Merri Creek Anglican

[Peter Carolane] Vision: Why Church Planting is Worth Suffering For (2 Cor 11:12-33) 04.10.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

In this final sermon in the Esther series Peter presents a topsy-turvy story-ending, both for Esther & for us. Esther foreshadows Christ in presenting a movement from pending annihilation to salvation, then to eternal peace. Peter also considers how we understand the violence of Esther’s story in relation to God’s providence, and looks at the festival of Purim, which Esther commemorates.

Have you ever wondered whether an event was a coincidence or God’s providence? In this sermon Peter looks at the many coincidences which drive the story of Esther forward, encouraging us to rejoice and trust God’s invisible moments of grace and to see God’s providence in them, even in affliction.

Peter introduces us to the story of Esther. Perhaps a trigger warning is required, for in this sermon and story we are introduced to a story as violent and sexual as any Netflix series today. Esther is not to be romanticized. Instead we are meant to ask ‘Where is God? How will God intervene?’ In Esther we see a type of Christ -the suffering of one victim for many & the pattern of God’s grace made manifest. We may also be heartened by recognising that, like Esther, God invites our participation even in our mess.

Beck finishes up the 1 Peter series by encouraging us as Peter encouraged the persecuted church. We are encouraged, in our trials, to stay the course, cast our cares onto God who cares for us, and resist the devil. We do this by sharing our doubts, trusting the Holy Spirit in us to help us, and trusting that Jesus Christ is victorious on our behalf.

What motivates the way you relate to others? Continuing the 1 Peter series, Beck looks at Peter’s instructions to the church on intrinsic and extrinsic motivators in our relationships, which should flow out of humility. Offer ing a helpfully broad definition of 'elders,' elders are to choose to lead by example, prayerfully examining their motives & remembering their heavenly reward. Those younger in the faith are to submit. This submission does not exclude choice or dialogue or even challenges to leadership, but it does include choosing to listen, respect and follow those who lead by example.

Continuing the 1 Peter series, Peter looks at one of the priorities of the Christian life and offers four ways to move toward it. This priority is the strengthening of Christian community. Through mutual love, prayer, hospitality, and service to each other we can follow the apostle Peter’s teaching and participate in this mutually beneficial work.

In this sermon Flyck looks at the Christian reason to have hope. Continuing in 1 Peter, hope found in the victory of Jesus Christ is so powerful that it is able to alter our perspective and our behaviour – even in trials.

What is the life everlasting? In this sermon Rob Miller rounds out the Apostles' Creed series by looking at the broad view of life everlasting which encompasses ideas of salvation, God's kingdom, and the renewal of all things. The Christian confession of life everlasting is a source of hope today, helping avoid spiritual restlessness and helping us focus on God.

In this Justice sermon, Robyn Boosey (Melbourne Anglican Diocese: Preventing Violence Against Women) highlights Jesus’ equal acceptance of all people, irrespective of social standing or gender. We see Jesus’ compassion for the socially distanced, his willingness to listen to the stories of others deemed unworthy by society, his inclusion of the marginalized, and his power to challenge the unjust culture of the day while bringing healing and hope to the darkest of situations.

Can the dead be raised? Humans yearn for many things, including immortality, & because of Jesus Christ, Christians yearn with hope. In this sermon, Peter discusses how resurrection is the most Important doctrine in Christianity, and looks at Christ who is our resurrection pattern. Like with Christ, the God who made all things will finally raise us bodily and in imperishable glory.

[Peter Carolane] Apostles' Creed: The Forgiveness of Sins (Micah 7:14-20; Luke 7 & 15) 26.07.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

[Peter Carolane] Apostles' Creed: He will come again to judge (Matt 24.23-42 & 25) 19.07.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

Do we need a progress report on whether we are attaining eternal life? In this sermon, Will Mackerras speaks about the assurance offered in the story of the rich young ruler. Here, we learn that once we have put our trust in Jesus we don’t need to make a giant leap towards perfection or obey the whole law in order to receive eternal life. Instead, we stay in the kingdom of heaven in the same way we entered it - through continuing to trust Jesus for our salvation.

Solidarity not separation. Blessing not retaliation. As the 1 Peter series continues, Flyck looks at the way that the Christian family is to live out it’s calling to righteousness through being willing to suffer injustice. Suffering injustice shows solidarity between Christian brothers and sisters, but also enables Christians to do good by blessing those who do evil.

Peter gets out the prejudice horn to remind us not to let prejudice override our ability to hear important Christian teachings. In preaching on this tricky passage, the bigger goal of this passage (and letter) is shown to be the subversive transformation of society to the pattern of God’s kingdom. Gentleness is a calling for all Christians – not just wives.

[Tom French] 1 Peter: Living Commendable Lives (1 Peter 2.11-25) 21.06.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

[Peter Carolane] 1 Peter: The Identity of God's People (1 Peter 2.4-10) 14.06.20 by Merri Creek Anglican

Beck preaches on the significance of the line in the Apostle’s Creed which says that we ‘believe in the Holy catholic church, the communion of saints’. The idea of the holy church might make us skeptical, but it is Jesus own holiness which is robust and able to go into messy places which has been given to the church. The church is also one church, made up of all people from all times and ages, who are filled with the goodness of Jesus and united to God and each other through the spirit of Christ. It is for this church that Jesus prays that God would protect the church, that the church would be joyful in being united to him, and be made holy as they share the good news in the world.

[Peter Carolane] Apostles' Creed: I believe in the Holy Spirit (John 16.1-15; Acts 2.1-42) 31.05.20 by Merri Creek Anglican