Sermons by Rev. Leo Newell (Page 5)

Sermons by Rev. Leo Newell (Page 5)

Palm Sunday Madness

In this message delivered on Palm Sunday, as recorded in Luke 19: 28-40, Rev Leo looks at the absurdity of this ‘triumphal’ entry in Jerusalem. He notes that the absurdity of it all continues through to the resurrection.

Extravagant Devotion

Today Rev Leo focused on the story of the dinner party held in Jesus’ honour held at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha and invited us to consider whether we are like Judas or Mary. Mary had poured a jar of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet before wiping them with her hair. Judas chastised her for this ‘wasteful’ act. Read the story from John 12: 1-8.

Standing firm- no turning back

In this message we look at the incident recorded in Luke 13: 31-35, where Jesus is encouraged by some Pharisees to ‘get out of town’ because Herod apparently wanted to kill him. But Jesus stood firm, resolute, determined to do what he was ordained to do. What about us?

The first temptation of Christ

In this message we look at the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as it is recorded in Luke 4: 1-13. We consider how Jesus withstood the onslaught from the devil and are encouraged to apply the same principles when we are faced with the temptation to live a life other than the one the Lord has willed for us. The Youtube clip referred to in this message can be found here. The reference to the ACT decision to axe…

Holy Presence

This week’s message is about intimacy with God…those moments when we experience the presence of God in profound ways. The Gospel text is Luke 9: 28-36, the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Commissioned

Commissioned…every member a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The church gathered is also to be the church scattered. This message was prepared for the commissioning of the leadership team, but, having previously noted that every member is called to ministry, this message engages the whole church in considering their calling. The passage under-girding the message is Romans 12: 1-18.

The ministry of the church

In this message Rev Leo invites us to look at a new paradigm for the ministry of the church, to fully embrace the idea that all followers of Jesus are ministers and that the church needs to be better at affirming, celebrating and equipping the ‘church scattered’. The Scriptures that under-gird this are Ephesians 4: 1-16 and 1 Corinthians 14: 26.

God’s New Covenant with us.

In this message we consider God’s Covenant with us by first exploring the Covenant to Israel as expressed in Exodus 24: 3-11 and the connection of blood with both covenants.

Pursue love

There are different kinds of love but in 1 Corinthians 13 Paul is speaking about agape love and described what it is like and what it is not like. This kind of love is self-giving and self-sacrificing. It is the love of the Father as expressed in Jesus the Son. Imagine a church that truly practiced ‘agape’ love. That is the thrust of this week’s message.