Courtney Stewart's MHC Sermon emphasizes the importance of discipleship and its divine nature, encouraging individuals to respond to God's call on their lives, which involves becoming like Jesus, joining Him in his mission, and ministering to others. While nobody can be an apostle like the 12 chosen by Jesus, individuals can be appointed to different Godly roles, such as pastors or missionaries, and living according to Godly principles means standing out and suffering for one's beliefs. Jesus chose people with vastly different personalities to be his followers and co-workers, and discipleship involves being patient with oneself and others and being open to change and improvement. Ultimately, discipleship is not just about following Jesus but becoming like him and joining him in his mission.
In this sermon, David Pearson discusses the story of the Feeding of the 5000 from the Bible and its implications for selfless discipleship. He explains that while the story demonstrates Jesus' power to make much out of little, there is more to the story that is often overlooked. Pearson delves into three implications from the story: the signs from the scriptures, the selection of the savior, and the security of selfless service. He suggests that disciples should live a life of sacrificial service to others, just as Jesus did.
Barry Hall's sermon centers on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, where Paul emphasises the "Absurdity of the Cross." Paul explains that the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but is the power of God to those who are being saved. Barry highlights that Christianity is the only religion that declares that God died for us so that we might live, and every other religion views it as a symbol of weakness. The cross is difficult to comprehend because it contradicts the world's perception of strength and power. Barry encourages Christians not to be ashamed of the gospel and to focus on the message of the cross, which is the power of God unto salvation.
In his sermon, Pastor David Pearson emphasises the importance of faith in Jesus for being a true disciple, using examples from the gospel of Mark. He discusses the stories of Jairus, the woman with the issue of blood, and the disciples' lack of understanding despite witnessing Jesus' miracles. Pearson encourages listeners to put aside difficult allegiances to fully trust in Jesus, to have faith that overcomes shame and prejudice, and to look for hidden details in the Bible for a deeper understanding of its message. He offers hope and redemption, reminding the congregation of Jesus' unconditional love and grace and encouraging them to respond earnestly to His call.
Shane Scott begins his sermon by discussing the importance of submitting to authority, both in government and in one's personal life. He argues that the reason authority is often challenged is because people fail to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ. Scott highlights the importance of humility and meekness, drawing from the National Anthem’s call to humble leadership. He also addresses the issue of spiritual warfare and emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking wisdom from God. Scott challenges his listeners to take action and make a positive impact in their community, reminding them of their talents, influence, and time which should be used for the betterment of Christ's Kingdom. Overall, the sermon encourages humility, prayer, and taking action to make a positive impact.
John Roomes addresses the disparity between what Christ calls believers to do versus what they actually do. This disobedience in response to the great commission is due to a lack of making God's word central to one's faith. Roomes emphasizes the importance of missions and making disciples, which should be a mission for all believers. He lists obligations and fears that hinder fulfilling this mission and reminds listeners of the power and resources available to them. Roomes encourages a missional vision with five finish lines, centered on prayer, evangelism, justice, discipleship, and creating a body of Christ for all believers. Finally, Roomes challenges listeners to show their commitment to the mission of God as a true act of worship to Jesus.
Charles Royes presented on the theme "Stand Steady and Giddy Up!" and contrasted being steadfast and immovable in faith, hope, and love, with giving oneself fully to the work of the Lord. He emphasized the importance of repentance as an ongoing maintenance of our love relationship with Christ, using the analogy of marriage. He also warned against forgetting the romance in the act of "real marriage/housekeeping" and concluded with a challenge to open the door to an ongoing fresh experience of first love fellowship with Christ.
The speaker, Pastor David Pearson, discusses the three tasks of Jesus on behalf of humanity for salvation: extending forgiveness, exposing sinfulness, and effecting wholeness. Jesus demonstrated his authority and offered hope to his audience by forgiving the sins of a man who sought healing. Pearson contrasts the faith of the healed man with the criticism of religious leaders and warns against comparing ourselves with others to feel superior. Finally, Pearson explains that agreeing with Jesus leads to wholeness and highlights the danger of seeking wholeness through ourselves.
Michael Harty discusses the message in 1 John 4:1-17 and how it relates to the idea of true love. He emphasizes that understanding who Jesus Christ is crucial to understanding true love, which comes from God. True love is revealed in our actions towards others and requires growth and development. The speaker stresses the importance of being fully loyal to God and living a life of love, as this is the distinguishing feature of a Christian.
Roderick Simon discusses the story of the Rich Fool from Luke 12:13-15. He explores how the problem of wealth affects both the rich and the poor, arguing that society values material possessions as a measure of blessing, similar to the philosophy of the Rich Fool. Simon advocates for a shift in this philosophy towards investing in treasures in heaven, and he shares his personal journey in adopting this philosophy. He stresses the importance of passing on this value system to younger generations and challenges the audience to seek better circumstances by laying up treasures in heaven. Throughout the sermon, Simon draws on biblical references, personal anecdotes, and examples from popular culture to support his message.