Para Vista Lutheran Church: Recent Episodes
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The first words that Mark records Jesus saying were, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” That statement would have raised, and still raises, questions: What time has come? What does it mean that the kingdom of God has come near? What does Jesus want us to repent of and believe? Today is the first week of the “Knowing Rediscovered” series of sermons, where Pastor Michael will explore with us what Jesus meant when He said those words.
An audio message by Pastor Micheal Dutschke.
Bible Reading: Mark 1:14-34 (NLT)
The first words that Mark records Jesus saying were, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” That statement would have raised, and still raises, questions: What time has come? What does it mean that the kingdom of God has come near? What does Jesus want us to repent of and believe? Today is the first week of the “Knowing Rediscovered” series of sermons, where Pastor Michael will explore with us what Jesus meant when He said those words.
A message by Pastor Micheal Dutschke.
Bible Reading: Mark 1:14-34 (NLT)
When people hear the word repentance, they often think of guilt, shame, or punishment. But from a Lutheran perspective, repentance is a gift of God's grace and has two parts.
First, the Holy Spirit shows us our sin through God's Law, and we honestly acknowledge that we have fallen short and cannot save ourselves. This sorrow over sin is not meant to crush us but to bring us to Jesus. And the second part is even more powerful. We hear God's promise that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we are completely forgiven. Repentance is not about earning God's favour; it is about receiving the forgiveness He freely gives.
Repentance takes us from guilt to grace, from fear to peace, from death to life. Every time we confess our sins, God meets us with open arms, declaring, "Your sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake." Then, as forgiven people, we are free to begin each day living in response to the love He has already shown to us in Christ.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible reading: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
When people hear the word repentance, they often think of guilt, shame, or punishment. But from a Lutheran perspective, repentance is a gift of God's grace and has two parts.
First, the Holy Spirit shows us our sin through God's Law, and we honestly acknowledge that we have fallen short and cannot save ourselves. This sorrow over sin is not meant to crush us but to bring us to Jesus. And the second part is even more powerful. We hear God's promise that because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we are completely forgiven. Repentance is not about earning God's favour; it is about receiving the forgiveness He freely gives.
Repentance takes us from guilt to grace, from fear to peace, from death to life. Every time we confess our sins, God meets us with open arms, declaring, "Your sins are forgiven for Jesus' sake." Then, as forgiven people, we are free to begin each day living in response to the love He has already shown to us in Christ.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible reading: Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)
What is Jesus' heart for people? I'm wondering if words like 'love', 'care' and 'relationship' are popping into your mind right now... But how might he want to deliver these gifts to 'the people'. Through you and me perhaps? But what if the people aren't friendly? What if they don't see things the way you and I do? What if they don't respond in what we deem as an appropriate way?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading: Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)
What is Jesus' heart for people? I'm wondering if words like 'love', 'care' and 'relationship' are popping into your mind right now... But how might he want to deliver these gifts to 'the people'. Through you and me perhaps? But what if the people aren't friendly? What if they don't see things the way you and I do? What if they don't respond in what we deem as an appropriate way?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading: Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call 'parables'), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered. Have you ever pondered about the struggles we face when receiving God's word, living in it's freedom and sharing it with others?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 8:5-15 (NLT)
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call 'parables'), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered. Have you ever pondered about the struggles we face when receiving God's word, living in it's freedom and sharing it with others?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 8:5-15 (NLT)
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, sharing words of truth and life. This week’s theme: the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Life gets stormy at times... What is your foundation?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, sharing words of truth and life. This week’s theme: the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Life gets stormy at times... What is your foundation?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Michael Dutschke
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call ‘parables’), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered.
Bible Reading: Luke 5:36-39 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Michael Dutschke
Jesus was a great story teller. As he told stories, he connected with the hearts of those who were listening, and within every story (which we call ‘parables’), there were gems of truth and life waiting to be uncovered.
Bible Reading: Luke 5:36-39 (NLT)
A message by Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Holy Spirit is the one who applies the great sovereign mighty power of God inside this world and in those who follow Jesus - He gives real world effect to the power of God and to the resources that are in Jesus - and that's a very good overarching description of Holy Spirit's work within the Trinity. Jesus said of Holy Spirit that He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak - so He communicates that which belongs to Jesus - Holy Spirit will take what is mine Jesus says, and declare it to you - so He applies the resources of Jesus to those who submit their lives to Him.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)
A message by Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Holy Spirit is the one who applies the great sovereign mighty power of God inside this world and in those who follow Jesus - He gives real world effect to the power of God and to the resources that are in Jesus - and that's a very good overarching description of Holy Spirit's work within the Trinity. Jesus said of Holy Spirit that He will not speak on His own authority but whatever He hears He will speak - so He communicates that which belongs to Jesus - Holy Spirit will take what is mine Jesus says, and declare it to you - so He applies the resources of Jesus to those who submit their lives to Him.
Bible Reading: Isaiah 11:1-5 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is in the final week of a three-week series of sermons, looking at the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first the followers of Jesus. These followers of Jesus were learning what these gifts from the Holy Spirit were, and how to use them (and how not to use them). In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading:
Pastor Michael is in the final week of a three-week series of sermons, looking at the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first the followers of Jesus. These followers of Jesus were learning what these gifts from the Holy Spirit were, and how to use them (and how not to use them). In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading:
Pastor Michael is in the second week of a three week series of sermons, looking at the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first the followers of Jesus. These followers of Jesus were learning what these gifts from the Holy Spirit were, and how to use them (and how not to use them). In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-6, 12 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is in the second week of a three week series of sermons, looking at the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first the followers of Jesus. These followers of Jesus were learning what these gifts from the Holy Spirit were, and how to use them (and how not to use them). In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:1-6, 12 (NLT)
Over the next 3 weeks, Pastor Michael will be talking about the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first followers of Jesus. Have you ever wondered what they are? In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts. Let's unpack them together!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11 (NLT)
Over the next 3 weeks, Pastor Michael will be talking about the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are listed in a letter to some of the first followers of Jesus. Have you ever wondered what they are? In 2026 we have a lot in common with those first followers of Jesus. We have the same Holy Spirit who is the giver of these 9 Gifts. Let's unpack them together!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11 (NLT)
Jesus started his earthly ministry by quoting Isaiah 61, declaring that he had come "...to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favour has come." This morning we will be hearing about how the team at "Teen Challenge SA" are partnering with Jesus to continue this mission in men's lives today.
Pastor Michael Dutschke and Pastor Gordon Ross CEO Teen Challenge SA.
Bible Reading: Luke 4:14-21 (NLT)
Jesus started his earthly ministry by quoting Isaiah 61, declaring that he had come "...to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favour has come." This morning we will be hearing about how the team at "Teen Challenge SA" are partnering with Jesus to continue this mission in men's lives today.
Pastor Michael Dutschke and Pastor Gordon Ross CEO Teen Challenge SA.
Bible Reading: Luke 4:14-21 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is currently preaching a series of sermons, focusing on the Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does, how we can relate to him...
When the Holy Spirit first came, he made a powerful impression – so powerful that his arrival is considered the birthday of “the church”. Happy Birthday, church!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading: Acts 2:1-22 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is currently preaching a series of sermons, focusing on the Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does, how we can relate to him...
When the Holy Spirit first came, he made a powerful impression – so powerful that his arrival is considered the birthday of “the church”. Happy Birthday, church!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible reading: Acts 2:1-22 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is currently preaching a series of sermons, focusing on the
Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does, how we can relate to him, etc. On the
day that Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples to “wait for the Holy
Spirit” to come. They waited in anticipation, and when he did come – wow!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-14 (NLT)
Pastor Michael is currently preaching a series of sermons, focusing on the
Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does, how we can relate to him, etc. On the
day that Jesus ascended to heaven, he told his disciples to “wait for the Holy
Spirit” to come. They waited in anticipation, and when he did come – wow!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Acts 1:1-14 (NLT)
Over the next few Sundays, Pastor Michael will talking about the Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does and how we can relate to him. This week we will look at when Jesus told his disciples what would happen when the Holy Spirit came. It was a promise!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 15:26-16:15 (NLT)
Over the next few Sundays, Pastor Michael will talking about the Holy Spirit – who he is, what he does and how we can relate to him. This week we will look at when Jesus told his disciples what would happen when the Holy Spirit came. It was a promise!
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 15:26-16:15 (NLT)
Peter, Jesus’ close friend, was well aware of how he abandoned Jesus in his hour of need (on the night before he was crucified on a cross). Three times he had the opportunity to stand up for Jesus, but instead denied that he even knew Jesus. Because of that, Peter believed that it was “three strikes and you’re out”! Jesus didn’t think that way, but instead re-affirmed his love and trust of Peter.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 21: 1-17 (NLT)
Peter, Jesus’ close friend, was well aware of how he abandoned Jesus in his hour of need (on the night before he was crucified on a cross). Three times he had the opportunity to stand up for Jesus, but instead denied that he even knew Jesus. Because of that, Peter believed that it was “three strikes and you’re out”! Jesus didn’t think that way, but instead re-affirmed his love and trust of Peter.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 21: 1-17 (NLT)
Where in my life am I afraid to admit doubt, and how might God be inviting me to bring those questions honestly to Him?“Believing Thomas!” One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, didn’t believe the testimonies of the other disciples when they told him, “We have seen the Lord”. And for doubting their testimonies, he has ever since been remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” Doubt, however, is not necessarily a lack of faith, but a step on the journey to faith! Bible Reading: John 20:19-31 (NLT)
Where in my life am I afraid to admit doubt, and how might God be inviting me to bring those questions honestly to Him?“Believing Thomas!” One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, didn’t believe the testimonies of the other disciples when they told him, “We have seen the Lord”. And for doubting their testimonies, he has ever since been remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” Doubt, however, is not necessarily a lack of faith, but a step on the journey to faith! Bible Reading: John 20:19-31 (NLT)
How can I be more attentive to God’s presence in ordinary moments this week?
Our purpose in life is to help grow and advance God’s Kingdom wherever we are placed. Though God is unseen, He is never absent. The small moments and quiet circumstances in our lives may well be His hand gently guiding us toward His greater purpose.
Pastor Paul Newsham leads us in the third message of his series on Esther, and we encourage you to read the Book of Esther from beginning to end before hearing the next part of this remarkable account.
How can I be more attentive to God’s presence in ordinary moments this week?
Our purpose in life is to help grow and advance God’s Kingdom wherever we are placed. Though God is unseen, He is never absent. The small moments and quiet circumstances in our lives may well be His hand gently guiding us toward His greater purpose.
Pastor Paul Newsham leads us in the third message of his series on Esther, and we encourage you to read the Book of Esther from beginning to end before hearing the next part of this remarkable account.
We continue our Easter reflection with a dramatic presentation of people who experienced their new life following the crucifixion.
Have you asked yourself what it looks like to trust God when you don’t know what’s next?We often read Bible stories with the advantage of hindsight. Because we already know how events turn out, the struggles of people in Scripture can seem less intense or easier than they really were. But for them, those moments were not stories—they were real life. They faced fear, uncertainty, risk, and hardship without knowing what would happen next. We also don’t know how our own circumstances will unfold. So just as they trusted God through uncertainty, we’re encouraged to rely on our faith to carry us through the unknown parts of our lives.Pastor Paul Newsham will lead us in the second message of this three-part series, as we explore how this ancient story continues to speak powerfully into our lives today.In preparation, we encourage you to read the Book of Esther from beginning to end before hearing the next part of this remarkable account. Bible Readings: Romans 8: 22-28 (The Message) and the book of Esther
Have you asked yourself what it looks like to trust God when you don’t know what’s next?We often read Bible stories with the advantage of hindsight. Because we already know how events turn out, the struggles of people in Scripture can seem less intense or easier than they really were. But for them, those moments were not stories—they were real life. They faced fear, uncertainty, risk, and hardship without knowing what would happen next. We also don’t know how our own circumstances will unfold. So just as they trusted God through uncertainty, we’re encouraged to rely on our faith to carry us through the unknown parts of our lives.Pastor Paul Newsham will lead us in the second message of this three-part series, as we explore how this ancient story continues to speak powerfully into our lives today.In preparation, we encourage you to read the Book of Esther from beginning to end before hearing the next part of this remarkable account. Bible Readings: Romans 8: 22-28 (The Message) and the book of Esther
The word, "Maundy" is Latin for "commandment", and is a title the church has given to describe the Thursday of Holy Week - Maundy Thursday
Pastor Michael.
Jesus was the one who people hoped would bring peace to their lives and their nation. Like the heroes of old, the people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as a victorious warrior king. Jesus is a warrior and a king, but not like any other warrior king. Jesus was, and still is, a peaceful warrior.Have you ever paused to notice how the peace Jesus brings quietly reshapes your heart, your hopes, and the way you see others?Pastor Michael DutschkeBible Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 (NLT)
Jesus was the one who people hoped would bring peace to their lives and their nation. Like the heroes of old, the people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem as a victorious warrior king. Jesus is a warrior and a king, but not like any other warrior king. Jesus was, and still is, a peaceful warrior.Have you ever paused to notice how the peace Jesus brings quietly reshapes your heart, your hopes, and the way you see others?Pastor Michael DutschkeBible Reading: Matthew 21:1-11 (NLT)
Have you ever felt heaven come near through Jesus, changing how you see and treat the people around you?"The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with Jesus came a “wisdom from heaven” to see and treat others the way that Jesus sees and treats them. And with Jesus came the transformation of people who no longer were operating out of fear but operated out of faith.Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-12 (NLT)
Have you ever felt heaven come near through Jesus, changing how you see and treat the people around you?The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with Jesus came a “wisdom from heaven” to see and treat others the way that Jesus sees and treats them. And with Jesus came the transformation of people who no longer were operating out of fear but operated out of faith.Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-12 (NLT)
Have you ever experienced a moment where fear gave way to faith and changed how you see your life?“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with Jesus came the transformation of people who no longer were operating out of fear but operated out of faith.By Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT)
Have you ever experienced a moment where fear gave way to faith and changed how you see your life?“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with Jesus came the transformation of people who no longer were operating out of fear but operated out of faith.By Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT)
The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with him came a transformation in the hearts of people – a transformation that enabled people to be part of the ongoing transformation of the world.
By Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-14 (NLT)
The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And with him came a transformation in the hearts of people – a transformation that enabled people to be part of the ongoing transformation of the world.
By Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:1-14 (NLT)
An audio message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And when that happens, relationships are transformed – in particular, relationships between people who have a history (short or long) of being treated badly by each other.
Bible Reading: Matthew 5: 38-48 (NLT)
A video message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And when that happens, relationships are transformed – in particular, relationships between people who have a history (short or long) of being treated badly by each other.
Bible Reading: Matthew 5: 38-48 (NLT)
The kingdom of heaven has come near. That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. On earth the reality is that not everyone is treated with honour and respect. When the kingdom of heaven comes near, Jesus paints a picture of what that is like – when we see and treat each other at fellow “image bearers” of God.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:21-26 (NLT)
The kingdom of heaven has come near. That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. On earth the reality is that not everyone is treated with honour and respect. When the kingdom of heaven comes near, Jesus paints a picture of what that is like – when we see and treat each other at fellow “image bearers” of God.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:21-26 (NLT)
The kingdom of heaven has come near. That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. The first followers of Jesus got a “taste of heaven” and a “taste of earth” – two realities. A taste of heaven on the mountain, and a taste of earth in the valley.
Bible Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 (NLT)
Pastor Michael Dutschke
The kingdom of heaven has come near. That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. The first followers of Jesus got a “taste of heaven” and a “taste of earth” – two realities. A taste of heaven on the mountain, and a taste of earth in the valley.
Bible Reading: Matthew 17:1-9 (NLT)
Pastor Michael Dutschke
An audio message from Pastor Paul Newsham.
The book of Esther is a remarkable story of courage, providence, and God’s unseen hand at work. Though God is never mentioned by name, His guidance is evident throughout this true historical account of two ordinary people, Esther and Mordecai, who were placed in extraordinary circumstances to shape a nation’s future. Their story reminds us that God is always at work behind the scenes to protect and preserve His people.
Bible Readings: Selected verses from Esther (NLT)
Pastor Paul will be leading us in the first of this three-part series, as we uncover how this ancient story still speaks powerfully into our lives today. Parts 2 and 3 will be shared with our church community when Pastor Paul returns in April.
A video message from Pastor Paul Newsham.
The book of Esther is a remarkable story of courage, providence, and God’s unseen hand at work. Though God is never mentioned by name, His guidance is evident throughout this true historical account of two ordinary people, Esther and Mordecai, who were placed in extraordinary circumstances to shape a nation’s future. Their story reminds us that God is always at work behind the scenes to protect and preserve His people.
Bible Readings: Selected verses from Esther (NLT)
Pastor Paul will be leading us in the first of this three-part series, as we uncover how this ancient story still speaks powerfully into our lives today. Parts 2 and 3 will be shared with our church community when Pastor Paul returns in April.
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. But what does that mean – that the kingdom of heaven has come near? In his most well-known sermon, which is known as “the sermon on the mount”, Jesus paints a picture of what life looks like when “God’s favour finds us!”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12 (NLT)
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. But what does that mean – that the kingdom of heaven has come near? In his most well-known sermon, which is known as “the sermon on the mount”, Jesus paints a picture of what life looks like when “God’s favour finds us!”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12 (NLT)
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. And the message that Jesus preached was, “Repent”. He was not using the word “repent” in the way that many people use it today – “Stop sinning and start obeying God”. Rather, Jesus was inviting people to change the way they think about how God works, and embrace a heavenly way of thinking.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 4:12-23 (NLT)
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth.
For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus had others tell him who they believed he was.
At his baptism, Jesus true identity was declared by His Father in heaven.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.” That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth.
For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus had others tell him who they believed he was.
At his baptism, Jesus true identity was declared by His Father in heaven.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
"The kingdom of heaven has come near." That's how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus had others tell him who they believed he was. At his baptism, Jesus true identity was declared by His father in heaven.
Bible Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
"The kingdom of heaven has come near." That's how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus had others tell him who they believed he was. At his baptism, Jesus true identity was declared by His father in heaven.
Bible Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.”
That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. The arrival of the promised Messiah had been prophesied, and God’s people had been waiting with eager longing for him to be born.
But it wasn’t God’s chosen people, the Jews, who first recognised and worshipped Jesus.
Today we hear about the journey of the unlikely first worshippers of Jesus – the Magi from the East.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Pastor Michael Dutschke
“The kingdom of heaven has come near.”
That’s how Jesus himself describes his coming from heaven to earth. The arrival of the promised Messiah had been prophesied, and God’s people had been waiting with eager longing for him to be born.
But it wasn’t God’s chosen people, the Jews, who first recognised and worshipped Jesus.
Today we hear about the journey of the unlikely first worshippers of Jesus – the Magi from the East.
Matthew 2:1-12 (NLT)
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Joseph is a shining example of faithfully trusting in God and His promises.He was told by an angel in a dream to keep his engagement to Mary and to still receive her as his wife - the government of the time told Joseph to go to Bethlehem with his very pregnant wife (orchestrated I’m sure by God) - he was told to take his wife and her young son to a strange land where he had no job or home - then he was given another message in a dream with yet another change of plans, return to Nazareth - when God spoke, Joseph obeyed with a humble and childlike faith.Each of us can have that same TRUST IN GOD—with a faith like Joseph’s that listens; and is obedient to God’s call on our lives.Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Joseph is a shining example of faithfully trusting in God and His promises.He was told by an angel in a dream to keep his engagement to Mary and to still receive her as his wife - the government of the time told Joseph to go to Bethlehem with his very pregnant wife (orchestrated I’m sure by God) - he was told to take his wife and her young son to a strange land where he had no job or home - then he was given another message in a dream with yet another change of plans, return to Nazareth - when God spoke, Joseph obeyed with a humble and childlike faith.Each of us can have that same TRUST IN GOD—with a faith like Joseph’s that listens; and is obedient to God’s call on our lives.Pastor Wayne Kerber.
From all at Good Shepherd, we wish you a blessed Christmas. May our Lord, Saviour and friend, born many years ago in a stable in Bethlehem bring you joy, hope, peace and love.
Bible Reading: Luke 2: 1-20 (NLT)
From all at Good Shepherd, we wish you a blessed Christmas. May our Lord, Saviour and friend, born many years ago in a stable in Bethlehem bring you joy, hope, peace and love.
Bible Reading: Luke 2: 1-20 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus. The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story. This Sunday we look at the story of Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus as he was present ed to the priest in the Temple, as was the custom of the Jews. After seeing Jesus, Simeon responded by singing a song – a song of Peace.
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus. The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story. This Sunday we look at the story of Simeon, who saw the baby Jesus as he was present ed to the priest in the Temple, as was the custom of the Jews. After seeing Jesus, Simeon responded by singing a song – a song of Peace.
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus.
The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story.
This Sunday we look at the story of the angels announcing to the shepherds that the Saviour of the World had been born in Bethlehem.
It seems that the angels couldn’t help but respond to this good news by singing a song – a song of joy.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-15 (NLT)
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus.
The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story.
This Sunday we look at the story of the angels announcing to the shepherds that the Saviour of the World had been born in Bethlehem.
It seems that the angels couldn’t help but respond to this good news by singing a song – a song of joy.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-15 (NLT)
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus. The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story. This Sunday we look at the story of Mary, and her encounter with the angel who told her that she was pregnant with God’s son. Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth, and after Elizabeth greeted her and the baby in her womb, Mary sang a song – it is a song of love.
Pastor Noel Kluge
Bible Reading : Luke 1:39 - 55 (NLT)
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus. The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story. This Sunday we look at the story of Mary, and her encounter with the angel who told her that she was pregnant with God’s son. Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth, and after Elizabeth greeted her and the baby in her womb, Mary sang a song – it is a song of love.
Pastor Noel Kluge
Bible Reading : Luke 1:39 - 55 (NLT)
There are many Christmas songs that have been written and sung about the birth of Jesus. The first four songs were written by those who were part of the Christmas story. This Sunday we look at the story of Zechariah, and his encounter with an angel in the Temple. It was a terrifying encounter for him to begin with, but after the birth of his son, John, Zechariah sang a song – it is a song of Hope.
Pastor Michael Dutshcke
Bible Reading: Luke 1:57-79 (NLT)
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Mary and Martha, that significant event was when they met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and their lives were never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
Pastor Michael Dutshcke
Bible Reading: John 11:1-45 (NLT)
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Mary and Martha, that significant event was when they met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and their lives were never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
Pastor Michael Dutshcke
Bible Reading: John 11:1-45 (NLT)
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For a man who had been born blind, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
Pastor Michael Dutshcke
Bible Reading: John 9:1-41 (NLT)
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For a man who had been born blind, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
Pastor Michael Dutshcke
Bible Reading: John 9:1-41 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For a Samaritan woman, that significant event was when she met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and her life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For a Samaritan woman, that significant event was when she met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and her life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Nicodemus, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many testimonies from individuals about what their life was like before a significant event, and their life after that event. For Nicodemus, that significant event was when he met Jesus. It was a transforming encounter, and his life was never the same again. Transforming lives is what Jesus has come to do.
Like most of us, I like to think I’m basically a “good guy”. I try and do the right thing by people most of the time in my own mind. And this is pretty common for all of us in 21 st century life; we assume that all people are basically good, that our kids are naturally good, even our pets! But something hit earlier in the year as I prepared for Good Shepherd Chapel - something profound that stretches all the way back to the Protestant Reformation - life is like an arcade game…
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Reading: Psalm 51.1-5 (NLT) and Romans 7.14-25 (NLT)
An audio message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our King who equips us for battle. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are living in a spiritual battle, whether we recognise it or not. He also tells us that our King equips us with the armour we need to stand strong in these battles.
A video message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our King who equips us for battle. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are living in a spiritual battle, whether we recognise it or not. He also tells us that our King equips us with the armour we need to stand strong in these battles.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our guide, who shows us the way. We don’t need to ask him to guide us – rather to recognise how he is already at work in our lives.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 16:12-15 (NLT)
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our guide, who shows us the way. We don’t need to ask him to guide us – rather to recognise how he is already at work in our lives.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 16:12-15 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our empowerer, who enables us. How would you describe the life of faith? One definition is “Being called to do, what I cannot do, unless God enables me.”
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our empowerer, who enables us. How would you describe the life of faith? One definition is “Being called to do, what I cannot do, unless God enables me.”
An audio message from Pastor Michael Dutschke,
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the diffrent dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as a friend who is alongside of us, helping carry our burdens.
A video message from Pastor Michael Dutschke,
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the diffrent dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as a friend who is alongside of us, helping carry our burdens.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our
saviour, on an ongoing rescue mission.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our
saviour, on an ongoing rescue mission.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us.
This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our beloved, who wants to be pursued by us.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT)
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us.
This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as our beloved, who wants to be pursued by us.
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT)
An audio message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as a lover pursuing his beloved
A video message by Pastor Michael Dutschke.
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us – different images to describe the different dimensions of how God relates to us, and desires to relate to us. This Sunday we will look at how God relates to us as a lover pursuing his beloved
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us - a potter and a piece of clay, a shepherd and a sheep, a master and a servant, a friend and a friend.
Which image reflects how God desires to relate to us?
One of them or all of them?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 15: 9-17 (NLT)
There are many images in the Bible to describe the relationship between God and us - a potter and a piece of clay, a shepherd and a sheep, a master and a servant, a friend and a friend.
Which image reflects how God desires to relate to us?
One of them or all of them?
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Reading: John 15: 9-17 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Paul Fielke.
Why does Jesus call Matthew the tax collector to “Follow
me”, and why did Matthew do just that? It’s certainly not
because Matthew was worthy, prepared, or already
righteous.
Christ’s call actually creates. This story highlights Jesus’
call to Matthew, and to us, brings faith and new life. Our
following is God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ. The gift that
gives us life.
Title photo by magnezis magnestic on Unsplash
A message from Pastor Paul Fielke.
Why does Jesus call Matthew the tax collector to “Follow
me”, and why did Matthew do just that? It’s certainly not
because Matthew was worthy, prepared, or already
righteous.
Christ’s call actually creates. This story highlights Jesus’
call to Matthew, and to us, brings faith and new life. Our
following is God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ. The gift that
gives us life.
Title photo by magnezis magnestic on Unsplash
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, no one was expecting him to start building his church the way he did. In fact, on the day of Pentecost, we read that everyone there were “amazed and marvelled” at what they saw. When Jesus builds his church today, amazement and wonderment still accompany his church building activity. This is the final week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Mark 1:21-28 and Acts 2: 1-21 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, no one was expecting him to start building his church the way he did. In fact, on the day of Pentecost, we read that everyone there were “amazed and marvelled” at what they saw. When Jesus builds his church today, amazement and wonderment still accompany his church building activity. This is the final week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Mark 1:21-28 and Acts 2: 1-21 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, and told his followers that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea, and to the ends of the earth, I wonder how his first follower imagined that would happen. Maybe they even had a strategic plan. The disciples soon discovered that they needed to let go of their ideas and agendas, because Jesus had a better plan.
Bible Readings: Acts 1: 1-11 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, and told his followers that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea, and to the ends of the earth, I wonder how his first follower imagined that would happen. Maybe they even had a strategic plan. The disciples soon discovered that they needed to let go of their ideas and agendas, because Jesus had a better plan.
Bible Readings: Acts 1: 1-11 (NLT)
Cover photo by Hope House Press - Leather Diary Studio on Unsplash
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he was immersed in the Jewish religion where there were those who were “in” and those who were “out”. The Jews were “in”, and the Gentiles (non-Jews) were “out”. There were those who belonged to God, and those who didn’t belong. During His time on earth, and especially after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, Jesus didn’t maintain those fences or put up new ones – He pulled them down.
We are in the middle of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 10: 44-48 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he was immersed in the Jewish religion where there were those who were “in” and those who were “out”. The Jews were “in”, and the Gentiles (non-Jews) were “out”. There were those who belonged to God, and those who didn’t belong. During His time on earth, and especially after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, Jesus didn’t maintain those fences or put up new ones – He pulled them down.
