SPARK Youth: Recent Episodes
Enfield & Strathfield Anglican
This podcast aims to help make and grow disciples of Jesus in Enfields and Strathfield and beyond. Join Mike and a variety of guests to hear youth talks, chat about Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him. You can find more information about us at www.fields.org.au/spark and you can join us on our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/youth_of_spark/
In this final talk of Ignite Youth 2023, Mike Taylor teaches from Habakkuk 3 to remind us what it means to pray in faith. Habakkuk's words show us that we only need to look back in Israel's history to trust that God is ever faithful and powerful.
This talk was recorded from our Parent Thanksgiving event for Kids & Youth Ministry in 2023.
In this talk, Mike teaches from 1 Timothy 2 to explore God's good design for men and women as distinct yet complementary, and ultimately both in the image of God.
Al Stewart joins Spark Youth and parents to discuss biblical masculinity. This seminar includes an introductory interview with Al Stewart, as well as a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
In this podcast, Mike chats with several inner-west high school students about how ISCF lunchtime groups and SRE scripture classes have impacted their lives!
It's a special interview week! In this podcast, hear Spark youth in conversation with our youth minister (Mike Taylor) about marriage and Proverbs 31.
In this podcast, guest speaker Dave gives 7 helpful tips and ideas for teens to reflect God's heart for His world.
Our guest speaker presents a summary talk from Jonah 4.
Please be advised that the audio begins mid talk due to technical difficulties during recording.
Welcome to our Term 4 series on the minor prophets of Jonah and Habakkuk. In this introductory talk, Mike brings us through Jonah 1 to help us understand the story of God's incredibly great mercy and desire for repentance.
Welcome to our Term 3 Topical Series at Ignite Youth. In this week's talk, Mike teaches from Genesis 2 to help us understand that our gender is God-designed and intrinsic to our identity in Jesus!This term, we are exploring "9 Questions Every Teen Should Ask About Christianity", based on Rebecca McLoughlin's book. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our youth minister Mike Taylor via mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our Term 3 Topical Series at Ignite Youth. In this week's talk, Josh teaches from 1 Corinthians to answer the question, "Why can't we agree that love is love?"This term, we are exploring "9 Questions Every Teen Should Ask About Christianity", based on Rebecca McLoughlin's book. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our youth minister Mike Taylor via mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our Term 3 Topical Series at Ignite Youth. In this week's talk, Mike answers the question, "How can you believe the Bible is true?"This term, we are exploring "9 Questions Every Teen Should Ask About Christianity", based on Rebecca McLoughlin's book. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our youth minister Mike Taylor via mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our Term 3 Topical Series at Ignite Youth.
Why is it common to believe that all religions lead to the same God?
In this week's talk, Mike challenges us from John 14 to consider Jesus' claims about the resurrection. Through eyewitness accounts, the endangered lives of the apostles and early written records, Christians can truly believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
This term, we are exploring "9 Questions Every Teen Should Ask About Christianity", based on Rebecca McLoughlin's book. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our youth minister Mike Taylor via mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our Term 3 Topical Series at Ignite Youth.
Isn't Christianity against diversity? What about the Bible and slavery?
In this week's talk, Mike teaches from Philemon to show us that it is only through Jesus that we have diversity and unity.
This term, we are exploring "9 Questions Every Teen Should Ask About Christianity", based on Rebecca McLoughlin's book. If you have any questions, please feel free to email our youth minister Mike Taylor via mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Listen to our youth minister Mike Taylor preach from Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel! This is the final talk from our Term 2 2023 Genesis series. In this talk, Mike shows us that our desires for belonging, security and greatness are not wrong. Its where we look for them that is wrong. What we learn is that it is only in the gospel, that God offers you what was lost in Eden.
This week, our Genesis series has arrived at chapter 6 - the story of God's judgement - Noah and the Flood. In this sermon by Shinoy Jacob, our youth group is reminded from Genesis 6 - 9 that even through God's judgement, God displays his ridiculous mercy. You see, Noah - though not a perfect man by any means- is saved because he takes heed of God's warning, and survives the flood that blots out every living thing. We too should take heed of God's warning to us through Jesus, and respond in faithful obedience to his ridiculous mercy.
Streamed directly from our Friday night youth group, Mike Taylor brings us talk #6 in our Genesis series. Teaching from the account of Cain and Abel, Genesis 4-5 reminds us of the dire consequences of our sin, and the incredible mercy offered to us in Jesus.
Have you ever felt really confident of something and in the end nothing turned out quite right?
In Talk #3 of our Genesis series, Mike teaches from God's word to remind us that it was pride - a belief that we can do a better job than God - that led to Adam and Eve's downfall.
Thankfully, God shows us the perfect antidote in the person of Jesus - who though fully God, humbled himself to become a servant king, dying on the cross for the salvation of others.
From our Term 2 series on Genesis - this is Talk #4.
There are many loud opinions on gender and sexuality in our world today. How can an ancient text like the Bible help us to understand gender?
In this talk, our youth minister Mike Taylor teaches from Genesis 1:26 - 2:3 to remind us of God's good design for men and women.
Social media tempts us to present an identity where we seem to have it all together. But no matter how successfully we present ourselves, all of us need help fixing our identity.
In Talk #3 of our Genesis series at Ignite Youth, Mike Taylor reminds us of our true identity in being made in the image of God, who is steadfast and eternal. Even as the world around us changes and we change with time, we can trust in the God who will never change.
Got questions? We'd love to hear from you! Please email our youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Is there a way to make sense of the world without Jesus? If it's true that most of our world's most brilliant scientists are atheist, is religion an outdated idea?
In our 2nd deep dive into Genesis chapter 1 & 2, Dr. Aaron Yap helps Ignite Youth to tackle 4 tricky questions related to science vs. God.
This is Talk #2 of our Genesis series at Ignite Youth.
Got Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Please send us an email to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Genesis, beginnings, creation.
Contrary to popular belief, the book of Genesis is not poetry. Instead, written as a selective history, Genesis reveals a powerful God whose Word created everything in the heavens and on earth according to His specific design. What a wonderful comfort to know that the God of the universe is in control of everything.
Speaker: Mike Taylor
This is Talk #1 of our Genesis series at Ignite Youth.
Got questions? Email our youth minister mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our Youth Testimony series. For the next few episodes, we hope you find encouragement from our youth as they share how their experiences of youth group and church helped them to trust in Jesus as their Lord.
Youth Testimonies - Episode 5 - Ashley
Meet Ashley, one of our Year 12 youth! Ashley grew up in a family who attended church regularly. In secret, Ashley harboured a different attitude towards Christianity. A few years ago, Ashley's younger sister encouraged her to start attending youth group again. With the encouragement of Christian community, Ashley reconnected with God. Ashley's favourite bible verse, from Isaiah 41:10, reminds her that God is steadfast even through life's ups and downs.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Welcome to our Youth Testimony series. For the next few episodes, we hope you find encouragement from our youth as they share how their experiences of youth group and church helped them to trust in Jesus as their Lord.
