NorthernLife Sermons

In this message, Jonathan Shanks preaches on TIME in Ecclesiastes 3:1-14. By God’s grace we can redeem: SEASONAL TIME; ETERNAL TIME; TEMPORAL TIME. https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/ecclesiastes-e3

Pleasure, laughter, wine, folly, projects, buildings, vineyards, the delights of a man's heart—meaningless, utterly meaningless. That’s the outcome of the Teacher’s experiment in Ecclesiastes 2, and that’s a dead end. In this message, Benjamin Shanks teaches on the biblical idea of idolatry, the Cycle of Addiction, and how in the Gospel Jesus offers us a narrow road to life. This message will...

In this message, Jonathan Shanks kicks off our series in Ecclesiastes during the month of August by asking a big question: is there meaning in life? https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/ecclesiastes-e1

In this final message of the Titus series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks chapter 3, encouraging us to love what is good. DO GOOD; BE GOOD; LOVE GOOD. https://northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/titus-e4

When someone becomes a Christian—saved by grace, born again, forgiven, made alive—it's big news. And when they graduate to glory in the future, it's big news too. But what are we supposed to do in the meantime? What is Jesus' purpose for the present tense? In other words: What is the meaning of life? That's the question this message from Benjamin Shanks aims to answer from Titus 2:...

Power. Titus 1:5-16 is about power in the church at Crete. In this message, Benjamin Shanks wades into the waters of power—what it is and what it's for. This message will challenge you to use the power to have to love God and others, the way Jesus did. THE INTRODUCTION OF POWER; THE DISTORTION OF POWER; THE REDEMPTION OF POWER; THE PERFECTION OF POWER. https://northernlife.org.au/resources/ser...

The introduction to Paul’s letter to Titus… it’s a tricky passage in a tricky book. In this message, Benjamin Shanks kicks off our July sermon series by asking five simple questions of Titus 1:1-4 — WHO? WHAT? WHERE? WHEN? WHY? This message will encourage you to further the faith by growing in knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. KNOW TRUTH, GROW GODLY. https://northernlife.org.au/resou...

In this message, Jonathan Shanks concludes our month's series looking at the Book of Hosea. God is: OUR HEAVENLY FATHER; OUR HOLY FATHER; OUR HEALING FATHER .

The redeeming love of God the Father, pursues the unfaithful, pays a price, patiently waits and paves the way. This message will encourage you to know that God has made a way for you to make it through to restorative healing in Jesus.

God's love is not dependent on his people's faithfulness.  He will keep His covenant promises because of the honour of His own name.  This sermon will encourage you with the truth that "our sin does not have the last word".

This message unpacks the tragedy of the disobedience of the Northern Kingdom, the harsh yet loving language of Yahweh to his people and the unmissable connection we feel with the tragedy of sin. Be challenged and encouraged by the love and mercy of God.

Hosea is a book about the unfaithfulness of Israel in keeping their covenant promises before God. It is also a book which celebrates the shocking faithfulness of the one true God, ultimately demonstrated in His son the Lord Jesus Christ. Be encouraged by this sermon that God will always keeps his promises even if we don't.

Wherever the gospel is preached and the kingdom comes in power; the world is turned upside down. The gospel is a disruptor of the norm for good and for God. This message unpacks the impact of the gospel on communities; it confronts, grows as a movement and always faces predictable resistance.

Acts 10 reveals the amazing story of Cornelius and Peter receiving dreams from heaven which culminate in the revelation that God does not show favouritism. The gospel is designed to cross cultural boundaries. This message unpacks the beauty of hope which is available all and the desperate need for the nations to find peace with God through Jesus.

Every disciple of Jesus will face opposition to the gospel. This message inspires us to return to our people for encouragement, remember God reigns, request boldness from the Spirit and expect to see God release his power in and through us!

Jonathan Shanks kicks off our Acts series for May Mission Month 2025 with a sermon on Acts 1:4-8. God's mission is glorious in: SCOPE; TIMING; POWER; WITNESS.

What is the old covenant and what's wrong with it? What is the new covenant and what's better about it? In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores the idea of the "better covenant" in Hebrews 8:6-13. After exploring the 4 covenants in the Old Testament and highlighting their essential promise, Ben shows how Jesus inaugurates the New Covenant with all its blessings through his deat...

In this Easter Sunday night message, Benjamin Shanks explores the idea of the resurrection, showing that the Easter Story is the best story in the world because it has… 1) A BADDER ENEMY — DEATH; 2) A BRAVER HERO — JESUS; 3) A BETTER VICTORY — RESURRECTION.

Jonathan Shanks preaches a message on Jesus as the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE on Easter Sunday 2025.

Jonathan Shanks preaches a message from the Letter to the Hebrews on Good Friday 2025.

In the Bible, priests minister in the overlap between heaven & earth. What does it mean for Jesus to be a better priest? This message will encourage you in your time of need that Jesus is present; he is able; and he is willing. Jesus is a better priest because he's... BETTER THAN ANGELS — HUMAN; BETTER THAN AARON — DIVINE; BETTER THAN MELCHIZEDEK — REAL.

In this message, Jonathan Shanks kicks off our April 2025 series in the Letter to the Hebrews with a simple idea—Jesus is better! BETTER TRUTH; BETTER COSMOLOGY; BETTER GOD; BETTER SAVIOUR.

In this message, Benjamin Shanks wraps up our 5-week sermon series in the Book of Proverbs with a simple question: why be wise? Why bother implementing and applying the wisdom of Proverbs? Three reasons: 1) BECAUSE IT'S COMMANDED; 2) BECAUSE IT'S GOOD FOR YOU; 3) BECAUSE IT'S WHO YOU ARE; but ultimately, 4) BECAUSE WE WALK WITH GOD.

How do you go with friendships? In this message, Jonathan Shanks explores the wisdom of Proverbs on the topic. THE REWARD OF FRIENDSHIP; THE RISK OF FRIENDSHIP; THE AROMA OF FRIENDSHIP; THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). In this message, Jonathan Shanks explores the power of our words, highlighting the truth from the Book of Proverbs that our words can be a PORTAL TO PAIN or a PORTAL TO PROMISE.