Sermons can be played directly from the website, or downloaded for listening to at other times. Downloaded files are ".zip" files. Most computers will already have the software to "unzip" these files, but if necessary a program to do this can be downloaded from http://www.7-zip.org/
The Long Silence
The New Testament uses different images or pictures to try and help us understand the meaning of the Cross. This sermon, preached during a Communion Service, introduces a number of them and ends with a powerful anonymous meditation on the sufferings of Jesus Christ called: The Long Silence.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 5th May 2013
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God the Creator
The theme for April's Family Service was God the Creator. Note the voices of some of our young people on this mp3! The talk ended with a moving Canadian video which has proved to be highly popular since its launch: The Father's Love Letter: http://www.fathersloveletter.com/video.html
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 21st April 2013
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We need God in our lives
This image of Rembrandt’s famous Prodigal Son painting – the original is on display in The Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg – captures brilliantly the message at the heart of Jesus’ famous lost son parable. In this sermon our Pastor reminds us of the God-spaced hole in all of our lives, of the walls we build to try to keep God out, and of the fears we all need to face up to.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 7th April 2013
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40 Days of Relationships
The series of sermons on 40 Days of Relationships the Building Relationships sermons page.
The housegroups are also studying 'Building Relationships with God’s Love'.
SHAPE
The things that we have to give may look like a small child's lunch to us but in Christ's hands who knows how far they will stretch? The question is of course this: are we willing to give our time, our talents and our treasure to the Lord? For His call is always to use what we have, not what we don't have for His glory. This sermon explores what this might mean in practice including taking another look at the Purpose Driven Church "SHAPE model" for using our gifts.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 29th July 2012
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I believe...
"I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry or touch a leaf or see the sky
Then I know why I believe..."
So sang the Bachelors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHFQ7KZOKA
In this sermon, preached on 15th July 2012 as part of a Dedication Service, I explore the theme of the God who is there using Pascal's famous wager. Somewhat simplified, this says: there's more to be gained from wagering on the existence of God than from atheism. A rational response to life is to live as though God exists, seek to know more and to find out for sure when we die.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 15th July 2012
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April Fools' Day
It is very rare that April Fools' Day and Palm Sunday coincide. On 1st April 2012 they did. In this sermon some of the greatest April Fools' Day tricks of all time are referred to before our Minister raises this question: what kind of fool are you?
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 1st April 2012
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Promises of God
John Wesley once affirmed 'Faith mighty faith the promise sees and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities and cries 'It shall be done'. In this sermon based on Romans 4: 13-25, three promises of God - saved by faith, eternal life and answered prayer - are explored.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 4th March 2012
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Sermon at a Dedication Service.
Mark 9: 2-9. Jesus and his disciples, like Moses of old, knew what it was to descend to the valleys of life to serve and give of themselves. The mountaintop had prepared them all for loving service of others. The same is true of us. The wonders of Creation. A precious baby’s dedication. A conversion and baptism. The glories of music. These are part of life on earth – thank God – but not the whole. May our mountaintop experiences help us to see Jesus Christ’s call upon our lives more clearly; and help us as we travel through the valleys below... serving Him and others.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 19th February 2012
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Just 10 - the Ten Commandments
The series of sermons on the Ten Commandments can be found on the Just 10 sermons page.
The housegroups are also studying the Just 10 course.
The feeding of the five thousand
Matthew 14, 13-21. The feeding of the five thousand is above all about the compassion of Jesus and His God-given ability to satisfy those in need—a theme that runs throughout the gospel of Matthew. The miracle we call the feeding of the 5000 comes not in response to a request but flows from the spontaneous compassion of Jesus Christ, the miracle worker. In this sermon it is explored under four headings: 1) Give Him your best. 2) Relax and let Jesus Christ look after you. 3) Remember that all sins can be forgiven. 4) Remember that this world is not all there is.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 31st July 2011
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The wheat and weeds
It is Summer and weeds are everywhere in our gardens just now. Just like in life. You think you've got rid of one problem and then it reappears in another form. You think life will be comfortable again for a while and then the weeds appear to spoil it all again. We can learn a lot from the story Jesus told about all of this: 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 17th July 2011
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The God of Miracles
Baptist Union President Pat Took was the speaker at our 2011 Families Day Parade Service. In her talk to us all she reflected on the service theme: The God of Miracles.
To hear Pat Took's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 26th June 2011
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Authority at work
Matthew 28:16-20. We do have problems with authority sometimes don’t we! At the end of Matthew’s gospel we see true authority at work. The Master speaks and two thousands year later His servants all over the world are still carrying out his orders.
A GO to the people of all nations and make disciples
B BAPTISE them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
C TEACH them to do everything I have told you.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 19th June 2011
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The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24: 13-35. The Supper at Emmaus is a painting by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio, painted in 1601. It depicts the moment when the resurrected but disguised Jesus, reveals himself to two of his disciples (presumed to be Luke and Cleopas), only to soon vanish from their sight (Luke 24: 30-31). Luke wears the robes of a pilgrim. The other apostle wears torn clothes. The third person is a steward whose face is in darkness and who appears oblivious to the event. The painting is unusual for the life-sized figures, the dark and blank background. The table lays out a still-life meal. Like the world these apostles knew, the basket of food teeters perilously over the edge. Caravaggio seems to suggest that perhaps Jesus could enter our daily encounters and bring light into the darkness as he does so. This sermon explores that idea...
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 8th May 2011
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The Transfiguration
Mount Meron is the highest mountain within the internationally recognized borders of the state of Israel - 1,208 metres (3,963 ft) above sea level. Not surprisingly then it has long been associated with the events recorded in Matthew 17:1-9 - the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ just before His journey to the Cross began. The Transfiguration reminds us of Who Christ truly is and of the ways that faith in Christ transforms the ordinary and the everyday.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 6th March 2011
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Responding to environmental challenges
The search for the most eagerly sought subatomic particle in modern physics - the Higgs boson - serves as the introduction to this sermon based on Psalm 136 and Romans 8:18-25. In it the challenge of our response to some contemporary environmental challenges and the perennial question - who lit the blue touch paper? - are considered.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 27th February 2011
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A true foundation, a good witness and a work in progress
The Church of the Holy Family in Barcelona commonly known as the Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). It is a work in progress not yet completed - like the Church all over the world. In this sermon Paul's teaching about the Church in I Corinthians 3:10-23 is explored.
To hear Michael Bochenski's sermon or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 20th February 2011
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The baptism of Jesus
Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV): 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me? 15 Jesus replied, Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness. Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.
To hear Michael Bochenski preaching on The Baptism of Jesus or to download the mp3 file click on a link below:
Play sermon from 9th January 2011
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