Weekly Talks

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Luke 5:17-26 Luke 5:27-26 (NIV) When we think of the paralysed man, who was lowered down through the roof to Jesus, might assume that his greatest need was for healing, but Jesus saw something even more important than that, the man’s need for forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is the thing that we all need more than anything else. Praise God that, through Jesus, he has made forg...

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Luke 4: 1-13  Luke 4: 1-13  (NIV) Jesus encountered the devil in the wilderness and the devil tempted him for 40 days. It is helpful to see that Jesus resisted all temptation by turning to the truth revealed in the Bible. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Luke 2: 22-38  Luke 2: 22-38 (NIV) Over the next 12 weeks we’re going to look at 12 life-changing encounters with Jesus from Luke’s Gospel. From these encounters, we’ll learn more about Jesus and what we can expect from our own encounter with him. Today we focussed on two devout and faithful Jews, who were longing to see the arrival of God’s Messiah. Miraculously, they both...

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Matthew 28:16-20  Matthew 28:16-20  (NIV) This month we've looked at the four priorities of Jesus: Call, Cross, Commandment and Commission.  The Christian life is all about being in relationship with Jesus, in order that we might go out into the world and make disciples, which is what Jesus has commissioned us to do.

By Rev Bev Bell | Mark 12:28-34 Mark 12:28-34 (NIV) This current series of teachings has been focusing on the Priorities of Jesus.  This week we look at the commandments that Jesus believed were the most important.  In response to a question about which commandment was the greatest Jesus said “This is the first commandment, - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart  and with all your...

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Mark 8: 27-38  Mark 8: 27-38  (NIV)  For Jesus, the cross was a priority and uppermost in his mind. He knew that he must die and rise again to everlasting life. When the disciples realised that Jesus is the Messiah, he challenged their perceptions of what the Messiah would do. It’s only when we understand what kind of a Messiah Jesus is that we can make his priorities our p...

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Mark 1: 14-20  Mark 1: 14-20  (NIV) I wonder if you've made a New Year's Resolution? In January, people tend to consider their priorities for the year ahead. As a church, we're starting the year with a four week series all about Jesus’ priorities, with the aim of making his priorities our priorities. Today we looked at Jesus' priority to call people to f...

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Micah 5: 2-5a & Luke 2: 1-20 Micah 5: 2-5a & Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV) We should never view Jesus’ birth as an isolated event, rather, we look beyond the stable to the cross and the empty tomb and to Jesus' promise to return. Christmas is such good news; Jesus is such good news, because in Him our eternal destiny is changed and there is hope for the whole of creation. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Matthew 2: 1-12  Matthew 2: 1-12  (NIV) Most of us find it hard to change our attitudes and behaviours; we get stuck in our ways. The arrival of Jesus precipitated the greatest change humanity has ever known and submitting to his kingship will result in an enormous amount of change at a personal level. Over the past two-thousand years some (like King Herod), have responded...

by Rev Charlie Lacey |  Luke 1: 39-56  Luke 1: 39-56  (NIV) When Mary visited her relative Elizabeth, it was a joyful reunion, not only because both women were pregnant, but because of who their children were destined to be and because of the change that Christ would bring to the world order. 

By James and Louis Waithaka |  Matthew 1: 18-25  Matthew 1: 18-25  (NIV)  When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant and later when an angel appeared to him in a dream, he must have experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Today we heard from a couple who have themselves been through a rollercoaster ride of emotions to do with the conception, birth and health of their child. The question fo...

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Isaiah 9: 1-7 Isaiah 9: 1-7 (NIV) Christmas without Jesus offers no hope whatsoever. At best it provides a momentary distraction from the gloomy news and the troubles of life. Conversely, Christmas with Jesus offers us a vision of the world that is supremely hopeful. One in which sin, death, evil and darkness are abolished forever. 