We are in the middle of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 10: 44-48 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church” it would be safe to say that His followers at the time didn’t know how he would build his church. After Pentecost they soon found out Jesus’ strategy. One word to describe Jesus’ strategy of building his church was (and still is) through “adventure”.
We are in the middle of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 8:26-40 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church” it would be safe to say that His followers at the time didn’t know how he would build his church. After Pentecost they soon found out Jesus’ strategy. One word to describe Jesus’ strategy of building his church was (and still is) through “adventure”.
We are in the middle of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 8:26-40 (NLT)
When Jesus (who was perfect) said, “I will build my church” was he saying he was going to build the perfect church? I’m sure that finding (or becoming) Jesus’ “perfect church” would be easy, if it wasn’t for the fact that every expression of Jesus’ church is filled with imperfect people! Today is the third week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.” Today’s theme is, “When Jesus builds his church – there is true generosity.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 4:32-37 (NLT)
When Jesus (who was perfect) said, “I will build my church” was he saying he was going to build the perfect church? I’m sure that finding (or becoming) Jesus’ “perfect church” would be easy, if it wasn’t for the fact that every expression of Jesus’ church is filled with imperfect people! Today is the third week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church.” Today’s theme is, “When Jesus builds his church – there is true generosity.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Acts 4:32-37 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, I wonder what his first followers imagined his ‘church’ would look like.After Pentecost they didn’t have to imagine what Jesus’ ‘church’ would look like – they got to experience it first-hand!Today is the second week of a series of sermons titled, ‘When Jesus builds his church.’ Pastor Michael Dutschke Bible Readings: Act 2:42-47 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, I wonder what his first followers imagined his ‘church’ would look like.After Pentecost they didn’t have to imagine what Jesus’ ‘church’ would look like – they got to experience it first-hand!Today is the second week of a series of sermons titled, ‘When Jesus builds his church.’ Pastor Michael Dutschke Bible Readings: Act 2:42-47 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, did he have a design in mind? Jesus called his followers to follow him, to love one another, and to make disciples, but he didn’t call us to build his church for him. Apparently, that is what He was do himself! Today is the first week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church”. Today’s theme is, “When Jesus builds his church – there is true humility.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:13-15 (NLT) and Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (NLT)
When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, did he have a design in mind? Jesus called his followers to follow him, to love one another, and to make disciples, but he didn’t call us to build his church for him. Apparently, that is what He was do himself! Today is the first week of a series of sermons titled, “When Jesus builds his church”. Today’s theme is, “When Jesus builds his church – there is true humility.”
Pastor Michael Dutschke
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:13-15 (NLT) and Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (NLT)
A audio message from Pastor Stephen Schultz.
The call to discipleship - what is your response?
Cover photo: "An empty road in the middle of the desert" by Casey Horner on unsplash.
A video message from Pastor Stephen Schultz.
The call to discipleship - what is your response?
Cover photo: "An empty road in the middle of the desert" by Casey Horner on unsplash.
What would you do if you came out of a very long stint in the desert with a promise of a new place to live?
Spiritual change is an exciting yet challenging place to be.
How can we make the transition better and more effective?
Come along on Sunday to find out as we, as a church, move from one place to another.
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Readings: Psalm 95:1-5, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:6-8, Romans 12:2 (NLT)
What would you do if you came out of a very long stint in the desert with a promise of a new place to live?
Spiritual change is an exciting yet challenging place to be.
How can we make the transition better and more effective?
Come along on Sunday to find out as we, as a church, move from one place to another.
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Readings: Psalm 95:1-5, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:6-8, Romans 12:2 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
Every morning and evening for a few thousand years, God's people of old have said the words of Deuteronomy 6:4–9. They are a prayer, a creed and a meditation all wrapped up in a few verses called "The Shema" (Hebrew for "listen/act upon"). These are words that Jesus himself grew up reciting - and then quoting in his interaction with the Jewish teacher in Mark 12:28-30. On Sunday, I want to share with you the Shema, Jesus’ addition to it, and a way to meditate on it day and night.
Link to meditation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmLAIQtM92A
A message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
Every morning and evening for a few thousand years, God's people of old have said the words of Deuteronomy 6:4–9. They are a prayer, a creed and a meditation all wrapped up in a few verses called "The Shema" (Hebrew for "listen/act upon"). These are words that Jesus himself grew up reciting - and then quoting in his interaction with the Jewish teacher in Mark 12:28-30. On Sunday, I want to share with you the Shema, Jesus’ addition to it, and a way to meditate on it day and night.
Link to meditation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmLAIQtM92A
“Bringing the majesty of God down to earth” will explore how God can seem distant and out of reach (and how we can contribute to that) but how he is revealed in ‘down to earth’ ways.
Pastor Stephen Schultz
Bible Reading: Psalm 8 (NLT)
“Bringing the majesty of God down to earth” will explore how God can seem distant and out of reach (and how we can contribute to that) but how he is revealed in ‘down to earth’ ways.
Pastor Stephen Schultz
Bible Reading: Psalm 8 (NLT)
There are many misconceptions about what it means to live in this world as a Christian—one of those is what it means to be a truly “Spirit-filled” Christian. This teaching says that if you are really “Spirit-filled,” you will have a faith that never
wavers, that your problems will be few, and even when they come, no matter what happens in your life, you will be
steadfast and able to overcome it all. For many that’s called living a “victorious Christian life.” But if that is what living in this world as a Christian means, I’m afraid I will never achieve it.
Are you like me? Are you often weak, tired, struggling, doubting, wondering? If so, today is for you—Pentecost is for you—for Pentecost teaches what “a victorious Christian life” really looks like, and, best of all, to give that
life and victory to you. Living a victorious Christian life is not something you can do at all—the victory has already been won! The victory is what we have been celebrating the entire Easter season—that Jesus’ death and resurrection is our victory over sin, death, and the devil. Pentecost is about Holy Spirit “taking Jesus’ victory and giving it to you”—it’s about living “a victorious Christian life” not apart from but in the glory of the cross.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Acts 2: 1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (NLT)
There are many misconceptions about what it means to live in this world as a Christian—one of those is what it means to be a truly “Spirit-filled” Christian. This teaching says that if you are really “Spirit-filled,” you will have a faith that never
wavers, that your problems will be few, and even when they come, no matter what happens in your life, you will be
steadfast and able to overcome it all. For many that’s called living a “victorious Christian life.” But if that is what living in this world as a Christian means, I’m afraid I will never achieve it.
Are you like me? Are you often weak, tired, struggling, doubting, wondering? If so, today is for you—Pentecost is for you—for Pentecost teaches what “a victorious Christian life” really looks like, and, best of all, to give that
life and victory to you. Living a victorious Christian life is not something you can do at all—the victory has already been won! The victory is what we have been celebrating the entire Easter season—that Jesus’ death and resurrection is our victory over sin, death, and the devil. Pentecost is about Holy Spirit “taking Jesus’ victory and giving it to you”—it’s about living “a victorious Christian life” not apart from but in the glory of the cross.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Acts 2: 1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (NLT)
Have you ever been invited for a meal with someone important? I mean, really important. A normal human being would RSVP without question, get very excited, get well dressed and be early with a large appetite and wide eyes. In this message you will receive such an invitation. Listen carefully for the invitation and conditions and be ready to RSVP. Your host is imminently important, and only “RSVP’ers” will be permitted. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, with ongoing contact.
Have you ever been invited for a meal with someone important? I mean, really important. A normal human being would RSVP without question, get very excited, get well dressed and be early with a large appetite and wide eyes. In this message you will receive such an invitation. Listen carefully for the invitation and conditions and be ready to RSVP. Your host is imminently important, and only “RSVP’ers” will be permitted. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, with ongoing contact.
The Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us so that we might have life in all its fullness. But as Jesus said, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” Therefore, we are called to join the Good Shepherd in his mission to his world. He sends us out with good news to people in whom he is already at work, so that we may speak with them, and they may hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, not just ours. It doesn’t depend on us. Jesus is already engaged in his mission to his world. He graciously calls us and invites us to join him.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Reading: John 10:11-18 (NLT)
The Good Shepherd has laid down his life for us so that we might have life in all its fullness. But as Jesus said, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” Therefore, we are called to join the Good Shepherd in his mission to his world. He sends us out with good news to people in whom he is already at work, so that we may speak with them, and they may hear our Good Shepherd’s voice, not just ours. It doesn’t depend on us. Jesus is already engaged in his mission to his world. He graciously calls us and invites us to join him.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Reading: John 10:11-18 (NLT)
This week we hear from Ben Rowe, founder of Streetlight Community. Explore how God calls us to meet people where they are at and the blessings which flow - both to those being ministered to and those sharing God's love as we have been called to do.
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:7 and Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
This week we hear from Ben Rowe, founder of Streetlight Community. Explore how God calls us to meet people where they are at and the blessings which flow - both to those being ministered to and those sharing God's love as we have been called to do.
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:7 and Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
The central message of the miracle of Jesus walking on the water is to show that Jesus is truly God. Jesus is further revealing his divinity to the disciples and instead of calming their fears it increases them. Together we will explore:
• How Jesus sees us in our struggles even when we may not be aware of it.
• How we can miss who Jesus is and what he is up to in lives, especially when we are struggling to make headway.
• How Jesus doesn’t rescue us from our struggles but promises to be with us to get us through them.
Pastor Noel Kluge
Bible Readings: Exodus 33:12-20; 34:5-8 and Mark 6:45-56 (NIV)
The central message of the miracle of Jesus walking on the water is to show that Jesus is truly God. Jesus is further revealing his divinity to the disciples and instead of calming their fears it increases them. Together we will explore:
• How Jesus sees us in our struggles even when we may not be aware of it.
• How we can miss who Jesus is and what he is up to in lives, especially when we are struggling to make headway.
• How Jesus doesn’t rescue us from our struggles but promises to be with us to get us through them.
Pastor Noel Kluge
Bible Readings: Exodus 33:12-20; 34:5-8 and Mark 6:45-56 (NIV)
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another as I have loved you”.
How do you think people see Christians? As judgemental, opinionated, old fashioned, and hypocritical; or as caring, loving, kind, honest, and faithful.
Now that’s a good question for us to consider!
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: John 13:34-35 (NLT)
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another as I have loved you”.
How do you think people see Christians? As judgemental, opinionated, old fashioned, and hypocritical; or as caring, loving, kind, honest, and faithful.
Now that’s a good question for us to consider!
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: John 13:34-35 (NLT)
We all love or dream of going to that flash restaurant and being waited on hand and foot or to perhaps a resort where you just have to relax and enjoy the spa and massage. That's a service we can buy.
But what about when we have to give that service? How do we react when we have to give service for no compensation even when it may cost us.
This week’s theme is blessed to serve.
Wikipedia describes blessing as ‘a religious pronouncement that imparts grace, holiness, or divine will.
I get to share how service gets turned into blessing in two ways.
Stephen Zanker
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:4-6 (NLT) and 2 Corinthians 1 3-7 (Message)
We all love or dream of going to that flash restaurant and being waited on hand and foot or to perhaps a resort where you just have to relax and enjoy the spa and massage. That's a service we can buy.
But what about when we have to give that service? How do we react when we have to give service for no compensation even when it may cost us.
This week’s theme is blessed to serve.
Wikipedia describes blessing as ‘a religious pronouncement that imparts grace, holiness, or divine will.
I get to share how service gets turned into blessing in two ways.
Stephen Zanker
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:4-6 (NLT) and 2 Corinthians 1 3-7 (Message)
An Easter message from Bishop Andrew Brook.
The God of second chances was at work at the first Easter, and he still is today, in our lives... For God so loves the world.
An Easter message from Bishop Andrew Brook.
The God of second chances was at work at the first Easter, and he still is today, in our lives... For God so loves the world.
Cover Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash.
This Sunday is called Palm Sunday in the life of the church—how Jesus came to be king, but by Good Friday, five days later, the crowd discovered that Jesus was not going to be the king they wanted: a political king, a bread king, a miracle king—and so they started to chant softly at first but then building to a crescendo crying out: “Crucify him, Crucify him, Crucify him”.
This Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday. It’s the beginning of Passion Week that is 8 days long, lasting to Easter Sunday.
When you hear the word or think of the word “passion”, what word, picture, or memory comes to mind?
Now the examples you have in mind may not reflect what the Bible says about this word—the Latin word comes from “passion” or “passum” and it means to endure suffering and pain—now does that put a whole new meaning on the word for you?
I look forward to sharing more about this when we dwell on the word with the theme: “Jesus’ Suffering = Second Chances”.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Luke 23:1-26, Luke 23:32-47 (NIV)
This Sunday is called Palm Sunday in the life of the church—how Jesus came to be king, but by Good Friday, five days later, the crowd discovered that Jesus was not going to be the king they wanted: a political king, a bread king, a miracle king—and so they started to chant softly at first but then building to a crescendo crying out: “Crucify him, Crucify him, Crucify him”.
This Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday. It’s the beginning of Passion Week that is 8 days long, lasting to Easter Sunday.
When you hear the word or think of the word “passion”, what word, picture, or memory comes to mind?
Now the examples you have in mind may not reflect what the Bible says about this word—the Latin word comes from “passion” or “passum” and it means to endure suffering and pain—now does that put a whole new meaning on the word for you?
I look forward to sharing more about this when we dwell on the word with the theme: “Jesus’ Suffering = Second Chances”.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Luke 23:1-26, Luke 23:32-47 (NIV)
In the anointing at the house of Lazarus, Mary's and Judas' actions contrast two forms of love. One was extravagantly generous while the other echoed the world of social obligation.
But Mary did not only anoint Jesus once. The first time had perfume filling a room during a celebration for the return of Lazarus. The second time, Mary helped anoint Jesus' body as it lay in a tomb.
The two separate events were separated by just 5 days, not enough time for the apostles to fully assimilate what Jesus said about - being lifted up on a cross so that He might attract people to Himself (John 12:32). This passage causes us to reflect on the contrast of extravagantly devotion with a critical and selfish response. For Jesus has given us permission to honour Him in extravagant ways.
