Shows
Weekly TalksWhat Would Jesus Say to the Unsatisfied? (All Age Service)By Rev Charlie Lacey | John 4:1-14John 4:1-14 (NIV) WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY TO THE UNSATISFIED? (All Age Service)I think most people want to have a meaningful, fulfilling and satisfying life, but there are millions of people who are deeply dissatisfied – with some aspect of their lives – or with life in general. What would Jesus say to such people?
2022-10-0222 min
Weekly TalksWhat Would Jesus Say to the Satisfied?By Rev Charlie Lacey | Luke 12: 13-21 Luke 12: 13-21 (NIV) The overall standard of living here in Australia is one the highest (if not the highest), in the world. Of course, there are lots of people who are struggling, but there’s also a lot of people who are quite comfortable, materially speaking. So the question and the theme for today is 'What Would Jesus Say to the Satisfied?'
2022-09-2522 min
Weekly TalksStand FirmBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 16: 1-18 1 Corinthians 16: 1-18 (NIV)Throughout Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he urges them to "stand firm" in the Christian way of life. In today's reading, he reminds them to stand firm in their giving; to stand firm in the face of opposition; and to stand firm in their love and commitment to each other.
2022-09-1824 min
Weekly TalksThe Fruit of the ResurrectionBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58 (NIV) There was a lot of confusion in the Corinthian church about the most important facet of Christianity, namely resurrection. That is to say, the resurrection of Jesus (a past event) and the resurrection of all believers (a future event). Paul seeks to shed light on, not only the fact of the resurrection, but also a lot of related questions.
2022-09-1125 min
Weekly TalksBuilding Up the ChurchBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 14: 1-25 1 Corinthians 14: 1-25 (NIV) The Corinthians were using their spiritual gifts in divisive and unhelpful ways, so Paul tries to teach them how to use their gifts in a way that is constructive and edifying. At St. Andrew’s, we believe that all the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible are available to us today - and we want to use them in ways that are pleasing to God.
2022-08-2129 min
Weekly TalksTo Each is Given (All Age Talk)By Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27 (NIV) One of the best known and most evocative images of the church is that of the Body of Christ. This idea that we all make up one body and we all have a different part to play within the body. It’s a beautiful picture of unity and inclusivity.
2022-08-0725 min
Weekly TalksDo This in Remembrance of MeBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 11: 17-341 Corinthians 11: 17-34 (NIV) Over the last couple of months, we’ve seen how the first century church in Corinth was divided and wayward. Perversely, that division was most evident when they gathered for the Lord’s Supper (Communion). Paul helps them (and us), to understand what Communion is, why it’s important and how we should treat it.Rev Charlie's Talk is available to listen to on the Talks section of our website
2022-07-2724 min
Weekly TalksJesus is the Cornerstone (International Service)By Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Peter 2: 4-5a 1 Peter 2: 4-5a (NIV)Peter begins his first letter by reminding the Christians of Asia Minor (now Turkey), that they all belong to God's family. 2,000 years later and God's family (the Church), is made up of people from every nation, language and walk of life. Built on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ.
2022-07-2424 min
Weekly TalksGlorifying GodBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 10: 1-331 Corinthians 10: 1-33 (NIV)The Christians in Corinth were good at doing all the outwardly religious stuff - they got baptised, they gathered for worship, they received communion - but despite all that, they were not glorifying God in any area of their lives. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to live lives that are consistent with their citizenship in God's kingdom. Link to referenced talksFlee From Sexual Immorality (12-June) Marriage and Singleness (19-June)
2022-07-1428 min
Weekly TalksMarriage and SinglenessBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 7:1-161 Corinthians 7:1-16 (NIV)In first Corinthians, chapter 7, Paul responds to some questions that the Corinthians had written to him about – and in so doing he gives a whole load of advice about marriage, singleness and sexual relationships. Advice that is still relevant to us today...
2022-06-1933 min
Weekly TalksFlee from Sexual ImmoralityBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 5: 1-13 & 6: 12-201 Corinthians 5: 1-13 & 6: 12-20 (NIV)The city of Corinth was one of the most sexually liberal places in the Greco-Roman world. Many aspects of everyday life were X-rated. It is therefore not surprising that the church in Corinth was struggling in this area.
