NorthernLife Sermons

In Mark 1:35-39, Jesus models 3 practices for a fruitful life in the Kingdom of God: SOLITUDE, LIMITS, and WORK. To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e7.

On one level, Mark 1:29-34 is simply words on a page. Yet it depicts a Jesus that is thoroughly three-dimensional. In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores "Jesus in 3D," seeing how Mark points us to the heart of Jesus in the micro and the macro. To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e6.

Mark 1:21-28 is a story structured by its author Mark to show us that Jesus is "the Holy One of God." In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores what it means to respond to the identity of Jesus by coming under His lordship. Who is the lord of your life? To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e5

In Mark 1:16-20, Jesus calls his first followers to join the new community of the Spirit. In this message, Jonathan Shanks explores the role of the Holy Spirit in forming, prompting and transforming followers of Jesus into a new community. SPIRIT FORMED; SPIRIT PROMPTED; SPIRIT TRANSFORMED. To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings...

“The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” In this third message of the Gospel of New Beginnings series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom Come. To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e3.

Mark 1:9-13 records the story of the baptism of Jesus. In this message, Jonathan Shanks explores the Gospel of New Beginnings. Jesus goes through: IDENTIFICATION with sinful Israel IMPARTATION of the Holy Spirit. AFFIRMATION from the Father. CONFRONTATION from the Evil One. To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e2.

The biblical book of Mark in the New Testament is the Gospel of New Beginnings. In this first message of 2024, Jonathan Shanks unpacks Mark 1:1-8 and the story of John the Baptist as part of our GO24 vision. NEW BEGINNINGS NEW MESSENGERS NEW POWER To view the full message, go to  ⁠https://www.northernlife.org.au/resources/sermons/gospel-of-new-beginnings-e1.

In this message from the final day of 2023, Jonathan Shanks wraps up our 18-month long vision called "SEE23" with a reflection on the four core rhythms: SUP, SALT, SCRIPTURE, SUNDAY.

In this Christmas Day message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the truth that CHRISTMAS CHANGES EVERYTHING because Jesus is God; Jesus is Man; and Jesus is God with us. Featuring an item rendition of Arrival by Ben, Jas, Steph, and Mel.

Christmas is wonderful. In Luke 1:26-38, Mary responds to the angel’s message both GRADUALLY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY in wonder. May we have the same response.

In this third message of the “Christmas Is” series, Benjamin Shanks unpacks the story of the shepherds—unlikely characters who get to play a part in the Christmas story. Christmas is INCLUSIVE; it’s an INVITATION for the INQUISITIVE to the INCARNATION.  This message will stir you to come and see for yourself if Jesus is the Saviour.

Christmas is difficult. For many, it is a time of conflict, grief, pain, and fear. In this second message of the “Christmas Is” series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the way the Christmas story speaks to the difficulty of the season.

Luke 1 tells two stories of angel encounters: The first is to Zechariah who found himself at earth's end and desperate for a miracle. The other is to Mary in the midst of mundane, everyday life. In the Christmas story, however, BOTH receive a miracle: the MIRACULOUS IN THE MOMENT OF NEED and the MIRACULOUS IN THE MUNDANE. Christmas is miraculous because Heaven came down to Earth when God becam...

The story of the character Elijah in the Old Testament is a story of the making of a man of God in the secret place. God used trials and difficulties to forge in Elijah character that God would later use. This message will encourage you that God works in us that He might work through us, and that becoming a person of God will require a season of: Isolated pain Total dependence Unconditional obedie...

The story of King Josiah is a story of revival, of following conviction to repentance. Do you need revival in your life? This message will be an encouragement to you. How do we prepare for revival? We: RESPOND TO CONSCIENCE. REDISCOVER GOD’S WORD. RESTORE THE FEAR OF THE LORD. RETURN TO THE LORD IN REPENTANCE. RENEW SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT.

In this fifth message of the Kings & Characters series, Benjamin Shanks explores the story of King David's life alongside the theme of THE SECRET PLACE. All of us have a 'front stage' that is visible to other people, and a 'back stage' that is between us and God. The secret place is in the back stage, and without the secret place, life falls apart. The seven stages of David's life: David the S...

"In self-deception, a person is both the deceiver and the deceived." In this fourth message of the Kings & Characters series, Jonathan Shanks explores the life of King Saul, highlight his (many) character flaws which stem from one thing–SELF-DECEPTION. This message you will find both challenging and encouraging, as we are prompted to turn to Jesus for light, grace and truth.

The Philistines were the nemesis of the people of Israel—a constant threat in battle after battle after battle. The overarching story of the Old Testament tells us that "the axis on which the battle against the nemesis is won or lost is the FEAR OF GOD." In this message, Benjamin Shanks explores the theme of the FEAR OF GOD and its counterpart, IRREVERENCE in the story of David vs. Goliath. This m...

"We are made for the presence of God." In this message, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the Ark of the Covenant and reflects on the importance of the encountering the presence of God in our lives. The presence of God brings: REVELATION TRANSFORMATION PROCLAMATION

Words have power. 1 Samuel 3:19 says "The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground." In this first message of the Kings & Characters series, Jonathan Shanks unpacks the story of Samuel around the theme of WORDS. 1. BREAK GENERATIONAL CHAINS 2. CONFRONT GENERATIONAL DRIFT 3. RELEASE GENERATIONAL BLESSING

In the final message of our "Grace to Overcome" series, Jack Long teaches on greed and how to overcome it by God's grace. 1. Greed is not passive, it's aggressive. 2. Greed blinds us. 3. Greed is futile, but grace is sufficient. "Grace to Overcome" is a 3-week/10-part sermon series looking at how the grace of God is sufficient to overcome anything. We’ll be hearing from...

In this message, Lachlan Ford unpacks principles of godly communication and how to avoid gossip. “Grace to Overcome” is a 3-week/10-part sermon series looking at how the grace of God is sufficient to overcome anything. We’ll be hearing from 10 of our very own preachers unpacking one vice each.

The grace of God is able to overcome dishonesty and "personal truths," the lies we tell ourselves that we believe to be true. Virginia Mathews unpacks dishonesty and gives hope that we might overcome it through grace. As Dallas Willard says (in The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart), we need: 1. VISION. 2. INTENTION. 3. PROCESS. “Grace to Overcome” is a 3-week/10-part sermon...

"Pride is projecting an inflated view of self and, consequentially, a deflated view of God." In this message, Andrew Dawkins unpacks pride and gives wisdom from Scripture on how to overcome it by the grace of God. “Grace to Overcome” is a 3-week/10-part sermon series looking at how the grace of God is sufficient to overcome anything. We’ll be hearing from 10 of our very own preachers unp...

Bitterness is a chronic, physical unpleasantness in response to hard situations. In this message, Stuart Roberts unpacks bitterness and the grace of God that is able to overcome it. "Grace to Overcome" is a 3-week/10-part sermon series looking at how the grace of God is sufficient to overcome anything. We’ll be hearing from 10 of our very own preachers unpacking one vice each.