Pastor Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: John 12:1-8 (NIV)
In the anointing at the house of Lazarus, Mary's and Judas' actions contrast two forms of love. One was extravagantly generous while the other echoed the world of social obligation.
But Mary did not only anoint Jesus once. The first time had perfume filling a room during a celebration for the return of Lazarus. The second time, Mary helped anoint Jesus' body as it lay in a tomb.
The two separate events were separated by just 5 days, not enough time for the apostles to fully assimilate what Jesus said about - being lifted up on a cross so that He might attract people to Himself (John 12:32). This passage causes us to reflect on the contrast of extravagantly devotion with a critical and selfish response. For Jesus has given us permission to honour Him in extravagant ways.
Pastor Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: John 12:1-8 (NIV)
God’s desire was for the world to be inhabited by people created in His image.
Today’s Bible verse in Genesis 3:15 sets up the ongoing conflict between good and evil.
The "offspring" of the woman is interpreted by many Christians as a prophecy of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately defeat Satan (symbolized by crushing his head), though Satan would cause suffering (striking the heel).
This passage points toward God's promise of salvation through Christ.
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Reading: Luke 24: 25 –28 (NLT)
God’s desire was for the world to be inhabited by people created in His image.
Today’s Bible verse in Genesis 3:15 sets up the ongoing conflict between good and evil.
The "offspring" of the woman is interpreted by many Christians as a prophecy of Jesus Christ, who would ultimately defeat Satan (symbolized by crushing his head), though Satan would cause suffering (striking the heel).
This passage points toward God's promise of salvation through Christ.
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Reading: Luke 24: 25 –28 (NLT)
Music, it's a part of our day to day lives.
We sing songs each Sunday in worship, but how much attention do we actually pay to them?
How often do we break down what a song is telling us? How often do we let music guide our lives?
This Sunday we explore how music affects, feeds, and sustains our lives.
James Przibilla
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Chronicles 13:8, Psalm 33:3, Psalm 98: 4-6, Psalm 100:1-2 (NLT)
Music, it's a part of our day to day lives.
We sing songs each Sunday in worship, but how much attention do we actually pay to them?
How often do we break down what a song is telling us? How often do we let music guide our lives?
This Sunday we explore how music affects, feeds, and sustains our lives.
James Przibilla
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Chronicles 13:8, Psalm 33:3, Psalm 98: 4-6, Psalm 100:1-2 (NLT)
Life constantly requires choices. Some of these are insignificant, while others are important and may actually shape our future.
God understands human beings, he understands us, and so in critical moments he encourages us to CHOOSE LIFE.
And as we go through our Christian lives God reminds us that we are his people and that he will always look after us.
And he constantly challenges us to follow him and to always Choose Life.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT)
Life constantly requires choices. Some of these are insignificant, while others are important and may actually shape our future.
God understands human beings, he understands us, and so in critical moments he encourages us to CHOOSE LIFE.
And as we go through our Christian lives God reminds us that we are his people and that he will always look after us.
And he constantly challenges us to follow him and to always Choose Life.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NLT)
Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by relying on God's Word, we are called to stand firm by grounding ourselves in Scripture. We should trust Him to provide for our needs. Ultimately, today’s Bible reading encourages us to rely on God, stay connected to His Word, and resist the temptations that seek to draw us away from Him.
Pastor David Christian
Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)
Just as Jesus resisted the devil’s temptations by relying on God's Word, we are called to stand firm by grounding ourselves in Scripture. We should trust Him to provide for our needs. Ultimately, today’s Bible reading encourages us to rely on God, stay connected to His Word, and resist the temptations that seek to draw us away from Him.
Pastor David Christian
Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)
After His transfiguration, Jesus knew that His return to heaven was near. It was entirely human for Him to express frustration with those who failed to listen and follow Him, including His closest followers. Jesus had a message for a church in Revelation 3:1-2. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” God wants our faith to be alive, growing and thriving, not dormant or shrinking!
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Luke 9:28-43a (NLT)
After His transfiguration, Jesus knew that His return to heaven was near. It was entirely human for Him to express frustration with those who failed to listen and follow Him, including His closest followers. Jesus had a message for a church in Revelation 3:1-2. "I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” God wants our faith to be alive, growing and thriving, not dormant or shrinking!
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Luke 9:28-43a (NLT)
A video message by Pastor Noel Kluge.
“The parable of the Sower” in Mark 4 is one of Jesus’ most well-known parables. The parable and explanation are so well known that we can be tempted to pass over it with very little thought. Interestingly, Jesus warns us to do the exact opposite. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (4:9) “Consider carefully what you hear.” (4:24)
This week we will take a fresh look at this parable and consider carefully what Jesus is saying here. What did this parable mean for those who heard it for the first time? Why did Jesus only explain the parable to the disciples and a few around him and not the whole crowd? What did Jesus mean when he quoted Isaiah 6 saying, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding”? Who are the outsiders? Who are the insiders? What does this parable mean for us today?
All these questions and more will be tackled as we dig into this well-known parable.
A message by Pastor Noel Kluge.
“The parable of the Sower” in Mark 4 is one of Jesus’ most well-known parables. The parable and explanation are so well known that we can be tempted to pass over it with very little thought. Interestingly, Jesus warns us to do the exact opposite. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (4:9) “Consider carefully what you hear.” (4:24)
This week we will take a fresh look at this parable and consider carefully what Jesus is saying here. What did this parable mean for those who heard it for the first time? Why did Jesus only explain the parable to the disciples and a few around him and not the whole crowd? What did Jesus mean when he quoted Isaiah 6 saying, “they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding”? Who are the outsiders? Who are the insiders? What does this parable mean for us today?
All these questions and more will be tackled as we dig into this well-known parable.
Luke has Jesus delivering a message about “principles of eternity,” which are not beyond the capacity of human beings to put into practice—practical principles—not just ideals—when Jesus speaks like this, He can be dismissed as a mere spiritual guru. Yet, Jesus is more than a spiritual guru—for He did not withdraw from the world, except to go on “retreat” occasionally—but He entered into this world and embraced human life in all aspects of it—and speaking from His own experience, He spoke from a vision of eternity and a vision of reality.
Having the perspective and the experience of both worlds, we can trust Jesus’ vision and version of reality a whole lot more than we trust our own or anybody else’s version of reality.
Jesus has given us the story of life—a story of opposites—a story of eternity principles—a story of freedom.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Luke 6:17-26 (NLT)
Luke has Jesus delivering a message about “principles of eternity,” which are not beyond the capacity of human beings to put into practice—practical principles—not just ideals—when Jesus speaks like this, He can be dismissed as a mere spiritual guru. Yet, Jesus is more than a spiritual guru—for He did not withdraw from the world, except to go on “retreat” occasionally—but He entered into this world and embraced human life in all aspects of it—and speaking from His own experience, He spoke from a vision of eternity and a vision of reality.
Having the perspective and the experience of both worlds, we can trust Jesus’ vision and version of reality a whole lot more than we trust our own or anybody else’s version of reality.
Jesus has given us the story of life—a story of opposites—a story of eternity principles—a story of freedom.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Luke 6:17-26 (NLT)
Does God love the unlovable - and if so, in what ways are we loving them too?
Pastor Montaz Ali (Prison Fellowship Mission)
Bible Reading: Jonah 4 (NIV)
Does God love the unlovable - and if so, in what ways are we loving them too?
Pastor Montaz Ali (Prison Fellowship Mission)
Bible Reading: Jonah 4 (NIV)
Change is all around us; changing cultural and societal expectations, social cues and language that is now deemed offensive, technological changes that leave us baffled.
What does God's Word tell us in the 21st Century as we deal with all these changes.
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: Isaiah 43:18-19 and Ecclesiastes 3.1-7 (NLT)
Change is all around us; changing cultural and societal expectations, social cues and language that is now deemed offensive, technological changes that leave us baffled.
What does God's Word tell us in the 21st Century as we deal with all these changes.
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: Isaiah 43:18-19 and Ecclesiastes 3.1-7 (NLT)
The theme is how we see each other through the eyes of baptism when we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit – life and salvation.
Bishop Paul Smith
Bible Readings: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NLT)
The theme is how we see each other through the eyes of baptism when we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit – life and salvation.
Bishop Paul Smith
Bible Readings: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a (NLT)
A pre-recorded audio message from Pastor Rob Schubert.
A disciple is like a student who dedicates their life to learning from their teacher, striving to emulate their wisdom and actions. In the story of Peter, we see this devotion in action as he faces a storm and chooses to step out of the boat, trusting that Jesus can make the impossible possible. Although his faith wavers and he begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out to lift him up.
Are you ready to take the risk and step out of your comfort zone, trusting that with faith, the impossible becomes possible?
A pre-recorded video message from Pastor Rob Schubert.
A disciple is like a student who dedicates their life to learning from their teacher, striving to emulate their wisdom and actions. In the story of Peter, we see this devotion in action as he faces a storm and chooses to step out of the boat, trusting that Jesus can make the impossible possible. Although his faith wavers and he begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out to lift him up.
Are you ready to take the risk and step out of your comfort zone, trusting that with faith, the impossible becomes possible?
Have you ever heard of a guy called Melchizedek?
Who is he, and why is he important?
What is his connection to Jesus?
How does that apply to our lives?
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Readings: Luke 24:25-28, Genesis 14:17-20 (NLT)
Have you ever heard of a guy called Melchizedek?
Who is he, and why is he important?
What is his connection to Jesus?
How does that apply to our lives?
Pastor Paul Newsham
Bible Readings: Luke 24:25-28, Genesis 14:17-20 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
See how we can experience the hope we have in Jesus' birth.
Title photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.
An audio message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Hear how we can experience the hope we have in Jesus' birth.
Title photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.
Come and hear Jim Patterson’s encouraging and inspiring story of faith.
Bible Reading: Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Come and hear Jim Patterson’s encouraging and inspiring story of faith.
Bible Reading: Romans 12:2 (NLT)
A message by Peter Weckert.
It is said many people dream of winning cross lotto and the amazing lifestyle that it would allow them to enjoy. The abundant life that Jesus offers is quite different because it provides us with an eternal joy starting now AND Peace, satisfaction and contentment at the very deepest level of our soul. While it is possible to enjoy both at the same time, it is more likely that a choice is made between one or the other. The question is, what abundant life are you pursuing? Are you focusing on one at the expense of the other. Which one gives you a glorious abundance? Only you can answer that.
Bible Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT), John 10:10
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
A message by Peter Weckert.
It is said many people dream of winning cross lotto and the amazing lifestyle that it would allow them to enjoy. The abundant life that Jesus offers is quite different because it provides us with an eternal joy starting now AND Peace, satisfaction and contentment at the very deepest level of our soul. While it is possible to enjoy both at the same time, it is more likely that a choice is made between one or the other. The question is, what abundant life are you pursuing? Are you focusing on one at the expense of the other. Which one gives you a glorious abundance? Only you can answer that.
Bible Readings: Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT), John 10:10
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
I will be sharing a message that points us to Jesus and His Kingdom work. I’ve called it ‘Beautifully Angry’.
I’ll unpack what God’s righteous anger looks like, through the life of Jesus, and how He invites us to be like Him.
Will Hall
Bible Reading: Mark 3:1-5 (NIV)
I will be sharing a message that points us to Jesus and His Kingdom work. I’ve called it ‘Beautifully Angry’.
I’ll unpack what God’s righteous anger looks like, through the life of Jesus, and how He invites us to be like Him.
Will Hall
Bible Reading: Mark 3:1-5 (NIV)
Signs are important and aren’t usually too complicated. For instance, you wouldn’t drive around a sign that warns us the bridge ahead is closed. Natural signs such as thunder warn us of a storm coming, while medical symptoms may indicate signs of disease.
The Bible provides us with signs regarding Jesus' second coming, but the complexities of translation can sometimes make them appear difficult to interpret.
Jesus wants every believer to be encouraged at a time in the future; when there will be fearful signs that will make people apprehensive of what may soon come.
To help us avoid any pre-second coming panic attacks, Jesus gave us some things to focus on in order to stand firm in our faith.
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)
Signs are important and aren’t usually too complicated. For instance, you wouldn’t drive around a sign that warns us the bridge ahead is closed. Natural signs such as thunder warn us of a storm coming, while medical symptoms may indicate signs of disease.
The Bible provides us with signs regarding Jesus' second coming, but the complexities of translation can sometimes make them appear difficult to interpret.
Jesus wants every believer to be encouraged at a time in the future; when there will be fearful signs that will make people apprehensive of what may soon come.
To help us avoid any pre-second coming panic attacks, Jesus gave us some things to focus on in order to stand firm in our faith.
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)
Do you remember doing pottery at some stage while you were at school? If so, can you also remember what the result was? That cool, damp blob of clay was shaped by hand into something roughly resembling a pot or some other item. The clay was perhaps an unwitting participant in the process, but it surrendered to the shaping hands of the potter. In some cases, it was then fired or left to dry naturally before being put to use in many and various ways, sometimes by the potter but often by someone who received it as a gift.
Can you think of a time in your life where you were being shaped and prepared for something new by God, a bit like the clay being shaped into something new for some new purpose?
Perhaps you’ve only realised in hindsight that God was preparing you for some kind of new role, vocation or calling?
Have you then been sent out, as a gift to the world, or the church?
Can you think of a time where you surrendered, were shaped, and then sent?
Is God preparing you for a time such as this?
Pastor Tim Stringer
Bible Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, John 5:21-29 (NIV)
Do you remember doing pottery at some stage while you were at school? If so, can you also remember what the result was? That cool, damp blob of clay was shaped by hand into something roughly resembling a pot or some other item. The clay was perhaps an unwitting participant in the process, but it surrendered to the shaping hands of the potter. In some cases, it was then fired or left to dry naturally before being put to use in many and various ways, sometimes by the potter but often by someone who received it as a gift.
Can you think of a time in your life where you were being shaped and prepared for something new by God, a bit like the clay being shaped into something new for some new purpose?
Perhaps you’ve only realised in hindsight that God was preparing you for some kind of new role, vocation or calling?
Have you then been sent out, as a gift to the world, or the church?
Can you think of a time where you surrendered, were shaped, and then sent?
