Smells Jesusy: Recent Episodes
Three Crosses Church
We explore Paul’s teaching on divorce in 1 Corinthians 7 and ask what it means to take the Bible’s vision of marriage as a lifelong covenant seriously. Along the way, we consider difficult questions about separation, adultery, unbelieving spouses, abuse, reconciliation, and remarriage—and see how God calls us to faithfulness, forgiveness, and reconciliation, and to the careful support of one another’s marriages.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we ask what Paul means when he says, “If the unbeliever leaves, let it be so.” Does he mean temporary separation, abandonment in a broader sense, or something more definite in the first-century world?
We explore Paul’s striking teaching on marriage and sexual intimacy in 1 Corinthians 7, which challenges both our culture’s tendency to make sex ultimate and the Corinthians’ desire to reject it as unspiritual. What emerges is a richer Christian vision: intimacy as a good gift from God to be received with love and generosity, while remembering that our deepest identity and ultimate goal are found in Christ.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we examine a few small words in 1 Corinthians 7 that make a significant difference to how we understand Paul’s teaching on marriage, intimacy, and singleness. By considering what Paul means when he says, “I say this as a concession, not as a command,” we see why he is unlikely to be treating marriage as a reluctant concession, but is instead responding to the Corinthians’ questions about celibacy and sexual relations.
We open our new series on The Household of God by walking carefully between two truths: family is fundamental to the way God reveals himself and the gospel, but it is not our ultimate goal. From marriage as a picture of Christ and the church to parenthood as an echo of God’s fatherly love, we see why family matters deeply without becoming the measure of a faithful Christian life. Whatever our family situation, our highest calling is to follow Christ and find our true home as children in the family of God.
James takes us through Psalm 21, first showing that it is talking about Jesus and then looking at how we can celebrate Jesus's victories, past and future, through the Psalm.
This week Cam St Clair is speaking to us from Exodus 34:1-8 on "What does God's name mean?", "What does God do?" and "What does God stand for?"
Our guest and old friend, Matt Dodd, preaches on Psalm 65, showing us how to pray when life is going well.
We bring our series to a close by exploring how each of us is gathered to Christ to serve his mission through the power of the Holy Spirit. Looking at Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, we see that service is not about finding our one special spiritual gift, but trusting that God has equipped us to serve the needs of his church for the common good.
We explore the mission of the church, and how Jesus defines that mission as making disciples. Looking at Matthew 28, Acts 1, and Ephesians 4, we see that the church is sent to bring people to Christ and grow them in obedience, and is equipped by the Holy Spirit for that task.
We explore the Bible’s vision of the church as God’s people gathered around Christ. From the heavenly gathering of believers across all ages to the local church gathered each week, we consider how Christ shapes our identity, worship, and character.
Tom Richards shows how faith is formed and strengthened. By tracing the recurring patterns of “Go and Tell” and “Come and See” through John 1:35–51, he explains how testimony leads people to Christ and how a deeper encounter with Jesus grows their faith. The sermon culminates in Jesus’ promise that Nathanael will see “greater things,” revealing Christ as God’s presence and greatest self-revelation.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we become detectives as we investigate a surprising question from John 1:43, Who found Philip? As we follow the clues through the passage, this small detail opens up a fresh perspective on how Jesus’ first followers came to him and on the important role witnesses play in John’s Gospel.
Tom Richards shows how John the Baptist identifies Jesus as God’s promised Messiah and suffering servant—not through guesswork, but through compelling evidence God himself provided. Exploring the titles “Lamb of God” and “God’s Chosen One,” this sermon reveals why John’s testimony demands a response and what it means to follow a Saviour whose path to glory runs through suffering.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we explore the fascinating world of textural criticism, a journey that explores the text of John’s Gospel, the surprising identity of Jesus, and Isaiah’s suffering servant.
Tom Richards shows how John the Baptist points beyond himself to Jesus Christ, the greater prophet, the promised Messiah, and the fulfilment of God’s plan. From Moses to Elijah to Christ, this sermon traces the great prophetic sweep of Scripture and calls us to behold the greatness of Jesus.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we tackle a misunderstood phrase in John’s Gospel: ‘the Jews.’ Why does John speak this way when Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples are all Jewish themselves? As we explore the priests, Levites, Pharisees, and the tension surrounding John the Baptist’s ministry, we begin to uncover a deeper question about authority, identity, and what it means to belong to the people of God.
Tom Richards shows that Jesus Christ is God’s greatest revelation – greater than John the Baptist and greater than the law – the one and only Son. This revelation eclipses all others, as grace surpassing previous grace.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we take a closer look at a debated phrase in John’s Gospel: “grace in place of grace” or “grace upon grace.” What seems like a minor translation difference opens up a much bigger question about the law and the fullness of God’s grace revealed in Christ.
