The Gospel according to Mark is the shortest of the four gospels. Mark uses the word “immediately” many times, to highlight Jesus’ life-changing ministry to his world.
This is a link to the last message of 12 in a series given at Victor Harbor Summer Camp, in 2019.
I gave this specific talk. Listen and if it helps you, then try the other 11 talks too.
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/11319744227854
This is the famous story that was told by Jesus about a Father, and his Two Sons.
The parable can be found in Luke 15:11-24. This message was preached at Balhannah, March 30, 2025.
‘He would have gladly filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating…. no one gave him anything’.
A morning interview with Kieron Kelly, on ‘Australia All Over’ by Ian McNamara (Macca) on ABC April 6th, 2025. One of the problems has been China’s status as a ‘Developing Nation’. Have a listen:
The book called ‘The Wealth of Nations’ had a few poor ideas. Not heard this much on other mainstream media reports. Not everything is as it seems. Cheers.
‘There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries’ (Daniel 2:28)
Daniel was a young, sharply focussed, man of faith, when he explained that his ability to interpret a dream for the King of Babylon, was a gift from the Most High God.
When the nations of the world are unable to fathom the origin, meaning and goal of human life, there is nevertheless, a group of people who have come to see, know and understand the plan and purpose of creation, through relating to the Creator of the Universe, by faith, This faith, this trust this receptivity, is a gift to the people of God, to understand the meaning and significance of the mystery of the Incarnation of God.
At the birth of Jesus, the Most High God, comes to this earth and ‘reveals mysteries’. The Incarnation of God, is the most wonderful gift to humanity. God gives himself to sinful humanity! He give himself, as one of us, yet without sin. He gives himself as one with us, dwelling in our homes, our lives, and communities.
Christmas is a good time for the nations to come to faith, to come into a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, and so to begin to understand and share positively, in the purposes of God for creation.
Jesus Christ was born for us.
Jesus Christ taught the important mysteries of life to us.
Jesus Christ was crucified for us.
Jesus Christ was raised for us.
Jesus Christ will come to us, in judgment and grace, making all things new.
Jesus Christ reigns now for us, and is speaking of the truth of himself, to us. Together with God the Father, and with God the Holy Spirit, this Jesus is God the Son, speaking to our hearts. He is revealing the mysteries of life, to a world that needs this new light—this ancient Light of the World, who said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.
“Come and see” if this is true. As that Christmas Carol, ‘Joy to the World’ sounds out across the malls, and in concert halls, may we respond to this Living Christ, and the call to “Let every heart prepare him room”.
Prayer: Come Lord Jesus into my life, forgive my hardness of heart. And come reveal the Father, and all your grace, plan and purposes, that I too may gladly become a person of hope and faith, filled with the love of God. Amen.
It has been a privilege, and quite moving, to hear Amber tell of these significant events in her life.
I feel certain it will be an encouragement to many.
(Talk begins at 40:05 minutes mark)
This story was written in 1995, by Geoff Bingham – and is published in a book entitled: The Return of the Lorikeets. (Publisher – Troubadour Press).
placeholder://Aboriginal, Ngadjuri woman, Pat Waria-Read shares her testimony to the power and presence of Jesus Christ in her life.
Shared, on Mother’s Day, 2019 with the Clare Uniting Church.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” (Phil. 4:4)
I can vividly recall a final Word—a note—being given at a retiring Ministers’s gathering, concerning one particular Uniting Church minister’s lifetime urging of others, to cultivate joy in their life. He had often said, ‘Joy is the primary mark of the Christian life’.
This is not the first time the Philippians have been exhorted to rejoice. It is important to allow a joyful spirit to prevail in our lives. Sometimes Christians let unnecessary tiffs, and disagreements linger. This seems to have been the case for Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2). Do your best folks to resolve your small differences.
At times, people just need some simple directives as to what they should do as Christians. In chapter 4, the Philippians were certainly given some helpful directives:
Paul clearly loved this congregation, and deeply appreciated their support at an earlier time in his gospel ministry there (Phil. 4:15).
He encouraged them to set their priorities in knowing Christ’s resurrection power in their sufferings.
He encouraged them to see the resurrection of Jesus, as the key to true living. He exhorted them to express together the ‘mind of Christ’, and to recognise the vicarious ministry of Jesus, being exercised through them. He encouraged them to press on, in the race set before them. He kept the physical hope of the resurrection of Jesus, and of their own future, before their eyes.
Prayers: Thank you Father, for this church in Philippi, and for Paul’s kind ministry to them. May we be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, to press on in the calling God has for each one of us. May we embrace our opposition, and our sufferings with rejoicing. In the name of Jesus we pray.
Trevor
‘Well, press on’ we say. ‘Onward and upward!’. Many of our little sayings have biblical origins. In Philippians 3 Paul gives many reasons why we should: ‘rejoice in the Lord’. They relate to the fruit of Jesus’ ministry, for our: 1. Bodies, 2. Pedigrees, and 3. Righteousness. Let them speak to you, in your own situation. May you and I ‘press on’ with our upward calling
‘…our Saviour, the Lord Jesus, will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself’. (Phil. 3:21).
‘Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish…’ (Phil. 3:8).
‘For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things’ (Phil. 3:18-19).
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the Apostle Paul’s ministry. In your grace, may you stir and renew our resolve also, to “press on” in life, with the ministries that you call us to exercise.
Trevor
The entire message can be seen or heard here:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1014172041523
Look at the Birds 