John 17: 1-5 | The Sacred Sound (Glory)

In John 17: 1-5, Jesus prays directly to God. He uses the word ‘glory’ or a variation of it 5 times, highlighting its importance. The passage also displays how Jesus prays to God as his ‘Father’, and outlines the gift of eternal life that awaits followers of Christ.

John 16:25-33 | Take Heart

In John 16:25-33, Jesus reminds his disciples of three things:

1. They are deeply loved.

2. They are weaker than they think.

3. Jesus is stronger than the World, and He has overcome it.

In John 16:25-33, Jesus reminds his disciples of three things:

1. They are deeply loved.

2. They are weaker than they think.

3. Jesus is stronger than the World, and He has overcome it.

John 16:16-24 | Your sorrow will turn to joy

In John 16:16–24, Jesus prepares His disciples for the sorrow they are about to face while pointing them to the lasting joy that will follow. Though suffering is a reality in a fallen world, Christ promises that our sorrow will ultimately turn to joy through His death and resurrection. In this passage we see Jesus’ warning about coming trials, His promise of unshakable joy, and His invitation to draw near to the Father in prayer so that our joy may be made complete.

In this message from John 16:16–24, Pastor Mike Westhuyzen helps us see how Jesus prepares His disciples—and us—for the reality of suffering while anchoring us in an unshakable promise of joy.

Jesus’ words come just before His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples are confused and unaware of the trials that are about to unfold. In verses 16–20 we see the warning: sorrow is coming. In a world broken by sin, suffering is not unusual but expected. Even Peter, full of confidence, would soon fail and experience deep shame. As followers of Christ we should not be surprised when hardship comes; often our most difficult days still lie ahead.

But sorrow is not the end of the story. In verses 20–22 Jesus gives the promise: sorrow will give way to joy. Using the illustration of childbirth, He shows how intense pain can lead to overwhelming joy when new life arrives. In the same way, the anguish of the cross—the darkest moment in history—became the very source of salvation and life. Christians still grieve in this world, but as Paul reminds us, we do not grieve like those without hope. Through the risen Christ we are given a joy that is “inexpressible and filled with glory,” a joy that no one can ultimately take away.

Finally, in verses 23–24 we hear the invitation: prayer is the doorway into experiencing that joy. Jesus invites His people to ask the Father in His name. Too often we stand on the edge of God’s grace like a thirsty traveller who finds an oasis but never stoops to drink. Prayer is the act of stepping in—cupping our hands and receiving what God freely gives.

Sorrow in this life is inevitable, but for those who belong to Christ it is never final. Jesus assures us that our sorrow will turn to joy, and He invites us to draw near to the Father in prayer so that our joy may be full.

John 16:5-15 | The Convicting Spirit, The Spirit of Truth

John 15:5-15 The Convicting Spirit, The Spirit of Truth

John 16:5-15 speaks about the coming of the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Specifically, that He will be the convicting Spirit, and the Spirit of truth.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment - John 16:8

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth - John 16:13 

He will glorify me - John 16:14 

All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. - John 16:15 

John 15:22-16:4 | Justice is Coming

John 15:22-16:4 Justice is Coming

Jesus warns the disciples about the rejection and persecution that they will experience from the world. However, he also reassures them that:

• He will always be near to his followers.

• Justice is coming for the world.

John 15:18-21 | Bearing His Name in a Hostile World

John 15:16-17 I Choose You

What does it mean to bear Christ’s name in a world that rejects Him?

In John 15:18–21, Jesus prepares His disciples not just to bear fruit, but to endure opposition. If the world hated Him, it will hate those who belong to Him. In this sermon, we consider what it means to be chosen out of the world, why faithfulness brings resistance, and how we can abide in Christ without seeking the world’s approval.

Will we fit in—or will we faithfully wear His name?

In this week’s sermon from John 15:18–21, we continue Jesus’ teaching on abiding in Him and bearing fruit that lasts. Last week we saw that Christ chose us to bear enduring fruit—lives marked by love for God, joyful worship, and love for neighbour. This fruit is not self-produced; it flows from remaining in Christ. As we abide in Him, we increasingly resemble Him.

But Jesus now gives a sobering warning: abiding in Him will also bring opposition.

When Jesus speaks of “the world,” He is not referring to creation itself, but to humanity in rebellion against God—the kingdom of darkness set against the kingdom of light. Scripture teaches that there is something in our fallen nature that is hostile toward God. We are either reconciled to Him through the new birth or we remain opposed to Him.