Is God preparing you for a time such as this?
Pastor Tim Stringer
Bible Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, John 5:21-29 (NIV)
What do you think of when you hear the word, “Sacrifice?” I’m sure if I were to ask everyone this question, I would receive a lot of different answers—like, this past week our country has observed Remembrance Day—remembering all those who have served and given their life for this country. Perhaps what might come to mind is why we worship regularly—to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross — but I reckon a lot of the time many of us a little removed from the impact of what that word “Sacrifice” means. We are somewhat disconnected from the history of the sacrificial system as mentioned in the Old Testament, and therefore, we are disconnected from how powerful that word is.
To help us better understand the word “Sacrifice”, we will dwell in the Word from the book of Hebrews (10:11-25) and as we do, you will discover that this sacrificial system was not pretty – in fact, it’s horrible. As you discover the horror of the sacrificial system, I hope you will gain a greater appreciation of what it meant for Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for your
sin.
What do you think of when you hear the word, “Sacrifice?” I’m sure if I were to ask everyone this question, I would receive a lot of different answers—like, this past week our country has observed Remembrance Day—remembering all those who have served and given their life for this country. Perhaps what might come to mind is why we worship regularly—to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross — but I reckon a lot of the time many of us a little removed from the impact of what that word “Sacrifice” means. We are somewhat disconnected from the history of the sacrificial system as mentioned in the Old Testament, and therefore, we are disconnected from how powerful that word is.
To help us better understand the word “Sacrifice”, we will dwell in the Word from the book of Hebrews (10:11-25) and as we do, you will discover that this sacrificial system was not pretty – in fact, it’s horrible. As you discover the horror of the sacrificial system, I hope you will gain a greater appreciation of what it meant for Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for your
sin.
So often we see poor behaviour - on social media, in the news, everywhere.
Politicians talking horribly about others. Culture wars, cancel culture, and just general negativity.
To get out of the mud, we can't walk on the low road anymore.
Join us Sunday to hear about what other options there are, and how we get there.
Pastor Chris Mann
Bible Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (NLT)
So often we see poor behaviour - on social media, in the news, everywhere.
Politicians talking horribly about others. Culture wars, cancel culture, and just general negativity.
To get out of the mud, we can't walk on the low road anymore.
Join us Sunday to hear about what other options there are, and how we get there.
Pastor Chris Mann
Bible Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (NLT)
Have you ever heard people referring to Christians as those "holy Joes who think that they're better than everyone else"? Sadly, that kind of thinking can be a real barrier to people learning about God's love for them in Jesus. All Saints Day is a good opportunity to respond to this issue. In the New Testament, "saints" were not the revered dead but the living faithful. Not the especially "holy ones", but rather all God's forgiven people who trust in Jesus. So Christians don't think of themselves as being better than anyone else. Instead, we admit that we're just as sinful as everyone else, but we have been forgiven and accepted in Jesus. We are holy, because of, and in union with Jesus our Saviour. We are all saints in him. Now that's truly worth celebrating!
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NLT)
Have you ever heard people referring to Christians as those "holy Joes who think that they're better than everyone else"? Sadly, that kind of thinking can be a real barrier to people learning about God's love for them in Jesus. All Saints Day is a good opportunity to respond to this issue. In the New Testament, "saints" were not the revered dead but the living faithful. Not the especially "holy ones", but rather all God's forgiven people who trust in Jesus. So Christians don't think of themselves as being better than anyone else. Instead, we admit that we're just as sinful as everyone else, but we have been forgiven and accepted in Jesus. We are holy, because of, and in union with Jesus our Saviour. We are all saints in him. Now that's truly worth celebrating!
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NLT)
We each have stories we tell about our lives - stories that are funny, stories of success, stories that give life, that we are happy to share.
We also have stories that we may not share - stories of heartbreak, failure, and brokenness.
How do these stories intersect with the stories in scripture?
And what about God's story?
We will discover the surprising truth of God's story, your story, and our story, as Pastor Chris Mann brings the message to us.
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NLT)
We each have stories we tell about our lives - stories that are funny, stories of success, stories that give life, that we are happy to share.
We also have stories that we may not share - stories of heartbreak, failure, and brokenness.
How do these stories intersect with the stories in scripture?
And what about God's story?
We will discover the surprising truth of God's story, your story, and our story, as Pastor Chris Mann brings the message to us.
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (NLT)
We learn from the life of Jesus as a transformative leader that what we have done for ourselves will die with us…but what we have done for others and the world remains and will never die.
For this reason, God is calling His people to be transformative leaders who will affect the people around them through their everyday actions or to journey with a transformative leader into God's own heart and into His redemptive plan and purpose as revealed in the scripture.
Bishop Michael Musale
Bible Reading: Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT)
We learn from the life of Jesus as a transformative leader that what we have done for ourselves will die with us…but what we have done for others and the world remains and will never die.
For this reason, God is calling His people to be transformative leaders who will affect the people around them through their everyday actions or to journey with a transformative leader into God's own heart and into His redemptive plan and purpose as revealed in the scripture.
Bishop Michael Musale
Bible Reading: Matthew 9:35-38 (NLT)
Everything we know about God as Father, Rescuer, and Counsellor, we learn from the Bible. Well, to be accurate, we learn it from Holy Spirit God through the Bible.
The Bible teaches, inspires, equips, and informs. But its central message is your heavenly Father saying to you, “I love you. You matter to me. Isn’t it neat we can communicate even when we’re not face to face?”
The Bible is the tool the Holy Spirit uses to reveal to us the centrality of Jesus, who brings the love of the Father to us. You can use the Bible for many things, and that’s not necessarily wrong, but primarily it’s a love letter. When we don’t see it that way, we end up being led down rabbit holes.
When we do receive it as a love letter, we hold it dear to the very core of our being, for not only does it show us the identity of our God as a loving Father, but it also shows us our truest identity in him.
God’s word, the love letter? Yes! Get into it any way you can.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NRSVA)
Everything we know about God as Father, Rescuer, and Counsellor, we learn from the Bible. Well, to be accurate, we learn it from Holy Spirit God through the Bible.
The Bible teaches, inspires, equips, and informs. But its central message is your heavenly Father saying to you, “I love you. You matter to me. Isn’t it neat we can communicate even when we’re not face to face?”
The Bible is the tool the Holy Spirit uses to reveal to us the centrality of Jesus, who brings the love of the Father to us. You can use the Bible for many things, and that’s not necessarily wrong, but primarily it’s a love letter. When we don’t see it that way, we end up being led down rabbit holes.
When we do receive it as a love letter, we hold it dear to the very core of our being, for not only does it show us the identity of our God as a loving Father, but it also shows us our truest identity in him.
God’s word, the love letter? Yes! Get into it any way you can.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 (NRSVA)
A message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
If you’ve gone to a church or school of any of the mainline Christian denominations you’ve heard these words at the start of every worship service: “In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.” What goes through your head at that moment? Maybe you switch off because it feels like an empty ritual. This Sunday I want to unpack why this “Trinity-thing” is absolutely mind-blowing and how it will change the way you think about God’s interaction with you on a personal level.
A message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
If you’ve gone to a church or school of any of the mainline Christian denominations you’ve heard these words at the start of every worship service: “In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.” What goes through your head at that moment? Maybe you switch off because it feels like an empty ritual. This Sunday I want to unpack why this “Trinity-thing” is absolutely mind-blowing and how it will change the way you think about God’s interaction with you on a personal level.
In our lives, there are many different types of journeys we can choose to take—we can go on a journey to visit family, go to work, go on holiday, go shopping, go to worship with the church—we can journey to different places and different countries. There are as many kinds of journeys as there are reasons for taking a journey, but most journeys have two things in common: they have a purpose and they have a destination—and with these two things in mind, I want you to think about your journey as a follower of Jesus. Some of my greatest journeys have involved taking a journey with God (Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit)—what about you? And the journey I take as a follower of Jesus has less to do with where I live or where I physically travel. In fact, my journey as a follower of Jesus has everything to do with who He is and who I am in Him—which means I’m called to be on a very different journey in my life—what about you? And this being on a different journey may even seem weird! I’m looking forward to explore this with you and with Holy Spirit in greater detail when we dwell in the word in Mark 9:38-50.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Mark 9:38-50 (NLT)
In our lives, there are many different types of journeys we can choose to take—we can go on a journey to visit family, go to work, go on holiday, go shopping, go to worship with the church—we can journey to different places and different countries. There are as many kinds of journeys as there are reasons for taking a journey, but most journeys have two things in common: they have a purpose and they have a destination—and with these two things in mind, I want you to think about your journey as a follower of Jesus. Some of my greatest journeys have involved taking a journey with God (Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit)—what about you? And the journey I take as a follower of Jesus has less to do with where I live or where I physically travel. In fact, my journey as a follower of Jesus has everything to do with who He is and who I am in Him—which means I’m called to be on a very different journey in my life—what about you? And this being on a different journey may even seem weird! I’m looking forward to explore this with you and with Holy Spirit in greater detail when we dwell in the word in Mark 9:38-50.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Reading: Mark 9:38-50 (NLT)
A century ago, to be a true Christian was to be heroic, as Jesus was heroic.
As Sydney Carton, the anti-hero of Charles Dickens', A Tale of two Cities, was heroic!
In the book, Miracle on the River Kwai by Ernest Gordon, the author, recounts how the prisoners of war found the strength to make life easier for the prisoners who were worse off and deeper into despair than themselves. How they helped the more physically incapacitated to survive. How they organized church services to spread hope, how they scrounged books to start a lending library; and that copies of the New Testament were the most in-demand. Men under extreme stress in the midst of a foreign jungle, came across Jesus, discovered the Spirit of Christ and found the strength to be heroic.
As Henry Lawson wrote, "The Spirit of Christ is everywhere where the heart of a man can dwell!"
Going with the flow starts with finding out more about Jesus and joining in with what His Spirit is doing.
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Acts 17:22 – 31 (NIV)
A century ago, to be a true Christian was to be heroic, as Jesus was heroic.
As Sydney Carton, the anti-hero of Charles Dickens', A Tale of two Cities, was heroic!
In the book, Miracle on the River Kwai by Ernest Gordon, the author, recounts how the prisoners of war found the strength to make life easier for the prisoners who were worse off and deeper into despair than themselves. How they helped the more physically incapacitated to survive. How they organized church services to spread hope, how they scrounged books to start a lending library; and that copies of the New Testament were the most in-demand. Men under extreme stress in the midst of a foreign jungle, came across Jesus, discovered the Spirit of Christ and found the strength to be heroic.
As Henry Lawson wrote, "The Spirit of Christ is everywhere where the heart of a man can dwell!"
Going with the flow starts with finding out more about Jesus and joining in with what His Spirit is doing.
Chris McAleer
Bible Reading: Acts 17:22 – 31 (NIV)
The cross of Jesus is the pivotal point in human history. Jesus’ death and resurrection redefine everything and everyone, including you. You become God’s temple, a dwelling place of Holy Spirit himself. That means you have the awesome privilege of carrying the good things of God to others, simply by being who you are in Christ.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings Ephesians: 2:19-22 & John 1:14-18 (NRSVA)
The cross of Jesus is the pivotal point in human history. Jesus’ death and resurrection redefine everything and everyone, including you. You become God’s temple, a dwelling place of Holy Spirit himself. That means you have the awesome privilege of carrying the good things of God to others, simply by being who you are in Christ.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings Ephesians: 2:19-22 & John 1:14-18 (NRSVA)
Esther Hien is a Christian, a Mission worker, an interpreter, a preacher and an evangelist. Like many who live in Vietnam, she was Buddhist until her conversion to Christianity at the age of 18. She is currently in Australia to represent Asia Focus Australia. Today Esther shares how God is working in Vietnamese Christian communities.
Esther Hien is a Christian, a Mission worker, an interpreter, a preacher and an evangelist. Like many who live in Vietnam, she was Buddhist until her conversion to Christianity at the age of 18. She is currently in Australia to represent Asia Focus Australia. Today Esther shares how God is working in Vietnamese Christian communities.
We live in a world where we are constantly confronted with the challenge of whether to trust people or not? That's often hard for us because we frequently get let down and so many people turn out to be less than trustworthy. So, who can you trust? It's not unreasonable to maintain that trust needs to be earned; that people need to prove that they're trustworthy. We can join the Psalmist in his confident assertion that God can be trusted, that we can put our hope in him, that we can look to him to help and defend us, that we can call on him in times of trouble and know that he'll be there for us. We can be confident of that because of the cross. In Jesus' loving sacrifice for us, we see God's faithful love and his total gracious commitment to us. There we see that he can be trusted. We mightn't always understand what God is doing or always be pleased with how things are working out for us on a day-to-day basis, but this we know: God loves us. He is with us, and he wants the best for us! He has proven himself trustworthy, so trust in him and lean into the embrace of his grace!
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Psalm 62:5-8(NLT)
We live in a world where we are constantly confronted with the challenge of whether to trust people or not? That's often hard for us because we frequently get let down and so many people turn out to be less than trustworthy. So, who can you trust? It's not unreasonable to maintain that trust needs to be earned; that people need to prove that they're trustworthy. We can join the Psalmist in his confident assertion that God can be trusted, that we can put our hope in him, that we can look to him to help and defend us, that we can call on him in times of trouble and know that he'll be there for us. We can be confident of that because of the cross. In Jesus' loving sacrifice for us, we see God's faithful love and his total gracious commitment to us. There we see that he can be trusted. We mightn't always understand what God is doing or always be pleased with how things are working out for us on a day-to-day basis, but this we know: God loves us. He is with us, and he wants the best for us! He has proven himself trustworthy, so trust in him and lean into the embrace of his grace!
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Psalm 62:5-8(NLT)
You have probably heard these words from the Prayer of St Francis - Make me a channel of your peace.
Let's change that slightly - make me a channel of your care.
We can show God’s love to the world by channelling his care. God wants to use us to channel his love and care to those around us who are hurting. That really is a vital part of our lives as Christians, to channel God’s love and care into our community and into our World.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (NLT)
You have probably heard these words from the Prayer of St Francis - Make me a channel of your peace.
