Liquid Church Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Liquid Church Australia
Welcome to the home of the Liquid Church Podcast. We trust you are encouraged as you listen. Please email us at hello@liquidchurch.com.au if we can help you in any way.
In this message, Paul Cameron concludes our Acts series with the theme Courage in a Storm (rough sailing, baggage overboard, travelling light, shipwrecked, doing the work of Jesus), based on Acts 28.
You may like to read Acts 27 and Psalm 107: 23-30
And reflect on these quotes:
- “The ocean can be seen as a symbol of stability, as it can exist largely unchanged for centuries.”
- “The ocean is considered to be boundless, a place where one can easily be lost, and can therefore be seen to represent the boundless span of life, and the way one can get lost on the journey through life.”
- “When I Was A Kid…a long, long time ago, deep in the last millennium… we prided ourselves on stability and sameness and order; life was built on a rock: Menzies was PM, Bolte was Premier, we had our Queen. Church (in Churches of Christ at least!) was at 11am, a ‘4 hymn sandwich’…
That was the story we found ourselves in. Today we live in times of great fluidity and mobility and change and flexibility and multiple options.
This is the story that we now find ourselves in: ever-changing like the ocean, living in this world of rapid, discontinuous change where old (but good!) beliefs and values are challenged daily; where injustice is rampant, globally and locally, in relationships between nations and between people; and where Christianity is no longer central in our culture, but marginalized and we’re all discovering how to be followers of Jesus in post-modern, post-Christendom times.
This is the story we find ourselves in, and often it is an uncomfortable place, disconcerting, scary even.
What has been your longest wait? Your most difficult wait? And, your most worthwhile wait?
In this episode we begin a new series—Acts: Stories of ancient and present followers of Jesus, and we hear from Paul Cameron around the theme ‘Out of the Shadows/Into the World’ (Acts 1:8)
In this message, Paul invites us to engage the Gethsemane narrative.
· Read Matthew 26:36-56 (and Philippians 2:5-11)
· And reflect on these questions, and be ready to share your response—
What is the easiest decision you have made?
What is the biggest decision you have made?
What is the toughest decision you have made?
What future decision are you most apprehensive about?
In this message, Paul encourages us that we can be agents of change. While you can’t always choose what happens to you, you can usually choose your response. In a flesh-and-blood battle, it will be a response based on pay back and winning. In this spiritual battle we are in, it will be a response based on truth, justice (or righteousness), peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word and prayer.
Today’s podcast is about A Contrast Society (Living in the Light). This mostly one-sided conversation with you may seem to largely be a message for Christians, but it could also be one for not-yet-Christians or for working-out-what-it-means-to-be-Christians; to us all it is an invitation to be a Contrast Society and to live in the light.
Before you listen to this message, you may like to—
- Read Ephesians 4:1-16
- Consider the following quote:
“Every significant discussion of spiritual gifts in the New Testament is situated in the context of a complex system—we are one body with many parts designed to operate in interdependent harmony with one another. The problem is that the way we’re taught to understand and express our spiritual giftedness can often be a very individualised and siloed experience—we’re taught to understand our personal gifts, but we’re left to wonder how those gifts actually work together in the way God intended…
God gives us gifts to play a symphony, not a solo.”
- Reflect on these questions—
What do you think about spiritual gifts?
What is the purpose of the ministry gifts in Ephesians 4?
Do you know what your gift is/gifts are?
Before you listen to this message, you may like to read Ephesians 2:11-22 and 3:14-21, consider the following quote:
· “Labelling theory focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those seen to deviate from standard cultural norms”
And reflect on these questions:
- What is the biggest bargain purchase you’ve ever had?
- Have you ever experienced being ‘labelled’ (positively or negatively)?
- Can you think of any instances of ‘labelling’ in the Bible?
- How would you describe your experiences of the Holy Spirit?
Grace, a preposterous act of generosity; more than a word, larger than an idea, it’s a liberating reality. Because of grace, our vocation is to do good works and to participate in God's mission.
Finding ourselves in the bigger story
Before you listen to this podcastast, you may like to read Ephesians 1, and consider these questions:
- When you were a thirteen-year-old, what did you want to do (or be)? Why?
- What advice could you now give your 13-year-old self?
