From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, an...  Read More

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”Then the men s...  Read More

  he will swallow up death forever.The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears    from all faces;he will remove his people’s disgrace    from all the earth.The Lord has spoken.In that day they will say,“Surely this is our God;    we trusted in him, and he saved us.This is the Lord, we trusted in him;    let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”Isaiah 28:8-9It’s the lead up to Easter and I want...  Read More

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck...  Read More

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for himPhilippians 1:29We saw this last Sunday in Acts 5 that the Apostles rejoiced because they had been considered worthy of suffering disgrace for the sake of His Name.Jesus is the greatest cause on earth. It is the cause of the true King, of the good Kingdom and the one with the greatest reward.No...  Read More

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.John 17:15-17It’s hard to know the truth these days. Fake news. AI chatbots. Algorithms that reflect our own biases and even those of the coder. Pair that with sinful human psychology that prefers lies to...  Read More

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.Acts 5:41-42I’ve been reflecting on these verses ever since preparing last Sunday’s sermon. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels a vast...  Read More

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”John 16:33I write this blog several hours after reading of an incident between a Russian jet fighter and a U.S. drone in the Black Sea. In the last few days, the Sydney Morning Herald has shaken many in Australia with an editorial piece arguing for Austra...  Read More

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”John 3:3-4We are working through a Theology Thursday series on Reformed Theology or what is sometimes called “Calvinism.” In the early 1600’s some Christians ca...  Read More

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor    amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.Proverbs 28:8Nearly 50% of Aussies invest in the stock market. If you include superannuation funds - it would be approximately 95%.How about you? Do you invest in stocks? Or would you?On the one hand, Christians might say that investing is wise and a good way for people to ge...  Read More

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,    and do not resent his rebuke,because the Lord disciplines those he loves,    as a father the son he delights in.Proverbs 3:11A week or so ago we considered the fear of the Lord and whether God punishes us in direct correlation with our sin. That is, can we connect getting COVID to that time we forgot to give to Church.And as I said on the Sunday, we...  Read More

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.1 Timothy 2:1-2Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life. It recognises we (individually) need God to help us live lives of godliness and holiness. But also that we (The Church) ne...  Read More