One In Christ Church: Recent Episodes
One In Christ Church
What drives our greatest fears in life, death? Running out of toilet paper? Whatever we fear, it is simply ‘false evidence appearing real’. On the flip side in faith Ps Efren encourages that fear is not from God; instead He gives us The Holy Spirit.
Who do you come running to when the storms of life suddenly appear? When problems arise, we tend to focus on the disaster rather than The Master. But when faith is exercised & anchored in Jesus, He becomes the tangible peace amongst all the chaos.
As we welcome in this new season of #ChooseLife as a Church, Bro. Josiah shares The Word on how ‘vision’ from God, pictures His preference on how Life ought to be. But it takes a certain kind of faith to see God’s plan at hand; come to completion.
Can something be “different” yet remain the same? God is Love. He is known to the world in many ways, yet remains the same yesterday, today & forevermore. As we cap off this month’s series, learn how Jesus brought Love into life, same but different!
In a world on a steady decline of ‘real’ Christ followers, there has not been a greater need for mature Christians. A strong believer is a mature believer, continually exhibiting a Life changed by the love of Christ. Make the decision to grow today.
Are you living your life by default (in sin) or by design (with love)? This world offers a million different ways to go about “Life”. But God calls us to imitate Him & to walk in love just like Jesus. Every waking moment counts, will you #ChooseLife?
What does loving God with “everything” look like? As Ps Efren unlocks this new series titled Love & Maturity, discover how to mature your love for God above all else. He seeks exclusivity within your heart; the chest that keeps all that you treasure.
Have you experienced a season of Life in which you’ve felt invisible or of no value? To want love or to be loved is a part of the human experience. And it is only when we seek validation from God, can we find true security towards our human identity.
Faith can be interpreted as “complete confidence and trust towards someone or something”. And oftentimes it is tested to reach breakthrough. As we travel along in this month’s series, discover the purposes God has for you; for your good & His glory.
Keys are without purpose unless met with the doors they were designed for. And as for God’s children, Jesus is the Master Key to Life! Tune in as Bro. Josiah shares a few “key” principles that help unlock the doors God had purposed for your life.
The new year, the new decade is here! With it brings a fresh new direction God is leading us as a Church here in Sydney, Australia. As we welcome in the new year of 2020, Ps Efren brings us The Word regarding our purpose and calling through Christ.
As Life would have it, it isn’t all smooth sailing. Trouble and sorrows are met along the way & is oftentimes at every turn and bend. But as Ps Efren recaps 2019, God’s protection & provision are secretly stored only in His promises; under His wings!
Last week we learned that life is not measured by how much we own but rather in our giving. How much more can we pour out in life when it’s offered to Jesus? When you’re able to give your life, you’re able to give all; be wise and choose life today.
Life is not measured by how much you own; but rather made by what we give (See Luke 12:15). Every person has a portion of time, talent & treasure gifted accordingly by God. But we can either choose to remain receiving, or take action in love to give.
Is it better to “give” or is it better to receive? As 2019 comes to a close, Ps Efren teaches us that generosity goes beyond the natural way of giving. It’s about love for God & our compassion towards people; especially during the midst of adversity.
Did you know, “35,000” is the rough sum of decisions we make every single day? Consequently, every choice we then make must be taken seriously not lightly. For every move we make in life determines the destination; whether that be life or death.
It is known that the ‘Heart’ is the most vital organ in both the natural and the spiritual. It is the wellspring of all the decisions we make, the storehouse of who we truly are. Be diligent in guarding your heart wisely! To make right before God.
Foundation sets the ground work in everything we do in life. It’s the basis and core being of why we do, the things we do in our everyday lives. Ps Efren makes explicit the consequences of building our lives on the standards of Jesus or of the world.
Have you ever been guilty of seeing a warning or “sign” yet brushed it off easily? The Bible is full of life’s truths from God, yet it’s the enemy’s lies we tend to hear that leads to destruction. Discernment is a must-have to live the abundant life.
