Category: Sermons

Rev Andrew Fitzgerald – There is Freedom – 2 Corinthians 3:15-18

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“Where the Spirit of The Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Since arriving to serve as Minister at CBC, the exploration and discovery of freedom in God has always been a priority. Why does this freedom matter? Well, firstly because we see the need for freedom everywhere – this is true historically and today. Secondly, because freedom is biblical – God has always been in the business of freedom (Genesis 2:16; Exodus 9:1; Psalm 116:16; Psalm 118:5; Psalm 119:43-45; John 8:31-32,36; Luke 4:18-19; Romans 6:6-7; Romans 8:21; Revelation 21:4). And thirdly, because freedom has been a common theme in words and pictures shared here, even prior to my arrival. For me, the meaning of this freedom has evolved. Initially this concerned our freedom in the Holy Spirit, our openness to Him and His spiritual gifts being distributed and manifested among us. But more recently I have sensed this freedom to be associated with our knowing and accepting freedom in Jesus Christ. We may well be established Christians or have no faith at all but we equally need to know and accept that in Christ we are set free, free indeed! Wherever you are on this journey of freedom, be encouraged to join us for the journey. Have open minds and hearts to know this freedom for yourself and as we pray, Lord, have Your way in us.

Hannah Putnam – The Nature of God (Family Service)

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

There is so much we can say about God’s nature – it’s massive! We focussed in on 3 big parts, sharing a little of what our children in Rise have been looking at this year:

The Creator God – Everything we see around us was made by God, we only need to open the first page of the Bible to see this. Genesis 1 v 26 makes it clear that God made people in His image, which means we’re made to be like Him, we’re to reflect Him, and we see that he gave us a job to do in ruling over the rest of His creation. Let’s remember this creator God by giving him praise for what He’s made and living out His command to reflect Him as we work for Him.

The Powerful God – Deuteronomy 10 v 17 is all about God’s power. It shows us that our God is above all other gods, that our God is bigger than any earthly ruler, that there is nothing He can’t do and He doesn’t need help in showing His power. It’s harder to accept that God is powerful when we might think He doesn’t choose to show His power. We need to remember and lean on God’s strength in these times by seeing how He fulfils his promises.

The Loving God – Ultimately we see God’s love in Jesus, the one who came to this earth to break down the barrier of sin between God and His people. Romans 5 v 8 shows us that God’s love cost Him a lot and it’s unconditional, it doesn’t go down if we mess up or increase if we do more. God’s love has nothing to do with us but everything to do with Jesus, and if we are Christians then we have the joy of being in a personal relationship with the God of the universe.

Rev Andrew Fitzgerald – Called to Build – Haggai 2:6-9

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 “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.” (Haggai 2:9a)

For many years there was a strong call of God to refurbish our church buildings but why? Well, there was a sense that the glory of the future house (perhaps the present or future church) would be greater than the glory of the former house. But what is meant by this greater glory? It could refer to material splendour. We’re all aware of materially glorious buildings, whether it be Canterbury Cathedral, La Sagrada Familia or St Mark’s Basilica but this is not the full interpretation of what The Lord says through the Prophet Haggai or to us. This greater glory refers to the presence of God. How must we find this greater glory? We must wait, patiently and for the promised Holy Spirit to come. But we must wait proactively, as the first apostles did, constantly praying and seeking God. Their waiting was followed by the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to rest upon and fill the first apostles, as the desired of all nations were also drawn to God’s glory. Let’s be praying for a similar outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as we wait and seek the greater glory of God in our lives and in this church.

Geoff Holder – Called to Build – Haggai 2:10-23

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“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth…On that day, declares the Lord of Hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shieltiel, declares The Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you.” (Haggai 2:21,23)

This passage explores Haggai’s third prophesy, directed to the priests, and his final prophesy, a word just for the governor, Zerubbabel. The take home messages include:

  1. Don’t go it alone! There’s no DIY-ing it in God’s Kingdom. Find those prophets, priests or administrators to support you, advise you and challenge you.
  2. Listen to the questions God is asking. Don’t ignore those critical friends, those Haggai’s, who might be asking challenging questions from God.
  3. Don’t confuse being religious with holiness. It’s not enough to DO lots of stuff, God invites us to BE holy, to BE set-apart.
  4. Finally, just like for Zerubbabel, in Christ, none of us need to be captive to the past anymore. In Christ, dysfunction in your family tree can be broken and replaced with a promise of a bright future – a new story, a new family name, a new family likeness!

Rev Dave Stedman – Called to Build – Haggai 2:1-9

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“‘I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:7-9)

Haggai’s second prophecy was given at a dedication service for the foundation of the temple, but there were murmurs of discontent in the community: religious interruptions, tedious preparations, historic comparisons, general despondency and economic hardship. But Haggai calls the community to action reminding them that this Temple anticipates God’s unshakeable Kingdom, global invitation and glorious presence – therefore stop complaining and be bold, for the Lord is in this endeavour!

Rev Andrew Fitzgerald – Called to Build For the Honour of God – Haggai 1:1-15

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“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘These people say, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.”’ Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways.’”
(Haggai 1:2-5)

Haggai’s prophecy dates from 520 BC when with Zechariah he ministered during a crucial time, sharing some pretty stark words with the people of God as the Lord’s messenger. The first stark word is read in those opening verses of chapter one and concerns the people’s procrastination in the call to rebuild God’s temple, or house, symbolic of God’s promise and concerned with His presence with the people. They failed to prioritise this call to build the Lord’s house over personal prosperity with reference made to paneled houses, filled plates, over drinking and wastefulness. It’s a pretty damning account and yet somehow, it speaks through the ages to the contemporary age and to us. The physical building project is over at CBC but the call to build remains. We must guard against the temptation to sit back, relax and enjoy the red and white branding but instead pay the outstanding bills, prioritize financial giving to the church and contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom ministry here.

For more information on financially giving to the church, please speak to our Minister (Andrew) or Church Treasurer (Michelle). With information also located on the leaflet racks in the foyer and landing.

Rev Andrew Fitzgerald – Who Do You Say I Am? – Matthew 16:13-20

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“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” (Matthew 16:13-16)

In Matthew 16 we read about an identity crisis concerning Jesus. He asked His disciples, who do people say I am? And the response was pretty confused. A spokesman for God? Or one with supernatural authority? Not quite the answer Jesus was looking for. How about the disciples, would they identify Jesus more accurately? Well, Simon Peter did. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (16) The true King. The One Israel has been waiting for. God’s Son. The One of whom Old Testament scripture and prophets have spoken (such as, Isaiah 9:6-7 and 53:3-7). Although this Bible passage was written long ago, it has been written down so to direct the same question to us, “Who do you say I am?” C.S. Lewis said, “Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.” May God reveal Himself to you, that you will answer the question more accurately than the people referenced in Matthew 16 and accept that He was and is God.