Sermons at St Aidan's

When faced with difficult times, it can be helpful to have some certainty when faced with the possibility of death. The  key question is "what will happen when you die?" As believers in Jesus, knowing that we will be in heaven with him when we die gives us great assurance.

Christmas is a time of the year when we can reflect on the year that's been, and give thanks to God for all His blessings to us. Most of all, we can thank God for his greatest gift, when his Son Jesus was born in our world to be our King and our Saviour. Today we hear from the Bible about the birth of the King, and how his coming calls us to respond to him.

Today we reflect on a trustworthy saying that speaks of why the message of Christmas is exciting for everyone of us, that Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

In our passages from Malachi, we are reminded of the justice of God and the salvation that is ours because of the cross of Jesus. 

Malachi spoke to Israel at a time when they were disillusioned with God and his promises. They questioned whether God really loved them and if God was worth their service and obedience. If you've ever felt like that, then Malachi brings a message of hope grounded in the greatness of God and the promise of his coming.

There is so much to remember at Christmas, so as we begin the season of Advent, we should rejoice along with Zechariah that we have a God of active memory and  mercy.

A report from Rod Morris on the progress of St Aidan's "City to City" undertaking, and a review of distributed questionnaire.

As we draw our short series in Revelation 2-3 to a close, we will consider the call to live a life worthy of Jesus in all aspects of our vision at St. Aidan's. At the same time, we can't help but be drawn to Jesus' heavenly vision in the rest of Revelation; a vision which ensures we will be preserved to worthiness in Christ together.

Jesus' vision for his people is to follow him, which involves costly discipleship. So, when we feel the pressure of hostility, slander, and exclusion, that come from being followers of Christ, how are we to remain faithful? We explore this question as we continue to listen to Jesus' words to his church from Revelation 2 and 3.

Today we consider the importance of recapturing our first love and considering Jesus' words to his church in Revelation 2, where we'll hear Jesus' encouragement and warnings about living as his people.

The Psalms look at our broken circumstances that are rooted in God's love  and are fulfilled in a concrete, future reality.

Today we consider the nature of serving others, and what that means about how we think about ourselves. Jesus has some stern warnings about when we serve for the praise of others, or when we serve in our own strength. Thankfully it's as we listen to Jesus that we can serve him with freedom and joy.

Today we consider the nature of our God, and what that means about serving. Sometimes we serve for the wrong reasons, leaving us joyless. What should be going on in our hearts as we serve our King?

For the next 3 Sundays, the topic will be "Serving without sinking". How can we serve Christ and do that joyfully? To begin with, we look to the model of servanthood, Jesus our servant King.

These are the final chapters in the book of Acts. It has been an exciting journey from Jerusalem all the way to Rome and we reflect here on what we have learnt about God's great mission to see the name Jesus made know to the ends of the earth.

Peter writes to Christians in a hostile world that we are to set aside Christ as Lord in our hearts, and always be prepared to give an answer to everyone for the hope that we have. In the reading today in Acts, we see Paul living that out as he sets an example in godly living and in gospel proclamation.

Today we see Paul make his way to Jerusalem, where he knows he will suffer as he proclaims Jesus. He knows however this is what it means for him to follow Jesus. As we watch the Apostle Paul and his ministry, there is much for us to learn about what it looks like to follow Jesus today.

In this reading, we see Paul's love for the church whose leaders must keep watch over themselves and the people God has entrusted to them.

This sermon follows Paul and companions on their second mission trip, which now sees the good news of Jesus take hold in the cities of Europe. How will this message be received in these new places and cultures? How will God's mission continue?

As we continue our series in the book of Acts, we see there is a pause in the mission to ensure there is clarity about the gospel and the way all people are saved. This is an important moment in the life of the church, which enables the mission to continue to the ends of the earth.

Acts 13-14 recounts the first overseas mission trip as Paul and Barnabas go with the gospel on their first missionary journey. As we watch their mission, there is much for us to learn  about the heart of mission and what to expect as we go with the gospel today.

As Paul drew his letter to a close last week, he greeted all those he knew and was, no doubt, reminded how susceptible all of them are to being led astray. Today we are reminded of our need to be established in the truth of the Gospel.

Today's passage is a simple list of greetings, but its unusual length, placement and details points to the efficacy of the name of Jesus, whom Paul, the church in Rome, and all the saints now call upon.

Paul now sets out his plans to visit Rome. As he details his itinerary, he invites us to consider the importance of ministry partnership and resting together in God's providence.

Paul's letter to the Romans has been theologically rich and personally confronting, but he hadn't even visited the church in Rome, nor planted it. Now at the very end of his letter, he offers an introduction to affirm his ministry to them, offering us insight into how we receive the ministry of others amongst us.