1-13, where God lays out the blessings and promises he gives to those who live with him and follow his ways. We see that Leviticus challenges our 'idols', the things that we place in our hearts instead of God, and offers a vision of a life that heals our relationships and our world.
Our journey through the book of Leviticus brings us to the question of how God's people should relate to the environment. Tim Johnson discusses Leviticus 17:1-14, how we are to relate to animals and the land in which we live. This speaks to many of our current concerns with the destruction of the natural environment, and our part as Christians in God's plan to renew the whole world.
This week our 'Heart of Life' series on Leviticus moves outwards to look at what this book says about how we treat each other, reading from Leviticus 19:1-18. We find that Leviticus is intensely interested in God's people treating each other as neighbours, in justice and generosity, and in the restoration of relationships between people through the forgiveness that God brings. Andrew Bowles is our preacher.
Our series on 'The Heart of Life' and the book of Leviticus continues with a reflection on the meaning of the 'purity laws' of the Old Testament. Tim Johnson looks at Leviticus 20:22-26, God's call for his people to be holy as he is holy, how this worked out in their lives, and what it looks like for Christians to make of ourselves a place where God can live.
We continue our 'Heart of Life' series this week, starting to look at the book of Leviticus. We consider the opening chapter of Leviticus, and the sacrificial system it describes. This shows us how we can think about putting our relationship with God at the centre of our lives, with practices of repentance and thanksgiving.
This is the first in our new series called 'The Heart of Life', where we think about how we can put God at the centre of our lives in practical ways. We will be looking at the book of Leviticus, a strange and difficult book of the Old Testament, which is probably the least favourite book of the Bible for many Christians. But it contains many images and concepts that make sense of the coming of Jesus. Kirk Mackenzie starts off the series by looking at Hebrews 8, where the 'shadow' of Jesus in the Old Testament is discussed.
We began the first Term of the year together with a combined service, reflecting on our calling as Christians. Tim Johnson gave an interactive retelling of the calling of the first disciples in Luke 5:1-11.
For our final sermon in the 'Early Years of Jesus' series, Kirk Mackenzie looks at Luke 3:21-22, the short but significant story of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This story shows us more about who Jesus was, and how we can understand our own relationship to God the Father.
Our latest sermon in our series on 'the early years' of Jesus jumps to the last episode in Luke before we see Jesus as an adult. At age 12 Jesus leaves his parents to go and learn in the Temple. This shows us the growing self-understanding of Jesus, his knowledge of God as his Father, and the call to for us to take the next step onward in our personal knowledge of God. Andrew Bowles speaks from Luke 2:41-52.
Our third sermon in our series on 'The Early Years of Jesus' considers what it meant for Jesus to grow in wisdom as he grew up as a boy. What can we learn from him about how Christian wisdom is acquired? Delle Matthews considers Luke 2:36-40, the story of Anna in the temple with Jesus and his parents.
Our second look at the 'origin story' of Jesus comes in Luke 2:22-35 when Mary and Joseph took him to the Temple as a baby, and met with the prophet Simeon. This story shows us the deeper meaning of the humanity of the Son of God.
This month we think about the stories of the childhood of Jesus. We start with the story of the circumcision and naming of Jesus in Luke 2:15-21, and how it shows the destiny of Jesus as the Saviour of God's people.
On Christmas Eve, Tim Johnson reminds us that while the world is still not all as it should be, because of the birth of Jesus we are no longer waiting for God to act to bring salvation and justice to us.
In our final sermon in the series on 'White (space) Christmas', Jeremy Watson considers how we can relate to others in a way that reflects the true spirit of Christmas. We look at Philippians 2:1-11 and the sacrificial humility of Jesus.
Our third topic in the 'White (space) Christmas' series is 'Give More'. How can we be truly generous at Christmas, a time that demands so much from us already? We find help in the story of the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25), who was 'God with us', the greatest gift ever given.
This week in the lead up to Christmas we consider the greatest threat to 'white space' at this time of year - the demands of spending and keeping up with the obligations of the festive season. This can reveal to us our 'slavery' to money and its place in our lives.
In our month leading up to Christmas, we are thinking about how we can celebrate this season in a way that honours the meaning of Jesus's birth. Tim Johnson looks at why we need to create 'white space' in order to see what is important, and how to focus on worshipping Jesus in our whole lives.