- For you, what feelings does this Tom Wright quote evoke:
“There is a larger framework, a larger story, within which your own smaller stories become more interesting and important. Paul’s great prayer at the opening of this letter is a celebration of the larger story within which every single Christian story–every story of individual conversion, faith, spiritual life, obedience and hope–is set. Only by understanding and celebrating the larger story can we hope to understand everything that’s going on in our own smaller stories, and so observe God at work in and through our own lives.”
In this update, Kristi McKenzie provides a snapshot into the intentional transition partnership as we look ahead into 2022.
In this message, Paul’s provides us with an opportunity to have a heart- check.
In preparation you may like to reflect on Luke 19:41-44 (Matthew 23:37ff), Mark 12:28-34, Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Matthew 6:19-21…and these words from a Bruce Cockburn song: “I learned as a child not to trust in my body/I’ve carried that burden all through my life/But there’s a day when we all have to be pried loose……I’ve seen the flames of hope among the hopeless/And that was truly the biggest heartbreak of all/That was the straw that broke me open.”
And these questions:
- When was the last time you wept?
- What breaks your heart (around the corner/nation/world)?
- Remembering the words of U2: “a heart that is broken, is a heart that is open…”
- What do your priorities (and favourite things) say about your heart?
As Advent continues Paul describes the ‘hinge’-moment of the angel’s message to Mary about carrying the Messiah (she said yes!); are we as brave to say yes to God?
Paul tonight guides us as we wait for the coming of Jesus; a gift to the world during this advent season.
On Sunday Paul’s Open Tables introduction Placemaking: Connections and Partnerships was based on Jeremiah 29:4-7. As place makers we are students and stewards of our neighbourhood, with a cultivated curiosity and prayerful love…
The Bible is a big book bursting with life; it’s the word of God to people about life. But how should we read it? How should it read us?
Leadership is a hot potato, exacerbated by COVID-19. In both political and church worlds issues of control, power, territory and ego come into play. Can we find another way?
This podcast’s theme is Encounter, summarising Christianity’s ‘value proposition’. It’s about encounters with Jesus and with others, encounters that bring deep connections and unexpected outcomes.
This week, Paul explores how Christian unity is discovered and expressed in variety, not conformity or uniformity. Drawing on inspiration from how an orchestra operates and Ephesians 4, he invites the church to embrace our differences to become who God is shaping us to be.
Ephesians 4:4-7 (Msg) You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.
What is our Spiritual Fingerprint and how does this identify Liquid as a Church?
Tonight Paul Cameron leads us as we continue to unpack and explore our heritage and identity; and where we are headed during this transitional season at Liquid.
In this message, Paul shares the importance of hospitality as he invites us to reflect on the open invitation to the communion table extended to us from Jesus our Lord.
Carey Nieuwhof wrote recently, “In 2020 we thought we were running a marathon. Just when we thought we were finished, someone handed us a bike and swimming togs. Then 2021 revealed that actually, it’s not a triathlon, it’s an Ironman…”
In this episode, Paul encouraged us to explore these two questions. As we reflected on the how weariness can drain us and the importance of awe.
Thinking of our shared COVID-19, pandemic, corona-coaster experience in 2020-2021—
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What has been your toughest moment, your most disappointing, frustrating, and/or energy-draining episode? What might you be happy to say goodbye to?
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Where have you experienced (or seen) God at work, personally, in your family, or closely around you? What have you surprisingly enjoyed? What might you miss and/or like to maintain?
In this Episode, Paul continues 'Things we can say together' as we discuss the role and names of the church.
Ephesians 3:10-11, Acts 2:43-47
The church isn’t merely an event, something we go to; it is who we are; at times, we may be the ‘gathered church’, in what is really a short coffee break in life, because most of the time we are the ‘scattered church’, being a sign, witness and foretaste of the Kingdom wherever we find ourselves 24/7/365; that’s because we don’t exist for us, to meet our needs—but we exist for the world, to meet the world’s needs, starting but not ending with meaning and purpose, restoration and reconciliation and hope…the mission of the church cannot be properly understood or expressed apart from the Kingdom…but maybe more of that some other time...
This podcast is an extract from our online church gathering on August 29, 2021.
In Paul’s message he shares about what it means to belong together without labels. Looking at Ephesians 2:11 (The Message) Paul discusses that no matter the labels that have been placed on us, our relationship with God allows us to see the true value of having our lives intertwined with His.