Our attitudes towards life reflect our heart’s position towards God. What we harbour in the inside of it, will eventually make it’s way out. There is only good or bad influence in the world, no in between. To either delight or complain is a decision.
Every Christian is called to “Preach the Good News” of Jesus (See Jeremiah 1:5). Though sometimes, we find excuses instead of trusting God for our calling. But God is sovereign, no excuse will stop Him from accomplishing His divine purposes for life.
The living God that we know & serve is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. His very faithfulness “is” His very character; faithful and reliable. So, when it is God whom had spoken and made it clear, we must believe that all will come to pass.
Life happens on an everyday basis and it seems no two days are ever the same. It often runs in seasons of mountain highs and valley lows. But for every season, God remains the same & unchanged. He knows best and we live by faith that He’s in control.
When it comes to trusting God whom we cannot see, we must live out life exercising true faith in all He is and giving glory in all He has done. Ps Efren points out in Luke 18, it is our faith that moves the heart of God; to draw others closer to Him.
How’s your walk with the Lord? Romans 8 declares, those who operate in the flesh are not of God; for a person led by God is led and filled by His Spirit. The Spirit is in constant warfare with the flesh, but victory is claimed daily in Christ alone.
Last week we discovered the high calling of Fathers towards leading their households. But what happens when the whole house, grows weak & weary? God intended Life to make us not break us; it’s by faith He renews our strength in the midst of weakness.
As this first episode marks the start of our Strength series, we also celebrate the joy of Father’s Day! Tune in as Ps Efren guides us through the authority, identity & responsibilities given for every Father’s calling; to be the head of the family.
God’s mission is met with opposition at every opportunity the enemy gets. But as we close out this month’s series, Ps Efren encourages us to rise up & overcome by faith, for our service stems from the love for the King; for His Kingdom and His glory.
The invitation to follow Jesus is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a rollercoaster journey through life that calls you to hold on by faith at every turn. To truly follow Him will cost everything but will make you fit for service in the kingdom of God.
It is innate to become great in all that life has to offer; it’s part of being human. We naturally draw towards the callings of life that promise ‘greatness’. But life’s greatest calling is in The Great Commission, which Jesus calls us into by faith.
Love is the gold standard when it comes to serving the Lord; without love, what fruit can come from our service? Whether you’re serving at the local church, at work or even at home, our service is best given when it is given with our whole heart.
You can live life or you can LIVE LIFE according to God's design. The enemy's fear tactics will try to fool you into thinking that there's nothing more to this life. But God offers this: a life eternally purposed; fuelled by power of the Holy Spirit.
Last week we defined the spirit of unity as a blessing from God. It bands together many members or parts to form one body. As the body of Christ, our attitudes must reflect His own, to rebuke the enemy’s schemes to divide & conquer what God purposed.
Unity is a God-given gift that allows every believer to move and act in a way that brings glory to God. As Ps Efren explains, a united church is one that overflows in what is good & pleasant; not necessarily in uniformity but in spite of diversity.
When sailing through the grand ocean of life, who steers & captains your ship? Ps Bobet reminds us that no one is exempt from the storms of life, not even Christians. But God is merciful: He calls & equips those willing to lead a God-given assignment
Safety and security in this life seems impossible to attain in the world we live in today. But did you know God has a secret place for these? It’s exclusive, but as we look into Psalm 91 we reveal the promises God has for those who dwell in Him.
God’s desire for your life is purposed for eternity, not just the temporary. But often times we get so busy planning out our lives or dwell in our past, we stop living in the present. With God you are not alone, learn to walk step by step in faith.
As we kick off the month of June celebrating 18 years of God’s faithfulness at OIC Sydney, Ps Jess sets forth a challenge: to seek God’s promises with complete surrender - choosing to be under His Wings, where the fullness of joy and protection is.
Endurance. A word often associated with sports and physical activity. But can the same ability to endure be applied in the Spiritual? Closing in on the end of our Steadfast series, Ps Ef marks out what it takes to be a good solider within God’s army.
