St Stephen's Normanhurst - Complete in Christ

The wrath of God

johnlivo — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:53:32 +0000

The wrath of God is one that confuses us a little. When we read of the true nature of humanity in the second half of Romans chapter one we think that God will bring fury and great anger. Instead we read that God gives us over to the things that we want to do. In vs. 24, 26 and 28 we read the words that because of sin, God gave them up to these sins. Instead of going straight to the sins of other people think about yourself in this list. Romans tells us that God gave them up to lust, impurity, lies about God, unnatural sexual relationships, evil, covetousness, malice, murder, strife, deceit, gossiping, slander. This made them haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. It is quite a list that goes at the heart of what we are really like and expresses why we all need Jesus so much for the forgiveness of our sins. God’s grace is truly amazing. Colin Watson

Romans Sermon Series

johnlivo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 06:14:35 +0000

Paul’s letter to the Romans is one that speaks of the judgement of God and the salvation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. This letter is of vital importance to us in understanding our standing before God when we place our trust in Jesus. The two verses that are key in Chapter one are vs.16-17 which say: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Please read this great section of the Bible and contemplate your standing before God and the salvation that is offered through faith in Jesus.

Colin Watson

Heaven Can’t Wait

johnlivo — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:36:54 +0000

This week’s (16^th April 2012) TIME magazine has a story “Heaven Can’t Wait”. The writer raises the question of ‘where is heaven’ and quotes the American Christian author John Blanchard, of Rock Church International, Virginia Beach as saying “Heaven isn’t just a place you go – heaven is how you live your life”. Angels and harps are all well and good, such Christians believe, but fighting HIV/AIDS is more urgent, according to TIME magazine.

How fortunate we are to enjoy the biblical heritage of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. The bible teaching on Jesus’ ascension, session to the Father’s right hand, and the promise of his return in judgment, is clearly defined throughout the New Testament; it finds expression in the ancient Christian creeds, and is re-stated in the fourth of the Thirty Nine Articles of Religion.

Of course statements of theology are or little value, unless they motivate us to godly living. You and I would do well to reflect on the imminent return of Jesus the Son of God, and reform our behavior to accord with His commands, in our daily life.

In Jesus Name…

Barry George

Easter 2012

johnlivo — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:32:35 +0000

This weekend we celebrate God’s amazing intervention into our world as Jesus dies on a cross to take the punishment for our sins so that we may become forgiven people reconciled with God. When we trust in Jesus and his death we move from being alienated from God to becoming one of his people and assured of eternal life. God showed his power by raising Jesus from the grave and therefore showing the world that his resurrection guarantees our own resurrection to eternal life as we trust in Jesus. The single most important question we need to answer is: Do we trust in what Jesus has done for us for our eternal life? If the answer is yes then we gather to celebrate God’s amazing love towards us. If the answer is No, then we need to turn to Jesus and give our lives to him and trust in his death and resurrection and not in ourselves. Jesus has done everything that is needed for us to have peace with God. Colin Watson

Easter Services 2012

Ruth — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:47:10 +0000

You are invited to share with us this Easter.

Good Friday, 6th April.

8am Holy Communion – Rev Colin Watson

10am Holy Communion – Rev Colin Watson

Easter Sunday, 8th April.

8am Holy Communion – Rev Colin Watson

10am Family Easter Service – Rev Colin Watson

5pm Family Easter Service- Rev Scott Lovell

7pm Young Adults Easter Service – Rev Scott Lovell

Palm Sunday

johnlivo — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:22:34 +0000

We celebrate Palm Sunday where we remember Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a colt with a great number of people calling out praises to God and waving palm branches. It is a fitting celebration for the arrival of the Messiah, the Son of God entering Jerusalem. Unfortunately this excitement was soon to be replaced by people calling for the execution of Jesus and for him to be hung on a cross. Of course Jesus knew why he was going to Jerusalem. It was to die. He told his disciples this before they got there but they didn’t understand. People today often don’t understand the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. Easter is a good time to invite a friend or family member to an Easter service to help them see that the death of Jesus was for a purpose. It was to bring us peace with God through him paying the penalty for our sin. Please pray that this Easter would be a time of reflection understanding the true reason for Jesus’ death on the cross.

Colin Watson

The Rich Ruler

johnlivo — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 06:51:00 +0000

The Rich Ruler in Luke 18:18-30 seems to me as a likable sort of fellow. I get the sense that his motives were sincere as he approached Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. He had meticulously observed the law but evidently had found no assurance of eternal life. He was willing to do what extra needed to be done to clinch the deal but he was mistaken in believing that he had the inner power to do whatever was required. Jesus told him to leave his dependence on himself and his wealth and sell it all and give it to the poor and follow him. The man went away sad because the choice was too hard to follow through with. With prosperity comes great danger. Our attitude to wealth may determine the spiritual health of ourselves and those we love. May we reflect on what we are prepared to give up to follow Jesus so that nothing may hinder our relationship with him. We cannot do these things by ourselves but only with God’s help.

Colin Watson

Mother’s Union celebrates 50 years at St Stephens

johnlivo — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:19:48 +0000

MU or Mother’s Union as it is better known has been operating for 50 years at St Stephen’s. This is a great milestone to be celebrating today and we are pleased that our MU group is a thriving, active group of women whose aim it is to Share Christ’s love by encouraging, strengthening and supporting marriage and family life. MU began in the UK in 1876 and now has over 3.7 million members around the world in 78 countries and it is proudly Christ-centred and prayer-based. MU Australia funds various activities both in Australia and overseas to help those less fortunate and vulnerable in our society. The women at St Stephen’s are always keen to help whenever necessary and I thank them that I can always rely on their help in times of need such as when a funeral is held here. Please continue to pray for MU across the world that their commitment to supporting marriages and family life will never waiver. Colin Watson

Repentance, faith and God’s love

Ruth — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:09:48 +0000

Luke 15 is a great chapter of the Bible where Jesus speaks about repentance, faith and God’s love. The first thing we need to acknowledge before we get to the rejoicing in heaven is that we are sinners who need to repent. That can be the difficult part as we can dismiss our sinful behaviour and our failure to acknowledge God and just want the heaven part of the equation. But Luke 15:7 says that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. The Bible states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God so we all need to repent, confess our sins and turn back to God. When we do that and trust in Christ then God freely accepts us, forgives and guarantees us Eternal Life. It is a good deal that requires us to repent and turn back to God. The rewards are massive though when we do it.

Youth Groups in 2012

Ruth — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:33:33 +0000

Come and join us on Friday night for Youth groups when they begin on 10 February 2012.

Fixes meets at 6.30-8pm for those in year 5 & 6.

Impact meets at 7-9pm for those in year 7-12.

See you there.