Sermons
At Open Icon Baptist Church, we value great preaching — 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. Click here to meet the inspirational preachers depicted in the gallery above, none of whom have preached for us!
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31 January, 2021
Science, theology and reason can often lead to a sound set of ethical behavioural conclusions which then need to be set aside because, in reality, love demands something else.
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24 January, 2021
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Apocalypse, Discernment, Doubt, Faith, Prophesy
Scripture: 1 Corinthians, Jonah, Mark
Although we can’t prove that our faith isn’t another crackpot fraud, we can provide evidence by living lives of love, hope and hospitality.
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17 January, 2021
As important as our responses and decisions are, before we know, we are known. Before we understand, we are understood. Before we say ‘Yes’, ‘Yes’ is said to us.
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10 January, 2021
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Baptism, Jesus, Leadership, Politics, Service
In baptism we are anointed to reign with Christ over a new creation, but it is a reign of suffering servanthood, not of reckless force.
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6 January, 2021
Like the Magi and generations of pilgrims, our COVID generation has had to adapt and find ways to pursue sincere worship amidst challenging circumstances.
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27 December, 2020
The child of God became a human, so that humans could become children of God.
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24 December, 2020
Preacher: Sylvia Sandeman
Topic: Discernment, Discipleship, Hope, Incarnation, Jesus, Wisdom
God has hung a star in our sky, and called us to follow it to the Christ child, who will receive the gifts that we bring and we will return changed to our homes.
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20 December, 2020
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Hope, Hospitality, Incarnation, Jesus, Reconciliation
Scripture: 1 & 2 Samuel, Luke
God’s coming does not reinforce our social norms and hierarchies, but breaches them to reconcile and re-dignify those who the social order has sacrificed and cast aside.
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13 December, 2020
Preacher: Garry Worete Deverell
Topic: Church, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Leadership
If you’re looking for wisdom, healing, practical solutions, look to Jesus, because church leaders constantly fail when they do any more than point to Jesus.
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29 November, 2020
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Apocalypse, Commitment, Discernment, Empire, Jesus, Power, Prophesy, Spiritual Warfare
Jesus calls us to resist the satanic desire to credit violence and disaster with meaning, and instead to acknowledge meaning and truth only in God’s suffering love and mercy.
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22 November, 2020
Preacher: Nathan Nettleton
Topic: Church, Culture, Jesus, Leadership, Power, Reconciliation
Scripture: 1 & 2 Peter, Deuteronomy, Matthew
In a world dominated by arrogant and exploitative leaders, Jesus models a gentle shepherding leadership that prioritises the reintegration of the broken over the drive for “success” and “efficiency”.
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15 November, 2020
In the face of global suffering, we continue to give praise for the power that is working on the side of love, and we unite our power with God’s power until we see God’s will being done.