Is your faith today easily shaken or is it immovable? Ps Ef encourages us with what Apostle Paul had said to the Church of Corinth: that our labour in the Lord will not be in vain. To become fruitful Christians, we must adopt Jesus’ steadfast Spirit.
On paper Motherhood seems like a displeasing full-time job which requires all 24 hours of the day, every day. But God finds favour when Mothers see beyond the job description and better yet still pour out the closest thing to His unconditional love.
It seems that every waking moment of life we are burdened with new problems & situations to confront. Ps Ef urges us to remain steadfast in these trials, exercising faith that perseveres. Breakthrough waits for those who remain faithful to the Lord.
He has overcome! Pastor Efren reminds us the simple truth that victory is ever present for anyone who applies faith through Christ. Do not lose heart during times of trouble. Find victory in Jesus is the Son of God and believe that you have overcome!
He is Risen! The power of Jesus’ resurrection did not end over 2000 years ago when He overcame the grave, but He is transforming lives for eternity today! When you accept Him in your heart, declare you have been set free. A new creation in Christ.
How’s your relationship with Jesus? When life doesn’t seem fair, Jesus is often seen as the last resort rather than the solution to everything. But Christ came down from Heaven to save humanity, to restore the relationship through intimacy with Him.
The temptations in life vary in different forms, shapes and sizes. Believer or not. But as cunning as the enemy is in enticing us to a life of sin, Ps Efren reiterates that Jesus had already overcame sin and death. That with Christ you are not alone.
How certain are you about your salvation? Drawing to the end of our Faith series, Ps Jess shares a timely reality check about God’s calling for everyone. That despite being disqualified to the will of God, Jesus offers unmerited grace to live it.
Are faith & confidence the same? Faith is the complete trust in someone or something whilst confidence comes from the practice thereof. When God is the source of your confidence in life you’ll not only see the challenges but the solution to them.
God is the true source of growth in all of His creation. But in order for anything to grow, it must undergo different stages, in other words a process. This ‘process’ cannot be developed overnight but it will always bring out the best in the end.
Much like traffic cones & road maintenance, the enemy tirelessly lays out barriers day & night to slow down the plans of God for your life. God has the best plans for your life, but without faith and trust in Jesus it will forever remain just a plan.
When the winds & waves of life hit and hit hard, where do you seek refuge? Ps Efren retells the account of Matthew in chapter 8 that the storms we face are not made to harm you, but draw you close to The One who is always in full control, Jesus.
As people, we like to imagine the plans & breakthroughs God has for our lives are all walks in the park with luscious, green pasture. God is a God of a new thing, He has the best intentions to fill the deserts of life with streams of living water.
Worship can be simply defined as love expressed towards things or people. It’s evident in every step of life whether with family or even sporting events. But many people fall short with true worship when the focus is on the creation, not The Creator.
Where does confidence stem from when situations & circumstances come inevitably as life happens? Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians stating all his strength came through Christ alone. Whether in victory or defeat, his confidence remained in Christ.
Leaders around the world are most recognised by power & position. God warns His people to identify true leaders by their fruits. Do they influence and motivate you? Authentic leaders led by God will always live by His Word & be guided by His Spirit.
Friend or Foe? The world we live in is plagued with empty promises left, right and centre. When all we see is evil we only see life as problematic, selling ourselves short to the devil. Instead, exercise faith in God’s promises for you in His word.
Welcome to 2019! To celebrate, Ps Efren opens up our Anointing series with a strong reminder that we are all fearfully & wonderfully made. That we are not simply created by chance to just survive in life, but to live it abundantly and to the fullest.
As God wraps up 2018’s theme of Heart and Soul, He paves the way towards the direction of being under His Wings in the new year. God’s plan is always the best plan, for He never fails. And to know His plans for your life it starts by trusting Him.