In this message Steve Sutton from Bayview Church explores the original narrative of the Bible and its relevance to the Church. This message unpacks an alternative perspective on how we as the Church can interpret the Bible and the Hope for the Church of the future.
In this message Wynand shares about the importance of rest and what we can learn when we look at the life of Christ. Contrasting moments from the lives of Moses, Elijah & Jonah and he reminds us of the need of taking a breath and rest in God.
On Sunday Wynand introduced our new series on following Jesus. In this world we are being discipled to live in a hyper reality but Jesus wants to bring us into the real world. The bible reference is John 16 verse 33 where Jesus says in this life you will have many troubles but don't be afraid; have courage for I have overcome the world.
In this sermon Wynand explores the challenges we can’t ignore in our lives.
He uses the example of David, Saul and Goliath to illustrate how we should posture ourselves as we face life’s inevitable daily challenges.
Avoiding the urge to procrastinate and put off the difficult challenging tasks that life will throw our way is a challenge for everyone facing adversity.
What tools do you have in your hands?
The Guide Bible verse is 1 Samuel 17.
In Proverbs 23:7, we read that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Jesus says that we should not be concerned about what goes into the mouth, but what comes from the mouth. All of this points to the human heart. But we also see that there is a connection between the human heart and the human mind. And so as we grow in Christ, we become aware that we must take every thought and every emotion captive and make it obedient unto Christ. Wynand explores in this sermon, how we do just that.
In this introductory sermon, Wynand explores, how hard it is for us to change and how we often postpone change and procrastinate. When we are in Christ, we do not have to change on our own. And we have the Holy Spirit to assist us to change day by day.
**Due to technical difficulties experienced on Sunday the introductory message was cut short. Should you want to further explore the themes discussed in the audio please follow our social media channels which can be found on our website for daily updates from Wynand.
In the conclusion of our series ‘Home is Where the Heart is’, we listened on Sunday to a retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son (a story of a young man who found his way home). Sit back and immerse yourself in this story. The Bible Reference comes from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 15 verses 11-32.
You can view a short version of the story here.
In this third sermon in the series "Home is Where the Heart Is", Wynand uses the story of the woman at the well to illustrate how we struggle to find a home for our hearts. Jesus invites the woman at the well to find her heart at home with Him (John 4) not on Mount Gerizim or on Mount Moriah but to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.
Should you wish to watch the YouTube clip as produced by The Chosen of the Woman at the Well Story you can view it here.
In this second sermon, Wynand continues to explore the fact that the human heart is designed to be at home with God.
Our God is a generous God and as we display that generosity in our daily lives it becomes more and more evident that we belong to Him.
You've heard the frequently used saying 'Home is where the Heart is', but what does it actually mean? Tonight Wynand unpacks this saying and discusses some of its origins and how God wants us to remain rooted in Him and reliant on Him.
Tonight we conclude our Summer Series with guest artist Renee Geddes joining us, and Wynand unpacks a thought-provoking message as we launch into our regular message series in 2021.
Tonight Wynand concludes our Advent Series and discusses what it means to have Jesus with us, in us and how he can work through us if we are open to his leading.
Tonight Wynand discusses what it means to cultivate and maintain an expectant heart as we prepare for the coming of Christmas. The reference passage comes from 1 John verse 3.
Tonight Wynand continues our Advent Series and discusses how we should prepare our hearts for the impending birth of Jesus our Saviour. The reference passage for tonights sermon is Mark 1:4-8.
Tonight Wynand begins our Advent Series, and in this episode he discusses how we should prepare ourselves as we wait for the gift of Jesus.
Tonight, Wynand wraps up our Creatures of Habit Series, and explores the idea that our daily work for which we are remunerated (paid) can also be an act of Worship in the service of others; ultimately bringing glory to our Creator, Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:8-9)
Waiting is an essential part of the Christian life, if we wait it is a sign of caring and if we care it is a sign of loving to wait on God is to say that we care enough to hear from God and to respond to what he is doing in Matthew Chapter 4:8-11 Jesus demonstrates what we should do as we wait.
Tonight Wynand looks at our third personal habit (Open Mindset) exploring what it means to live beyond our comfort zone (Acts 10:9-16). How do you display living beyond your comfort zone?
