Which way is the “right way” to live? Where do we find true morality in a modern age? God has a vision for life and the way it should be lived, through Jesus.Av Luke Nelson

A sermon in the Stand Alone Sermons series.Av Brendan Wright

Jesus moved the stone. He didn’t need to, as John tells us he could just show up in places with his resurrected body (John 20:19), but he did. He did this to show how comprehensively he has beaten death, but more than that, to ensure that even the doubtful would know that he is alive. There was an empty tomb left in the garden as a testimony to God…

Jesus’ side was pierced to prove that Jesus truly was dead, but also, John tells us, in fulfilment of prophecy, that ‘not one of his bones will be broken’ and ‘they will look on him whom they have pierced.’ This detail is provided to us so that we may believe. The spear highlights to us the sharpness of the suffering and the significance of Jesus’ …

Queen Esther and Mordecai’s courage and faithfulness to stand up for their people - the Jews - will be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. Hope will always arise.Av Luke Nelson

King Xerxes responds to Queen Esther’s plea for mercy, issuing a new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves. The tables turn and the Jews stand in victory against their enemies with a joyous celebration and feast.Av Khoi Phuong

Queen Esther reveals Haman’s evil intention to the king. The king is furious and orders Haman's execution on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Will Esther's courage and strategic revelation shift the fate of the Jews?Av Khoi Phuong

Queen Esther plans her strategic plea to save the Jews. King Xerxes learns of Mordecai’s foiling of the plot to kill the king and orders him to be honoured, sparking Haman’s jealousy as he is instructed to parade Mordecai through the streets.Av Khoi Phuong

Mordecai learns about Haman's decree to destroy the Jews. Distraught, he urges Queen Esther to intercede with the king on behalf of her people. Will Esther risk her life and find the courage to approach the king?Av Luke Nelson

Haman, an influential official, gains the king's favour and devises a plan to annihilate the Jews. Mordecai refuses to bow to Haman, leading to his vengeful plot and a decree to destroy the Jewish people. Who will stand up in the face of opposition?Av Luke Nelson

Xerxes' search for a new queen continues through a beauty contest. Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, wins the king's favour and becomes queen. Meanwhile, Mordecai discovers a plot against the king and foils it.Av Luke Nelson

King Xerxes hosts an extravagant 180-day-long feast for all his officials and servants in an indulgent display of power. The king calls for Queen Vashti to join him to show off her beauty, but she refuses resulting in her dethroning and sparking the king’s anger.Av Luke Nelson

A sermon in the Choose Your Own Adventure series.Av Khoi Phuong

A sermon in the Choose Your Own Adventure series.Av Paul Rawson

A sermon in the Choose Your Own Adventure series.Av Luke Nelson

A sermon in the Choose Your Own Adventure series.Av Daniel Ruggeri

A sermon in the The Best Things in Life are Free series.Av Luke Nelson

A sermon from our teaching series, ‘Xmas'. Passage: 'Luke 1:67-79'. Preacher: Zech Sargent. Visit www.cityonahill.com.au for more about our mission to know Jesus and make Jesus Known.Av Khoi Phuong

Death doesn’t have the final word as Jesus raises his good friend Lazarus from the dead, pointing to his ultimate sacrifice to be made on the cross.Av Khoi Phuong

Jesus passes a blind man begging in the street and acts mercifully, restoring the man’s sight with his touch and revealing his light.Av Luke Nelson

The disciples encounter a vicious storm as they attempt to sail through the night and Jesus miraculously shows up, walking on water and delivering them to safety.Av Luke Nelson

5000 people are gathered to see Jesus, and with only 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed everyone Jesus performs a miracle and the crowd are fed in abundance.Av Khoi Phuong

Paralysed and unable to walk for the last 38 years, a man is healed by Jesus in Bethesda, breaking the rules of religious authorities on the Sabbath.Av Khoi Phuong

The royal official begs Jesus to intervene when his son falls ill, and with a few words Jesus miraculously heals the boy.Av Khoi Phuong

Jesus performs his first miracle at the wedding in Cana, turning water into wine, revealing his divine power and initiating his ministry.Av Luke Nelson

Death: we are destined for it, yet many of us rarely think about it. What does wisdom have to say about the final reality, and the life we live before it?Av Luke Nelson

In a world of anger, injustice and oppression, God’s commitment to justice is startling, and he stands as sovereign Judge. Align your life to his purposes for the world through Proverbs.Av Luke Nelson

Riches can do great good, but the love of money can consume and deform us – so how do we train our hearts to what is truly valuable?Av Luke Nelson

Work: we need it, we love it, we loathe it, drawn either to under-work or over-work. What does God’s word have to say about this fundamental feature of human life?Av Luke Nelson

Our Heavenly Father has created us to live in families, and Proverbs provides wisdom for building and shaping the fundamental unit of our community.Av Khoi Phuong

What do you look for in a marriage partner? How do you protect your marriage, and let it blossom? Let God show you how in Proverbs.Av Luke Nelson

A friend can draw closer than family, giving inspiration and comfort – or crushing with betrayal. Find out what a true friend is in the Proverbs.Av Khoi Phuong

Words have the power to make and to mould, to build up and break down – so tune your ear to what God has to say about them in Proverbs.Av Luke Nelson

In a world of information and data, knowledge and technique, find wisdom. Find its source, its substance, and its power.Av Luke Nelson

God has promised those in Christ the fullness of his salvation and life. And yet there is a tension between the “already and “not yet” as we experience a broken world. We press on towards holiness, understanding it will take patience and work, all while trusting in God’s transformative power.Av Khoi Phuong

Jesus lived an active and engaged ministry as he poured himself out in service to others, but he also took moments to withdraw, pray and be with the Father. Like Jesus, we want to be involved members of our church, and also make space for rest, retreat and renewal with God.Av Guy Mason

Work is a meaningful part of our purpose and worship - God called Adam and Eve to work and care for His creation. Work must also be balanced with rest, acknowledging our dependence on God and recognising that our worth is not found in what we do, but in who we are as beloved children of God.Av Luke Nelson

A healthy “rule of life” involves finding joy in God and His gifts, while also following Jesus’ example of self-denial. We should live Christ-centred lives of celebration, but also sacrifice, service and self-denial, not for punishment but for healthy detachment from the world for the sake of joy in Christ's presence.…

Examination practices and rhythms such as “The Daily Examen”, prayer, fasting and journaling help us cultivate an awareness of God's all-encompassing love. Just as we ask God to search our own hearts through examination, so we ask God to show us other people’s hearts, so we can encourage them in their journey.…

A trellis is crucial for supporting a vine's growth, just as Christians need structure to remain in Christ. A "rule of life" serves as a pattern of spiritual disciplines to encourage flourishing in your walk with Jesus, and is a means of God's grace to deepen love and joy in Christ.Av Luke Nelson

Disciples of Jesus are called to abide in Him and bear his fruit - joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control and love. As we walk with Christ, the aim is not that we go deeper into ourselves, but deeper into Jesus who has all we need to grow in His life and His love.Av Luke Nelson

How do you prepare for big things? Paul's pastoral plea to the Corinthians is that they examine their faith and abide in the grace of Christ. Even when we struggle with sin or feel stagnant in our faith, we trust that our life is hidden in Christ and that the resurrection power which raised him from the dead is at work in raising us up too. May the…

Weakness amplifies the grace of God and magnifies the power of Christ. It is when we are weak, that we are strong. The way of the world is to boast in our strength, but the way of Jesus is the way of weakness. Bad things will happen to us, but God can use evil for good. No matter what comes our way, God will never forsake us.…

A sermon in the Jars of Clay series.Av Luke Nelson

The church ought to be bold, empowered, and boastful not in ourselves but in the Lord. Boldness is about facing our problems head on. Turning the other cheek isn’t about being a doormat or tolerating evil. Strongholds aren't to be toyed with, but taken captive in submission to Christ.Jesus grabbed a whip and flipped tables to drive out sin. Paul wa…

As Australians, we are living in one of (if not the) richest country in the world, in one of the most prosperous times in history. How can we be generous with the blessings God has bestowed on us?May we rejoice in the richness of God's grace to us, and seek to give generously. May we learn from the Macedonians how generosity springs from overflowin…

Reconciliation must be grounded in commitment and truth, resting in God's comfort, godly repentance, and gospel encouragement. You need in your life God-centered friends, God-centered counsellors, and God-centered words. When we get wounded by those close to us, even those within the church, we ought to run to the Father. Jesus knew betrayal and op…

Idols and holiness do not mix. We become what we worship, and idols embody the demonic darkness from which we need deliverance. So, may we worship Christ with purity of heart and spirit, fully devoted to him. Idols don't have to be tiny shrines of gods we keep in our homes, but good things that have become distorted. What are you chasing after that…

The gospel transforms breaking bodies and ruptured relationships, so we make the goal of our lives around pleasing God and serving as his ambassadors on earth, making a difference in the lives of the people around us. Don't let sin corrupt you and lead to death, seek reconciliation with God and embrace the treasure of eternal life.…

Paul describes to the church in Corinth that they are like jars of clay, to show that the glory comes not from their own strength, but from Christ's power in them. As with us, our fragility and brokenness are beautiful because God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Are you willing to take courage on your journey of faith and entrust t…