Sermons
At Open Icon Baptist Church, we value preaching that engages deeply, humbly and honestly with Jesus, the Bible, and the pain and joy of living in the real world. And since going permanently online, we have been able to welcome great preachers from all over the world without having to wait for them to visit our shores.
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4 October, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Hope amid climate collapse and social collapse: the Ten Commandments as a guide for wilderness living, free of longing for an empire that was killing the earth.
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27 September, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: accompaniment, accountability, church conflict, elders, Humility, Leadership
Scripture: Exodus, Philippians
Thirsty, frightened, and ready to blame their leader: God’s answer is not just water from the rock, but elders to walk alongside the people, and alongside us.
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20 September, 2026
Preacher: Geoff Leslie
Topic: Baptist history, calling, day labourers, Grace, inclusion, lay ministry, Ordinary Time, volunteer burnout, volunteering
Scripture: Matthew
A parable about unemployed day labourers becomes a case for training up ordinary people for ministry — without burning out the ones who already show up.
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13 September, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: 9/11, climate change, Communion, Forgiveness, Gethsemane, nonviolence, refugees
Twenty-five years on from 9/11, still trapped between an angry sea and old enemies, and still asked to accept a mercy that plays no favourites.
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6 September, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
When grief and loss make no sense, scripture’s oldest protest offers not answers, but a God who weeps beside us.
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1 September, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: climate grief, Communion, Creation, feast of creation, Icons, Resurrection
Scripture: John
On the first Feast of Creation, this sermon asks whether a wounded world might still be a window into the grieving heart of God.
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30 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Peter begged Jesus to avoid the coming disaster. Paul offers something braver: how to live with love, courage and beauty when there’s no escape.
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23 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
A footballers’ scandal, a call to sober judgment, and an uncomfortable question: how much of this culture do we all help sustain?
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16 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: antisemitism, asylum seekers, belonging, dispossession, Grace, kindred, slavery
Kindred is beautiful – and it always draws a line (usually without realising). A sermon on Joseph, Jesus, and grace beyond the boundary.
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9 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Modern slavery, a half-hearted rescue, and a sinking disciple: a sermon on what makes a response to injustice faithful, not just felt.
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2 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: antisemitism, grief and lament, Israel and Palestine, scapegoating, supersessionism, Yoorrook Justice Commission
Scripture: Romans
Paul grieves for Israel rather than standing apart in judgement – and asks what it would cost us to stop pointing the finger only outward.
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1 August, 2026
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Blessing, church conflict, Grace, Hospitality, self-acceptance, the Magnificat, the Visitation, vulnerability
Scripture: Luke
Mary and Elizabeth welcome each other with nothing to prove. A funeral homily on hospitality, vulnerability, and receiving favour.


