Listen to Sermons and Talks from St Luke's Anglican Church, Clovelly -- a church community in the heart of Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Community is so messy you'll feel like giving up, but it's what we made for, which is why we need God to live in our relationships.
CLICK here for bible readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 and Mark 1:14-20 CLICK here for bible readings: Exodus 33:18-23 and Mark 9:2-13
CLICK here for bible readings: 1 Samuel 18:1-5 and John 15:13-17
CLICK here for bible readings: Psalm 103 and Matt 9:35-38
CLICK here for bible readings: 1 John 4:9-14 and Luke 19:1-10 CLICK here for bible readings: John 20:19-22 and Luke 15:1-7 CLICK here for bible readings: 1 Cor 3:5-11 and Colossians 4:2-6
What happens when our prayers seem to go unanswered? Where do we turn when life cannot seem to get any worse? What do we pray when sadness and sin take over? Tune in to hear how Psalm 38 provides the answers.
CLICK here for Bible readings: 1 Kings 16:29-17:24 and Luke 4:16-26. CLICK for Bible readings: 1 Kings 18:17-39 and Hebrews 10:11-14. CLICK for Bible readings: 1 Kings 19:1-18
We live in a secular age, where we assume that even if God is there, he’s not relevant to the business of daily life.Secularism offers an alternative vision of life – but how does it satisfy our deepest longings for community, meaning and hope? CLICK for Bible readings: Psalm 14 and Luke 10:25-37. CLICK for Bible readings: John 4:13-29 and 1 Peter 1:13-21. CLICK for Bible readings: Luke 12:13-34 and 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
CLICK for Bible readings: Psalm 42 and Philippians 1:12-27.
CLICK here for Bible reading: Ephesians 1:1-14. CLICK here for Bible reading: Ephesians 1:15-23. CLICK here for Bible reading: Ephesians 2:1-10. CLICK for Bible reading: Ephesians 2:11-22. CLICK here for Bible reading: Ephesians 3:1-21.
‘The modern world is a habit formation machine’, writes author Justin Earley. We will be formed and shaped by something, unintentionally by the habits and rhythms of modern life - or intentionally, as we reject the distraction and anxiety and consumerism of our modern world to live for the love of God and neighbour. In 2020, we’ll begin each quarter thinking about the rhythms that shape us. CLICK for Bible readings: Psalm 1 and Acts 11: 19-26. CLICK for Bible reading: Matthew 11:28-30.
CLICK for Bible reading: Mark 8:31-38. CLICK for Bible reading: Mark 9:1-13.
CLICK for Bible readings: Mark 5:1-20 and Ephesians 2:1-5. CLICK for Bible readings: Leviticus 15:10-15 and Mark 5:21-43. CLICK for Bible readings: Isaiah 53:1-12 and Mark 6:1-29. CLICK for Bible readings: Numbers 27:15-20 and Mark 7:1-23. CLICK for Bible readings: Ezekiel 36:22-27 and Mark 7:1-23. CLICK for Bible readings: Isaiah 40:1-11 and John 10:1-21. CLICK for Bible reading: Mark 8:1-26. CLICK for Bible reading: Mark 8:27-30.
CLICK for Bible readings: Romans 8:1-11 and Ezekiel 36:16-29. CLICK for Bible readings: Romans 8:12-17 and John 14:15-26. CLICK for Bible readings: Romans 8:18-30 and Genesis 50:14-21. CLICK for Bible readings: Romans 8:31-39 and Genesis 22:1-14.
When God invites Solomon to ask for one request, he asks for wisdom - but ends up with everything. He becomes the wisest and wealthiest king in the history of the ancient world. When Jesus showed up, people were also in awe of his wisdom - except that Jesus is the king who gave up everything.
Historians almost universally agreed that Jesus was crucified under the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate in 1st Century Judaea. However understanding why Jesus died is crucial to understanding the Christian faith.
Following Jesus is not just what we do on Sundays, it's what we do on Monday and Tuesday and everyday; at home and at work; with our bodies, our time and our money.
Our secular friends and neighbours think it's crazy to believe in a crucified Son of God. But God chooses the weak and unimpressive, those humbled by life circumstances, to spread this message of Gods' saving grace in Jesus; a message of love and joy and peace, and of future glory.
When we have doubts and our faith begins to waiver, how do we work out what's dependable and true?
How do we live and engage in our western secular society without compromising the essence of our Christian faith? What are the lines that we will not cross?
