Sermons by Murray Lean (Page 12)
Murray Lean
The search for satisfaction
Is there something missing from your life? “If only… then my life would be happy!” How often have we had thoughts like these? Despite all the possessions, relationships, experiences and self-help resources that are supposed to make our lives complete, the reality is that the vast majority of people are dissatisfied with their lives. In so many hearts there is an emptiness or restlessness that won’t go away. Jesus met a woman one day who was like this. Multiple marriages and other relationships had repeatedly left her feeling empty. As they talked, He helped her realise that only He could quench her spiritual thirst. What are you trying to cure your emptiness? Why not turn to Jesus? Only he can truly satisfy our deepest needs and longings.
The resurrection changes everything
The burial of Jesus’ body on that first Good Friday evening seemed to bring His short life to a sad and emphatic end. The disciples were convinced it was all over. No one even remotely expected what would happen the following Sunday morning. Was it true? Did it really happen? Could a dead man come back to life again? If so, what did it accomplish? Today’s Easter message explores these questions and the difference it makes to followers of Jesus today that He is alive. Without the resurrection, the death of Jesus is a tragedy. But with the resurrection… that changes everything!
Why did Jesus have to die?
For many Christians it is a mystery as to why Good Friday, the day of the year we especially reflect on the greatest act of evil, is called “good”. On one level it is the most horrific of days. Yet, without Good Friday there would be no Christianity, no Christians and no churches. Jesus simply had to die. And that’s the great paradox of Easter! In this message Pastor Murray shares five convincing reasons why the death of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to the Christian faith. The damage caused by sin is plain for all to see. And if we’re honest, we too are sinners in desperate need of a Saviour. Praise God that Jesus is that Saviour. His death was not in vain. Are you trusting Him today to make you right with God?
The cynic’s view of the crucified Christ
The crucifixion of Jesus has always been a point of division among people. For Christians it’s the very heart of our faith. But for others it’s a sign of the weakness and eventual failure of Jesus and his mission to save the world. In today’s message we take a look at three groups of people who were eye-witnesses of the final hours of Jesus’ life. We see their cynical attitudes toward Jesus as they mock his claim to be king and joke at his apparent powerlessness. Little did they realize how their words would come back to bite them! Still today so many people fail to grasp the true meaning of the death of Jesus. They dismiss the cross too quickly. There he proved that he really is God’s eternal King with all the power to save people like you and me today.
Agony in the garden
Today, on the east side of Jerusalem at the base of the Mount of Olives, there is a grove of olive trees. The original Garden of Gethsemane was somewhere in this vicinity, and it was here that Jesus prayed the night before His death. And what a gut-wrenching prayer. Two things stand out about this incident: firstly, the immensity of the pain Jesus was going through that night, and secondly, his unwavering commitment to fully obey His Father’s will. In order to begin to understand the message of the cross, both of these truths are essential. As Jesus “tasted” the cup of God’s wrath His agony was very real. But why did he did he have to drink it? It was for you and for me. That’s why!
Seriously good news for everyone
What would you do if you made a life-changing, life-saving discovery? You’d want to share your good news. And that was the thing that drove the apostle Paul to take his missionary life so seriously. He had met the risen Lord and that encounter changed him forever. Even if some didn’t appreciate him, his passion to share the gospel (‘the message of reconciliation’) could not be stopped. He knew what Christ had done in his own life and desperately wanted others to have a personal encounter with him, too. He saw himself as an ambassador of Christ and urged all believers to share this ‘message of reconciliation’ with others. Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? Have you made this great discovery? Let Him change your life today… forever!
Facing death with confidence
Death is a subject people generally try to avoid, but does it have to be the dreaded elephant in the room? The apostle Paul says emphatically: “No”. And in today’s passage he gives us solid reasons why we can live confidently in the very face of death, and even look forward to life beyond the grave. For the Christian, this present life is only ever meant to be temporary. We are mortal. Our bodies wear out. But Christ offers eternal life and a “heavenly” body that will never wear out to those who believe in Him. To have that hope changes the way we see everything! And motivates us to live each day, free from the fear of death and alive to the things that really matter! Do you have that confidence? Listen to this challenging message and be encouraged.
The great discovery
When you discover something new that works so much better, why would you bother going back to the old? That’s essentially what the apostle Paul is saying in today’s passage. The people in the church at Corinth were being conned by some visiting “preachers”, who were telling them they had to go back to obeying the ancient law of Moses as the way to God. Paul knew from personal experience the futility of trying to live that way. So he exposes the inferiority of the law compared with the glory of being made righteous before God by trusting Jesus Christ. To meet Christ personally is to receive His life-giving Spirit and begin a whole new way of life. Why would you ever want to revert to a system that was broken, when Christ offers something far, far better!
Indicators of true gospel ministry
As mainline churches in Australia steadily decline, new churches are popping up with increasing frequency. Sometimes these are a result of strategic church plants. Other times they are the result of splits and breakaways. Sometimes they go well. Often they struggle and fail. Some are well led. Others are not. It’s hard working planting a church in secular Australia. But what are the criteria we should look for in a valid gospel ministry today? Paul had to defend himself against those who opposed and critiqued him harshly at Corinth, and in doing so he gives us five non-negotiable indicators of what every true gospel-centred church should look like. And these indicators are especially relevant today. Are they true of your church… and mine?
A pastor and his people
What happens when a pastor has a falling out with his people? Sadly, it happens… far more often than it should. A rift had developed between “Pastor Paul” and the church at Corinth, and serious damage had been done to their relationship. How could this situation be resolved? In today’s message we explore the approach Paul used to defend himself and to appeal personally to the people for a resolution to the crisis. With humility, grace, forgiveness… and also courage… there was a way forward. If only we might see more disputes in our churches resolved like this today!
Meeting God in the troubles of life
Today’s message by Pastor Murray begins a new series in the book of 2 Corinthians. In this letter to the church at Corinth the apostle Paul shares very personally – his appeals to them, his joys, his disappointments, his struggles in ministry – and through all his vulnerability we see how God gave him the strength to persevere. This theme is introduced in the opening verses of the book, where Paul helps us see that even through the troubles and pain of life, God is there to comfort and care. While we don’t like to suffer, God meets us in our suffering and uses it for beneficial purposes in our lives. What tough situation are you going through at this moment? This message will be an encouragement to you!
A discerning leader with the gift of encouragement (Barnabas)
Jesus, of course, is the only perfect leader, but God seems to have used many different types of men and women to take the lead in His work. In this message we encounter Barnabas, an early Christian convert and trusted leader in the church at Jerusalem. Sent to Antioch by the apostles to check out what was happening in the church there, he quickly realised that God was doing something special, and soon co-opted Saul (later Paul) to help him in teaching the Bible to these young Gentile believers. Next, he and Saul were commissioned by the Antioch church to go out as the very first formal missionaries to the Roman empire. His ability to see what God was doing, get on board, and encourage others to do the same was inspirational.