Open House Church Sermons

When suffering leaves people speechless, even prayer can feel impossible. Lament gives their deepest pain an honest voice before God. Ruined Jerusalem asks God to see her lonely grief, yet she admits that generations of rebellion and trust in false gods brought His just judgement. Not every heartbreak directly follows personal sin, but Jesus bore His people's judgement, so they can seek comfort, leave revenge to God, and await a city that will never be destroyed. Bible Reference: Lamentations 1 Preacher: Ben Fien

When disaster strikes, people often either blame particular sins or push God out of the picture. Joel treats Judah’s locust plague as a warning of final judgement, yet neither Joel nor Jesus permits linking one tragedy to one specific sin. Such warnings call everyone to heartfelt, daily repentance. God is slow to anger, gracious and rich in faithful love. Jesus’ cross grounds this mercy, and the poured-out Spirit equips God’s people to warn others while trusting His promise of salvation and a new creation. Bible Reference: Joel 2:11–32 Preacher: John Westendorp

One slip can make a mountain journey feel deadly. Psalm 121 directs the frightened traveller beyond the hills to their Maker, the faithful God who never sleeps and stays close. His keeping does not promise freedom from pain, illness, or loss; it means evil cannot separate His people from His purposes and love. Jesus endured judgement without shelter at the cross, breaking sin's curse so those who trust Him will never be forsaken and will reach God's new creation. Bible Reference: Psalm 121 Preacher: Ben Fien

Onesimus fled Philemon's household and wronged him. He now returns as a brother in Christ. Paul asks Philemon to welcome him as he would welcome Paul, freely rather than under pressure, and offers to repay any debt. Jesus grounds this new way of relating: the Lord became a servant and paid His people's debt on the cross. His grace creates a family where old power structures yield to forgiveness, honour, and peace between former enemies. Bible Reference: Philemon Preacher: Ben Fien

People from different cultures, classes and histories often struggle to stay united, especially after disappointment or betrayal. Colossians 4 names a diverse group serving together, including Onesimus, a runaway slave called a beloved brother, and Mark, once rejected by Paul. Christ makes such partnership possible. His love, shown at the cross and poured into His people by the Holy Spirit, creates one new family. Together they help God's people mature and spread the gospel for God's glory. Bible Reference: Colossians 4:7–18 Preacher: Ben Fien

Authority can easily become harsh control, while faith can seem detached from ordinary life. Colossians places every household member under Jesus, so marriage, parenting and work become places of loving service rather than selfish power. Prayer remains watchful and thankful, seeking open doors to speak about Christ with outsiders in gracious, fitting ways. Jesus grounds every response. The ruler of heaven became a servant and laid down His life to set His people free. Bible Reference: Colossians 3:18–4:6 Preacher: Ben Fien

Trying harder can change habits while quietly feeding pride. Paul begins elsewhere: those who trust Jesus are united to Him, sharing in His death to sin and His risen life. With minds fixed on Christ, they put sexual sin and harmful speech to death, replacing them with patient, forgiving love. The good news about Jesus fills their life together through teaching and singing, while every word and action belongs to Him with thanks. Bible Reference: Colossians 3:1–17 Preacher: Ben Fien

Strict religious rules and impressive spiritual experiences can make simple faith seem inadequate. Food laws and holy days were shadows pointing to Christ, who makes those who trust Him clean before God. Heavenly visions cannot produce the growth God gives as His people stay connected to Christ, their head. Harsh discipline may look wise, but it cannot defeat sin. Freedom rests in Christ’s finished work and His power to change His people, not in human techniques. Bible Reference: Colossians 2:16–23 Preacher: Ben Fien

Appearance, possessions and success often promise lasting wholeness. Real fullness is found in Christ, because God's whole fullness dwells bodily in Him and those who receive Him are already filled in Him. At the cross, Jesus cancels their whole debt, gives them new life and disarms the powers that accuse them. They can therefore keep walking in Christ with thanksgiving, resisting every claim that salvation or spiritual growth requires Jesus plus something else. Bible Reference: Colossians 2:6–15 Preacher: Ben Fien

Secret spiritual techniques can look deeper than an openly proclaimed gospel. False teachers offered the Colossians Jesus plus extra practices, but Paul identifies God's revealed mystery as Christ in His people, their hope of glory. Paul suffers to make this good news known, and he proclaims Christ so believers grow mature. His people stand firm in faith, love one another, and find all wisdom and strength in Christ rather than hidden additions. Bible Reference: Colossians 1:24–2:5 Preacher: Ben Fien