Youth Testimonies - Episode 4 - Robin
Meet Robin, one of our Year 11 youth! Robin's testimony begins with a friendly encounter at the gym. After some persuasion, Robin decides to check out his local youth group against the advice of his parents. Today, Robin's desire is to keep growing his faith in Jesus, despite whatever trials may come.
Welcome to our Youth Testimony series. For the next few episodes, we hope you find encouragement from our youth as they share how their experiences of youth group and church helped them to trust in Jesus as their Lord.
Youth Testimonies - Episode 3 - Erin
Meet Erin (Hyunbee), one of our Year 11 youth, who serves on our Ignite team as a junior youth leader.
Recently, Erin decided to get baptised and publicly entrust her life to Jesus. In this testimony, Erin shares how her faith in Christ hasn't always been easy. However, through the help of older Christians including her mum and her youth minister, Erin came to realise that Jesus' offer of salvation is so sure and certain that no trial can ever take away.
Welcome to our Youth Testimony series. For the next few episodes, we hope you find encouragement from our youth as they share how their experiences of youth group and church helped them to trust in Jesus as their Lord.
Youth Testimonies - Episode 2 - Isaac
Meet Isaac - one of our year 10 youth. In this episode, you will hear Isaac share his testimony about how youth group shaped his knowledge and trust in Jesus. Isaac now serves as a junior leader in youth group, encouraging others in their faith by helping out in discussion group leading, service leading, music and games.
Welcome to our Youth Testimony series. For the next few episodes, we hope you find encouragement from our youth as they share how their experiences of youth group and church helped them to trust in Jesus as their Lord.
Youth Testimonies - Episode 1 - Toby
Meet Toby, one of our Year 10 youth! Toby grew up attending church, but it wasn't until recently that the message of Ephesians 2:8-9 hit home. Because of God's grace to us through Jesus, Toby understands that there is forgiveness for our wrongdoings. Recently, Toby decided to become baptised so that he could share the hope Jesus with others.
In this video Isaac Lee in year 9 who shares about how helpful he found the Leaders in Training conference earlier this year. He also shares his excitement about one of his friends, who he invited to Ignite from a non-Christian background who is getting baptized alongside him in two weeks.
Join Mike Taylor as he quizzes our guest panel on the wonderful world of dating as a Christian!
Guest panel includes (left to right):
- Josh (Ignite Youth Leader, married to Mary)
- Mary (Ignite Youth Leader, married to Josh)
- Rhiannon (MTS apprentice at UniChurch UNSW, dating)
- Jireh (Minister at Captivate Presbyterian Church, married)
Q&A streamed from our House Party 2023 at Lake Mac on Sat April 18th.
Scroll to the following timestamps to jump ahead:
- 0:00 What if I'm young but I REALLY want to date? - 3:58 Do we need to be ready for marriage before we start to date? - 5:40 Are we allowed to date a non-Christian? - 9:13 isn't it a good opportunity to share Jesus if we date non-Christians?- 13:21 Is kissing appropriate while dating? What about PDA?- 19:10 How do we know if they're the right person to date?
Have you ever thought to yourself: what's the point of dating?Special guest Jireh Jang (of Captivate Presbyterian) joins us at House Party 2023 to help us understand what it means to be a Christian in the dating scene. We hope that you find this seminar informative and helpful!
House Party 2023 | Talk 4 | What is our Priority in the End Times?Passage: 2 Peter 3:9-13Speaker: Mike Taylor
Charles Spurgeon once said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”In our final talk for House Party, Mike Taylor preaches on 2 Peter 3:9 as a reminder of God's great patience to us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Youthworks, the Anglican organization that helps oversee Scripture and support youth ministers, invited me to interview some of the youth that have joined Ignite as a result of Scripture for their fundraiser event in the city.In this video, Iris and Rachel do a fantastic job sharing about the impact that Scripture and youth group have had on them becoming Christian and growing in their faith.
House Party 2023 | Talk 2: What will the future look like? Passage: Luke 16:19-31Speaker: Mike Taylor Imagine arriving at camp and forgetting your sleeping bag and your towel!That's what happened to our speaker Mike Taylor this year House Party. In Talk 3, Mike speaks from Luke 16 to remind us that Jesus wants us to be prepared for his return. The bible tells us that Jesus' return will bring about God's judgement like a tsunami - sudden and unexpected. However, as Christians, Jesus' words are our lifeboat - our early warning system - so let's take heed of Jesus' words today. (House Party 2023, THEME: DESTINY, Cru @ Lake Macquarie, Saturday 22nd April)
House Party 2023 | Talk 2: The resurrection changes everything Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28Speaker: Mike Taylor Who can say anything with certainty about life after death? For most of us, life is like a waiting room, and at best, we can only guess what's waiting on the other side of life. But since heaven and hell are on the table, there's too much at stake to simply be guessing. We need an expert on life and death -someone who has gone to the grave and come back to life. In Talk 2, Mike Taylor teaches from 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 to remind us that the resurrection of Jesus is of first importance for Christians. The resurrection proves that death has truly been defeated. (House Party 2023, THEME: DESTINY, Cru @ Lake Macquarie, Friday 21th April)
House Party 2023 | Talk 1: Why we need to think about the future Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11Speaker: Mike Taylor When was the last time you spoke about death with a friend? In Talk 1, Mike Taylor brings us through Ecclesiastes 1 to remind us that Christians needn't avoid the topic of death. Instead, Ecclesiastes shows us that death is a great teacher and reminder that we are not in control of our own lives. As Christians, we can view death with great hope.(House Party 2023, THEME: DESTINY, Cru @ Lake Macquarie, Thursday 20th April)
Some argue that Christians shouldn’t bring their beliefs into public discussion. But everyone has a belief system that informs every decision they make. So it is contradictory to say that non christians can bring their beliefs into public discussion but Christian’s can’t. So the quetion isn't whether Christians should engage with politics but rather how? Listen to find out about how Christians can engage wisely for the common good of all
We often compare ourselves to others which may give us the impression were pretty good people. But, when God looks at the heart, what does he see?
The parable of the good samaritan reminds us both of our need for Jesus and also the true nature of Christian ministry, that it is costly and lonely. In this talk you will be challenged to consider who you are choosing to love and how you might expand that circle to include others.
How can we ensure we are like the good soil that bears much fruit and perseveres till the end? Find out in this talk
The Christian life like a battle. A battle of light and darkness. Whether or not you realized it, Satan is always at work trying to temp you into believing God’s word isn’t good. And your own sinful selfish desires are always waging war within us to give in to temptation. The longer you have been a Christian the more you will realise how hard it is to keep saying no to temptation and sin. To keep following Jesus when everyone else is telling you to do whatever feels right. Sometimes we can feel tired or helpless, like we are in a loosing battle. So, where can we turn in such times for strength, for endurance, and for the weapons to stand our ground? Good news, there is a way. This is what Paul shows us in Rom 13
What is predestination? Don't we have free will? Do we need to evangelize if God chooses people? Hear what God's word has to say about these questions and more in our Q and A this week.
