Sermon Central
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Why Did Jesus Come
Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 23, 2015 (message contributor)
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1. Decaf Christmas?
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
The reason we decaffeinate Christmas is because we don’t want Jesus intruding on our lives. Don’t want to admit that we need help. Little baby Jesus is OK, but he’d better not get out of the manger.
This week a number of articles have come out, commenting on the push to get Christ out of Christmas. The best I read called this the decaffeination of Christmas. Carols that are all about trees, snow, reindeer, not about a baby born in a manger. Why do we do this? For some the story of ...read more
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2. Physical & Spiritual Perception
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
How’s your eyesight? When you look at Jesus what do you see? A prophet, a teacher, or a miracle worker? If you see more than that, that he’s God’s anointed ruler, then are you taking up your cross every day and following him, submitting to his rule?
Sermon by Rev George Hemmings Last week I had an experience I’m not keen to repeat anytime soon. I had to go into VicRoads. After forty-five minutes I was still waiting for my number to be called. I don’t know how you pass the time in situations like that, but I found myself trying ...read more
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3. Mountain Top Glory & The Descent
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
It’s not by chance that Jesus takes his inner circle up a mountain to witness a most significant moment in their apprenticeship. There they see a manifestation of the glory of God in Jesus.On returning they're reminded of the reality of life in this world
Mountains play a large part in the history of Israel. It was on a mountain that Abraham proved his faith in God in preparing to offer his son Isaac to God as a sacrifice. It was on a mountain top that God showed Abraham all the land of Canaan and promised him all he could see in every direction. It ...read more
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4. Jesus Death & Discipleship
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
The call to be salty is a call for us to persevere as real disciples, who are inwardly pure. Who’ve held nothing back in following Jesus. It’s a call for us to be real disciples who welcome others and who glory in each other’s success.
This morning we remember those who served, and who gave their lives, in not just the Great War, but in all wars. We remember and give thanks for their dedication and service, their bravery and commitment. I know there are some here who have lost friends or family to war, or who have experienced ...read more
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5. The Key To Gaining The Kingdom
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
The keys to gaining God's Kingdom? First come to it in trust and dependence like a little child. Second realise that we can't earn it in God's sight. Third be willing to give up everything in order to gain it. Finally be willing to put yourself last
I was at a local clergy gathering last week and the subject of children's ministry came up. One of the other ministers there commented that they'd had people complain that the children made too much noise. I'm afraid I had to admit that I too had heard the same complaint at St Theo's a number of ...read more
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6. Jerusalem Looms Ahead
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
If we try to be great in some other way than by becoming a servant, we'll lose whatever greatness we achieve. Only by becoming a slave of all, will we achieve greatness in God's Kingdom. The result is a life of following Jesus along the road to the cross
I got a new pair of glasses this week. Not my everyday glasses. These are ones that are made so I can see what's on my computer screen without ending up with a cricked neck. They're fantastic. They make the characters on the screen look perfectly in focus. They just have one drawback. If I forget ...read more
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7. Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
The crowd failed to understand the nature of Jesus’ Kingship, the significance of his humble entry to Jerusalem. Jesus came as the Christ but he was the Christ, the Messiah, who's the suffering servant.
I wonder how many of you were around for the opening of Parliament house in 1988. We were living in Canberra at the time so it was a big event for us. The weekend before we took part in a prayer walk around the Parliament House hill with thousands of other Christians, but the big event was the ...read more
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8. - Debate In The Temple
Contributed on Feb 23, 2015
The Pharisees try to trap Jesus by questioning his authority, by asking about taxes paid to Caesar, the resurrection and which Law is greatest. Jesus rebuts all their attacks. But the battle isn't over. Satan continues his attacks on us today.
Sermon by Rev George Hemmings During my time at Ridley, one of the highlights was the debates. Sometimes there’d be big debates in class, as we tried to wrap our heads around big theological ideas. But the really great debates were the ones the student body organized. Two small teams of ...read more