Weekly sermons from the pulpit of Erindale Bible Chapel. Sermons are recorded from the church sanctuary @ 10:30 a.m. and podcast audio files are posted every Sunday evening. All links are available at www.erindale.org . You can also access previous weeks video sermons via our website @ www.erindale.org , and podcasts on any podcast provider.
Have you ever heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere”? Or perhaps, “All religions are really just different paths to the same God”? In our increasingly diverse society, statements like these are common. They sound tolerant, respectful, and even compassionate. After all, shouldn’t we respect people who have different beliefs from our own? Absolutely.…
Who wrote the Bible? The obvious answer is, “Men wrote the Bible.” Moses wrote the Pentateuch. David wrote many of the Psalms. Isaiah wrote his prophecy. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the Gospels. Paul wrote letters to churches and individuals. Peter wrote two letters. Human beings picked up their pens, used their own vocabulary, wrote from their own experiences, and produced the words…
No one naturally seeks persecution. We instinctively avoid rejection, criticism, and suffering. We want to be accepted, appreciated, and at peace with those around us. Yet as Jesus concludes the Beatitudes, He makes a startling declaration. Instead of saying, "Blessed are those who are admired," He says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake" (Matthew 5:10). Even more…
This sermon explores Galatians 4:4-7 and the theme of spiritual adoption, contrasting modern Western views of adoption with the practice in ancient Rome, where adoption gave a person's status, debts, and inheritance immediate and full legal standing. Drawing on this backdrop, along with references to Romans 8, John 17, and the parable of the prodigal son, the message argues that salvation is not…
What has Jesus entrusted to you — and are you investing it well? A personal testimony on faith, calling, and a fresh take on the Parable of the Talents Guest Speaker: Dr. Peter Agwa
Hebrews 2:3 explores the depth and glory of what Christ has done for us. In an age of superficiality, this salvation stands apart: great because of its Author, our Creator who became one of us; great because of the perfection of Christ's work as our merciful High Priest; great because of its costliness, purchased not with silver or gold but with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18); and…
Conflict surrounds us. Nations wage war. Communities are divided. Families experience painful tension. Friendships fracture over misunderstandings. Even within our own hearts, we often wrestle with anxiety, resentment, and anger. Ever since humanity rebelled against God, broken relationships have become one of the most visible consequences of sin. We long for peace, yet we struggle to create it.…
Today we explored the challenging story of Jephthah in Judges 11:29–40 with CY Yan. Far from being a simple “hero of faith,” Jephthah is a broken, insecure leader whose rash vow and tragic sacrifice show what happens when we try to manipulate God and borrow the world’s ways instead of trusting God’s character and Word. We are reminded that God provides mercy even for foolish vows—calling us today…
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). With these words, Jesus reveals both the character of a true kingdom citizen and the incredible reward promised by God. In a world that often celebrates outward appearance, Jesus points deeper, to the heart. The purity that God desires is not merely external morality or religious activity, but a heart completely devoted to Him,…
Every person longs for mercy at some point in life. We hope for mercy when we have failed, when our mistakes are exposed, and when we need someone to look beyond our shortcomings and offer compassion instead of condemnation. Yet Jesus teaches us that mercy is not only something we receive from others, it is also something we are called to give. In Matthew 5:7, Jesus declares, “Blessed are the…
Most people spend their lives trying to satisfy their hunger. We hunger for success, security, comfort, acceptance, pleasure, and significance. We chase one desire after another, convinced that the next achievement, possession, or experience will finally make us content. Yet no matter how much we gain, the hunger remains. The world offers countless promises of satisfaction, but it never truly…
Strength is often measured by power, influence, or the ability to overcome others. The world admires the loud, the aggressive, and the self-assertive. Yet in the Beatitudes, Jesus turns our understanding upside down. In Matthew 5:5, He declares, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” At first glance, meekness sounds like weakness, a quiet surrender, passivity, or fear. But…