I watch a lot of movies and one thing I have come to expect from sequels is that, your essentially going to get the same plot, just in a different situation. For example, when the star wars movie rogue one came out, surprise surprise, the first order had built, wait for it, another planet sized space gun. This paints a good picture of the repeated cycle in the book of Judges. We get the same plot, in a different situation. But what we see is how God is at work in unexpected ways to show grace to those whose faith is weak.
Christians often forget who they are. And in so doing they forfeit the confidence that God has promised them. So, in this talk, we are going to spend some time looking at Romans 8 and being reminded of who we are when we trust in Jesus. And my hope is that, in doing so, we will be encouraged and spurred on with confidence and perseverance in our prayer life.
We have all made decisions that seemed reasonable at the time which we later come to regret. Sometimes, those close to us can see the foolishness in these decisions and seek to offer us counsel. In this passage, God helps Israel sees their foolishness from his perspective that they might turn back to him and see that sometimes, what looks like success in our eyes can really be failure
Some people see no need for the cross. They think of God's anger as either unnecessary or plain wrong. But for us to understand the brightness of the good news of the cross, we need to set it against the darkness of the bad news of Romans 1
Most of us grow up with the unquestioned belief in “progress.” We hear it all the time at our schools, that you can be whatever you want to be. We look at advances in medicine and technology and conclude things are only getting better. Many of our friends shares a common belief: What is new is better than what is old. They call Christian perspectives outdated, or medieval and bigoted And they point to point to the elimination of slavery, the decrease in racism, the increased rights of women, the acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism as evidence we no longer need the Bible. That its not worth listening to. And it raises the challenge: Is the Bible outdated? In the face of this pressure, many are telling Christians to outgrow their belief in miracles and their old-fashioned rules. And many are leaving the church. Who doesn’t want to be moving forward instead of backward? Who doesn’t want to be cheering for the team that looks like it’s winning? Progress is attractive. In this talk, we will discuss the myth of progress, and how God's word is timeless, good and always relevant.
Last week, on September 8, the coded message was delivered—“London Bridge is down.” That was the signal communicating the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The idea of a Monarchy is strange to most of us. The Monarchy represents a very old way of thinking. That the King or Queen is appointed by God to rule over the nation The idea of a God-appointed ruler or representative is a theme that we find in today’s passage. Some in Corinth apparently don’t believe in the resurrection of Christians from the dead. Paul’s response is to defend the resurrection by explaining that the destiny of every single person on the face of this planet is tied to fate of two giants, two representatives. So what is the destiny of those in Adam and what is the destiny of those in Christ?
Ever had thoughts on a Christian view of sex and dating? Here is a Q and A we did at Ignite
A recent piece in Time Magazine was headlined, “Why 25 percent of millennials will never get married”. (https://time.com/3422624/report-millennials-marriage/) It based its finding on a recent report by the Pew Research Center, 25 percent of millennials are likely to never be married.. Marriage is a cultural battleground and we are all the victims. There is the pain and hurt and confusion of those affected, especially children. Particularly, the pain of growing up without a father or mother. And there is the confusion of same-sex marriage. Then there is the complexity of divorce and remarriage. A problem is that sometimes Christian’s have avoided addressing it. By not speaking making decision to let Christian be influenced by culture and drifting away from God’s Word. A topic we hear about frequently, often surrounding the question who should we marry. The common answer - If it makes you happy. But God created marriage and God’s instruction manual is the Bible. God has a great big plan for marriage, So what does God really say about marriage? And is God’s view really good for us?
Recently, we met with parents across our parish recently, to encourage one another to build relationships, especially between church families as well as leaders that we might integrate kids and youth more into the life of our Church family. In this short talk I discuss the danger of a Mickey Mouse model of youth ministry
Recently, we met with parents across our parish recently, to encourage one another to build relationships, especially between church families as well as leaders that we might integrate kids and youth more into the life of our Church family. You can listen to the recording here.
If politics involves promoting a cause. Christians are always involved, because they are always seeking to promote the goodness of Gods word for everyone. Culture has changed. To be Christian is no longer politically correct. So politics has become difficult. We are fast moving from a society where peoples of all faiths are invited to express their views. To a society that leaves no room for those who disagree. How should Christians think about politics? And how can we engage well with those we disagree with?
In this talk I look at the temptation for people to exclude themselves or others and how understanding how being chosen to be in the family of Christ helps us see everyone belongs and no one should be excluded.
Have you ever watched some thing and wished, man I wish my life was like that? Good stories capture our hearts and our imaginations so that we can make sense of our lives and desire good things. Bad stories capture our hearts and our imaginations and make us long for things that are not good for our soul. In so doing, entertainment works on us at the heart level, not just the mind. In this talk we will describe some dangers with entertainment as well as how to live wisely as Christians.
If your like me, you love your phone. There are so many things that improve my life. But, while there are many good uses for our phones, we can all agree that technology has consumed our lives A study was done that showed 36 percent of eighteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds in America admit they are online “almost constantly”—a phenomenon made possible by the smartphone. If your phone is your world, and if the settings and apps are tailored to you and your interests, then with you at all times is a world that revolves around you. No wonder we like to be on our phones so much! Nothing else has the same effect of putting us at the center of things. Nothing else makes us feel more in control, more popular, more Godlike, more knowledgeable, more connected. As a Christian, you may wonder, does my phone help me or hinder me in my walk with Christ? We need to realise that our phone isn’t neutral because we aren’t neutral. So we need to ask, what does my phone expose in me? Too often what our phone exposes is what my heart really wants. In this talk we will explore how knowing Jesus shapes how we use phones and social media.
Josh Reid from Jesus Club runs training for our youth leaders on how to minister to youth with intellectual disabilities
Some adults from various congregations shared their wisdom and experience for putting Jesus kingdom first at uni and work.
Have you ever been lost and alone in the dark? How did it make you feel? It’s a terrifying experience. Can’t see where your going. Can’t tell what's about to happen. Darkness exposes our worst fears. If your lost, you can’t find your way home. If you are separated, can’t find your friends or family. In John 14 through 16 we see Jesus comfort his disciples on the eve of his departure. And his comfort comes in the form of the Holy Spirit, who will act like a floodlight as he points them to Jesus word. If you have ever wondered the role of the Holy Spirit, have a listen to this talk!
This passage is picked up when Jesus makes his entry into Jerusalem, praised as the King. But he wasn't the kind of King the Jews were expecting. In this passage, we see why the unexpected King riding on a donkey, rather than a warhorse, is good news for the world.
Is Jesus the only way to God? This is a controversial question but in this passage, we learn that the answer to this question is of great comfort, especially in the face of death.
Ever felt frustrated by evil? In this passage we see God promising to do something about it.
Some young adults share what motivates them to serve and some suggestions on practical ways to serve.
Is God willing to take away our sin? And if so, how? The issue of what we do with our guilt is an issue every religion needs to wrestle with. In most religions, it is us who need to do something to bring ourselves back into the right with God. However, sin is so evil before God nothing we could ever do could make up for our sin. So, what does the Bible say? How has God dealt with the problem of sin? Find out in this talk.
