Sermons - St John's Ashfield

As the life and story of Joseph comes to an end, he reflects on the incredible way in which the grace of God can bring good out of evil. What does that mean for how we face the darkness in our own lives—both within us, and in the world? CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay brings our series in the life of Joseph to an end. Bible reading: Genesis 50.15–26

What does it mean to live a "blessed life," and how can we get it? CCIW Senior Minister Andrew Katay unpacks Jacob's deathbed "blessings" for each of his sons. Bible readings: Genesis 49 | Matthew 5.1–12 | Revelation 5.1–10

Joseph's father Jacob is nearing the end of his life, and has yet to see his family become a great multitude settled in the promised land: his family is seventy, forced by famine to take refuge in Egypt. Will his hope in God's promises die with him in Egypt? As Jacob reflects on his life, he shows us how we can keep our hope when the world tempts us to despair. Bible readings: Genesis 48; Hebrews 11.1–3, 8, 20–21.

CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay preaches on the next section of the story of Joseph. Bible Readings: Genesis 45–47

How does reconciliation happen? We get a model of reconciliation when Joseph is finally reunited with his brothers. CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay brings us the next chapter in the story of Joseph .Bible reading: Genesis 42.1–17

What do you do with the past? As the story of Joseph continues, we learn about memory and hope. CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay preaches on Joseph's rise to be Pharaoh's right hand man. Bible reading: Genesis 41.1–14

How do we keep trusting the Lord when we can see him at work in the lives of others, but not our own? As Joseph's travails continue, congregation member Clare Potts helps us to see how God is at work even in the delays we experience. Bible readings: Genesis 40 | 2 Corinthians 4.16–18

What happens to the so-called 'lord of the dreams' when he finds himself in Egypt? Congregation member Janine Steele draws our hearts to the God who is at work in all things, even as Joseph's sufferings continue. Bible readings: Genesis 39 | James 1.1–4, 12–18

Dreams are powerful. They give us hope and purpose. But how can dreams become a reality? And how do we cope when our dreams seem to die? Site Pastor Richard Glover begins a new series in the story of Joseph—a story that helps us learn how to keep our dreams alive when it appears, on the surface, that God is silent and absent. Bible Reading: Genesis 37.1–36

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. So, how do we work out how to use our freedom? CCIW Senior Minister Andrew Katay rounds out our Perfect Freedom series by unpacking what the Bible has to say about discernment. Bible Readings: Proverbs 3.1–8 | Romans 12.1–2

What are you afraid of? We all know how fear can hold us back from living the kind of life we want. The writer of Hebrews takes it even deeper than that, and makes an astonishing claim: our underlying fear—the heart of the human condition—is slavery to the fear of death. How does that fear play out in our lives? And how does Jesus free us from it? Site Pastor Richard Glover takes a look at Hebrews chapter 2. Bible Readings: Psalm 90:1–12 | Hebrews 2:10–15

When Jesus sets us free from sin, what do we do with our freedom? In Galatians chapter 5, the Apostle Paul makes an astonishing statement: that in our freedom, we are to make ourselves slaves to one another in love. CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay preaches the second sermon in our series Perfect Freedom. Bible Readings: Exodus 16:1–3 | Galatians 5:1, 13–18

On Back to Church Sunday we begin a new series called Perfect Freedom, unpacking the freedom that Jesus holds out to us. In this first week, Site Pastor Richard Glover unpacks Jesus' diagnosis of our deepest problem, and the solution: that we are slaves to sin, but the Son can set us free. Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 7:7–11 | John 8:31–38

On 'Back to Church Sunday' in 2024, Naomi, a member of our congregation, was interviewed about the revolutionary power of knowing God's love. Have a listen, and be encouraged by how God works his grace and kindness in our lives!

