Redemption Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
Redemption Church
Jesus. Community. Mission. And the mission is simply to help people meet and be saved by Jesus. Our teaching aims to always be Biblically faithful and culturally accessible. Based in Melbourne, Australia we're a part of the global Acts 29 church planting network.
Athanasios starts our new thematic series, Timeless Truths for Troubled Times from Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus calls us not to be anxious, but seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness. Knowing God will provide for us and care for us.
Pastoral message and encouragement from our first livestream. My Help Comes From The Lord - Psalm 121 - Athanasios Bardis
From the very first chapters of the Bible, we see humanity's tragic fall—a cosmic event that binds us in slavery to sin and death.
Fortunately, this is only the opening act. What we see proclaimed throughout the pages of Scripture is God's ultimate redemptive plan unfolding. Culminating in an even greater cosmic event—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ—redeeming those who trust in him from the chains of sin, transferring us from darkness into his marvellous light.
“And by him, everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses." — Acts 13:39
At the very heart of Christmas lies an act of grace so amazing that it ought to cause us to gasp for our breath, cover our mouths and fall to our knees in wonder...
The lover came for the unlovely, the ruler lay aside his robes, the playwright entered his play, the one who upholds everything was held by human hands, the infinite became an infant.
The hope of Christmas is found in the substance of a promise. A promise filled with peace, a promise filled with joy, and a promise filled with glorious light which banishes darkness. The sum and substance of that promise is the promised child, the divine Son given to us.
A story of providential protection and growing alienation. We don't want to oppose God by opposing his king, but rather we want to commit ourselves to Jesus, receive forgiveness and serve him.
As our culture moves further away from the central meaning of Easter, the question for everyone still remains: how is someone to be made right with God? In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul argues that it justification is by faith. Trusting that Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Romans 4:25). This historical fact stands at the core of the meaning of Easter.
As our culture moves further away from the central meaning of Easter, the question for everyone still remains: how is someone to be made right with God? In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul argues that it justification is by faith. Trusting that Jesus was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Romans 4:25). This historical fact stands at the core of the meaning of Easter.
Hope is a necessary thing, but it is also a dangerous thing. Dictators attempt to quash it due to its potential for inspiring activism against their cruel control.
But you don’t have to be under a cruel regime to require hope and to feel hopeless. In the western, wealthy world today there exists the stench of hopelessness, an air of frustration with how things are, and anxiety about the future.
The reality of hope requires at least two subversive ideas. First, that things are not as they should be. Second, that there is a way out. Most people believe the first. Many scoff at the second.
The Advent season that leads into Christmas taps into this very ancient longing, this aching for someone or something to come and bring the change we long for. And what Christmas declares is that ‘Hope Came Down’. Christmas proposes that the answer we need came from outside of us and our material world, and came in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.
One of the main sessions from our Acts 29 2017 Regional Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
One of the main sessions from our Acts 29 2017 Regional Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
One of the main sessions from our Acts 29 2017 Regional Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
The Five Solas - A five-week series exploring the five pillars of The Reformation, beginning with Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).
We welcomed Dan Paterson from RZIM to deliver a full-on day of apologetic preaching. Dan joined us from rainy Brisbane to beautifully sunny Melbourne to answer the question, 'Does God exist?'
We welcomed Dan Paterson from RZIM to deliver a full-on day of apologetic preaching. Dan joined us from rainy Brisbane to beautifully sunny Melbourne to talk about why we can trust the Bible.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on predestination, election and God's sovereignty.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on predestination, election and God's sovereignty.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on predestination, election and God's sovereignty.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on predestination, election and God's sovereignty.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.TGS - Predestination: Talk 01 - Culture - Sam Wright
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on predestination, election and God's sovereignty.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
It is our 3rd Birthday, but that does not make it an occasion for us to turn the attention on ourselves.
Rather, it is an occasion to re-centre our minds on things above. In this passage, Paul makes the logical command that if you have been raised with Christ, we must "seek" and "set our minds on things above".
Our 1st ever Christmas Eve celebration at Redemption Church!! We plan to pause on the night before Christmas and give thanks for the greatest gift of all. Remind ourselves of the most important things.
Our world and culture is not settled, it is searching.
Searching for happiness, for truth, for justice, for the basis of our value, worth, and purpose, even searching for the divine. But then the nagging question - have we actually found what we are looking for? Are the answers offered in our day sufficient for our desires?