Our broken world leaves people anxious because no human power can repair it. Jesus created all things, holds them together, and began the new creation through His resurrection. By His death, He reconciles His people to God and will bring the whole cosmos into its proper order under His rule. Not every creature is forgiven. He will present His people holy and blameless, so they must remain steady in the gospel rather than add other spiritual powers or solutions to Christ. Bible Reference: Colossians 1:15–23 Preacher: Ben Fien

Spiritual growth can easily become a search for extra rules, practices, or experiences. Paul points the Colossians back to the true gospel they received, whose fruit appears in faith, love, and hope. They grow by knowing Jesus more deeply, doing good, enduring hardship, and thanking the Father with joy. God has already qualified His people through Christ's forgiveness, so their good works please a Father who has made them His secure children. Bible Reference: Colossians 1:1–14 Preacher: Ben Fien

After Jerusalem’s walls are rebuilt, the whole community gathers eagerly to hear God’s law read and clearly explained. The law exposes their disobedience, and they weep before God. Yet God meets their repentance with pardon, turning grief into joyful celebration rooted in His grace through Jesus. Their joy includes those with nothing prepared and becomes strength for faithful living, as God’s people devote themselves to His word, worship, and shared life. Bible Reference: Nehemiah 8:1–10 Preacher: John Westendorp

Sin is not a harmless flaw to excuse or minimise. It attacks the good God who gives life, leaves every person guilty, and cannot be cancelled by good deeds. At the cross, the sinless Jesus receives the sinner’s punishment, while His perfect righteousness is credited to everyone who turns to Him in faith. Forgiven people still fight sin. The Holy Spirit helps them reject its remaining habits and grow in new obedience, while Christ’s finished work remains their only ground for forgiveness and joy. Bible References: Romans 7:7–25; 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 Preacher: Jed Saville

Like a whispered message passed around a circle, an ancient text can seem vulnerable to distortion. Yet abundant manuscript copies, outside historical confirmation, and candid accounts of apostolic failures give strong reasons to treat the Gospels as credible history. The later Gospel of Thomas lacks a first-century eyewitness author and conflicts with Jesus’ treatment of women. Difficult teachings still deserve careful attention because God need not share modern Australian assumptions. John identifies Jesus as eternal life so people may know God. Bible Reference: 1 John 1:1–3 Preacher: Ben Fien

An empty tomb can sound like a fairy tale when resurrection seems impossible. Yet Luke writes an orderly account: women find Jesus’ body gone, remember His prediction, and report what happened; the apostles dismiss their words as nonsense. Peter then finds the valuable linen cloths left behind, weakening the idea that grave robbers took the body. Jesus rose as the beginning of God’s new creation. His victory means death is not the end for those who trust Him, giving courage and hope amid suffering. Bible References: Luke 24:1–12, 36–53 Preacher: Ben Fien

Suffering can make God seem either cruel, powerless or absent. On Good Friday, Jesus is betrayed, abandoned, falsely condemned and crucified, yet He willingly submits to the Father's plan. The cross turns the question around. God enters human pain in the flesh and drinks the cup of judgement that sinners deserve, joining justice with mercy. His suffering does not explain every sorrow, but it assures those who trust Him of forgiveness, God's presence and a coming kingdom where pain will end. Bible Reference: Mark 14:32–15:39 Preacher: Ben Fien

Palm branches greeted Jesus as a military liberator, but a young donkey corrected the crowd’s hopes. He came as the humble king who speaks peace, not as a warlord or a personal problem solver. By giving Himself to death, Jesus faced the deeper enemies behind human oppression: Satan, sin and death. He will not bend to smaller dreams, yet He walks with His people through suffering as faith bows to His rule and follows wherever He leads. Bible Reference: John 12:12–19 Preacher: Ben Fien

Grace becomes hardest to love when God gives it to people who have done terrible harm. Jonah calls God's mercy to Nineveh evil, while caring more for a shade plant that lasted one night than for the city's people. God exposes how sin turns moral judgement upside down. Unlike Jonah, Jesus loves His enemies unto death and pays sin's penalty, so undeserving people may receive mercy and learn to forgive their enemies. Bible Reference: Jonah 4 Preacher: Ben Fien

Jonah obeys God only on the surface, delivering five words of judgement after travelling just one day into the vast city of Nineveh. Yet this violent city believes God, turns from evil, and receives mercy when God withholds the announced judgement. Saving power belongs to God. At the cross, Jesus pays for the sins of those who turn to Him, so mercy does not cancel justice. No sinner is beyond God's grace, and Christians can share Christ without trusting their own eloquence. Bible Reference: Jonah 3 Preacher: Ben Fien