2022-06-1233 min
Weekly TalksThe Day of PentecostBy Rev Charlie Lacey | Acts 2: 1-8, 12, 14a, 22-24, 32-33, 36-39 Acts 2: 1-8, 12, 14a, 22-24, 32-33, 36-39 (NIV)On the Day of Pentecost, Paul urged the crowd to repent, to be baptised and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Together, those three things (repentance, baptism, Spirit filled), are the marks of being a Christian, though they don't have to happen in that order.
2022-06-0521 min
Weekly TalksFools for ChristBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 4: 1 - 171 Corinthians 4: 1 - 17 (NIV)The Corinthians were full of pride; they were puffed up; they thought they’d made it. They celebrated their wealth, comfort and affluence and they despised the life of personal sacrifice and suffering that the apostles were experiencing. To them it seemed like foolishness to live like that. Paul helps them to see what following Jesus really means.
2022-05-2924 min
Weekly TalksWild Gospel (Youth and Young Adults Worship Night)By Rev Charlie Lacey | Genesis 1: 26-28, Genesis 2: 15-17, John 10: 10-11 Genesis 1: 26-28, Genesis 2: 15-17, John 10: 10-11 (NIV)We are to enjoy living in this wild world and we are to enjoy living in the light of this wild Gospel!
2022-05-2818 min
Weekly TalksCo-workers in God's ServiceBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 3: 1-23 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 (NIV)The Christians at Corinth were elevating various leaders, breaking into little groups and factions and undermining the unity and the mission of the church. Paul has to remind them that they are co-workers in God’s service. They are supposed to be working as one body, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
2022-05-2229 min
Weekly TalksThe Spirit Reveals the TruthBy Rev Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16 (NIV)
2022-05-1523 min
Weekly TalksA Wisdom that SavesBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 1: 18 – 2:51 Corinthians 1: 18 – 2:5 (NIV)When you browse through any news website, you can see that humanity is, in many ways, very clever, but not wise. And when we look at the messiness of our world, we might think ‘Don’t we have the collective wisdom to sort all this out?’ Well, the answer to that is, 'No we don’t', because the world has dismissed God’s solution as foolishness.
2022-05-0424 min
Weekly TalksTo the Church in Corinth (All Age Service, Baptism)By Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 1: 1-91 Corinthians 1: 1-9 (NIV)Today's service was very special because we welcomed Isla and George into the church through baptism. We also started a new series, based on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. The church at Corinth had become dysfunctional, to say the least, but Paul was keen to remind them that God had set them apart, called them to be different and equipped them to build the kingdom of heaven.
2022-04-2916 min
Weekly TalksAll AuthorityBy Charlie Lacey | Matthew 28:16-20Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV)Today we remembered those who suffered and died at Gallipoli in the First World War, as well as those who have been maimed and killed in conflicts since that time. In the space of little more than 100 years, there have been two world wars and we now find ourselves dangerously close to a third. However, we need not fear because we know that ultimately Jesus is in control. Despite what various world leaders might think, Jesus is the one in authority.
2022-04-2420 min
Weekly TalksEvidence of the Resurrection (Service in the Dome, Easter Sunday)by Charlie Lacey | Matthew 28: 1-15Matthew 28: 1-15 (NIV)Today is the most important day of the year for Christians. The day of Jesus’ resurrection; a day of tremendous joy, hope and celebration. The resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of Christianity. In 1 Cor. 15, the Apostle Paul writes: ‘If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.’ But Jesus has been raised – it was an event that changed everything forever and one for which we have a great deal of evidence.
2022-04-1719 min
Weekly TalksThe King is Dead (Good Friday)By Charlie Lacey | Isaiah 53:1-7;Matthew 26:57-58 and 26:63b-67, 27: 11-31, 33-44, 45-52a, 54, 57-60Isaiah 53:1-7;Matthew 26:57-58 and 26:63b-67, 27: 11-31, 33-44, 45-52a, 54, 57-60 (NIV)The American missionary, Samuel Zwemer said this:“There is no mystery in heaven or earth so great as this - a suffering Deity, an almighty Saviour nailed to a Cross.”Not only is Jesus’ crucifixion a hard thing for us to understand – but it’s a hard thing for us to swallow – because we must come to terms with the fact that it is our sin that put Jes...