Every culture has its traditions about weddings, which in many cultures are thought to influence the success of the marriage. In today’s passage in John we get to see 1st-century wedding traditions full of meaning. And not understanding their significance could leave you completely misunderstanding Jesus and the future joy his kingdom offers.
We had a short playdoe building competition to get us thinking about what it would have been like for the Isrealites in Zechariah's day to be rebuilding the temple. We also discussed how God cares more about our hearts than buildings.
Have you ever been caught for doing the wrong thing, and experienced justice for it? We long to see a fair trial. When we see the war crimes Russia is committing against Ukraine. We long for justice to be done. But we also long for forgiveness. Deep down, all of us have things we are ashamed of. So the question is, can we be forgiven? And there is no better passage to explore these questions than our passage today.
In this seminar Dr Patricia Weerakoon helps us think about transgenderism in light of God's design for me and women.
In this talk we will consider how we receive our new identity in Christ and how we can begin to live out our new identity by looking at 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
In our last talk, we learnt that, for the secular story, you have to find yourself, your identity, by looking within. But being a teenager Is hard. More often than not, you probably find yourself, not feeling free but feeling insecurity, anxiety and pain. And so, if your placing your identity in how you feel. Then your going to be all over the place. We Need an Identity that Doesn’t Crush Us What we need is a Secure Place or Person in which we can rest our Identity. A Person Who will never fail us. A Person in Whom we can rest, without fear, or anxiety. We must have something outside ourselves to save us He calls us to find our identity in him. So let’s turn to God's story for our identity.
Stories are the lens through which we view the world. We can all remember a story, whether a movie or a book or something in real life, that has captivated our desires and made us think – I wish that were true. Why are stories so powerful? We all look to stories to give meaning to our lives and a sense of purpose. For the last 1500 years the story of the Bible has answered the question “Who am I?” Today, the story of the Bible is under attack and so is our identity. Today we live in the age of "selfies" and a "you-do-you" mentality A time when identity was recently voted word of the year. A time when there is nothing more important, our society says, than allowing people to identify themselves in whatever way they see fit. In the vacuum of the old story that shaped our identity, there is a new story defining our identity - The secular story . It identifies something besides sin as the main problem with the world And something besides God as the solution. And it has captured the hearts of most people in our society. So much so that what the Bible clearly teaches sounds unreasonable to most people in our society today. In this talk we will be looking at what the secular story teaches and why it is so confusing and unsatisfying.
In this talk we will discuss the forgiveness that God can bring to those weighed down by guilt and explore the difficult topic of suicide.
In chapter 4 he gives us his three-part strategy for how we can continue Jesus' mission, no matter how gifted we are or how long we have been a Christian. Check it out.
We are skeptical of authority because all to often, people abuse their power. You only have to look at Russia right now to know this is true. As Lord Acton famously said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” We all know someone who let power go to their head. And the more power someone has the worse they tend to become. If this is so often our experience then, is all authority corrupt? In this talk, we will seek to answer this question by looking at how God restores order in the family of Christ.
In 2016 Two of the biggest soccer teams in the world, Chelsea and Manchester city went out to play an important match People could barely tell who was who as both were wearing similar coloured jerseys Imagine going out to play an important sporting match wearing the opposing teams jersey Pause You could say that our lives function like a jersey Our lives tell the world who we are and who we worship But so many Christians live the same way as non Christians And it has tragic results on how people view Jesus. Many of us might feel stuck in our Christian walk, that we aren't good examples and that we lack the motivation to change. Well, there is good news. Paul wrote this section to help us to make grow as Christians.
There is an expression which goes ‘the grass is always greener on the other side'. It’s a way of describing the feeling that our life would be better if did this or that or if we were this or that. People were facing a similar situation in Colossae. There were people who might have even called themselves Christians, claiming to be spiritual gurus offering something better than Jesus. In a similar way, there are plenty of people offering us something better if we just move on from Jesus. In this passage Paul wants us to pause for a second and reflect on the deception of human philosophies and religions and the more lasting realities that are found only in Christ.
As we looked at the Garden of Gethsemane, we reflected on suffering in general and how different worldviews respond to sufffering.
In this talk, one of our youth leaders - Josh, shares why Jesus is supreme and how this fact should revolutionize our lives.
Hear how Josh went from distrusting the Bible and following the crowd to trusting in Jesus while he was in High School
History tells of the power of words. For example, The Civil Rights Act was passed in Congress in America thanks in large part to Martin Luther King’s famous speech “I have a dream.” History also tells us that words, gossip, rumours and lies have cost lives. Rumours of peace have left nations unprepared when Nazi tanks came through towns and Japanese soldiers landed on the shores of California. And then there is the harm that each of us have at one time or another experienced. When our reputation or relationships were damaged because of one person’s thoughtless words. I don’t know any of my relatives on my dad’s side because of words said between by grandmother and her familyy. Today we’re looking at James 3 and the importance of taming our tongues, and how God can help. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
If you had to answer, who is the greatest people who ever lived, who would you say? TIME Magazine has a list of the most influential people who have ever lived. Now, of course, Jesus is number one on their list of most significant figures in history. And number 2 is, guess who? Napoleon. Followed by Muhammad in third place. But according to God’s plan of salvation in the Bible. The list of most important people would likely be. Jesus number 1. Abraham number 2. And King David at number 3. And yet, Times Magazine has David all the way down at number 57. Two places after the cult leader Joseph Smith who invented Mormonism! And I reckon its easy for us to also fail to recognize the significance of King David. So, why is David so great and so important? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
The Ganges is the biggest river in the world providing water and irrigation for a million people. The bbc did a documentary that tracked its origin. They traced it all the way up into the Himalayas, to a tiny trickle in a glacier with a small hole called the cows mouth. The entire river begins at this small point. In exactly the same way. The Bible is a story about two rivers. The river of sin, and the river of God’s promise. And these rivers flow from two men, Adam and Abraham. God’s promises to bless the whole world begin with a small man Abraham. Through Abraham we see the pattern of God’s kingdom being restored. God’s people, Abraham, promised God’s land, Canaan, Under God’s rule and blessing. Find out how you might find blessing through Abraham in this talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
How would you or your friends describe the good life? Some think it's having lots of money, great friends, a loving family, amazing experiences. And what do we think we will have when we finally achieve the good life? Often those who have achieved the success and fame and riches that many people aspire to have, express a feeling of emptiness. Why? Because they were looking in the wrong place. To truly answer this question, we need to go back to God and his original purpose for mankind. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
