Sermons on Predatory Birds:

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

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

Schism With The Scribes And Factions With The Family

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jul 13, 2002

This sermon describes the opposition Jesus faced from both his own family and from the Scribes. It attempts to highlight how Christians today can face similar accounts of rejection by both the world and from family.

Schisms with the Scribes and Factions in the Family Introduction I would like set before you a couple of stories in order to illuminate the background to this passage. Scene 1: A Carpenter Shop in Nazareth The road for Sepphoris to Nazareth consisted mostly of rolling hillsides. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

John 1.1-18: What If God Was One Of Us?

Contributed by Michael Bird on Dec 6, 2003

This sermon attempts to demonstrate the importance, meaning and significance of the incarantion for Christian life.

John 1.1-18: What if God was One of Us? Introduction In J.B. Phillip’s New Testament Christianity, a senior angel is showing a very young angel around the splendours of the universe. They view the whirling galaxies and blazing suns, and then flit across the infinite distances of space until at ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

The Reality Of The Resurrection

Contributed by Warren Bird on Apr 17, 2004

Christ’s post-resurrection appearances establish its historical reality, its prophetic reality and its evangelistic reality. It really happened - to fulfil God’s plan, promised in the Old Testament. Thus, it is GOOD NEWS for us, to live and to proclaim.

Christ has died …… Christ is risen ……… Christ will come again. Do you believe it? {Extract a strong affirmation from the congregation.} In that case, you are a step ahead of the original disciples in those early hours and days after the first Good Friday and Easter morning. They found it very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-53, 1 Peter 1:3-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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