St Paul's Box Hill Podcast

People have different ideas on what power is and what it is to make it in life. John tells us something surprising in 1 John 5 today. He says that our faith, our confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose for us and for all people, is Gods power in us. Christians who receive the gifts of God on the cross and through the resurrection live the victory of God and his power by loving as God has first loved us. [Easter 6]

We all feel fear sometimes; but we also know Gods promise that his perfect love dispels fear, and perhaps you have experienced this. In his first epistle, John outlines three tests of faith: the moral, social, and doctrinal tests. As Gods people, we can have bold faith even in the most uncertain times. [Easter 5]

When we spend time being with impressive people, it changes us. Acts 4 highlights the transformative power of 'being with' Jesus. Peter and John, who were not well educated in their society, displayed extraordinary courage, knowledge and faith because they had been with Jesus. Being with Jesus fills believers with the Holy Spirit, gives them courage to speak His name boldly, and compels them to share their experiences. 'Being with Jesus' is fundamental to discipleship, emphasising relationship over ritual. [Easter 4]

On this Easter day, we will begin our worship in the darkness. The coming dawn will overcome the darkness, and remind us of the very first Easter morning when the darkness gave way to the light, and death was overcome by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Gods gift for us is the same gift of life which overcomes death. [Easter Day]

Today is Palm Sunday. Its the day the crowd welcomes Jesus to Jerusalem. They welcome him with shouts of Hosanna! and they bless him. However, in a few short days the voices of the crowd will dramatically change to shouts of Crucify him! What do our lives, our voices, our actions and attitudes say? Because of our sin, Jesus goes willingly to the cross to save us. We are called to lift our voices to share the news of Jesus and his sacrificial death for all people. [Palm Sunday]

Today Jesus prepares his disciples for the hour for which he came. He is about to give his life so that many can live. He speaks of a single grain of wheat which must be planted into the earth in order to bear a harvest. Jesus is the seed. In giving his life, he opens the way for the creation of a community of life, both on earth and in heaven. The one seed will give rise to a great community. [Lent 5]

The journey on the way of the cross can be hard and sometimes a hard struggle. There can be all sorts of troubles we face. Jesus calls us to him, and promises to help us, and walk with us through the places we encounter to bring us to the other side. [Lent 4]

We might think of the Christian life as ordered. We might want our lives as disciples to be predictable and controllable but Gods call can upset the apple cart by the call of the Holy Spirit, who calls us on holy but sometimes unpredictable and uncontrollable journeys of faith. [Lent 3]

God called Abram and Sarai to pack up and Go where he called them to a new land. They respond in faith and God is waiting for them to welcome them with blessing, so that they may be a blessing to the world. God calls us people to follow Jesus and so to go on his way of the cross leading a life of faith. How is God calling you? Will you respond to his call in faith? He promises to be with you in blessing. [Lent 2]

On this first Sunday in Lent, we stand with Isaiah before a holy God in the temple at Jerusalem. Isaiah cries out, Woe is me, because sinful human beings cannot stand in the presence of our holy God and live. But God comes to Isaiah, even without his asking, as a seraph touches Isaiah on the lips with a live coal taken from temple altar. He is made clean, and now his lips will speak Gods Word to the world. We too, are made holy as the gospel brings us to faith, and we too are called to take the gospel as we journey to the cross with Jesus this Lent. [Lent 1]

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. It heralds a season where people are called to repent, which means to to turn. It is in this season that God calls you, and calls all people, to turn anew to Christ as he journeys to the cross. We are called to follow him, and in so doing to receive the gift of life, and not the sentence of death which we deserve because of sin. We are called on a journey with Jesus to the cross in our lives. [Ash Wednesday]

Today we hear of the amazing events of Jesus transfiguration on the mountain top we learn that life as a disciple of Jesus may have wonderful spiritual mountain experiences. But our life as disciples of Jesus calls us to follow him back down the mountain to the plain where the people are, and to follow him on the way of the cross. [Transfiguration]

Nelson Mandelas autobiography is titled Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela did all he could to free his country from the bondage of apartheid. Christ Jesus made the long walk to the cross and from the tomb to set all people who trust in him free from the power of sin, death and the devil. New life in Christ brings a wonderful freedom to serve others, so that they too may receive the freedom to live and make the life-long walk to eternal freedom with Christ. [Epiphany 5]

The people are amazed that Jesus teaches with authority. But what is this authority, and what does it mean for them, and for us today? Jesus authority is revealed in Marks gospel as authority from God to serve and give his life, in order to bring life to people. We have been freed to serve God and one another in freedom. [Epiphany 4]

In the season of great revelation called Epiphany, Jesus is portrayed as a light in darkness, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. This light exposes hidden aspects of ourselves, not to shame us, but for healing. Repentance means a radical turning back toward God, embracing a daily choice to follow Jesus. The light also reveals the world's pain, urging us into ministry. Jesus calls us to follow him, promising to shape us as fishers of people, emphasising faith and reliance on him. We work in community, announcing the Kingdom of God, and relying on the trust God places in us to participate in His ministry. [Epiphany 3]

Psalm 139 is a favourite psalm as it gives insight into King Davids wonder of Gods knowledge of him. It expresses how every child of God is known, protected and blessed by God, who seeks to make Himself known to us. Today we focus on selected verses. [Epiphany 2]

The Gifts That Really Matter. Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, and celebrates the revelation of Christ to the wider world following the visit of the Magi from the East. Its an ideal time to stop and think about what sort of gifts would really make a difference to our lives and our world. [Christmas 2]

As Joseph and Mary settled into life with their new baby, they presented him at the temple to make the required sin offering. There he was separately recognised by Simeon and Anna, two devoted people faithfully waiting for the Messiah. As their faith and deep exposure to the scriptures allowed them to recognise Christ in this ordinary-seeming baby boy, so may our faith and hearing the Word show us Christ, especially in the bread and wine. [Christmas 1]

We traditionally feast at Christmas time and this is not out of place if its in celebration of the eternal Son of God, called The Word, becoming a human being like us, to save us from the consequences of sin. True spirituality therefore values normal human life, and lives it with and for Jesus. [Christmas Day]

The readings for the third Sunday of Advent traditionally focus on joy. It's clear in Mary's song, but where is the joy in John's call to repent?We need to look to the one he prepares the world for the one in whom we can rejoice always. [Advent 3] APOLOGIES for the brief disruption in the video around the 57 minute mark.