Frankston Presbyterian Church

The way we live says something about our beliefs and values. Every word we speak, every decision we make, every attitude we hold sends a message about what matters most to us. Philippians 2:12-18 shows us how Jesus can change how we live so that we stand out for the right reasons.

Unity is essential for the church’s credible witness to the gospel. But unity can be difficult to maintain. Philippians 2:1-11 highlights that the key to unity is humility. By looking to Christ’s humility—displayed in the cross—believers can foster genuine unity, embodying the gospel in their relationships.

The good news Jesus is not just something to believe, it’s life-changing. We are to live lives worthy of the gospel. But what does that look like? In Philippians 1:27-30 the apostle Paul sets out the call, the practice, and the courage of lives worthy of the gospel.

Everyone faces setbacks and obstacles, and our response can reveal what we deeply care about. While setbacks may cause us to fear the future, in Philippians 1:12-26, God shows us how to respond joyfully to setbacks, remain confident about our future and make the most of our present opportunities.

Have you ever felt that you belonged? Have you ever enjoyed a deep connection that seems unaffected by your circumstances? In Philippians 1, we see how the gospel of Jesus Christ unites our identity, purpose, and destiny, leading to a thankfulness and joy that cannot be shaken.

One of Jesus’ most famous claims is also his most controversial. When Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” he means that he’s the only way to truly know God, and the only way to heaven. This might seem exclusive, but it brings incredible comfort to believers.

Is it safe to follow Jesus? Will he ever let you down? When Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd”, he is assuring us that there is no one more dependable. A good shepherd would risk his life to protect his sheep. Jesus did more than that – he gave his life for his sheep.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constantly changing opinions of the world? Who's right? Who's wrong? What should we be doing with our lives? In John 8:12-30, Jesus declares Himself as "the light of the world." How does Jesus shed light on what is true and how we should live in an increasingly dark world?

Life seems to be all about finding satisfaction and happiness. We look for it everywhere we go. We work hard to get it. And when we do get it, it never seems to last – like the endless cycle of eating and hunger. But John 6 shows us where true satisfaction is found and how to have it forever.

How do you react to disobedience to God? Does it shock you, grieve you, or not bother you? This is the big question the book of Ezra ends with. It shows us the weight of disobedience, the betrayal it is, and finally points us to the only remedy for disobedience.

How can God’s people survive and thrive in a world where we possess little power or influence in society? It seems like the odds are stacked against the church. Ezra 7-8 provides two profound answers: by having the word of God dwell in us, and the hand of God on us.

Have you ever felt stuck, lacking the energy or excitement to move forward? Perhaps you've even given up on something worthwhile. That's where God's people found themselves in Ezra. However, Ezra 5-6 records a crucial turning point. Discover how God reignites His work, empowers perseverance in the face of opposition, and leads to a celebration of restoration.

God's people encountered unrelenting opposition as they went about rebuilding the temple of God. It points to a deeper struggle that arises whenever God's work goes forward in the world. How serious is this threat today? How can we recognise it to best be on guard?

Strained relationships can create challenges in life, making it difficult to work well with others and celebrate victories. This also applies to our relationship with God. Ezra 3 shows the importance of being in good standing with God before we can effectively work together and celebrate the victories.

In 539BC the people of Judah are released from exile in Babylon and allowed to return home to rebuild the temple. But this is not just a story about going home. It's a story about God restoring a people to himself. We'll see how it points to the restoration we all need, and how God sovereignly works to bring it about.

One of the most basic expressions of real faith is prayer. Yet prayer can be a struggle for us. We know that we're supposed to pray, but sometimes we wonder what difference it makes. James assures us that prayer is powerful, and teaches us how we can become people of prayer.

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian message. But to most Australians, the idea of someone rising from the dead sounds more like a fairy tale than a foundational truth to stake your life upon. How certain can we be that Jesus rose again, and why does it matter so much?

Some people misunderstand the purpose of Jesus's death and who he specifically died for. How can Jesus' death bring hope when we've all been bad at one point or another? The historical account of Jesus's death in Luke 23 shows us how we can have certain hope in uncertain times.

Our perception of what will occur when the world ends impacts how we live in the present. For example, how we use our wealth, spend our time, and our willingness to compromise can indicate our beliefs about the future. How does real faith transform the way we live in these last days?

Making plans for the future is part of living well in the world. But how we go about this reveals our deepest beliefs about God, ourselves, and who has control of our lives. This sermon explores the difference real faith makes to our planning and hopes for the future. 

Conflict and fighting appear to be all around us. We seem to experience conflict wherever we go. Many believe it is because of other people, but James 4 shows us that the issue is deeper than we realise. To live peacefully with others, we need to change our attitude, and James shows us how.

This age is full of self-proclaimed gurus and influencers. It seems many think they’re an expert on how life works. But who is truely wise? What does true wisdom actually look like? Do you have wisdom? This sermon examines what true wisdom is and how to get it.

Our words can significantly impact those around us, either bringing people together or destroying relationships. Our words can also reveal what's happening beneath the surface of our lives. Here we see how God views our words and how real faith changes how we use our words.

How do you know if your faith in God is real and living, or dead and useless? This is not a theoretical matter. It’s a question of whether you are truly saved. In his provocative style, James pushes us to take a deeper look at our lives and see if the evidence for real faith is really there.

Usually, we gravitate towards those we value and admire while avoiding or perhaps judging people who are different from us. How we treat those who are different from us reveals our thoughts and beliefs. We'll consider how having real faith empowers us to move towards others in love and mercy.