Sermons by Murray Lean (Page 4)
Murray Lean
Differing views about the end times (part 1)
While no serious believer doubts the fact of Christ’s return, many will have differing views on the events and key people who will play important roles in the lead up to that day. Today we look in greater detail at some of these: tribulations, antichrists, the beast, Armageddon and apostasy in the church. And what do we make of the so-called ‘Great Tribulation’ and ‘the Antichrist’? Perhaps this message will help clarify for you what the Bible says about these…
Jesus is coming back!
Any discussion about the future from a Christian perspective inevitably centres on one key event – the second coming of Christ. And in the Christian worldview, all of history is heading towards that climax. Everywhere we look the New Testament is littered with this teaching. But does it make any practical difference to our lives? In this message we see afresh the relevance of this important doctrine for our faith today. And with the saints of old we also cry…
Christian community in an individualistic world
Romans 12:9-21 One of the most powerful ways Christians impact those around them is by the way they relate together. Sometimes we simply take for granted this mysterious thing called “fellowship”, yet many people in modern society long for this. A common observation of the early Christians by their pagan neighbours was: “See how they love one another”. In this message we are challenged to make this love practical, not just to our best friends, but also to the those…
Humility in an Entitled World
Philippians 2:1-8 Increasingly these days we see a sense of ‘entitlement’ creeping into our national psyche. We are told to stand up for ourselves and ‘grow a spine’. But the whole essence of the gospel teaches us the opposite. And the kingdom values of Jesus fly in the face of the mood of our modern world. Listen in as Pastor Murray challenges us to follow Christ in our relationships and in our ministries, and show the world that denying self…
Sexual purity in a permissive world
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8It goes without saying that modern society is very open about sex, and there is great pressure today adopt a permissive lifestyle. In the days of the early church things were very similar, perhaps even more extreme. So how does God want Christians to live in this sort of world? In this message Pastor Murray deals with God’s view of sex and marriage in a clear and uncompromising way …. a message that needs to be heard today.
The all-powerful God
Isaiah 40:25-31One of the most common names for God in the Bible is ‘Almighty God’. But what does that mean? In this message we explore this aspect of God’s divine nature. With a word He can create the universe. He controls the galaxies, overthrows armies, suspends the laws of nature, and oversees every detail of our daily lives. And He has absolute power over sin, death and hell, as he has shown through Christ. Nothing is too difficult for Him.…
The secret of contentment
Philippians 4:4-13For all the creature comforts and blessings of modern life, many people today, including many Christians, are actually quite discontented. Why? Particularly through TV and the internet we are being constantly bombarded with reminders of what we don’t have or want we ought to have in order to be happy. Just as the devil deceived Adam and Eve with this tactic, so he uses it very effectively against us today. So what’s the secret? In Philippians 3 Paul tells…
Recognising the ‘Christ’ of Christmas
Luke 2:1-20Despite the medical variables of childbirth, most babies make fairly unspectacular entries into the world. In many parts of the world they are still not born in a hospital. Nor was Jesus. Yet despite His humble birth, He has divided history! As we consider the people mentioned in the Christmas story, we can’t help noticing a variety of different responses to this newborn baby – the innkeeper, the shepherds, King Herod and the wise men. Still today people struggle…
The Hope of Christmas
Luke 2:21-40With all the hype of a traditional Christmas it’s easy to overlook the small yet profound details of the original event. Two people who picked up on these details were Simeon and Anna, who had a very personal ‘chance’ encounter with Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the temple. This simple story has much to teach us about God, and how He still brings hope and joy to people like us today.
The all-knowing God
Isaiah 40:25-31Knowledge can be a wonderful thing. Through reading, study and now the internet, it is possible to accumulate a lot of information. But only God knows everything! In our pride we can think we know better than God, doubt His ways, and trust ourselves instead. Claiming to be wise we actually become fools. Because we are human we are not meant to know everything. But we are meant to live in dependence on God. When we do that we…
Revive us, O Lord!
Isaiah 64:1-12Severe drought often leads Christians to desperate prayer. How much more should spiritual drought drive us to God! The Jews in Babylon were desperate. Now, in their desperation they cried out for God to “rend the heavens and come down” as He had done in the past at Mt Sinai. They recognized that it was their sin that was blocking their deliverance, and pleaded for God’s mercy. We today also need God to revive us with a fresh visitation…
What God thinks about worship
Isaiah 58:1-14The subject of worship can be rather controversial in many Christian circles. Often the conversation will focus on the Sunday service ….. music, what we do with our arms, liturgy etc. But what does God think about worship? In today’s passage God uses the practice of fasting (common among the Jewish exiles in Babylon) to make the point that true worship must come from the heart and must involve all of life 24/7. In particular this will be seen…