Merri Creek Anglican

Pete preaches a pre-Christmas service on the significance of the genealogy of Jesus found at the start of Matthew’s gospel. This genesis highlights a new beginning in time, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people. (This recording begins with three bible readings and finishes with one. The sermon begins at 5'54'')

A message from Bishop Genieve Blackwell on the occasion of five people’s Confirmation of Faith.

Closing out this (extended) Romans series, Peter preaches on the importance of pursuing unity. The gospel, according tp Romans, should bring about the conditions for unity through establishing a foundation of mutual love. Through allowing people to use their conscience, embracing diversity, actively making peace, and by being flexible, Peter unpacks some of the ways we can pursue unity in the church.

How should Christians relate to the ruling authorities? Paul teaches a surprising message that, even in his context of the Romans Empire, Christians should submit to the authorities. Why is he teaching this? And what limits does the Bible place on this instruction?

What is love? We use love to describe many things, but here, Flyck looks at Roman's description of love as an ethical standard for Christians. Following Jesus' suit, Christians have good reason to make love their ethic, and to practice clothing themselves with Christ-like, zealous, generous love.

[Beck Miller] Amos: God brings Restoration (Amos 9) 27.10.10 by Merri Creek Anglican

Here, an ecoprophet interprets the prophet Amos, challenging us against complacency in the face of injustice. As Amos told Israel, justice demands that we mourn injustice, we call it out, and we proclaim judgment against it. The message to Israel and the world is that God is putting to the world to rights and inviting us to participate.

Amos appears to be laden with God’s judgment against his own people. Here, Peter looks at what leads God to exile Israel: their lives of cheap grace & false worship rather than obedience in embracing God's righteousness and justice. Listen for a deeper look at grace, false worship, liturgy and justice.

What tangible evidence is there that you are not worshipping the idol of money? In this first sermon on Amos, Peter calls us to consider the corrupting power of wealth and challenges us to prove we are not worshipping this idol. Our attitude towards wealth can be shaped both by God’s judgement on Israel, as spoken through the prophet Amos, and through considering Jesus’ resistance to wealth.

Beck considers what it looks like to belong to the body of Christ, encouraging Christians to embrace the uneasiness of interdependence and, from the knowledge that they belong to each other, to serve each other with humility and cheer.

Why do we struggle to worship God, and how do we worship God well? Peter continues the Romans series by outlining five reasons people struggle to worship, then considering Paul's example of worship in his Romans doxology. This sermon encourages us to contemplate God, and to worship from the overflow of minds transformed by the gospel.

Here, Peter addresses one of the harder passages in the book of Romans (and, perhaps, the bible). What does it mean for God to be both kind and stern; to graft some branches in and to cut others off? Listen here to find out.

Crossing the aisle to engage with culturally different people is bound to get messy. In this talk Peter assures us that mess is ok. God can cope with our mess. We can also prepare ourselves for mess. As modelled in Acts 15, we can deal with mess by seeking the wisdom of older and wiser people, tempering our standards with love for others, and being flexible.

Fitting this baptism service, this sermon on crossing the aisle discusses the need for christians to be distinctive. Christians are called to be a living, breathing, active community of faith who love others without compromising their values. History shows that the failure to do so can lead the church into becoming poisonous in society, but the alternative is better - when the church's distinctiveness leaves an indelible mark of good love.

What is the place of judgment in the Christian faith? In this talk Peter looks at how perfect judgment is a cause for rejoicing, and at the implications of Jesus' famous call to his followers to 'turn the other cheek' and 'love their enemies'. The law of love is not merely non-hatred or 'like' but love as an action.

How do we stop differences turning into polarisation? In part 1 of the Crossing the Aisle sermon series, Pete talks about a world full of aisles of suspicion and judgment. Jesus Christ, in his birth, death and life, is a model of crossing these aisles sacrificially and with humility. Following Jesus' example results in the humble and sacrificial movement of Christians towards people of other tribes which can be practiced at home as well as in the wider community.

In this sermon Flyck looks at some of the reasons that people stumble over Jesus Christ, and at the beautiful truth that Jesus Christ is God's righteousness for all people willing to trust him.

Tom French continues this Romans series looking at a tricky passage about God's choice. When it comes to choosing his people, do we trust God to be God? De we trust that God is wise and merciful? And what proof do we have that God is compassionate? Listen to find out more.

Richard continues the Romans series with a powerful passage which offers great assurance and injects us with hope: nothing can separate us from God's love!

The Romans series continues with a recap of the first eight chapters and an answer to the question: If Christians have been freed from sin and have new life, why do they still suffer? A good listen for anyone considering becoming Christian, or anyone wanting to know more about the 'now-and-not-yet' aspect of Christian faith. Pete also offers some practical tips on how to pray with hope.