In a world that avoids sorrow at all costs, Jesus speaks words that sound completely upside down: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The world tells us to hide grief, ignore sin, distract ourselves from pain, and pursue happiness above everything else. But Jesus teaches that true blessing does not come through pretending everything is fine. Real comfort begins when we…
“The Riches of Poverty” sounds like a contradiction to the world around us. We spend our lives trying to become self-sufficient, successful, and secure. We admire people who appear strong, capable, and confident. Yet Jesus opens the Sermon on the Mount with a blessing that turns the values of this world upside down: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew…
In a world that measures success by power, recognition, and self-advancement, the idea of being “blessed” often feels tied to comfort and achievement. People speak of blessing as good circumstances, personal wins, or visible prosperity. Yet when Jesus speaks of blessing, He turns those expectations upside down. He describes a kind of life that does not chase status, does not depend on ease, and…
God invites us to seek Him while He is near (Isaiah 55), calling for an active, intentional response rather than passivity. Just as people once eagerly sought an audience with a king, we are invited to pursue His presence with urgency and expectation. When Jesus entered Jerusalem and the crowds cried “Hosanna,” they recognized their need for salvation and the fulfillment of God’s promise in…
Samson’s story is not what we expect from a hero. In Judges 16, we meet a man of incredible strength, yet repeated weakness. He is a judge set apart by God, yet constantly drawn toward compromise. Samson defeats enemies, breaks chains, and topples gates, but he cannot seem to master his own desires. His life is a pattern of calling and carelessness, of divine purpose tangled with personal failure.…
We like our heroes clean, consistent, and easy to admire. We want leaders who make wise choices, who rise above selfish impulses, who live lives that seem worthy of imitation. But the Bible often refuses to give us such polished figures. Instead, it presents people like Samson, a man set apart by God yet driven by his own desires, a man whose strength was undeniable but whose judgment was often…
We live in a world that prizes proof. If something cannot be tested, measured, or verified, we tend to hold it at arm’s length. That instinct can be helpful in many areas of life, but it also shapes how we approach deeper questions, especially when it comes to faith. Many people are not openly hostile to Jesus, but they are cautious. They want more evidence. They want fewer uncertainties. They…
People often ask, "Why couldn't God just forgive sin?" Why the cross? Why death? Why such suffering? The Bible's answer is not sentimental, but it is powerful: Jesus did not die by accident. He died by necessity. Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 3:23-26; 1 Peter 3:18Speaker: Pastor David Hallett
Jesus’ first miracle in John 2:1–11 took place at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, where He turned water into wine. This moment revealed His glory and led His disciples to believe in Him. The setting itself is meaningful: His first sign happened at a wedding, underscoring the value of marriage, family, and the relationship between Christ and His church. Scripture begins with a wedding and ultimately…
Israel is in a familiar and tragic place in Judges 13. Once again, the people have done what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Yet something is different this time. There is no cry for help, no plea for mercy, no sign of repentance. God’s people are suffering under oppression, but they have grown comfortable in their sin and silent in their distress. And yet, God moves toward them anyway. Into…
In moments of crisis, people often turn to negotiation. When trouble comes, we begin to bargain. “God, if You will help me out of this situation, then I will do this for You.” It is a very human instinct. We try to strike a deal with God, as though His mercy could be earned or His help secured by our promises. That instinct lies near the heart of the story before us in Book of Judges 10:6–12:7.…
Power can be a dangerous thing in the hands of the wrong person. When leadership becomes driven by ambition, insecurity, or selfish desire, it quickly turns destructive. History repeatedly shows that when leaders pursue their own glory rather than the good of the people they serve, communities suffer. Sadly, the same danger can appear among the people of God. Leadership that should protect and…
In a world where our prayers often shrink to the size of our problems, the apostle Paul stretches them to the size of God. In Ephesians 3:14–21, we overhear a prayer that refuses to settle for surface change. Paul is not content with improved circumstances, better moods, or minor adjustments in behavior. He prays for something far deeper—power in the inner being and love that surpasses knowledge.…
