Sermons by Murray Lean
Murray Lean
Ready for the fight
Ephesians 6:10-24 There are many different ways of describing the Christian life (think ‘lying down in green pastures’, running a long distance race, working out in a gym), but in today’s message Paul describes it as a full-on battle. Why? Because we have a very formidable enemy in the the devil and his team looking for every opportunity to bring us down. He is clever, crafty and powerful, and will use the most devious tactics against us. He knows our…
Living for the gospel
Philippians 1:12-26 What gives purpose and focus to your life? In today’s message we meet a man who had every reason to feel sorry for himself. In prison, disparaged by rivals, and possibly facing the death sentence …. he could have been overcome with despair. But shining through, despite his circumstances and even through his circumstances, we see his overwhelming passion to magnify Christ. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What a motto to…
God’s great invitation!
Luke 14:15-24 It’s always good to receive an invitation to a special event … a wedding, a party and graduation etc. In today’s message Jesus tells a story about an even greater invitation to a lavish banquet. In fact, it’s the best invitation anyone could ever hope to receive. The tragedy is that many people refuse to accept it because they’re too busy or too distracted doing other things. God is the host of this banquet, and it is sinners…
Leadership and submission – do they really matter?
Ephesians 5:22-33 In practical terms, what does it mean to be a Christian husband or wife? In these times of strident feminism and the redefining of traditional roles, what does a godly Christian marriage actually look like? To explore this question we must humbly and honestly hear what God says in Ephesians 5. Despite their cultural baggage, the words “headship” and “submission” are not dirty words when we truly understand how God applies them to marriage. In fact we miss…
New life – New lifestyle (part 2)
Ephesians 5:1-20 Flowing on from the previous chapter, this message continues to give practical advice about how to live as a Christian. Paul makes it clear that there will be times when the Christian lifestyle needs to be distinctly different from those around us, especially in the area of sexual morality. And as we “walk in the light”, simply obeying God’s word, the sins of society will inevitably be exposed. Our part is to consistently and carefully take the opportunities…
Peace be with you
Luke 24:36-49 Try to imagine how the disciples were feeling by Sunday morning after the crucifixion of Jesus. Without doubt they would have been scared, confused, and exhausted mentally and emotionally. It’s no wonder they were behind locked doors trying make sense of everything that had been happening. Then all of a sudden Jesus appeared before,speaking these words: “Peace be with you … why are you troubled?”. There’s nothing like a good resurrection to restore peace to a troubled life!…
Two ways of seeing the death of Jesus
Matthew 26-27 How are Christians supposed to feel about the death of Jesus … sad? angry? happy? In this message Pastor Murray explores this question. Certainly the events leading to the crucifixion are excruciating. The graphic nature of the gospel accounts is meant to fill us with horror. What Jesus suffered on our behalf was unbelievably cruel. But there was a divine twist to this cruelty. In the tragedy of the cross, God was defeating Satan and opening the way…
New life – New lifestyle
Ephesians 4:17-32 What difference does becoming a Christian actually make? A massive difference according to the apostle Paul. And in today’s passage he explains what actually happens when a person comes to Christ. Along with a changing of our heart (attitudes) and the renewing of our mind (thinking), we begin living a whole new lifestyle. With the help of the Holy Spirit we “put off” the old sinful habits of the past and “put on” the new qualities of holiness.…
Praying for God’s Power
Ephesians 3:14-21 Most people have a “shopping list” approach to prayer (a literal or mental list). That’s fine, but what’s on that list? When Paul thought about the people in the church at Ephesus, many thoughts must have come to mind, but what he prayed for them in these verses is unexpected and very profound ……God’s power, God’s love, and the full measure of God’s presence within their lives. Compared with our puny, often self-centred prayers, I wonder what difference…
How rich we are!
In this message we begin a new series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He launches immediately into what one writer calls a “golden chain” of spiritual blessings that ought to thrill the heart of every Christian. How humbling it is to know that we have been chosen, adopted, redeemed, forgiven and given a glimpse of God’s eternal purposes! And there are more in the next few verses! May these wonderful truths drive us to our knees in gratitude and…
The King Commands Attention
For centuries the Jews had longed for a Messiah-King to save them as a nation. Finally the day came when Jesus presented Himself to them as that King. But what sort of king? A humble King riding on a donkey, yet a fearless King who would overthrow the whole broken religious system. King Jesus reigned from the cross five days later, and He still reigns in the lives of everyone who will receive Him by faith today. Matthew 21:1-22
Almost a Wasted Life (Samson)
What should we make of a man like Samson? Incredibly talented, empowered by the Spirit of God, yet deeply flawed in so many ways. In this message Pastor Murray gives us a glimpse of his “playboy ” lifestyle and eventual downfall. But we also see how God chose to use him despite his many failings to deliver his Israelite people from the torment of the Philistines. Samson’s story gives hope to all those who have wasted the best part of…