GBC | Sermons

Plan A | Sowing | Matthew 13:1-9

This week we continue our series Plan A: The Great Commission for Every Christian, a series in which we're exploring five principles of evangelism developed by Balinda Lakelin. This week, Jodine Watling, our associate pastor, explores what it looks like to Sow, the third of the principles. Instead of focusing on the seed or the sower, she focuses instead on the soils of the parable of the soil as told by Jesus in Matthew's gospel and explores the state of our hearts and those around us as a...

Plan A | Knowing | Matthew 9:9-13

This week as part of our series Plan A: The Great Commission for Every Christian. Matt Willis is looking at the second principle of Knowing and in this passage he's going to be looking at the example that Jesus has with Matthew, the tax collector, and how Jesus notices and connects and then gives Matthew a purpose. For each one of us, we are challenged to notice people around us, to then build purposeful connections in order that we might invite people to know and follow Jesus even as we ar...

Plan A | Growing | Mark 1:14-20

This week we continue or start our series around Plan A, The Great Commission For Every Christian. This week we look at the first of five principles that make up God's "Plan A", his only plan for evangelism, and that principle is the principle of Growing. Disciples are those who make disciples and so this is where we must begin. The key questions around this principle are simple and yet quite profound. What is Jesus saying to you and what are you doing about it? And if you haven't heard fro...

Plan A | The Great Commission for Every Christian | Matthew 28:16-20

What comes to mind when you think of the gift of evangelism? Is evangelism something that you feel equipped for? Where do we even start taking part in this journey? This week, we launch a new series that explores a framework for evangelism. Developed by Belinda Lakelin, Evangelism Consultant for the Baptist Association, Plan A is based on Matthew 28 and seeks to help every Christian live out the great commission. In this message, Belinda chatted to Marc Rader to help us understand the heart...

Songs of the People | Psalm 106

What do we do with our own flaws and failings? What is God really like? How do we grow in our relationship with Him? This week, in the final message from our series Songs of the People, Brett Robinson invites us to explore Psalm 106, and discover the power of bringing our failings before a merciful God. The invitation of Psalm 106 is not into condemnation, but into life. When we confess our failings before God, and they meet the mercy of our loving Heavenly Father, relationship is built. T...

Songs of the People | Psalm 19

Creation invites us to discover that the World was made by God. God's laws help us to understand more about God. We can invite God to help us discover more about ourselves. And extraordinarily, we can actually know God Himself, through the person of Jesus. Perhaps you need to visit a physical or metaphorical dark sky national park this week, and make space to discover that God is nearer than you think. This might be something you've done before, or perhaps its for the very first time.  Wha...

Songs of the People | Psalm 25

This week, as part of our series “Songs of the People” we are looking at Psalm 25. This acrostic psalm of lament challenges us to consider what we truly need from the Lord. When we face trouble in all its forms - and we will - we are encouraged to lift up our need to the Lord and to request rescue from him. Psalm 25, however, also encourages us to ask for guidance to know how to walk in the way of the Lord while we wait for rescue. This is our greatest need! Is there someone you know who r...

Songs of the People | Psalm 145

This week we continue our series, Songs of the People, in which we are exploring the invitation, encouragement, and challenge of the psalms. The psalms we will be looking at are determined by the lectionary; the three year cycle of readings that many churches around the world follow. This week, our youth coordinator Matt Willis dives into Psalm 145 and the question of what makes God so great.  God’s greatness is not merely his power and strength, but his good and gracious character. God’s ...

Songs Of The People | Psalm 114

This week we continue our series, Songs of the People, in which we will explore the invitation, encouragement, and challenge of the psalms. The psalms we will be looking at are determined by the lectionary; the three year cycle of readings that many churches around the world follow. Mark Coleman shares some reflections on Psalm 114. This psalm considers the exodus, that definitive act of salvation in the Old Testament, but with a specific focus on God’s power and the invitation to God’s peo...

Songs of the People | Psalm 149

This week we begin a new series entitled, Songs of the People in which we are going to explore the invitation, encouragement, and challenge of the psalms. The psalms we will be looking at are determined by the lectionary; the three year cycle of readings that many churches around the world follow. Our first psalm is 149, a hymn with a few surprises along the way, but that encourages us as the community of faith to praise the Lord in response to the delight he shows us and the purpose he giv...

