Figtree Anglican Church Podcast

In this sermon from Romans 15:23–29 and 16:1–27, Ruth Smith closes our series in Romans by asking the searching question: Do you have the faith to obey God in all things? Drawing from Paul’s missionary plans, his appeal for generosity, and his personal greetings, Ruth highlights how obedience flows from genuine faith. She points to Paul’s example of raising funds for believers in need, his commendation of faithful co-workers—both men and women like Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, and Junia—and his reminder that true faith is not just belief but a life of obedience. Ruth challenges us to consider what it looks like to trust Jesus enough to obey him with our money, our relationships, our speech, our desires, and our daily devotion, reminding us that obedience is our greatest act of worship and the pathway to true freedom in Christ.

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5 Questions to Think About:

1. What does Paul’s collection for the poor in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25–28) teach us about generosity and obedience with our finances?

2. How does the example of women like Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia (Romans 16:1–7) challenge or encourage your view of serving in God’s mission?

3. In what areas of your life is it hardest to trust Jesus enough to obey him?

4. How do Paul’s final words about “the obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 16:26) shape your understanding of the Christian life?

5. Do you see obedience as a burden, or as freedom and worship? How might the Spirit need to reshape your view?

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3 Takeaways from the Message:

1. Faith and obedience are inseparable—true trust in Jesus is shown in living for him daily (Romans 1:5; 16:26).

2. Generosity and service are acts of obedience—from financial giving to gospel partnership, God calls us to offer our “first fruits,” not leftovers (Romans 15:25–28).

3. Obedience is worship and freedom—to obey Jesus is not slavery to rules but the joyful path of life as a “slave to righteousness” (Romans 6:18; 16:27).

On Father’s Day, Peter Lenehan preaches from Proverbs 3:1–12 and Matthew 6:25–34, reminding us that being devoted dads—and devoted disciples—begins with knowing what it means to be a child of God. Drawing on Jesus’ command not to worry but to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, Peter encourages fathers and all believers to trust in God’s provision rather than chasing after temporary things. He challenges dads to place their Christian identity first, then their calling as husbands, and then as fathers, raising children in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). With honesty and encouragement, this sermon points us back to the cross as the ultimate reason we can trust God as our perfect Father who never fails in his care.

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5 Questions to Think About:

1. What does Proverbs 3:5–6 teach us about trusting God instead of relying on our own understanding?

2. How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25–34 challenge your daily worries and priorities?

3. In what ways do you find yourself chasing after temporary things rather than seeking God’s kingdom first?

4. For fathers—how can your Christian identity shape your role as a husband and dad (Ephesians 5:25; 6:4)?

5. How does looking to the cross give you confidence that God has truly “got you covered” in every circumstance?

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3 Takeaways from the Message:

1. We are children of God first—our security and identity rest in his provision and love (1 John 3:1).

2. Seek first God’s kingdom—when we prioritize his righteousness, he promises to provide what we need (Matthew 6:33).

3. Fatherhood flows from faith—devoted dads (and all believers) lead well when they trust God, live out their Christian identity, and raise children in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

In this opening sermon for the World Missions Conference, Warwick de Jersey takes us to Psalm 145, showing how King David’s song of praise points us to Jesus—the ultimate singer who invites us into his chorus of mission. David praises God’s greatness, faithfulness, compassion, and justice, and Warwick highlights how Jesus fulfills these realities in even greater ways through his death and resurrection. World mission, he reminds us, begins with simply praising God—“blathering” about who he is and what he has done—trusting that God uses our words to draw others to himself. Through personal testimony and practical encouragement, Warwick challenges us to find our “one thing” to rave about God and to join Jesus in his global mission of praise (Psalm 145; Matthew 28:18–20).

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5 Questions to Think About:

1. What stands out to you most in Psalm 145 about God’s character, and how does it inspire praise?

2. How does seeing Jesus as the ultimate fulfiller of Psalm 145 deepen your understanding of mission?

3. What is the “one thing” about God’s work in your life that you can’t help but rave about?

4. How can you practice “blathering” about God naturally in everyday conversations?

5. In what ways can you support or partner with others in world mission—through prayer, giving, or going?

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3 Takeaways from the Message:

1. Mission begins with praise—telling others what God has done and who he is (Psalm 145:1–7).

2. Jesus fulfills David’s song, embodying God’s compassion, justice, and salvation for the world (Psalm 145:8–20; Matthew 28:18–20).

3. Every Christian is called to join Christ’s chorus—whether by speaking, praying, sending, or going—so that all nations may know and praise the Lord.

