Sermons on Predatory Birds:

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

Zeal For Peace

Contributed by Michael Bird on Apr 30, 2003

This sermon exposits Eph 4.1-6 contending that in view of their salvation the Ephesians are to zealously contend for the unity within the body.

Ephesians 4:1-6 (Zeal for Peace) Introduction Tradition claims that Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchure is built over the cave in which Christ is said to have been buried. In July 2002 the church became the scene of ugly fighting between the monks who run it. The conflict began when a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empires In Collision: Christ And Caesar

Contributed by Michael Bird on May 11, 2003

This sermon sets out to examine Mk 12:13-17 not in terms on Church-State relationships but rather by illucidating its socio-religious context and its application for God’s image bearers today.

EMPIRES IN COLLISION: CHRIST AND CAESAR Mark 12:13-17 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Fool For Christ And An Idiot For Everybody

Contributed by Michael Bird on Feb 8, 2002

This sermon outlines the two main ideas of 1 Cor 1:18-25 as (1) The Cross divides and Unifies; (2) The Cross fulfills God’s plan to outwit human wisdom.

1 Cor 1:18-25 Introduction [Illustration] I would like you all to play make believe with me for a moment. Pretend that my name is Jose Samblanco and I have just arrived off the boat from Peru and I’m proclaiming to you the good news that a Peruvian peasant by the name Carlos Hernandez was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, 1 Corinthians 1:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Still Sufficient And Supreme

Contributed by Michael Bird on Feb 8, 2002

Deals with the text of Col 1:15-20 by expositing its rich Christological significance.

Col 1: 15-20 - Still Sufficient and Supreme (full text) In our survey of Col 1:15-20 we are now up to course five of this amazing Christological feast of the person and work of Christ. Course Five: Christ the Pope v.18a In 1376 John Wycliffe, a lecturer at Oxford University, wrote a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Unique Sign

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

Why did the shepherds get excited when told that a baby had been born? Why did Simeon and Anna get excited when they saw the baby Jesus? A baby!! So what? So everything - this was the hopes and fears of all the years meeting in Bethlehem that night.

Introduction When a baby is born the new parents get all sorts of different reactions from family and friends: • “Oh, how lovely!” • “Look, he’s got his dad’s eyes!” • “Doesn’t she look just like her mum?” • or, simply, “oh!” But when Mary gave birth to her first son in a stable in Bethlehem ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guidance

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

How does God guide us in the decisions we have to make? This sermon provides an outline of a Biblical model of guidance, using Colossians 3.

Introduction I don’t suppose many of you are old enough to remember the original TV Quiz Show, “Pick-a-Box”. It was hugely successful back in the very early days of television in Australia in the 1950’s and 60’s – so, yes, all the episodes were in black and white. The big moments in “Pick-a-Box” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17, Psalm 25:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marriage - A Special Relationship

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

Transforming our attitudes to marriage to conform with Christian teaching

Introductory Discussion The relationship of marriage seems to be a pretty popular topic here at Padstow, with goodness knows how many engagements we have at the moment and maybe some more to come if what I see going on is any indication. And this is a really good thing. The lifelong commitment of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33, Matthew 19:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Can't Mean That, God? Overview Of Habakkuk

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

When Habakkuk asked God to eradicate evil he got an answer he never expected. His reflections on that answer help us to consider how to respond to evil, how to understand why God allows evil to cause great suffering and draws us closer to our Lord.

Introduction One of the great literary achievements of the 20th Century has become one of the great cinematic achievements of the 21st Century. The first instalment of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is quite simply a phenomenal film that has brought to life a phenomenal book. And that is a ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Easter Sermon On Leviticus

Contributed by Warren Bird on Dec 15, 2002

Christ jumps out at us from almost every page of Leviticus - and when Christ jumps out at you it will change your life! This sermon provides an overview of the sacrifical system in Leviticus and its meaning for Christians in the light of Easter.

One of the most famous Christians in the world would have to be Billy Graham. He is a great preacher who has spoken about Jesus to many millions of people all over the world during the past 50 years or so; he has been a personal adviser and pastor to Presidents; a rarity among American evangelists ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

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