JAMES: A FAITH THAT WORKS OVERVIEW Can we truly believe something yet have it change nothing about how we live? Can we follow Jesus yet be no different to the world around us? These questions are as important today as they were when James was writing to fellow believers in the early church. Today, Chris Danes will be unpacking some of James’ most c…

JAMES: A FAITH THAT WORKS OVERVIEW Sometimes things are just plain hard. James knew that followers of Jesus would face all sorts of trials and challenges in life, and so he shared some words to strengthen and guide them when they did. Join us as Mike Riddell helps us discover how James’ words of wisdom can help us when we face our own trials in lif…

STAND ALONE MESSAGES OVERVIEW Join us this week for a special one-off message from Andrew Bawden! SERMON SERIES — SCRIPTURE Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:34; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Colossians 3:15; Psalms 51:1; Matthew 6:21; Proverbs 27:19; Proverbs 4:23; Hebrews 10:22-25; Psalms 84:10-12; Colossians 3:16; Romans 12:12; Psalms 119:105; Psalms 86:11; 1 John …

STAND ALONE MESSAGES OVERVIEW Join us as we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Syndal Baptist Church. It will be a great chance to look back at where we’ve been, where we are now and where we are heading with Jesus. This special celebration will be taking place at Crossway Baptist Church in Burwood at 4pm, where we will be able to gather as one chur…

PURPOSEFUL OVERVIEW Sometimes we’re so fixated on the urgent things demanding our attention, that we lose sight of where we’re heading…or where we thought we were heading. Sometimes our sense of purpose can get lost in the busyness of now. So where are we heading? Where do we want our lives to be heading? And where might Jesus want to take us? In t…

PURPOSEFUL OVERVIEW Each new day is filled with countless decisions, interactions and opportunities. What are we doing with them? How do we make them count for something? What might Jesus see when he looks at our everyday lives? In this message, Bill Brown will explore what it means to make the most of now as we seek to live lives of purpose. SERMO…

PURPOSEFUL OVERVIEW When we look back over our lives, we can find all sorts of things. Sometimes we see beauty, sometimes we see ugliness, and sometimes it feels like we can’t see anything particularly special at all. But what might God see in our past? What might he be able to do with our experiences? What might he have already been doing that we …

YOU LOST ME AT LEVITICUS OVERVIEW At the centre of the Book of Leviticus is a practice which was central to the people God was establishing after the exodus from Egypt – Atonement. What was it all about and why was it so important? In this final week of ‘You lost me at Leviticus’, Micah Evans will help us uncover it’s significance and why it not on…

YOU LOST ME AT LEVITICUS OVERVIEW In our culture, the word ‘purity’ has some interesting, and often unhelpful, connotations. But what did it mean to God’s people as he instructed them in how they would live and interact with him in the new nation he was building? Thousands of years later, in our culture, what has changed about God’s views on purity…

YOU LOST ME AT LEVITICUS OVERVIEW In every business, organisation, community and family, people play different roles and have different responsibilities. When God was establishing his people after their exodus from Egypt, he appointed certain people to a very specific role – the role of priests. Why were they needed? How were they chosen? And this …

YOU LOST ME AT LEVITICUS OVERVIEW When you open up the Book of Leviticus, you only get two verses in before you encounter the first teaching about animal sacrifice. At this point, many readers decide to skip this book and move onto something a little less intense and a little less confusing. But even though Jesus has changed the picture for us, wha…

BUT WHY? OVERVIEW Isn’t it a bit weird to meet with a group of people regularly to read the Bible together? Is it really necessary? After all, we can read the Bible alone. We can pray by ourselves. We have plenty of commitments and people in our life already… surely God wouldn’t want us to add more? This week, Mandy Stark will help us think through…

BUT WHY? OVERVIEW You’ve got to admit…getting dunked in a bathtub of water in front of a crowd of people is a little weird. So why do it? You can follow Jesus without getting Baptised, so what’s the point? Isn’t it just an unnecessary tradition that’s no longer relevant? This Sunday, Chris Danes will help us better understand the ancient practice o…

BUT WHY? OVERVIEW We can attend church every Sunday without becoming an ‘official’ church member…so why do people do it? Why would you bother? Doesn’t the whole ‘membership’ thing just make church seem more exclusive rather than inclusive? This Sunday, Jonathan Stark will explore church membership – what it is, why it’s often misunderstood, and why…

BUT WHY? OVERVIEW There are plenty of things demanding our time and attention – work, chores, family, health, team commitments… so why would we add something else into the mix? Why would we voluntarily give up a couple of hours a week or month to serve at or through our church? There are plenty of others who can help… surely, we aren’t needed? This…

STAND ALONE MESSAGES OVERVIEW This Sunday we are joined by special guest Karl Faase, who works with Olive Tree Media to create resources that help communicate the good news about Jesus and grow people's relationship with him. In this one-off message, Karl will be sharing stories of faith from right here in Australia to encourage and challenge us. S…