In this second in our series on 2 Timothy (from 2:1-13), Kirk Mackenzie considers the importance of passing on the Gospel, and how we can do this more effectively.
Our new series is on 2 Timothy, and Paul's encouragement to Timothy to persevere in living out and spreading the Gospel. Tim Johnson starts at 2 Timothy 1:1-18, looking at why Christians need not be ashamed of the good news of Jesus.
We were visited this week by Lindsay Wilson, a lecturer at Ridley College (www.ridley.edu.au), which is one of our church's Mission Partners. Lindsay spoke about Christian ministry and opportunities to learn and grow in our faith, looking at 2 Timothy 3:1-17.
Our final engagement with the story of Nehemiah (chapters 4-6) looks at his experience of opposition to the work that God has asked him to do. What does this tell us about the difficulties of following Jesus and growing in our spiritual lives?
This part of the story of Nehemiah is about the rebuilding of the gates of Jerusalem. We learn here about the meaning this can have for us, as we contemplate the 'ruins' in our lives and our world, and God's plans to make us part of his rebuilding effort.
Our reflection this holidays on the story of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah chapter 2, where as the cupbearer to the King, Nehemiah is faced with the challenge of how to be courageous enough to stand up for his people and their home city of Jerusalem.
What does it mean to be generous with our money? Luke 21:1-4 has the story of a widow giving to the offerings in the Temple, and Jesus explains how this tests our ideas of financial generosity. Tim Johnson is the preacher for this final sermon in our series.
Our third sermon in the 'Generous Life' series considers Jesus's words about reconciliation and forgiveness in Luke 17:1-10, and how this relates to our generosity to others.
In Luke 14:1-14, Jesus probes our attitudes towards hospitality, and unveils a new way of thinking about generosity - an open heart that gives to others out of the love we have received from God.
We begin a short series on the topic of 'generosity' with a look at the generous type of service that Christians are called to by Jesus. Tim Johnson preaches from Luke 9:57-10:20.
"Male and female he created them" says Genesis. Unfortunately, a persons gender is not that clear cut. Andrew talks in depth about gender in today's society; from gender roles, to transgender and beyond. How should we respond to these modern concepts of gender? How would Jesus? (spoiler: respond with love!)
Sex. God's plan for humans involves sex, yet it is one of the most taboo topics of conversation in polite company. Kirk works through the notion of sex, and how God wants us to respond to it, in a really practical way.
In this final sermon in our series on Ecclesiastes, Andrew Bowles discusses the Teacher's final words in Ecclesiastes 11:5-12:8 on the 'meaninglessness' of life. How do we understand the opportunities and challenges of the different stages of our lives, as we head toward an uncertain future?
How to we experience 'life before death'? Delle Matthews explores what the Teacher says in Ecclesiastes 9:1-11 about how to face our 'common destiny' with hope and assurance.
The Bible says heaps about love, and we hear lots of messages about loving God, and loving your neighbour (rightfully so, as they're the two greatest commands). Did you know, though, that there's a whole book of the Bible about romantic love, and sex?
In this talk, Kirk looks at romance, dating and finding your "soulmate" from a biblical perspective.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Andrew Bowles looks at Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:4, where the Teacher critiques 'the pursuit of happiness' and our belief that things in the world are getting better. But Jesus also offered a deeper foundation for hope that can overcome the tragedy and darkness of the world.
It seems like whether we have lots of money or just a little, it still causes us problems. Tim Johnson looks at Ecclesiastes 4 & 5 and the ways in which money can either be a 'phantasmagorical god' or a useful tool for learning thankfulness before God,
This sermon by Andrew Bowles on Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 is about the tension between our desire for a perfect life and the reality that we experience seasons of good and bad times. This encourages us to reflect on why God has placed the desire for eternity in our hearts, and how to face reality with joy and thankfulness.
The second talk in our Not In Polite Company series. This week, Kirk talks about sex, and specifically what the Bible has to say about some of the messages we're recieved from our culture in Melbourne, Australia.
CONTENT WARNING: Talks about sex.
All of us pursue our dreams of 'the good life', including our vision of the place of success and prosperity in giving meaning to our lives. Ecclesiastes reminds us that even if we achieve everything we ever hope for, it can still fall short of our expectations. The meaning of life is to be found somewhere else. Andrew Bowles considers Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 & 17-23.