Can we know God? If so, how? Anglicare chaplain Bethany Downes visits St. John's to open up the next passage in our series through the book of Acts. Bible Readings: Isaiah 55:6–11 | Acts 17:16–34

Rt. Rev. Dr. Michael Stead, Bishop of South Sydney, continues in our series through Acts at our baptism & confirmation service. Appropriately, we ask and answer the question: "What must I do to be saved?" Bible Readings: Joel 2:28–32 | Acts 16:11–34

As we follow the story of the gospel going out from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, we see the apostles reach Gentile territory—and they way the tell the gospel starts to sound a little different. Paul and Barnabas in Lystra show us how the gospel responds to three problems we all face, even on the other side of the world today: the problems of satisfaction, suffering, and goodness. Site Pastor Richard Glover continues our series in Acts. Bible Readings: Psalm 146; Acts 14.8–23

What does our union with Christ, a life of dying and rising with him, mean for life as a church? The New Testament suggests that Jesus identifies himself in the most profound way with the church as a whole—so closely that he calls it his own body. If we are united to Christ by his Spirit through faith, then we are necessarily united to our sisters and brothers in the concrete community of the church. How, then, do we die and rise together in that community? St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover preaches from 1 Corinthians 12. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.12–26.

CCIW's Senior Minister Andrew Katay unpacks three different "types" of dying and rising with Christ that can connect us to him in every day life: suffering, repentance, and love.Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12.7–10; Philippians 2.1–5.

Life is full of ups and downs. How does the objective reality of our personal union with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection help us to interpret those ebbs and flows? What does it look like to know our union with Christ in every day experience ? Site Pastor Richard Glover opens up how the Apostle Paul maps the story of Jesus into his own story, and how we can, too.Bible Reading: Philippians 3.2–11

To make your way in the world, you need to know where you are. So, what shape does the Christian life have? Where are we located? In the first sermon of a new series, Site Pastor Richard Glover shows how the central New Testament doctrine of our union with Christ provides a map of the Christian life.Bible Readings: Mark 8.34–35; Colossians 3.1–4

If God is good, why is there so much pain in the world? For many people, the state of the world calls the Christian message into serious doubt. Christianity can't be good news if God is happy with things the way they are. How do we make sense of the claim that God is good and loving when there's so much suffering? Christ Church Inner West's Senior Minister Andrew Katay continues our series engaging with three common objections to Christian belief.Bible Readings: Psalm 23; Luke 13.1–5

For many people, a quick look at the news headlines is enough to turn them off Christianity. They see a hypocritical church, where power is abused and then covered up. Others have been the victims of that abuse. What do we make of this? can the church's message of good news about Jesus still be good when the church is so often bad? St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover continues our series engaging with three common objections to Christian belief.Bible Readings: Ezekiel 34.1–16; 1 Peter 5.1–11

Christianity claims that there's a God who loves us and wants to be known. Why, then, does he seem so hard to find? St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover kicks off a short series engaging with three common objections to Christian belief.Bible Readings: Psalm 10; Acts 17.16–34

What's your greatest failure? In this passage, we see Jesus confront the failure who is Peter—and bring healing to his failures. We learn that Jesus specialises in failures; failure is where Jesus does his best work. St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover preaches in our post-Easter series. Bible Reading: John 21.1–25

The experience of doubt can be like being tossed around by the waves of the sea. How do we move from doubt to faith and find stable ground for our feet? The incredible encounter between "Doubting Thomas" and the risen Jesus shows us how to doubt faithfully. St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover preaches in our post-Easter series. Bible Reading: John 20.19–31

When we meet Mary Magdalene in the garden, she thinks she's lost everything. "They have taken away my Lord, and I don't know where they have laid him!" But her weeping turns to joy when she meets the risen Lord. If we cling to him, we too can receive back everything that we've ever had taken away. St. John's Site Pastor Richard Glover preaches on Easter Day. Bible Reading: John 20.1–18

Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. This is it: the moment for answering the most fundamental question of all—Who is Jesus? If you get the answer right, it'll be the major turning point of your whole life; and you'll need to get spiritual clarity on both Jesus, and yourself. Bible passage: Mark 8.22–38