A Celebration of Joan Eley | Gymea Baptist Church

Welcome to this special podcast from Gymea Baptist Church, in Sydney Australia. We celebrate together the life of Joan Eley, who passed away peacefully on the 30th of August, 2020 in Venezuela. Joan was the first missionary sent out from Gymea Baptist Church in 1966 & spent over 50 years in service in Venezuela. This is an interview with Joan at GBC 18 October 2008 with Paul Summers.

A Celebration of Joan Elley | Gymea Baptist Church

Welcome to this special podcast from Gymea Baptist Church, in Sydney Australia. We celebrate together the life of Joan Eley, who passed away peacefully on the 30th of August, 2020 in Venezuela. Joan was the first missionary sent out from Gymea Baptist Church in 1966 & spent over 50 years in service in Venezuela. This is an interview with Joan at GBC 18 October 2008 with Paul Summers.

The Church Reimagined | The More Things Change… (The More They Stay The Same?) | John 20:19-23

This week we conclude our series entitled “The Church Reimagined” and I return to a foundational text for us: John 20:19-23 where Jesus sends his followers, then and now, to continue the work he had begun. I don’t know how you’re feeling about the changes and uncertainty that are swirling around us, but I hope that you take comfort in the enduring plans and purposes of God and, more importantly, that these unchanging plans and purposes will provide you with a reason to be on-purpose in your...

The Church Reimagined | The Medium Is the Message... (And Our Lives Are the Medium!) | 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

In this week’s message we turn again to the issue of discipleship and the importance of translating our faith in Jesus into every aspect of lives.  Paul had translated his faith into every area of his life and his faith in Jesus had become the message of his life. You and I are invited to do the same, allowing Jesus to fill every part of our lives so that the message of our lives point to him. Is there someone you know who really needs to hear this message? Why not share it with them and s...

The Church Reimagined | We Celebrate What Matters... (But What Really Matters?) | Luke 15:1-7

When we are clear what matters we can count the right sorts of things, allow what really matters to shape our ministry, and celebrate what really matters. While counting has its place, and ministry is important, celebration - such an important part of these parable - unites us like almost nothing else. Even in these extraordinary times, we know that Jesus is changing lives and that this is worth celebrating. We can also be on the look out for what really matter locally and celebrate that as...

The Church Reimagined | We Are Family... (Are You Available?) | Ephesians 4:11-14

As we continue to consider what it means for us to be a community of faith, We want to continue on from where we left off last week when we considered what means to be a community of communities. If we are going to find connection, belonging, and our place in God’s mission in the household of God (to use Paul’s imagery) who is going to lead these smaller communities? The success of the church’s mission is close to the heart of Jesus and he will generously resource every household of faith w...

The Church Reimagined | We Are Family... ( And That Means Something) | Ephesians 2:19-22

This week we continue our new series entitled “The Church Reimagined” in which I want to explore where I believe God is inviting us to reflect on what it means to be the community of faith. In this message I reflect on Paul’s use of “the household of God” to describe the community of faith and its implications for us. Imagine if every follower of Jesus found their place in God’s mission. If every follower knew where they fit. If every disciple knew they belonged; felt connected; and encoura...

The Church Reimagined | We Are Following Jesus (And That’s All That Matters) | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

This week we continue our new series entitled “The Church Reimagined” in which I want to explore where I believe God is inviting us to reflect on what it means to be the community of faith. In particular, what and who is at the centre of a discipling community. The fact that Jesus - his life, death, resurrection and mission - should be at the centre of any community of faith that takes discipleship seriously seem obvious. What is less obvious is how easily we can allow other things to subtl...

The Church Reimagined | We Are The Church Ungathered... (And That's Okay) | Acts 8:1-14

This week we begin a new series entitled “The Church Reimagined” in which we want to explore where we believe God is inviting us to reflect on what it means to be the community of faith. In a world thrown into uncertainty by COVID-19 we know that God’s plans and purposes are certain. Our faithful response is important. Acts 8 provides us with an ideal church scattered where the leadership and responsibility for the mission - to make disciples of all nations - is in the hands of every follow...

Anchored | Come On! | Hebrews 13:20-22

This week we conclude our series in Hebrews and Mark Coleman, our associate pastor, summarises some of the primary invitations of the book with an eye to chapter 13. For all its Old Testament references and profound theological statements the message of Hebrews is pretty simple: remain anchored to Jesus and encourage one another to do the same so that you may persevere. Come on! Is there someone you know who really needs to hear this message? Why not share it with them and see what God doe...

