So Near But So Far - Standalone Sermons

So Near But So Far - Standalone Sermons

Message from Steve van Rhyn on June 14, 2026

Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - Standalone Sermons

In this sermon, Bates explores Paul’s command in Ephesians 5:18 and reminds us that the Christian life is not meant to be lived through our own strength. Using the picture of a sailboat catching the wind, he shows how the Holy Spirit empowers, guides, and transforms believers as they position themselves to receive His work. Through Scripture, worship, prayer, community, and thanksgiving, we learn to pray a simple but life-changing prayer: “Holy Spirit, fill me and lead me.”

Unstoppable: Gospel Opposition and Power - Unstoppable

In Acts 12, Gareth's sermon explores the reality of gospel opposition and the power of prayer. As the early church faces persecution, imprisonment, and loss, they respond not with fear or self-reliance, but with earnest prayer. Through Peter’s miraculous rescue and Herod’s downfall, we see that while opposition is real, God’s purposes remain unstoppable. This message challenges us to trust God in difficult circumstances, devote ourselves to prayer, and believe that He is still at work advancing His kingdom today.

Unstoppable: Antioch: A Model Church - Unstoppable

In this sermon on Acts 11 and 13, Gareth unpacks how the church in Antioch became a powerful model of a healthy, Spirit-filled church. From multicultural unity and visible grace to discipleship, generosity, worship, and mission, Antioch displayed the transforming power of the gospel. This message challenges believers to embrace God’s purposes, pursue unity across cultural barriers, and become a church that reflects the wisdom and glory of God to the world. Be inspired to ask: what kind of church are we becoming, and does it reflect the heart of Jesus?

Unstoppable: A Gospel for all People - Unstoppable

In this sermon on Acts 10–11, Gareth explores God’s heart for all people through the story of Peter and Cornelius. As God breaks cultural and ethnic barriers, the early church is challenged to embrace the truth that the gospel is for every nation, tribe, and background. This message unpacks how Jesus creates a diverse people united by faith and calls the church to reflect His kingdom through unity, hospitality, and reconciliation. Be encouraged and challenged to align your heart with God’s vision for a gospel-centred, multicultural church.