Jesus reminds His disciples: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” The sinless, obedient Son of God was rejected, mocked, and crucified. Why? Because He obeyed the Father rather than men. Because He revealed the truth about human sin. Because He was the very God they refused to acknowledge. If the world hates us for our faith, it is ultimately Christ they hate.

We have been chosen out of the world. We now bear His name. And bearing His name will provoke a reaction. Jesus does not hide this reality from us—He tells us beforehand so that we will not fall away when rejection comes (John 16:1, 4). Opposition is not evidence that something has gone wrong; it is often evidence that we truly belong to Him.

The New Testament repeatedly describes this “strange offense.” When believers no longer join in sinful patterns, others are surprised and may malign them (1 Peter 4:3–4). A life transformed by grace exposes the emptiness of sin. Choosing Christ inevitably creates a form of estrangement from the world.

This raises a pressing question: are we seeking the approval of God or the approval of man? Scripture warns against loving the world (1 John 2:15), against becoming friends with the world’s system (James 4:4), and against fearing man more than God (Galatians 1:10). Even in Jesus’ day, some believed in Him quietly but would not confess Him publicly for fear of social rejection (John 12:42–43).

Jesus calls us to something better than blending in. Fitting in is not a valid option for those who have been chosen out of the world.

That reality reshapes our lives. It affects:

• Our priorities — how we spend our time, money, and energy.

• Our message — resisting a “gospel of nice” that seeks cultural approval rather than faithfulness.

• Our mission — remembering that our ultimate purpose is not winning temporary cultural or political battles, but participating in Christ’s eternal kingdom work.

We do not belong to this world anymore. Our identity, allegiance, and hope are elsewhere.

Jesus closes with this reminder: “All these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know Him who sent me.” The dividing line is ultimately about knowing God.

So the question before us is clear: will we seek to fit in, or will we gladly wear His name—trusting that abiding in Christ, even amid rejection, is the pathway to fruit that truly endures?

John 15:16-17 | I Choose You

John 15:16-17 I Choose You

This sermon is quite theological one. We touch upon foreknowledge, election. Christianity begins with being found and not finding Him.

The three main takeaways for God choosing us first were:

• Privilege

• Purpose

• Power

• Practice

John 15:12-15 | He Calls Me Friend

John 15:12-15 He Calls Me Friend

In this sermon, we examine how Jesus calls us to act as friends to one another, how we are called to love one another as He loved and still loves us. Our three main takeaways were:

• We need friends

• We need to be a friend

• We have a friend in Jesus

John 15:9-11 | Abide in Me (Part 2)

John 15:9-11 Abide in Me

The word ‘abide’ appears in the text John 15:4-11 (ESV) ten times. We look at the word in two contexts:

• What the Christian life is -

  Christianity is not first something you do – but someone you are joined to.

• How the Christian life works -

  Abide in my love

  Keep my commandments; and so

  Have more joy

John 15:1-11 | Abide in Me

John 15:1-11 Abide in Me

Jesus give an illustration to the disciples in form of a vineyard. The Father prunes the branches not bearing fruit so that the healthy branches can flourish. This is both an assurance, a warning and rescue plan.

1.An illustration (v1-2)

2.An invitation (v3-4)

3.Two outcomes (v5-9)

4.A purpose statement (11)

2 Timothy 2:1-8 | Remember

Enoggera Baptist Church — Sunday Sermon
Ps Mike Westhuyzen • 2 Timothy 2:1-8

This morning we observe the foundation of our faith, that we should remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead, and:

• be strengthened,

• pass on the gospel

• know your integrity matters

• that he rewards faithfulness.

When Paul says in 2 Timothy, ‘be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (v1)’, it’s important to note the futility in earthly striving to attain strength, but to rely on the incalculable strength of Jesus.

We are called to ‘entrust to faithful men (v2)’ that what we have learnt, so that they too will pass on the Gospel message.

Our integrity matters because to corruptly try to grow the kingdom of God, does not honour God. While we have all fallen short, we know that Christ died for us.

Things that we do are not unseen, whether our generosity, self denial in love, or kind act, or else harsh words, selfishness or unkindness. Jesus is not unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown in his name.

2 Timothy 2 | Remember Him

Enoggera Baptist Church — Sunday Sermon
Matt Maloney • 2 Timothy 2

In this sermon, Pastor Matt Maloney discusses what remembering Christ means for us going forward, and how we are ‘soldiers of faith’.