Anchored | The Anchor of Discipline | Hebrews 12: 4-13

In our passage today, Hebrews 12:4-13, the author continues to reframe the experiences of his hearers; changing how they perceive their struggles and hardships. Opposition and difficulty is not evidence of going in the wrong direction, but is the sphere where God teaches his children to be holy. Our holiness is more than a private, internal experience but a public, external commitment to follow Jesus and participate in his plans to renew the world. Jesus himself was opposed and rejected and...

Anchored | Together | Hebrews 11:39-12:3

Today we come to the soaring reflection on faith as the author of Hebrews continues to encourage his readers, and by the Holy Spirit us, to endure and to fix our eyes on Jesus. So who is in your Legends Row? Take some time this week to thank God for them and maybe to thank them in person. And who can you be encouraging and cheering on to fix their eyes on Jesus?

Anchored | Therefore ... Persevere! | Hebrews 10:26-31

As we continue our exploration of Hebrews we have come to the end of main block of teaching. But before the author turns to his soaring reflection on faith in action he summarises his teaching to this point and urges his readers, together, to live by faith. Let us consider how we might spur one another, not to shrink back from participation in God’s purposes, but to endure. And let us keep meeting with others who will spur us on to that end.

Anchored | The Anchor of Perfect Forgiveness | Hebrews 10:1-10

This week we continue our exploration of Hebrews and the perfect forgiveness that Jesus has won for us and the tremendous implications this has for us. This is the culmination of the author’s central idea: that it is impossible to drift away from such a wonderful patron. Is there someone you know who really needs to hear this message? Why not share it with them and see what God does through it. And remember, you can follow us on Facebook or visit our website at gymeabaptist.org.au. Remem...

You Are Here | In Your Neighbourhood | Luke 10:25-37

This week is an extended interview between Senior Pastor Marc Rader and Karina Kreminski Co-Director of Neighbourhood Matters a ministry dedicated to helping Christains be salt and light in their community and to learn to love their neighbours. 

Anchored | The Anchor Of A Better Promise | Hebrews 8:1-6

Our sermon series is focused on the Book of Hebrews and in this week’s message the author continues to explore the greatness of Jesus’ ministry as high priest by focusing on the greater promise that Jesus mediates and the purpose of that promise in the people of God. Jesus has what it takes to bring about the purpose of God by fulfilling the promise of writing the law of God on our hearts. We can place our hope in him.

Anchored | The Power Of An Indestructible Life | Hebrews 6:19-7:3

Today we continue our series in the letter to the Hebrews entitled Anchored and Roxane Lawler, our Children’s Coordinator tackles the tricky character of Melchizedek. This mysterious Old Testament character has already made an appearance in chapter 5, but it is here that the author really explores Melchizedek as a pointer to Jesus.   Rox addresses this text by answering eight questions raised by the text. You’ll hear the questions asked between each answer. It’s a bit different but a rea...

Anchored | A Warning | Hebrews 5:11-6:8

Anchored | Jesus Makes A Way | Hebrews 4:14-16

GBC Online | Anchored | Jesus Makes A Way | Hebrews 4:14-16

Anchored | An Examination Of The Heart | Hebrews 3:7-13

Join Matt Willis (Youth and Young Adults Coordinator), Mark Coleman (Associate Pastor) and Jodene Watling (Associate Pastor) as they Read The Bible Together and discuss Hebrews 3:7-13.

Anchored | Jesus Is Better | Hebrews 2:9-18

In this weeks sermon Matt Willis, our Youth and Young Adults Coordinator, challenges us to concider the question "Why, if Jesus is so great are we tempted to drift away at all?" and remids us of the importance of doing the journey of faith together.

Anchored | Do Not Drift Away | Hebrews 2:1

What do you need to pay more careful attention to as a follower of Jesus and is there someone you can begin to read the gospels with and ask that very question? Let's stay Anchored to Jesus, even as the rest of our lives feel so unmoored.

Easter Sunday | The Triumph of the Lamb | He Is Worthy | Revelation 5:6-14

Easter Sunday | The Triumph of the Lamb | He Is Worthy | Revelation 5:6-14

Good Friday | The Triumph of the Lamb | It Is Finished | John 19:16b-24

Good Friday | The Triumph of the Lamb | It Is Finished | John 19:16b-24

You Are Here | The Church At The Crossroads | Hebrews 12:1-3

You Are Here | The Church Unbusy | Philippians 4:4-9

You Are Here | The Church Un-Gathered | Romans 16:3-16

This week has seen some extraordinary things happen in Australia as a result of the coronavirus and we launched our very first online church service yesterday. You can join in our worship together at gbconline.org.au at our regular service times of 8:30am, 10:30am, and 6:00pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time). We’d love for you to join us if you are part of our community of faith here or if your own church is unable to move online. Stay as long as you need. Given these extraordinary event...

