Sermons

In this sermon, Mike Phillips begins our Going Deeper with God series by exploring the meaning and significance of baptism. Drawing on Jesus’ command in Matthew 28, Peter’s call to repentance in Acts 2, and Paul’s teaching in Romans 6, we discover that baptism is far more than a church tradition. It is a powerful sign of God’s grace, our union with Christ, and our new life in Him.

Baptism points to what God has done for us through Jesus: the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of new life. It marks our belonging to Christ and His people, and calls us to live as His disciples.

This message invites us to ask:

What does it mean to belong to Jesus and live in the reality of our baptism?

You'll be encouraged to:

• Understand the purpose and meaning of baptism

• See how baptism points to Jesus’ death and resurrection

• Rejoice in God's promises of forgiveness and new life

• Embrace your identity as a disciple of Christ

Whether your baptism was recent, many years ago, or you're still considering it, this sermon reminds us that God calls us to live the new life He has given us in Christ. [sermon | Txt]

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2028%3A16-20%2C%20acts%202%3A36-41%2C%20romans%206%3A1-4&version=NIV

In this sermon, Luke Prentice explores Romans 5:1-11 and the life-changing reality that, through faith in Jesus, we have peace with God. This is not a temporary feeling or fragile truce, but a permanent change in our relationship with God, secured by the death and resurrection of Christ.

‍ Paul shows us that because we have been justified by faith, we can face both the future and the present with confidence. Even suffering is transformed, as God uses it to grow perseverance, character, and hope.

This message invites us to ask:

‍Where does true confidence come from?

‍ ‍You'll be encouraged to:

• Understand what it means to have peace with God

• See the depth of God's love demonstrated at the cross

• Discover why our salvation rests on Christ's work, not our performance

• Grow in confidence through suffering, knowing God is at work

• Rejoice in the certainty of God's promises and future glory

Because Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, we can live with deep assurance that God has reconciled us to Himself and will never abandon His people.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Romans%205%3A1-11&version=NIV

In this sermon, Mike Phillips explores Romans 4 and the wonderful truth that we are made right with God by faith, not by our achievements. Looking at the examples of Abraham and David, Paul shows that God has always justified people through faith in His promises not through religious performance or good works.

This passage confronts a deep question:

How can we be justified before a holy God?

The answer is not found in what we do, but in what God has done through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham trusted God's promises and was credited with righteousness, we too are called to trust in the God who raised Jesus from the dead.

You'll be encouraged to:

• Understand what it means to be justified by faith

• See why good works can never earn God's approval

• Discover the confidence that comes from trusting God's promises

• Rejoice in the grace of God shown through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

God's grace is wonderful because it frees us from trying to justify ourselves and invites us to rest in Christ, who was delivered over for our sins and raised for our justification. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%204%20&version=NIV

‍ ‍

In this sermon, Mike Phillips brings us to the turning point in Romans. After confronting the reality of human sin and our inability to make ourselves right with God, Paul announces the wonderful news of the gospel: God offers His righteousness as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ.

All people fall short of God's standard, yet God has made a way for sinners to be declared righteous. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death, God remains perfectly just while offering forgiveness and new life to all who trust in Him.

This message asks:

How can God be both just and merciful?

You’ll be encouraged to:

• Understand why righteousness is a gift, not something we earn

• See how the cross satisfies both God’s justice and His love

• Discover the freedom that comes from trusting Christ rather than yourself

• Live with humble confidence in God’s verdict over your life

The gospel is wonderful news: though all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, all who trust in Jesus can be justified freely by His grace.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A21-31&version=NIV

In this sermon, Luke Prentice brings us to one of the most confronting passages in Romans. As Paul draws his argument to a climax, he shows that every person is guilty before God and unable to save themselves. Jews and Gentiles alike stand under the power of sin, accountable before a righteous God.

This is not a message designed to crush us, but to help us face reality honestly. Before we can appreciate the rescue God offers, we need to understand the depth of the problem we face.

This message asks:

Are we willing to be honest about our sin and our need for Jesus?

You’ll be encouraged to:

• Understand the Bible’s diagnosis of the human condition

• See how sin affects every person and every part of life

• Recognise why we cannot save ourselves

• Discover why the gospel is such good news

Romans 3 leaves us with nowhere to hide and no grounds for self‑confidence. But it also prepares us for the glorious truth that God provides the righteousness we could never achieve ourselves through Jesus Christ.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom%203%3A9-20&version=NIV

‍ ‍

In this sermon, Luke Prentice tackles a challenging question: Is God unfair? As Paul responds to objections in Romans 3:1–8, he defends God's character against accusations of injustice and unfaithfulness.

Whether through painful experiences with other Christians, difficult doctrines, or questions about God's judgment, many people wrestle with whether God can truly be trusted. Paul’s answer is emphatic: God remains true, righteous, and faithful, even when people are not.

