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Sermon by Joel Deacon

A Beautiful Life Is a Loving LifeSeries: A Beautiful Life Speaker: Joel Deacon Bible Passages: 1 John 4:7-12; John 11:1-4, 28-36 Church: City on a Hill Wollongong Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Episode DescriptionWhat does it look like to live a beautiful life? In this message from A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores what it means to become a person who loves like Jesus. The Bible tells us that God is love, and that God’s love is most clearly seen in Jesus. In John 11, we see Jesus weep with those who are grieving, giving us a glimpse into the heart of a God who loves us deeply. And at the cross, we see the ultimate expression of that love as Jesus suffers and dies for our sins. But God’s love doesn’t stop with us. When we understand how deeply we are loved by God, we are changed. We become people who love others sacrificially, not simply when it is easy or convenient. In this sermon, Joel explores the difference between selfish love and sacrificial love, why love involves vulnerability and suffering, and how we can learn to love the people God puts in front of us. A beautiful life is a loving life. In this sermonWhat does it mean that God is love?How does Jesus reveal the love of God?Why does genuine love involve vulnerability and suffering?What does the cross teach us about God’s love?How does God’s love change the way we love others?Why is selfishness at the root of so much of our sin?How can we become more loving like Jesus?How can we love the people God puts in front of us? Key points1. Receive the love of God. We need to continually ask God to deepen our understanding of how deeply he loves us. 2. Reject selfishness. The beautiful life is not found in living for ourselves, but in dying to ourselves and following Jesus. 3. Love the people in front of you. Jesus continually noticed, listened to, served and loved the people God placed around him. We are called to do the same. Bible passages1 John 4:7-12 John 11:1-4, 28-36 John 3:16 Ephesians 3:14-19 About City on a Hill WollongongCity on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known. Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School. 10am Community | 10:15am Service Related search topics: Christian church Wollongong, sermons on love, God’s love, Jesus and love, 1 John 4 sermon, John 11 sermon, Christian living, following Jesus, sacrificial love, loving others.

A Humble Life Is a Beautiful LifeSeries: A Beautiful Life Speaker: Joel Deacon Bible Passages: Matthew 20:20-28; John 13:5-9; Luke 18:9-14 Church: City on a Hill Wollongong Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Episode DescriptionWhat does it mean to live a beautiful life? In this message from A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores Jesus’ teaching on humility and why the beautiful life is not found in glory, recognition, achievement or being better than everyone else. Our world tells us that greatness comes from climbing higher, gaining recognition and making a name for ourselves. But Jesus teaches something radically different: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Through three stories from the life and teaching of Jesus, we see what genuine humility looks like. We meet ambitious disciples who want positions of glory, Jesus washing his disciples’ dirty feet, and a humble tax collector who simply cries out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” The gospel shows us that Jesus himself became great by becoming a servant. He humbled himself, went to the cross and gave his life to wash us clean from our sin. A beautiful life is a humble life. In this sermonWhy do we long for recognition and glory?Why is pride so destructive?Why does pride naturally lead us to compare ourselves with others?What does Jesus mean when he says that greatness is found in serving?What can Jesus washing his disciples’ feet teach us about humility?How does the cross demonstrate the humility of Jesus?Why is repentance an essential part of following Jesus?What can we learn from the Pharisee and the tax collector?How can Christians cultivate humility in everyday life?How can we put pride to death and become more like Jesus? Key points1. Kill the pride within you. We are naturally tempted to seek recognition, glory and superiority over others. Jesus calls us to put pride to death. 2. Become a servant. Jesus says that true greatness is found in serving others rather than being served. 3. Let Jesus wash you clean. Jesus humbled himself and gave his life on the cross to cleanse us from our sin. 4. Keep humbling yourself before God. The beautiful life is not one where we humble ourselves once, but one where we continually repent, receive grace and draw near to God. Key ScripturesMatthew 20:20-28 John 13:5-9 Luke 18:9-14 James 4:6-10 Key quote“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Jesus, Matthew 20:26 About City on a Hill WollongongCity on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known. Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School. 10am Community | 10:15am Service Related search topics: Christian church Wollongong, sermons on humility, humility Bible sermon, Matthew 20 sermon, John 13 sermon, Luke 18 sermon, Jesus washing disciples’ feet, Christian humility, pride and Christianity, following Jesus, serving others, repentance, gospel sermon.

