Sermons

In this sermon on Luke 3:21–38, Mike Philips explores one of the most important questions anyone can ask. Drawing on Jesus’ baptism, the voice from heaven, the descent of the Spirit, and even the long genealogy back to Adam, Mike shows how Luke reveals a rich, multidimensional portrait of Jesus. Far from being just a prophet, teacher, or political figure, Jesus is unveiled as:

• God the Son — the divine second person of the Trinity

• God’s Anointed Messiah — empowered by the Spirit to rescue and restore

• The True Human — the new Adam who succeeds where humanity failed

Mike invites us to consider not only who Jesus is, but what it means for us to follow Him—worshipping the Son, trusting the Messiah, and imitating the true human who restores us as beloved children of God.

As we step into a new year, Mike Phillips opens Luke 3:1–20 to remind us that God has always been at work preparing the way for His people. Luke begins this chapter with historical detail, grounding the story of John the Baptist in real time and real places. Mike helps us see why that matters: the gospel is not myth or imagination, but God’s unfolding plan in human history.

From there, we follow John the Baptist as he calls God’s people to repentance, preparing their hearts for the arrival of Jesus. Mike explores what true repentance looks like, why John’s message was so urgent, and how it still speaks powerfully to us today.

As we look ahead to 2026, Mike invites us to reflect honestly on the sin that entangles us and consider what patterns, temptations, and habits we want to turn from as we follow Jesus more faithfully.

Christmas Day at Ormond Anglican,

On this joyful morning, Mike Phillips opens Matthew 2:1–12 and reflects on the extraordinary journey of the wise men—men who gave up their livelihood and comfort in their search for God. Their sacrifice points us to an even greater gift: Jesus, who gave up His life for all.

Mike’s sermon explores the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew 1:1–17, highlighting the surprising and imperfect individuals within His family line. He reflects on how even Jesus’ own ancestry included “black sheep,” reminding us that God works through ordinary and flawed people to accomplish extraordinary purposes

Mike Phillips recalls a Christmas when he received an unwanted gift, and connects this experience to Matthew 1:18–25—reminding us that the gift God gives in Christ may not always be what we expect, but it is always what we need.

Michael Phillips reflects on the past twelve months with gratitude for the grace and support he has received, giving thanks also for the endurance and strength that God has provided, and celebrating the transition undertaken by Ormond Anglican Church.
Psalm 107: 1-3
Romans 15: 5-6

Third Sermon in our Mission Month Series, Mike preaches on Luke 4:14-22 showing how Jesus is meets the need of those who are often marginalised. All to often we will encounter those on the margins and, regardless of our faith, choose not to reach out. But we will also go further, separating ourselves from these people. Mike helps us to understand that not only is Jesus for people such as these, but that we are all in need of the freedom found in Christ.

The final sermon in our series on Ezekiel. Mike Phillips guides us through Ezekiel 47:1-12, helping us to make sense of what the water flowing from the temple in the vision means.

God is the ultimate source of abundance in life, joy, and satisfaction. The question for us is this: Will we participate in the abundant life being offered, and will we make it known to others?

“The character of the leader sets the culture of the team”

Mike guides us through Ezekiel 34, showing God’s heart for his people and his judgement upon the leaders who have abused their position and authority as well as those who make the lives of others harder.

As Mike observes, we all have some area of leadership, and we are all sheep. The challenge for us is what sort of leader will we be, will we consider the ramifications of our actions, will we be shepherds under the true shepherd Jesus Christ?

God commands Ezekiel to act out the message given by the Lord, he is to pack his bags dig through the city wall as if he is entering Exile. Why does God command this? What does an acted out exile mean?

For the those in exile, their hope was in the ongoing survival of Jerusalem, but God wants them to put their hopes in him not a city falling to idolotry.

Today, Ezekiel 12:1-20 can seem to be a distant story for a far off people in a different time but Mike helps his listeners to understand that no matter how disaster can shake us to our core, God remains in control of it all and that perhaps we can learn from this story the importance of turning to the LORD and seeking him first.

Third in our series in Ezekiel, Michael guides us through Ezekiel 11, helping his listeners to understand the context of Ezekiel’s world and our need for God’s judgment and mercy.

For Ezekiel, the desire for God’s judgment is real, but upon seeing it, he also realizes that no one is truly innocent. God’s promise to Ezekiel in verses 19 and 20 looks forward to the work Jesus will do on the cross.