Tonight Wynand looks at our second personal habit (Loving Life) exploring what it means to live in gratitude of Jesus giving us life in abundance (John 10:9-11). What are you grateful for and how do you display a life of abundance?
Tonight Wynand begins looking at personal habits and explores what it means to focus on Jesus during our personal faith walk.
What tools do you use to quieten the peripheral noise allowing you to focus on Jesus during your quiet times?
Tonight Wynand wraps up our focus on Corporate Habits.
To be able to Remain, Recognise and Respond is a gift of Grace that flows directly to and through us if we remain a spirit led people.
Following on from last week in our Creatures of Habit Series where we began with ‘Remain’, we discussed being attached to the vine (John 15:5), in this sermon Wynand discusses some ways we can start to ‘Recognise’ the voice of God, as he speaks throughout our daily lives. If we attune our ears to the frequency of God, we will be able to hear His voice (Revelation 3:20, John 16:10), tonight, Wynand provides a framework for how we should ‘Respond’, and encourages us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Following on from last week in our Creatures of Habit Series where we began with ‘Remain’, we discussed being attached to the vine (John 15:5), in this sermon Wynand discusses some ways we can start to ‘Recognise’ the voice of God, as he speaks throughout our daily lives. If we attune our ears to the frequency of God, we will be able to hear His voice (Revelation 3:20, John 16:10)
Tonight we continue our Creatures of Habit Series looking at Remaining in Christ.
John 15:5 states “Yes, I am the vine you are the branches, those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me; you can do nothing”
Wynand unpacks this verse and discusses how we can Remain in Christ and receive our daily nutrients from our Heavenly Father in these modern and challenging times…
In this new series Creatures of Habit, we will explore the importance of habits, especially spiritual habits in the Christian life.
Everyday we do things and we don't even think about it, in the same way everyday we do things spiritually and we don't think about it, no wonder Paul says that we should take every thought captive and make them obedient unto Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
If we are not intentional to develop good habits; bad habits will take over, and so in this series we are going to look at being intentional about building good habits, both corporate and private.
In this first sermon Wynand explores the importance of spiritual habits.
Tonight we conclude our series on the Lord's Prayer; and Wynand reminds us that we are God's tangible example of His glory in this world.
Our understanding of power has been shaped by our experience of power in the modern world; power is often used to over-power.
In this sermon Wynand shows that God’s power is different, that God uses his power to empower; that God’s power is seen is his self-giving love.
On Sunday we explored what it means when Jesus said yours is the kingdom. Paul defines the kingdom as righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. What does it mean for us as believers to live kingdom lives, to live with the life of God in us?
On Sunday we explored the part where Jesus says pray 'Father lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil'.
Is it possible that Jesus could even think that his Father would lead people into temptation that he would collaborate with evil forces to cause people to sin; or is there something else here, is Jesus pointing to a different kind of temptation where evil be destroyed and life will be made new?
In this sermon Wynand explores what Jesus meant when he said that we should pray 'Father forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us'.
Forgiving and being forgiven is like breathing in and breathing out, it is vital to the spiritual life of believers. As we forgive, we also are able to receive forgiveness, and as we receive forgiveness we are also able to forgive others.
As we explore this important statement, we go deeper into understanding what Jesus meant when he said 'hallowed be your name'.
In this sermon series we've been looking at the Lord's Prayer, and here Wynand asks the question...What does Jesus mean when he says 'Give us this day our Daily Bread?'
This is in reference to what we need to survive everyday and maybe it is? But it seems like throughout scripture there is a definite connection between bread and the presence of God.
It may be that Jesus is saying ask for your daily bread, and ask for God's presence.....
The statement "as it is in Heaven" is really fundamental in our understanding of Jesus' prayer, because Jesus is saying that God's name be hallowed on Earth as it is in Heaven, that on earth God's Kingdom would come as it is in Heaven; and God's will be done as it is in Heaven.
In this sermon, Wynand explores what it means to live as people who have heaven in our hearts, where we live our lives not as people who are captured by this earthly existence, but by a vision of what it means to live with eternity in our hearts
In this sermon, Wynand explores the phrase 'Your will be done'. When Jesus prayed this He gave us a glimpse into the mind of our Maker, he who wants his creation to become all that he intended them to be.
