It’s Advent on 1 December. What is Advent really all about? How does the Gospel connect with this period before Christmas? This message is for people who want to enter Advent in ways set out by Jesus and St Paul. There is a specific application made to Trinity Church here and now.
Fresh from a tour of biblical sites in Israel, Francis looks at a key verse in the Gospels where the question of Jesus’ identity is addressed. This conversation took place in a setting with a lot of context to the point that the context is part of the message.
This is the first of two messages on the topic of worship. This message is inspired by how the awaited Epiphany began with the Pagan wisemen paying reverence to Jesus as the king born of heaven. In this account we see sound principles of worship being illustrated. The next message will come on 20 January
Continuing the series considering Building Blocks of the Gospel we take a practical sobriety test. Assuming one believes, what is essential to actually live out this Gospel? A parable from Jesus provides the key into this. Bottom line: Without engagement between confessed sin and God’s mercy at the cross, nothing happens in the heart and nothing…
On Easter Sunday, after two adult baptisms, Francis reflected on baptism asking how risky it might be and why people are drawn to seek it. Looking at the Great Comission in Matthew 28, the sequence of discipleship, baptism and mature obedience is drawn out.
How do we manage holiness and forgiveness? In Jesus’ day that was the business of the Jerusalem Temple. On Palm Sunday we looked at how Jesus began his Jerusalem ministry by disrupting life and business at the Temple in its business of being a holy place and providing forgiveness. In this message we see the Temple as representative of religion and Jesus’…
On the first Sunday in Lent Francis considered baptism. Why did Jesus institute a baptism for all disciples? How was this unique? How is this different from all the reasons leading people to seek baptism for their children today? What is wise baptismal practice for parents wanting to raise their children as disciples?