Our world and culture is not settled, it is searching.
Searching for happiness, for truth, for justice, for the basis of our value, worth, and purpose, even searching for the divine. But then the nagging question - have we actually found what we are looking for? Are the answers offered in our day sufficient for our desires?
Our world and culture is not settled, it is searching.
Searching for happiness, for truth, for justice, for the basis of our value, worth, and purpose, even searching for the divine. But then the nagging question - have we actually found what we are looking for? Are the answers offered in our day sufficient for our desires?
Our world and culture is not settled, it is searching.
Searching for happiness, for truth, for justice, for the basis of our value, worth, and purpose, even searching for the divine. But then the nagging question - have we actually found what we are looking for? Are the answers offered in our day sufficient for our desires?
Our world and culture is not settled, it is searching.
Searching for happiness, for truth, for justice, for the basis of our value, worth, and purpose, even searching for the divine. But then the nagging question - have we actually found what we are looking for? Are the answers offered in our day sufficient for our desires?
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Book of Judges - Right In Their Own Eyes
The Book of Judges is often considered the most spiritually dark book in the whole Bible. The reason is, it seeks to narrate the most spiritually dark period in Old Testament History. What we find is a graphic picture of what happens when God is rejected as king and everyone does what is right in their own eyes.
Judges 4 and 5 is the story of a surprising salvation by a sovereign God who fights for his people.
Standing firm and making disciples in the midst of a hostile world can feel like too great a task. At times our enemy can seem too strong. But God is still a warrior who fights for his people and goes before them.
In his famous encounter with a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus, Jesus makes clear that good works and religious activities don’t save us. Rather, if we’re to see or enter God’s kingdom, then God must give us a new start. We must be born again.
The story of the Judges begins! Othniel is first and he is an 'obvious' saviour. Ehud is not obvious. A left-hander who uses deception to conquer. We learn that sin is not just evil and essentially adultery against God - it is also just plain stupid.
Sin never remains static. It demands more and more with each return to it. The sad story of Israel follows a religious spiral downward and this section of Judges gives us their consistent pattern. What stands out over and over again is the gracious salvation the Lord provides for his disobedient people.
Compromise is the deadly enemy of the people of God. As Israel begins to fulfill its mission to take the land of Canaan, we are met with a people consistent with half-way discipleship, part-way obedience and compromise.
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on gender, marriage, singleness, sex and more.
We see the obvious need in our day for a clear and kind telling of God’s word on these issues.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on gender, marriage, singleness, sex and more.
We see the obvious need in our day for a clear and kind telling of God’s word on these issues.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on gender, marriage, singleness, sex and more.
We see the obvious need in our day for a clear and kind telling of God’s word on these issues.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
These talks are from the one-night conference where we looked at God’s Word on gender, marriage, singleness, sex and more.
We see the obvious need in our day for a clear and kind telling of God’s word on these issues.
Theologian J.I. Packer recently lamented, “The Church is in trouble. You’d agree with that wouldn’t you? The trouble is we are not taking our God seriously enough. What’s the proof of that? Why, that we’re not taking his Word seriously enough."
There is a parallel between our treatment of God and our treatment of his Word. If we believe God to exist - should we not take him seriously? If we believe he has spoken - should we not take every word he speaks seriously?
'Taking God Seriously' aims to be an ongoing event where we accept the challenge for one extended night to take God seriously by taking his Word seriously.
Hours of teaching, on a given topic, packed into one night.
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
THE CHURCH. It stands at the very centre of God's plans for the world. But what is it? What makes a church...a church? What is its purpose? What is its mission? How is it to be organised biblically? And does any of this actually really matter?
Sadly, we do not live in a time and place where the church of Jesus Christ is esteemed, even among God’s people.
But it has not always been this way. If we stood on the shoulders of faithful men who have gone before us we would see what they saw. We would realise the church, to quote Charles Spurgeon, is “The Dearest Place on Earth”.
So what happened?
Have you ever thought about what it will be like to stand before God and give an account for your life? How will you make your case? What will be your appeal? What gives you confidence? What do you take pride in?
In one of the richest passages in the New Testament, Paul warns the Philippians about the dangers of false teachers who may lead them astray with advice about how the Philippians are to secure a right standing before God on that final day. Paul knows from experience that law keeping and good works cannot be the basis of our being declared right before God.
