Sermons on predatory birds:

The Fourfold Name In Isaiah 9:6

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 17, 2002

The magnificent fourfold name given to the promised child in Isaiah’s prophecy is a great encouragement, at Christmas and all year round.

Introduction I don’t expect any of you to remember, but I promised at this time last year to preach tonight’s sermon at some time. My pre-Christmas message in 2001 was on the subject of “God’s Unique Sign” and in it I briefly discussed the verse in Isaiah 9:6 where the promised son is to be called ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Biblical Reflections On Faith In A Pluralistic World

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jan 4, 2003

This sermon evaluated the recent trends towards religious pluralism and attempts to construct a Christian response.

BIBLICAL REFLECTIONS ON FAITH IN PLURALISTIC, POSTMODERN, POST-CHRISTIAN AND PAGAN WORLD MICHAEL BIRD INTRODUCTION We live in an age which is becoming increasingly hostile historical Christianity. This hostility emanates from a public mindset that is pluralistic, postmodern, post-Christian and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Exodus 20:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Of Truth And Authority - Introduction To Titus Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jan 14, 2003

Why should we believe the New Testament? Paul’s introduction in his letter to Titus gives important teaching about the source of his authority as a teacher of God’s message and helps us to understand the New Testament as God’s inspired Word.

Introduction The media love crises. Situations where something is going wrong; someone has mucked up; or someone has to be sent into a situation to fix it up make really good copy. Well, if you’re the sort of person who buys the newspaper or watches ‘A Current Affair’ to learn about the latest ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Elders And Passing The Baton Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jan 14, 2003

The role of church elders is to pass the baton of gospel truth from one generation to the next

Introduction Being the 15th of September 2002, today is the 2nd anniversary of the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. I was fortunate enough to be there at Homebush that evening – I have here my little yellow suitcase to prove it! What a spectacle it was, from the time the lone horse ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:6-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Lord Bless You And Keep You

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jan 18, 2004

Grace, peace, blessing, keeping. God desires wonderful things for His faithful people! Blessing is a term that gets misused a lot - this sermon explores what it really means.

Have you ever noticed how the apostle Paul opens every one of his letters by wishing his readers “grace and peace”? It is also present in both of Peter’s letters, one of John’s and Revelation. When they said, “grace and peace” these Biblical writers were not merely using a polite form of words to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

America Must Choose

Contributed by Dale Bird on Jun 29, 2004

Just as Joshua confronted Israel, Christian Americans must Choose as did Israel - Will we committ?

We all face choices every day. Some choices are big and some are small. Some choices have only a limited effect while others may affect the course of our entire lives and the lives of others. Today as Americans, and as Christians we continue to be called to choose. The days of free choice are ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Trial Of Jesus - A Tale Of Truth And Power

Contributed by Warren Bird on Mar 21, 2005

Jesus’ discussion with Pilate during His trial has some powerful messages about power and about truth.

I’m always astounded at that point in the narrative of Christ’s final hours when Pilate says to Him: “Don’t you realise I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” To which Jesus replies, using the WJB paraphrase version of the Bible: “You’re kidding aren’t you? You … power over ME! Not ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-65

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Be An Apocalyptic Christian In Four Easy Steps Series

Contributed by Michael Bird on Sep 19, 2002

This sermon looks at Lk 9:57-10:20 and argues that mission is an apocalyptic activity whereby we participate in the victory of the kingdom of God.

Lk 9.57-10.20: How to be an Apocalyptic Christian in 4 Easy Steps Introduction When I pose the question, “How to be an Apocalyptic Christian?” numerous thoughts or images might fly through your mind. Is it like David Koresh and the Branch Dividians of Waco, Texas U.S.A? Is that like one of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Transformed Into Living Sacrifices Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Feb 11, 2003

Exposition of Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean for us to be "living sacrifices" and how are our minds to be "transformed"?

INTRODUCTION What does being a Christian, being someone who has received God’s mercy, mean for the way we live our lives? How does being a Christian make a practical difference, day to day, for you and for me? In my next few talks I am going to work through the answers that Paul gives to that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Transformed Thinking About Myself Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Feb 11, 2003

If you are a transformed and renewed Christian, how ought you to think about yourself? Soberly, neither too high nor too low; and as a servant of others.

Introduction I start this week with a brief reminder of the theme of these last few chapters of Romans – putting our faith into practice, applying God’s will in our lives. To do this properly requires us NOT to let the world squeeze us into its shape, but to have our minds shaped by God Himself. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Transformed Love Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Feb 11, 2003

What is the nature of Christian love? It looks out for what is best; it persists; and it is practical.

Context/Reminder Romans 12:1-2 - the Christian mind is a transformed mind, not slipping easily into the same pattern as the world around us, but renewed by our relationship with our almighty and merciful God. Romans 12:3-8 - how that principle works out in the way we think about ourselves: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Transformed Payback Series

Contributed by Warren Bird on Feb 11, 2003

Loving our enemies? Don’t payback evil with evil? What is going on here? Have you christians lost your mind?! We’ve gotta get even, haven’t we?

Introduction I have a confession to make. Some of you are already aware of what I am about to reveal, but to most of you it will be a new insight into my character. It is not a sin that I am going to confess, but an obsession. I am, right now, at this point in my life (when you would think I had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Facing A Hostile World

Contributed by Warren Bird on Jul 24, 2003

The world is hostile to God and His people. It was to David, son of Jesse, also. How did he face spiritual opposition and what can we learn for the battle we are called to fight today?

Introduction I read something this week that reinforced a conviction that has been growing in my mind over the past several months. What I read was a news item about a plaque that has been taken away from a tourist centre at the Grand Canyon in the USA. Have any of you been to the Grand ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gospelizing 101

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jan 14, 2002

Gives an exposition of Rom 3:21-26 including all the technical terms. Seeks to apply the text by arguing that the Christian life is the process of gospelization.

Rom 3:21-26 In 1759 William Cowper was 28 years old, he had a total mental breakdown and tried three different ways to commit suicide. He became convinced that he was beyond hope. In December, 1763, he was committed to St. Alban’s Insane Asylum, where the 58-year-old Dr. Nathaniel Cotton tended ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Supremacy And Sufficiency Of Christ

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jan 15, 2002

This sermon outlines the main ideas of Col 1:15-20 emphasising the pre-emminence of Christ over the cosmos.

Col 1:15-20 (Part 1) Intro [Illustration] When I was in the Army me and a few mates were tasked with piqueting a truck laden with ammunition on a Friday night. Well, as you can imagine most young men had other things planned rather than guarding a truck on a Friday night. So we sat around ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational