Sermons by Joel Lacey
Colossians: Overview (43 mins)
In this introductory sermon, ahead of our Bible Readings in Colossians, the context of the book is considered. Joel Lacey discusses the scriptural, cultural, and historical context, as well as teaching the key themes, structure, and argument of the epistle.
Let’s Reason Together (32 mins)
Joel Lacey reads from Isaiah chapter 1, where God issues a gracious yet urgent invitation to His people to reason together with Him. Through this passage, Joel challenges listeners to think seriously and honestly about their present spiritual condition as sinners before a holy God. The message calls for self-examination and presses the necessity of making the right decision—turning away from sinful ways, repenting, and walking in obedience to God. Joel also reads from Romans chapter 1, highlighting the Apostle…
The Armour of God 1/2 (47 mins)
In this introductory sermon, Joel Lacey provides insight into the contextual background behind the armour of God, from the prophecy of Isaiah.
The Fruit of the Spirit 1/4: Overview (39 mins)
In this introductory session, Joel gives an overview of the nine fruit of the Spirit listed in Ephesians 6. He divides the fruit into Godward, Manward, and Selfward fruit which provides the framework for this series. Key questions are considered, such as: how do they compare with the works of the flesh? Why ‘fruit’? How do they differ from good morals?
Gospel Living: Repentance (41 mins)
In this sermon, Joel Lacey focusses on repentance in the life of a believer. Sadly, many Christians view repentance as a ‘doom and gloom’ subject and is therefore often neglected. However the Bible views it very differently; in fact, Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. Further to this, repentance is essential for ongoing fellowship with God, and other believers. Absence of repentance in a believers life will result in a cold, hardened heart that becomes desensitised to the awfulness of…
Respectable sins: Doubt and Unbelief (40 mins)
In this sermon, Joel distinguishes the difference between doubt and unbelief. He refers to the life of Abraham in Genesis and how we can learn valuable lessons regarding doubt and faith. He presents doubt as a temptation that we are all subject to, which can result in strengthened faith, or sin – depending on our response. Listen to this sermon to find out more.
Forsaking All They Followed Him (21 mins)
Joel preaches the responsibility, that we are all accountable for, of responding to the good news of Jesus Christ by forsaking all and following him. That is what the disciples did when they first realised that the Lord Jesus was not just a man, but the Son of God.
Respectable sins: Anger (43 mins)
In this sermon, Joel teaches the biblical view of anger. Many think that anger is a only a bad thing, that Christians should never get angry, and that ‘I’m just an angry person’ is acceptable; there are lots of misconceptions surrounding anger. Instead, we discover that anger can be sinful or righteous. Have a listen to this sermon to learn what the Bible says about anger.
The Preaching of the Cross at Corinth (40 mins)
At Corinth, a city steeped in philosophy and religious tradition, the message of Christ crucified stood in stark contrast to what people expected. To the Greeks, who prized intellectual wisdom, and to the Jews, who looked for miraculous signs, the cross seemed foolish. But to those who believe, it is revealed as the power of God. This sermon challenges the listener to see the cross of Christ at the very heart of God’s plan to save sinners.
Leviticus 3: The Peace Offering (55 mins)
Leviticus 3 presents the third of the listed Levitical offerings, the Peace Offering. It differs from the Sin and Trespass Offerings as it is not a compulsory sacrifice; it was offered on the basis of free will. More specifically, it was offered on the basis of appreciation for God. Listen to this sermon about how this offering relates to us, but more importantly, how it reminds us of the ultimate offering: Jesus Christ.
Call while you can (36 mins)
The Bible describes faith in different ways. Words such as believe, rest, rely, and trust are all used to describe how a sinner must respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Another way the Bible describes this response is ‘to call’ – a cry out to God. In this sermon, Joel explains the various references when the Lord saves those that call upon Him. Have you called upon the name of the Lord? Have you been saved?
The Epistle to the Ephesians (54 mins)
Ephesians is a most remarkable letter. Within it, the Lord uses Paul to reveal the mystery of the Church while teaching some of the manifold spiritual blessings every believer has in Christ. In this sermon, Joel provides a contextual overview of Paul’s letter the the Ephesians ahead of our weekly Bible Readings on a Thursday evening. He examines the historical, cultural, and literary contexts and how they inform the text, while considering some of the key themes such as wisdom,…
Are we supposed to be independent from God? (36 mins)
In this gospel sermon, Joel reads from Genesis 3 and examines where man’s desires to be independent from God comes from. We discussed Adam’s own efforts to create an apron of fig leaves to hide his shame and compared it to God’s provision of a coat of skins (an early picture of the Lord Jesus being provided by God for our salvation). We also read from Matthew 14 and investigated how it was dependence on the Lord that enabled Peter…
Exodus 35: Willing Workers (54 mins)
Exodus 35 is a chapter that should encourage and challenge every believer. Joel presents the significance of the willing and wise hearts that were involved in the offering for and construction of the Tabernacle. We examine what the heart means, and the true meaning of willing and wise service for God.
What is power? (23 mins)
Joel Lacey explores what true power really is. He preaches from select verses from the book of Romans and the book of John. He points out that We have no power to save ourselves from sin, instead we are under the power of darkness and in slavery to sin. For this reason, we need the Lord Jesus to save us by freeing us from our desperate state and becoming our Saviour and Lord, by faith.