Alex Bainton
God is on the Throne
There’s an expression, “The big picture”. We might say of someone, ‘he is a big picture person’, or ‘she’s got a big picture of this’. In other words, he/she’s got a big view of things. A C.E.O might have a big picture; a P.M. or Premier might have a big picture. Read more
There’s an expression, “The big picture”. We might say of someone, ‘he is a big picture person’, or ‘she’s got a big picture of this’. In other words, he/she’s got a big view of things. A C.E.O might have a big picture; a P.M. or Premier might have a big picture. Read more
I go to prepare a place.
Heart trouble is a common problem, perhaps indicated by the number of by-pass and stent operations. But there’s another type of heart trouble too - the sort of heart trouble that we hear about in today’s reading in John. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” And so, his disciples had troubled hearts. Read more
Heart trouble is a common problem, perhaps indicated by the number of by-pass and stent operations. But there’s another type of heart trouble too - the sort of heart trouble that we hear about in today’s reading in John. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” And so, his disciples had troubled hearts. Read more
A well known Text
Some Bible texts are well-known and liked by many Christians. This may be because they go to the heart of the Christian faith, encourage us, and express profound truths simply. Maybe one such text is given to us in today’s bible reading. I’m referring of course to John 3:l6. Let me requote it, using the King James translation, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Read more
Some Bible texts are well-known and liked by many Christians. This may be because they go to the heart of the Christian faith, encourage us, and express profound truths simply. Maybe one such text is given to us in today’s bible reading. I’m referring of course to John 3:l6. Let me requote it, using the King James translation, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Read more
The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of Jesus I don’t know whether you have ever climbed a high mountain or had a ‘mountain top’ experience? I once climbed up St Mary’s Peak at Wilpena Pound with our son Tim, and we enjoyed a breath-taking view of the Pound and Flinders’ Ranges. And last month when Cheryl and I were at the Flinders for a few days we climbed up to ‘Alison’s Saddle’ at Rawnsley Park Station and had a great view of the valley and distant ranges and Rawnsley Bluff. Read more
The Transfiguration of Jesus I don’t know whether you have ever climbed a high mountain or had a ‘mountain top’ experience? I once climbed up St Mary’s Peak at Wilpena Pound with our son Tim, and we enjoyed a breath-taking view of the Pound and Flinders’ Ranges. And last month when Cheryl and I were at the Flinders for a few days we climbed up to ‘Alison’s Saddle’ at Rawnsley Park Station and had a great view of the valley and distant ranges and Rawnsley Bluff. Read more
“A true saying”
There are some old sayings which are memorable. Three that come to mind are: ‘make hay while the sunshines’, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’, ‘look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves.’ In today’s reading from Paul’s letter to Timothy, we hear of another memorable saying, and in this case Paul says it “is sure and worthy of full acceptance”, or as another translation puts it, “a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance,” or as J. Read more
There are some old sayings which are memorable. Three that come to mind are: ‘make hay while the sunshines’, ‘a stitch in time saves nine’, ‘look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves.’ In today’s reading from Paul’s letter to Timothy, we hear of another memorable saying, and in this case Paul says it “is sure and worthy of full acceptance”, or as another translation puts it, “a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance,” or as J. Read more
The Raising of Lazarus
Perhaps you have heard someone say something like, ‘when a person dies he or she only lives on in other’s memories, or in their achievements’? But is that all we can say? Not according to Jesus, as we heard in today’s reading from John. Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Read more
Perhaps you have heard someone say something like, ‘when a person dies he or she only lives on in other’s memories, or in their achievements’? But is that all we can say? Not according to Jesus, as we heard in today’s reading from John. Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Read more
Stilling the Storm
When Cheryl and I drive into Victor from our home in Encounter Bay we often like to drive along the sea front to look at the sea. Sometimes I’ll say to Cheryl, ‘it would be a good crossing today’ - meaning the sea is nice and calm if you were on the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Read more
When Cheryl and I drive into Victor from our home in Encounter Bay we often like to drive along the sea front to look at the sea. Sometimes I’ll say to Cheryl, ‘it would be a good crossing today’ - meaning the sea is nice and calm if you were on the ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island. Read more
Jesus our High Priest
