SLE Church Sermons

From individual stories of gentile conversion to an entire church filled with gentiles, Luke continues to show us how the gospel of Jesus impacts anyone who would hear and receive it with faith and trust. ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-there-are-no-second-class-spirit-filled-believers/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

We discriminate in many ways, even when it comes to whom we think the gospel is for. But God shows no favouritism; His gospel is for everyone. In our passage today, we will see that ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-the-gospel-is-for-everyone/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The book of Acts contains some very well-known and equally lesser-known stories. Simon the ‘Magician’ and the Ethiopian Eunuch’s stories are probably not high on our most-read list but they offer crucial answers to a ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-the-wrong-and-right-responses-to-the-gospel/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

They say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. As we’ll see in this week’s passage, Jewish opposition to Stephen is ultimately opposition to Jesus, which is so typical of their long history of ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-the-spirit-filled-martyr-who-advances-the-mission/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

What’s so bad about having no fear? It depends on what you’re fearing. There’s some things that we should take deadly seriously. Acts 4:32–5:42 shows 2 groups of people who don’t fear God and therefore ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-a-deadly-lack-of-fear/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

In Jesus’ life, He performed great works, but promised His disciples that they will do “greater works”. The key to these “greater works” was the return of Jesus to the Father and the sending of ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-spirit-filled-to-continue-the-work-of-christ/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The disciples were told to wait. While they waited they prayed and held a seemingly insignificant election. Then, 50 days after Jesus rose from the grave, their world’s turned upside-down and the gospel they believed ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-the-gospel-goes-viral/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Any group led by a strong leader with charisma faces huge challenges when that leader is no longer in the picture. So, how will the fledgling church survive when Jesus steps out of the physical ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-gospel-in-motion-the-calm-before-the-storm/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

We finish off this short sermon series in these foundational chapters of the Bible and of human history with one more picture of the human condition. Humanity’s sin is given expression as they unite in ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/in-the-beginning-cursed-and-blessed-unity/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Sin’s escalation comes to a peak in the time of Noah. Great sin results in great judgement, yet God graciously remains committed to His creation. Sadly, the dreadful human condition has remained the same after ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/in-the-beginning-creation-reset/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

We grieve as we see human sin’s ongoing and downward spiral is revealed in murder, violenceand death, marvel at moments of grace, are warned about the paths of sin, and yearn for somerelief to this ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/in-the-beginning-man-and-the-wilderness-of-sin/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

War between nations, war in our relationships, the daily struggles of work and life, the internal struggles of fear and shame, the slowing of our bodies in age, death and decay. We see it all ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/in-the-beginning-being-untruly-human/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The empty grave means Jesus is alive: this bears great personal and eternal significance for each one of us and for the world. In a world under the dark cloud of death, Jesus is the ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/the-meaning-of-the-empty-grave/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Who am I? Why am I here? All people, in all times, have sought to find answers to these questions of identity, significance, and meaning. Where do we go looking for answers? How have traditional ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/in-the-beginning-being-truly-human/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The one true God creates a good world powerfully by his words in an orderly way. We read and celebrate the creator who also creates humanity personally with the ultimate goal of rest with him.

The Bible opens with a picture of paradise; it closes with an even greater picture of paradise. Our longings for life that is full and whole, filled with blessing and goodness will be fulfilled if ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-blessed-life-in-the-garden-city/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

“What is heaven like?” At some point we all ask this, and parents know what it’s like to try and fumble an answer when your very young child pops that question! So, how would you ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-the-arrival-of-the-new-city/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

For those not familiar with watching sports on TV, what tends to happen during a highlight is you’ll see a number of replays of the action from up-close. Multiple angles of the same highlight giving ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-the-final-judgment/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Revelation 18 gave us the perspective of earth, seeing the Prostitute, the great city of Babylon fallen, seeing the lovers of the Prostitute in mournful lament. Revelation 19 gives us the perspective of heaven. The ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-join-the-praise-of-heaven/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Back in Revelation 17, John, the author of this book, the one who was given these visions, is shown the judgement of Babylon that is to come. And now here in chapter 18, John is ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-babylon-is-fallen/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Ultimately, the solution to the seductive and threatening power of evil is not to take up arms against it but to resist it by delighting in the God who has broken the power of evil ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/to-the-one-who-conquers-in-this-corner-the-deception-of-evil-vs-the-power-of-god/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

In last week’s passage (Luke 21:5-24), Jesus began a conversation with His disciples about the end of the world, the day of judgement, the coming of God’s Kingdom in full. The end began with the ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/jesus-verdict-on-the-world-the-worlds-sentence/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The prediction of the temple’s destruction triggers questions about the end of all things, the final judgement of God. Disciples of Jesus must know what are NOT signs and how to respond to them, and ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/jesus-verdict-on-the-world-jerusalems-sentence/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Jesus, having navigated the traps set against him, now goes on the attack. Jesus calls out and condemns the corrupt religion and leadership of Israel. He warns the crowds and all future people of God ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/jesus-verdict-on-the-world-verdict-on-corrupt-religion/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Many people put questions to Jesus. However, they are not seeking answers. They think they have Jesus where they want him. But Jesus cannot be tamed. He asks back, “Do you know who you are ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/jesus-verdict-on-the-world-the-verdict-of-the-proud/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Jesus, humble king who brings peace, enters into Jerusalem and into the temple. He is shown to be the cornerstone, the very determiner of life and peace, yet he is rejected by the Jewish leaders. ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/jesus-verdict-on-the-world-authority-rejected/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Jesus makes his final approach to Jerusalem. The King has arrived, in full control, in fulfilment of the prophesied Christ, but strangely, in humility. It is divine power combined with humility that wins glorious peace ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-the-arrival-of-the-king/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The New Year has come and it’s time to take stock. How did 2021 go for you? How did your investments go – the investments into your studies, your work, even your own financial portfolio? ... <a href="https://sle.church/2022/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-the-return-of-the-king/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Zacchaeus sought to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but faith brings him much more. In a surprising twist, he finds that he has been the one sought after. This is a man who characterizes the ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-whos-seeking-who/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