By Rev Mick Uptin | Daniel 6 The first 6 chapters of the book of Daniel tell the story of Daniel and his three friends as they seek to remain faithful to God, under the spotlight in pagan Babylon. There is no shortage of people who want to trip them up and bring them down, but the Lord continues to sustain them. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Daniel 5:1-11,13,16-18,20-31 Daniel 5:1-11,13,16-18,20-31 (NIV)   Last week we heard how King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon went mad until he raised his eyes to heaven and acknowledged the one true God of Israel. This week, we’re going to hear how his grandson, King Belshazzar, deliberately mocked God and brought judgement on himself and his kingdom. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Daniel 4:1-8,19-34,36-37 Daniel 4:1-8,19-34,36-37 (NIV) We have been created to have a relationship with God.  Without that relationship we are missing an essential part of what it means to be human. King Nebuchadnezzar ignored a warning from God and continued in his prideful ways by refusing to acknowledge Him.  In the end, he lost his mind and literally became like an anim...

by Rev Charlie Lacey | Daniel 3 Daniel 3 (NIV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are Jewish exiles in Babylon, who have been promoted to fairly senior positions within the Babylonian  Empire. They walk a fine line between faithfully serving God and diligently serving King Nebuchadnezzar, but there are lines that they are not  prepared to cross, no matter how great pressure to conform. Will we follow...

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Daniel 2:1-23 Daniel 2:1-23 (NIV) We like to feel that we’re in control; that we can handle everything life throws at us. However, we all have considerable weaknesses and limitations. The question is, how do we respond when we face a situation that we don’t have the means or the resources to deal with? 

By Bishop John Roundhill |   Daniel 1:8-21 Daniel 1:8-21 (NIV)

By Rev Charlie Lacey | Daniel 1:1-7 Daniel 1:1-7 (NIV) The first six chapters of the book of Daniel shows Daniel and his three friends living out their faith, under the spotlight, in a pagan environment. This book has a lot to teach us about how to live as Christians in the midst of a culture that is increasingly turning away from God. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey | John 4:1-14 John 4:1-14 (NIV) WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO THE UNSATISFIED? (All Age Service) I think most people want to have a meaningful, fulfilling and satisfying life, but there are millions of people who are deeply dissatisfied – with some aspect of their lives – or with life in general. What would Jesus say to such people? 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  Luke 12: 13-21  Luke 12: 13-21  (NIV) The overall standard of living here in Australia is one the highest (if not the highest), in the world. Of course, there are lots of people who are struggling, but there’s also a lot of people who are quite comfortable, materially speaking. So the question and the theme for today is 'What Would Jesus Say to the Satisfied?' 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  1 Corinthians 16: 1-18  1 Corinthians 16: 1-18 (NIV) Throughout Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he urges them to "stand firm" in the Christian way of life. In today's reading, he reminds them to stand firm in their giving; to stand firm in the face of opposition; and to stand firm in their love and commitment to each other. 

By Rev Charlie Lacey |  1 Corinthians 15: 35-58  1 Corinthians 15: 35-58 (NIV) There was a lot of confusion in the Corinthian church about the most important facet of Christianity, namely resurrection. That is to say, the resurrection of Jesus (a past event) and the resurrection of all believers (a future event). Paul seeks to shed light on, not only the fact of the resurrection, but also a lot of...

By Rev Bev Bell |  1 Corinthians 15: 1-23 1 Corinthians 15: 1-23  (NIV)  The resurrection of Jesus is the lynchpin of Christianity; our faith and our hope of eternal life rely on it. There is a surprising amount of evidence for Jesus' resurrection, some of which Paul alludes to in this passage. 

By Rev Trevor Adams | 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40 1 Corinthians 14: 26-40  (NIV)  When the church in Corinth gathered it was disorderly and chaotic. Paul is keen to bring a sense of order, so that their gatherings will be fruitful and pleasing to God. This passage contains one of the most controversial verses in the New Testament, so it is very important that we do not misinterpret it!