The righteousness we need to be acquitted before God comes from God and is entirely dependent on gaining Christ. So Paul now counts everything else as rubbish – he’ll gladly lose it all – if it means gaining Jesus.
God's Work and Ours
The start of this podcast has been cut off as a result of a tech issue we had, but shouldn't impact the content of the message!
The Name Above Every Name is Jesus...
And as our church celebrates 2 years of God's grace, we want to take this opportunity not to celebrate our name, but his name. Paul gives us in this passage one of the high points in all of scripture, climaxing with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing "Jesus is Lord".
The Name Above Every Name is Jesus...
And as our church celebrates 2 years of God's grace, we want to take this opportunity not to celebrate our name, but his name. Paul gives us in this passage one of the high points in all of scripture, climaxing with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing "Jesus is Lord".
‘Only one thing is necessary' Paul says.
We are to live as citizen’s of God’s heavenly kingdom in a way that is consistent with and commends the gospel. This requires standing firm together in unity and courage in the face of opposition, recognising God’s sovereign hand at work in the midst of our trials.
To live is...
We all have some way of finishing that sentence. It may be to do with career or family or fame or success. But Paul's answer allows him to subsequently say, "to die is gain".
So what kind of life leads to this? What kind of life allows one to confidently say, "I will rejoice" - in the future tense? For Paul the answer is Christ.
What is more detrimental to the advance of the gospel?
Prosperity or persecution?
Paul writes to ensure the church knows that what has happened to him, in his imprisonment, has served to advance the gospel.
In these opening verses we are introduced to the author and recipients of this letter.
A letter written from a slave to Christ to saints in Christ - Paul gives thanks for their partnership in the gospel.
God’s Word is powerful and gives life. By it, God creates and sustains His people.
Pastor Nathan Malpass brought us an entirely memorised reading of Paul’s letter to the Philippians to kick off our new series, ‘Partners In The Gospel’. It was such a great encouragement to everyone who heard it and is such a powerful way in which to hear God’s Word spoken.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
One of the main sessions from our Acts 29 2015 Regional Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
C.S Lewis writes, "The ancient man approached God (or even the gods) as the accused person approaches his judge. For the modern man the roles are reversed. He is the judge: God is in the dock... if God should have a reasonable defence for being the god who permits war, poverty and disease, he is ready to listen to it.”
There is a fundamental mistake in this paradigm. This is the finger-painting preschooler questioning Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. It is the clay shaking it's fist at the potter for how it turned out (Romans 9v20-21).
In this series we see that God, in fact, has questions for the world. He says, "I will question you, and you make it known to me." (Job 38v3)
His questions include:
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- What is this you have done?
- Who do you say that I am?
- What is your life?
- What does it profit a man?
- Do you love me?
This will be a series where God is put in his rightful place and us in ours.
Be sure to be there every week and invite friends to hear God's questions for the world.
As we look at the life changing commands of Jesus, summarised by the Golden Rule, Jesus concludes His famous sermon with a choice: The narrow road to life, or the broad way to destruction. There’s no middle ground.
This is perhaps the most popular and misquoted passage of scripture in the western world.
Is this a call to suspend all critical judgment so there is no right or wrong – or is Jesus talking about something else? The attitude of judgmentalism.
1 in 4 Australians suffer from anxiety.
We are an anxious people – we have never had so much externally and never had so little internally. Jesus points us to the love of the father to deal with all anxieties.
Idolatry is a western problem.
Love of money and things of this world draw our attention, affections and desires. Jesus points us to a far greater treasure, more sure and eternal than all this world has to offer.
Our greatest danger may not be poison – but apple pie.
Fasting is an expression of a hunger for God and homesickness for heaven. Could it be that we fail to fast because we are so distracted by the ‘treats’ of this world?
Consider the wonder of being taught to pray by Jesus himself. If we desired insight into prayer we could not turn to a greater source.
By its very nature prayer is a moment of deep humility and selflessness. How then shall we use it for our own glory?
Upon taking seriously this glorious call to be a Christian, we must beware of prostituting that vision with a preoccupation with how well people will think of us.
Example number 1: give to the needy in secret.
Perhaps the most “inverted” of all Jesus’ commands. Loving enemies. Praying for persecutors. If you do you will be imitating your Father who did the same for you.
What possible worldview can account for the kind of behavior that blesses those who insult you? Where does such strength and freedom come from?
