Merri Creek Anglican

Continuing the 1 Corinthians series, Peter talks about how to be wise, how to be spiritual, how to be smart. If we are to learn something from the Corinthians it is that, instead of getting ahead of ourselves, we should build our spiritual practices on the one true God. It is in God that authentic wisdom, spirituality and spiritual knowledge are found, and these are generously given by God to those who humbly accept ity.

In this sermon Peter sets out to persuade us to pursue God’s wisdom rather than worldly wisdom. This persuasion comes in the form of an invitation to foolishness: to accept a foolish message, to live a foolish life, and to listen to a foolish teacher. The benefit of doing so is that as we stand in awe of God’s wisdom – displayed in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection – we are choosing life and goodness and the love of God.

Peter introduces us to a new sermon series in 1 Corinthians. In this letter to a messed up church we are told that God’s grace, while not cheap, is not dependent on our behaviour but on our relationship to Jesus Christ. Through Jesus God’s grace is available to messed up churches and messed up individuals. No matter how we struggle in life God is powerful to work in our lives.

In continuing the sermon series on the kingdom parables Tom French explains how a gift can be free & still have a cost. The Kingdom of Heaven is free for all but this does not mean that gaining the kingdom is without cost to us. In these parables Jesus asks us: do we recognize the value of his kingdom, the cost of following him, and the joy of gaining Christ as our brother?

[Peter Carolane] Kingdom Parables: The Mustard Seed & the Yeast (Matt 13:21-25) 17.01.21 by Merri Creek Anglican

In this sermon, Flyck Clift looks at how the fiery judgment presented in the parable of the Weeds is truly encouraging, both for people inside and outside the church. Absolute judgment at the end of the ages testifies to God’s patience & justice, encourages us to be non-judgmental now, calls people to the anti-evil act of bearing good fruit, and offers assurance that Jesus is the perfectly worthy & loving judge.

Beck Miller kicks off 2021 & a sermon series on the Kingdom parables with the parable of the Sower. The kingdom parables invite us to examine our hearts in order to see how our agenda aligns with God’s agenda. Beck reminds us that God’s way of sowing into the kingdom is to scatter wide, knowing that not all seed will grow to fruit. & Even with apparent good growth, society requires the word and grace of Jesus Christ for true & lasting transformation to occur.

In this advent sermon Peter continues looking at joy in the Christian life. Looking at Mary’s song in Luke we learn that joy comes through knowing that God has saved us from the consequences of our own hurtful actions through the forgiveness brought by Jesus. Reflecting on God’s marvelous acts leads to rejoicing in our Creator and Savior.

In this first sermon in this new series on joy, Flyck looks at how life with God enables a unique experience of joy. Life with God gives us a unique understanding of where joy can be found through securing our identity in Christ, connecting us humbly to community, and through giving us clear perspective on where meaning, beauty and goodness in life can be found.

In this sermon Peter looks at discipleship, encouraging us to give our best to Jesus. Peter looks at two extremes, the selfless devotion of one woman and self-righteousness and religious selfishness, and challenges us to think about how extravagant our devotion to Jesus is, and also to consider how we respond to the extravagant devotion shown by others.

Beck Miller preaches about the phenomenal sign in John 11 - the raising of Lazarus - & about letting Jesus be the hero of our story. Is Jesus heroic? Well, he is powerful to give life, he is compassionate - weeping with Mary even though he can see the good he is going to do - and he acts even though it leads to his own persecution and death. Do you think these are heroic qualities?

Peter looks at a very familiar image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In particular, Peter looks at the mission of the good shepherd to die, to defeat death and to create the church. Such a mission makes the good shepherd beautiful and noble and promotes confidence to listen to his voice.

In this sermon Flyck Clift looks at the works of God displayed in a blind man who receives sight. This account from John 9 shows that God's works are inclusive, empowering, truth-telling, worship-inspiring, and centred on Jesus Christ.

Tom French relaunches our epic John series, looking at the truth that will set us free. As Tom looks at the idea of truth that sets us free he asks a crucial question: Will we allow who Jesus is to inform who we are or will we let our view of ourselves define who we think Jesus is?

In the third of this vision series Peter reminds us that the Church exists “to make little Christs.” When a church is mature every member of that church recognises that they have a role using their God-given gifts to help grow God’s kingdom.

In this second Vision talk, Peter looks at why church planting needs Holy Spirit power. Church planting requires a huge labour of love in planning, financing, gathering, unifying and transforming people into a church community. Looking at 1 Thessalonians, we see that the Holy Spirit does this by bringing conviction and power, and by giving people joy as our faith grows and we experience God working powerfully through and round us.

[Peter Carolane] Vision: Why Church Planting is Worth Suffering For (2 Cor 11:12-33) 04.10.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

In this final sermon in the Esther series Peter presents a topsy-turvy story-ending, both for Esther & for us. Esther foreshadows Christ in presenting a movement from pending annihilation to salvation, then to eternal peace. Peter also considers how we understand the violence of Esther’s story in relation to God’s providence, and looks at the festival of Purim, which Esther commemorates.

Have you ever wondered whether an event was a coincidence or God’s providence? In this sermon Peter looks at the many coincidences which drive the story of Esther forward, encouraging us to rejoice and trust God’s invisible moments of grace and to see God’s providence in them, even in affliction.

Peter introduces us to the story of Esther. Perhaps a trigger warning is required, for in this sermon and story we are introduced to a story as violent and sexual as any Netflix series today. Esther is not to be romanticized. Instead we are meant to ask ‘Where is God? How will God intervene?’ In Esther we see a type of Christ -the suffering of one victim for many & the pattern of God’s grace made manifest. We may also be heartened by recognising that, like Esther, God invites our participation even in our mess.