This week we investigate the words 'Your Kingdom Come' and what that means for the church today....
In this Introductory message, we take a look at The Lord’s Prayer referenced in Matthew 6:9, looking specifically at the words "Our Father" and Wynand poses the question...Who is your Father?
In this the final message in our Hope Remains Series, we look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
The story begins when the younger sibling of a farmer asks for his portion of the family estate, and making plans to travel and enjoy the spoils of having money to spend, as he pleased.
Unfortunately when the money runs out a severe famine hits the country and the son finds himself in dire circumstances, he sees no other option but to take a job feeding pigs, he grows so destitute that he even longs to eat the food assigned to the pigs.
The young man finally comes to his senses, remembering his father. In humility he recognises his foolishness and decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and mercy.
The father is overjoyed by the return of his lost son and welcomes him with open arms of compassion. When the older son comes in from a hard days work, he boils with anger and jealousy that his brother was welcomed home and that an enormous feast and party ensued.
This shows the heart of God as he waits patiently and with ultimate compassion to restore us when we return to him with humble hearts - he doesn't dwell on our past waywardness.
The guide passage is Luke 15:11-32.
In this episode we look at the life of Jairus, and how in his desperation he reaches out to Jesus in the hope that he could heal his daughter as she was unwell.
As Jesus was walking to Jairus' home a friend informs Jairus that his daughter had died, at that moment Jesus intervenes to curb the fear welling up in the broken-hearted father, countering with encouragement, Jesus says "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.
Jesus then tells Jairus' that his daughter was only sleeping and with the crowd gone asks her to get up and walk around, before telling them to give her something to eat.
Let Hope Arise! This weeks guide passage comes from Mark 5.
Have you ever felt angry or disappointed with God? Maybe God didn't answer that prayer the way we wanted him to...
In this message we look at the prophet Jonah, who ran from God and deserted Nineveh not feeling adequate to fulfill God's call.
But we discover the true character of God is one slow to anger, is abounding in love, and is full of mercy.
Everyday we make decisions and have to live with the consequences of the decisions we make.
Tonight we continue our series and explore the life of Lot, and discover that Lot made decisions that were rushed and ill-considered without consultation with God as to what God's thoughts were before going ahead.
What Lot lacked was the ability to trust God (in the process) with the next steps of his decision making which is what happens when one moves forward in their own strength.
Tonight we unpack the character of Jabez, who is referenced in 1 Chronicles 4:9-11.
In this passage, Jabez asks God to bless and affirm him, enlarge his territory; and let your hand guide him and keep him from pain.
Jabez turns his eyes to Jesus for a renewal experience...and God answers his prayers; and restores his faith and shows his goodness, and favour.
Why would God wrestle with Jacob? It could be that God chooses to engage Jacob in a way that is familiar to him. Jacob has been wresting, his brother, his father, Laban, and even God, all his life. He has done this because he has not believed that God would bless him, but now, in this struggle, he will not let go, unless he is blessed. Join Wynand as he unpacks this story, and as we seek to understand how God comes, in our times of distress, to bring hope.
In this sermon our focus moves to Elijah, a remarkable human being and an extraordinary prophet. But even so, a human being just like us. Like us, he fixated on a thought during a difficult time, and he became stuck. But like us, he became unstuck as his gaze shifted towards the future. Christ is our future.
In this sermon series Wynand examines stories of various biblical characters and how, in difficult times, they encountered God. We may get knocked down, in difficult times and narrow spaces, yet God never leaves us or abandons us; instead, God is with us and available. In this sermon, we start with King David's lament and faith.
In this, the last sermon in the Lent series, Wynand talks about what it means to have a Living Hope. This hope does not come from plans or strategies, it is not something that we get because we are smart or have access to money. It is living because it comes from the life of God, the same life that raised Jesus from the grave.
In this sermon, Wynand considers the significance of the crown of thorns in Matthew 27. Thorns are often associated with the brokenness of creation and the suffering of humans. As an ancient writer once said: “we may behold the thorny crown, which was only set upon the head of Our Redeemer in order that all the thorns of the world might be gathered together and broken”.
Wynand explores the many times in which Jesus chose to be alone; we are facing social isolation and social distancing at this time, and it is very hard. Jesus also found social isolation difficult, especially when he was in the garden of Gethsemane.
