NorthernLife Sermons

Jonathan Shanks preaches on Christ in Galatians, kicking off our series in the Letters of Paul as part of our Christ in Scripture project. ===================== EPISODE PAGE ⁠https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/⁠xins-galatians ===================== ABOUT NORTHERNLIFE We're a church on a mission to love God, love others, and make disciples.  🌏 Website: https://northernlife.org.au   📸 In...

In this message, Benjamin Shanks continues our 2-year Christ in Scripture project, in which we aim to see Jesus more clearly in the light of 2 Samuel. In comparing Jesus with David—the central figure of 2 Samuel—we see seven things. Jesus comes: 1 — IN THE LINE OF DAVID; 2 — FROM THE TOWN OF DAVID; 3 — WITH THE HEART OF DAVID; 4 — ON THE PATH OF DAVID; 5 — TO THE CITY OF DAVID; 6 — BY THE WORDS OF...

Jack Long continues our two-year Christ in Scripture project with a survey of the theme of kingship in the Bible. The kings of Israel, he explains, were meant to do three things: justice, war, and religion. This message will point you to Jesus, our true king who reigns in justice, wages war on death itself, and reconciles us with God the Father. ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernl...

In this message, Virginia Mathews continues our Christ in Scripture project by surveying Christ in Ruth with its six stages: 1. RUIN; 2. RETURN; 3. REVELATION; 4. REDEMPTION; 5. RESTORATION; 6. ROYAL LINE. ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/xins-ruth   ===================== ABOUT NORTHERNLIFE We're a church on a mission to love God, love others, and ma...

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” With those words the dark and violent Book of Judges comes to a close. In Judges, Israel are stuck in the Cycle of Sin (Sin - Oppression - Repentance - Deliverance - Peace) with no way to get out. In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores how Jesus gets us out of the cycle of sin. To break the cycle of sin, we need: 1 — A COMMUNITY...

Violence at God’s command—how can we read the Book of Joshua and keep our faith at the same time? In this message, Benjamin Shanks continues the Christ in Scripture project with a message on Christ on Joshua, helping us with 5 tips for reading Joshua and keeping faith alive. ===================== CHAPTERS Reading of Joshua 10v40-34 (00:00) Introduction (01:02) Prayer (04:11) Series Context (04:42)...

When it comes to blessing, does God want something from us, or something for us? In this message, Jonathan Shanks explores that question, wrapping up our May Mission Month series with a focus on the joy of blessing. Open hands: 1) Remember the Giver; 2) Enter the Joy of God; 3) Make Room for Others; 4) Overflow by the Spirit. ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources...

Jonathan Shanks continues Blessed—our May Mission Month series—with an exploration of the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac in Genesis 22. This message will encourage you to trust the Giver more than the gift. The Cost of Blessing: 1) The Testing of Blessing; 2) The Surrender of Blessing; 3) The Provision of Blessing; 4) The Multiplication of Blessing. ===================== CHAPTERS Introduction...

NEW PODCAST! Ponder by NorthernLife is a series of conversations around the Word of the Lord as it was preached on Sunday and as we encounter it in our everyday lives. Available on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , YouTube , and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

In this May Mission Month message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks the idea that we are blessed to be a blessing . ===================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Series Context (01:42) 1 — Theology (04:34) 2 — Model (14:15) 3 — Practice (25:40) ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/blessed-e2 ===================== ABOUT NORTHERNLIFE We're a church on a m...

“It is the nature of God to bless.” In this message, Jonathan Shanks kicks off our May Mission Month by reminding us of the nature of our unchanging God who desires to bless a thousand generations. ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/blessed-e1 ===================== ABOUT NORTHERNLIFE We're a church on a mission to love God, love others, and make discip...

Jonathan Shanks unpacks the short letter of Jude, highlighting the way it points us to Jesus in three ways: 1) Called by Christ; 2) Loved in Christ; 3) Kept for Christ. ===================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Context (05:15) 1. Called by Christ (07:21) 2. Loved in Christ (12:04) 3. Kept for Christ (16:16) Conclusion (18:30) ===================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au...

In this message, Benjamin Shanks preaches on the Letter of James, framed around a simple question: Who do you want to be like when you grow up? For a disciple of Jesus, our ultimate answer is Him—Christ is our ‘telos’, our goal, our end, our target, the one we want to be like most of us. The letter of James teaches us how. How to be like Jesus when you grow up: 1) Test your faith; 2) Trust the Lor...

