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?