Lutheran - St. Paul's Sydney Podcast

This week's we focus on God calling us to be witnesses- through the story of the prophet Isaiah and that of Jesus calling ordinary fishermen to be 'fishers of all'. In both cases we see those called responding with alarm- "....but I am a sinner!" "I am afraid!" Many times in our own lives we are shaken, and indeed our souls know what it feels like to tremble befo...

This week's Gospel Luke 4:21-30 reading is one you may have heard many times. It's often used during wedding ceremonies, but that's certainly not the only time we should reflect on it! On the contrary, these words describing the awesome qualities and power of love should be constantly in the hearts of those who follow Jesus.   Every day we are challenged to love 'more' and...

This week's Gospel, Luke 4:14-21, holds a very exciting note that we might easily miss! Imagine being in the synagogue when Jesus himself was teaching- what a moment, to be able to hear the words of Isaiah spoken by the Son of God himself! The text tells us that all who were present had their eyes 'fastened on him.' Jesus clearly had a presence. How do you think you might have felt,...

This week's Gospel John 2:1-11  recounts the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Our sermon tells us this is the first 'sign' given by Jesus that 'reveals His glory'. Water at a wedding, in jars of clay- a pretty ordinary offering that Jesus made extraordinary in a great gift of compassion and love. We today may be at risk of missing signs of glory all around us, think...

This week Luke’s Gospel Luke 3:15-17, 21,22   brings us the story of Jesus’ baptism, and God’s gift of the Holy Spirit resting upon Jesus. The Epistle reading recalls the great blessing of the Holy Spirit bestowed on a group of new believers who had been baptised in Jesus’ name. There are many blessings to unpack here for us who are baptised in Jesus’ name!              We understand that through...

  In this week's readings we see very different examples of encountering Jesus. The Gospel, Matthew 2:1-12.  tells of the Wise Men from the east, kneeling before a baby in a manger with their precious gifts of great value. We imagine the scene each Christmas as we gaze at our Nativity. But in Ephesians Paul tells us we may approach the throne of Jesus with freedom and confidence. What a diffe...

'Children run joyfully- Jesus is born. Tell all the mountains to sing!' This is the beginning of a Christmas song I sang in primary school. This week's Gospel Luke 2:41-52 tells the story of the young Jesus in the temple sharing about His Father in heaven, and asking questions of the temple leaders. Those who heard Him speak were amazed that someone so young could speak so well and...

Christmas Day message was written and presented by Howard Osland of the Sydney Norweigan Lutheran Church. Support the show

Tonight's message for Christmas Eve was written by LCA and presented by Bridgette Wilshire. Support the show

Throughout Advent we draw closer to the fulfilment of God's promise to His people- that He will send a Saviour and Redeemer for all the world. Can you feel the excitement building? This week's Gospel Luke 1:39-55  reading tells us about the baby in Elizabeth's womb 'leaping for joy' as Mary came to visit. Do you remember a time when a promise made you 'leap for joy&ap...

This week we hear about 'God's Amazing Plan' in our Nativity Service at St Paul's!  Come and hear of 'God's Amazing Plan'- and look forward to the ways it will ripple through your own life. God bless you this week! The message was written and presented by Dr. Bruce Arnold.   Support the show

This week's Gospel message Luke 3:1-6  invites us to 'Prepare the way for the Lord!'. The people of Israel had great expectations about the coming King- he would rule in majesty and be a powerful ruler. They looked forward to the arrival of this King in glory- after all, the Son of God was coming! However, God often fulfils His promises in ways that people don't expect- indeed,...

This week's Gospel reading Luke 21: 25-36  appears difficult; speaking openly of nations in anguish, terror and perplexity. The world around us often feels like this today. Considering the judgement each person will face when Jesus returns may feel heavy, and bring a spirit of fear. However, Jesus comes to bring us life and freedom with Him. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that His Spirit gives us p...

