Beyond Understanding: Finding Strength in the Depths of Christ's Love | 5/7/26

Beyond Understanding: Finding Strength in the Depths of Christ's Love | 5/7/26

In this deeply personal message from Ephesians 3:14-21, guest preacher and elder of the church Jonny Lilley opens up about a 20-year battle with depression and the moment he learned to stop pushing God away and start being rooted and grounded in Christ's love. Walking through Paul's prayer for the church, Jonny unpacks what it means for Christ to truly "dwell" in our hearts — not as a one-time decision, but as an ongoing, active process of making Him at home. Using vivid illustrations, from the breathtaking imagery of Revelation's holy city to a story about excavating a deeply rooted palm tree, Jonny explores how being firmly grounded in Christ gives us strength to face life's hardest seasons. He shares candidly about recent struggles, stepping away from work, seeking prayer and healing, and learning to rewire negative thought patterns, all while pointing back to the surpassing power of the Holy Spirit at work within us. This sermon is a raw, honest call to stop hiding struggles in isolation, get vulnerable within community, and tap into the strength, hope, and purpose that come from truly dwelling with Jesus. flbc.org.au

Are You Living Like a Prisoner or an Heir? | 28/6/28

What happens when a barrier that once excluded you is torn down completely? In this episode, Pastor Mark unpacks Ephesians 3:1–13, exploring the mystery the Apostle Paul says has now been revealed: that Gentiles — once "without hope and without God" — are made co-heirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise of Christ. Mark unpacks grace through a simple acronym: God's Riches At Christ's Expense, reminding us it can't be earned, bought, or achieved through effort. Along the way, he shares the moving true story of two girls, whose friendship across cultures beautifully illustrates what it means to be the people of God together. The episode also tackles suffering as a normal part of the Christian life, warns against the cynicism of our age, and makes a compelling case for why we were never meant to walk out our faith alone — but in community, in life groups, encouraging one another as we discover what God is doing in the world and in the heavenly realms. flbc.org.au

Identity, Foundation, Role: What It Means to Be the Church | 21/6/26

What makes the church more than just another organisation or social group? In this week's episode, Pastor Seb opens up Ephesians 2:19–22 to explore three transformative truths about what it means to be the church: our identity as members of God's household, our foundation in Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone, and our role as living stones being built together into something greater than ourselves. Whether you've ever felt like you don't belong, or wondered whether your contribution actually matters, this message is for you. Seb unpacks why every person — regardless of background, personality, or past — has a place in God's family, and why Jesus alone must remain the centre of everything we build our lives upon. A grounding, encouraging word for anyone seeking community, purpose, and a faith that goes deeper than Sunday mornings. flbc.org.au

The Peace That Circumstances Can't Give You | 14/6/26

What does it really mean to have peace — and why do so many Christians feel like they've been ripped off when they can't find it? In this message from Ephesians 2:11–18, Pastor Mark walks through three powerful phrases — so then, but now, so that — to show how the gospel has torn down every wall of hostility between people, and between us and God. Drawing on the Hebrew concept of shalom, Mark challenges listeners to examine what they're remembering: the regrets, bitterness, and fears that steal our peace, or the truth of what Jesus has already done. With stories ranging from the Niagara Falls tightrope walker to the musical Les Misérables, this sermon is a call to lift your eyes, remember who God says you are, and rediscover the peace that only comes from letting Christ carry you. flbc.org.au

But God: Grace, Mercy, and the Love That Saves Us | 7/6/26

What does salvation actually mean — and does it look the way the world tells us it should? In this powerful message from Ephesians 2:1–10, Pastor Melanie Wetzel unpacks three transformative truths about salvation: our sinfulness, God's radical grace, and the good works we're called to walk in. Mel challenges us to get honest about the "small" sins we've been ignoring, reminds us that God's love meets us exactly where we are, and calls us to step into the purpose God has prepared for us — not so we look good, but so the world sees God's goodness. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time or want to go deeper in your walk with God, this episode will change the way you think about grace, identity, and what it truly means to be God's handiwork. flbc.org.au