In life we wait for many things, ranging from the trivial to tremendously important. There is great relief and joy when what we wait for arrives, but yet there always remains a sense that there’s ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/waiting-for-salvation/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Sometimes it’s hard to see properly in this dark and troubled world. It’s hard to find true hope and to look forward to the future with any certainty of things being better than today. We ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-hope-has-come-seeing-jesus/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The Kingdom of God is surprisingly upside down. Who gets in? Those who have nothing to give: little children. Who is left out? Those who have so much: the rich and powerful. Why? Because Jesus’ ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-kingdom-entry/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Who will stand justified before God? Who will stand with the King when he returns and brings us into the eternal Kingdom? It will not be the self-righteous who stand proudly on their own merits, ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-who-is-justified/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

It’s been almost 2000 years since King Jesus lived on earth and then ascended back to heaven. It may cause believers to question why He hasn’t returned, lead believers to stop praying in faith and ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-faithful-hope-in-the-king/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

It happened again. Another Christian “prophet” predicting the return of Jesus at a certain date… and another “prophecy” coming, going, and failing. With more and more craziness happening around us the temptation for believers is ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-the-coming-kingdom/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

As Jesus enters into the final ‘movement’ towards Jerusalem, the focus sharpens on the Kingdom of God and the King of the Kingdom. Jesus is the King that has brought in the Kingdom of God ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/seeing-the-king-and-his-kingdom-faith-in-the-king/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The dragon flexes his muscles in Revelation 12 and unleashes two beasts forming an unholy trinity to devour and destroy believers in Revelation 13. As we turn the page to Revelation 14 we will see ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/to-the-one-who-conquers-the-saved-and-the-judged/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Satan, the defeated dragon has been cast down to earth, unable to destroy the church, yet he remains dangerous, seeking to do as much damage as he can. Satan raises up two beasts in this ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/to-the-one-who-conquers-the-two-beasts/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Ever since the resurrection and ascension of Jesus the church has faced persecution and Christians have lost their lives simply because they chose to follow Christ. Blood continues to be spilt even to this day, ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/to-the-one-who-conquers-war-of-the-dragon/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The Book of Ezekiel seeks to reveal the LORD God to us in judgement and in hope. In the final vision of Ezekiel (chapters 40-48), we are given one last and very great revelation of ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-hope-for-all/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Israel’s (and humanity’s) hope lies in the LORD Himself who acts to vindicate His holy name, who acts by giving new life through His very own Spirit. Nothing short of re-creation is needed for new ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-hope-for-israel-part-2/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Finally! Finally, we get to the great ‘hope’ we’ve been longing to hear in the second ‘half’ of Ezekiel’s book. This section of hope kicks off with the reversal of Israel’s bad leadership that has ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-hope-for-israel/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Chapter 33 brings to the end the first half of Ezekiel which has the singular point of revealing God’s judgement, which will fall upon both Israel and all the nations. At the centre of this ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-the-fall-of-jerusalem/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

After weeks of judgement messages upon Israel for her well-deserved sins, God gave them the final word last week. Babylon had now surrounded Jerusalem; their judgement had arrived. With these words, God’s focus moves. From ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-judgement-on-the-nations/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Over the past 20 chapters of Ezekiel the warning of judgement to come has rung out again and again. Well, the end has now begun. Nebuchadnezzar has marched his forces to Jerusalem to begin his ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-the-weighty-arrival-of-judgement/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Many of us proclaim that Jesus is Lord and Saviour – but in our heart of hearts do we actually trust something else to give us security in life? Have we made an alliance in ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-false-hope-and-true-hope/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

One commentator writes: “No one presses the margins of literary propriety as severely as Ezekiel (does in chapter 16).” It’s a shocking chapter telling the shocking story of Israel’s treatment of God couched in the ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-abhorrent-whoring-amazing-grace/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

The remnant in exile is to be clear on the reasons and the tragedy of the LORD’s judgement, so that they would commit themselves to being faithful to the LORD, rejecting idolatry, longing for the ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-judgement-against-jerusalem/" class="more-link">Read More</a>

Last week we saw that God’s patience had run out. Ezekiel was being commissioned as prophet of doom and gloom. Well, that doom and gloom is here. And it is perhaps more worse and more ... <a href="https://sle.church/2021/that-we-might-know-the-lord-in-judgement-and-hope-wrath-against-jerusalem/" class="more-link">Read More</a>