Tom Richards shows how two groups emerge in John 1:6–13: the world and the children of God, and explains the fundamental distinction between them. Centred on the question of how someone becomes a child of God, this sermon explores conversion, evangelism, free will, and the sovereignty of God.
In this episode of Behind the Sermon, we explore John 1:9–10 and ask what John means by “the world.” By tracing how the term is used across the Gospel, we uncover a deeper picture of humanity in need of life and light. Along the way, this sheds light on the meaning of John 3:16 and the extent of God’s grace.
Tom Richards walks us through the first five verses of John’s Gospel, showing how John introduces Jesus through the great themes of creation, revelation, and salvation.
Tom Richards gets into the weeds of John 1:1, tackling the controversies surrounding its translation
Our guest, Andrew Fox, preaches on the thief on the cross, challenging us to examine the passage that gives our church its name.
Tom Richards continues to unpack the Kingdom of God, showing how Jesus’ being both Lord and Saviour relates to it.
Tom Richards unpacks from Mark 16 how Jesus' resurrection changes everything on Easter Sunday.
The last of Tom's sermon series in the book of Exodus looking at how Jesus has reshaped what obedience means.
Tom looks at celebrations in the Law and how they reveal God's care and plan for people (and animals) to have a time of rest. We're encouraged to see how we can use our time of rest for worshiping God.
Tom continues to look at the covenant between God and His people as we see the real meaning behind the law, to protect the vulnerable.
Tom continues looking at the Law and how we see the impact of theft and the restitution that must be made in each case.
Tom continues going through the Book of the Covenant and what a difference the Mosaic Law makes for us today.
This week Tom speaks to us from Exodus 21 about how we can apply the Law to our lives today.
Tom is back on why we should keep God at the centre of our worship because God is God centered.
Tom looks at the 10 commandments as the summit of Exodus and shows how we relate to those commandments as a community under grace.
Tom takes us through Ephesians 2:1-10 looking at our past lives and how we have been saved through Grace (not good works) and what we have been saved for (hint, it's good works).
Tom looks at Exodus 19:1-6 and how we can see salvation through the law as God gathers his people to bless them at the mountain. This the first in a sermon series of 3 looking at the law and how it shows us the gospel.
Du brings us the second in his Treasures New and Old series as he looks at the series of "woes" in Luke chapter 11
Matt continues the series in Luke, looking at how big of a deal Jesus is as shown in his ministry in Luke 9.
Matt continues the series in Luke, looking at the way we hear and believe God's word in Luke 8.
Tom Richards preaches on Luke 7:36-8:3 about the woman and Simon the pharisee and how we are to respond to our forgiveness.
Matt talks this week on our expectations of God and how he has come to help his people.
Don West brings us a Reformation Day sermon from Psalm 118, Martin Luther's favourite Psalm where we see how God answers Prayer.
Matt continues the series in Luke's gospel, looking at Jesus' power and person revealed in six stories in Luke. Isaiah 58 is a supplementary passage for this sermon.
Matt starts his next series on Luke focussing mainly on chapters 4 to 9 and the Good News of Luke. Today we look at how Luke shows us Good News to the Poor and how Jesus had power but also wanted committed followers, not just fans.
Guest preacher Shaun Tan speaks this week from Psalm 90 on what gives our life meaning.
Matt brings us to the end of Judges where we are reminded that even though Isreal had no King, God was still there King and was still doing the work of a King. We look also at 1 Timothy and the exhortation to be on guard and be on the lookout for the lies of the deceiver, and to keep holding on to the truths of God as King no matter the age.
James Dawes returns to continue speaking on Luke, now looking at Gabriel's message to Zechariah about John the Baptist. Apologies if there are rain sounds.
Matt continues his series looking at the contrast between Ruth's hope and the darkness of Judges. This week we look at the light of purity in Ruth 3.
Matt continues his series looking at Ruth and Judges and the contrast between Ruth's hope and the darkness of Judges. This week we deal with confronting and terrible sin.
Matt looks at Ruth chapter 2 and how God's generosity is shown through Boaz even in these dark times. The end of the audio for this sermon was cut off but what was recorded has been included.
Guest speaker Erick Kartawijaya speaks on using Epaphroditus as a model for good relationships between believers.
Matt looks at the first chapter of Ruth to show us how even in the time of the Judges God was working through his people to bring light into the world. This is the second in a series juxtaposing Judges and Ruth in a beautiful picture of God's redeeming love.
Matt starts a new series exploring Light in the Darkness in Ruth and the end of Judges.
The final look at Romans 5 to 8 as we see that we aren't slaves or robots, but we are more than conquerors through Christ.
Matt continues his series on the role of the Holy Spirit in adopting us into God's family.
Matt continues his series in Romans looking at how the Spirit is better and more powerful than the law and our sin.
