Sermons by Murray Lean

Sermons by Murray Lean

Murray Lean

When the going gets tough …

1 Peter 5:5-11 When was the last time you felt some level of ‘persecution’ for your faith? Have you ever? For the recipients of this letter, it was a way of life. So these words from Peter were particularly relevant, challenging and encouraging. As Australia becomes less tolerant of Christians and a Christian viewpoint, we have to learn how to respond in a way that is humble, brave and uncompromising, but thoroughly true to who we are as God’s faithful…

A tale of two sinners

Luke 7:36-50 Someone said there are only two types of people in this world: sinners who admit it and sinners who don’t. Whatever our lives look like, the one great certainty is that we all ‘fall short of God’s glory’ and we all need God’s forgiveness. But do we realise that? It’s very possible to have a ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude like the Pharisee in the story, and miss the overflowing joy that comes when we appreciate how much we owe to…

Warning: Dangers ahead

Deuteronomy 6:10 – 8:20 Living as God’s people in any era has involved hazards and dangers. For the Israelites entering the Promised Land this would be especially so, and Moses warns them in these verses of four particular dangers: forgetfulness (of God, his laws and his goodness to them), compromise (spiritual and moral), fear (of the enemies they would face), and pride (in taking the credit for their achievements). As we live for Christ in these challenging times, let us…

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2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 A prayer for perseverance and faith in the face of trials

God’s personal invitation

Matthew 22:1-14 Everyone loves a good wedding … or do they? It seems not, especially when it comes to the heavenly wedding banquet God has planned. The parable Jesus told about this wedding reveals three particular responses to God’s invitation. Some are outright rejecters. Some are grateful (if undeserving) accepters. Others are self-righteous impostors. The invitation is clear and very gracious, but we must all respond personally. What is your response?

Partners together in Christ

Philippians 1:3-11 In today’s message Pastor Murray farewells the City North church he has pastored for the past 19 years. Using Paul’s heartfelt words to the Philippians, he urges us to see the vital importance of the gospel in defining the character and ministry of the church. He also expresses his confidence that God will continue to complete the work He has been doing in our lives. And like Paul, he prays that we might always keep growing in our…

The Worthy Pastor

1 Peter 5:1-4 Churches need godly leaders, especially when times are tough. But what makes a good pastor or elder? What should we look for when choosing our leaders? The words of the old apostle Peter in today’s passage are urgently necessary for us today … men who understand their calling to spiritually shepherd God’s people, men whose character and motives are pure, and men who are not seeking earthly recognition or reward. May God in His kindness raise up…

Persevering in Christ

Hebrews 12:1-13 Trials and troubles are a normal part of the Christian life. We should expect them. In fact, they are good for us! Really? In today’s message we explore how we are to persevere through our pain as we press on in Christ. But we also wrestle with the question of why God allows us to go through difficulties in our lives. Ultimately His goal is “that we may share in His holiness”. Be encouraged as Pastor Murray also…

Crucified with Christ

2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:1 “Come to Jesus and find the good life”! Well …. that depends what you mean? For the apostle Paul, his whole life revolved around two great realities: Christ’s death for him on the cross and the desperate need to reach lost people with the gospel. With these clear in his mind, he gave himself totally to Christ, regardless of the cost. He discovered what it meant to be crucified with Christ, take up his cross…

Transformed through Christ

1 Peter 1:13 – 2:3 If you are a Christian, are you a growing Christian? No matter how old we may be, God wants us to be continually growing in holiness. But spiritual change requires spiritual means. Firstly it begins as we are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Only God can do this for us. But secondly, we need to keep feeding our souls on the living word of God. The Bible is our spiritual food like milk…