Sermon

St Paul’s Kogarah 24 August 2025

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

I work for an organisation called Thesauros Consulting and we offer guidance for churches and Christians in navigating their finances as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Our work involves creating structures in place for people to manage their finances wisely but in a way that’s in accordance with their Christian convictions: taking control of money and use it where we get the most value, prioritising the Kingdom ahead of our own worldly desires.

But before starting Thesauros Consulting, I worked at a bank, as a Relationship Manager, making sure that the bank’s most important customers were happy with the services that we provided. I would meet up with them every so often over a meal or coffee just to make sure they were still happy and take in any feedback for improvement.

To build trust and…

Don’t run from the fires of conflicts  

Big Idea: Don’t avoid conflicts with Christians, but seek God’s will to resolve, strengthen, and sometimes part ways, trusting in God’s grace for the outcome.

1.      The fruits of a good resolution

2.      The pain of a broken partnership

3.      Trusting God’s grace for the outcome

A Christian once asked a question on X, formerly known as Twitter, “what kind of fights have you seen in your Church?”

St Paul’s Kogarah 10 August 2025

HEARTS FOR THE GOSPEL

Acts 15:1-29

Good morning and thank you for welcoming me again at your church.  It’s great to see you again after one year or so.

Since my last visit with you, not much has changed in my family, other than for my daughter who last year started a job at the university that she goes to. As she got an increase in income, she decided to join a gym close to where we live. Her bank account gets deducted for gym membership fees every month.

By God’s grace, take the long way home     

Passage: Acts 14:21-28

Big Idea: By the grace of God, go with him to make and strengthen disciples, for he has opened the door of faith to all nations.

1.      The long way home: Making and strengthening disciples

2.      Good to be home: Mission report of God’s grace

3.      Welcome home, stranger! God opens his door of faith