This week we commence an extended preaching series through Paul’s letter to the Romans. Luther described the book of Romans as “the soul’s daily bread” which could “never be read or meditated too much and too well.” As we consider Paul’s greeting in the first seven verses we will hear how the unfolding revelation of the gospel of God, culminating in the death and resurrection of Christ, has always been with the view to ‘bring about the obedience of faith’ among the nations for the sake of Christ’s name. Such is the power and purpose of this gospel – the […]

Philip’s request: ‘Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us’ reveals both his profound ignorance of what Jesus was doing all along but also the truth of the utter sufficiency of such a revelation to meet our deepest need even if Philip, at the time, had no understanding of the significance of what he was saying. Coming to know the Father is ‘enough for us’ in ways that go far beyond the assurance that Philip was seeking. As we take a fresh look at how the Son has revealed the Father and shown us so clearly […]

There are two errors that we can so easily fall into regarding spiritual conflict: one is to underestimate the relentless and fierce determination of the evil one to destroy us and our faith. The second error is to be ignorant of both the capacity and nature of Christ-empowered resistance to overcome the power of our enemy and cause him to flee. When, through spiritual drowsiness, we become complacent and inattentive towards God’s word, our faith is left vulnerable to serious attack. Likewise, being ignorant of Christ’s powerful resources to resist and overcome the enemy can lead to an unsettling apprehension […]

None of us are beyond the need to be shepherded. Not even those who are entrusted with the care of God’s flock! In fact ‘elders’ are given special attention by Peter who recognizes both the blessing and the pitfalls of such ministry and so as a fellow elder he shepherds them! He knew from personal experience that there is no one ‘too big to fail’. No one is exempt from the risks associated with inflated views of their own importance. The context of Peter’s exhortation is a church that is under the pressure of persecution. Times of trial and stress […]

Bob Ricks will be preaching on Sunday 27 December. He writes, “There is a wide range of responses from those who met the baby Jesus, who had been declared to be Saviour, King and Shepherd of his people. Many waited with faith and hope for this one to come: that God would be revealed and His salvation would be shown throughout. However, not all waited with joy for His coming, and many would not receive Him as the Christ of God, seeking to destroy him instead. Wonderfully, God is never thwarted in His purpose and Christ through the cross accomplished […]

On Christmas Day we will focus on the heightened expectation surrounding the birth of Jesus due to the angelic pronouncements who declared this boy-child would be the Saviour, King and Shepherd of his people. Many waited with faith and hope for this one to come: that God would be revealed and His salvation would be shown throughout. However, not all waited with joy for His coming, and many would not receive Him as the Christ of God, seeking to destroy him instead. Wonderfully, God is never thwarted in His purpose and Christ through the cross accomplished God’s salvation. We too, […]

Last week we heard how, in the face of suffering, we were to arm ourselves with the same attitude that Christ had, living not for ourselves but for the will of God. This week, from 1 Peter 4:7-19, in light of Christ’s imminent return, we are urged to love and serve one another with the various gifts God has given, even as we endure persecution from outside of the church. As Peter concludes this central section of his letter, we are reminded that all we do – our conduct among unbelievers, how we endure suffering, and our love for another […]

We have been reminded already this summer just how devastating a bush fire can be, and how quickly one can cause havoc. In our passage this week, just as the CFS urges us to be ‘bushfire ready’ and have our ‘action plans’ in place, Peter urges us to be prepared and ready, not for a bush fire, but for suffering for the sake of Christ. “Arm yourselves,” he says, “with the same way of thinking” that Christ displayed when he suffered in the flesh. Living for the will of God, and not for our own selfish pleasure, is not always […]

This week in 1 Peter 3:1-7 we are urged to take the example of Christ’s reverent submission into our homes, and in particular, our marriages. Wives are to adorn themselves with the precious and imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Husbands are to honour and understand their wives, recognising they are ‘co-heirs’ of the grace of life. The goal of such living is far more than a happy home – it involves eternal matters such as the conversion of one’s spouse and our prayers being unhindered. Many around us today consider ‘submission’ to be a four letter word, […]

Jesus has shown us what it means to know God. We continue with the latter part of his prayer in John 17 in which he asks that we be set apart for God and live in the unity of the Father and Son. He says he will finish what he has begun, that is, he will go to the cross and rise again, so we will have the same experience of the Father’s love that he has. Interestingly, he says all these things are so the world will see and understand his coming and the Father’s love for his people.