Ashfield Presbyterian Church

23/08/2026

In February, 2010, at Sea World in San Diego, during a public performance, animal trainer Dawn Brancheau was dragged into the water by a killer whale she’d trained. As terrified spectators watched on helplessly, the whale tossed her around under water like a rag doll. Within minutes she’d drowned.
There are all sorts of animals we can train. Even dangerous, wild animals. But sometimes the animals we think are under control SHOW THEIR TRUE NATURE. Uncontrollable. And DEADLY. And James wants to make the point that THE TONGUE is just like THAT. We can think it’s under control. That our words will be safe and gentle. But then, without warning, our tongue will just ATTACK. With devastating results.

16/08/2026

James 2:14-26: Faith that doesn’t work doesn’t work

Charles Blondin, a French tightrope walker, is most famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope more than 300m long in June, 1859. A HUGE CROWD gathered to watch him. Everyone LOVED it as he crossed from one side to the other. Each time with increasing difficulty. Finally, so the story goes, he asked the crowd if they believed he could push a wheelbarrow safely across to the other side....

Charles Blondin, a French tightrope walker, is most famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope more than 300m long in June, 1859. A HUGE CROWD gathered to watch him. Everyone LOVED it as he c…

12/08/2026

Charles Blondin crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Hundreds of times. In different ways. He was extraordinary. And the crowd LOVED it. They cheered. They believed in him. Finally he asked: “Who will sit in my wheelbarrow while I cross?” Deathly silence. Everyone believed he could do it. Nobody was willing to get in. James says that’s not faith. That’s just applause. “What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” — James 2:14 Real faith isn’t just what you say you believe. It’s what you’re willing to risk. It shows up in how you treat the person who needs help (not just a warm wish). In whether you forgive, not just say you value grace. In whether you pray, not just say God is in control. In whether you love at real cost, not just feel warm things. We are saved by faith alone. But faith that saves is never alone. What’s your wheelbarrow this week? Join us this Sunday at 9.30am and 6pm as we continue our series in the book of James🙏

06/08/2026

Two people walk into church. One is dressed well, confident, easy to talk to. You find yourself gravitating toward them. The other you can smell before you see. Unshaven. Looking around nervously. Expecting to be asked to leave. James says the way you respond to that moment reveals your theology. Because there are two kinds of glory on offer: The earthly kind: wealth, status, attractiveness, influence. And the glory of Jesus — the eternally powerful becoming weak and poor, so that we could become eternally rich. You can’t pursue both. “As believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favouritism.” — James 2:1 Join us this Sunday at 9:30am or 6pm as we continue our series in James.✨

30/07/2026

Imagine looking in the mirror and noticing a big blob of something on your face. And then just… walking away. Forgetting about it. Going about your day. Ridiculous, right? James says that’s exactly what many of us do with the Bible. We read it. We hear it preached. We listen to the podcast. We underline the verse. And then we walk away and change nothing. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” — James 1:22 God’s word isn’t a mirror for admiring yourself. It’s a mirror for seeing what needs to change — and then actually changing it. Three simple tests James gives us: 🗣️ How’s your tongue? 🤝 Who are you helping who can’t repay you? 🚫 How different does your private life look from the world around you? Not to earn God’s love. But to show it’s real. Reflect on your reflection. Join us this Sunday at 8.30 am or 6pm as we study James 1.18-27. 🧐

22/07/2026

What would you write on a card to someone you really love? Health? Happiness? Safety? Good luck? Those are lovely wishes. But they’re fragile. One bad night. One phone call. One test result — and they’re gone. James had a different wish for his readers. Wisdom. Perseverance. Mature and unshakeable faith. “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3 Not because trials are fun. But because God is using them. That’s a wish worth wishing each other. Join us this Sunday at9.30am or 6pm as we start a new series on the book of James. 👋

19/07/2026

Titus 3: Why be good?

One of the highlights, for me, of this year’s World Cup has been the number of players and coaches who have been really obvious about their Christian faith. France, Germany, Colombia, USA, Curacao, Brazil. All have players or coaches who’ve made it clear that they give all glory to Jesus. That, win or lose, Jesus is the king who deserves all honour and praise....

One of the highlights, for me, of this year’s World Cup has been the number of players and coaches who have been really obvious about their Christian faith. France, Germany, Colombia, USA, Curacao,…

12/07/2026

Titus 2:1-3:2: A counter cultural curriculum

Have you been to Nimbin? It’s on the NSW North Coast. It’s a very UNUSUAL town. It’s all about ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE. They’re stuck in the 1960’s. Hippies practice yoga, wear tie die clothes, grow organic produce, long hair and ma*****na. It looks different, it works differently. It SMELLS different. It’s A COUNTER CULTURE. But they’re not just doing something DIFFERENT to normal society....

Have you been to Nimbin? It’s on the NSW North Coast. It’s a very UNUSUAL town. It’s all about ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE. They’re stuck in the 1960’s. Hippies practice yoga, wear tie die clothes, grow …

08/07/2026

How good to see our youth group serving as they lead at our holiday kids club, KCentral! Praise God!

05/07/2026

Titus 1: Solid

Passing it on. From one generation to the next. From your DAD you might have learned how to change a washer, or how to kick a football, or ride a motor bike, or hang a picture. From your MUM you might have learned how to sew on a button, or bake a cake, or read music. I learned ALL those things from my parents....

Passing it on. From one generation to the next. From your DAD you might have learned how to change a washer, or how to kick a football, or ride a motor bike, or hang a picture. From your MUM you mi…