Merri Creek Anglican

Why do we struggle to worship God, and how do we worship God well? Peter continues the Romans series by outlining five reasons people struggle to worship, then considering Paul's example of worship in his Romans doxology. This sermon encourages us to contemplate God, and to worship from the overflow of minds transformed by the gospel.

Here, Peter addresses one of the harder passages in the book of Romans (and, perhaps, the bible). What does it mean for God to be both kind and stern; to graft some branches in and to cut others off? Listen here to find out.

Crossing the aisle to engage with culturally different people is bound to get messy. In this talk Peter assures us that mess is ok. God can cope with our mess. We can also prepare ourselves for mess. As modelled in Acts 15, we can deal with mess by seeking the wisdom of older and wiser people, tempering our standards with love for others, and being flexible.

Fitting this baptism service, this sermon on crossing the aisle discusses the need for christians to be distinctive. Christians are called to be a living, breathing, active community of faith who love others without compromising their values. History shows that the failure to do so can lead the church into becoming poisonous in society, but the alternative is better - when the church's distinctiveness leaves an indelible mark of good love.

What is the place of judgment in the Christian faith? In this talk Peter looks at how perfect judgment is a cause for rejoicing, and at the implications of Jesus' famous call to his followers to 'turn the other cheek' and 'love their enemies'. The law of love is not merely non-hatred or 'like' but love as an action.

How do we stop differences turning into polarisation? In part 1 of the Crossing the Aisle sermon series, Pete talks about a world full of aisles of suspicion and judgment. Jesus Christ, in his birth, death and life, is a model of crossing these aisles sacrificially and with humility. Following Jesus' example results in the humble and sacrificial movement of Christians towards people of other tribes which can be practiced at home as well as in the wider community.

In this sermon Flyck looks at some of the reasons that people stumble over Jesus Christ, and at the beautiful truth that Jesus Christ is God's righteousness for all people willing to trust him.

Tom French continues this Romans series looking at a tricky passage about God's choice. When it comes to choosing his people, do we trust God to be God? De we trust that God is wise and merciful? And what proof do we have that God is compassionate? Listen to find out more.

Richard continues the Romans series with a powerful passage which offers great assurance and injects us with hope: nothing can separate us from God's love!

The Romans series continues with a recap of the first eight chapters and an answer to the question: If Christians have been freed from sin and have new life, why do they still suffer? A good listen for anyone considering becoming Christian, or anyone wanting to know more about the 'now-and-not-yet' aspect of Christian faith. Pete also offers some practical tips on how to pray with hope.

What does worship look like? Rob Miller finishes the series on True Worship asking what you would see if you looked in the Mirror of Erised? Would you see sacrifice? True and proper worship involves sacrifice and impacts the breadth, length and depth of our lives.

How do we know whether we are really spiritual people? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in worship? How does the Holy Spirit feel? These are some of the question Rob Miller considers in this third talk on Spiritual Worship.

In this second of the Worship series, we look at the strange contrast in Psalm 95, and Rob asks the question: How can we become responsive worshippers? Do we worship in response to God or do we attempt to worship in the way that pleases us? Are we prepared to listen to God or do we need God to dig us new ears?

What does a worshipper look like? In this first of four talks on Worship, Rob Miller challenges our assumptions about who we see as true worshippers and what true worship looks like. Where does Jesus fit your understanding of worship, and if Jesus is the model for your worship what does worship then look like?

The horrible end to the book of Judges is the confronting topic discussed by Peter in this talk. The distressing story closing Judges shows the widespread violence (often against women), and the diminishing of our humanity that results from everyone doing their own thing. Although horrible, this story also shows us God’s heart, offering hope in God’s kingdom in which peace and justice prevail. Peter also interviews Robyn about the Melbourne Anglican Diocese’s taskforce for Prevention of Violence Against Women.

Pete continues a series on Judges looking at the unexpected inspiration of the life of Samson. Pete considers how such an unlikely figure points us to Jesus and warns us away from seeing God as a magic genie. The challenge is to follow the pattern of strength in weakness, to realise our own unfaithfulness, and to draw on the strength that comes through knowing Jesus Christ

[Beck Miller] Gideon: Victory for Weakling (Judges 6:1-40)12.05.19 by Merri Creek Anglican

The drama of Judges continues. In the second week of this Judges series Peter looks at another extraordinary story of Deborah and Barak and at God’s mysterious ways. God is mysterious, God uses flawed people but ultimately God always wins.

Peter starts of a series on Judges with the spectacularly strange story of Ehud and the king of Moab. Peter talks about how God is a "left-handed" God - God's methods and God's deliverers are surprising but also effective.

Highlights from our Easter Sunday service with the theological theme: Water