City on a Hill Wollongong

Sermon by Joshua Engel

Sermon by Joe Youssef

Sermon by Joel Deacon

Series: A Beautiful Life

Speaker: Joel Deacon

Bible Passages: 1 John 4:7-12; John 11:1-4, 28-36

Church: City on a Hill Wollongong

Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia

What does it look like to live a beautiful life?

In this message from A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores what it means to become a person who loves like Jesus.

The Bible tells us that God is love, and that God’s love is most clearly seen in Jesus. In John 11, we see Jesus weep with those who are grieving, giving us a glimpse into the heart of a God who loves us deeply. And at the cross, we see the ultimate expression of that love as Jesus suffers and dies for our sins.

But God’s love doesn’t stop with us. When we understand how deeply we are loved by God, we are changed. We become people who love others sacrificially, not simply when it is easy or convenient.

In this sermon, Joel explores the difference between selfish love and sacrificial love, why love involves vulnerability and suffering, and how we can learn to love the people God puts in front of us.

A beautiful life is a loving life.

• What does it mean that God is love?
• How does Jesus reveal the love of God?
• Why does genuine love involve vulnerability and suffering?
• What does the cross teach us about God’s love?
• How does God’s love change the way we love others?
• Why is selfishness at the root of so much of our sin?
• How can we become more loving like Jesus?
• How can we love the people God puts in front of us?

1. Receive the love of God.

We need to continually ask God to deepen our understanding of how deeply he loves us.

2. Reject selfishness.

The beautiful life is not found in living for ourselves, but in dying to ourselves and following Jesus.

3. Love the people in front of you.

Jesus continually noticed, listened to, served and loved the people God placed around him. We are called to do the same.

1 John 4:7-12

John 11:1-4, 28-36

John 3:16

Ephesians 3:14-19

City on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known.

Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School.

10am Community | 10:15am Service

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Series: A Beautiful Life

Speaker: Joel Deacon

Bible Passages: Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:5-9; Luke 18:9-14

Church: City on a Hill Wollongong

Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia

What does it mean to live a beautiful life?

In this message from A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores Jesus’ teaching on humility and why the beautiful life is not found in glory, recognition, achievement or being better than everyone else.

Our world tells us that greatness comes from climbing higher, gaining recognition and making a name for ourselves. But Jesus teaches something radically different: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

Through three stories from the life and teaching of Jesus, we see what genuine humility looks like. We meet ambitious disciples who want positions of glory, Jesus washing his disciples’ dirty feet, and a humble tax collector who simply cries out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”

The gospel shows us that Jesus himself became great by becoming a servant. He humbled himself, went to the cross and gave his life to wash us clean from our sin.

A beautiful life is a humble life.

• Why do we long for recognition and glory?
• Why is pride so destructive?
• Why does pride naturally lead us to compare ourselves with others?
• What does Jesus mean when he says that greatness is found in serving?
• What can Jesus washing his disciples’ feet teach us about humility?
• How does the cross demonstrate the humility of Jesus?
• Why is repentance an essential part of following Jesus?
• What can we learn from the Pharisee and the tax collector?
• How can Christians cultivate humility in everyday life?
• How can we put pride to death and become more like Jesus?

1. Kill the pride within you.

We are naturally tempted to seek recognition, glory and superiority over others. Jesus calls us to put pride to death.

2. Become a servant.

Jesus says that true greatness is found in serving others rather than being served.

3. Let Jesus wash you clean.

Jesus humbled himself and gave his life on the cross to cleanse us from our sin.

4. Keep humbling yourself before God.

The beautiful life is not one where we humble ourselves once, but one where we continually repent, receive grace and draw near to God.

Matthew 20:20-28

John 13:5-9

Luke 18:9-14

James 4:6-10

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

Jesus, Matthew 20:26

City on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known.

Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School.

10am Community | 10:15am Service

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Series: A Beautiful Life

Speaker: Joel Deacon

Bible Passages: Luke 11:1-13; Psalm 42:1-2; Philippians 4:6-7

Church: City on a Hill Wollongong

Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia

What does it mean to live a beautiful life?

In the first message of A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores Jesus’ teaching on prayer and why a beautiful life is not found in independence from God, but in dependence upon God.

Our world tells us that the good life is found in building the kingdom of self: having more, achieving more, becoming more successful and creating a life where we don’t need anyone. Jesus offers a radically different vision. He calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and to live in daily dependence upon our heavenly Father.

In Luke 11, Jesus teaches his disciples to ask, seek and knock. Prayer is not a way of getting God to give us everything we want. It is an invitation to know God, trust God and seek his kingdom.

Joel explores why Jesus himself regularly withdrew to pray, what Jesus teaches us about unanswered prayer, and why the greatest gift God gives us through prayer is ultimately himself.

The message also gets practical, exploring how we can develop a deeper prayer life, make room for prayer, respond to seasons of spiritual exhaustion and become people who pray expectantly for the salvation of our city.

A beautiful life is a prayerful life.

• Why does Jesus pray if he is the Son of God?
• What does Jesus mean by “Ask, Seek, Knock”?
• Is prayer really powerful?
• Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers?
• How should we respond to unanswered prayer?
• What does it mean to trust God as our heavenly Father?
• Why is knowing God more important than having our prayers answered?
• How can we make more time for prayer?
• What should we do when we feel spiritually exhausted?
• Why should Christians pray for revival and the salvation of others?
• How can prayer help us become more dependent upon God?

1. The beautiful life is dependent upon God.

Jesus does not call us to build an independent life where we no longer need God. He calls us to seek first God’s kingdom.

2. Keep asking, seeking and knocking.

Prayer is not simply presenting God with a wish list. It is continually seeking God’s kingdom and trusting our Father.

3. The greatest gift God gives us is himself.

God cares about our needs, but prayer ultimately brings us into the presence of God and teaches us to trust him.

4. Make room for prayer.

A flourishing prayer life requires us to push out unnecessary things and make space for what matters most.

5. Pray for revival.

Prayer is not only about our own needs. We are called to pray for the people around us and for those who do not yet know Jesus.

Luke 11:1-13

Psalm 42:1-2

Philippians 4:6-7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Jesus, Luke 11:9

City on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known.

Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School.

10am Community | 10:15am Service

Related search topics: Christian church Wollongong, prayer sermon, sermon on prayer, Luke 11 sermon, how to pray, Jesus teaching on prayer, unanswered prayer, Christian prayer, prayer life, seeking God, trusting God, prayer for revival, Christian church Wollongong NSW, following Jesus.

God calls Abraham and makes a promise that shapes the rest of the Bible. In this sermon, we see how through him a nation will come—and through that nation the world will be blessed.

Bible Reading:

Genesis 11:10–12:3

Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon

This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11.

As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today.

Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

At Babel humanity seeks greatness apart from God, building a name for themselves. In this sermon, we see the emptiness of human pride and the danger of pursuing glory without Him.

Bible Reading:

Genesis 11:1–9

Sermon by Joel Deacon

This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11.

As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today.

Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

From Noah’s family the nations spread across the earth. In this sermon, we see how despite human brokenness, God’s purposes continue under His sovereign rule.

Bible Reading:

Genesis 10

Preacher: Gwatkin Ratnam

This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11.

As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today.

Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Even after rescue, sin remains. Noah’s family experiences shame and dishonour. In this sermon, we see the lingering effects of the fall and our need for renewed hearts.

Bible Reading:

Genesis 9:18–29

Preacher:

Sermon by Joel Deacon

This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11.

As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today.

Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis