Sermons at St Aidan's

Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be returning to the book of Romans. Today we look at the first part of Romans 8, where we see how the Holy Spirit helps us fight sin and assures us of the wonderful privilege of being God's children.

Today we will reflect on Psalm 90 which contrasts the eternal God with frailty of humanity. Yet, we can be thankful that because of God's grace shown to us in Jesus, the eternal one came to give us an eternal home and to satisfy us with his unfailing love.

Today we finish our series in the Lord's Prayer as we consider the final petition, asking our Father to lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. As we live now as God's children temptations will come, so we are to pray and seek God's help for protection and deliverance.

Today, we continue our series looking at the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, the Lord's Prayer. We are considering the meaning of each line of the Lord's Prayer, and today we consider what it means for us to pray "Father, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

Today, we look at the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, "give us today our daily bread". To pray this prayer is to live under God's sovereign, gracious rule, knowing our daily needs are provided for by our Heavenly Father.

Today we consider the third petition of the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus instructs us to pray for our Father's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, This is a prayer for God to bring about his sovereign purposes, to do that throughout the earth, and to do that in us, as we entrust ourselves to our Father's care.

Today, we continue our series in the Lord's Prayer considering the second petition, "Your Kingdom Come". Jesus came announcing that in him the Kingdom of God has come near, and a day is coming when the Kingdom of God will be all in all. Today we pray that the reign of our King will be manifest among us, and that many will be brought into Jesus' Kingdom.

Jesus visits his home town with a royal message. How is it going to go? And what does it mean for our city?

Continuing with the Lord's Prayer, we consider the first petition that God's name would be hallowed. God has acted in history to reveal his name, and this finds its ultimate expression in Jesus the Christ, who having been raised to the Father's right hand, has been given the name above all names. We'll see how God's name is hallowed on earth as the saviour Jesus is proclaimed and worshipped.

Today we begin a series considering the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples, the Lord's Prayer. We will see how this is much more than a set prayer to memorize and repeat. Rather it is a launching pad teaching us how to pray, beginning with who we pray to - our Father in heaven.

This is the finish to ours series on Paul's prayers, looking at his prayer to the Colossians. In this prayer he shows what is of first importance; the Gospel proclaimed and lived not in his life but in the lives of others.

As Paul hears about the church in Philippi, which he founded 10 years earlier, he is full of joy and gives thanks for the outworking of God's grace in that place. He also prays for God's continued work among his people, highlighting for us how we can pray for ourselves and one another.

Paul prays that the Ephesians will have power. Power, to be strengthened through the Holy Spirit and to grasp the unfathomable love of Christ. Only possible because of God, the powerful Father.

Today we continue in Mark's Gospel following Jesus as he makes his way to the cross. As Jesus has now arrived in Jerusalem as God's promised King, he finds himself in conflict with the religious leaders and authorities. Jesus' teaching soon shows that he is the one who speaks with God's authority, and he is the one to whom we are to listen.

How does what we pray for reveal what we believe about God? As we are challenged in today's passage about what we might have believed about Jesus, we can pray in confidence for God's will to be done as we forgive one another.

Today we continue in Mark's gospel and come to what should be a climactic point in Jesus' ministry, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But as God's promised King arrives in God's city, the reception is mixed at best, most do not recognise him, and many will reject him. We are asked the same question today; will we welcome God's King?

Jesus now meets the blind man Bartimaeus who shows us what it looks like to see Jesus clearly, and how to enter the Kingdom.

In a world where we're all suspicious of power and influence of others, Jesus uses his power not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for others.

In our passage today, a rich man comes to Jesus asking how to inherit Eternal Life. Jesus' answer shows how none of us can ever do enough to earn our salvation. It is only though God that we can be in a restored relationship with our creator.

Today we continue listening to Jesus' teaching about life in his Kingdom. The Pharisees come to Jesus with a question about divorce, seeking to test him and minimize obedience. Jesus highlights God's original purposes for our relationships, and we are challenged to emulate little children in approaching and listening to Jesus' words.

As we continue in Mark's Gospel, we listen to Jesus' teaching about discipleship. Jesus says some radical things that turn our expectations upside down. These are teachings that have changed our world, and still stand as challenges to us as we are called to follow the suffering King.

After the mountain top high of the transfiguration, Jesus and his disciples now return to the reality of a world of sickness, evil, and sin. Confronted with powers beyond their control the disciples learn an important lesson about faith. We too are invited to come to Jesus in our struggles and doubts, and place place our lives in his strong hands.