Who will be welcomed into the kingdom of God? Clare Potts, a member of St. John's Ashfield, continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. The disciples still don't get it; neither do the religious leaders; and Jesus is exasperated. What are they missing? Jesus is in is own person and ministry fulfilling God's promises to his people—and through them, to the whole world.Bible passage: Mark 7.24–8.21.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Katay (Senior Minister, Christ Church Inner West) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. We all, deep down, have a sense of our own defilement. In Mark 7, Jesus unpacks where that comes from, what the heart of the issue is, and how to deal with it. Bible passage: Mark 7.1–23

Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. The truth can be terrifying. How do you handle hearing truths that are uncomfortable and confronting? In Mark 6, the terrifying truth about Jesus' identity becomes even clearer. Herod and the disciples have to decide how to handle the truth that has come into their midst. Bible passage: Mark 6.6b–56

St. John's hosts Bartholomew the Apostle (in the person of congregation member Janine Steele) to hear his reflections on his first hand experience of Jesus calming the storm, and healing a woman and a girl. Bible passage: Mark 4.35–6.6a

Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. For a person to grow, they need to get into the kingdom of God? In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us both how people get into the kingdom, and how those in the kingdom can continue to produce fruit.Bible passage: Mark 4.1–34

Richard Glover (Site Pastor at St. John's Ashfield) explores the power and possibility of repentance on Ash Wednesday. Bible reading: Romans 6.1–11

Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. Those who meet Jesus (and we who read Mark's Gospel) are forced to confront the question: "Who is this man?" In the parable of the Strong Man, Jesus gives us his own answer.Bible passage: Mark 3.7–35

Rev. Dr. Andrew Katay (Senior Minister, Christ Church Inner West) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. In this passage, Jesus tells us who he has come to bring into the kingdom: not the righteous, but sinners. But, who are the righteous, anyway?Bible passage: Mark 2.1–3.6

[NOTE: The sound quality of this recording is exceptionally poor. There was a technical difficulty. Apologies.] Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) continues our series in the Gospel of Mark. Those who met Jesus are astounded by his authority—but what does that mean? And what's the nature of the kingdom that Jesus announces? Bible passage: Mark 1.14–45

Richard Glover (St. John's Ashfield Site Pastor) begins a new series in the Gospel of Mark, who presents us with a strange, confronting, and, frankly, weird Jesus. Bible passage: Mark 1.1–13

CCIW Senior Minister Andrew Katay teaches on Philippians 3.4b–11, as our CCIW church family all gather together for our annual Vision Sunday Service.

St John's member Clare Potts continues in week 3 of our 2025 Summer Series "A Spirituality of Summer". This week's passages: Ecclesiastes 8.14–15, John 2.1–11.

Site Pastor Richard Glover continues in our 2025 Summer Series "A Spirituality of Summer". This week's passages: Genesis 1.31, Psalm 119.41–48, 1 Timothy 4.1–5, 2 Timothy 2.3–6.

Site Pastor Richard Glover launches our 2025 Summer Series "A Spirituality of Summer". This week's passage: Psalm 27 and 2 Corinthians 3.12–4.6

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Luke 2.21–40 in the last week of our advent series in the narrative of Luke 1.

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Luke 2.1–20 on Christmas Day.

Senior Minister Andrew Katay teaches from Luke 1.57–80 in the fourth week of our advent series in the narrative of Luke 1.

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Luke 1.39–56 in the third week of our advent series in the narrative of Luke 1.

Senior Minister Andrew Katay teaches from Luke 1.5–25 in the first week of our advent series in the narrative of Luke 1.

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Psalm 115 as we finish off of our series called 'Deeper: Ways of Being with God'.

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Psalm 90 as we continue in week 3 of our series called 'Deeper: Ways of Being with God'.

CCIW Senior Minister Andrew Katay teaches from Psalm 32 as we continue in week 2 of our series called 'Deeper: Ways of Being with God'.

Site Pastor Richard Glover teaches from Psalm 63 as we begin a series called 'Deeper: Ways of Being with God'.