In this sermon, Wynand shows that during this time Jesus pursued his relationship with God, and it is an encouragement to us to do the same, while we are socially isolated, it is not a time to withdraw from God, but instead, a time to allow God to change us from the inside out.
In this sermon, Wynand reflects on the current health crisis that the world is facing. He explores the place of resilience in our response to unforeseen events. From Phil 2:2-8 he finds some key insights into what it means to be resilient.
In this third sermon in the Lent series, Wynand describes Jesus as a different kind of King. Kings in the bible often did what was evil in the sight of God, which means that they collaborated with evil and reversed God's desire to make space for life. There is a spiritual immune system that resists God’s work in and through us. But Jesus, when he died on the cross came not as a warrior, not in the spirit of violence that makes earthly kings “powerful”. Jesus breaks the power of this world through his humility, gentleness, and servanthood.
In this sermon, Wynand explores how the cross exposes the violence in the world and how God, through Jesus takes our violence and turns it into forgiveness, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 says that God is love and in 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and therefore we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Guide Verses are from John 3:16 and John 4:8.
Lent is a season to prepare our hearts for change. The word Lent means Spring - a season of change. Moving from winter to summer, This Lent series, we explore “Who is Jesus?” and how He wants to reconcile the world to God. Religion in Jesus' day thought that change comes through control and instilling fear, but in this first sermon, we will see that Jesus takes a different approach.
In this third episode of our current series 'Why are we Liquid Church', Wynand looks at the purpose of the Church in continuing the work of reconciliation established during Jesus' Ministry.
The guiding scripture comes from 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 v17.
There is a video available here titled I gotta find Bubba, that accompanies this podcast, for which we have sought and been granted permission to use. It is suggested you watch the YouTube video prior to listening to the podcast.
In this second sermon in the series: Renew or Rebrand, Wynand further explores the reason why the Church exists. While branding helps a Church to be known in a community, it is not something that should divide the body of Christ. Jesus invited people to come to him and drink. The Liquid Church as part of the body of Christ should do the same.
In this first sermon in the series: Renew or Rebrand, Wynand explores the reason why the Church exists. While branding helps a Church to be known in a community, it is not something that should divide the body of Christ. Jesus invited people to come to him and drink. The Liquid Church as part of the body of Christ should do the same.
Tonight Wynand looks at interruptions in our day to day life and reflects on Mary's Divine Interruption, and although unplanned and afraid, she gave birth in the knowledge that God had used her to bring into the world heavens gift.
In this sermon, Wynand explores how God created the world with deep connections. The fall damaged this bond that existed between God, creation, and humans. But now in Christ, this connection is restored with God. The church is called to live this out through acts of "one-anotherings".
Tonight we hear from Brett Pierce, as he continues our Pray See Do Series. Brett discusses three stages of deepening our journey of faith and experience with God.
The PowerPoint presentation discussed during this talk can be downloaded here.
In this final sermon in the current series, Pray See Do, Wynand reflects on Acts 17:28. Paul tells the philosophers in Athens that God is different from their understanding. God is personal and enables us to live in him. In, not through or for him, it makes all the difference. Sometimes we think that we get things done through some God, and then we repay that God by doing something for him or her, this is a transactional view of God. The God of Scripture is one that lives in us and invites us to live in him, to live well.
What makes you happy? What is Happiness?
In this sermon, Wynand continues his reflection on what it means that "we are in Christ and that Christ is in us". If this is true, then we are, as Paul says in I Tim 1:11 the bearers of the Gospel of the glory of a God who is blessed or happy. If glory is the "tangible demonstration of God's presence, then those who are in Christ, are tangible, lived, manifestations of a blessed God in this world. Those who share in the life of Christ have happiness and fulfillment that goes beyond the enjoyment we have in money, things or status.
As CS Lewis said: "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
On Sunday Andy Naylor continued our sermon series and lead worship and a reflection on Psalm 121. In our sermon series Pray-See-Do, we are reflecting on the biblical picture that Christ is in us and that we are in Christ. Andy used this truth to remind that “the way we think dictates the way we see…” as we live our daily lives, and as we face our mountains. But if we have the mind of Christ, we see in a new way. We include some of his music in this podcast. We hope this will be a great time of reflection for you.
The song contained in this podcast is used with the permission of the songwriter.
