Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.1 Thessalonians 4:13-14I remember getting an update from an old friend that they had just been diagnosed wit...  Read More

Q. 95. To whom is Baptism to be administered?A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptised.Ok. I’m going to take it that we all agree with the first statement. We don’t just drop water on whoever comes through the door - ba...  Read More

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength...  Read More

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1Today, I want to focus on two words. Be careful. I reckon one of the great themes of modern life, fuelled by technology and capitalism, is a subtle encouragement toward thoughtlessness. Let me connect a few dots.Example one - streaming serv...  Read More

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.2 Corinthians 9:7Tonight is our Annual General Meeting and forgive me if my mind turns to finances. You know, there is a big part of me (and I’m sure a big part of you) that just wishes God would sort it out you know. That we would win the lottery somehow and tha...  Read More

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”1 Corinthians 1:12You know, one of the saddest things that can happen to a Church is division. Conflict or fractures can occur for a number of reasons. Doctrine/theology, moral failures, poor pastoral care just to name a few.But one of the saddest things ...  Read More

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away f...  Read More

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify t...  Read More

Q. 94. What is Baptism?A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.Westminster Shorter CatechismI’ll never forget the first baptism at Village Church. I don’t think we get ‘monso...  Read More

You are good, and what you do is goodteach me your decrees.Psalm 19:68Most of us desire to do the ‘right thing’ and be good people. But in a complicated world - what does this look like? Over the coming Wednesdays we’re going to consider ethics, morals and how we can be good and do good.Goodness, ethics and morals begin with God. How do we know what goodness is? How can we discern what is right an...  Read More

31 “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.Matthew 5:31-32Approximately 44% of Australian marriages end in divorce. Therefore, it is statistically likely that readers of this b...  Read More

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12:30-31The commands of our world are do whatever makes you happy. There is only one command. The singer Adele famously lived by these commands. She chose her own happiness over ...  Read More