The pursuit of “more” can quietly entrap the heart, convincing us that just a little extra—money, success, status—will finally bring peace. Yet Scripture reminds us that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” True contentment is not having everything we want, but trusting the hands shaping our lives and resting in the peace we already have with God through Christ. The message contrasts the…
Success can be a dangerous season for God’s people, especially for those in leadership. The greatest threats often do not come in moments of fear or weakness, but after victory, when admiration grows and vigilance fades. Judges 8 confronts us with this uncomfortable truth. It shows how a God-appointed deliverer can slowly lose his way, not through open rebellion at first, but through subtle shifts…
When we think of heroes of faith, we often imagine bold confidence and fearless action. Gideon does not fit that picture at first glance. In Judges 6 and 7, we meet a man hiding from his enemies, doubting his own ability, and repeatedly asking God for reassurance. By human standards, Gideon appears weak and hesitant. Yet God chooses him to deliver Israel from the oppressive hand of the Midianites.…
Judges 4 reminds us that God delights to bring deliverance in ways that overturn human expectations and magnify His own glory. Israel once again finds itself oppressed because of disobedience, crushed under the power of a formidable enemy with iron chariots and a ruthless commander. Yet the Lord’s answer to this crisis is not a single heroic figure, but a surprising combination of servants whom He…
The book of Judges confronts us with a sobering cycle that repeats itself throughout Israel’s early history in the land. God’s people forget the Lord, turn to sin, and find themselves oppressed by enemies they cannot overcome on their own. Yet again and again, the Lord responds not with abandonment, but with faithfulness. Judges chapter 3 introduces us to two unlikely deliverers, Othniel and Ehud,…
Every generation faces the temptation to compromise. Small concessions often seem harmless, even practical, but Scripture shows how easily they can reshape a people’s hearts. In Judges 1 through 3, Israel stands at a critical moment. God had brought them into the land and commanded them to drive out the Canaanites completely. Instead of full obedience, they settled for partial victory. At first,…
This message speaks openly about seasons of illness, bereavement, and weakness, and about the reality of depression in our lives. Drawing from Scripture and personal encounters, Arthur speaks of clinical depression, and spiritual depression, which often arises from grief and prolonged trial. Throughout, he returns to the truth that God comforts His people in their affliction so that they may, in…
As one year closes and another opens before us, many of us feel a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. The calendar turns, but questions remain. What will 2026 hold for our families, our church, and our faith? In Joshua 1, God speaks into a moment very much like ours. Moses is gone. A new chapter has begun. The future feels weighty, and the responsibility before Joshua is enormous. Into that…
Many people talk about having a bucket list, a collection of experiences they hope to enjoy before life is over. Often those lists are filled with travel dreams, personal achievements, or unforgettable moments. In Luke 2, we meet a man whose deepest hope was far simpler and far greater. Simeon was not waiting for an adventure or an accomplishment. He was waiting for a promise. Scripture tells us…
The story of Christmas begins with an announcement, but not the kind we would expect. When God chose to make the birth of His Son known, He did not start in the halls of power or among the religious elite. Instead, His message broke into the quiet darkness of a field and reached a group of lowly shepherds. This unexpected choice tells us something important about the heart of God and the kind of…
Every year as we approach the Christmas season, we hear Mary’s name spoken with a sense of wonder. Yet her story is not only a Christmas story. It is a picture of what a humble heart looks like when it encounters the living God. Luke 1:28-55 invites us to stand beside Mary as she meets an angel, visits a relative, and lifts her voice in praise. Each moment reveals a young woman whose obedience…
Joseph is one of the quietest figures in the story of Jesus, yet his steady obedience speaks with remarkable strength. In Matthew 1:18-25 we meet a man whose world has been shaken. Mary is found to be with child and Joseph must choose between his own reputation and obedience to the message of God delivered by an angel. He chooses obedience and takes Mary as his wife. His silent trust shows faith…
When we open the Gospel of Matthew we are greeted not by a story but by a list of names. At first glance the genealogy in Matthew 1 may seem ordinary. Yet behind these names stand stories filled with the grace of God. Matthew does something surprising by including four women in a genealogy that usually focuses on men. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba appear as bright testimonies of God’s mercy…