A Prayerful Life Is a Beautiful LifeSeries: A Beautiful Life Speaker: Joel Deacon Bible Passages: Luke 11:1-13; Psalm 42:1-2; Philippians 4:6-7 Church: City on a Hill Wollongong Location: Wollongong, NSW, Australia Episode DescriptionWhat does it mean to live a beautiful life? In the first message of A Beautiful Life, Joel Deacon explores Jesus’ teaching on prayer and why a beautiful life is not found in independence from God, but in dependence upon God. Our world tells us that the good life is found in building the kingdom of self: having more, achieving more, becoming more successful and creating a life where we don’t need anyone. Jesus offers a radically different vision. He calls us to seek first the kingdom of God and to live in daily dependence upon our heavenly Father. In Luke 11, Jesus teaches his disciples to ask, seek and knock. Prayer is not a way of getting God to give us everything we want. It is an invitation to know God, trust God and seek his kingdom. Joel explores why Jesus himself regularly withdrew to pray, what Jesus teaches us about unanswered prayer, and why the greatest gift God gives us through prayer is ultimately himself. The message also gets practical, exploring how we can develop a deeper prayer life, make room for prayer, respond to seasons of spiritual exhaustion and become people who pray expectantly for the salvation of our city. A beautiful life is a prayerful life. In this sermonWhy does Jesus pray if he is the Son of God?What does Jesus mean by “Ask, Seek, Knock”?Is prayer really powerful?Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers?How should we respond to unanswered prayer?What does it mean to trust God as our heavenly Father?Why is knowing God more important than having our prayers answered?How can we make more time for prayer?What should we do when we feel spiritually exhausted?Why should Christians pray for revival and the salvation of others?How can prayer help us become more dependent upon God? Key points1. The beautiful life is dependent upon God. Jesus does not call us to build an independent life where we no longer need God. He calls us to seek first God’s kingdom. 2. Keep asking, seeking and knocking. Prayer is not simply presenting God with a wish list. It is continually seeking God’s kingdom and trusting our Father. 3. The greatest gift God gives us is himself. God cares about our needs, but prayer ultimately brings us into the presence of God and teaches us to trust him. 4. Make room for prayer. A flourishing prayer life requires us to push out unnecessary things and make space for what matters most. 5. Pray for revival. Prayer is not only about our own needs. We are called to pray for the people around us and for those who do not yet know Jesus. Key ScripturesLuke 11:1-13 Psalm 42:1-2 Philippians 4:6-7 Key quote“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Jesus, Luke 11:9 About City on a Hill WollongongCity on a Hill Wollongong is a Christian church in Wollongong, NSW. We exist to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known. Join us every Sunday at Lindsay Park Public School. 10am Community | 10:15am Service Related search topics: Christian church Wollongong, prayer sermon, sermon on prayer, Luke 11 sermon, how to pray, Jesus teaching on prayer, unanswered prayer, Christian prayer, prayer life, seeking God, trusting God, prayer for revival, Christian church Wollongong NSW, following Jesus.

God calls Abraham and makes a promise that shapes the rest of the Bible. In this sermon, we see how through him a nation will come—and through that nation the world will be blessed. Bible Reading: Genesis 11:10–12:3 Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

At Babel humanity seeks greatness apart from God, building a name for themselves. In this sermon, we see the emptiness of human pride and the danger of pursuing glory without Him. Bible Reading: Genesis 11:1–9 Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

From Noah’s family the nations spread across the earth. In this sermon, we see how despite human brokenness, God’s purposes continue under His sovereign rule. Bible Reading: Genesis 10 Preacher: Gwatkin Ratnam This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Even after rescue, sin remains. Noah’s family experiences shame and dishonour. In this sermon, we see the lingering effects of the fall and our need for renewed hearts. Bible Reading: Genesis 9:18–29 Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

God judges the corruption of the earth through the flood, revealing the seriousness of sin and the mercy of rescue. In this sermon, we see how God preserves life and points toward a new beginning. Bible Reading: Genesis 6:9–7:24 Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Human wickedness spreads until every thought is bent toward evil. God grieves over the corruption of His creation. In this sermon, we see both the depth of sin and a glimmer of hope through Noah. Bible Reading: Genesis 6:1–8 Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Drawing from the road to Emmaus, we see how the risen Jesus draws near in our doubt, opens the Scriptures, and reveals the good news of who he is and what he has done. As we encounter Christ in God’s Word, may the Holy Spirit set our hearts on fire with love for Jesus and passion to make him known. Preacher: Sermon by Guy Mason Bible Reading: Luke 24:13-35 This episode is a part of Burning Hearts, the 2026 City on a Hill Conference, where we gathered for three days to be transformed by God’s Word and leave with hearts burning for Jesus and his mission. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/conference

Life under the curse is marked by repetition, toil, and death. In this sermon, we see the weight of the human story—and a glimpse of hope in God’s ongoing purposes. Bible Reading: Genesis 5:1–32 Preacher:Sermon by Ray Warhola This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Jealousy and pride lead Cain to violence, turning brother against brother. In this sermon, we see how sin fractures relationships and replaces collaboration with rivalry. Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1–26 Joe Youssef This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

Outside Eden, humanity still longs to approach God. Cain and Abel reveal both desire and tension in worship. In this sermon, we see how true worship depends on God’s grace. Bible Reading: Genesis 4:1–26 Preacher: Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis

The fall brings consequences. Relationships with God, one another, and creation are broken. In this sermon, we see how even within the curse, God points forward to hope and restoration. Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1–24 Sermon by Joel Deacon This episode is part of The Beginning of Everything, a teaching series exploring Genesis 1–11. As we open the Scriptures, we see the beauty of creation, the tragedy of the fall, and God’s unfolding purpose for the world. We encounter the God who creates, provides, judges, and shows mercy—and discover how the beginning helps us make sense of life today. Find out more at cityonahill.com.au/genesis