How should we respond when bad things happen to us? I heard of a boy, let’s call him Jack, who went to youth group, who got a scholarship to firsts rugby at an elite school in Sydney. His coach was helping him make it into the Australian team which he was close to doing. Then, one day, the mother called his youth minister in distress. He had broken his femur. After recovering. He was out for another 6 months because he snapped his ACL. His injuries prevented him from making it to the Australian team that he had worked so hard for. Isn’t God good? Doesn’t he love Jack? Why would he allow this to happen? We all face trials and hardships And it can be tempting to give up following Jesus. My friends look like they're having so much more fun. Life seems easier for them. Maybe I should just give up on this whole Jesus thing. What is it that will give us the ability to persevere through the hard times, so that we can last the distance in following Jesus till the end? In this talk, we will see that James gives us 3 important truths that will give us the tools to persevere. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Two years ago nobody had heard of the Coronavirus. Then in January 11th, 2020, China reported its first death by the virus. Now, the official count is that there are: 240 million Coronavirus Cases causing a total of 490 000 Deaths And it has impacted almost every area of life. Millions have lost their jobs Most of us haven’t seen our friends or family or gone to school for the last three months. And some are struggling with mental health issues as a result. What seemed so secure, our lifestyle, our independence, our freedom, our lives, are now uncertain. And many have been filled with fear. It’s in these times that people begin to ask where can we go for security, for a more solid foundation, for hope that can’t be shaken? This is the same kind of question Habakkuk was facing. Knowing that the Babylonians were coming and were going to lay waste to his city. Find out the answer in this week's talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
If you look around the world, it can easily look like evil is prospering. Over the past two months, we have heard of the Taliban's taking control in Afghanistan. As civilian executions have been reinstated. Allies of the former government have been jailed. People have been evicted from their homes. Where girls can no longer attend school. Where people live in fear. I remember hearing about three young people who fell out of a US cargo plane to their death. Because the fear of falling off the back of the plane was less than the fear of living under Taliban rule. How could God allow such an evil nation to have its way. Over a democratic government that was committed to seeking equality and justice for their citizens. What is God going to do about evil? This is very much like the situation Habakkuk is facing in his day. The Lord told Habakkuk that he was raising up the evil Babylonians to punish Judah. And Habakkuk is wondering, Isn’t God good? In this talk we will see how God's goodness and his sovereignty can be reconciled with the evil in the world. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Suffering touches all of us. If you haven’t experienced much suffering yet, you will. The loneliness of a broken home. The tragedy of serious illness. The cruel humiliation of being bullied. Two years ago I had to say goodbye to Josh. Josh was a 10 year old boy who was diagnosed with cancer. After the chemo, it seemed like he was in the clear. But the cancer came back. There were about 10 tumours all throughout his spine. He fought hard. But the cancer won. He was 10 years old. Death is the most bitter suffering we will face. Imagine losing your brother or sister at such a young age The pain and grief can feel overwhelming. As we are grieving the lossof someone we love, we find ourselves asking the most important of questions “Where is God? Why doesn’t he do something? Doesn’t he care? Doesn’t he understand? In Psalm 23 we find the most comforting of answers to these questions. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
On September 14th, 2007 a Nebraska State Senator filed a lawsuit against God for the suffering that has happened in the world. And we can empathize. I remember being at school when it was announced on the news that two planes had crashed into the twin towers on September 11. And the president could only use one word to describe what happened – evil. We all ask same questions: Why is all of this evil and suffering happening? is there any reason behind it? What is God doing about it? Does God care about our suffering? The bible is not an irrelevant book. It deals with the most important questions. These are the questions we will see Habakkuk wrestle in this talk and we will see how God answers. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
It’s easy to look back on your past and see how big decisions have changed your life. What’s harder to do is look back and realize how all those small everyday decisions have impacted you. Studies show that the average person makes roughly 35,000 decisions every single day. Most people give a lot of thought to making big decisions, but how many of us give much thought to the 2000 decisions you make every hour? There’s a great quote by Wayne Dyer that goes, “Our lives are the sum total of the choices we have made.” So what kind of life are your everyday decisions making? The decisions you make today, determine who you are tomorrow and eternity. It is essential then, not to allow our life to develop on automatic pilot. Instead, we need to think more carefully about the decisions we make and the consequences they can bring. And the Psalms are the key to making wise decisions. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
This week we are getting to know the Choi family from the 11:30 congregation and thinking about how we can be praying for them. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
The topic of predestination can be confusing and often leads to a lot of debate. Is predestination a Biblical idea? And if so, how can God be fair if he chooses some people to be saved and doesn’t choose others? Find out in this Q and A with Mike our Youth pastor. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
In this week's installment of Our Youth Family we will be finding out what the Yee family from the 11:30 congregation has been up to and how we can be praying for them.
Here is this week's installment of Our Youth Family. This week we find out what the Tan family from the 9am congregation have been up to and how we can be praying for them.
Here is this week's installment of Our Youth Family. This week we find out what the Kim family from the 9am congregation have been up to and how we can be praying for them.
Get to know the Evangelista family from SPARK! If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Hasn’t science disproved God? These days, many people in our society, many teachers, many celebrities, many scientists, say that it is unreasonable to believe in Christianity or in God. They say that people used God to explain things that science can now explain for us. But NOW we have scientific explanations of the world. We no longer NEED belief in God. In fact, many would say that science has disproved God and that belief in God is harmful for scientific investigation. As a famous Atheist Richard Dawkins once said, “As a believer in evolution, I can’t accept the Bible’s prescientific accounts of the origin of life.” In other words, since Darwins teaching about evolution, the Bible has become outdated and irrelevant. Is this the case? Has science really disproved God and the Bible? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Hear Clinical Psychologist Esther Davis give answers to some of our parent's pressing questions about mental health. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Esther gives us some helpful tips for how to empathize and get alongside our young people who have might be struggling with mental health issues. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
In any given year, the World Health Organization says 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience mental-health issues. It is only increase by being in isolation due to lockdown, especially for our young people. Who can’t see their friends any more, go to school, or play sport and who are stuck on zoom much of the week. And as we are painfully aware, this can exacerbate or trigger things like anxiety and depression in our young people. With feelings of uncertainty, fear, worry, nervousness, feeling overwhelmed, indecisiveness, a loss of energy, decreased thinking skills, irritability, changes in appetite, and sadness and even suicidal thoughts. All of this is to say that you and your young people are not alone. So what does the Bible say. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
How can we be good friends during lockdown to those who are lonely or isolated. Find out from our spark youth in this podcast.
