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A sermon by guest speaker, Pastor Lloyd Gill, preached on the 1st of November, 2026. "The failure to see the call is causing you to be poor." In this message, Pastor Lloyd explores what it means to truly surrender to God. He shows that most believers don't understand the value they have been given in Christ, that God chooses to use us even though He doesn't need to, and finally that reasonable service requires surrender, prayer, and obedience to our specific calling. Scriptures: Romans 12:1-8 Jeremiah 29:11 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 25th of October, 2026. The final part of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. "The church has been proclaimed dead over and over again, but it keeps coming back to life because it serves a God who knew his way out of the grave." - G.K. Chesterton It seems as though the church has been in decline over the past decades. All visible signs appear that way. However, that is not the true reality of what is happening in the world. Pastor Alex shows that the church is growing rapidly in all parts of the world, and not only that, but we are meant to be a part of that growth. We must be like the sower from Jesus' parable who sows the gospel, ultimately letting God use what we have done. All in all, the growth of the church is not governed by the circumstances, but is instead guaranteed by God. Growth comes from God, not by any work of humans. Because of this, we are called to respond to God's assurance with boldness, prayer, and sowing, instead of shying away in fear or passivity.  Scriptures: Isaiah 61:11 Mark 4:26-32 John 4:35 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 Acts 4:13 Acts 4:24-31 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 11th of October Part 11 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61 "Separated from the life of God, injustice is inevitable." Humanity has craved justice, ever since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Throughout history, people have claimed to have the answer for the problems that humans are faced with but ultimately, they all fall short. Pastor Alex shows us that that true justice is found only in the character of God, and that there are three aspects of God's justice that people fail to live up to by themselves: God loved good and hated evil, God showed no favouritism, and God always acted righteously. The good news is that one day, God will set things right, and there will be no evil, favouritism or unrighteousness, and all injustice will be removed. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:8-9 Hebrews 1:9 Psalm 5:4-6 Romans 2:2-11 Psalm 145:17 Matthew 5:1 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 4th of October, 2026 Part 10 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. "The human heart is a perpetual idol factory." - John Calvin Society is shaped by the thing it worships. And that can be anything from a religions god, to TV, all the way to sport. Pastor Alex shows us that there are spiritual powers that are part of these, and many other things, that compete for the worship from humans. The good news is that Christ's death and resurrection stripped the powers any legal right to rule. Pastor Alex explains that while Christ defeated those powers, they still hold influence in the world. The call is on the believers of God to proclaim Him as the one to worship, not anything else. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:6 Colossians 2:14-15 1 Corinthians 10:14, 19-23 Revelation 5:9-10 1 Peter 2:9 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 27th of September, 2026. Part 9 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. "If anybody can offer to me a joy that lasts longer than eternal, and that is fuller than full, I will leave Jesus, and I'll follow that." - John Piper What does it mean to be called "priests for the Lord"? Pastor Alex explored this question in this message, tracing the identity of a priest from Adam in the Garden of Eden, all the way to Christ as the great high priest who restored access to God's presence. He showed that priests of God will belong and possess; you have an inheritance in God's kingdom. Priests also serve and are served, like the Levites who shared in the blessing of other people while they ministered in the Tabernacle. And priests will receive the double portion which leads to eternal joy; God has provided more than enough to fulfil what He has called you to do. As a Christian, you carry a responsibility as a priest, but it's not a burden; rather, it's a joy and a blessing, for you and for others. This is the invitation Pastor Alex leaves us with: to step fully into our identity as priests, and to live out that calling with confidence and joy. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:5-7 1 Peter 2:9 Ephesians 2:19 John 16:20-22 John 1:29 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 20th of September, 2026 Part 8 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61 Throughout culture today, the prevailing thought is that the world is getting worse and the only good things are from the past. Humans, young and old, are getting nostalgic for simpler times. Pastor Alex shows us that this feeling of hopelessness towards the present day traces its roots back to the Fall in Genesis. He argues that Christians are not meant to respond in the same way. Instead, they're tasked with a mission to rebuild, restore, and renew — empowered by the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us, renews our minds, and gives us hope.  Scriptures: Isaiah 61:4 John 14:23 Romans 12:2 2 Corinthians 4:16 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 13th of September, 2026. Part 7 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. "Restoration is a labour of love for a good thing gone bad" Pastor Alex brought a compelling message about what the Christian calling is really meant to be. He showed that it is not just about preaching redemption; instead, it is about actively participating in restoring the devastation of sin. Ultimately, restoration is not about looking at humanity as a bad thing that needs to be fixed, but as a good thing that has gone bad. Other people are worth the cost of lovingly restoring them to their original design, made in the image of a perfect, loving God. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:4 Genesis 1:31 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 2 Corinthians 5:17 Mark 9:2-3 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Alex Crossley, preached on the 6th of September, 2026. Part 6 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. This Father's Day, Pastor Alex brought a message showing how fatherhood is the default design used by God, and how the culture today has undermined and devalued it. He explained through the story of Nehemiah, that we are called to rebuild what has been broken by following three steps: Recognise the ruin, acknowledging the brokenness even when it is painful; Responding, by taking personal responsibility instead of only observing and complaining about it; and finally to Rebuild, by taking a step of action, instead of just saying you will act. Fatherhood is essential to a healthy society, and it is clear that the culture in the present day has forgotten this. Change only starts when you accept there is a problem and you act on fixing it. Be encouraged by this message, and don't just listen and agree, take action, whether in your own home or out in your community. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:4 Nehemiah 1:1-4 Nehemiah 2:1-5 Nehemiah 2:17-18 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Alex Crossley, preached on the 30th of August, 2026. Part 5 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61 "If you want to be a healthy tree, you have to be planted" As a Christian, God has called you to be a "righteous tree' that He has planted. God wanted to cultivate a church community that is faithful, enduring, and acts as a garden of faith. Pastor Alex drew from Isaiah 61 four key ways Christians are called to be like trees: Solid in God, Shade for others around them, Sustenance for their community, and Seed for the generations to come. It is so easy to find a faith that ends up becoming a tumbleweed, rolling along wherever the wind takes it. Be encouraged by this message to put down deeps roots in your local church community, not shaken and tossed about by the brokenness of this world. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-3 Jeremiah 17:7-8 Genesis 1:11 John 15:5 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 23rd of August, 2026. Part 4 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. "You are saved from God's vengeance, but you are saved to God's favour." This message, Pastor Alex brought to light the good news that we have favour with God. Humanity was originally created to live under God's blessing, and although we fell into sin, expelling us from that blessing, Christ came to save and restore us to a full relationship with Him. God offers complete restoration when we are saved by Christ, something we could never earn by being a good person. Pastor Alex explains that God expresses his favour in three ways: His forgiveness, Friendship, and Answered Prayer. He also reveals that it isn't enough to simply have God's favour, we must also experience it through faith and obedience. Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1-2 Genesis 1:27-28 Luke 15:11-31 Romans 8:31-32 Isaiah 61:6-7 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Alex Crossley, preached on the 16th of August, 2026. Part 3 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. In this message, Pastor Alex gave insight into the vengeance of God, where it is good news for three reasons: for justice, because God's Judgement Day guarantees no one will get away with evil; for peace, because God has ultimate justice, taking matters out of people's hands; and for love, because God's wrath against evil is the result of His deep love for the victims of that evil. We know from the Bible that there is no good person on the earth based on their own merits. Without Jesus, the sin you were born into is the divide between eternal life and eternal death. Ask yourself this: Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and have you asked Him to clean your heart so that you can be with God? Today is the day! Don't wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come. May this sermon be a blessing to you. Scriptures: Isaiah 61: 1-2 2 Peter 3:3-7 Romans 2:5-11 Romans 12:19 Revelation 6:9-10 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 2nd of August, 2026. Part 2 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. Sorrow, grief, sadness. All three emotions are natural and healthy responses to living in a world that has been broken by sin. But they cannot become the very identity of your life, that causes you to be self-absorbed, transformed into a permanently brokenhearted human. The good news is that Jesus came down to Earth, not only to fix the sorrow and sadness in your life, but to replace it with something far better than you could ever imagine. He brings you the Spirit of Comfort when you have nothing else to draw closer to, the Oil of Gladness when you are sad, and the Garment of Praise when your grief is too much to bear. Jesus took your sin and shame, and gave you something you could never earn. Listen to this message if you want to find the way out of the dark, deep hole of the brokenhearted, and step into the glorious presence of Jesus. "The worst moment for an atheist is when he feels a profound sense of gratitude and has no one to thank." G.K. Chesterton Scripture Verses: Isaiah 61:1-3 John 14:16-17 Psalm 16:8-11 Hebrews 1:9 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 26th of July, 2026. "The Spirt of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor." Isaiah 61:1a Part 1 of the Good News sermon series exploring Isaiah 61. Poverty is one of the problems that extends into so many aspects of a persons life, whether it is bad finances, broken relationships, failing health, or even a lack of opportunity. Poverty brings shame into your life, takes you to a level of insignificance, and forces you to a place of hopelessness. However, there is an answer, found in Jesus Christ alone. He turns your shame into glory, He gives you a heavenly influence when you feel insignificant, and He offers you a lasting hope when you are hopeless. The sin and guilt you have in your life is washed away when you accept Jesus into your heart. If you don't know Jesus, but want to, this message is for you.  Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1aLuke 4:18-21Ephesians 2:6Luke 18:35-42Psalm 102:17Lamentations 3:21-24Psalm 121:1-2Colossians 2:13-14southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Pastor Alex Crossley, preached on the 19th of July, 2026. "I can act immediately on what's in front of me." In this sermon, Pastor Alex explored the Parable of the Talents showing the responsibility that has been entrusted to every believer by God. He challenged the congregation to recognise that we aren’t just saved from sin and saved to eternal life, but saved for good works. Drawing from the passage, it was shown that God values faithfulness over raw output, and Pastor Alex urged believers to reject fear, laziness, and passivity, and instead step out and multiply what God has given them to impact their city for Christ, immediately, boldly, and according to their ability. Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-30 Ephesians 2:8-10 Matthew 11:28-30 Proverbs 22:13 Joshua 1:9 1 Corinthians 3:6 John 9:4 Isaiah 61:1-4 southernlifechurch.com

A sermon by Visiting Speaker, Pastor Jarrod Risson, from Horsham Church of Christ, preached on the 12th of July, 2026. In this message, visiting Pastor Jarrod from Horsham Church of Christ explored the powerful impact of unity within the church, marriages, and families. Drawing from the day of Pentecost and the letters of Paul, he illustrated how true unity acts as the ultimate catalyst for the Holy Spirit's fire and God's commanded blessing. Pastor Jared challenged listeners to abandon personal agendas, lay down the need to be right, and actively maintain the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" so that the world might see the glory of God. Scriptures: Psalm 133 John 10:10 John 17:20-24 Acts 1:14 Acts 2:1-4 Ephesians 4:1-16 Ephesians 3:14-21 southernlifechurch.com