Sometimes there can be a ‘falling out’ or breakdown in a relationship between two people, or between 2 groups, and someone is needed to bring the two together into harmony and to restore the relationship. We might call such a person a ‘mediator’ or a ‘go-between’, or an ‘intermediary’. In the Jewish religion such a person was called a ‘priest’ or ‘high priest’ Read more
Sometimes there can be a ‘falling out’ or breakdown in a relationship between two people, or between 2 groups, and someone is needed to bring the two together into harmony and to restore the relationship. We might call such a person a ‘mediator’ or a ‘go-between’, or an ‘intermediary’. In the Jewish religion such a person was called a ‘priest’ or ‘high priest’ Read more
Psalm 23: God our Shepherd
Perhaps you have a photo album at home, with some of your favourite pictures in it. Well, the bible is a bit like a photo album containing ‘pictures’ of God. Perhaps one of the favourite pictures of God given to us in the bible is that of ‘God our Shepherd’. Read more
Perhaps you have a photo album at home, with some of your favourite pictures in it. Well, the bible is a bit like a photo album containing ‘pictures’ of God. Perhaps one of the favourite pictures of God given to us in the bible is that of ‘God our Shepherd’. Read more
The healing of the blind man
The Healing of the blind man. John 9: 1-41 2nd August, 2020 There’s a hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’ that has a line in it - ‘I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.’ ‘was blind but now I see’ could summarise the story we have just heard from John. Read more
The Healing of the blind man. John 9: 1-41 2nd August, 2020 There’s a hymn, ‘Amazing Grace’ that has a line in it - ‘I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.’ ‘was blind but now I see’ could summarise the story we have just heard from John. Read more
“I am the bread of Life”
“I am the bread of Life” John 6:1-15, 35, 47-51 Jesus made some great “I am” claims for himself, which we find in John’s gospel. I want to take one of these and think about it with you this morning. It is “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. Read more
“I am the bread of Life” John 6:1-15, 35, 47-51 Jesus made some great “I am” claims for himself, which we find in John’s gospel. I want to take one of these and think about it with you this morning. It is “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst. Read more
The Compassion of Jesus
The Compassion of Jesus Mark 1: 40-42 6:30-34 Last Sunday we thought about one particular character trait of Jesus, namely his humility. This morning I’d like to think with you about his compassion. In the gospels we read how on several occasions Jesus had compassion on someone or towards others. One such occasion was when a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean. Read more
The Compassion of Jesus Mark 1: 40-42 6:30-34 Last Sunday we thought about one particular character trait of Jesus, namely his humility. This morning I’d like to think with you about his compassion. In the gospels we read how on several occasions Jesus had compassion on someone or towards others. One such occasion was when a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean. Read more
The Humility of Christ
The Humility of Christ Philippians 2:3-11 If I asked you to tell me what’s your friend like, you might include one or more of his/her noticeable character traits. What’s Jesus Like? This is a big subject, but this morning and next Sunday I’d like to focus on just one of his character traits. Read more
The Humility of Christ Philippians 2:3-11 If I asked you to tell me what’s your friend like, you might include one or more of his/her noticeable character traits. What’s Jesus Like? This is a big subject, but this morning and next Sunday I’d like to focus on just one of his character traits. Read more
Christ our Foundation
Christ our Foundation Every architect and builder knows the importance of stable solid foundations. If the stability and strength of buildings depends largely on their foundations, so does the stability and strength of our lives and church community. Today we are gathering again after several months of not being able to. Read more
Christ our Foundation Every architect and builder knows the importance of stable solid foundations. If the stability and strength of buildings depends largely on their foundations, so does the stability and strength of our lives and church community. Today we are gathering again after several months of not being able to. Read more
Forgiven and forgiving
Today I imagine a lot of people would be in the position of owing money to a finance company or bank, and some, due to unforseen circumstances, such as Covid 19, would be wondering how on earth they can meet the expected payments. Jesus told his disciples a parable (Matthew l8: 21-35) in which we hear of a man who must have felt like this because he had incurred a staggering debt. Read more
Today I imagine a lot of people would be in the position of owing money to a finance company or bank, and some, due to unforseen circumstances, such as Covid 19, would be wondering how on earth they can meet the expected payments. Jesus told his disciples a parable (Matthew l8: 21-35) in which we hear of a man who must have felt like this because he had incurred a staggering debt. Read more