As 2018 draws near to an end with a few sleeps till Christmas and the New Year, Ps Jess prepares a special message capturing the Spirit of the year’s theme Heart and Soul. Reminding us that money isn’t everything, but Jesus is when received in full.
What good is a gift if it remains unused or unopened? Is it enough to simply receive and accept it? John 3:16 spells out God’s gift to humanity with the birth of The Messiah, Jesus. The very expression of His love, for the salvation of the world.
As the cliche goes, life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The Christian life is not exempted and will inevitably encounter struggles in this broken world. But all life’s worries are overcome by the intangible hope that is only found in Jesus.
When asked to give willingly we often contemplate first our current circumstances, prior to committing to give. Whether it’s our time, talent or money on offer, Jesus encourages us to seek Him first. Shifting the motive of our hearts to freely give.
Many would believe that church attendance every Sunday or the works as a Christian is ‘enough’ to belong to Christ. Whilst these simple things are important in growth, hearts that belong to Jesus manifest into life from the fruit of His Holy Spirit.
According to man’s standards the ‘last pick’ or the ‘odd one out’ are often tagged with negative connotations. But in Matthew 5 Jesus teaches that whoever believes in Him has been chosen and set apart, representing Him as salt and light in the world.
In a society today consumed by instant coffee to instant gratification, impatience seems to be on the rise in our daily lives. Why then should we learn to wait, moreover, on God? For it imparts His godly character in us, as we exercise faith in Him.
As Christians living in an industrial and labour-driven society, it is easy to be caught up in the labour and not the favour from God. He reminds us that our service to Him should be done with gladness, finding true peace and purpose in our service.
They say ‘Home is where the heart is’ which begs the question, who’s home? Perhaps our first thoughts are loved ones, family and friends. It would not feel like home without them. God designed churches this way, to find their way home through Jesus.
At what cost does it take to follow Jesus? We often approach our commitment to Christ with conditions due to life’s many obligations. In Luke 9, we are reminded we have been called to follow Him. Showing the way to Eternity in response to His love.
Is there such a thing as half-hearted commitment? As we go forth in this series, Ps Efren reiterates that life with Jesus at the centre is a life all-in for Him. That our actions must be consistent in reflecting a Christ-centred life on the daily.
What’s there to life without commitments? When Jesus committed Himself to the cross over 2000 years ago, His life became the transforming power of God’s promises into reality. God’s people are called to live like He did, committed till the very end.
Life is often filled with uncertainty and doubt. But God sent His only Son, so that all may be called from the darkness of sin into His light. When fear sets in, put up a fight of faith and declare God is in control for He has overcome the world.
Life is a collection of past and present experiences that influence who we are. God designed life to be lived out to the fullest and with purpose. It is by trusting and being led by the Holy Spirit that cultivates transformation from the inside out.
In this world full of seasonal change and trends God remains to be our only constant in life. Ps Efren encourages us to intently seek God in every situation, for in doing so forges strength in our faith towards His only Son. Season in and season out.
As we enter into a new season of spring beginning our Faithfulness series, Ps Efren opens up on valuing the Father figures in life with respect and honour. And how a Godly Father leads his family by first being faithful to his Father in Heaven above.
People often claim to be so close yet so far when near the finish line of a task or objective. Often giving up when disheartened. But God constantly reminds His children that we should never lose heart, for His promises await after the breakthrough.
It is a natural inclination to be unwilling to forgive when hurt or offence comes. We tend to pursue justice in the absence of grace. But God’s mercy extends to all people that we may be set free to forgive just as He forgave through Jesus Christ.
The root cause of people pleasing is the fear of rejection. It manifests from the pursuit of approval from others rather than God. But is people pleasing entirely wrong? It is natural to feel accepted by people, but always check your heart’s motives.
When some things in life are broken we tend to conclude there is no longer purpose or function. Relationships, possessions or even simply ourselves. Yet God does not let anything go to waste, promising His will to those who love Him and are called.
