Weekly Talks

By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 24: 15-27 Matthew 24: 15-27 (NIV)

By Charlie Lacey |  Psalm 51:1-17 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 ; Mark 1:14-15  Psalm 51:1-17 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 ; Mark 1:14-15  (NIV)

By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 22:1-14 Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV) When challenged by the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus told three parables that exposed their inaction, disloyalty and hypocrisy.  Today we looked at the third of those parables which was directed towards those same religious leaders – but also towards the nation as a whole.  In general terms, the Jews failed to recognise their Messiah and r...

By Charlie Lacey | Psalm 118:15-29 & Matthew 21:23-46 Psalm 118:15-29 & Matthew 21:23-46  (NIV) Continuing with our series titled ‘The King in Jerusalem’; last week we saw how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem as King.  This week we observed the mounting opposition and hostility towards Jesus from the religious authorities - and we heard Jesus’ response to them.  The fact is, they were bli...

By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 21:1-17 Matthew 21:1-17 (NIV) We started a new series today, called ‘The King in Jerusalem’.  Over the coming weeks, we’ll be following the events in Matthew’s Gospel, from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem – all the way through to his death and resurrection at Easter.  When Jesus entered Jerusalem the crowds welcomed him as a King, but Jesus wasn’t the kind of king...

By Charlie Lacey | Psalm 145 Psalm 145 (NIV) Things have been a little different since Queensland opened its borders. With Covid cases skyrocketing, many people are feeling nervous and unsettled.  This is a difficult time, but God is still in control – and he continues to bless us in all kinds of ways.  Today we lifted our gaze and changed the atmosphere as we gave God thanks for the amazing thing...

By Trevor Adams | Revelation 21:1-8, Revelation 22:1-5 Revelation 21:1-8, Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV) Revelation? Nooooo!! was my instant thought-reaction when told the Bible passage we're using. I was encouragingly surprised when I read many experts were aware of the same fear over the years. However, this time I learnt an amazing thing.  Instead of what I had swallowed over the years from REVEL...

By Fiona Martin | Jeremiah 31: 31-33 & Mark 14: 12-26 Jeremiah 31: 31-33 & Mark 14: 12-26 (NIV) The rejection of God by Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 breaks the harmonious relationships between God and humans, between humans themselves and between humans and creation. But God has a plan to restore these broken relationships. He will pay the price and redeem humankind and the world.

By Charlie Lacey |  Genesis 3 Genesis 3 (NIV) After the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 everything looked promising and hopeful, but within a few pages we find Adam and Eve hiding from God.  Clearly something had gone badly wrong!  Genesis 3 helps us to understand all that is wrong with the world – and that's important because if we don’t recognise the nature of the problem, we’ll never...

By Charlie Lacey | Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 3 Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 3 (NIV) We started a new series today called, ‘God’s Story’ – looking at the overarching narrative of the Bible; everything from Creation and Fall to Redemption and New Creation.  This January we’re going to be building a framework and then everything else we look at this year will fit into that framework

By Erika Williams | Matthew 2: 1-12 Matthew 2: 1-12 (NIV) In Matthew’s Gospel we see two very different responses to Jesus’ birth; the Magi who came to worship him and Herod, who wanted to kill him.  In Australia today we also observe two very different responses to Jesus.  There are those who love him and those who hate him or are indifferent towards him. 

By Charlie Lacey | Luke 2: 1-20 Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV) On the night Jesus was born, angels appeared to a group of Shepherds in the hills above Bethlehem and announced the most joyful news that the world has ever heard.  A Saviour has been born!  Since that day, so much has pointed to the fact that these events are true and that Jesus came into the world to bring us back into a right relationship with...

By Charlie Lacey | Revelation 7: 9-17 Revelation 7: 9-17 (NIV) Just over 2000 years ago Jesus was born in a stable, a very humble beginning – and he was visited by shepherds and Magi, who bowed down before him.  How many millions (or billions) of people have bowed the knee to Jesus since then?  The Church consists of everyone who has ever followed Jesus and everyone who ever will.