Let's change that slightly - make me a channel of your care.
We can show God’s love to the world by channelling his care. God wants to use us to channel his love and care to those around us who are hurting. That really is a vital part of our lives as Christians, to channel God’s love and care into our community and into our World.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7 (NLT)
Dominique was a Roman Catholic brother who at 54 discovered he was dying of inoperable cancer. He left his community to move into a poor neighbourhood in Paris and took a job as a nightwatchman at a factory. During the daytime he would sit on a wooden bench in a park opposite to where he lived. Hanging around in the park were marginal people, drifters, winos, dirty old men who ogled the girls passing by.
Dominique never criticised, scolded or reprimanded. He accepted the men as they were. He gave off peace and shared hospitality that led cynical young men and defeated old men to gravitate toward him. His simple witness lay in accepting others as they were without questions. He was the most nonjudgmental person you could ever meet. He loved with the heart of Jesus.
One day when the men asked him to tell them about himself, he told them that Jesus loved them tenderly, and that Jesus had come for rejects and outcasts just like themselves. His love for them and the love of Christ he spoke of gradually transformed the men.
One day he didn’t appear and later was found dead. More than 7,000 people from all over Europe gathered for this humble brother’s funeral. The last words in his diary were: “All that is not the love of God has no meaning for me. I can truthfully say that I have no interest in anything, but the love of God is in Christ Jesus.” His friend, Brennan Manning, said: “In Domonique I saw the reality of a life lived entirely for God and for others. Any spirituality that does not lead from a self-centred to an other-centred mode of existence is bankrupt.”
How are you living your life?
Pastor David Christian
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31- 5:2 (NLT)
Dominique was a Roman Catholic brother who at 54 discovered he was dying of inoperable cancer. He left his community to move into a poor neighbourhood in Paris and took a job as a nightwatchman at a factory. During the daytime he would sit on a wooden bench in a park opposite to where he lived. Hanging around in the park were marginal people, drifters, winos, dirty old men who ogled the girls passing by.
Dominique never criticised, scolded or reprimanded. He accepted the men as they were. He gave off peace and shared hospitality that led cynical young men and defeated old men to gravitate toward him. His simple witness lay in accepting others as they were without questions. He was the most nonjudgmental person you could ever meet. He loved with the heart of Jesus.
One day when the men asked him to tell them about himself, he told them that Jesus loved them tenderly, and that Jesus had come for rejects and outcasts just like themselves. His love for them and the love of Christ he spoke of gradually transformed the men.
One day he didn’t appear and later was found dead. More than 7,000 people from all over Europe gathered for this humble brother’s funeral. The last words in his diary were: “All that is not the love of God has no meaning for me. I can truthfully say that I have no interest in anything, but the love of God is in Christ Jesus.” His friend, Brennan Manning, said: “In Domonique I saw the reality of a life lived entirely for God and for others. Any spirituality that does not lead from a self-centred to an other-centred mode of existence is bankrupt.”
How are you living your life?
Pastor David Christian
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31- 5:2 (NLT)
A message from Peter Weckert
Many people, if not most, think Christian and Religion are pretty much the same thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are opposites. Religions world-wide teach that God will accept you when on balance, you have led a good life. They believe a better life, rather than a bad one, earns God's favour and His acceptance.
A Christian believes that God loves you. He accepts you. If you believe in Him, you are free to live a life full of the fruits of the Spirit. Christians don't work hard to gain God's approval. They do so because they already have it.
The video referenced by Peter at the end of the message can be viewed on YouTube.
Bible Reading: Luke 18: 9–14 (NLT)
Title graphic by James Kovin on Unsplash.
A message from Peter Weckert
Many people, if not most, think Christian and Religion are pretty much the same thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are opposites. Religions world-wide teach that God will accept you when on balance, you have led a good life. They believe a better life, rather than a bad one, earns God's favour and His acceptance.
A Christian believes that God loves you. He accepts you. If you believe in Him, you are free to live a life full of the fruits of the Spirit. Christians don't work hard to gain God's approval. They do so because they already have it.
The video referenced by Peter at the end of the message can be viewed on YouTube.
Bible Reading: Luke 18: 9–14 (NLT)
Title graphic by James Kovin on Unsplash.
A little girl was watching her father cut down a tree in their backyard. She sees wood chips flying in all directions. She picks one up and calls to her father, "Look Dad, trees have wood in them." We know that trees don't have wood in them. Trees are wood. Neither does God have love in him. God is love. Love is the stuff God is made of. God can't help but be loving. Everything God does is loving. We see his love best when Jesus dies on the cross for us. Paul wants us to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep the love of God is for us in Christ. Human love is not so deep and often runs out. But the love of the Lord is everlasting, and it has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Do you know this love? Are you grasping and growing in this love?
Pastor David ChristianBible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
A little girl was watching her father cut down a tree in their backyard. She sees wood chips flying in all directions. She picks one up and calls to her father, "Look Dad, trees have wood in them." We know that trees don't have wood in them. Trees are wood. Neither does God have love in him. God is love. Love is the stuff God is made of. God can't help but be loving. Everything God does is loving. We see his love best when Jesus dies on the cross for us. Paul wants us to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep the love of God is for us in Christ. Human love is not so deep and often runs out. But the love of the Lord is everlasting, and it has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. And nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Do you know this love? Are you grasping and growing in this love?
Pastor David ChristianBible Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Paul Newsham.
Did you ever ask yourself:
• What did Jesus talk about when He walked along the road to Emmaus with two disciples shortly after His resurrection?
• What did John the Baptist mean when He said, “Behold the Lamb of God”?
• What is the significance of the sacrificed lamb in Scripture?
• Does the concept have any relevance to us today?
Join us as we explore these questions in light of today's Bible reading (Luke 24:13-34).
A video message from Pastor Paul Newsham.
Did you ever ask yourself:
• What did Jesus talk about when He walked along the road to Emmaus with two disciples shortly after His resurrection?
• What did John the Baptist mean when He said, “Behold the Lamb of God”?
• What is the significance of the sacrificed lamb in Scripture?
• Does the concept have any relevance to us today?
Join us as we explore these questions in light of today's Bible reading (Luke 24:13-34).
Title image by Kanenori from Pixabay.
Koinonia is a Greek word that means fellowship or partnership, and in the New Testament it is used to describe the relationship between believers in Christ. Koinonia is an essential concept in the New Testament and is central to the Christian faith. Fellowship (koinonia) provides believers with the opportunity to connect with one another, to encourage and support each other, and to grow in their faith together.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2: 11-22 (CEV)
Koinonia is a Greek word that means fellowship or partnership, and in the New Testament it is used to describe the relationship between believers in Christ. Koinonia is an essential concept in the New Testament and is central to the Christian faith. Fellowship (koinonia) provides believers with the opportunity to connect with one another, to encourage and support each other, and to grow in their faith together.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Ephesians 2: 11-22 (CEV)
What is it we are called to do in our lives?
Matt and Dodie Dutschke, along with some friends, went to Kenya in June to show the heart of Jesus to African communities. They felt a compelling urge to make a difference and have been actively involved in printing Good News Readers. By sharing the Gospel, they felt a need to put their faith into action in practical ways. Matt and Dodie believe that if everyone fulfills their calling through action, our world would be a better place.
Jesus had a heart for the poor, the widows and orphans, and we who have much, can make a difference for those that have nothing.
It does not matter where you feel called, it could be serving at the local church soup kitchen, it could be cleaning the church, it could be visiting the sick, but God has a plan for us all to make a difference for good in our world.
This Sunday, Matt and Dodie will share a snapshot of their trip to Kenya. They had many “God moments”, tears of heart break yet many tears of joy. Come and hear their story.
Matt and Dodie
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (Message) and Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
What is it we are called to do in our lives?
Matt and Dodie Dutschke, along with some friends, went to Kenya in June to show the heart of Jesus to African communities. They felt a compelling urge to make a difference and have been actively involved in printing Good News Readers. By sharing the Gospel, they felt a need to put their faith into action in practical ways. Matt and Dodie believe that if everyone fulfills their calling through action, our world would be a better place.
Jesus had a heart for the poor, the widows and orphans, and we who have much, can make a difference for those that have nothing.
It does not matter where you feel called, it could be serving at the local church soup kitchen, it could be cleaning the church, it could be visiting the sick, but God has a plan for us all to make a difference for good in our world.
This Sunday, Matt and Dodie will share a snapshot of their trip to Kenya. They had many “God moments”, tears of heart break yet many tears of joy. Come and hear their story.
Matt and Dodie
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:5 (Message) and Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV)
Have you noticed how easily people are offended these days? Or perhaps it’s you who’s quick to take offence. It’s not simply a societal issue but a personally spiritual one. Offence robs us of joy, perhaps also shutting us off from growth and freedom. In our bible reading from Mark 6 we’re told that the crowd took offence at Jesus, and he could do no mighty work there (Mark 6:3-6). As we unpack this Scripture, we’ll not only explore how we can live free from offence, but how we can also bring freedom to others.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Mark 6:1-6 (NRSVA)
Have you noticed how easily people are offended these days? Or perhaps it’s you who’s quick to take offence. It’s not simply a societal issue but a personally spiritual one. Offence robs us of joy, perhaps also shutting us off from growth and freedom. In our bible reading from Mark 6 we’re told that the crowd took offence at Jesus, and he could do no mighty work there (Mark 6:3-6). As we unpack this Scripture, we’ll not only explore how we can live free from offence, but how we can also bring freedom to others.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Mark 6:1-6 (NRSVA)
I will shortly be retiring. With my retirement looming, it’s natural to ask, “What’s next?” You can retire from your employment, but not from God’s calling on your life. This means that rather than experiencing retirement as a loss of vocation, it is instead a refocussing of our vocation. It is a season when we have more time to focus on other callings than our employment and earning a living. My job is what I’m paid to do. My on-going calling is to serve Jesus and be a blessing to those around me in Jesus’ name (verse 17). This on-going calling is not merely what I do, at a deeper level it helps to define who I am as a follower of Jesus. This has relevance not only for those who are retired, but for all of us and in all the different seasons of life and for whatever situation you find yourself in, especially in times of changing circumstances.
This is also a reminder that our dignity is not determined by our pay cheque! And contrary to the deceitful lie that our culture tells us, the contributions that we make to the lives of others, are not measurable by the dollar! So, as we step into something new (a new season; a new job; a new relationship; a new city; a new responsibility), we do well to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance (verse 15) and prayerfully ask the question: “How can I serve and honour God and be a blessing to others in this new situation?”
Exploring that may turn out to be the most important (and fulfilling) thing that we ever get to do.
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT)
I will shortly be retiring. With my retirement looming, it’s natural to ask, “What’s next?” You can retire from your employment, but not from God’s calling on your life. This means that rather than experiencing retirement as a loss of vocation, it is instead a refocussing of our vocation. It is a season when we have more time to focus on other callings than our employment and earning a living. My job is what I’m paid to do. My on-going calling is to serve Jesus and be a blessing to those around me in Jesus’ name (verse 17). This on-going calling is not merely what I do, at a deeper level it helps to define who I am as a follower of Jesus. This has relevance not only for those who are retired, but for all of us and in all the different seasons of life and for whatever situation you find yourself in, especially in times of changing circumstances.
This is also a reminder that our dignity is not determined by our pay cheque! And contrary to the deceitful lie that our culture tells us, the contributions that we make to the lives of others, are not measurable by the dollar! So, as we step into something new (a new season; a new job; a new relationship; a new city; a new responsibility), we do well to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance (verse 15) and prayerfully ask the question: “How can I serve and honour God and be a blessing to others in this new situation?”
Exploring that may turn out to be the most important (and fulfilling) thing that we ever get to do.
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Reading: Colossians 3:15-17 (NLT)
All of us have areas of our lives where we feel challenged or overwhelmed. What if it’s in this precise area you can grow as an overcomer? This Sunday we’ll be looking at David up against Goliath and see how we too can be victorious over the giants that assail us.
As Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 17:4-49 (NCV), John 16:33 (ESV)
All of us have areas of our lives where we feel challenged or overwhelmed. What if it’s in this precise area you can grow as an overcomer? This Sunday we’ll be looking at David up against Goliath and see how we too can be victorious over the giants that assail us.
As Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 17:4-49 (NCV), John 16:33 (ESV)
A message by Pastor David Altus.
What gets you up in the morning, keeps you together during the day, and keeps you going to the end? We all need a reason and motivation for living. In today’s Bible reading St Paul reflects on
the motivation and power behind his life and ministry, something every Christian can live by.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
A message by Pastor David Altus.
What gets you up in the morning, keeps you together during the day, and keeps you going to the end? We all need a reason and motivation for living. In today’s Bible reading St Paul reflects on
the motivation and power behind his life and ministry, something every Christian can live by.
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
This Sunday Pastor Fin Klein will be sharing his message.
Bible Reading: Acts 1:6-11 (NLT)
This Sunday Pastor Fin Klein will be sharing his message with us through video.
Bible Reading: Acts 1:6-11 (NLT)
"Every day we get the opportunity to shine Jesus' light and be his hands and feet, so how are you doing that? This Sunday we will look at how Jesus interacted with different groups of people and how we can follow Jesus' example."
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Readings: Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
"Every day we get the opportunity to shine Jesus' light and be his hands and feet, so how are you doing that? This Sunday we will look at how Jesus interacted with different groups of people and how we can follow Jesus' example."
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Readings: Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Prayer is a wonderful and amazing privilege given to us by God. Just think of it. The almighty creator and Lord of the universe invites us to talk with him. How good is that! But too many Christians are inclined to keep prayer in a box. Prayer is so often confined to formal public worship times, structured prayer meetings, family devotion time, the beginning and end of church meetings, devotion time or bedtime. But prayer offers so many more possibilities. In next Sunday’s worship time Chris Jaensch will be inviting us to pull prayer out of the confining box we too often put it in, remind us of the flexibility of prayer and highlight its many exciting possibilities. Woven through the service Chris will be including a number of his own songs and the Bible passages that inspired them.