Mike kicks off our new series diving into the Old Testament book of Ezekiel.

In a world where many things are liable to keep you up at night, it can be comforting to know that God is aware and not afraid to address the realities of life.

In this first sermon of this series, Mike helps us to step into the context of Ezekiel the prophet and to be in awe of the Lord as he presents himself to the prophet. In the passage today, Ezekiel 1:1-2:5, God shows his people:

• That he is still on the throne, even as their world crumbles.

• That in a world of chaos and evil, he is still glorious

• To a people who have rebelled against him, God is still speaking.

Ezekiel is a book that can be confronting for people, even today, and yet it’s message can still comfort us now.

The final sermon in our series on Philippians, recorded during our evening service, Mike challenges his listeners to consider what we seek as sources of comfort and contentment.

In Philippians 4, Paul reveals the secret to his contentment in any circumstance. Writing while in circumstances where he is in prison and often hungry, he encourages the Philippians and through them us to turn to Christ for our contentment.

In this sermon, Mike shares his own reflections and experience to encourage and challenge us to consider where our own priorities lie and the things that hold us back from being generous.

In a world of distractions, it is worth asking where our focus is.

Mike unpacks Philippians 3:12-21, helping us to see that Paul is reminding Christians of who they are, to be aware of who our role models are, and to keep our eyes on the goal.

Paul encourages his readers not to be like the Israelites in the wilderness during the Exodus but to shine like stars without grumbling.

Mike unpacks Philippians 2:12-30, revealing the encouragement Paul has for the faithful in Philippi and the ways in which we can seek to be an encouragement to others.

Mike continues our series “Partners in the Gospel” with Philippians 2:1-11. In this passage, Paul encourages his readers to be of one mind and seek to meet the needs of others before themselves. Not only for the benefit of the early church in Phillipi, but to be imitators of Christ.

Mike helps us to see the need for this same attitude and mindset today, not only for the benefit of our wider community but discover that a life live in this way is more fruitful for us too.

Third in our series on Philippians, drawing from Philippians 1:27-30, Mike shows how standing firm in the Gospel is easier when we have a community living likewise and can see examples in the lives of others.

For the Philippians this was Paul, in chains for his faith. For all of us past, present and future, this is most clearly seen in the willingness of Jesus Christ going to the cross to redeem us.

In the second sermon of our series through Philippians 1:12-26, Mike highlights the single minded focus Paul has on Chirst that enables him to rejoice in Christ regardless of his circumstances and in spite of the motivations of others.

While pointing to the way in which others have lived for Christ above all, Mike encourages us today to likewise develop a singular focus on Christ and discover the way it can change our lives and motivations.

Starting our series through Philippians with Philippians 1:1-11, Mike introduces the context of the letter to the Philippians found in Acts 16:11-40 and encourages us to consider how we might be effective partners in the gospel.

This Sunday we celebrate the enduring legacy of St Mark’s faithful ministry in the south-east of Melbourne.

Ormond Anglican began as a church plant from St Marks, today Michael helps us to reflect on 1 Peter 1:22-2:10 and what will truly endure in this world. Now, while reflecting on the 175 years of the legacy of St Mark’s, we are encouraged to consider how the enduring word of God will continue in the weeks, years and decades to come.

On the surface, Easter makes no sense; our own experience of life tells us that the dead do not come to life, and yet this is the claim of the Bible and the events in our passage, John 20:1-18.

Mike helps us to see the heart of this passage, the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and the real and honest emotional responses of Jesus’ friends and followers; Mary, Peter, and John. In this passage, we see how in Jesus we can make sense of the nonsensical.

This easter, you are invited to re-examine the empty tomb and encounter the risen Jesus. He is risen, he is risen indeed.

The crowds on the road to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival welcome Jesus as their king, but as we read John 12:12-19, it is revealed that Jesus is a different kind of King.

Mike unpacks this passage and helps us to consider what good leadership should look like and how we can exemplify it in our lives.

In his first sermon as vicar of Ormond Anglican Church, Mike encourages us from Psalm 67 and Titus 2:11-14, pointing to the blessings of God for all people.

Furthermore, we have seen God’s blessing and graciousness in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, while we await his return we can all play a part in sharing that blessing and grace with others in our lives no matter our context.