Sermons at St Aidan's

As Jesus leads us in singing Psalm 93, we declare God's majestic rule over the universe and find comfort and security under his kingship.

We continue our series of sermons from the Psalms. As Jesus leads us in singing Psalm 91 - our fears are allayed by the presence, protection, and promises of the faithful God who is our refuge.

As Jesus leads us in singing Psalm 90, we look to our eternal God, feel the shortness of our life and the weight of our sin, and so, long for our eternal home with the Lord.

Today we continue in Mark's gospel and listen to Jesus teach his first parable. Often known as the parable of the Sower, however the emphasis falls more on the various responses to the word of God. This opening parable challenges us to consider how well are we listen to the message of he kingdom?

C.S. Lewis famously said that Christ had to be one of three things; a lunatic, a liar, or Lord as he claimed to be. As we continue in Mark's gospel, we see all those reactions to Jesus, and more, as he continues on his mission announcing and demonstrating the Kingdom of God. It causes us to ask what is the appropriate response to encountering Jesus?

We continue in Mark's gospel, and we see how Jesus challenges our expectations of what it means to be part of his kingdom as He calls sinners to follow him, to celebrate and rest in the forgiveness He brings.

Today, as we continue in Mark's gospel,Craig McCorkindale will be preaching on how God works beyond what we can see, ask in prayer, or even imagine.

Today as we continue in Mark's gospel, we are given a glimpse of what it is like when the King of the Kingdom of God walks on earth. We hear about a sample day of Jesus' ministry which involves preaching and teaching, healing, and casting out evil. In this, the true identity of Jesus is revealed, as is his priority in mission.

As we continue the gospel of Mark, we hear the first words of Jesus in this gospel as he announces that the Kingdom of God has come near, and calls people to respond to it. This is an announcement that cannot be ignored, and it calls us to leave everything behind to be part of God's Kingdom.

Today we continue our series in Mark's gospel listening to the good news. After the introduction last week, now the Lord himself arrives and identifies with the people in the wilderness. He shows that his ministry will be all about standing with sinners and sharing with them his blessings.

Today we begin a new series in Mark's gospel, and we hear the world changing announcement of the good news of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist tells the people of the need to be ready for the coming of the Lord through repentance and receiving forgiveness for our sins.

As Haggai draws his prophesy to a close, there is still much to be done in the restoration of the Temple. Yet we will see that Haggai remains certain of its completion. For God's blessing compels and completes our worship of Him in His Kingdom as His restored people.

As we continue in the book of Haggai, we see that less than a month after the people began work on the Temple, disillusionment began to creep in. Yet God brings words of encouragement and promises of a far greater glory to come that spurs his people on.

As we begin a new year at St Aidan's in the Old Testament book of Haggai, we find in God's word a similar challenge to "consider your ways". As we move into a new year, we are urged to consider first God's Kingdom, for His pleasure and His glory.

This week we continue to reflect on the Christmas story through Luke's gospel. In it, we see the hope that arrives at Christmas as we meet two elderly saints in the temple waiting for God to bring a saviour to his people. Christmas means hope for us because we can know who Jesus is.

Our final sermon in Isaiah before Christmas break, focuses on King Hezekiah and what chapters 38-39 present is a mixed portrait. We see a King who is impressive at points, and yet fundamentally flawed. Hezekiah leaves us longing for a better King and a better Kingdom.

Today, as we continue through the book of Isaiah we see that the Assyrian army arrives on Jerusalem's doorstep and in response to King Hezekiah's prayer, God promises to protect his people for the sake of his great name.

Big Idea: Today we continue through the book of Isaiah, we cover a large section describing God's role over all nations. The Lord who holds the whole world in his hands will be praised for his judgements and his salvation through which he will transform the world and renew all things.

Big Idea: God judges the Northern tribe Israel, then the tool of his wrath Assyria, to promise a purified people through the coming Messiah.

Ahaz, the King of Judah, is terrified by the threat of invasion. Isaiah calls on him not to fear but to trust God who will deal with his enemies, and God offers a sign as assurance. Ahaz rejects God's gracious offer and trusts in Assyria instead! So, God rejects Ahaz, and yet still gives a sign which involves the birth of a son to a virgin who is Immanuel. God with us.

Isaiah's vision expresses the peoples rebellion through a love song about a failed vineyard. Isaiah himself has a transforming encounter with the Lord, and a promise of hope emerges through atonement and God's mercy.

Today we continue a series in the book of Isaiah. The Day of the Lord is coming. For those who trust in God, a day of comfort and peace, but for those who put their hope in false idols, a day of fear and destruction.

This is the first in the new series in the book of Isaiah. It stands at the centre of our Bibles as a grand vision of God's plans for the world. It begins with a stinging rebuke calling God's people to repentance and true worship, and reveals how through God's mercy his plan is to transform his people into a city that will be a light to all people.

Today, we have a short change in focus after looking at 1 & 2 Peter in depth, for now, we look at our world today. As our culture becomes more decadent, our struggle for truth resembles that of the early church. Not only are there non-believers and openly hostile groups, but there are those who call themselves believers in Christ but are really Gnostics. After two thousand years, the conflict over spiritual truth remains.