Worshipping God with the ordinances begins with a simple yet profound truth. God has given baptism and communion as gifts that reveal His grace and call His people to respond with faith and devotion. These are not empty rituals. They are moments in which believers meet God through symbols that point to real salvation and real fellowship with Christ. Baptism is an act of worship because it declares…
Preaching is one of the most sacred moments in the life of the church because it brings God’s Word to God’s people. At its centre stands the Bible itself. Scripture is not ordinary speech. Instead, it is the living voice of the Lord who created us, saved us through Christ, and speaks to us by the Spirit. When the Bible is opened and read, God reveals His truth, convicts the heart, strengthens…
Money touches nearly every part of our lives. It can meet needs, provide comfort, and offer opportunities, yet it can also tempt our hearts toward greed, pride, or fear. Because of this, the way we handle money is never just a financial issue; it is a deeply spiritual one. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. When we give, save, spend, and steward our resources…
Prayer is one of the most powerful ways God’s people come together to worship Him. When believers unite their hearts in prayer, they demonstrate their shared faith, dependence, and love for the Lord. Throughout Scripture, God’s people gathered to seek His face together. The early church devoted themselves to prayer as one body, and God responded by filling them with His Spirit and guiding their…
Sunday morning’s message comes from Isaiah 61—the same passage Jesus used to announce His ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor and to bind up the brokenhearted.” The Hebrew word for “brokenhearted,” Leb Shabar, paints a vivid picture of something shattered or crushed to pieces. We all know what that feels like—through loss, guilt,…
Worship is far more than a moment in a service; it is a heartfelt response to who God is and what He has done. When the church gathers on a Sunday morning, worship through music is one of the most powerful ways we express that response together. Good worship is not about performance, style, or personal preference. It is about directing our hearts, minds, and voices toward God in reverence,…
Psalm 96 is a joyful invitation that resounds across the earth, calling every person, tribe, and nation to worship the Lord. It begins with the words, “Sing to the Lord a new song,” and continues by urging all creation to proclaim His glory among the nations. Worship in this Psalm is not confined to one people or one place. It is a universal summons to acknowledge the greatness, beauty, and…
Every person is created to worship. The question is not whether we worship, but whom and how we worship. In John 4:19-26, Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman at the well about one of the greatest questions of life: how do we truly worship God? She points to the age-old debate between Jews and Samaritans about the right place to worship, but Jesus lifts her eyes to a greater truth. True worship is…
Guest Speaker: John Brown Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 Bartimaeus was able to change a whole city for two very simple reasons: • he knew where he had been, • and he knew what Jesus had done to bring him from there "Power of One" —one man, one heartfelt cry, and one word from Christ resulting in complete change—culminating in Bartimaeus using his restored sight not to return to his former life, but to…
Worship is often thought of as something that happens in a church building on a Sunday morning. We sing, we pray, and we listen to God’s Word. All of that is truly worship, but it is only a small part of what God desires from His people. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul reminds us that worship is not confined to a place or a moment. Instead, worship is the offering of our entire lives to God. He calls us to…
Whether we realize it or not, every person on earth is a worshipper. Worship is not limited to Sunday mornings or religious gatherings. It is built into the fabric of our humanity. God created us to adore, to honour, to give our hearts to something greater than ourselves. The question is not if we worship, but what or whom we worship. Some lift their eyes to the living God who made heaven and…
Work is something every one of us knows well. From the time we are young, we are given chores, responsibilities, and tasks. As we grow older, the responsibilities increase with jobs, families, and the daily duties of life. Yet how we approach our work reveals much about our hearts. Are we diligent, faithful, and responsible? Or do we look for shortcuts, doing the bare minimum, hoping someone else…