We ALL believe! But the question is WHAT do we believe? Faith is not blind, it's about trusting in good evidence, and believing those who are trustworthy.
In this second talk by Paul Grimmond at St Luke's Weekend Away retreat, Paul asks and answers the question - what it means to be made in the image of God.
The Song of Songs concludes with these words: "For love is as strong as death, its jealousy is as fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire ... Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it." The writer may have been speaking about love between a man and a woman, but equally this speaks to the fierce bond between a parent and a child, and even more to the transcendent love of our father in heaven.
Costly faithfulness is the foundation for relationships that last, whether in singleness or in marriage. Where can we find that costly faithfulness in a world where it seems in short supply?
Song of Songs is a love story, of a man and a woman, of hide and seek, of intimacy and ecstasy, of trying to find the love that will make life worth living. All in one person ...
Apart from a natural inclination to prolong the human species, it can be argued that there's little point to our existence beyond trying to enjoy the fleeting moments of our lives. Eat, sleep and be merry. Yet, as Dr Phil. might say, "how's it working for you"? It seems that even for those who've "made it", there's surprisingly little happiness. In contrast to this secularist belief, the Christian message of Easter is filled with hope and promise, both for the here and now, and for eternity.
What keeps us humble and gracious with the faults of others is the good news of Easter Friday.
What we fear loses it's sting when Jesus is our master and commander.
In God's Kingdom the way up is down. And God is using what's small and seemingly insignificant, to build something huge and wonderful.
In Jesus' parable of the sower, there's only one outcome that leads to a Spirit transformed life; a life that's more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, more patient ...
Do we see ourselves as owners or stewards of money? And does God's promise of eternity alter how we spend (or save) money now?
Our generosity is shaped by God's grace, not legislated or limited by law.
How do we break free from the fear of not having enough? Can we see that "more" will not satisfy? How do we live generous lives - giving to those in need, giving to those who can never repay? Giving will not make us richer materially, but giving, both our money and our time, can make our lives so much richer in other ways; as we love and care for each other, just as God intended.
Jesus came to bring us rest, rest from religion, and rest for our souls.
There's something more important in life than finding employment, or a home, or even being cured of cancer. What if God really is there and we're simply trying our best to ignore the evidence? Maybe we're telling ourselves that God stuff is inconvenient right now. Fortunately God is loving and patient and will wait for a little while, but he isn't our butler, and time is running out.
In the early part of Jesus' public ministry he performed many healings. And the the crowds this drew could easily have distracted Jesus from his primary mission - the preaching of the arrival of God's kingdom. How did Jesus avoid having his mission derailed? And today, as we're surrounded by the needs of others, and our own needs, how do we keep faithful to our calling to be ambassadors for Jesus?
Do we think that this all there is, or are we awake to the ultimate reality? God's eternal kingdom has arrived with Jesus, and we can be part of it.
The Gospel of Mark is the "good news" about Jesus, the "Christ" or "Messiah", the long awaited king. And Mark tells us this Jesus is also the son of God! And this good news reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than just living for what we can get out of life now.
We are constantly confronted (through the media, and advertising and social media etc) with the message that "we are not enough". And the gospel too has this same message, though with a radically different solution.
Whether we realise it or not, we're all part of a team. Not only are our achievements built upon the achievements of others, but we need each other. God created us to share our joys and our burdens. In one another we experience God's joy and in one another we experience God's love.
Jesus' passion for us - his love for us - is the gateway for our own passion for life.
What does it mean to lose your life to follow Jesus? It doesn't mean that life is about self denial. It's about finding hope and joy and meaning and direction and to live a life of love.
In the midst of the chaos of life, God is our refuge and strength.
the Christmas story is about God sending Jesus on a rescue mission to save mankind.
Are we so busy that we don't have time to enjoy life? Are events in life depriving you of joy? Christmas is no stranger to trouble. The promise of joy at that first Christmas was made to weary shepherds, and to an oppressed people. And today we're reminded that the message of Christmas means that joy can be tangible, personal and of course wonderful.
The Day of the Lord is coming! And right now it's time to get ready. In the Apostle Peter's second letter to the Christian church, Peter warns his Christian audience not to be deceived by any delay in Jesus' return. As Christians, we're reminded not to "deliberately forget" the message entrusted to us, but to persevere in faith and to be a light to the world.
So often our expectations of Christmas aren't met. The razzle-dazzle of lights, catchy Christmas tunes, numerous presents and a plethora of food often doesn't translate into a happy Christmas. So, beyond the marketing hype, what's the real meaning of Christmas?
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