Merri Creek Anglican

In this sermon Jo encourages us to link our position towards the environment with our faith and our worship. God loves all of creation and has created humans to be good stewards over it, and as we care for creation God will renew not just people but all things.

Is heaven up? Is hell down? Did Jesus go to hell or to Hades, and what does the bible actually say about the place that Jesus went after dying, before his resurrection? In this sermon Peter also looks at how Jesus descent gives Christians comfort when we consider our own death.

In this sermon Peter speaks about the most important Christian belief – that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Jesus' resurrection is the cause for the Christian hope that no matter what we suffer now, we will one day also receive perfected, resurrection bodies.

Beck preaches a Good Friday sermon on the Christian belief that Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified, died and was buried. The historical importance of Jesus’ death is that it shows God entering into our pain and winning victory over it. As a result, believers can have peace with God and others, even in these strange (pandemic) days.

Continuing the series on the Apostles’ Creed, and spanning the bible from Genesis to Revelation, Peter explores the importance of belief in Jesus’ virgin Birth. As is seen in miraculous births throughout the bible, Mary’s miraculous pregnancy is a pinnacle of God’s work of salvation and a signal to Israel that he is rescuing them.

What’s in a name? In this sermon on the Apostles' Creed, Peter looks at the significance of the titles given to Jesus - ‘Lord’ and ‘Christ.’ To call Jesus Lord and Christ is to acknowledge the truth of who Jesus is, but also to accept that Jesus is Lord and life-giver in all areas of our life.

This service has a panel discussion considering the implications of COVID 19 for the life of our church and how we remain connected at this time. As Merri Creek Anglican pauses its Sunday gatherings, this panel discussion offers some advice and an explanation of the rationale for social distancing, how we care for others including the vulnerable, and considering alternative ways of ‘meeting' with and supporting others. Discussion (briefly) covers transmission of the virus, unnecessary use of facemasks & gloves, testing, and the importance of hand washing.

What confidence can we have to believe in God; to believe in the Christian faith? Is there room for doubt or uncertainty in Christian faith? In this sermon Peter begins a new series on the Apostles’ Creed – a tool created and given to the Church in its early years. This Creed, like all the Creeds, helps bring unity and joy to Christians, through helping us navigate doubt and difference of opinion in a life in busy and uncertain times.

In this Western era there is a distrust or contempt building towards institutions, and perhaps towards the church. So, with growing distrust, how can we believe or trust anything? Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world’ but is this a trustworthy claim? This sermon addresses the particular question, ‘How can we trust Jesus?’

In this part of the John series Peter looks at our battle with shame. All of us struggle with shame, often sexual shame. So how does Jesus respond to our shame? With mercy. Jesus calls out hypocrisy, pointing out that all people sin and need forgiveness through him. And Jesus’ offer stands for all of us still, to leave our sin behind, say sorry for it, and to put our faith in Jesus – the sinless one- who does not condemn us but instead stands between us and our accusers.

In this sermon from John Peter encourages us to grow in our faith by drawing on the Spirit or the 'true water', which Jesus offers in this passage. Though human needs remain, enjoyment of Christ creates in us a new satisfaction able to override our other needs. in fact, if we are seeking to be nourished in any way other than Jesus we will not find it, because Jesus is the truer and better temple, the truer and better Moses, the truer and better Passover lamb, and the truer and better water.

Peter continues this John series encouraging people to judge Jesus using God's standards rather than our own. Peter also challenges us to trust Jesus, and to step into following Jesus with our hearts and lives, not only our minds.

[Flyck Clift] Where is He? (John 7.1-13) 19.01.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

Have you had an ‘ah-ha’ moment with Jesus? Have you decided that Jesus is worth following, and then considered why you are following him? Did you recognise Jesus’ “otherness” and have your perspective changed as a result? To whom shall you go? These are the questions posed by Beck in this sermon.

A talk to hoe into. Rob speaks on the strange metaphor, and our real need, to feed on Jesus, and some ways in which food helps us to recognise this need.

Who are you looking forward to being with this Christmas? Beck speaks about how the prophecy from Isaiah is fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ, and reminds us that God looks forward to being with us every day. This is why we celebrate Christmas. We are also encouraged to practice being like the shepherds, and putting things aside to make room for Jesus in our celebrations and struggles.

Pete preaches a pre-Christmas service on the significance of the genealogy of Jesus found at the start of Matthew’s gospel. This genesis highlights a new beginning in time, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people. (This recording begins with three bible readings and finishes with one. The sermon begins at 5'54'')

A message from Bishop Genieve Blackwell on the occasion of five people’s Confirmation of Faith.

Closing out this (extended) Romans series, Peter preaches on the importance of pursuing unity. The gospel, according tp Romans, should bring about the conditions for unity through establishing a foundation of mutual love. Through allowing people to use their conscience, embracing diversity, actively making peace, and by being flexible, Peter unpacks some of the ways we can pursue unity in the church.

How should Christians relate to the ruling authorities? Paul teaches a surprising message that, even in his context of the Romans Empire, Christians should submit to the authorities. Why is he teaching this? And what limits does the Bible place on this instruction?