St Paul's Box Hill Podcasts

As we emerge from COVID lockdown with excitement and uncertainty, perhaps joy and perhaps fear, God calls us again this Advent to prepare our hearts — and the hearts of the people we love — for the presence of God among us and for us. How will you prepare this Advent? (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/KV5WCVqZcsg ) [Organ/Choir - Advent 2]

“The Gifts and Griefs of Exile.” The theme of 'home and exile' runs through the whole Bible. It's a helpful way for us to understand what God has been doing in and through us during our long lockdowns as we've been unable to gather together for corporate worship. Through the experience of exile come both grief and gifts. This sermon explores some of the griefs and gifts of exile through Psalm 137, Psalm 126, and our own experience through long COVID lockdowns. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/_t9Kx7I0qxM ) [Organ/Choir - Advent 1]

Today is the last Sunday of the Church year. It’s a day when we remember that we are living in the last times before Jesus’ return. Jesus speaks to us a powerful Word of truth as we live and await his return. What is truth? In Jesus, God speaks a wonderful word of life and hope, now and eternally for all who receive it in faith. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/sj87lNv-_u4 ) [Organ - Last Sunday of the Church Year]

Jesus turns fear of the events of the end times into looking for, and welcoming, the new beginnings of the Kingdom's birth. He will help us celebrate and endure, because the beginning of the end does not prevent good things beginning. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/jBcBwAxujSU ) [Organ - Pentecost 25]

All Saints is a day when we remember. We might especially remember the people in our lives who now live eternally with our Lord in heaven. Jesus calls us to remember the many blessings he has for us today and everyday, so that we may be the blessing of God for others in life. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/ii8GW3YvSg ) [Prerecorded music - All Saints]

Jesus promises that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. Today we unpack this beautiful promise for us and all people.

Mark’s Gospel seeks to open our eyes wide to God’s grace. In today’s passage, he does it through the eyes of blind man. Invited to do so by God, we can ask for many things, and by faith, persist in prayer, confident of His care for us. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/9Fh9IjkTI9w ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 22]

James and John come to Jesus and ask him to do what they want. What would you ask of Jesus? Would you ask for power, for glory? Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” So, what will you ask for? (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/RstcR1EQ4lk ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 21]

“God’s Heart of Love Makes Everything Possible.” A key question asked today is, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” All too often, we think that living a good-enough life should be enough. But it’s not a matter of the things I do, but of God’s heart — that’s what makes everything possible. So in whom do we trust? (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/21B1JIxyWcs ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 20]

Jesus told his disciples not to turn away the children, as parents brought their children for him to touch and bless them. He explained further, saying, 'for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.' What does Jesus mean when he says we need to receive the kingdom of God like a child, or else we will not enter it? (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/S55vXKQG2_Q ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 19]

In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus calls all who would be his disciples to pick their cross and follow him. Here in Mark 9:39-50, Jesus gives us further detail about what the way of the cross involves. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/-YuRR-nMLn8 ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 18s]

We all have fears in life. Jesus’ disciples did too. Jesus’ perfect love drives out fear and calls us to put our faith in him. Being a disciple of Jesus today doesn’t mean we don’t have fears. But Jesus’ love for us and all people overcomes all fear. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/9JJ_9vsgqoA ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 17]

Our words have the power to hurt and to kill; but in Christ we are also enabled to speak words of life, the very same words God speaks into our hearts and into the world. James encourages us in the impossible task of controlling the tongue — impossible, that is, until Jesus transforms our hearts. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/iUwg1t34IWs ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 16]

Today we hear of the amazing faith of a woman who comes from the ‘wrong side of the tracks’, and who has no power or standing. In the face of adversity and rejection, she has amazing faith in Jesus. “Even your crumbs are enough for me and for my loved one, Jesus. You are all we need.” And by her witness, God continues to feed you and I and the world with love and grace. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/M6HetCv0coc ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 15]

How can I make a difference in caring for others when the world with COVID seems so far out of my control? God says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”. Learn how God might be calling you to make a positive difference for others when the word of Christ dwells richly in you. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/XuK1b4wiyJI ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 14]

Many of Jesus' disciples couldn’t accept his words and left him. When life gets hard or you have a problem with the church, are you tempted to leave also? What can we do to help ourselves and others from falling away from Jesus' words of eternal life — especially in this season of COVID? (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/7gLM3ffr48Q ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 13]

At times we have big life questions, such as, “How can I know God’s will for me?”, or, “How do I follow God where God wants me to be?” When God came to the young Solomon, who is to govern and lead God’s people, God offers Solomon whatever he would like. Solomon asks for a heart to hear God, so that he can follow where God leads. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/1S1qYw6aBpU ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 12]

When Jesus says ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven’, many respond with doubt, saying, ‘How can this be?’ With these words Jesus declares his divinity, and that he has come to fulfil our hunger for righteousness and peace with God. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/boq372AX2hs ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 11]

When Jesus says “I am the bread of life”, what does he mean? Let’s explore the amazing gift that Jesus offers for all people, calling us to receive, to share, and to feed on him, the bread of life. Come and feast. (YouTube video of the service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/yxUjYys7ZuI ) [Organ/Piano - Pentecost 10]

Lessons over lunch, and while struggling in the dark. Jesus calls us to serve. Service in his name gives our lives purpose and hope. (YouTube video for the COVID lockdown service including this sermon: https://youtu.be/crwNP9vyikU ) [Prerecorded music - Pentecost 9]