Jonah thanks God for rescue from drowning, yet his polished prayer never confesses the rebellion that put him there. He condemns other people’s idols but remains blind to his own desire for life outside God’s authority. The fish vomiting Jonah onto land suggests God’s displeasure, not abandonment. Jesus truly entered the grave and rose again, turning the cross into God’s rescue for undeserving sinners. Empty-handed faith can bring every sin and secret to Him because salvation rests entirely with the Lord. Bible Reference: Jonah 1:17–2:10 Preacher: Ben Fien

Jonah says he fears God while sailing away from the task God gave him. His downward flight brings a storm, while pagan sailors pray, show mercy, and try to do what is right before God. Religious status cannot prove reverence; genuine fear of God joins trembling awe with obedience. Jesus alone delighted perfectly in His Father's will, even accepting the cross to save disobedient sinners. Looking at what He gave produces joyful awe and moves people to place every part of life under God. Bible Reference: Jonah 1:1–16 Preacher: Ben Fien

Israel enjoyed wealth under Jeroboam, yet abandoned God for idols and became spiritually poor. Hosea’s painful marriage made that betrayal visible: Gomer left him, fell into slavery, and could not rescue herself. God sent Hosea to buy her back and love her, picturing the undeserved grace that takes the initiative when sinners cannot save themselves. Judgement was not God’s last word. Jesus, the promised king from David’s line, paid with His life to redeem sinners and gathers them as God’s people, a grace worth remembering with humble thanks. Bible Reference: Hosea 3 Preacher: John Westendorp

Long suffering can make Jesus seem distant or even cold. Yet He touched an isolated man with leprosy, and Hebrews says the risen Jesus still shares His people's pain as their priest before God. Because He faced testing without sin, sufferers can approach Him confidently for mercy and timely help in times of need. His obedience through the cross secured eternal salvation and a future where death, mourning, crying and pain will end. Bible References: Mark 1:40–42; Hebrews 4:14–16, 5:7–10 Preacher: Ben Fien

Persistent sin can make people wonder whether God will finally turn away. Hosea 11 shows God judging Israel’s rebellion without taking pleasure in their pain; His compassion remains warm towards His sinful people. His grace never gives sin permission, but leads people to repent. Jesus promises that whoever comes to Him in faith will never be forced out. He will lose none the Father gives Him, but will keep them and raise them on the last day. Bible References: Hosea 11:1–9; John 6:37–40 Preacher: Ben Fien

People often fear that God's holiness means He wants nothing to do with their failures. Jesus is gentle and humble, welcoming needy and repentant people under His authority, which gives rest rather than crushing them. Isaiah pictures God carrying struggling lambs close to His heart. This gentleness is not weakness; those who keep rejecting Him will face His judgement. Jesus used His absolute authority to die for sins, freeing His people from proving themselves and making wholehearted submission to Him safe. Bible Reference: Matthew 11:29 Preacher: Ben Fien

Church leaders can become busy serving others while their own hearts grow cold. Paul tells the Ephesian elders to watch themselves, live humbly, and teach all of God's word. Their love must also guard the flock from twisted teaching. The church belongs to Christ, who bought His people with His blood and leads them through His word and Spirit. Leaders point people to Christ rather than themselves, relying on God's grace when the work exposes their inadequacy. Bible Reference: Acts 20:17–38 Preacher: Jim De Witte

Pain can make God seem distant, especially when prayers appear unanswered. Moses acts to defend his enslaved people, but they reject him; their violence shows that harmed people can also harm others and resist God's rescue. Yet Israel's cries rise to God, who hears, remembers His promises, sees, and knows their suffering. Jesus suffers and cries out on the cross to bear sinners' judgement, so His people can trust God's love and bring their pain to Him. Bible Reference: Exodus 2:11–25 Preacher: Ben Fien

At twelve, Jesus sits among temple teachers, listening, asking questions and growing in wisdom. Though He is God's eternal Son, He develops slowly within a family and faith community, in body, relationships and faithful obedience to His Father. His ordinary growth shows why generations belong together. The boy in the temple becomes the man on the cross, completing the mission that saves people and brings every generation together on equal ground. Church life should welcome children's questions, honour older wisdom and trust God with slow growth. Bible Reference: Luke 2:41–52 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Felix is curious about Christianity, but curiosity leaves his life untouched. When Paul speaks about faith in Jesus, righteousness, self-control and coming judgement, the Roman governor trembles as God's word exposes his sinful choices. God freely gives Christ's righteousness through faith, and His Spirit produces the self-control that true faith must show. Felix delays, hoping for a bribe and protecting his position, but delay itself becomes rejection. The right response is repentance and faith now. Bible Reference: Acts 24 Preacher: John Westendorp