By Charlie Lacey |  Revelation 4: 1-11  Revelation 4: 1-11 (NIV) Advent is a season when we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birth – but we also look forward to his second coming.  The book of Revelation tells us what Jesus’ return actually means for the whole of creation. 

By Charlie Lacey |  Revelation 1: 9-19 Revelation 1: 9-19 (NIV) Advent is a season when we look back to the birth of Jesus – but also forward to the day when he returns in glory to judge the living and the dead.  To get a complete picture of Jesus, we need to hold the image of a baby lying in a manger, together with the image of Jesus returning in power and majesty.  The gospels give us the former...

By Charlie Lacey | Ruth 3:1-18 Ruth 3:1-18 (NIV) Ruth is a wonderful book to be studying in conjunction with baptism (we baptised baby Gerard today), because it reminds us that God is at work in our lives even when we can’t see it and long before we know it.  Gerard didn't understand what was happening, but we know that God is working in his life -and we know that God is working to bring his...

By Charlie Lacey | Ruth 2: 1-18 Ruth 2: 1-18 (NIV) Last week we left Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, in a very vulnerable and desperate situation.  Two poor widows, recently returned to Naomi’s home town of Bethlehem, with no adequate means of supporting themselves.  They seek refuge in the Lord, who provides for them in remarkable ways.  God’s power is displayed, not through miracles, but thro...

By Charlie Lacey | Ruth 1: 1-22 Ruth 1:1-22 (NIV) It’s sometimes hard to see how God is working in the small details of our lives.  We’ve probably all had times when we’ve asked, “Why doesn’t God do something?”  Today we started a new series on the book of Ruth, which is a beautiful story about God’s invisible hand of providence working in and through the circumstances of a very ordinary family. ...

By John Roundhill | Psalm 146; 1 Kings 17: 8-16 and Mark 12:41-44 Psalm 146 (NIV) 1 Kings 17: 8-16 (NIV) Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) As Christians, the extent to which we trust God will have an enormous influence on the way we live our lives.  Following Jesus requires trust and that trust is tested in times of difficulty and danger.  Thanks be to God - he is entirely trustworthy.

By Charlie Lacey | Philippians 2: 1-11 Philippians 2: 1-11 (NIV) When you see a group photo that you’re in, who do you look for first in the photo?  You look for yourself don’t you!  And in most situations we tend to think of ourselves first.  All of us can be quite selfish at times.  However, as followers of Christ we are called to be servants and that means laying aside our selfishness and pride...

By Charlie Lacey | Isaiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-8 Isaiah 5:1-7(NIV)   John 15:1-8(NIV) When we invite Jesus into our lives, it puts us on a trajectory of spiritual growth.  Jesus used the illustration of a vine and its branches.  Jesus is the true vine and if we belong to him; if we are connected to him; if remain in him, then we will produce good fruit.  Over time, our lives and our characters will be...

By Trevor Adams | Romans 10:5-18 Romans 10:5-18 (NIV) How did you hear about the Good News of Jesus Christ? Who first explained the Christian Message to you? If you're listening to this, it is almost certain that someone told you about Jesus at some point.  Each and every person who has given their life to Christ is called to go on advancing the Gospel in one way or another.  We are all calle...

By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 6: 5-13 Matthew 6:5-13 (NIV) The Christian journey is one of change and transformation as we move closer to God.  Today we looked at Jesus' teaching on prayer and considered our next steps towards God in this area of our lives.

Philippians 4: 4-9 | by Charlie Lacey Philippians 4: 4-9 (NIV) It’s very difficult to praise God if we’re feeling anxious and let’s face it, right now there are lots of things that we could be feeling anxious about, both globally and in our own personal lives.  Paul encourages us to take all our worries to God and exchange them for his peace.

By Charlie Lacey | Psalm 103 Psalm 103 (NIV) Psalm 103 has been described as 'the most perfect song of pure praise in the Bible.' Through this Psalm we see the benefits of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Benefits that no human relationship could even come close to giving us. Meditating on this pslam should make us supremely grateful to God.