Sermons by Murray Lean

Sermons by Murray Lean

Murray Lean

Gospel-Motivated Caring for Others

1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13 How much do we as Christians care for one another? In these verses we see how much Paul cared about the the new believers at Thessalonica. Most of all he wanted to know whether they were ‘standing firm in the Lord’. While he cared about their physical well-being, he cared even more about their faith. May our care for one another have this kind of focus. If so, the question we should be asking each…

Motives and Methods of Gospel Ministry

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 The credibility of Christians in Australia is being seriously challenged today, and this is causing churches and gospel-centred ministries to defend themselves. In our passage today Paul defends himself against attacks which were being made against him and his team. In particular he reassures the believers at Thessalonica that his motives are pure, and his methods are driven by a genuine love for them. There is absolutely no room for hypocrisy in genuine gospel ministry. I wonder…

Jesus – the perfect sacrifice

Hebrews 10:1-18 Like many religions still today, the ancient Israelites showed remorse for their sins by approaching God through a complex system of animal sacrifices. Year after year they sacrificed an animal at the temple to symbolise their repentance. But this was a never-ending ritual that could never truly expunge their sin. What was needed was a perfect sacrifice. Finally God provided that sacrifice Himself by sending His sinless Son, Jesus, who willingly gave Himself for us on the cross.…

Faithful to the End

2 Peter 3:1-14 Today’s message marks the end of our 8-part series on the end times. We are currently in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are disorientated by the speed with which our way of life has been turned upside down. All over the world people are isolated, anxious and fearful. Could this be a foretaste of life in the end times? While cannot escape much of the chaos around us, the strategy given in our passage today…

Longing for Home – the Hope of Heaven

Revelation 21:1-7 Except for the most hard-bitten atheists, most people still hold to some view of an after-life. Often at non-Christian funerals reference will be made to the departed one smiling down on us and enjoying some vague new state of existence. But for the Christian, heaven is the promised destiny of all God’s redeemed people. While the Bible doesn’t teach us everything about heaven, there is much that it does. In this message Pastor Murray gives us a glimpse…

Jonah’s problem with God

Jonah 4:1-11 Throughout the book of Jonah we encounter a troubled man. And even after God had spared his life and his “successful” ministry to Nineveh, he is still angry with God. But why? In this message we take an honest look into the heart of this reluctant prophet and see the selfish biases that made him so miserable. Ultimately he had a wrong view of God. He wanted judgement on the Ninevites (which Jonah himself deserved) but mercy for…

Differing views about the end times (part 2)

Revelation 20:1-10 The end times have always been a source of speculation and debate among Christians, and no more so than how we understand (a) the role of Israel and (b) the question of the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ in the last days. For some Christians these subjects barely make it onto their radar, while for others they demand compulsive attention. In this message Pastor Murray gives us a balanced overview of the main positions adopted by evangelicals,…

Differing views about the end times (part 1)

While no serious believer doubts the fact of Christ’s return, many will have differing views on the events and key people who will play important roles in the lead up to that day. Today we look in greater detail at some of these: tribulations, antichrists, the beast, Armageddon and apostasy in the church. And what do we make of the so-called ‘Great Tribulation’ and ‘the Antichrist’? Perhaps this message will help clarify for you what the Bible says about these…

Jesus is coming back!

Any discussion about the future from a Christian perspective inevitably centres on one key event – the second coming of Christ. And in the Christian worldview, all of history is heading towards that climax. Everywhere we look the New Testament is littered with this teaching. But does it make any practical difference to our lives? In this message we see afresh the relevance of this important doctrine for our faith today. And with the saints of old we also cry…

Christian community in an individualistic world

Romans 12:9-21 One of the most powerful ways Christians impact those around them is by the way they relate together. Sometimes we simply take for granted this mysterious thing called “fellowship”, yet many people in modern society long for this. A common observation of the early Christians by their pagan neighbours was: “See how they love one another”. In this message we are challenged to make this love practical, not just to our best friends, but also to the those…