Today we begin a new series in Mark's Gospel. We pick it up at the turning point in the gospel as Jesus begins to make his way towards Jerusalem. Jesus reveals his mission as the one who must suffer, he is revealed from heaven as the Divine Son, and calls us to follow him on the path of suffering before glory.

This Psalm celebrates the marvelous things that the Lord has done in his salvation and in his reign over all nations and all creation. As we see God's great plan to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus, may we in 2026 join in his work and join in the celebration and praise.

Psalm 88 is known as "the Bible's darkest prayer, and it teaches as about loneliness, chronic suffering, and faithful prayer. By placing this Psalm alongside other scripture, we will consider why unresolved pain often isolates people, and what it means for the church to be truly good a suffering.

Today, we will be discovering what Psalm 40 has to say about our salvation in Christ and the trust we have in God's deliverance.

Christ is supreme and Christ is sufficient. Therefore our hope is built on him.

Christmas is just a few days away, but what is it that we celebrate at this time of the year? Today we explore the good news of the Saviour that was promised, who arrived in our world 2000 years ago, and who will come again in glory.

Today we will hear about Compassion through their child sponsorship program brings the love of Jesus to children living in poverty, and the impact our church and Presbytery partnership is having among the people of Pulau Sangihe.

The is the fourth talk given during the church's 2025 Weekend Away.

This is the third talk given at the 2025 Weekend Away.

This is the second talk given during the 2025 Weekend Away.

This is the first in a series of four talks that were given at the 2025 Weekend Away.

In the last chapter of 2 Timothy, Paul, knowing that he is near the end of his life, gives Timothy one last instruction: to preach the Word. But what does that look like? Reflecting on his own ministry, Paul tells us that it is only through God that he can proclaim the Gospel and fulfill his ministry.

In chapter three, Paul warns Timothy to watch out for dangerous leaders, to be prepared to suffer for the Gospel himself, and at all times to stick with the Scriptures.

As we continue in the letter of 2 Timothy, Paul begins to explain to Timothy what will be involved in guarding the Gospel. Timothy is urged to persevere in the Gospel himself, and to be faithful in passing it on to others.

Today we begin a new series in the letter of 2 Timothy. This is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy. Paul knows that his life on earth is drawing to an end. In this letter we hear the final words that Paul wants to impart, words of hope and trust in the Gospel

The meaning of meek in the 3rd Beatitude has changed over the centuries, and has a far greater meaning in our present day language.

Today we come to the the final chapter in our series in Romans where Paul again discusses the place of the Law, and how we are to relate to it now as Christians? Now that we are united to Christ, what is the motivation and power for change in the Christian life?

In our passage today, Paul answers the criticism that justification by faith means that believers are free to sin. Paul however shows that those who are in Christ, exchange sin for righteousness because they are a new creation in Christ.

After hearing that we are saved through Jesus being our representative, Paul addresses the objection that if our works do not earn our salvation, then we should keep on sinning. In answering the question, Paul declares the joyful news that those who believe in Jesus are united to him. They are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ, which leads to a new life that glorifies God.

As we continue in our series on Paul's letter to the church in Rome, we see today just how certain is the hope we have in Jesus. Though humanity and our world has fallen into sin, Paul will show how the grace of God in Jesus Christ is so much bigger.

Paul now shows us what difference it makes for us to be justified through faith in Christ. The benefits and blessings that come from our justification impact our lives in the present through good times and bad, as well as giving us assurance for the future. The good news of the gospel gives us much to rejoice in.

After hearing the good news that unrighteous people are declared to be righteous people by grace through Jesus, received by faith. Paul now goes back to see how this has always been the way that people are saved. He looks back to Abraham as the key example of right standing with God received by faith.

AS we continue ion the book of Romans, we come to see the good news of God's grace to us in Christ. The gospel declares it is by the mercy of God that we are declared right with God, and this comes to us as a gift.

The Apostle Paul turns his attention specifically to the Jews which raises the question of what are we to rely on for salvation. Paul warns about misplaced confidence and redirects our attention to the grace of God in Jesus Christ alone.

In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he rejoices in how the good news about Jesus brings salvation to all who believe. In the section we are looking at today, Paul addresses the question: Does everybody need saving? Aren't there respectable and religious people who are good enough for God?

As we continue today, we now see our great need for salvation as Paul describes human idolatry and immorality that is deserving of God's wrath.

Today we begin a new series hearing God's word in the letter of Romans. As we begin, we hear of the good news of the Gospel that has gripped and transformed Paul, He is unashamed of this message and his great desire is for all people to hear, believe, and be saved.

The Holy Spirit dwells in each of us as believers, but His best expression is in the corporate life of the church. As we wrap up our short series on the Spirit, we will consider the Spirit's work in our lives together as St. Aidan's.