There are moments in life when we sense that God is inviting us deeper. Not just to know more about Him, but to truly walk with Him. Not just to go through the motions of faith, but to be shaped by it.
Our theme today, from Complacency to Conviction invites us into that deeper place. It speaks to the quiet work God does in our hearts — the refining, the restoring, the renewing. It reminds us that faith is not a static thing; it is a journey. A journey that stretches us, challenges us, and ultimately draws us closer to the heart of Christ.
As we turn now to God’s word, may we listen with open and expectant hearts—ready to hear his voice and respond in faith.
Part 2 of our Lenten series: "Closer to Jesus"
Part 1 of our Lenten series: "Closer to Jesus"
We live in a world obsessed with personal growth. Everywhere you look—podcasts, seminars, bestsellers, social media—someone’s promising the secret to becoming a better, stronger, more successful you. It’s a whole industry built on self-improvement and upward progress. Growth means achieving more, managing better, and surrounding yourself with people who help you win. Yet into that mindset, Jesus speaks a different vision—one that redefines what true growth really looks like. And in our readings today, we get to see that vision unfold through his words to us and his to his way of life.
Part 3 of our Vision series: "Jesus' Vision"
We live in a world that is full of noise — full of voices competing for our attention, full of messages telling us who we are and what we should be. And yet, in the middle of all of that, God has a quiet but powerful plan. A plan that doesn't start with grand gestures or loud declarations. It starts with you. It starts with the way you live, the way you love, and the way you let Christ work through you.
This morning, as we continue our Jesus Vision series, we turn our attention to his vision for sharing. Not sharing in the way the world understands it — not simply passing on information or spreading a message. But sharing in the deepest sense — allowing the life of Christ to flow through us and into the lives of those around us. Letting who we are in him become visible to a world that is desperately looking for something real.
As we prepare to hear the readings this morning, let us quieten our hearts and minds so that his voice rises above the noise, and may we find in him the purpose and the light we were made to carry.
Part 2 of our Vision series: "Jesus' Vision"
Everyone has a vision for life — a picture of what the good life looks like. The wider society and culture we live in tells us it’s about being more successful, having more, doing better. But the Gospel of Matthew tells us of Jesus standing on a mountainside, where he tells us something radically different: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness — for they will be filled.” Jesus’ vision for living turns our expectations upside down. It’s not about achieving greatness, but about receiving grace. Not about being full of ourselves, but being filled with him. This week, we lean into that vision and as we do, we will discover - a way of living that hungers for what’s right, finds joy in mercy, and discovers life in the presence of Jesus.
Part 1 of our Vision series: "Jesus' Vision"
Have you ever arrived late to something? A party? A meeting? A class or lesson – only to realise that people didn’t wait for you, things are already well underway?
The conversations have started, the lecture has begun or the food is already being served. You are not stepping into an empty space, you are entering something already in full swing! That’s what’s happening in both of the readings this week. Both are stories of people with whom Jesus is present well before they realise it. In both stories the surprise is not so much that Jesus shows up, it’s that Jesus is already there before anyone realises or expected.
That’s an important thig for us to remember as a church thinking about our local community. Jesus is not waiting for us to arrive so that he can begin his work. By the time we notice or get ourselves involved, Jesus is already present – already walking alongside, already stirring questions, already softening and opening hearts. When Jesus send us out into our communities he doesn’t do so as if he were absent, he is inviting us to join him in the work he is already doing. And that is why it is important for us to ask the question, “Where is Jesus in our local community?”
Final part of our Epiphany series: "Where's Jesus?"
When someone important comes to your house, the roles are usually pretty clear. You are the host, so you prepare the meal, set the table nicely, try to make things comfortable. The guest comes and relaxes, they are served, celebrated and given special attention.
That’s clearly what Levi intends in today’s Gospel reading. He throws a banquet for Jesus. To honour Jesus, to thank Jesus and to celebrate who Jesus is.
But what is striking in this story is that Jesus doesn’t attend the banquet only as one who needs to be served – He comes to work. While Jesus is the guest of honour at the banquet, he is also quietly doing what he always does – listening, noticing, paying attention, speaking life and restoring others. Jesus didn’t come to the banquet for his own glory or honour – in fact his presence there caused some to question that - but because he knew the people there needed him.
Sometimes in order to answer the question ‘Where is Jesus?” it helps to understand Why Jesus came in the first place and what he might be doing, even at a party.
Part 3 of our Epiphany series: "Where's Jesus?"
Have you ever been stuck in one of those moments where everything is moving — but nothing is changing?
You’re busy, you’re trying. You’re exhausted, but you just don’t seem to be making any headway? It’s like you’re bogged in the mud. Your wheels are spinning, there’s noise, effort, perhaps even hope — but no traction.
That’s where this week’s Gospel reading begins. A man who has waited and tried and hoped for years — and nothing has changed. So the question we’re asking today isn’t just “Where is Jesus?” It’s “Where is Jesus when I’m stuck?” — when effort hasn’t worked, and my circumstances haven’t changed?
You might just find, he’s closer than you think.
Part 2 of our Epiphany series: "Where's Jesus?"
I’m sure most of us are at least aware, if not familiar with the “Where’s Wally?” books, or for our American friends, the “Where’s Waldo?” books. A tiny man in a red and white striped tops and blue pants, present on every page but hidden among a myriad of other red and white striped things and various distractions in a normally chaotic scene. Your task, as the reader, is to find Wally on every page, in every crazy and convoluted scene.
It’s actually not a bad metaphor for the life of discipleship. Jesus invites us to follow him and promises to be with us even to the very end of the age. And yet, there is a big difference between knowing and trusting Jesus is there simply because he promised he would be and being able to actually discern and see Jesus at work in every circumstance.
And yet in coming to us and entering the world he created and taking on our humanity, that is exactly what Jesus invites us to do, to see him at work both in us and through us ministering to and remaking the world around us. That’s what we’ll be exploring this sermon series and particularly today as we learn to see where Jesus is after Christmas.
Part 1 of our Epiphany series: "Where's Jesus?"