Redcliffe Uniting Church

Sunday September 07, 2014  Father's Day      Mark 10:32-45          What do Jesus’ words about leadership to James and John look like for fathers? Again presented with children, we only begin to unpack this powerful reading.

Sunday August 31, 2014    Mark 10:17-31   The story of the rich young ruler is one we know well, very well, so well it probably doesn’t challenge us any more. Do we spend more time trying to get our camel through the eye of the needle, or putting money in it’s place?

Sunday August 17, 2014   Mark 9:33-50  Who is the greatest? How do you get ahead in the Jesus industry?  Jesus gave an answer no one expected - at all. This was a sermon done appropriately with the kids, but only begins to unpack this powerful passage!

Sunday August 24, 2014     Mark 10:1-16   How do you preach on a topic you have no first hand experience of, when 40% of your congregation do? 'This was your best sermon yet, very powerful.'  Covering this important topic, that some had said they had never heard preached on, I think this is a sermon you must listen to.

When Jesus comes down from the glorious mount of transfiguration, he is immediately confronted with the inglorious messiness of real life. The disciples can't heal someone and an argument begins. This is a powerful passage, with powerful words, - Everything is possible for him who believes - [really?] - I do believe, help my unbelief!   A great sermon on belief, prayer and fasting. 

Mark 8:34-9:13 [and Mark 8:1-33] are the middle and pinnacle stories in the Gospel of Mark. They are where the story peaks with the mountain experience, then turns, ominously, to the cross! In the first half of the gospel Jesus identity has been revealed through miracle and parable, in the second half Jesus confronts us directly with his radical message - to change the world, to change history, but proclaiming a message of servanthood, then living and dying it, on the cross!  You must hear this message.

A pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus asks his disciples, 'Who do you say I am?' Finally their eyes are open - or are they?  Now that one secret is out of the bag, Jesus lets them in on another one.

Greg Brown brings an excellent and challenging reflection on possibly the hardest passage in the Gospel of Mark - when Jesus calls the Syrophoenician woman a dog, and she bests him!

Eric Lawson takes us on a journey with Jesus' challenge about what makes us clean or unclean.

Why does Jesus walk on water. What is that all about? Why do we say, 'keep your eyes on Jesus and walk on water' when no one else has walked on water [except Peter for a moment.]  Why do some want to explain how Jesus could have done it. Is this even more than either of those responses?

Im Mark's gospel Jesus sends out the twelve on mission, then we come across what at first, can seem like an interesting but irrelevant interlude. Not something you would choose to preach on. But how John the Baptist dies is put here for some very challenging reasons.

In today's powerful message we contrast the story of Jarius' daughter, the healing of the widow who bleed for 12 years; where Jesus displays all the signs of being a 'divine man' with his homecoming, where Jesus can hardly do anything; and does not look like a son of God.  What is the difference?  And what amazing thing does this reveal about God? 

Mark Millard challenges us on how being Marked should make a difference.

This is an important message. Jesus meets Legion, Mark 5:1-20. It covers Demons, mental illness and other topics that left Redcliffe Uniting people talking, and praying.  Also a skit at  http://youtu.be/Hcwz1a38jns

Here is a powerful reflection on Jesus calming the storm. Will Jesus stop every storm in our lives? I don't think so! But he has done something even better.