TO BE CONTINUED OVERVIEW The young church of Thessalonica were doing their best to follow Jesus in the face of some great challenges and trials. So what advice did Paul give them for the road ahead? What words of wisdom did he offer to guide them in who they were called to be as Jesus’ Church? In this final week of our series, Chris Danes will expl…

TO BE CONTINUED OVERVIEW At some point, we all wrestle with death. Death is the looming end to every story. And that raises a lot of questions. It certainly did for the church in Thessalonica. This week, Fi Brown will help unpack Paul’s words to this young church as they wrestled with questions of death and of what hope there was for the future. SE…

TO BE CONTINUED OVERVIEW When Paul wrote to the young church of Thessalonica, he encouraged them for how they were living, and gave some advice on how to continue living well. What did he teach them and why did it matter? What difference would it make then and what difference could it still make today? This week, Mandy Stark will help us better und…

TO BE CONTINUED OVERVIEW Many people around the world and throughout history have made a decision to follow Jesus at some point. But what happened next? How did the story continue? In this first week of our new sermon series, we learn about a group of people who decided to follow Jesus…and then did exactly that, even in the face of incredible adver…

LET GO OVERVIEW In our society, money and ‘stuff’ remain some of the most common and tangible methods to measure a life. It’s so interwoven in our culture, many of us don’t even realise how deeply that perspective is woven into us. We don’t realise how tight our grip is on the money in our bank accounts and the items which fill our homes. The thoug…

LET GO OVERVIEW When we’re children, we’re often asked what we want to be when we grow up. We’re encouraged to dream of where life might take us. But as life we might find that life doesn’t take us where we hoped. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes we find ourselves disappointed and disillusioned, maybe even angry at God for leading us do…

LET GO OVERVIEW There are many things in life which leave a mark. These marks aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they are there under the surface. Reminders of pain, betrayal, disappointment, failure and loss. How would someone let go of these things, even if they wanted to? And what if you don’t want to? This week, Bill Brown will help us better…

LET GO OVERVIEW One of the things many of us clutch most tightly to is a sense of control. It can express itself in a multitude of ways, yet does it ever really deliver on its promise? Join us as Mike Riddell kicks off our sermon series, Let Go, by exploring the lure of control and why letting it go could be the best thing we ever do. SERMON SERIES…

STAND ALONE MESSAGES OVERVIEW After Jesus rose from the grave at Easter but before he ascended to heaven, Jesus gave his followers instructions to carry the good news about him into the world. But before they were to leave, he wanted them to wait for a gift from heaven that would empower them for the journey ahead. That gift was the Holy Spirit. On…

LITTLE LETTERS OVERVIEW The letter of 2 John only has 13 verses, but those 13 verses hold some really important and valuable warnings and encouragements that still speak to us today. In this final week of our ‘Little Letters’ series, Bill Brown will help us better understand the significance of this tiny-but-mighty piece of writing. SERMON SERIES ‘…

LITTLE LETTERS OVERVIEW If you’ve ever read the 25 verses that make up Jude’s letter in the New Testament, it would be unsurprising if you have some questions. This little letter packs a punch and it references some things which can be pretty confusing to our modern eyes and ears. Yet this letter is included in the biblical canon for a reason, and …

LITTLE LETTERS OVERVIEW What are we to make of the 25 verses that comprise Paul’s letter to Philemon? Focusing on a very specific situation between a church and an ex-slave named Onesimus, what is the relevance for us today? What does God want us to learn from this exchange? Join us as Micah Evans explores this little letter and helps us explore th…

THE HOPE WE HAVE OVERVIEW How do you put into words something as big and important as your faith in Jesus? How do you tell someone the difference he has made in your life? How do you answer questions about him which are sometimes so tricky and complex? Sometimes putting our hope into words can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it may be one of …

THE HOPE WE HAVE OVERVIEW How can hope change a person? How does it impact the way we live? How does it impact those around us? Could hope be contagious? If so…. how? Join us this week as Jonathan Stark explores hope as the greatest gift we can both receive and share. SERMON SERIES ‘The Hope We Have’ Series (Week 2/3) SCRIPTURE…

THE HOPE WE HAVE OVERVIEW What is ‘the Christian hope?’ When we see stories of war, famine, climate change and evil…how does that hope hold up? When we face tragedy, pain, disappointment and grief in our own lives, does that hope make a difference? Join us as Kim Smith helps remind us of the hope we have, and explores how we can allow that hope to …

EASTER 2024 OVERVIEW After sombre reflection on the events of Good Friday, we celebrate with joy the hope of resurrection which Easter Sunday represents. Join us this Sunday as we again turn our attention to Jesus and what he accomplished, as we celebrate baptisms and enjoy food and drink together after our morning services. SERMON SERIES ‘Easter 2…

EASTER 2024 OVERVIEW The events of Good Friday are dark and brutal, yet we remember them every year at Easter because they are absolutely central to our faith in Jesus and the hope he brings. Join us this Good Friday as we remember Jesus' death on a cross, endured for our sake. SERMON SERIES ‘Easter 2024’ Series (Part 3/4) SCRIPTURE…