Many claim to be committed to certain things in life yet give up when challenges arise. Ps Efren explains that when we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to God we find true joy, peace and ultimately purpose amongst the testings and trials in life.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural. Operating gently by faith and are used to edify, exhort and comfort. As Ps Jess reminds us of our human spirit and the impulsiveness it entails, we ought to trust and always be filled by the Holy Spirit.
Disobedience requires nil to minimal effort when faced with a decision to make. It is by default. Ps Efren reminds us of how God turned Gideon from a zero to a hero, when it came to his life’s calling. All he had to simply do was to trust and obey.
‘Your relationship with people reflects your relationship with God’ We cannot fake real fruits nor our Christianity. God is constantly reminding us of His love and to abide in Him always. Position yourself for growth and experience His overflow.
Mid year? No fear. For some though, the middle always seems to be the spot where fear and doubt takes the place of faith and obedience. If we are to learn anything from the days of Elijah: God provides for those who trust and obey. See 1 Kings 17.
Seventeen! In celebration of pouring our heart and soul into ministry, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and favour over the years and counting. Ps Eddie invokes the conditions of the human heart and how revival is paramount through Christ Jesus.
When it comes to life, what fills your cup? As we draw real close to celebrating our 17th year as a church next Sunday, Ps Efren reminds us of how good God has provided throughout the years. And how we too can experience His overflow in our lives.
The attitudes we embody today puts into context how we view and ultimately define, our current and future circumstances. As we continue our anniversary series, Ps Efren lays out the ingredients necessary to make God’s oil overflow into our lives.
For the One who set this world in motion, His love stretches deeper than any ocean. As Ps Efren draws context with God’s unconditional love, he reintroduces our yearly theme ‘Heart & Soul’. And reiterates what it takes to truly love God above all.
As the month of Overflow draws to an end, Ps Jess reminds us who the Holy Spirit is to Christians. And how without Him we are nothing. The Holy Spirit sets the foundation of a Christian’s walk with God, leading them towards a life of righteousness.
God is full of love and His mercies are new every morning. He does not owe us anything yet freely provides for all of our needs on the daily. Ps Efren illustrates that only through genuine Thanksgiving would we experience a blessed and grateful life.
Mothers are God’s lifelong gift to us and so are fathers. Together, they personify His sacrificial love. Ps Efren reminds us that honour begets honour and as His love overflows through our parents, we ought to listen, appreciate and obey out of love.
When cruising through life who sits in the driver’s seat? Whoever is in control, dictates the direction and destination. His living word is the GPS for life and when we surrender everything out of love and follow Him, we arrive safely in His comfort.
We often talk the talk but fail to implement the daily steps necessary. Jesus said himself “Come, follow me.” but how willing are we to actually follow? What starts in faith follows through in action - so we ought to be hearers and doers of His word.
Fireproof. For many, it is the very description given to all the gears & tools used by firefighters to extinguish a burning blaze. Much like firefighters, Christians too require the Holy Spirit to readily expose the enemy’s lies and schemes in life.
Life in the modern era may seem like a walk in the park, but for most, the reality is a lifelong struggle. Christians are not exempted from the struggles but have been enlisted in the army of God, equipped to claim victory daily over death and sin.
God always has the best intentions for the lives of His children, to live with purpose. Why then do many grow complacent and strive for worldly success towards comfortable living? By faith we are fully equipped for a purpose, as mighty men of God.
With the first Resurrection Sunday according to scripture, Jesus claimed complete victory over sin and death. His resurrection paid the wages of sin in full that we may be brought from darkness into light. Jesus rose for all, so we can have life.
When we think about companionship set for life, most would instinctively think of their spouse or lifelong friends. God originally designed life to be relational with Man and Him. The Holy Spirit is key to unlocking companionship with our Creator.
The call of God will always come with His promises, but at a cost. God is not after what we offer, but rather our willingness to pursue Him wholeheartedly. His cares are on our future, but you must respond to His call. Obedience to Him is the key.