Sermon Series – RethinKING Easter

Forget crowns and castles! What does it REALLY mean to be a king? This Easter, it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about power, sacrifice, and the true King who changed the world forever. We are “RethinKING Easter.”

Palm Sunday – The King of Peace

Read the text – Zechariah 9:9-17; Luke 19:28-44

We can define a king as one with the power to raise an army yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship because he comes as one who is “gentle and riding on a donkey”. The kingship that he brings is one of peace in the face of war. We need not be threatened by Jesus but welcome him with praise.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see the long-term fulfillment of what was long proclaimed about God’s King – and story that spanned 500 years from prophecy to fulfillment.

Good Friday – The King of Service

Read the text – Exodus 12:14-28; Luke 22:1-37

We can define a King as one who people serve, yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship by being the one who came to serve, laying down his life for his friends.

In this talk, Gary Haddon helps us to see in Jesus a sovereign King who suffered and a king who suffered in order to save.

Easter Sunday – The King of Life

Read the text – Luke 23:50-24:35; Acts 2:22-39

A way to define kingship by succession – yet we still recognize that for every king, no matter his power, or influence, or riches – they will one day die. Yet Jesus defies kingship in almost every way – not least of all in his death and then resurrection. A king, who in death gave his riches as an internal inheritance for all who trust in him. That is Easter.

In this talk Neil Atwood will help us consider the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as a certain indicator of Jesus’ true kingship over all of life.

Sermon – The Light of the World: The Light has Dawned (Matthew 4:12-17)

Read the text – Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 4:12-17

Christmas is a time for Christians to proclaim Jesus the Light of the World. This series looks to show the development of the ‘Light’ theme as it unfolds through the passage of salvation history.

In this Bible Talk, Dave Swan helps us to see the how the promises of Isaiah are fulfilled in Jesus and that forgiveness and eternity is on offer with the coming of this new dawn.

Sermon – Wisdom Through Suffering (Job 38-42) – God Knows

Read the text – Job 40:1-14

It has been a long time in coming, but finally we hear the voice of God. In Job 38, God speaks from the midst of a storm (or whirlwind). It is not surprising that God speaks from a storm, but it is surprising that it isn’t the storm of judgement, but of wisdom. Two chapters of God describing the extent of his sovereignty conclude in 40:1. And Job’s response? Despite all that he had previously thought he would say if he could enter God’s presence, he is speechless. He recognizes his insignificance before God and keeps listening to what God has to say and stays attentive to what God will show him – God is not only sovereign, but just.

God has not given Job the answers he was looking for, but Job has seen him in a way that is clearer than ever, and without asking for any more answers, he trusts in God’s sovereignty, even though his circumstances still have not changed. It isn’t until we get to the New Testament that we can begin to understand what it cost Him to win the battle over evil and death on our behalf.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to understand the importance of living under the sovereignty of God – and that wisdom, even blessing can be found in suffering.

Talk Outline Download

Thumbnail Sketch of the Book of Job Download

Sermon – Kingdom Coming: Forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-19:2)

Read the text – Matthew 18:15-19:2

Sin and hurt come hand in hand with the human experience – forgiveness not so much. For how hard it is to forgive when you have been hurt by others? Jesus taught his disciples how to deal with sin among believers such that the sin is not swept away or forgotten, but so that believers might know how to truly and genuinely forgive those who trespass against them.

Gary Haddon carefully handles this personal and tricky teaching of Jesus – and in doing so helps us to see the value of forgiveness.

Talk Outline Download

Sermon – Rebuke & Refuge: Shame (Zeph 2:4-3:8)

Read the text – Zephaniah 2:4-3:8

The Day of the Lord is a universal eschatological disaster. Yet God’s judgement is tantalisingly mingled with hope of restoration and his character of righteousness. All humanity is clearly at his mercy. In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see that God not only holds all nations to account, but he hold his own people to account. It all hinges on how God can be righteous and just, and at the same time merciful and forgiving.

Sermon – New Beginnings: Come and Drink (John 4:1-42)

The Gospel of John introduces Jesus and gives him an extraordinary array of titles. Jesus does not disappoint. His teaching, his interactions, his miracles and his knowledge give those who meet him cause to question who he is – and as readers we also can look at these ‘encounters’ and decide for ourselves whether Jesus is worth another look. Perhaps a new beginning for a new year.

This talk explores what we all can recognise and realise about Jesus, and how we can all respond and come to Jesus.

Read the text – John 4:1-42 Isaiah 44:1-5

Sermon – Obeying the Word of the LORD (Jonah 3-4)

We love satire when it comes to political cartoons. Often we see our national leaders’ faults comically exaggerated. But what about satire when it comes to God’s prophets? Jonah is a famed biblical story where we find God’s hero, the prophet Jonah, neglect his responsibility and flee from God. Meanwhile, the city of Nineveh, famed for their evil, turn to God after a surprisingly short sermon!

This is not a story about a giant fish, but rather a God who shows grace and mercy to wicked people, despite his prophet’s rebellion.

This talk will focus on God’s faithfulness in saving Nineveh, despite Jonah’s begrudging obedience. The question remains… are you glad to see God save evil people?

Read the Bible texts – Jonah 3-4 ; Luke 11:29-32

Talk – Obeying the Word of the LORD: Jonah 3-4 (Outline)Download

Speaker: Josh Ord

Sermon – Running away from the LORD (Jonah 1-2)

We love satire when it comes to political cartoons. Often we see our national leaders’ faults comically exaggerated. But what about satire when it comes to God’s prophets?

Jonah is a famed biblical story where we find God’s hero, the prophet Jonah, neglect his responsibility and fleeing from God. Meanwhile, the city of Nineveh, famed for their evil, turn to God after a surprisingly short sermon!

This is not a story about a giant fish, but rather a God who shows grace and mercy to wicked people, despite his prophet’s rebellion.

In this talk we hear about Jonah’s disobedience and the resulting consequence. Additionally, we hear about repentance as the necessary response to sin.

Read the Bible texts – Jonah 1-2

Talk – Running Away from the Lord – Jonah 1-2 (Outline)Download