When was the last time we changed our mind? Was it a sin?
Lying has been called the royal road to chaos. Followers of the one named “faithful and true” are called to be radical truth-tellers.
In a confused culture that both disregards marriage at the same time as campaigns to broaden its definition – Jesus speaks of God’s plan.
Jesus turns his attention to now raise the bar on sexual purity. Confronting our sex-crazed culture Jesus equates lust with the guilt of adultery.
Jesus warns against self-satisfaction with only external behaviors while ignoring the heart. It is not enough to just not murder, we must not even want to murder.
Should we eat shellfish? Keep the Sabbath? Shave beards? The question of our present relationship to the Old Testament law is a live one. How much discontinuity and continuity must there be?
Jesus turns to describe the Christian’s relationship to the world as both salt in its distinctiveness and light in its presence. We are those who are different and yet not removed.
Jesus wraps up his description of the person approved by God with the pure in heart, those who are peacemakers and those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.
Jesus continues to declare those whom God approves of. The person who mourns over their sin, the meek, those who desperately desire righteousness, and the merciful.
Jesus wastes no time in laying the foundations for the whole sermon in the first line. The most important question when it comes to the Kingdom of God is simply this – are you in it?
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
In contrast to the world’s promises of fullness of life now, the Bible points us beyond this life to live in light of the next. Christ will return and our eternity will be spent in either heaven or hell.
Jesus ascends to heaven and leaves the church with a mission. The mission to make disciples. Throughout the book of Acts we see the clear pattern – gospel is preached, opposition comes, people are saved.
The church is no accident of history but lies at the centre of God’s work in the world. We dare not neglect the bride of Christ. It is not a building but the assembly of God’s people expressing the character of God.
The person and work of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event to know about but an event to respond to. And that way is repentance and faith.
Here lies the other side of the coin of salvation. In this sermon we look at both the evidence of the resurrection and all its vast achievements for us.
All human rights find their meaning in the doctrine of the Imago Dei. We are not merely machines or animals but rather humans made in God’s image and endowed with inherent dignity and value.
The cross is the most famous symbol in the world, and constitutes all that Christianity is – but what did it actually achieve?
How did we get here? What sort of a world do we find ourselves in? Does it matter? Did God do it? Or did it just happen?
If so, you are living in a world that is, according to Richard Dawkins, “neither good nor evil, neither cruel nor kind, but simply callous – indifferent to all suffering, lacking all purpose.” If not, it changes everything…
To fully grasp the importance of something you imagine where you would be without it. And Christianity without the Bible would not exist. It is God’s inerrant, clear, authoritative and sufficient word.
Theology is firstly about God. The Bible reveals to us the Trinitarian God of holy-love. We must not chose between his holiness or his love but recognise God as being both.
Our mission is not unique to us. It is given to us. When Jesus stands on a mountain about to leave earth he declared our marching orders – make disciples of all nations.
In the bible there is no such thing as unchurched Christians. Those who are saved are always added to the church. And the church stands at the very centre of God’s eternal purposes.
First and foremost our prayer is “Lord Be Thou My Vision”.
There can be no talk of vision until Jesus is at the centre: centre of our worship, our affections, how we read and preach the bible and all our behaviour.
2015 has begun and resolutions have already been made and broken! The obvious question is who should set our priorities? Culture? Friends? Ourselves? We think Jesus. So that is what we will be doing throughout January with #PrioritiesInTheParables
2015 has begun and resolutions have already been made and broken! The obvious question is who should set our priorities? Culture? Friends? Ourselves? We think Jesus. So that is what we will be doing throughout January with #PrioritiesInTheParables
2015 has begun and resolutions have already been made and broken! The obvious question is who should set our priorities? Culture? Friends? Ourselves? We think Jesus. So that is what we will be doing throughout January with #PrioritiesInTheParables
2015 has begun and resolutions have already been made and broken! The obvious question is who should set our priorities? Culture? Friends? Ourselves? We think Jesus. So that is what we will be doing throughout January with #prioritiesintheparables
Our longing for universal peace at Christmas time is good and yet terribly misplaced. Jesus meets our greatest need and only hope for eternal peace, “for he will save his people from their sins.”
In ancient culture there are two important aspects to a name – who names you and what the name means. In the case of Jesus it is not left to chance, “And you shall call his name Jesus.”