Chris Jaensch
Bible Readings: Ephesians 1:3-8, Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:17-20, Matthew 6:5-8, Matthew 7:7-11, John 8:12, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
Prayer is a wonderful and amazing privilege given to us by God. Just think of it. The almighty creator and Lord of the universe invites us to talk with him. How good is that! But too many Christians are inclined to keep prayer in a box. Prayer is so often confined to formal public worship times, structured prayer meetings, family devotion time, the beginning and end of church meetings, devotion time or bedtime. But prayer offers so many more possibilities. In next Sunday’s worship time Chris Jaensch will be inviting us to pull prayer out of the confining box we too often put it in, remind us of the flexibility of prayer and highlight its many exciting possibilities. Woven through the service Chris will be including a number of his own songs and the Bible passages that inspired them.
Chris Jaensch
Bible Readings: Ephesians 1:3-8, Matthew 18:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:17-20, Matthew 6:5-8, Matthew 7:7-11, John 8:12, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
At Pentecost, the Spirit enables all believers – not just the apostles but all the followers of Jesus – to speak in other languages so that the crowd could “hear them speaking in our own language about the great things that God has done! (verse 11).” Having gotten their attention by this miracle (signs and wonders are not merely for our entertainment/enjoyment/encouragement but are
a means to an end: to actively promote the Kingdom of God!), Peter is empowered by the Holy
Spirit to preach the message of salvation through faith in Christ. The result being that around 3000 people came to faith in Jesus! With
so many people converted at once, little wonder there was a focus on listening to the apostles’ teaching along with fellowship and worship together. All this was empowered by the Holy Spirit and played an important part in the on-going growth of the Kingdom.
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Readings: Acts 2: 1-42 (Good News Bible)
At Pentecost, the Spirit enables all believers – not just the apostles but all the followers of Jesus – to speak in other languages so that the crowd could “hear them speaking in our own language about the great things that God has done! (verse 11).” Having gotten their attention by this miracle (signs and wonders are not merely for our entertainment/enjoyment/encouragement but are
a means to an end: to actively promote the Kingdom of God!), Peter is empowered by the Holy
Spirit to preach the message of salvation through faith in Christ. The result being that around 3000 people came to faith in Jesus! With
so many people converted at once, little wonder there was a focus on listening to the apostles’ teaching along with fellowship and worship together. All this was empowered by the Holy Spirit and played an important part in the on-going growth of the Kingdom.
Pastor Richard Haar
Bible Readings: Acts 2: 1-42 (Good News Bible)
Thank you, Lord, for my Mum!
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we also need to focus on what the Bible says more than concentrate on the emotions surrounding this day. As Easter people we can choose to love, forgive, serve, honour and obey (both as children and as parents), for we live in the power of Jesus’ resurrection!
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: Proverbs 1:7-9 (NLT)
Thank you, Lord, for my Mum!
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we also need to focus on what the Bible says more than concentrate on the emotions surrounding this day. As Easter people we can choose to love, forgive, serve, honour and obey (both as children and as parents), for we live in the power of Jesus’ resurrection!
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: Proverbs 1:7-9 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor David Christian.
In John 15 Jesus says I am the Vine. He calls us to remain in the vine so that we can bear the fruit that comes from Jesus, the vine. Some of the fruit listed in this chapter are love and joy. Jesus says it is MY love and MY joy that he wants to give us when we remain in him. We need this fruit, and the troubled world needs it even more. This fruit is to be lasting fruit. This fruit grows when we keep up a life-giving friendship with Jesus, and it leads to us flourishing in a prayerful relationship with Jesus. God bless us today as we hear his Word, and the Holy Spirit grows this fruit in us and blesses the world through us.
A message from Pastor David Christian.
In John 15 Jesus says I am the Vine. He calls us to remain in the vine so that we can bear the fruit that comes from Jesus, the vine. Some of the fruit listed in this chapter are love and joy. Jesus says it is MY love and MY joy that he wants to give us when we remain in him. We need this fruit, and the troubled world needs it even more. This fruit is to be lasting fruit. This fruit grows when we keep up a life-giving friendship with Jesus, and it leads to us flourishing in a prayerful relationship with Jesus. God bless us today as we hear his Word, and the Holy Spirit grows this fruit in us and blesses the world through us.
A message from Pastor Stephen Schultz.
We hear lots of stories in the Bible of how God’s people were led by the Spirit to do some amazing things – the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles. We can be thankful for them and leave it at that. But maybe God’s Spirit is leading us to be engaged in his unfolding plan of bringing his good news to the world – especially to our corner of the world. The Spirit blows like a gust of wind through our lives, releasing us to bring new life to others.
A message from Pastor Stephen Schultz.
We hear lots of stories in the Bible of how God’s people were led by the Spirit to do some amazing things – the patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles. We can be thankful for them and leave it at that. But maybe God’s Spirit is leading us to be engaged in his unfolding plan of bringing his good news to the world – especially to our corner of the world. The Spirit blows like a gust of wind through our lives, releasing us to bring new life to others.
Memories: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly… and The Trivial
Memories... good, bad, ugly, trivial affect our thinking, our lives more than we realise perhaps. By definition memories happen in the past so in one sense the only power they can have over us is that which we give them. Of course, Jesus has saved us from our sins but also wants to save us from the bad and ugly memories which threaten to diminish our joy and cripple our relationships. The thief on the cross had enough bad memories in his life to be executed. BUT Jesus said to him; Today you will be with me in paradise ... where all the bad memories totally vanish. Jesus says: remember ME! Not lies of the past, not regrets of things done and not done. Remember ME! Then nothing else matters because we are children of God, sons and daughters, heirs to the kingdom of God. Nothing else matters.
Peter Weckert
Bible Readings: Luke 23:40-43 (NLT)
Song: What if I gave everything - Casting Crowns
Memories: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly… and The Trivial
Memories... good, bad, ugly, trivial affect our thinking, our lives more than we realise perhaps. By definition memories happen in the past so in one sense the only power they can have over us is that which we give them. Of course, Jesus has saved us from our sins but also wants to save us from the bad and ugly memories which threaten to diminish our joy and cripple our relationships. The thief on the cross had enough bad memories in his life to be executed. BUT Jesus said to him; Today you will be with me in paradise ... where all the bad memories totally vanish. Jesus says: remember ME! Not lies of the past, not regrets of things done and not done. Remember ME! Then nothing else matters because we are children of God, sons and daughters, heirs to the kingdom of God. Nothing else matters.
Peter Weckert
Bible Readings: Luke 23:40-43 (NLT)
Song: What if I gave everything - Casting Crowns
We are God’s children – that’s what he calls us. God’s Spirit lives in us – that is true. So why do we sometimes doubt this - and allow the world to plague us with uncertainty? The truth is that we find our identity, our purpose, our reason for living (and dying) in Jesus the Christ. We matter. We are valuable. We are loved and accepted. We make a difference because we are children of God.
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: 1 John 3:1-3 and Luke 24: 36-48 (NLT)
We are God’s children – that’s what he calls us. God’s Spirit lives in us – that is true. So why do we sometimes doubt this - and allow the world to plague us with uncertainty? The truth is that we find our identity, our purpose, our reason for living (and dying) in Jesus the Christ. We matter. We are valuable. We are loved and accepted. We make a difference because we are children of God.
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: 1 John 3:1-3 and Luke 24: 36-48 (NLT)
Most Christians are familiar with John 3:16, about God loving the world and sending Jesus so we can have eternal life in him. Not all Christ-ones are as acquainted with John 17:3, where Jesus expands on what this 'eternal life' is: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Knowing God is not merely knowing about him; it's knowing his heart, how he feels about you, that he loves you despite the worst of you, and that he lets you into his plans. It’s a relationship of connection and trust, of vulnerability and growth. We call it intimacy.
And it’s all possible because of Jesus’ resurrection.
As we unpack all of this on Sunday, I invite you to place yourself in the accounts and stories that will be shared and see how you can grow in resurrection intimacy with the God who loves you.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Acts 4:32-35, John 20:19-31 (NRSVA)
Most Christians are familiar with John 3:16, about God loving the world and sending Jesus so we can have eternal life in him. Not all Christ-ones are as acquainted with John 17:3, where Jesus expands on what this 'eternal life' is: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Knowing God is not merely knowing about him; it's knowing his heart, how he feels about you, that he loves you despite the worst of you, and that he lets you into his plans. It’s a relationship of connection and trust, of vulnerability and growth. We call it intimacy.
And it’s all possible because of Jesus’ resurrection.
As we unpack all of this on Sunday, I invite you to place yourself in the accounts and stories that will be shared and see how you can grow in resurrection intimacy with the God who loves you.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Acts 4:32-35, John 20:19-31 (NRSVA)
This is the week that changes everything. Without Good Friday we're lost in our guilt and shame,alienated from God, and showing the worst of ourselves to others. Without Easter we have adead Jesus, empty promises, and nothing to pin our hopes on. But through Jesus we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Everything Father God promised, all that he offers, every possible transformation, it all comes true because Jesus is alive.
If you don't feel that way, I invite you to investigate the Easter message anyway. After all,
those first followers didn't expect him to be alive even though Jesus foretold it. He met them amid their doubts and fears, struggles and loss.
Likewise, Jesus meets you right where you are. I invite you to join in celebrating Jesus,
our living hope.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Luke 22:14-23, Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:32-47, Romans 8:9-11,
Luke 23:55 -24: 1-12 (NRSVA).
This is the week that changes everything. Without Good Friday we're lost in our guilt and shame,alienated from God, and showing the worst of ourselves to others. Without Easter we have adead Jesus, empty promises, and nothing to pin our hopes on. But through Jesus we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Everything Father God promised, all that he offers, every possible transformation, it all comes true because Jesus is alive.
If you don't feel that way, I invite you to investigate the Easter message anyway. After all,
those first followers didn't expect him to be alive even though Jesus foretold it. He met them amid their doubts and fears, struggles and loss.
Likewise, Jesus meets you right where you are. I invite you to join in celebrating Jesus,
our living hope.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Luke 22:14-23, Matthew 27:11-26, Luke 23:32-47, Romans 8:9-11,
Luke 23:55 -24: 1-12 (NRSVA).
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
This is the week that changes everything. Without Good Friday we're lost in our guilt and shame, alienated from God, and showing the worst of ourselves to others. Without Easter we have a dead Jesus, empty promises, and nothing to pin our hopes on.
But through Jesus we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Everything Father God promised, all that he offers, every possible transformation, it all comes true because Jesus is alive.
If you don't feel that way, I invite you to investigate the Easter message anyway. After all, those first followers didn't expect him to be alive even though Jesus foretold it. He met them amid their doubts and fears, struggles and loss.
Likewise, Jesus meets you right where you are. I invite you to join in celebrating Jesus, our living hope.
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
This is the week that changes everything. Without Good Friday we're lost in our guilt and shame, alienated from God, and showing the worst of ourselves to others. Without Easter we have a dead Jesus, empty promises, and nothing to pin our hopes on.
But through Jesus we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Everything Father God promised, all that he offers, every possible transformation, it all comes true because Jesus is alive.
If you don't feel that way, I invite you to investigate the Easter message anyway. After all, those first followers didn't expect him to be alive even though Jesus foretold it. He met them amid their doubts and fears, struggles and loss.
Likewise, Jesus meets you right where you are. I invite you to join in celebrating Jesus, our living hope.
Have you ever been in a conversation with somebody where you felt like you were just “talking past each other”? Do you know what I mean? It’s like you’re saying something … but they’re hearing something else … and they say something, but you don’t understand—it happens a lot when people are trying to give directions.Or have you ever just gotten to the place where you said: “Do you want me to draw you a picture?”I reckon Jesus was at that point when He rode into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey—I reckon He felt like he had done all he could do. He had healed the sick … He had made the blind see again … He had fed hungry multitudes … He had touched lepers and cast out demons—isn’t that what the Messiah was all about? Healing and restoration and deliverance? And yet the disciples and the crowds had their eyes open for a warrior … a rebel … somebody to lead the revolt against those hated Romans. I reckon Jesus had gotten to the point where he just wanted to say: “Do you want me to draw you a picture of why I’m here?”—and He actually did.And so … dramatically … and visibly … and clearly, Jesus arranged for the words of the prophet Zechariah to be fulfilled Zechariah, who many years before had said: “Rejoice, O daughter of Zion! Shout! Your king comes to you – triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” It was a dramatic message—it was a visible message—it was Jesus drawing a picture of why he had come to the world! Bible Readings: Mark 11:1-11 (NLT)
Have you ever been in a conversation with somebody where you felt like you were just “talking past each other”? Do you know what I mean? It’s like you’re saying something … but they’re hearing something else … and they say something, but you don’t understand—it happens a lot when people are trying to give directions.Or have you ever just gotten to the place where you said: “Do you want me to draw you a picture?”I reckon Jesus was at that point when He rode into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey—I reckon He felt like he had done all he could do. He had healed the sick … He had made the blind see again … He had fed hungry multitudes … He had touched lepers and cast out demons—isn’t that what the Messiah was all about? Healing and restoration and deliverance? And yet the disciples and the crowds had their eyes open for a warrior … a rebel … somebody to lead the revolt against those hated Romans. I reckon Jesus had gotten to the point where he just wanted to say: “Do you want me to draw you a picture of why I’m here?”—and He actually did.And so … dramatically … and visibly … and clearly, Jesus arranged for the words of the prophet Zechariah to be fulfilled Zechariah, who many years before had said: “Rejoice, O daughter of Zion! Shout! Your king comes to you – triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” It was a dramatic message—it was a visible message—it was Jesus drawing a picture of why he had come to the world! Bible Readings: Mark 11:1-11 (NLT)
Many times, Jesus said if we hoard our life, we would in the end lose it, but if we spent our life, we would gain it.
There’s no doubt we may exist longer if we only look after ourselves, but we may not ever actually live.
Today’s sermon explores the idea of how to spend our lives.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: John 12:20-28 (MSG)
Many times, Jesus said if we hoard our life, we would in the end lose it, but if we spent our life, we would gain it.
There’s no doubt we may exist longer if we only look after ourselves, but we may not ever actually live.