2022-04-1513 min
Weekly TalksTreasuring Jesus (Palm Sunday, Service in the Dome)By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 26: 1-16 Matthew 26: 1-16 (NIV)Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by an excited crowd, full of praise and adoration, but when Jesus didn’t fulfil their agenda, that is to say, when he didn’t confront the Roman occupiers, the atmosphere turned sour. In today’s reading, we saw a sharp contrast between those who hated Jesus and those who treasured him.
2022-04-1021 min
Weekly TalksThe Sheep and the Goats (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 25:31-46Jesus told us to be ready for his return. In other words, we are to live as faithful servants of Christ, knowing that he could come back at any moment. Jesus made it clear that when he does return there will only be two categories of people, those who belong to him (the sheep) and those who do not (the goats). The sheep will be characterised by love, compassion and selflessness – and the goats will be the opposite. Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
2022-04-0322 min
Weekly TalksBe Ready!By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 24:29-44Matthew 24:29-44 (NIV)Nobody knows when Jesus will return – but, as we saw last week, the signs are already there to be seen. Jesus could come back at any time. The question is, are we ready? If Jesus were to come back tomorrow, would he find us faithfully serving Him and prioritising His kingdom?
2022-03-2018 min
2022-03-0621 min
Weekly TalksReturn of the King (All Age Service)By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 24:1-14 Matthew 24:1-14 (NIV)Jesus spoke to his disciples about two future events – one in the near future and the other in the distant future. The first happened in AD70 and the second we are still waiting for. Jesus promised to return and when he does, it will be the end of time and history as we know it. God’s people will live with Him forever in a renewed and restored creation. Of course, nobody knows when this will happen.
2022-03-0611 min
Weekly TalksAmbassadors of Reconciliation (Ash Wednesday 2022)By Charlie Lacey | Psalm 51:1-17 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 ; Mark 1:14-15 Psalm 51:1-17 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10 ; Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
2022-03-0210 min
Weekly TalksMany InvitedBy Charlie Lacey | Matthew 22:1-14Matthew 22:1-14 (NIV)When challenged by the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus told three parables that exposed their inaction, disloyalty and hypocrisy. Today we looked at the third of those parables which was directed towards those same religious leaders – but also towards the nation as a whole. In general terms, the Jews failed to recognise their Messiah and refused all that he offered. But God’s blessings never go to waste and many more have been invited into His kingdom.
2022-02-2021 min
Weekly TalksThe Stone RejectedBy Charlie Lacey | Psalm 118:15-29 & Matthew 21:23-46Psalm 118:15-29 & Matthew 21:23-46 (NIV)Continuing with our series titled ‘The King in Jerusalem’; last week we saw how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem as King. This week we observed the mounting opposition and hostility towards Jesus from the religious authorities - and we heard Jesus’ response to them. The fact is, they were blind, proud and stubborn and they completely missed the point of what God was doing.
2022-02-1319 min
Weekly TalksThe King’s Arrival (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 21:1-17Matthew 21:1-17 (NIV)We started a new series today, called ‘The King in Jerusalem’. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be following the events in Matthew’s Gospel, from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem – all the way through to his death and resurrection at Easter. When Jesus entered Jerusalem the crowds welcomed him as a King, but Jesus wasn’t the kind of king they expected or wanted.
2022-02-0615 min
Weekly TalksPraise the LordBy Charlie Lacey | Psalm 145Psalm 145 (NIV)Things have been a little different since Queensland opened its borders. With Covid cases skyrocketing, many people are feeling nervous and unsettled. This is a difficult time, but God is still in control – and he continues to bless us in all kinds of ways. Today we lifted our gaze and changed the atmosphere as we gave God thanks for the amazing things he's doing in our lives.
2022-01-3039 min
Weekly TalksThe FallBy Charlie Lacey | Genesis 3Genesis 3 (NIV) After the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 everything looked promising and hopeful, but within a few pages we find Adam and Eve hiding from God. Clearly something had gone badly wrong! Genesis 3 helps us to understand all that is wrong with the world – and that's important because if we don’t recognise the nature of the problem, we’ll never be able to understand God’s solution.