The phrase ‘She will bear a son’ points us to the heart of the gospel. She is a virgin. But God gives children to those who can’t in order to show that he is the one who brings salvation.
Preparation for suffer does not happen while suffering but prior. The final 3 chapters of Daniel contain 1 vision with the purpose of preparing us to suffer.
In response to Daniel’s prayer, the angel Gabriel delivers one of the most profound and glorious prophesies in all of the Old Testament.
Daniel models here a prayer of repentance and faith in God. He trusts God’s character of merciful love to fulfill his promises.
The world is not a playground. It is a battleground. And when the people of God are struck the ground the only question is ‘How long?’ How long before God deals with our enemies.
So far the stories of Daniel have all ended well. The question now is what if it doesn’t? Where is God on the day it all goes bad?
Faced with the choice of death or 30 days without prayer, Daniel chose death and was thrown into the pit of lions.
But he made it out alive. Why did Daniel make it out of the lion’s den? Hint: the kid’s story books are wrong…
As Belshazzar parties away his final days as king, we get an insight into the hollowness of life apart from God and the terror of judgment to come.
The question is – Who is King? Pride is the announcement that I am king.
This chapter is a battle between kings. And Nebuchadnezzar writes a letter to the world declaring that the ‘Most High rules the kingdom of men’.
Nebuchadnezzar commands the worship of his statue or die. But God’s people know that there is a fate far worse than death – to deny God and live.
The king can’t sleep. He demands his hired wizards to both tell him the dream and reveal it. But there is only one revealer of mysteries.
Living in a foreign and pagan land the people of God can respond in many different ways. Absorb the new culture? Retreat from the culture? Or live differently in culture?
Satan dreads our prayers. His concern is to keep us from praying simply because this is the primary location of the Christian’s spiritual war.
While the world is troubled by horrific wars in many places, the Christian is aware of and fights in an even greater war – the spiritual war. This is a call to arms.
We spend a massive portion of our lives working under bosses. So how can the two relate and bring glory to God?
Children must obey parents. And parents are called to dream big for their kids which has nothing to do with their jobs and everything to do with knowing Christ deeply.
This is God’s design for husbands in marriage. It is to love wives in the way Christ loved the church – loving, sacrificial leadership.
This is God’s design for wives in marriage. It is the controversial yet beautiful and God-ordained call to submit to husbands.
Our time on earth is short and there are a few ultimate things for us to live for. We dare not waste time.
Our culture is sex-crazy. It has become literally crazy. Against that backdrop comes the beautiful call to be imitators of God and walk in love.
A thief who is not stealing is just a thief between jobs. God calls instead for generosity.
How do we determine right anger from wrong anger? Paul commands us here to “Be angry and do not sin.”
The first thing that our new life transforms is our speech. Words have the power to define us, and our relationship with everyone around us.
Having been saved the Christian is then called to walk in their new life. A radical transformation always follows your radical salvation.
God’s desire for his church is deep unity. But not at the cost of truth. Paul calls for a unity of both behavior and belief.
Paul again prays that the believers would come to know ever more deeply the love of God in the Gospel.
This passage goes to the heart of how we ought to spend our lives. Prisoners of Christ are paradoxically free to live lives of sacrificial mission.
The question of how people get along is one of the biggest questions in the world. In the gospel we find the only answer.
We could summarize the whole of the Christian message with these two monosyllable words set against the desperate condition of fallen humanity – “But God”.
In these 3 verses we get 6 devastating descriptions of the human condition in desperate need of the gospel.
Paul’s prayer for this church is not spectacular in the modern sense of the word. But it asks for the greatest thing – knowledge of God.
Paul takes us way up a theological mountain to gain the glorious view of God’s blessings for those he has saved.
The call on the Christian is to be both faithful to God while living in places hostile to the gospel.
Preached at the official launch of Redemption Church. Our vision, for as long as the Lord gives us, will be God himself.
Despite the fact that the church has little power in the culture it worships the God of all power.
In Sardis the church has a reputation that doesn’t match up with reality. The health of a church is not in its appearance but its spiritual life.
A church inside a culture of pagan worship is tempted to compromise on both their beliefs and behaviour.
In a city of great affluence, the church suffers poverty and persecution. Jesus calls believers to even still be faithful even unto death.
A church that is doing well with identifying false teaching but is rebuked for forgetting to love.