Get to know the Lui family from SPARK! If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
It’s no secret that the Western world has undergone a dramatic transformation regarding issues of sexuality and gender identity. One of the things that often puts people off talking about this topic to their friends is the fear of being asked difficult questions. But 1 Peter 3:15 says “in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” We are to always be prepared to defend our faith. So what does the Bible say and how can we show people the goodness of the identity we can have in Christ? If you have any questions you can email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Today a popular catch phrase is “Its true for you but not for me”. It’s often a response given by people who disagree with what someone else believes. The idea is that it really doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, as long as you are sincere in those beliefs. This way of thinking is commonly called relativism. Relativism is: Is the belief that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society or historical context, and are not absolute. In other words, ‘only I can determine right and wrong for me’. Someone may say there is no truth, but when they travel calmly at 30,000 feet on a plane it is the unchangeable truth of aerodynamics that is keeping them in the air. We simply cannot live in this world without Truth. But how do we know Christianity is the truth? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Our leader Jin reviews 7 myths about singleness. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
You might not have realised this but many people will spend more time single then they will in a relationship. As we are single till we get married and then, generally one spouse will die before the other, and for many the remaining spouse can be single again for 10, 20, 30, 40 years. So what we do with our singleness, and our attitude towards it, really matters.But where does singleness fit within God’s plan? The Bible begins with a wedding between Adam and Eve. And it ends with a marriage between Jesus and his bride, the Church. What is the purpose of our singleness? Is it just a waiting stage before we enter into a more God honouring relationship? Find out in this weeks talk. If you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
For many, marriage has lost its appeal. We’re so used to Hollywood portrayals of marriage - a wedding followed by the impending doom of a divorce somewhere during the course of the movie, or reading about yet another celebrity marriage that didn’t last. There was a piece in Time Magazine was headlined, ‘Why 25% of millennials will never get married’, and, according to a Pew report, half of American adults believe society is just as well off if people have priorities other than marriage. Reflecting this attitude comedian Chris Rock has said, “Those are the choices you've got in life, man. You can be married and bored, or single and lonely. Ain't no happiness nowhere.” What is God's purpose for marriage and is it good news for us? Find out in this week's talk. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.
Mental health is a serious issue among youth and can, in the worst situations, lead some to consider suicide as a way out of their desperate situation. How should we as Christians think about suicide? Can a Christian who commits suicide lose their salvation? And how should we care for those struggling with mental health conditions? Listen to Mike as he tries to answer these questions from the Bible. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Hell is not a popular subject for Christians and non-Christians alike. For over 2000 years, the mainstream Christian church has affirmed the biblical doctrine of eternal punishment in hell. In the last 60 years, however, a significant shift in belief has occurred. Our culture has no problem with a God of love who supports us no matter how we live. However, it objects strongly to the idea of a God who punishes people for their sincerely held beliefs, even if they are mistaken. People today consider tolerance the most important thing And the idea that a loving God could punish someone eternally seems extremely intolerant and unloving. A very common question is: How can a loving God condemn people to hell? A friend of mine said "If God tortured the wicked in a fiery horror chamber throughout eternity, He would be more vicious and heartless than men have ever been in the worst of war - he would be worse than Stalin, Marx, Hitler etc". Someone else said "The only God that is believable to me is a God of love. The Bible's God is no more than a primitive deity who must be appeased with pain and suffering." So, what does the Bible say? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Is our identity strictly tied to what we have done, or how we feel, or our sexuality? Can God save and change those who have lived their lives far from God and even given them a new identity? Find out in this week's talk. If you have questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Suffering is everywhere. Tens of thousands of people die every day in unexpected tragedies, traffic accidents and cancer. That is comparable to the population of a small city being swept away every day, leaving families and friends devastated in the wake. It’s the numbers of people who suffer is overwhelming. Enormous numbers of deaths happen in one massive event such as the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, or the 2010 Haiti earthquake, each of which killed 300,000 or more at once And then there are is the horrendous evil that men have perpetrated. Three million Africans forcibly transported by the British slave trade. Six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. When we hear of a bad things happening we think it won’t happen to me. But no matter what precautions we take, no matter how good an atar we got, or how healthy we are something will inevitably ruin your life. When we are confronted with such pain, we find our selves asking, why? Every worldview has attempted to answer this question. But how does Christianity compare to all of these worldviews, in answering the question of why suffering happens? If you have any questions please send them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Have you ever found it hard to understand the Bible? If you have questions on how to read God's Word, especially, how to read the gospels, your not alone. Lauren, one of our youth leaders, provides a helpful answer. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Much of what Jesus famously said is spoken as stories called parables. Sometimes it isn't straightforward what he's saying. Are Jesus stories just different ways of telling us how to be better people? Why does Jesus preach in parables? Find out in this Q & A. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
There is a Chinese proverb that says “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the (mountain top) view is ALWAYS the same.” No matter how different the various religions or belief systems seem to be, they all lead to the same destination. This is similar to the ancient Hindu story where a King gathered blind men and asked them to describe an elephant Each one grabbed one part of the elephant. The one that grabbed his trunk said “the elephant is like a hose” The one who touched his ears said the elephant was like a fan And so on they went. Each argued that they were right and the others were wrong. The point of the story is that they are all equally right. Today, its popular to have the same view, everyone’s beliefs are equally valid. It seems very tolerant. But are all paths to God equally valid? In this talk we investigate John 1 from the Bible to find an answer to this question. If you have any questions please send them to our youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Isn't it egotistical for God to demand that we worship him? Why should we worship God? Here is as Biblical response from one of our SPARK leaders, Rhiannon. If you have any questions please send them to our Youth Pastor Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
How can we instill within our children a lasting faith that perseveres against the tides of secularism, doubt, and fleeting temptations? According to the authors, humanly speaking, the best thing we can do according to the book Sticky Faith is “developing a clear and honest understanding of both the gospel and biblical faith. As our kids are led into an awareness of their significant role in the kingdom of God demonstrated throughout Scripture, they will have the best chance of discovering a faith that is compelling and life-giving”. (32) With this in mind we need to remember that there are no easy answers or simple steps to building a lasting faith. The best answer is loving, trusting, and praying to a faithful God for wisdom, love and strength. In this podcast, we hear from some parents and leaders at Enfield and Strathfield Anglican sharing the joys and struggles of discipling our kids and youth. If you have any questions please email Mike our youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
I remember on the night before catching a plane to Tasmania, I realised I hadn't washed any of my clothes so I had to do a late-night wash. The next morning I had to put my wet clothes in a garbage bag and take them on the plane. Being underprepared is a horrible feeling. Especially when you know, it could have easily been avoided. In this passage, Jesus, draws near the end of his public ministry, before his crucifixion. So he seeks to prepare his disciples and us for his return that we might not be caught off guard. If you have any questions please email our Youth Minister Mike Taylor at mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
What does it take to be a great leader? In this sermon we see how, unlike the Pharisees and Scribes, Jesus, the True Shepherd, puts the sheep first. And how this provides a model for us. If you have any questions please message them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
San Francisco’s Millennium Tower is in trouble. The 58-story tower is home to some of the city’s wealthiest people, its apartments among the most expensive and desirable in the city. But recently its residents have begun to notice some troubling issues. The first warning of the tower’s problems came when residents noticed floor-to-ceiling cracks running along the walls of the underground parking garage. Engineers who studied the building have been alarmed to find it has sunk 16 inches in the 7 years since it was built. Not only that, but it has developed a 2-inch lean at the bottom which translates to a 6-inch lean at the top. Not surprisingly, the tower’s residents are more than a little concerned. The problems with Millennium Tower begin at the bottom, all the way at the foundation. The tower isn’t necessarily doomed, but it is in considerable trouble. Cracks in the unity of a church often begin at the bottom. They often begin at the foundation among the core relationships of a youth group. Great ruptures in a youth group often begin with just one member gossiping about another or just two disagreeing and no longer talking to each other. Clicks of some who think they are cooler than others. This is the danger that the Corinthians Church was in, as their words began to create rifts that threatened the integrity of the entire church. Listen to Mike's talk to see how Paul teaches us to avoid making the same mistake. If you have any questions you can email the youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Imagine being in your bed and waking to see the side of your house ripped apart and your belongings get swept out into a whirlwind and destroyed right in front of you, and just as you feel its pull dragging you and your bed along the floor towards the hurricane, and you fear you are about to be destroyed, you hear a loud booming voice, like lightning bellowing out and calling your name. You would be terrified? Well this is what Job is confronted with in verse 1 of Job 38 where we see the LORD God, the almighty Creator of the universe, answering him, a mere mortal out of a storm.