2022-01-0920 min
Weekly TalksCreation (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 3Genesis 1: 1 – 2: 3 (NIV)We started a new series today called, ‘God’s Story’ – looking at the overarching narrative of the Bible; everything from Creation and Fall to Redemption and New Creation. This January we’re going to be building a framework and then everything else we look at this year will fit into that framework
2022-01-0219 min
Weekly TalksThis Will be a Sign to You (Christmas day 2021 - Service in the Dome)By Charlie Lacey | Luke 2: 1-20Luke 2: 1-20 (NIV)On the night Jesus was born, angels appeared to a group of Shepherds in the hills above Bethlehem and announced the most joyful news that the world has ever heard. A Saviour has been born! Since that day, so much has pointed to the fact that these events are true and that Jesus came into the world to bring us back into a right relationship with God.
2021-12-2512 min
Weekly TalksA Picture of the ChurchBy Charlie Lacey | Revelation 7: 9-17Revelation 7: 9-17 (NIV)Just over 2000 years ago Jesus was born in a stable, a very humble beginning – and he was visited by shepherds and Magi, who bowed down before him. How many millions (or billions) of people have bowed the knee to Jesus since then? The Church consists of everyone who has ever followed Jesus and everyone who ever will.
2021-12-1919 min
Weekly TalksA Picture of the CreatorBy Charlie Lacey | Revelation 4: 1-11 Revelation 4: 1-11 (NIV)Advent is a season when we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birth – but we also look forward to his second coming. The book of Revelation tells us what Jesus’ return actually means for the whole of creation.
2021-12-1217 min
Weekly TalksA Picture of Jesus (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Revelation 1: 9-19Revelation 1: 9-19 (NIV)Advent is a season when we look back to the birth of Jesus – but also forward to the day when he returns in glory to judge the living and the dead. To get a complete picture of Jesus, we need to hold the image of a baby lying in a manger, together with the image of Jesus returning in power and majesty. The gospels give us the former and the book of Revelation gives us the later.
2021-12-0516 min
Weekly TalksGod’s Ultimate PurposeBy Charlie Lacey | Ruth 3:1-18Ruth 3:1-18 (NIV)Ruth is a wonderful book to be studying in conjunction with baptism (we baptised baby Gerard today), because it reminds us that God is at work in our lives even when we can’t see it and long before we know it. Gerard didn't understand what was happening, but we know that God is working in his life -and we know that God is working to bring his plans for the whole of creation to fruition.
2021-11-2819 min
Weekly TalksTaking Refuge in the LordBy Charlie Lacey | Ruth 2: 1-18Ruth 2: 1-18 (NIV)Last week we left Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, in a very vulnerable and desperate situation. Two poor widows, recently returned to Naomi’s home town of Bethlehem, with no adequate means of supporting themselves. They seek refuge in the Lord, who provides for them in remarkable ways. God’s power is displayed, not through miracles, but through his invisible hand of providence.
2021-11-2126 min
Weekly TalksGod is Working Out His PurposesBy Charlie Lacey | Ruth 1: 1-22Ruth 1:1-22 (NIV)It’s sometimes hard to see how God is working in the small details of our lives. We’ve probably all had times when we’ve asked, “Why doesn’t God do something?” Today we started a new series on the book of Ruth, which is a beautiful story about God’s invisible hand of providence working in and through the circumstances of a very ordinary family. One of the key protagonists, Naomi, feels that God has abandoned her, but by the end of the book we see that nothing coul...
2021-11-1423 min
Weekly TalksNext Steps in ServiceBy Charlie Lacey | Philippians 2: 1-11Philippians 2: 1-11 (NIV)When you see a group photo that you’re in, who do you look for first in the photo? You look for yourself don’t you! And in most situations we tend to think of ourselves first. All of us can be quite selfish at times. However, as followers of Christ we are called to be servants and that means laying aside our selfishness and pride.
2021-10-3121 min
Weekly TalksNext Steps in GrowthBy Charlie Lacey | Isaiah 5:1-7, John 15:1-8Isaiah 5:1-7(NIV) John 15:1-8(NIV)When we invite Jesus into our lives, it puts us on a trajectory of spiritual growth. Jesus used the illustration of a vine and its branches. Jesus is the true vine and if we belong to him; if we are connected to him; if remain in him, then we will produce good fruit. Over time, our lives and our characters will be changed and transformed for the better.