‍ This message invites us to consider:

‍Can God be trusted when we struggle to understand His ways?

‍ You’ll be encouraged to:

• See why God’s faithfulness is not diminished by human failure

• Understand how God’s justice and righteousness are revealed

• Explore difficult questions about sin, judgment, and God’s glory

• Grow in confidence in God’s perfect character

‍ Far from being unfair, God is completely trustworthy. His righteousness, truthfulness, and glory give us every reason to trust Him and stand unashamed in our faith.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203%3A1-8&version=NIV

In this sermon, Greg Allinson explores Romans 2:17–29 and the relationship between privilege and responsibility. Paul addresses those who take pride in their religious identity, knowledge, and status, but fail to live out what they know.

The Jewish believers of Paul's day had many privileges: God's law, God's promises, and God's covenant. Yet privilege alone was never enough. God was looking for hearts transformed by obedience, not merely outward signs of belonging.

This message invites us to ask:

‍Are we simply enjoying the privileges of being Christians, or are we living out the responsibilities that come with them?

You'll be encouraged to:

• Reflect on the privileges God has given His people

• Examine whether your life matches your profession of faith

• Consider what it means to be a disciple from the heart

• Seek God's approval rather than the praise of others

Privilege should lead to responsibility. As followers of Jesus, we are called not only to know God's Word, but to live it, honouring Christ in both word and action.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%202%3A17%E2%80%9329%20&version=NIV

In this sermon, Greg Allinson explores Romans 2:1–11 and challenges our tendency to judge others while overlooking our own need for God's grace. Paul warns that whenever we condemn others for sins we ourselves commit, we place ourselves under the same judgment.

‍ While we naturally make judgments every day, God's judgment is different. It is true, impartial, and based on perfect knowledge. Rather than leading us to point the finger at others, it should lead us to repentance and a deeper dependence on Christ.

‍ This message invites us to ask:

‍Are we more aware of the sins of others, or our own need for God's mercy?

‍ You'll be encouraged to:

• Understand the difference between human judgment and God's judgment

• Recognise the danger of hypocrisy and self-righteousness

• Reflect on God's kindness, patience, and grace

• Turn again to Christ in repentance and faith

‍ The good news of the gospel is that we stand before God not because of our own righteousness, but because of His grace shown to us in Jesus Christ.

‍https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=%20Romans%202%3A1%E2%80%9311&version=NIV

‍ ‍

In this sermon, Luke Prentice explores Romans 1:8-17 and shows how the gospel is not only the way we begin the Christian life, but the way we grow in it. Paul longs to visit the believers in Rome so that they might be strengthened-and the means of that strength is the gospel itself.  

Far from being something Christians move on from, the good news that Jesus is Lord remains God's power for salvation, maturity, and faithful living.

This message invites us to consider:

Where are we looking for strength-and are we drawing on the power of the gospel?

You’ll be encouraged to:

• See why the gospel is central to the whole Christian life

• Understand how God strengthens His people through His Word

• Grow in faith, confidence, and maturity

• Learn to lean on the gospel in both weakness and struggle

The gospel is God's power to save, strengthen, and transform all who believe.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A8-17&version=NIV

In this sermon, Mike Phillips introduces the book of Romans and explores a foundational question: why should we trust this letter - and the message it brings?

In Romans 1:1–7, Paul introduces himself as an apostle set apart for the gospel and centres everything on Jesus Christ - the promised King, risen Lord, and Son of God.

‍ This message helps us see that the gospel is not just advice or ideas, but great news about Jesus that calls for a response.

‍ ‍You’ll be encouraged to:
• Understand who Paul is and why his message can be trusted
• See that the gospel is centred on Jesus, not us
• Recognise the significance of Jesus as Lord
• Reflect on what it means to respond in faith and obedience

This is news that changes everything: Jesus Christ is Lord, and through Him come grace, peace, and new life for all who trust Him.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A1%E2%80%937&version=NIV

‍ ‍

In this sermon, Mike Phillips explores the foundation of Christian generosity: God’s grace. From creation onward, we see a God who gives abundantly-life, beauty, purpose, and everything we need.

‍Yet instead of reflecting that generosity, we often hold tightly to what we’ve received. Rather than withdrawing His gifts, God responds with even greater generosity—giving His Son to rescue us and restore us.

This message reminds us that generosity begins with what God has already given.

‍ In this sermon you’ll be encouraged to:

• See God’s abundant generosity in creation and in Christ

• Recognise how grace shapes our attitudes to money and resources

• Reflect on holding God’s gifts with open hands

• Grow in gratitude as the foundation for generosity

God’s grace invites us into a life of joyful generosity—because He has first given everything to us.

‍ ‍

💬 Subscribe for more sermons, or visit www.ormondanglican.org.au

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%202%3A4-17%2C%20Romans%2011%3A33-12%3A8&version=NIV

‍ ‍

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