EASTER 2024 OVERVIEW As we approach Easter, Tim Dyer will be helping us reflect on the events and significance of Palm Sunday - where Jesus made his entrance into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. SERMON SERIES ‘Easter 2024’ Series (Week 1/4) SCRIPTURE Luke 29:28-44; Matthew 21:10Kirjoittanut Tim Dyer

THE BEAUTY OF THE BIBLE OVERVIEW In increasing measure, our society is embracing the idea that people should live in the way which makes most sense to them. The common belief is that people should ‘follow their hearts’. After all, people’s hearts couldn’t possibly lead them wrong…right? So, the concept of a book which professes to hold the truth, a…

THE BEAUTY OF THE BIBLE OVERVIEW If we’re honest, there are some passages in the Bible that it’s really hard to know how to handle. They seem so at odds with what we expect of God. Or they are so contrary to current views that we’re not sure how they could possibly be good or helpful. In today’s message, Dave C will be helping us better understand …

THE BEAUTY OF THE BIBLE OVERVIEW Many people are more than happy to respect, and even follow, Jesus. After all – he’s a figure of love, wisdom, and acceptance. But while people are often happy to accept Jesus, they’re less comfortable accepting the Bible. After all, the Bible is ancient. Many of its teachings seem out of touch at best, and offensiv…

FIRST LOVE OVERVIEW In a culture of fast food, fast fashion and constantly changing technology, it can be easy for everything to feel temporary. It can be easy to live our lives that way too – never really committing to anything since everything is bound to change. But is that the way of Jesus? In a world where nothing seems to last, how do we buil…

FIRST LOVE OVERVIEW Sometimes our walk with Jesus can feel so personal that it seems easier to just do it by ourselves. After all, if we’re walking with Jesus, he’s all we need…right? Adding other people into the mix just makes things harder, doesn’t it? Join us this week as Chris Danes helps us explore why that way of thinking is so common these d…

FIRST LOVE OVERVIEW We often talk about following Jesus, but what does that actually look like? How do you follow someone you can’t see? How do we listen to someone we struggle to hear their voice? Join us this week as Chris Danes helps us think through how we might better get to know the one we have chosen to follow. SERMON SERIES ‘First Love’ Ser…

FIRST LOVE OVERVIEW Why did you first choose to follow Jesus? When was the last time you thought about it? Have your reasons for following him changed in the time since? Are you still convinced that he is worth following? Join us this week as Chris Danes helps us consider the power of remembering our First Love for Jesus. SERMON SERIES ‘First Love’…

HE SAID WHAT?! OVERVIEW We’re all doing our best to navigate our way through life. It’s rarely an easy road for anyone. So how do we know if we’re on the right path? What does it look like? What if there aren’t right or wrong paths – are we all just meant to do what makes sense to us? Jesus spoke about the importance of the roads we follow and the …

HE SAID WHAT?! OVERVIEW It’s easy enough to love the people who we know and like, but the call to love our enemies is much trickier. How do we love people who have actively worked against us or caused us harm? If we don’t feel like we have enemies, what does this teaching have to say about the type of love we’re called to? This week we’ll be hearin…

HE SAID WHAT?! OVERVIEW Sometimes it can be hard to believe that God can or will provide what we need when we need it most. So, we make other plans and do our best to problem solve our way around it. But what if we’re missing out on a golden opportunity to see God do his best work? Join us this Sunday as we look at a time when Jesus revealed what G…

STAND ALONE MESSAGES OVERVIEW What do we do in those moment where we just don't know what to do? We all have them - and we each respond differently. Join us today as our special guest, Kim Smith, explores what we can learn from one such moment in the Bible. SCRIPTURE 2 Chronicles 20Kirjoittanut Kim Smith

HE SAID WHAT?! OVERVIEW In a world which promises a lot but often delivers very little, we can often be sceptical about people who make big promises about things that will really satisfy. But a long time ago, during a casual conversation by a well, Jesus did just that. This New Year’s Eve, join us for our online-only service as Mike helps us farewe…

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS OVERVIEW Join us for our special Christmas Eve service as we celebrate Jesus together through carols, prayer, content for kids, and a message from our Senior Pastor, Chris Danes. This service is identical to our English Christmas Day service. This service will be held in our West Auditorium (upstairs, closest to Blackburn R…

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS OVERVIEW The service will involve some much-loved carols, content for kids and a message of hope from our Senior Pastor, Chris Danes. SERMON SERIES ‘All I Want for Christmas’ Series (Week 2/4) SCRIPTUREKirjoittanut Chris Danes

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS OVERVIEW With Christmas just around the corner, we can easily get swept up in shopping, meal prep and plans to celebrate – which are all great things! But have we taken a moment to ask God what he wants to do this Christmas? How might he want to use us to make an impact as we celebrate? Join us for this one-off message from…

JEREMIAH OVERVIEW If God loves us and wants the best for us, then surely that means we want the same things as him…right? But what if God’s idea of what’s best for us actually seems to us like the worst possible option? What is God’s big plan for us anyway? Join us this week as Mike Riddell concludes our series in Jeremiah by examining what God’s e…