What is the meaning of life? Is there any at all? The book of Ecclesiastes challenges us to face the limits of our knowledge about what life is all about and how to live it. Tim Johnson begins by looking at the claim of the 'Teacher' that life is like a cloud of smoke that seems substantial but which we are unable to grasp. Ecclesiastes 1:1-14.
A week before the Australian Federal Election 2016, Kirk takes a look at a Christian perspective on politics. How do you choose a political party to support? Being a Christian means committing every part of your life to Jesus, and voting is most certainly included in that.
Tim Johnson concludes our 'Faith in Action' series on James by looking at 5:12-20, and the ways in which James encourages Christians to be faithful in prayer and hope in God's action.
In this sermon on James 4:13-5:11, Andrew Bowles considers James's words on the futility of trusting in our own plans and our financial security.
In this sermon on James 4:1-12, Kirk Mackenzie considers the issue of how Christians can avoid friendship with 'the world', and have a positive attitude to engaging with our culture.
What does it mean to be truly wise? In James 3:13-18, James compares the wisdom that comes from God with the usual wisdom of the world.
As we celebrate Pentecost this year, Tim Johnson investigates the progression that we can see in the Bible, as God promises his people that they will receive a full experience of his Holy Spirit, a promise that was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended to heaven. Our Bible passages are Numbers 11:24-30 and Acts 2:1-4.
What is the difference between a faith that is dead and one that is alive? James 2:14-26 helps us to reflect on what it means to truly have a 'faith that works'.
This week in our series on James, Jeremy Watson considers the issue of favouritism among Christians, which James speaks about in James 2:1-13.
What is 'religion' supposed to be really all about? Kirk Mackenzie speaks to us from James 1:19-27 about the importance of faith as something that translates to concrete action.
How do we deal with 'trials' - the difficult times, suffering, persecution, temptation, things that make us want to give up? Tim Johnson looks at what James has to say about this topic in the opening passage of his letter. James 1:1-19.
In a prelude to our 'Faith in Action' series on the letter of James, Tim Johnson gave us a FPS (First-Person Sermon) introducing us to James, the brother of Jesus, and his journey to accepting Jesus as his risen Lord. The Bible passage was 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.
On Easter Sunday we looked at the accounts of Jesus's first appearances to his disciples after the resurrection, where their lives were changed forever by the unexpected good news of God's victory over sin and death. From John 20:1-29.
On Good Friday, we finished our 'Because of the Cross' series with a reminder of the power of the Cross of Jesus to restore our relationship with God and with others. Tim Johnson looks at 2 Corinthians 5:6-21 and our new role as 'ambassadors of reconciliation'.
This week, we reflected on how the Cross of Jesus makes us right and heals our nature, the topic of 'justification'. Andrew Bowles considers the teaching of Paul in the letter to the Romans (5:1-11).
In our second sermon in our series on the Cross, Tim Johnson considers another angle on what Jesus achieved - the topic of 'redemption', being set free from an old way of life in order to serve God. 1 Peter 1:17-21.
In our first sermon in the series 'Because of the Cross', Tim Johnson speaks to us about how on the Cross Jesus takes the 'cup' of God's wrath and judgement and drinks it on our behalf. The Bible passage is Matthew 26:36-46.
Our series on Jesus’s parables of the Kingdom from Matthew 13 closes with a look at the parable of the ‘drift net’, and Kirk Mackenzie considers how we face the challenge and comfort of the judgement of God.
Among Jesus’s parables of the Kingdom of God are two that characterise the kingdom as a treasure that is worth seeking. Tim Johnson considers the parables of the treasure in the field and the precious pearl as they challenge us about what we truly value. From Matthew 13:44-46.
In our third ‘parable of the Kingdom’, Jesus explains how the kingdom of God grows from small beginnings, and how God works with ordinary people to have a great impact on the world. From Matthew 13:31-34.
In the second sermon in our series on Jesus’s parables of the Kingdom, Andrew Bowles considers the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30 &36-40. This parable gives us insight into how we can understand the classic ‘Problem of Evil’ from the perspective of God’s Kingdom.
We began our first Term together this year with the start of a series on Jesus’s parables of the Kingdom. Tim Johnson considers the famous ‘Parable of the Sower’, about the different responses that people make to the Word of God. From Matthew 13:1-23.