‘Distress and Hope’ is a sermon series discussing where to find hope in the midst of distress, uncertainty and injustice. This series focuses on mental health, the comfort we can gain from Jesus Christ and the hope he has given us. This sermon was given at Lower Mountains Anglican Parish, Glenbrook evening service, by Ken Noakes. Join us in the first message of the series where we discuss the inherent love and worthiness given to us simply by being made in the image of God.
Purpose of the Series is to encourage our church family: We can have deep and abiding hope in the Lord Jesus even in the midst of the distress, uncertainty and unjust circumstances which are often associated with Mental Health.
In this first sermon, Ken Noakes looks at the central theme of who we are: We are creatures of dust, made in the image of God, for relationship. We are integrated, whole and beloved children of God, no matter how dark the valley is we are passing through.
In the second sermon of this series, Ken Noakes and Julie Haddon explore the reality of God’s presence in every circumstance in our lives. They explain that God know each of us deeply, and empathises with us, thanks to what Jesus did in becoming human and experiencing life here on earth, including suffering. Where the circumstances of our lives and emotions can shift, God is constant.
In the third sermon of this series, Ken Noakes and Olivia Bush look at what the Bible says about lament. Is it OK to be in a mess when we come to God? How can we express our deepest distress to God? We have, in Jesus, both a mediator and a model of how we can approach God when everything in our lives is falling apart.
In the fourth sermon of this series, Ken Noakes and Julie Haddon explore the role our church family can play in helping and supporting one another through difficult times, particularly in regards to mental health. We each have a pastoral role to play, and we all need support when contacting the mental health services available to us.
