Matthew 2:13-25 Egytpian Holiday
- Details:
- Written by George Hemmings
Egyptian Holiday audio (4MB) (NB the sermon audio currently includes Cantonese translation)
The bags are packed, the car is loaded, we’re almost ready to go. This afternoon our family is heading down to the beach for a week. If you take a look around the congregation this morning, you’ll see that lots of families are taking journeys at this time of year. Even Mary, Joseph and their newborn baby Jesus head off on a journey it today’s passage!
Now, I should make clear we’re not going to the beach for a holiday. We’re going down to join the Balnarring Beach Mission team as Camp parents. We’re going to support the young adults and the youth, and to make connections with the families that are there. Despite what you might think, it’s not a holiday but work. Though I can’t say the same for everyone else who’s not here today. And Mary and Joseph’s trip is nothing like a holiday!
Luke 2:8-20 Christmas 2014
- Details:
- Written by Chris Appleby
Light in the Darkness audio (4MB)
“2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.” What do you think of when you hear those words? Do you think in metaphorical terms? The darkness is a spiritual thing, relieved only be the coming of the light of the truth of God? That’s the main point isn’t it? But then in the Christmas stories we find God providing a literal fulfilment of these prophecies as the events unwind. The shepherds are certainly living in literal darkness out on the hills at night. Suddenly they see a bright light shining all around them. So bright in fact that they’re terrified.
Matthew 18:10-22 - Lost Sheep and Broken Fellowship
- Details:
- Written by George Hemmings
Lost Sheep and Broken Fellowship audio (5MB)
Matthew 18:10-22
When I was growing up we ran sheep on our farm. Now sheep all, mostly, look the same. But there’s one sheep I’ll never forget. It was a ram actually, and we took to calling him Houdini because no matter what paddock he was put in, he wouldn’t stay in it for long! Even when we fixed the fences and added another strand of wire to make them taller, he always managed to get out. Whenever we went to count the sheep he’d be gone, so we’d have to start looking for him. First we’d try in with the ewes, but often once he’d frolicked with them for a while he’d move on. Sometimes make his way the entire length of the property. It became quite a chore, finding him, chasing him, catching him and bringing him back, knowing that in a few days he’d just as likely have gotten out again! After the thrill of the chase wore off, I didn’t often feel like rejoicing when I found him!
Read more: Matthew 18:10-22 - Lost Sheep and Broken Fellowship
Luke 21:1-6 Kingdom Economics
- Details:
- Written by Chris Appleby
The Widow’s Mite audio (6MB)
Luke 21:1-6
What do you place value in? What are the things that are most important for you? How do you show that you value certain things? That’s the question that we’re confronted with in today’s reading. It’s a fairly familiar passage for many of us but it isn’t just about how much we give. It’s about where our priorities lie. I’ve called this Kingdom Economics because Economics is the science of getting the greatest value from your resources.
This passage is part of a much longer set of incidents where Luke raises this question of values and priorities.
Let’s quickly look back at what’s come just before.
At the end of chapter 19 we find Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. He says: “42"If you … had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Then he goes on to foretell the destruction of Jerusalem: why? Because they’re blind to who it is who stands before them.
2 Timothy 4 - Preach the Gospel
- Details:
- Written by Naomi Gebert
Preach the Gospel audio (5MB)
2 Timothy 4
So we’ve come to the end of this letter – after 5 weeks, we finally get to see how Paul’s going to conclude everything that he’s told Timothy and all the advice he’s given. This part of Paul’s letter to Timothy is his closing commission – it’s his sign off from duty. You might be surprised that only 5 verses in this chapter are spent instructing Timothy, and the other 17 are largely about Paul’s experiences and the people he’s known. He doesn’t focus on his own experiences to get sympathy from Timothy.It’s not because he wants somebody to complain to about the difficult time he’s had. The reason Paul includes such a personal description of the challenges he’s faced is to train Timothy, to prepare him for what lies ahead. As a Christian who professes his faith publicly and strives to make Jesus known, Timothy has difficult experiences ahead of him. And the best authority on any experience is somebody who has already done it.