2021-10-2419 min
Weekly TalksNext Steps in Prayer (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Matthew 6: 5-13Matthew 6:5-13 (NIV)The Christian journey is one of change and transformation as we move closer to God. Today we looked at Jesus' teaching on prayer and considered our next steps towards God in this area of our lives.
2021-10-0814 min
Weekly TalksThe Peace of God (Outdoor Service)Philippians 4: 4-9 | by Charlie LaceyPhilippians 4: 4-9 (NIV)It’s very difficult to praise God if we’re feeling anxious and let’s face it, right now there are lots of things that we could be feeling anxious about, both globally and in our own personal lives. Paul encourages us to take all our worries to God and exchange them for his peace.
2021-10-0320 min
Weekly TalksPraise the Lord My SoulBy Charlie Lacey | Psalm 103Psalm 103 (NIV)Psalm 103 has been described as 'the most perfect song of pure praise in the Bible.' Through this Psalm we see the benefits of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Benefits that no human relationship could even come close to giving us. Meditating on this pslam should make us supremely grateful to God.
2021-09-2622 min
Weekly TalksGratitude (For God’s Indescribable Gift)By Charlie Lacey | 2 Corinthians 9: 6-152 Corinthians 9: 6-15 (NIV)In 2 Corinthians, Paul explains how our gratitude to God for his indescribable gift, which is Jesus and all that he offers, will inevitably result in our generosity. In turn, our generosity will lead to others praising and glorifying God.
2021-09-1919 min
Weekly TalksThe Day of the LordBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 5:11 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 5:11 (NIV)Having reached the end of our series on Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians – we focussed today on 'the last day' – The Day of the Lord – when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. We don’t know when it will happen, but we know it will happen and that we need to be ready for it when it does.
2021-09-1221 min
Weekly TalksThe Fatherhood of God (All Age Talk, Father's Day 2021)By Charlie Lacey | Romans 8: 14-17Romans 8:14-17 (NIV)Romans 8 makes it perfectly clear that God is our Father in Heaven - the only perfect father there is,
2021-09-0517 min
Weekly TalksA Life That PleasesBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-121 Thessalonians 4: 1-12 (NIV)The first three chapters of 1 Thessalonians are all about Paul’s ministry and relationship to this church in Thessalonica that he had recently established. Today, in chapter 4, we see that Paul changes tack. He starts to talk about the Thessalonians' way of life and in so doing he draws a sharp contrast between pagan lust and Christian love.
2021-08-2921 min
Weekly TalksThe Word at WorkBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Thessalonians 2: 13-161 Thessalonians 2: 13-16 (NIV)In today's reading the Apostle Paul affirms that the message he preached was from God and that the word of God is at work in the Thessalonians. We focussed on the transforming power of God’s word and the impact it has upon those who believe.
2021-08-1523 min
Weekly TalksA True Servant of ChristBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-12 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-12 (NIV)Last week we saw that the Thessalonians were true believers and this week we are reminded that Paul was a true servant of Christ. He persevered in the face of adversity, was motivated by a deep desire to serve Christ and he genuinely loved those he was ministering to.
2021-08-0820 min
Weekly TalksTrue Believers (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-101 Thessalonians 1: 1-10 (NIV)Paul begins his letter to the Thessalonians by giving thanks for them because they received the Good News of Jesus with joy, embodied it in their lives and proclaimed it to the people around them. So much so that everyone was talking about this group who had turned away from idols to worship the living and true God.
2021-08-0109 min
Weekly TalksSelf ControlBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (NIV)The Apostle Paul was the person most responsible for taking the Gospel to the non-Jews (the Gentiles). In order to do this he had to exercise a lot of self-control. He was no longer bound by the meticulous regulations of the Law, but he chose to limit his freedom for the sake of those he was ministering to.
2021-07-2519 min
Weekly TalksForbearance (Service in the Dome)By Charlie Lacey | James 5: 7-11 James 5: 7-11 (NIV)We know that life can be tough and if we're to remain positive and hopeful in the midst of difficult circumstances, we need forbearance, which is the third 'fruit of the Spirit' that we're exploring in this series.