No one wants to be thought of as a fool. As someone who makes really silly decisions. We all want to be wise. Have you ever met someone who just seemed to make really good decisions or live really well and thought. Wow they are wise. I wish I was as wise as them. You could be the smartest person in your school. And have read all the books that mankind has ever written, and still not possess wisdom. You have probably met people who thought they knew a lot, but really, they weren’t very wise. Many people spend their whole life searching for wisdom. We don’t want to get to the end of our life and realise that we have been a fool and wasted our life. So where can wisdom be found? Find out in this talk
At some point or other, suffering will touch our lives and all of us will feel Adrift, in a boat, in a storm, without an anchor, feeling alone and hopeless. How we bear up in these moments. And our success in compassionately supporting others who are suffering ultimately depends on grounding ourselves in a hope strong enough to hold up when its tested, before trajedy strikes. So, where can we turn for hope and can we really have confidence that things will get better in the future? This is the issue that Job, particularly chapters 14 and 19, will be helping us to resolve in this talk from Mike, our Youth Minister.
Suffering is everywhere. Tens of thousands of people die every day in unexpected tragedies, traffic accidents and cancer. That is comparable to the population of a small city being swept away every day, leaving families and friends devastated in the wake. It’s the numbers of people who suffer is overwhelming. Enormous numbers of deaths happen in one massive event such as the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, or the 2010 Haiti earthquake, each of which killed 300,000 or more at once And then there are is the horrendous evil that men have perpetrated. Three million Africans forcibly transported by the British slave trade. Six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. When we hear of a bad things happening we think it won’t happen to me. But no matter what precautions we take, no matter how good an atar we got, or how healthy we are something will inevitably ruin your life. When we are confronted with such pain, we find our selves asking, why? Every worldview has attempted to answer this question But how does Christianity compare to all of these worldviews, in answering the question of why suffering happens?
What makes Christianity special? There is a Chinese proverb that says “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the (mountain top) view is ALWAYS the same.” No matter how different the various religions or belief systems seem to be, they all lead to the same destination. This is similar to the ancient Hindu story where a King gathered blind men and asked them to describe an elephant Each one grabbed one part of the elephant. The one that grabbed his trunk said “the elephant is like a hose” The one who touched his ears said the elephant was like a fan And so on they went. Each argued that they were right and the others were wrong. The point of the story is that they are all equally right. Today, its popular to have the same view, everyone’s beliefs are equally valid. It seems very tolerant. But are all paths to God equally valid? Can anyone claim to have reached the top of the mountain? Can any of us really claim to have reached the summit, seen all the various roads converging at the top, and have confirmed with ABSOLUTE certainty that all religions lead to knowing God? And then descended from the summit to tell us? If none of us have come back from the top of the mountain then all we can do is speculate. Right? So let’s approach the question of knowing God from another vantage point. If God made us surely he would have an interest in how we relate to him – clearer If God made us then SURELY he must have an interest in our devotion and thus, would do something concrete to grab our attention. SURELY, he would make himself clearer. This is what we find in the first chapter of John’s gospel
It's popular to say that It's arrogant to say that there is just one true faith? To say everyone’s beliefs are equal seems very tolerant. But we could only hold the belief that all religions equally lead to God if we have failed to listen and understand each major religion. Islam says that Jesus was not crucified. Christianity says He was. Only one of us can be right. Judaism says Jesus was not the Saviour. Christianity says He was. Only one of us can be right. Hinduism says God has often become a man. Christianity says God became a man only in Jesus. We cannot both be right. Do all paths lead to God? The answer must be, no. Christianity alone claims. And that as Acts 4:12 says 'Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved”” If Salvation is found in no one else, then all of us have a choice to make. This is the choice Jesus challenges us with in this passage. If you have any questions please ask mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
One of the most common reasons people leave Christianity or publicly oppose it is because they are personally disappointed with hypocrites who claim to be Christian. For example, Helen, a law student said "I have to doubt any religion that has so many fanatics and hypocrites, There are so many people who are not religious at all who are more kind and even more moral than many of the Christians I know." Have you ever heard people say something like this? Gandi famously said "Give me your Christ but keep your Christian! " How would you respond? Jesus himself rebuked religious hypocrites stronger than any other group of people. Listen to find out how Jesus responds to hypocrisy in this week's talk. If you have any questions you can ask Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Some sources suggest that there has been a 30% increase in mental health disorders due to the pandemic. If you speak to psychologists or GP’s they may tell you that it feels more like a 50% increase. There is more talk about anxiety and mental illness at the moment than any time I can remember. We have all experienced it at some level. The question is when we start worrying about the future, what will stop our thinking from becoming like dominos, snowballing into panic, and a feeling of helplessness and despair? The good news is that Jesus understands our anxiety. And what he teaches today can totally transform how we respond to anxiety. If you have any questions please email the youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Every major religion sees prayer as important. But are all the chants of the Buddhist, the prayers of the Muslim, the request of the Jew, the cries of the Hindu and prayers directed to Mary and the saints all heard and answered by God? What difference does it make in knowing God is your Father and Jesus is your saviour? And what does God wants us praying for anyway? Have a listen to find out. And if you have any questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
It's common for humans to overestimate their own qualities and abilities, relative to others, and in so doing, rate themselves more highly than others. Scientists call this the above average affect. This is especially true when it comes to whether or not we think we can get to heaven by our good works. What about you? If you died tonight, would you be in heaven? Why or why not? Jesus is going to help us think about this question.