A star leads foreign seekers to Jesus, but King Herod sees the child as a threat and schemes to destroy Him. As Joseph carries his family into Egypt, God protects His Son and fulfils promises that show Jesus as the faithful Son who succeeds where Israel failed. Herod's violence brings terrible grief, yet it cannot overturn God's plan. Jesus later lays down His life for His enemies and rises victorious. Curiosity must give way to joyful worship, and resistant hearts must surrender to His rule. Bible Reference: Matthew 2 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Christmas can become so familiar that its shock disappears. Joseph faces public shame when Mary is found pregnant, yet he obeys after an angel says her child is conceived by the Holy Spirit. The child receives two names: Jesus, because He saves His people from sin, and Emmanuel, because God has come to be with them. His presence meets people in guilt and sorrow, while His grace gives courage for costly obedience and service to others. Bible Reference: Matthew 1:18–25 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Mary lives in a tiny, overlooked town. An angel's greeting troubles her, and his startling news brings an honest question. God graciously chooses her to bear Jesus, His divine Son, promised King, and eternal ruler. Her unique place in God's plan cannot be repeated. Ordinary people do not share that role, but believers receive God's favour in Jesus and His presence through the Holy Spirit. They answer His grace by doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God. Bible Reference: Luke 1:26–38 Preacher: Josh Hartog

People long for leaders who can repair what is broken, yet rulers often fail and people cannot find every answer within themselves. Micah promises that a ruler will come from little Bethlehem, shepherding His people in God’s strength and becoming their peace. Jesus fulfils that promise. As the good shepherd, He lays down His life to reconcile sinners to God, knows His sheep personally, and leads them towards His ways. His rule does not make life trouble-free, but it brings loving care, changed lives, and peace with God and others. Bible References: Micah 5:1–5; Matthew 2:1–6 Preacher: Jacob Greatbatch

Christmas is not the whole Christian story. In Ephesus, twelve disciples knew John's baptism of repentance, yet they had not grasped Jesus' death, resurrection, or the Holy Spirit's work. Paul brings them into the full gospel, and their Christian baptism identifies them with Jesus in His death and resurrection. The Spirit's visible signs mark this stage of the gospel's spread, not a rule that every Christian must speak in tongues. Changed lives and the fruit of the Spirit remain the broader evidence of His presence. Bible Reference: Acts 19:1–10 Preacher: John Westendorp

Like grass and flowers, human lives and ideas quickly fade. God's living and enduring word gives new birth, nourishes faith through Christ, and remains firm when people add their teachings or discard its truth. Scripture therefore belongs at the centre of Christian life and gathered worship, rather than human traditions or the day's concerns. Christ is the Word who makes God known, answers sin through His death, and must remain central in preaching and daily life. Bible Reference: 1 Peter 1:23–25 Preacher: Bill Berends

Serving others often feels unnoticed, costly and far from impressive. Yet Jesus, who held all authority, took a towel and washed His disciples' feet before laying down His life for sinners. His sacrifice cleanses those who trust Him once for all, and they still confess their ongoing sins to Him each day. Because His followers are not greater than their Master, they humbly use their gifts to do practical good in love, seeking God's approval rather than praise. Bible Reference: John 13:1–17 Preacher: Josh Hartog

A man crippled from birth walks, and Lystra’s crowd mistakes God’s power for the gods Zeus and Hermes. Paul and Barnabas refuse the praise because the healing confirms the good news rather than making its messengers divine. Sincere worship can still be misdirected. God calls people to turn from powerless idols to the living Creator, whose gifts sustain life and whose gospel brings sinners from spiritual death to life. Bible Reference: Acts 14:8–18 Preacher: Juhan Klooster

Why preach if God has already chosen who will be saved? In Antioch, Paul announces that God guided Israel’s history, brought Jesus as Saviour, and raised Him from death. Through Jesus, everyone who believes receives forgiveness and right standing with God. Some ask to hear more, some believe, and others reject the gospel in jealousy, so each person remains responsible for answering it. God’s appointment to eternal life explains belief and gives confidence to keep preaching. Bible Reference: Acts 13:13–52 Preacher: John Westendorp

Death exposes whether Christian hope can bear the weight of grief. Death remains a curse that deserves real sorrow, but grief itself is not the problem. Because Jesus died and rose, those who die in Him will rise, while the living will join them when He returns. None of His people will be forgotten or separated from His presence. This certainty comforts mourners, strengthens tired Christians, and gives them hope to share with people who fear death. Bible Reference: 1 Thessalonians 1 Preacher: Jed Saville