2021-07-1823 min
Weekly TalksRevenge or ReconciliationBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 26: 1-121 Samuel 26:1-12 (NIV)Saul became insanely jealous of David and tried to kill him. David managed to escape – and chapters 21-26 are all about Saul’s pursuit of David (he was determined to find him and destroy him). But when David had the chance to kill Saul, he chose not to because that is not the way God wanted him to ascend to the throne. Instead, David did everything he could to show Saul that he remained his loyal subject.
2021-06-2021 min
Weekly TalksThe Green Eyed MonsterBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 18: 1-161 Samuel 18:1-16 (NIV)The books of 1 & 2 Samuel paint a vivid picture of the main characters, particularly Saul, his son Jonathan and David. We therefore get to do a character study and, often, we see something of ourselves in the people that we’re reading about. Today we heard about the destructive influence of Saul’s jealousy.
2021-06-1323 min
Weekly TalksThe King Who Saved (All Age Service)By Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 17:32-49 1 Samuel 17:32-49 (NIV)When Saul was made king, Israel hoped he would save them from the Philistines. He didn’t. He disobeyed God and God rejected him as king. His successor, David, did save Israel from the Philistines, most famously by defeating Goliath. However, even David is not the king the world needs. He merely points forward to another King who would enter the world about 1,000 years later. Jesus is the only king who saves completely.
2021-06-0621 min
Weekly TalksObedience Better than SacrificeBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 15:10-25 1 Samuel 15:10-25 (NIV)Saul, who became the first king of Israel, got off to a promising start. However, it soon became apparent that Saul was more inclined towards showy acts of devotion to God than he was towards actual obedience. Both the Old Testament and the New make it perfectly clear: God doesn’t want token acts of religious devotion; he wants obedience. He doesn’t want ritual; he wants relationship.
2021-05-3022 min
Weekly TalksThe Rise of SaulBy Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 9: 25 – 10: 1; 10: 9-11; 10: 17-241 Samuel 9:25 - 10:1; 10:9-11; 10: 17-24 (NIV)The elders of Israel went to Samuel and demanded a king. Today we were introduced to Saul - Israel’s first King. He started well. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him – and the Israelites hoped he would save them from the Philistines. However, ultimately, no mere human being can fulfil the role of King and Saviour. Only Jesus can surpass all our hopes and expectations of kingship.
2021-05-2323 min
2021-05-1621 min
Weekly TalksGod Is in Controlby Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 4: 1-11 , 5: 1-8 1 Samuel 4: 1-11 , 5: 1-8 (NIV)
2021-05-0927 min
Weekly TalksSpeak Lord, Your Servant is Listening (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | 1 Samuel 3: 1-21 1 Samuel 3: 1-21 (NIV)
2021-05-0215 min
2021-04-2519 min
2021-04-1822 min
2021-04-1123 min
Weekly TalksThe Darkness is Overthrown (Easter Sunday - Outdoor Service)By Charlie Lacey | Luke 24: 1-12 Luke 24:1-12 (NIV)
2021-04-0411 min
Weekly TalksDo We Know What is Good for us? (Palm Sunday 2021 - Outdoor Service)By Charlie Lacey | Luke 19: 28-44fter Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he h...
2021-03-2819 min
Weekly TalksSeeker and SaviourBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 19: 1-10Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and...
2021-03-2125 min
Weekly TalksThe Rich Man and LazarusBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 16: 19-31“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Laz...
2021-03-1421 min
Weekly TalksThe Cost of Following Jesus (Interview)By Charlie Lacey & Sandra | Luke 9: 57-62As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”He said to another man, “Follow me.”But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”Still another said, “I wil...
2021-03-0741 min
Weekly TalksExpectation vs. RealityBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 9:18-27Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejec...
2021-02-2820 min
Weekly TalksJesus Sends Out the TwelveBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 9: 1-17 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they set out and...
2021-02-2120 min
Weekly TalksAsh Wednesday By Charlie Lacey | Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill.Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming.It is close at hand— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes,such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come.“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart...
2021-02-1710 min
Weekly TalksJesus Came for Sinners - (All Age Talk)By Charlie Lacey | Luke 5: 27-32After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”Jesus an...