This week our Gospel reading John 18: 33-37  speaks about truth. These days truth seems like quite a slippery concept. We can easily become confused by conflicting stories we hear online and in our neighbourhoods. This makes us feel unsure, and sometimes even unsafe. At times people deliberately spread things that are not true, just to get a reaction or make themselves seem important. However, God...

This week we welcome Bishop Richard Schwedes to St Paul's. Bishop Richard will be speaking on 'Rock Solid Hope', based on Mark 13: 1-8. These days the world seems full of change; it can be hard to know what we can depend on and what to keep hold of as differences swirl all around us. We know that change is a constant in life, yet it can feel scary or worrying when we aren't sur...

This week we are joined by Mark Simpfendorfer, who is sharing a message based on Jeremiah 29:4-14. This passage reminds us that God keeps his promises to those who love him. Promises are not always easy to keep, and the Bible shows us many ways God's people do things which hurt God's heart. Perhaps you have been struggling to keep a promise you have made. Perhaps someone has hurt you, an...

This week's Gospel reading is very familiar, Matthew 5: 1-12 . The 'Sermon on the Mount' assures us that we are truly blessed, even (and especially) when we struggle. It can be tempting, when coming to this text, to think we know it all already- that something so familiar could have nothing new to say to us. We must remember our God is a God of creativity; his word is always fresh a...

This week we remember the Reformation, a time of upheaval, renewal and refreshment for the church. We thank God for the gift of Martin Luther, whose struggles helped birth the Lutheran Church. Today's Gospel reading, John 8:31-36 reminds us that God's grace and forgiveness are gifts, received through faith in Him and His goodness as revealed through Jesus Christ. Our sermon asks, "D...

This week we celebrate God's gift of many nations within His Body. We are thankful for the chance to hear the Pentecost blessing as we worship God together. Christian life brings both challenges and joys as we navigate our culture and rest in God's Word. As we listen to many voices from our church family and hear the languages of their hearts, we grow in love and fellowship. May God bles...

In this week's Gospel reading Mark 10:17-31 Jesus' disciples recall how much they have left behind to follow Him. Jesus reassures them that no matter what they lose in this world, they will receive much more when they join Him in eternal life. We too might struggle in this world as we follow Jesus, who gave His life for ours to be saved. However we live with joy knowing that Jesus goes b...

Bishop Paul's Synod message reflects on Ephesians 2:8-10. These verses remind us that we are God's handiwork, created to do good things for Him. Imagine the things you make with your own hands- crafts, furniture, a beautiful meal or a garden bed. Think of the process and time taken to plan, gather materials, build and grow. Remember how much you loved and enjoyed the end result of your l...

This week in our Gospel reading , Mark 9:38-50, Jesus tells us that everyone will be salted with fire.   Salt water can cleanse a cut or a scrape, and salt in our tears can cleanse our inner wounds as we release our cries of repentance.   Sanctification can be painful, like removing a foot, or a hand, or an eye, as even the deepest parts of ourselves are transformed from who we are today into who...

This week in our Gospel reading , Mark 9:30-37, we hear how Jesus asked His disciples what they were arguing about on the road, but they kept quiet because they had argued about who was the greatest.   Jesus doesn't rebuke them for wanting to be great. Instead, He explains to them exactly what it means to be great - "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of...

This week in our Gospel reading , Mark 8:27-38, we hear how St Peter was the first disciple to acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah.    But others around Jesus thought He was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets.    Some people today might say that Jesus is a "good teacher," but not that He is the Messiah or the Son of the Living God.    Who do you say that Jesus is? Writ...

This week in our Gospel reading , Mark 7:24-37,  we hear how a Gentile woman came to Jesus and asked Him to help her daughter, who was possessed by an impure spirit.    Jesus told her to first let the children eat all they want, that it isn't right to give the children's bread to dogs, but she told Him that even the dogs eat the children's crumbs.    And what are the "crumbs&qu...