Series on John
The Word Became Flesh | 1
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 25th July, 2021
Passage: John 1:1-18
Blurb: We begin a new series in John's gospel, and kick it off with John's innovative and extraordinary prologue about the Word that became flesh. Come and explore this vivid depiction of the identity and purpose of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
The First Followers | 2
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 8th August, 2021
Passage: John 1:35-51
Blurb: In this account we hear about Jesus' first followers, culminating in a remarkable and curious encounter with Nathanael. We discover that behind this story is the account of Jacob, and that Jesus himself is not merely the Messiah, but the very connection between heaven and earth!
Jesus Turns Water Into Wine | 3
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 15th August, 2021
Passage: John 2:1-12
Blurb: Many people think that Christianity is about rules and restrictions. In this passage, Jesus blows that misconception apart. Very early in John's gospel, he does a lavish and remarkable miracle, turning water into wine. Yet this is no mere miracle, it is a sign of his glory, that not only gets the wedding hosts out of a difficult situation, but dramatically reveals the heart of Jesus' new and better way.
Jesus Clears the Temple Courts | 4
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 22nd August, 2021
Passage: John 2:13-25
Blurb: There's a misconception out there, that Christians are called to be "nice" people. Jesus is loving, kind, true and just, but he is never merely "nice". Jesus' clearing of the temple has a ferocity about it, yet rather than merely seeing it as a moment of anger, in this sermon we see that there is a beauty to his righteous indignation. But for whom does Jesus take his stand in this encounter? Come join us as we see how Jesus takes his stand against corruption in the temple in the tradition of the prophets who came before him.
Jesus & Nicodemus | 5
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 29th August, 2021
Passage: John 3:1-21
Blurb: This sermon was delivered at St Mark's on the day of our annual meeting. We explore the themes of new birth by the Holy Spirit, and the meaning of the crucifixion. Building on these two themes, Kim presents his sense of vision as we look to the coming year under God.
“He must increase, I must decrease” | 6
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 5th September, 2021
Passage: John 3:22-36
Blurb: When Jesus and his disciples start baptizing, some of John the Baptist's followers are threatened. They miss the point of John's and Jesus' ministry. In contrast John helps his followers understand that his mission is not to acquire great numbers of followers for himself, rather, it's all about Jesus. In a world that is entranced by celebrity, size and success, John's retort is profoundly counter-cultural, "He must increase; I must decrease."
The Woman at the Well | 7
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 19th September, 2021
Passage: John 4:1-42
Blurb: Are you thirsty? Where do you go to quench your thirst? In this sermon, we explore an extraordinary dialogue between Jesus and a Samaritan woman, centred on the theme of thirst. In doing so, we see Jesus crossing social boundaries of race, religion, geography and gender. Jesus, who himself is thirsty, claims to have a drink that will quench her and our thirst like no other; living water, that will become a spring within us, welling up to eternal life! But how do we access this drink? Come join us as we explore this stunning encounter and learn what it is to walk in the way of Jesus, who through a truthful interaction with a complex woman, reaches a Samaritan town.
What does it mean to be made well? | 8
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 3rd October, 2021
Passage: John 5:1-15
Blurb: In this passage, Jesus does something beautiful and incredible; a man who had been lame for thirty-eight years is enabled to walk! Yet the religious leaders are offended, because it happened on the Sabbath and even the man who is healed appears to have missed the point of what Jesus has done. Are we likewise in danger of missing the heart of what Jesus is on about? In this message Kim affirms Jesus' power to heal today, yet also demonstrates some complexities around physical healing, and searches deeper into what it means to truly be made well.
The identity of Jesus | 9
Preacher: John Overton
Date: 17th October, 2021
Passage: John 5:16-30
Blurb: Jesus had profoundly clear sense of his identity. He never saw himself as a mere teacher, leader, or prophet. He was the Son of God and he came to earth from heaven to do the will of his Father. In this sermon, John Overton unpacks a passage in which Jesus reveals his identity to his opponents with remarkable clarity. Yet how about us? Do we know who we are? Jesus said; "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." Come and explore what it means to live a life that overflows from belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus verifies His claims | 10
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 31st October, 2021
Passage: John 5:31-47
Blurb: Can we trust Jesus' claim that he is the Son of God? On what grounds can we believe this extraordinary declaration? In the midst of the interrogations of religious leaders, Jesus points to five witnesses who verify his claim that he is the Son of God, sent by the Father. We invite you to explore this passage with us, and pray that this will bring further confidence in your faith that Jesus really is God's Son.
Jesus Feeds 5,000 | 11
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 7th November, 2021
Passage: John 6:1-15
Blurb: The brilliance of Jesus includes not only his capacity to miraculously feed a crowd, but also the way he is forming and training his disciples. Jesus' disciples are about to be sent on a mission to feed the world with a food that meets humanity's deepest need. This food is none other than Jesus himself, the bread of life. Yet how can a small group of people with limited resources meet the needs of a hungry world? Jesus' teaches his disciples by way of a small boy, who offered his lunch box, out of which Jesus provides an abundance for all! In this sermon, we see how God is able to perform wonders when we open our hands and hearts to Him in meeting the world's practical and spiritual needs.
Jesus Walks on Water | 12
Preacher: Kim Beales
Date: 14th November, 2021
Passage: John 6:16-24
Blurb: Either side of the account of Jesus' walking on water we see crowds of people trying to make Jesus fit their agenda. They wanted to make Jesus king by force. But Jesus evades the crowds. He can't be fitted into a human agenda. He can't be controlled. In contrast, to his disciples he reveals himself as none other than the Lord, the Son of God! In this sermon we complete this year's series in John, and look forward to returning to John's gospel later in 2022.