City on a Hill Ballarat

The Transfiguration becomes a divine spotlight on who Jesus truly is: “This is my beloved Son… listen to him.” The truth of Jesus’ divinity is revealed to the disciples, as they marvel at his glory and authority given to Him by the Father.

A sermon in the Greatness series.

Jesus warns of spiritual blindness - that some will go searching for a sign, when the sign was right there in front of them. Beware of teaching that focuses on religious obligation rather than pointing to the person, work and heart of Christ.

Jesus’ greatness is displayed in his insight into the human heart, and his bold confrontation of religious traditions that nullify God’s word. His greatness is utterly countercultural — a willingness to suffer, to be misunderstood, and to lay down his life.

Jesus’ miracles and interactions increasingly overturn expectations—not just of the crowds, but of his closest followers. Greatness is displayed in Jesus’ power used to serve and to lay down His life for those he loves.

In Jesus, we find a Saviour who redefines what it means to be great — not through status or strength, but through humility, self-denial, and sacrificial love. It begins with the death of John the Baptist whose greatness points to the true and greater One.

A sermon in the Stand Alone Sermons series.

Jesus teaches on the kingdom of heaven in a series of parables such as a treasure found hidden in a field, or a mustard seed that grows into a beautiful tree, or a pearl worth selling everything you have to keep. Will those who seek find hope in the kingdom of God?

Opposition and evil escalate in a plot to kill Jesus. Signs are demanded by those who have failed to recognise who Jesus is. The end of evil for eternity is foreshadowed. Who will see Jesus as hope for humanity in darkness?

John the Baptist expresses doubt that Jesus is the Saviour that he had prophesied would come. The mystery of Jesus’ revelation begins as He invites all troubled souls to come and find rest in Him. Who will see and behold the glory of Jesus?

Jesus sends the twelve disciples to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, and gives them authority to heal and cast out demons in his name. The mission is bold and costly - will the disciples prove faithful to the call?

The mission of Jesus is revealed as he continues to heal and bring life, teach the crowds, and call the twelve disciples to follow him for the ministry ahead. Could there be more to Jesus than just a prophet, good teacher or healer?

Jesus’ teaching astonishes the crowds, demonstrating His authority. He performs miraculous wonders - healing the sick and calming the raging seas. The crowds begin to ask “who is this man and by what authority has he come?”

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb in grief, seeking Jesus—but a dead Jesus. As she weeps, He stands before her, asking the same question heard at His arrest: “Whom do you seek?” She seeks a body, but finds the risen Lord. In an instant, sorrow turns to joy as Jesus calls her by name. The one who drank the cup of suffering now stands victorious over death. He is not just alive—He is sending His foll...

On the night of His betrayal, Jesus steps forward from the shadows to meet those sent to arrest Him. Soldiers come expecting a criminal, armed with weapons and torches. Yet, it is Jesus who takes control, asking, “Whom do you seek?” His declaration—“I am”—briefly reveals His power, causing them to fall to the ground in awe. Judas and the soldiers seek a revolutionary, Peter fights to defend a king...

True or false? Wise or foolish? Jesus ends his “sermon on the mount” by inviting us to walk the narrow path, following His way that leads to life. As followers of Jesus we put our firm foundation in Him, withstanding trials and temptations and finding everlasting joy in Him.

Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, teaching that we should examine our own faults before criticising others as we grow in humility and self-awareness. God is the only worthy judge of good and evil and so we seek his forgiveness and thank Him for redeeming us.

Jesus invites us to look beyond this world and what it can offer us, and look to His kingdom where eternal treasures lie. God is our provider - we do not need to be anxious about tomorrow for He gives us all we need for life and righteousness in Jesus.

Jesus calls His followers to seek a deep, genuine relationship with God rather than outward religious performance. Practice humility in prayer, devotion and generosity as you serve the Lord as your King in secret and in public.

Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He came to redirect our fixation from rules and laws, to loving and knowing Him. Jesus is serious about sin - He wants us to walk the path of righteousness that leads away from darkness, towards His marvellous light.

Jesus calls us to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ - to be people who seek Him and show the world His beauty and grace. As followers of Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit, we are to shine in a way that invites the world to want to find out who Jesus is.

Jesus promises blessing, fulfilment, and the kingdom of heaven to those who are poor in spirit, mourn, and are persecuted for His sake. Jesus invites us to walk in His light, to truly see God and to rejoice that our reward is great in heaven.

Jesus begins his ministry, revealing His kingdom of light to the world. Jesus endures forty days of temptation in the wilderness before He begins to preach the good news, calls His first disciples and performs healings and miracles.

John the baptist prepares the way for Jesus. As Jesus is baptised in the river Jordan, the heaven’s open up and the Spirit of God descends like a dove and God declares “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus is born, the promise fulfilled and the Saviour is here. King Herod hears of the news and, seeking to kill Jesus, wipes out all the newborn sons in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary flee to Egypt following an angel of the Lord’s warning, before returning to Nazareth.