Sermons from November 2020
God’s personal invitation
Matthew 22:1-14 Everyone loves a good wedding … or do they? It seems not, especially when it comes to the heavenly wedding banquet God has planned. The parable Jesus told about this wedding reveals three particular responses to God’s invitation. Some are outright rejecters. Some are grateful (if undeserving) accepters. Others are self-righteous impostors. The invitation is clear and very gracious, but we must all respond personally. What is your response?
Partners together in Christ
Philippians 1:3-11 In today’s message Pastor Murray farewells the City North church he has pastored for the past 19 years. Using Paul’s heartfelt words to the Philippians, he urges us to see the vital importance of the gospel in defining the character and ministry of the church. He also expresses his confidence that God will continue to complete the work He has been doing in our lives. And like Paul, he prays that we might always keep growing in our…
Alert Living
Ephesians 5:15-21 In the final part of our series on the new self, we see that the new self lives an alert life. This alertness is expressed as we walk through life wisely and allow God to fill us with His Spirit.
The Worthy Pastor
1 Peter 5:1-4 Churches need godly leaders, especially when times are tough. But what makes a good pastor or elder? What should we look for when choosing our leaders? The words of the old apostle Peter in today’s passage are urgently necessary for us today … men who understand their calling to spiritually shepherd God’s people, men whose character and motives are pure, and men who are not seeking earthly recognition or reward. May God in His kindness raise up…
In the Light
Ephesians 5:3-14In Christ, we have been transformed from darkness to light and we are called to live as children of light – putting off immorality and impurity, and instead, living lives characterised by goodness, righteousness and truth.
Fellowship in Christ
We are the temple of God, the body of Christ and the bride of Christ. Listen as we explore these pictures of fellowship from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, thinking about what they teach us about our priorities as a church. Who we are together ought to shape the way we live together as those whom God has called into fellowship with one another in Christ.
New Speech
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Being made new in Christ will shape the way we speak. Listen as we dive into Ephesians 4, where Paul challenges us to be a people who speak in a way that strengthens, helps and heals the body.
Persevering in Christ
Hebrews 12:1-13 Trials and troubles are a normal part of the Christian life. We should expect them. In fact, they are good for us! Really? In today’s message we explore how we are to persevere through our pain as we press on in Christ. But we also wrestle with the question of why God allows us to go through difficulties in our lives. Ultimately His goal is “that we may share in His holiness”. Be encouraged as Pastor Murray also…
Crucified with Christ
2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:1 “Come to Jesus and find the good life”! Well …. that depends what you mean? For the apostle Paul, his whole life revolved around two great realities: Christ’s death for him on the cross and the desperate need to reach lost people with the gospel. With these clear in his mind, he gave himself totally to Christ, regardless of the cost. He discovered what it meant to be crucified with Christ, take up his cross…
Empowered Through Christ
Romans 8:1-13, Galatians 5:13-26 The work of Christ on the cross transforms the believer, from death to life, from dark to light. But this transformation must then be lived out day by day, as we seek to go the distance in the Christian life. God’s Holy Spirit transforms our sinful desires and empowers us to live transformed lives as we cooperate with his work in our lives.