This past Tuesday, [Jan 26th ] we celebrated Australia day.  And for those of us that are very patriotic, it was a feast of activities and parties and community get togethers.  The Australian flag was flying high from roof tops, cars, and every other vantage point.  And why not!  We live in the ‘lucky’ country.  We enjoy political freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from war and terrorism that plagues so many other countries. And if that were all the blessings we enjoyed, it would be more than enough reason to give thanks to our faithful God!   But there is still more!

Consider too the abundance we enjoy in this ‘lucky’ country.  Not only is the kitchen cupboard full, our barns are full and many are building bigger ones.  In this ‘lucky’ country, no one needs to go hungry.  No one needs to sleep on park benches [but some do]. No one needs to go about without clothes [although some like to].  And if that were all the blessings we enjoyed, it would be more than enough reason to give thanks to our faithful God!   But there is still more!

A FRESH START, John Haverland, 10-01-2

(Sermon 17 in a series of 19 on Genesis 1-12)

Text: Genesis 8:18-9:29

Readings: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Theme: God made a new beginning after the flood with a covenant with all living beings.

Purpose: To explain the covenant with Noah and all living beings and its applications to us.

KNOWING GOD BETTER, Peter Smit, 10-01-3

Sermon 2 of a series on Ephesians (Series title – “Ephesians: Portraits of the living church”)

Text – Ephesians 1:15-23

The title of this series on Ephesians is “Portraits of the living church.” The first portrait we looked at from the first half of Chapter 1 was of God’s amazing blessings poured out on us.

Today’s portrait is a picture on prayer.

When you pray for friends, family, parents, children, your church family what do you pray?

BLESSED BEYOND REASON Peter Smit, 09-11-4

Sermon 1 of a series on Ephesians (Series title – “Ephesians: Portraits of the living church”

Text – Ephesians 1:1-14

Reading – Acts 19

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a portrait of the living church.

It captures the church in all its differing aspects of beauty and power. More importantly it helps us see the head of the church, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you counted your blessings recently?

This week, I had the privilege of paying a relatively short visit with Irene to my mum in New Zealand. We left on Sunday night, and returned Wednesday evening. Stop and think about that for a minute. It's not that long ago that you wouldn't have dreamed of going to New Zealand for just three days – unless you were a businessman. Such travel was too expensive – you'd stay at least a couple of weeks to make it really worthwhile. But the airfares for this trip were only $200 return!

What a wonderful day to celebrate, “Jesus has risen from the dead" and all God’s people reply, “He has risen indeed!"  And surely this is also the very reason why we worship and glorify our Saviour God today!  Where would we be without the resurrection of Jesus from the dead?  We would still have to suffer God’s wrath for our sin; we would be false witnesses and living a big lie; our loved ones who have already passed away would be lost; our preaching and our faith would be useless.  As the Apostle Paul says, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

But thanks be to God, our glorious Saviour has risen from the dead! And that dear friend makes life worth living to the glory of God.’  That one fact gives purpose and direction to life!’  That one fact gives reason for endurance when things go against us and encouragement to continue the race of life.’  That one fact causes great thankfulness to well up within our hearts for now eternal life in glory with our Saviour is guaranteed.