The Crux Of Community | Trust-Worthy | Psalm 46:1-11

Due to Covid-19 we never had the chance to explore our fifth and final value of our church Trust-Worthy. In this episode Marc Rader explains and explores what it means for us right now to be Trust-Worthy.

The Crux Of Community | Others-Focused | Acts 20:17-24

This week we continue to explore our values as a community of faith and are up to Others-Focused. Associate Pastor Mark Coleman gets us thinking about how this value might show up in our behaviour as a community of faith. What small things can you do this week to be a bit more Others-Focused? When we do so we are living as Jesus did and as his followers - like Paul - have tried to do ever since.

The Crux Of Community | Whole-Life Learners | Proverbs 1:1-7

What do you wish to learn or experience about God? Who are you going to approach to learn from? And what have you learned or experienced of God that you can share with others? These are critical questions that every follower of Jesus should be asking as we seek to be Whole-Life Learners.

Special Guest | Allan Demond | 2 Chronicles 16:9

Allan Demond is the Senior Pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Melbourne and is a good friend and mentor of mine. Allan reflects on 2 Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen the hearts of those who are fully committed to him.”   Does your heart need a mentor? Is there chaos at the board table of your inner life? Jesus stands ready to strengthen your heart so that you are more able to live out your commitment to follow him. Make eye contact with him. S...

The Crux Of Community | Big-Hearted | Mark 12:28-34

The values of a group, organisation, team, family, or community are reflected in their actions. Even if the values are never explicitly stated, they are on display in the things that group does and how they do them. Let us practice being Big-Hearted by being consistently generous in the little things. And as we do this in the simple, little ways be on the lookout for the invitation of God to be a bit more generous; as he opens our hearts to those around us.

The Crux Of Community | On-Purpose | Matthew 8:18-22

Creating and maintaining margin in our lives so that we are available to participate with what God is inviting us to do is a practice that is central to following Jesus no matter what community of faith you may be a part of it. When we offer what margin we have to God he can do miraculous things with it so let’s be sure to do just that.

The Crux Of Community | The Values That Shape Us | John 20:19-23

We are launching our new series “The Crux of Community: The Values That Shape Us”. This is an introduction to a set of values that, as a leadership, we believe will give us a common language to use as we seek to take seriously the invitation to join in with what God is doing as we follow Jesus. Regardless of whether you consider yourself part of the GBC community of faith these questions are important ones to ask: Are you still committed to following Jesus and are you committed to doing so...

You Are Here | God At Work | John 5:1-16-21

Our Father is always at his work to this very day - present and active and asking us if “we’ll give him a hand”. As a community of faith that is seeking to be spiritual first-responders we are called to be aware of his activity and familiar with the patterns that suggest God is at work. Be ready. Be present. You Are Here.

The Feels | Anxiety | 1 Peter 5:6-7

We’ve all felt anxious. Whether it’s a mild case of the butterflies or the chest-constricting, heart-pounding, on-the-verge-of-panic that keeps us awake at night, we’ve all experienced anxiety. I imagine that most of us would say that we would like less anxiety in our lives, but what if anxiety were an invitation from God?

The Feels | Workaholsim | Ecclesiastes 2:17-23

In a society where long hours seem to be pretty normal and where too many people seem to be lost in some form of workaholism we need a better theology of work; one that allows us to work hard, enjoy our tasks when we can, but not get lost. For those of who follow Jesus this begins with living for Jesus and increasing our love for him.

The Feels | FOMO | Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 & 10-11

In this message, the second this week, we continue “The Feels: A Heart Encounter With the Good News” looking at FOMO - the acronym for the Fear Of Missing Out and consider what difference Jesus makes to this very modern anxiety. The assumptions that drive FOMO are ultimately lacking in wisdom. The good news is that Jesus invites us into the full and wise life following him.

The Feels | Shame | Hebrews 4:13-16

In this message, the first of two this week, we continue “The Feels: A Heart Enounter With the Good News” where we are exploring the difference Jesus makes to our emotional lives. This message, given by associate pastor Mark Coleman, focuses on shame; an emotion that we are all familiar with.  Shame thrives in secrecy. It seeks to convince us that if people found out they’d reject us. The good news is that God knows it all and has not left, but leans towards us in Jesus. This should fill u...