In this second week of the World Missions Conference, Warwick de Jersey unpacks Genesis 11:1–9 and Romans 15:1–13 to show God’s great mission of reversing Babel through Christ. While human sin led to division, scattering, and hostility at Babel, God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3) and its fulfillment in Jesus brings reconciliation and unity. Warwick highlights how the church today—diverse in culture, language, and background—is a living miracle and a foretaste of Revelation 7, where all nations gather in worship. He reminds us that unity in Christ is not achieved by rules or human effort but by God’s transforming work in our hearts and minds, shaping us to think like Jesus and to overflow with joy, peace, and hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:5–13).

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5 Questions to Think About:

1. How does the story of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) help us understand the divisions we see in the world today?

2. What does Romans 15:5–7 teach us about the source of true unity in the church?

3. In what ways have you experienced the “miracle” of diverse people being united in Christ?

4. How might asking God for the “mind of Christ” (Romans 15:1–3, 5) change the way you relate to others in the church?

5. What role can you play in God’s global mission of gathering all nations under Christ (Genesis 12:3; Revelation 7:9–10)?

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3 Takeaways from the Message:

1. Human sin creates division, but God’s mission has always been to gather all nations under his blessing (Genesis 11–12).

2. Unity in the church is a miracle of God’s Spirit—rooted in Christ’s sacrifice and sustained by God’s transforming work (Romans 15:5–7).

3. Every local church is a foretaste of the heavenly gathering, and we are called to join God’s mission so that all nations may glorify him (Romans 15:9–13; Revelation 7:9–10).

In this sermon, Peter Lenehan explores the tension in Romans 13:1–7 between submitting to governing authorities and remaining faithful to God above all. Drawing on the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, Peter reminds us that while Christians are called to respect and submit to authorities as instruments established by God, there are limits when obedience would mean denying God or harming others. He unpacks the spectrum of Christian responses—from quiet submission to active engagement—and challenges us to consider when to remain silent and when to speak up. Ultimately, our submission to human authority must flow from our greater submission to Christ, seeking to love our neighbour and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21; 13:8–10).

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5 Questions to Think About:

1. How do Romans 13:1–7 and Daniel 3 together shape our understanding of submission to authorities?

2. In what situations might silence demonstrate faithfulness, and in what situations might speaking up be necessary?

3. How does the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Romans 13:9–10) guide when civil disobedience may be required?

4. How does Jesus’ own submission to unjust authorities challenge the way we think about power and obedience?

5. In your current context—school, workplace, or community—are you more prone to staying quiet when you should speak, or speaking when you should stay quiet?

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3 Takeaways from the Message:

1. The default Christian posture toward governing authorities is submission, recognising them as established by God (Romans 13:1–2).

2. Submission is not blind obedience—Christians must never deny God or obey in ways that harm others (Acts 5:29; Romans 13:10).

3. Our ultimate calling is to honour Christ in every decision, whether by being quiet or by speaking up, seeking always to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

Romans Chapter 12 - 16: A Shaping Gospel

Today's Readings: Leviticus 19:9-18 Romans 13:1-14

In this sermon on Romans 13:1–14 and Leviticus 19:9–18, Steve Dinning explores what it means to live “gospel-shaped Mondays” by being faithful citizens, loving neighbours, and living in light of Christ’s return. Using relatable modern-day scenarios, he unpacks Paul’s call to submit to governing authorities as established by God (Romans 13:1–7), to fulfil the ongoing debt of love to others as the heart of the law (Romans 13:8–10; Leviticus 19:18), and to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” while rejecting deeds of darkness (Romans 13:11–14). The message challenges believers to let the gospel shape everyday decisions, relationships, and priorities in view of God’s mercy.

5 Questions to Think About:

1. How does Romans 13:1–2 challenge your attitude toward government authorities, especially when you disagree with them?

2. What does it mean for you personally to have an “ongoing debt to love one another” (Romans 13:8)?

3. In what situations do you find it most difficult to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9–10)?

4. How does the reality that “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11) shape your daily choices?

5. What might it look like for you to “clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14) in a current challenge you face?

 

3 Things to Take Away:

1. God’s sovereignty over authority — All governing powers ultimately derive their authority from God (Romans 13:1–2), and our submission reflects trust in His order.

2. Love as the fulfilment of the law — Every command is summed up in loving your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:8–10).

3. Live ready for Christ’s return — Put aside deeds of darkness and intentionally live in the light of Jesus’ coming day (Romans 13:11–14).

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