This is the finish of the series in the letter of 2 Peter. In it, we see that scoffers may doubt the return of Jesus Christ, but for the Christian its reality is embedded in the judgement and salvation events in God's word.

We continue a series in 2 Peter, and last week we heard about the True Word and were encouraged to pay close attention to it. But how do we tell the true word about Jesus from a false word?

As we continue in Peter's second letter he assures his readers that what he has taught them is true and that what we have in God's word is a light shining in a dark place, and so we must pay more careful attention.

This week we begin a series in 2 Peter. We see that as we know Jesus, as we dive deeply into his goodness, his glory, and his precious promised return, God's power flows into us bringing salvation, godliness, and assurance.

Today we come to the end of our series in Genesis, and we revisit the family that becomes the nation of Israel. The sons of Israel leave much to be desired as role models, and yet, these are the ones who the Lord calls "my people". We see today that God's people, both then and now, are those saved by grace as they are enfolded into his promises and given a future.

We continue with the series in Genesis and come to the story of Joseph. It is often the case that Joseph is held up as a great example to follow, he works hard, he flees temptation, and he forgives those who wronged him. But before we apply Joseph's example to our lives, let's first see how he points us to Jesus - the true saviour of the world.

As we continue in our series in Genesis, we come to the story of Jacob (later named "Israel"). We see that the whole of Jacob's life is about struggling to obtain the blessing of God. As we follow the contents of his story, we see a person transformed as he discovers that to know God and his grace is what it means to be truly blessed.

As God's covenant promises faithfully unfold, we come to one of the hardest passages of Genesis to stomach - the call to sacrifice Isaac. This seems wildly unreasonable and a sabotage of God's faithful provision. Nevertheless, we will see that faith in God's promises and provision revolutionises our reason when God provides himself in Jesus.

Today we hear the history-shaping promises that God made to Abraham. Today, we share in these promises as we put our faith in the true son of Abraham, who came to fulfill the promises and bring blessings to the end of the earth.

We continue this week with our series in Genesis and come to the story of the tower of Babel. It is here that humanity, speaking the same language, gather together in rebellion against God and as God sees their pride and arrogance he scatters them and confuses their language. We see that every attempt to build a kingdom, a community, or a life in our own name will be short-lived; but there is one name under heaven given to us which gathers and re-unites for eternity.

We come to the story of Noah and the Ark. This part of God's word reminds us of some hard truths. It confronts us with the darkness of our hearts and God's coming judgement on sin. But it also points to the one who brings comfort to our hearts, and the only true place of safety in our world as we take refuge in Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 3 we are told of how sin entered the world and corrupted our relationship with God, one another, and even the creation. But in this tragic chapter we also see hints of mercy, grace, and hope for a restored and better future.

Today we begin a new series going back to the very beginning. In Genesis 1 and 2 we are told of the God who created all things, including us who are made in his image, and created to glorify him and enjoy him forever.

Joash Parker speaks about the King of Glory from Psalm 24.

Living in a broken world can be disorientating. Like David, in Psalm 23, we need a constant focus on the shepherd to pass through the darkest valleys of our lives.

Jesus was forsaken from his Father in the cross, which means that we are never truly alone.

Today we come to the end of our series exploring what it means to be on mission together, reflecting on how we promote the gospel through our public gatherings. The New Testament expectation is that as believers meet to praise and worship god that will be a powerful declaration of the gospel for all to see.

Today we reflect on how we can use the financial resources God has given us for the growth of his Kingdom. The New Testament describes financial giving as partnership in the gospel, and we are encouraged to remember the grace of the Lord Jesus in our generosity.

Today we reflect on how God has gifted his people and gives gifts of his people to the church. There are different kinds of service, but in all of them, and in every one, the same God is at work.

Today we reflect on the role of our good works or Christian behaviour. Living out our faith corporately as a church and individually as believers will impact how those around us perceive and hear the gospel message.

Today we consider what role each Christian is called to in speaking the gospel. All believers have the privilege and responsibility of speaking about their faith, What might that practically look like for you?

Today we consider the most basic gospel-promoting task - Prayer to the Lord of the harvest.

Today we ask, "What is the message that we promote?" If we are going to be part of God's great plan to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, we had better be clear about the message we are called to share.

Today we ask "What is the mindset of the ordinary Christian?" Not all are gifted evangelists, but all who know Jesus are to share his heart and to share an outlook on life that cares deeply about the salvation of others.

This is a new series where we will consider what it looks like to be a church on mission together. There are many ways that God has given us and gifted us to serve him in mission. We begin by asking "Why should we be involved in mission?" The answer, simply, is because there is one Lord whom all people are called to worship.

In the final section of his gospel, Luke records how Jesus appears to his disciples and sends them on mission before ascending to the Father as King over all. Having seen the risen Jesus, the disciples worship him with great joy. How will we respond as we see Jesus this Easter?