Matt continues the series on Romans looking at the tension within Christians as they do not do what they want to do and how the law sets us free to relate to God
Matt takes us through Romans 7:7-12 as we come to close to the end of Chapter 7 and this segment of Paul's letter to the Romans. We hear how all sin is coveting and see this throughout the Old Testament.
Matt continues the series on Romans showing what it really means to be dead to the law and how that sets us free without nullifying or denigrating the law.
Matt continues his series on Romans looking at what the Jesus' fulfilment of the law does and doesn't mean for us today.
Matt continues the series on Romans looking at how we are united with Christ. This time we answer the questions "should we go on sinning that grace may abound?"
James introduces us to Luke and his gospel as he encourages us to grow in certainty in our relationship with Jesus.
Guest Speaker Ben Pearce comes to use from Redeemer Church and gives us some encouragement from Paul and challenges us to ask what are we living for.
Matt takes us through God's Love in Romans 5:6-8 in the fourth in the United with Christ series.
The next in the United with Christ series looking again at Romans 5:12-21 and how we are united with Humanity through Adam and through Christ.
The final in a series about Distinctive Dreams, things that we as Christians value differently from the world around us.
Distinctive Dreams: Things that we as Christians value differently from the world around us.
The next in the series looking at the Death of Christ. Matt takes us all through the Bible looking at how the Death of Christ fundamentally fixes everything that is wrong with the world.
Martin Ricquebourg looks at the two gardens, the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane
In this episode, Matt plays a game with the congregation. The description of the game has been left in, but the rest of the game has been cut. The actual sermon begins at 01.42.
This is the last sermon in the series.
Bible Reading - John 15:1-8
The third in the series on the I Am statements in the book of John.
Bible Reading - John 9
Matt Waldron continues his series on the I Am statements in John.
Bible Reading:
John 6:25 – 40
John 8:12 - 20
A four part series on the I Am statements in John by Matt Waldron.
Bible Reading: John 8:42 - 59.
Series: Bible Reading Tools
Speaker: Matt Waldron
Bible Reference: Acts 2:36-47
For the diagrams that Matt refers to throughout the series, please visit https://www.facebook.com/threecrosseschurch/
Series: Bible Reading Tools
Speaker: Matt Waldron
Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matt Waldron continues our series on Bible Reading Tools.
Bible reference: Revelations 4:1-11
From the series "Frontline Sundays"
Speaker: Doug Burr
Bible Reference: Hebrews 10:19-25
From the series "Frontline Sundays"
Speaker: Cam St Clair
Bible Reference: Matthew 6:5-14
From the series: Frontline Sundays
Speaker: Dale McMillan
Bible Reference: Colossians 3:15-24
From the series "Frontline Sundays"
Speaker: Matt Waldron
Bible Reference: Genesis 28:10-22
From the series "Frontline Sundays"
Speaker: Matt Waldron
Bible reference: 1 Peter 1:1-2
The final talk in the series "The Gospel According to Moses".
Speaker: Matt Waldron
Bible Passage: Isaiah 46:8-13
Du Vinh Nam speaks to us from Psalm 49.
A link to the song that Du Vinh references towards the end of the sermon can be found here.
From the series "The Gospel According to Moses". A talk by Matt Waldron from Number 21:4-9.
From the series "The Gospel According to Moses". A talk by Matt Waldron from Leviticus 16:1-22.
From the series "The Gospel According to Moses". A talk by Matt Waldron from Exodus 13:1-16.
From the Series "The Gospel According to Moses". Matt Waldron speaks to us from Genesis 26:1-12.
From the series, Power is Perfected in Weakness. Matt Waldron speaks to us from 2 Cor 12:11-13:14.
From the series "Power is Perfected in Weakness". A talk by Matt Waldron from 2 Cor 11:16-12:10.
From the series "Power is Perfected in Weakness". A talk by Matt Waldron from 2 Cor 10:7-11:15.
From the series "Power is Perfected in Weakness". A talk by Matt Waldron from 2 Cor 10:1-6.
From the series "Following and Sharing the way of Jesus".
Matthew Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 13:24-52.
From the series "Following and Sharing the Way of Jesus"
Matt Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 12:38-50.
From the series "Following and Sharing the Way of Jesus"
Matthew Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 13:1-23.
From the series "Following and Sharing the Way of Jesus". Matt Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 12:22-37.
A talk from Matthew 12:1-14, from the series "Following and Sharing the way of Jesus" by Matt Waldron.
From the series, Following and Sharing the way of Jesus. Matt Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 11:20-30.
From the series, Following and Sharing the way of Jesus. Matt Waldron speaks to us from Matthew 11:28-30.
From the series, Following and Sharing the way of Jesus.
A talk by Matt Waldron from Matthew 11:1-19.