Growing older brings gratitude for the past and uncertainty about what comes next. Psalm 71 answers both by remembering God as a lifelong refuge and clinging to His promises when strength fades and trouble remains. This hope rests in Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep and promises to remain with His disciples as they make disciples. God's faithfulness is not a monument to preserve. It gives every generation reason to praise Him, tell His saving acts, and pass the gospel to those who follow. Bible Reference: Psalm 71 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Christian faith is often dismissed as blind belief, while science is praised as reason. Jesus meets Thomas's demand for evidence by showing His wounds; Thomas then calls Him his Lord and God. John records eyewitness testimony so readers who have not seen can trust God's word and receive life in Christ. Healthy doubt tests claims and admits what remains unknown, but reason itself depends on trusted sources. Faith reaches its proper goal in life under Jesus' rule. Bible Reference: John 20:26–31 Preacher: Bill Berends

Life together brings annoying differences, real wrongs and sometimes broken relationships. God does not merely tolerate His people; He accepts them because Jesus carried their sin on the cross. His grace enables them to overlook faults, forgive specific wrongs from the heart and take the first step towards repair. Restoration may still be refused, but those who comfort, listen and pursue peace have the God of love and peace with them. Bible Reference: 2 Corinthians 13:11 Preacher: Josh Hartog

Herod uses state power to kill James and imprison Peter, hoping to weaken the church by attacking its leaders. The real contest is between Herod and Jesus. Jesus identifies with His persecuted people, yet James dies while God answers the church’s prayers by sending an angel to free Peter. These different outcomes guard against easy promises of escape. Herod is judged, God’s word continues to spread, and persecuted Christians can trust that Jesus will finally win. Bible Reference: Acts 12 Preacher: John Westendorp

A fresh storm leaves the disciples terrified, even after Jesus had fed a vast crowd with five loaves. They fail to connect His recent provision with their present danger because they do not think through what they already believe. Trials can train faith towards maturity, but only when people respond by trusting God rather than hardening their hearts. Jesus sees His people and prays for them. Mature faith remembers God's past care and trusts His goodness, whether He changes the trouble or gives peace within it. Bible Reference: Mark 6:30–52 Preacher: Ken Stebbins

Being chosen can sound like a claim to special status. God instead calls His people out of darkness into light and sets them apart to serve Him, one another, and His creation. As one family, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God's own people, Christians pray for others, speak His truth, and promote His rule. Christ grounds that work as the Prophet who leads into truth, the Priest who secured redemption, and the King who rules and will reclaim creation. Bible References: 1 Peter 1:1–2, 2:4–12 Preacher: Bill Berends

Endless choices do not guarantee that people choose well. Proverbs 4 says wisdom is a costly pursuit, not knowledge acquired once, because people begin bent towards trusting themselves. The heart is not merely the home of emotions; it directs the whole life and needs more than memorised rules. Jesus is the living Word, God’s wisdom brought near. Seeing Him die in the place of fools awakens love for Him, reshapes the heart, and sustains the fight for wisdom. Bible Reference: Proverbs 4 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

A nickname can expose what truly defines a community. In Antioch, Jews and Gentiles believed in Jesus together, and God’s grace kept changing them beyond conversion. Barnabas and Saul taught the growing church for a year because followers of Jesus need truth to endure trials and resist lies. When famine was predicted, every disciple gave according to ability for believers in Judea. Their identity reflected Jesus, and God’s gift of His Son motivated their changed lives, steady learning, and generosity. Bible Reference: Acts 11:19–30 Preacher: John Westendorp

Life’s hardest decisions rarely come with a rule for every circumstance. Proverbs 8 pictures wisdom calling publicly, worth more than wealth because it helps people live within God’s design for creation. Yet wise patterns are not guarantees: upright people may suffer, hard workers may remain poor, and no one sees the whole picture. Jesus is God’s wisdom and invites burdened people to learn from Him. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brings forgiveness and the rest that rules and self-made wisdom cannot provide. Bible Reference: Proverbs 8 Preacher: Tony Van Drimmelen

Following Jesus grows difficult when sin deceives, faith weakens, or suffering weighs heavily. Christian community is not optional. Hebrews urges Christians to meet and give one another courage, especially as Jesus' return draws nearer. God first gives the comfort His people need, then passes it through others. Because Jesus has opened the way to God, Christians can strengthen one another to keep trusting Him and live for His glory in daily life. Bible Reference: Hebrews 10:19–25 Preacher: Josh Hartog