In the sermon series "Pray, See Do” we have been reminded that Christ is a living reality in us as believers. Over the last few weeks, we have seen how this truth is powerful to transform us. In this sermon, Wynand explores how we resist the force of entropy in our lives - a force at work in nature and in the human spirit to bring decay. He first turns to Isaiah 40 to understand what it means to be renewed as we wait on the Lord, and then he uses Caleb’s life as an example of a person how has successfully resisted the power of spiritual entropy.
Tonight Rohan Waters unpacks Jesus' final message to his disciples prior to the crucifixion, we discover a message of hope for an anxious world.
In this sermon, Wynand continues to explore what it means to have Christ in us and to live in Christ. Based on Ezekiel 47, our life in Christ is like walking into the river of God that brings renewal. This way of being does not happen overnight, we go deeper from the ankles to knees, to the waist, and finally, we are in over our heads. As we live this life, we turn arid parts of our lives into new areas of fruitfulness.
Tonight we finish our mini-series Pray See Do, and Lachie focuses on being the hands and feet of Jesus within the community or at work.
In this sermon, Wynand explores how we see the world. He uses the story of the prodigal son to show that we can look at the world through the eye of the older brother and the world seems hard. We can try to escape that world and see the world through the eyes of the younger brother and see the world with rose-tinted glasses. But there is another way; it is to learn to see the world as people who have Christ in us.
Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the compassion of God. Over the next three weeks, we will be exploring ways in which we can share in the compassion of God. Wynand proposes three steps: Pray, See and Do. It all starts with prayer. Prayer is a conversation with God. It is to do what we were designed to do in the first place. Through prayer, we can join God in his cosmic work and effort. This sermon concluded with a challenge to pray to hear what God wants to pray.
The Good Samaritan provides a picture of a person who does not strive to inherit eternal life. There is nothing that we can do earn God’s love; it has been done. The Good Samaritan loves because he is loved and has been changed from the inside. He is not merciful to earn anything, and he is merciful because he has been the recipient of mercy. In this sermon, Wynand explores how this parable serves as a picture of how followers of Jesus should live today.
Jesus spoke about soil that is rich and ready for seed. Our hearts are the soil for the seed of the gospel. The question is, how can we cultivate the soil of our hearts? In this sermon, Wynand returns to Luke 6, where Jesus instructs us to be merciful as the Father is merciful. Mercy renews soils that were once hard, dry and weed-filled.
As we look at the parable of the good seed (Luke 8), Wynand reflects on how followers of Jesus can cultivate good soil in our lives. We are encouraged to think of ways in which we can prepare our hearts for the words of the kingdom to fall to ensure a bountiful harvest.
In this message Wynand uses the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 as an illustration of the vision of Liquid to love Jesus, and make him known.
If we can show ourselves a bit of compassion, we will find it difficult to show others compassion. Compassion starts at home! In this sermon, Wynand looks at the story of the "sinful woman" in Luke 7 and explores how we become merciful, starting with ourselves.
Jesus instructs his followers in Luke 6:36 to "be merciful as our Father is merciful". The problem is that if our view of God is that he is merciless, then we will be merciless too. We will live without compassion and fuel hostility. The way of Jesus is to turn hostility into hospitality through mercy. In this sermon, Wynand unpacks this idea.
"We don't associate hospitality with God, because God requires sacrifices. The violence of sacrifice seems to be at odds with hospitality. In this talk, Wynand explores Jesus' radical comment: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
The guiding scripture comes from Matthew 9:12-13.
In this talk, Wynand explores the encounter Jesus had with Levi. Levi is full of shame and guilt and believes that he does not deserve inclusion. Jesus breaks with Rabbinic traditions and invites him to become his disciples. Would be disciples would ask Rabbis if they could follow them, Rabbis did not ask anyone to follow them. But Jesus breaks this tradition so that he can reach those would usually be excluded. He creates a space where people feel that they belong first.
In this second sermon in the series on hospitality from Luke’s Gospel, Wynand explores how Jesus resisted the power of exclusion in his hometown, Nazareth. In our own way, we are being shaped by our culture, national or local, to be inhospitable. But as people of the cross, followers of Jesus are called to follow Jesus as we make space for even stranger, the foreigner, and even, our enemies.