2021-02-0714 min
Weekly TalksThe Friends and the PhariseesBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 5:17-26One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the...
2021-01-3123 min
Weekly TalksCalled to FishBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 5:1-11One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let...
2021-01-2421 min
Weekly TalksFacing RejectionBy Charlie Lacey| Luke 4: 14-30Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, beca...
2021-01-1724 min
Weekly TalksFighting TemptationBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 4:1-13Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all...
2021-01-1021 min
Weekly TalksFruit in Keeping with RepentanceLuke 3:1-20 | By Charlie LaceyIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene— during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:“A voice of one callin...
2021-01-0324 min
Weekly TalksHumble PowerBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 2: 1-20In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a...
2020-12-2519 min
Weekly TalksOur Role in God’s StoryLuke 1:57-80 | By Charlie LaceyWhen it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.”Then they made signs to...
2020-12-2024 min
Weekly TalksWorry or WorshipBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 1:39-56Mary Visits ElizabethAt that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your g...
2020-12-1323 min
Weekly TalksHumble ObedienceBy Charlie Lacey | Luke 1:26-38In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God...
2020-12-0622 min
Weekly TalksA Life of Prayer and PraiseBy Charlie Lacey | James 5: 13-20Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer...
2020-11-2920 min
Weekly TalksThe Tyranny of the RichBy Charlie Lacey | James 5:1-6Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and...
2020-11-2226 min
Weekly TalksMaking God's Plan our PlanBy Charlie Lacey| James 4:13-17Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they...
2020-11-1521 min
Weekly TalksTwo Kinds of Wisdom By Charlie Lacey | James 3:13-18Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full...
2020-11-0118 min
Weekly TalksTaming the TongueBy Charlie Lacey | James 3:1-12Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very...
2020-10-2521 min
Weekly TalksThe God Who Changes LivesBy Charlie Lacey | James 2:14-26What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your...
2020-10-1827 min
Weekly TalksPreserving Through the TrialsBy Charlie Lacey | James 1:1-12James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:Greetings.Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you...
2020-09-2026 min
Weekly TalksWhat Does The Lord Require? (Outdoor Service)By Charlie Lacey | Micah 6: 1-8 and Matthew 25: 31-40The Lord’s Case Against IsraelListen to what the Lord says:“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say.“Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.“My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.I brought you up out of Egyp...
2020-09-1315 min
Weekly TalksRunning From GodBy Charlie Lacey | Jonah 1:1-3, 3:1-5, 3:10–4:3Jonah Flees From the LordThe word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.Jonah Goes to NinevehThen the word of the Lord came t...
2020-09-0621 min
Weekly TalksPride Goes Before a FallBy Charlie Lacey | Obadiah 1:1-4 ; 10-15Obadiah’s VisionThe vision of Obadiah.This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom—We have heard a message from the Lord: An envoy was sent to the nations to say,“Rise, let us go against her for battle”—“See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights,you who...
2020-08-3023 min
Weekly TalksGoing Through the MotionsBy Charlie Lacey | Amos 5:18-27The Day of the LordWoe to you who long for the day of the Lord!Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light.It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear,as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, wi...
2020-08-2323 min
Weekly TalksRend Your HeartsBy Charlie Lacey | Joel 2:11b-18Rend Your Heart“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”Rend your heart and not your garments.Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.Blow the trumpet in Zi...
2020-08-1620 min
Weekly TalksRelentless LoveBy Charlie Lacey | Hosea 3: 1-5Hosea’s Reconciliation With His WifeThe Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any...
2020-08-0919 min
Weekly TalksUnderstanding the ProphetsBy Charlie Lacey | Deuteronomy 18:14-22The ProphetThe nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so. The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord ou...
2020-08-0222 min
Weekly TalksThe Redemptive Power of ChristBy Charlie Lacey | Acts 9:1-19aSaul’s ConversionMeanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”“Who...
2020-07-2624 min
Weekly TalksSharing The GospelBy Charlie Lacey | Acts 8:26-40Philip and the EthiopianNow an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chario...
2020-07-1923 min
Weekly TalksWhat is Our MotivationBy Charlie Lacey | Acts 8: 9-24Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men...
2020-07-1221 min