For further questions email mike.taylor@fields.org.au
In terms of influence and achievement, Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived. He never went to university, never got a degree, never got married, never traveled far from his home. Yet, more books, songs, paintings, and movies have been made about him than anyone in all of history. And nowhere else, does Jesus give as clear and comprehensive teaching about what it means to be His disciple then the Sermon on the mount. In this section, Jesus explains what it means to be apart of his upside-down kingdom. If you have any questions please email Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
In this Q and A video I talked to Grace and Young, some of our SPARK parents, about the recently released Netflix documentary on Michael Jordan and discussed the question 'Is it ok for a Christian to be ambitious?' and 'Can a Christian be a top athlete?' I hope you find it encouraging. If you have any questions please email Mike the Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
64% of all lifetime Christians become Christian before 20 and there’s a drastically lower rate of conversion over the age of 20. Only 20% of those who made a profession of faith as a child persevere as a Christian in early 20s. That means, 80% of those who made a profession of faith as a child are lost before they hit 20. The discipling of children to have a faith that perseveres is of the utmost importance. But what role do parents have and how can we overcome some of the barriers to a growing faith in Children? Listen to this podcast to find out. If you have questions please send them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
We are skeptical of authority because often, people abuse their power. As Lord Acton famously said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How should Christians understand and relate to authority? Find out in this week's SPARK talk. If you have any questions please email mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
Many people who either leave Christianity or publically oppose it do so because they have been personally disappointed with Churches and Christians. Should the Christian life look different? If we’re saved by grace, how seriously should Christians take sin in their lives? If you have any questions please email our youth minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
There is an expression that goes ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’. It’s a way of describing the feeling that our life would be better if did this or that or if we were this or that. It's popular these days to say that Christianity is outdated. The temptation is to look for something new, something fresh, something enlightened, something impressive. Should we move on from Christianity and get with the program? Find out in last week's talk. If you have any questions email our Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Since the 1960s, Our attitudes towards sex have undergone a revolution. As people began to make freedom of expression the most important thing, sex was no longer viewed as something that should be kept special for marriage. Just as a fish is created to live in water, we best flourish when we live the way God designed us to. So what was God’s original intention for sex? Find out in this talk. If you have any questions please email the Youth Minister Mike at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Amy Wheaton answers some parents questions on the topic ‘Raising Resilient Kids’.
Amy Wheaton is a Christian clinical psychologist with over ten years of experience specialising in child and adolescent mental health and well-being.
If you have any questions please contact Mike the Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Amy Wheaton gives a talk on the topic ‘Raising Resilient Kids’ – The art of teaching our children to bounce back’ for both primary and high school parents to equip those of us who have kids to help our kids navigate life's challenges.
Using a positive psychology framework, Amy covers some practical tips, tricks and strategies we as parents can use to assist our children develop these patterns in order to set them up positively for whatever life may throw at them now and in the future.
Amy Wheaton is a Christian clinical psychologist with over ten years of experience specialising in child and adolescent mental health and well-being. She is passionate about assisting these young people and their families to bring order and light out of the chaos and darkness that these issues can often bring, and is very familiar with the challenges these issues pose to the parenting journey.
If you have any questions please contact Mike the Youth Minister at mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Matt Whitfield sharing on how he has tried to teach his kids to know and love God as in Deuteronomy 11:18-21 which says “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart.. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise…”
Hui Sharing about how he has tried to live out Ephesians 6:4 which says "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Hui also shared about the difference between honour and obey. If you have any questions please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
While average work hours and household chores are down, many of us would still consider ourselves very busy people There are several reasons for this, like busyness becoming a status symbol, the fear of missing out, the relentlessness of trying to stay up to date with social media and the avoidance of the big questions about life by keeping yourself busy. But, could it be that one of the biggest reasonos for why so many are feeling busy and tired is that over the past 40 years our society no longer prioritises a day of rest. A Sabbath where we give rest to our bodies. Where we sleep. Where we enjoy the present instead of worrying about the future. So what does God have to say about the Sabbath and why is it good news for us? If you have any questions please send them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
The phrase OMG likely comes from the phrases “Oh God” and “My God” which were originally phrases used in prayers for help, forgiveness and gratitude toward God. Since the rise of social media and instant messaging, the phrase OMG has become very popular. MTV’s top 20 music videos are now called the “OMG Top 20” and it features regularly on TikTok. In Matthew 12 Jesus says "on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." Why would Jesus say such strong words? Does it really matter how we speak about God? Is the Third Commandment really that serious? Listen to find out! If you have a question please email it to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Everyone has an imagination. Our imaginations can be used for good in things like art and invention. However, our imaginations can be used for evil as well when it draws us away from worshipping God as he has revealed himself to us. God will not share His glory or his people with a rival. What are the ways in which your imagination may have drawn you away from the good God who saves us? This weeks talk helps us to understand the second commandment and how all that we desire is ultimately found in Jesus. If you have a question you would like answered email it to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Today a popular catchphrase is “It's true for you but not for me”. It’s often a response given by people who disagree with what someone else believes. The idea is that it really doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, as long as you are sincere in those beliefs. It sounds very tolerant and reasonable. But is being sincere in your beliefs enough? Does anyone really live consistently with this belief? To find out, watch this talk on the first commandment. If you have any questions you would like answered please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au. You can visit our website at www.fields.org.au/spark
If you asked most of your friends what Christianity is about, chances are they’d point you to rule-keeping. “Christianity? It’s about being a good person, and loving your neighbour” many will answer. You can understand why many people think this is what Christianity is about. After all, the Bible is filled with laws. Commandments that tell us how to live, and what not to do. But, trying to be a better person doesn’t get us very far. Certainly not to heaven. What we will see today, is that, far from being an unbearable burden, the law is a good gift, that God doesn’t want to leave us in our sin and brokenness and self centerdness, but he wants to free us to be who we were created to be, to be people of love. If you have any questions you would like answered via our YouTube channel or our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
Only five months ago nobody had heard of the Coronavirus. Now its all anyone is talking about. No life remains untouched. Many are filled with fear and anxiety as their worldly security has fallen apart and are unsure where to turn. So the question is, can we depend on God amidst this pandemic? And how should we respond as Christians? Have a listen to hear what the Bible has to say. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Many of us have struggled to know how to adjust and respond to the complete societal upheaval that coronavirus has brought. So, I have developed a list of resources to help you navigate these uncertain times, to help parents and their children grow in their trust in God and grow closer together as families. I have also provided some general resources to help you keep up to date with the Coronavirus and to help parents with their home learning. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
How do we know Jesus really did rise from the dead? And is the evidence believable? Listen to hear about the eye-witness testimony from Jesus' most sceptical disciple. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
Easter is probably the best opportunity for our friends and family to hear the good news of the gospel. But how can we make the most of this opportunity? In this podcast I seek to provide an answer that some of Hannah's girls had regarding how to have helpful conversations and how to invite our friends along to SPARK. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
In this sermon, we will be looking at the parable of the wicked tenants and considering the patience of God and whether there is such a thing as a lazy Christian. Is becoming a Christian like receiving a ticket into a carnival; all the privileges without any responsibility? Why have we been saved? Listen to find out what the Bible says.
When Jesus began preaching he began with the words "Repent for the kingdom of God is near". The famous Reformer of the 1500's Martin Luther famously wrote that all of a Christian's life is one of repentance. Repentance is a necessary response to the good news of Jesus. But what is Repentance? Listen to find out. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au.
Do we want a God who just accepts everyone or a God who brings justice? Why did Jesus curse a fig tree for not having any fruit? What is repentance? Find out on this weeks youth talk. If you have any questions you would like answered via our podcast please email them to mike.taylor@fields.org.au
Welcome to our first episode of our SPARK Youth Podcast. Here is last weeks youth talk!