Richard Dawkins once said, “Then suddenly we come down to the resurrection of Jesus… It’s so unworthy of the universe.” Is that true? In this message, Jonathan Shanks the Book of Hebrews’ answer to the question, highlighting 22 titles of Jesus. This message will remind you that He is worthy. ============================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) 1. God Speaker (05:28) 2. Universe Maker (06:3...

On Easter Sunday 2026, Benjamin Shanks preaches a message on the first words of resurrection morn: “He is risen.” Following John’s Gospel as he tells the unfolding story of the resurrection of Jesus, this message will encourage you that He is risen, He is present, and He is returning. ============================== CHAPTERS He Is Risen (00:00) He Is Present (04:00) He Is Returning (11:57) ========...

On Good Friday 2026, Jonathan Shanks preaches a message on Jesus’ final words on the cross: “It is finished.” This message will encourage you that even in the midst of sin, shame and guilt, Jesus declares, “It is finished.” ============================== CHAPTERS It is Finished (00:00) Sin is Carried (04:36) Debt is Cancelled (06:59) Shame is Removed (09:31) The Powers are Defeated (11:16) Sufferi...

The famous last words of Moses: “Now choose life.” In this message, Benjamin Shanks unpacks Christ in Deuteronomy. The covenant requires a DECISION and it involves specific ACTION that results in an OUTCOME. ============================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Prayer (03:09) Welcome to Deuteronomy (03:46) Covenant Overview (06:02 Covenant Decision (10:05) Covenant Action (18:05) Covenant O...

Jonathan Shanks unpacks the Book of Numbers, highlighting the story of Israel, the story of Christ, and the story of us. ============================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Overview of the Book of Numbers (02:20) Requirements for Relationship (04:21) Consequences for Contumacy (10:38) Salvation for the Sinner (23:07) Prayer (29:56) Blessing for Belief & Obedience (30:58) =============...

Leviticus… The third book of the Torah and the graveyard of good intentions to read the Bible cover to cover. In this message, Jack Long explores Christ in Leviticus, showing how its systems of ritual, sacrifice, law, and priesthood point us to the ultimate high priest and sacrifice: Jesus. ============================= CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Leviticus Within the Torah (02:10) What is Holin...

The story of Exodus is a good story because in it we see ourselves and the seasons of our life. In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores Christ in Exodus, following the three main acts of the Book. This message will encourage you to behold Christ who is our Exodus: our way out, way through and way in. ============================= CHAPTERS Reading of Exodus 1:1-7 (00:00) Introduction (01:00) The...

In this message, Jonathan Shanks continues our two-year Christ in Scripture project with a message focusing on how the Book of Genesis points us to Jesus in two ways: A PROMISE TO BELIEVE; A STORY TO BEHOLD. ============================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/xins-genesis ============================== ABOUT NORTHERNLIFE We're a church on a mission to love God...

For the start of our two-year Christ in Scripture project, Benjamin Shanks gives an overview of the big story of the Bible in ten chapters. ============================== CHAPTERS Introduction (00:00) Creation (05:08) Promise (07:38) Deliverance (09:06) Law (11:37) Land (13:39) Kings (15:52) Exile (20:13) Messiah (23:39) Church & Spirit (26:45) New Creation (35:55) ============================...

In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks our core values— The Twelve —highlighting the postures we need to be always ready to see Christ, serve Christ, share Christ, and steward Christ. LOVE GOD : Known & Loved; Jesus Is Worth It; God Speaks We Listen; His Grace Is Enough. LOVE OTHERS : Life Matters; Canvas of Colour; Find Out Help Out; Prayer Has Power. MAKE DISCIPLES : Gospel Grounded; Life...

Motive. Means. Opportunity. That's what it takes to be always ready . What, for the follower of Jesus, is our motive? In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores that question, highlighting the difference between motivation by law (outside-in) and motivation by love (inside-out). This message will encourage you to receive the love of God that it might overflow in always-readiness to SEE CHRIST,...

See Christ. Serve Christ. Share Christ. Steward Christ. These are the four parts of our theme Always Ready for 2026/27. In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks each of the Four, encouraging us to be a church ready to see God do again what He has done before. ============================== EPISODE PAGE https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/always-ready-e1 ============================== ABO...