Village Church Annandale (Sydney) sermons

“Rejoice in the Lord always.” This Sunday at Village Annandale and Concord we are listening to one of the most loved, and perhaps most pastorally delicate, passages in Philippians. What does it mean to rejoice always when life is hard? What does it mean to “not be anxious about anything” in a church family where many of us know anxiety personally, medically, relationally or spiritually? 

Join us as Dominic Steele leads us as we push into these issues together. 

What keeps you going when life is hard, distracting or disappointing? In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul gives us a bigger goal than success, comfort or simply getting through the week: “My goal is to know Christ.” This week we’ll think about what it means to press on toward that goal, to keep our eyes on heaven, to resist being pulled off course by earthly things and to live now as citizens of the world to come.

Today we are looking at Paul’s warning against putting confidence in the flesh. We examine the danger of trusting in our religious background, moral record, ministry activity or achievements and the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Luke 8:22–39 we meet Jesus in the face of two terrifying threats: the storm outside and the demons within. When the disciples fear for their lives, Jesus speaks and the wind and waves obey. When a man is overwhelmed by evil, Jesus commands and the demons flee. So the challenge for us is: where is our faith? Will we push Jesus away in fear, or recognise him, draw near to him and tell others what God has done?

Today we are looking at one of Jesus’ most famous parables and yet one of his most misunderstood.  We examine the lost art of listening from the parable of the sower.  

Key takeaways include: 
1. Praying that God would give you a good and honest heart; 
2. Preparing for hearing the world of God by pre reading the Bible passage;
3. Sleeping well on Saturday night;
4. Coming with a spirit of teachablity (not gullibility but teachability);
5. Thinking / Reflecting about what is taught and prayed about;  Desiring 

Today we are joined by Guest Speaker from Moore Theological College, Newtown Archie Poulos. 

Archie takes us to the heart of Jesus’ acceptance for sinners, his deep assurance of forgiveness and the lovely picture of gratitude and devotion in response.

Just one thing. The main thing. The most important thing you will ever hear. The thing that will change everything. The thing that your life will be about. It’s the central thing of the letter from Paul to the Philippians, the bible passage today, and the talk today from Dominic Steele.