The teaching this week is centred around Luke 4
In this sermon series based on Luke’s Gospel, Wynand explores the hospitality of God. Jesus comes as a stranger but he becomes the Host who through his death destroys all the walls of hostility. In this introductory sermon, Wynand focuses on the birth narrative of Jesus found in Luke 1 and 2.
Tonight Wynand wraps up the in-betweeners section of our "The Story of Us" Series and we look at the role the Holy Spirit plays in this liminal space. The guide Bible Passage is from 2 Corinthians 5
In tonight's talk following on from last week, Wynand provides us three areas where we can partner with God as we live vocationally in this in-between time.
The Bible Passage is from Ephesians 2 verses 1-10
In tonight's talk, Wynand addresses the importance of finding our vocation and calling as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this in-between time.
The Bible Passage is from Ephesians 2 verses 1-10
In this message, Wynand discusses how we need to know how to worship in this liminal space; and to what we ascribe worth to, and how we should live out a life that demonstrates that sense of worship. He implores us not enter into a transactional worship experience, where we expect a blessing because we've spent time in worship, but rather go about our daily lives with a sense of God living within us.
The Bible Passages come from Luke 4 and Matthew 4.
Note: Listener Discretion Advised. This talk covers some sensitive topics that some listeners may find confronting.
Tonight, Sally Cahill continues our 'Inbetweeners' series, sharing on identity and the importance of meditating in the Word and in prayer.
As we continue our Story of Us series, Wynand discusses the post-Easter period between the resurrection and the second coming and how we can live in the 'in-between' as we await the second coming of Christ.
Over the next few weeks, he will look at the temptation of Christ and what we can learn from Jesus' experience between his Baptism and the beginning of his ministry. In this talk, Wynand explores the first temptation of Jesus and applies it to our experience as in-betweeners. The main verse is taken from Matthew 4:1-4.
In this Easter Sunday message, Wynand concludes the reflections on the power of sin on our lives and society and shows how the resurrection of Christ has broken the strongholds of sin over our lives. This week's passage is taken from 1 Peter 1: 3-9.
Wynand continues with our current series - The Story of Us. We have seen that humans are deeply anxious because of our separation from God, and we try to address this anxiety by taking matters in our own hands. We become self-obsessed in our attempt to deal with this anxiety, but we fall into the traps of self-importance and self-justification.
This week, Wynand looks at how self-deceit grows out of a sense of self-importance and our need to justify ourselves. In Christ, we can face the truth about ourselves and therefore Paul encourages us in Romans 12 vv1-3 that we must have our minds transformed in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 10 vv4-5; Paul shows us how this can happen.
This week's guide scriptures are from 2 Corinthians 10vv4-5 and Colossians 3 vv1-2
Wynand continues with our current series - The Story of Us. We have seen that humans are deeply anxious because of our separation from God, and we try to address this anxiety by taking matters in our own hands and we notice that we become self-obsessed in our attempt to deal with this anxiety, but we also fall into the trap of self-importance, and we seek fulfillment in things, people and experiences but they always seem to fall short of what we need. This week we look at Forgiveness and see how the struggles we encounter can be made right, and our Freedom is secured through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary's Cross.
The guide references for this week are from Romans 4 and Colossians 2 v 13-ff
Wynand continues with our current series - The Story of Us. We have seen that humans are deeply anxious because of our separation from God, and we try to address this anxiety by taking matters in our own hands.
This week we noticed that we become self-obsessed in our attempt to deal with this anxiety, but we also fall into the trap of self-importance. We seek fulfillment in things, people and experiences but they always seem to fall short of what we need.
In Ephesians 3 verse 16-19, Paul explains that our ultimate fulfillment is in Christ.
Wynand continues with our current series - The Story of Us. We have seen that humans are deeply anxious because of our separation from God. We try to address this anxiety by taking matters in our own hands, but instead, we become more and more self-obsessed. In Phil 2:1-11 Paul helps us see that Christ has made it possible for us to live free from this self-absorption, and to live with empathy.
Tonight Wynand continues our series on the Story of Us, and he explains how our sin has unleashed forces within ourselves and society that creates a deep sense of anxiety. The main scripture passage is from Philippians 4 verses 4-9.
Tonight, as we continue our series 'The Story of Us', Wynand discusses the infinite and relentless love of God. The main Bible verse is Jeremiah Chapter 31 Verse 3.