Today’s sermon explores the idea of how to spend our lives.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: John 12:20-28 (MSG)
“What are you looking at?” I was asked that question recently and I nearly blushed (harder to do at my age!). What we focus on has a lot to do with what we really see, and how we then make our decisions. The Bible has many examples of how things went wrong when people focused on the wrong things. Christians today face the same temptations, and the Bible still gives the same solution: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2.)
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: John 3:14-16 (NLT)
“What are you looking at?” I was asked that question recently and I nearly blushed (harder to do at my age!). What we focus on has a lot to do with what we really see, and how we then make our decisions. The Bible has many examples of how things went wrong when people focused on the wrong things. Christians today face the same temptations, and the Bible still gives the same solution: “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2.)
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: John 3:14-16 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Richard Haar.
What got Jesus so hot under the collar when he saw what was going on in the temple? Firstly, he was upset that people were open for business but closed to God. Secondly, Jesus was particularly upset that all this was happening in the Court of the Gentiles - the only place in the temple where non-Jews were allowed to go. This broke God’s heart as he was passionate about all peoples coming to know and worship him.
God was so upset that he opted for an unthinkable, crazy, totally radical solution – the cross Jesus’ enigmatic statement about rebuilding the temple in three days was a veiled reference to his coming death and resurrection.
What about us today? Are we so caught up in the busyness of doing the Lord’s business that we get distracted from the need to prioritize and cultivate our relationship with God? What barriers might we be putting up that effectively exclude those from fully experiencing God and his grace?
A message from Pastor Richard Haar.
What got Jesus so hot under the collar when he saw what was going on in the temple? Firstly, he was upset that people were open for business but closed to God. Secondly, Jesus was particularly upset that all this was happening in the Court of the Gentiles - the only place in the temple where non-Jews were allowed to go. This broke God’s heart as he was passionate about all peoples coming to know and worship him.
God was so upset that he opted for an unthinkable, crazy, totally radical solution – the cross Jesus’ enigmatic statement about rebuilding the temple in three days was a veiled reference to his coming death and resurrection.
What about us today? Are we so caught up in the busyness of doing the Lord’s business that we get distracted from the need to prioritize and cultivate our relationship with God? What barriers might we be putting up that effectively exclude those from fully experiencing God and his grace?
Abraham the man of faith failed to trust God on many occasions, yet God remained faithful to his promise. We also struggle to believe at times, but God still remains faithful to his promises to us.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Reading: Romans 4:18-25 (NLT)
Abraham the man of faith failed to trust God on many occasions, yet God remained faithful to his promise. We also struggle to believe at times, but God still remains faithful to his promises to us.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Reading: Romans 4:18-25 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
If the temptation of Jesus was not real — if the wilderness that Jesus entered was not dangerous — then this story in Mark's Gospel means absolutely nothing for you and me!
A problem for many Christians is that they don’t take the temptation of Jesus seriously — they don’t want to believe that it actually happened. However, if sin had not been a possibility then the temptation of Jesus would not mean anything to us — it may have just made for a good story.
The temptation of Jesus was Spirit-driven: it was real, it was difficult. Jesus identifies with us in the trials and tests that we face. It was by the power of God’s Spirit he was delivered from temptation. And the same is true for you as well! Our times of testing and temptation will continue, and it will be in those times that we discover that our help can only come from our gracious God.
A video message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
If the temptation of Jesus was not real — if the wilderness that Jesus entered was not dangerous — then this story in Mark's Gospel means absolutely nothing for you and me!
A problem for many Christians is that they don’t take the temptation of Jesus seriously — they don’t want to believe that it actually happened. However, if sin had not been a possibility then the temptation of Jesus would not mean anything to us — it may have just made for a good story.
The temptation of Jesus was Spirit-driven: it was real, it was difficult. Jesus identifies with us in the trials and tests that we face. It was by the power of God’s Spirit he was delivered from temptation. And the same is true for you as well! Our times of testing and temptation will continue, and it will be in those times that we discover that our help can only come from our gracious God.
The idea is that God has given us great clothes, a “suit of Salvation” and a “robe of Righteousness”. These are beautiful clothes, and God tells us to put these wonderful clothes on each morning, and to wear them with pride.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: Isaiah 61:10 -11 (NLT, Colossians 3:12-14 (GNT)
The idea is that God has given us great clothes, a “suit of Salvation” and a “robe of Righteousness”. These are beautiful clothes, and God tells us to put these wonderful clothes on each morning, and to wear them with pride.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: Isaiah 61:10 -11 (NLT, Colossians 3:12-14 (GNT)
A video message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
Ok, so maybe you don’t personally know a “Moses” who has recently passed away, but maybe you’ve lost an important leader, or you are the “newly elected leader” of your “tribe”, or you are on the precipice of some massive life changes and are unsure of what lies ahead for yourself or your family, and the fears/worries/doubts are creeping in!😬 Let’s lean into Joshua 1.1-10 and hear what God might be saying to us as we face the challenges that lie ahead for us in 2024.
An audio message from Pastor Stephen Abraham.
Ok, so maybe you don’t personally know a “Moses” who has recently passed away, but maybe you’ve lost an important leader, or you are the “newly elected leader” of your “tribe”, or you are on the precipice of some massive life changes and are unsure of what lies ahead for yourself or your family, and the fears/worries/doubts are creeping in!😬 Let’s lean into Joshua 1.1-10 and hear what God might be saying to us as we face the challenges that lie ahead for us in 2024.
Mark 1:21-28 “Dealing with hecklers: How to respond to people who react negatively to your Christian witness and lifestyle.”
Do people sometimes have a go at you for your faith in Jesus? In today’s Gospel we see Jesus responding to a demonic heckler with authority and grace. There are lessons from this for us too. It’s helpful to think a little more deeply about what is going on at a spiritual level when people criticize you or put you down for following Jesus. Try to understand what’s prompting the heckling. Often it comes from a fear of being exposed and/or judged. Rather than destroying him (as he feared), Jesus spoke words of liberation and healing over the man with the unclean spirit. We too need to be people of grace and healing, of acceptance and compassion. Sadly, too many Christians have a reputation for being judgmental and rejecting. St Paul in Romans 12 has come helpful advice for us when facing opposition: “Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.”
Pastor Richard Haar
Mark 1:21-28 “Dealing with hecklers: How to respond to people who react negatively to your Christian witness and lifestyle.”
Do people sometimes have a go at you for your faith in Jesus? In today’s Gospel we see Jesus responding to a demonic heckler with authority and grace. There are lessons from this for us too. It’s helpful to think a little more deeply about what is going on at a spiritual level when people criticize you or put you down for following Jesus. Try to understand what’s prompting the heckling. Often it comes from a fear of being exposed and/or judged. Rather than destroying him (as he feared), Jesus spoke words of liberation and healing over the man with the unclean spirit. We too need to be people of grace and healing, of acceptance and compassion. Sadly, too many Christians have a reputation for being judgmental and rejecting. St Paul in Romans 12 has come helpful advice for us when facing opposition: “Do not let evil defeat you; instead, conquer evil with good.”
Pastor Richard Haar
Today we’re looking at “Life in God’s Kingdom”. It’s so expansive.
Every parable Jesus taught, every challenge he issued, every invitation he gave, every rebuke he uttered, every touch he delivered, every miracle he effected, every law he reinterpreted, every outcast he welcomed, every community he transformed, every blessing he conveyed, every life he changed, every tradition he revoked, every demon he rebuked, every broken-heart he restored, every suffering he endured, every sin he carried, every infirmity he bore, every temptation he endured, every teaching he communicated, every part of his Father’s heart he imparted, all of this, and more, comes under the covering of the Kingdom of God. Discovering God’s kingdom could just change you for good.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Romans 14:13-17, Mark 1:14-20 (NRSVA)
Today we’re looking at “Life in God’s Kingdom”. It’s so expansive.
Every parable Jesus taught, every challenge he issued, every invitation he gave, every rebuke he uttered, every touch he delivered, every miracle he effected, every law he reinterpreted, every outcast he welcomed, every community he transformed, every blessing he conveyed, every life he changed, every tradition he revoked, every demon he rebuked, every broken-heart he restored, every suffering he endured, every sin he carried, every infirmity he bore, every temptation he endured, every teaching he communicated, every part of his Father’s heart he imparted, all of this, and more, comes under the covering of the Kingdom of God. Discovering God’s kingdom could just change you for good.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Romans 14:13-17, Mark 1:14-20 (NRSVA)
In the Gospel of John, there is a wonderful story about one man’s spiritual journey — he went from making a sarcastic comment about Jesus being a “nowhere man” from a “nowhere town” to having an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. The man’s name is Nathanael. When he met Jesus, he met his own deepest and true self — it’s as though Nathanael never saw himself clearly until he saw himself in the stain glassed window of Jesus’ love.
Nathanael discovers something that can only be called and transformed from within by Jesus — the man from Nazareth who has the power to invite you to “be all that you can be!” The story of Nathanael contains some powerful spiritual concepts that can bring new meaning and renewal to your life.
The apostle Paul has an interesting way of expressing this in 2 Corinthians 5:16: “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.” What Paul is speaking about is the transformation that occurs when one comes to know Jesus as their Redeemer and Lord — the meaning of this verse is that there are two kinds of “knowing” when it comes to Jesus — there is knowing “about” Jesus, and there is “knowing” Jesus. Do you “Know” Jesus?
In the Gospel of John, there is a wonderful story about one man’s spiritual journey — he went from making a sarcastic comment about Jesus being a “nowhere man” from a “nowhere town” to having an encounter with Jesus that changed his life. The man’s name is Nathanael. When he met Jesus, he met his own deepest and true self — it’s as though Nathanael never saw himself clearly until he saw himself in the stain glassed window of Jesus’ love.
Nathanael discovers something that can only be called and transformed from within by Jesus — the man from Nazareth who has the power to invite you to “be all that you can be!” The story of Nathanael contains some powerful spiritual concepts that can bring new meaning and renewal to your life.
The apostle Paul has an interesting way of expressing this in 2 Corinthians 5:16: “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way.” What Paul is speaking about is the transformation that occurs when one comes to know Jesus as their Redeemer and Lord — the meaning of this verse is that there are two kinds of “knowing” when it comes to Jesus — there is knowing “about” Jesus, and there is “knowing” Jesus. Do you “Know” Jesus?
The theme for today is "One more Powerful than John the Baptist" and today's Bible Reading comes from Luke 3:7-22 (NLT).
The message is brought to you by Pastor Steen Olsen.
The theme for today is "One more Powerful than John the Baptist" and today's Bible Reading comes from Luke 3:7-22 (NLT).
The message is brought to you by Pastor Steen Olsen.
A message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
The season of Christmas doesn't end on December 25. We are God's beloved Children and heirs to all we receive though Jesus' birth and resurrection.
A message from Pastor Wayne Kerber.
The season of Christmas doesn't end on December 25. We are God's beloved Children and heirs to all we receive though Jesus' birth and resurrection.
Title photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash.
I pray that every one of you experiences this powerful miracle of Christmas, the Good News that brings great joy—that you experience the same good news as the shepherds did on the night the angel came to visit them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
Now you might be like me and love all that goes with Christmas, the time spent with family, the music of Christmas, the celebration of it all—but I want to tell you that this is Christmas right here, spoken about in the Bible—written about on the pages of this amazing book—this is the heart and soul of all we need for Christmas—it’s the greatest story ever that brings great joy!
This story that has been passed on down the years is all we need folks—it’s been true for every century past and will be true for every century to come—and this story was foretold by the prophets of long ago as recorded by the prophets like Isaiah and Malachi.
But after Malachi God went silent for a period of time—there was a time between the Old and New Testaments—a period of 400 years—where God was silent—400 years God didn’t speak through His prophets to His people. But then, just at the right time—God’s time—He spoke into that silence—and He did it in an amazing way—at an amazing time—and what was the timing? Census time—one of the craziest periods for people to be caught up in—people rushing here and there to register—and into this craziness—into this upheaval, God broke His silence.
And He broke into it with the cry of a baby—not with a huge fanfare, or with the biggest display and performance that has been given on planet earth—no, God chose to break into the silence with a cry of a human baby. And with the human cry of a teenage girl giving birth to a baby boy who cries—Jesus, Son of God, deity, in human flesh—God saying I’m coming to earth, and I know that the earth I’m coming to is a broken one. I know that the people I’m coming to are crying—I know the world that I’m entering into is weary—and I want you to know that I identify with your brokenness, and your crying, and your weariness—God’s first sound after 400 years is a cry—the cry of a baby—Emmanuel—God with us.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
I pray that every one of you experiences this powerful miracle of Christmas, the Good News that brings great joy—that you experience the same good news as the shepherds did on the night the angel came to visit them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
Now you might be like me and love all that goes with Christmas, the time spent with family, the music of Christmas, the celebration of it all—but I want to tell you that this is Christmas right here, spoken about in the Bible—written about on the pages of this amazing book—this is the heart and soul of all we need for Christmas—it’s the greatest story ever that brings great joy!
This story that has been passed on down the years is all we need folks—it’s been true for every century past and will be true for every century to come—and this story was foretold by the prophets of long ago as recorded by the prophets like Isaiah and Malachi.
But after Malachi God went silent for a period of time—there was a time between the Old and New Testaments—a period of 400 years—where God was silent—400 years God didn’t speak through His prophets to His people. But then, just at the right time—God’s time—He spoke into that silence—and He did it in an amazing way—at an amazing time—and what was the timing? Census time—one of the craziest periods for people to be caught up in—people rushing here and there to register—and into this craziness—into this upheaval, God broke His silence.
And He broke into it with the cry of a baby—not with a huge fanfare, or with the biggest display and performance that has been given on planet earth—no, God chose to break into the silence with a cry of a human baby. And with the human cry of a teenage girl giving birth to a baby boy who cries—Jesus, Son of God, deity, in human flesh—God saying I’m coming to earth, and I know that the earth I’m coming to is a broken one. I know that the people I’m coming to are crying—I know the world that I’m entering into is weary—and I want you to know that I identify with your brokenness, and your crying, and your weariness—God’s first sound after 400 years is a cry—the cry of a baby—Emmanuel—God with us.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Christmas Eve (7.30pm service)/Christmas Day (9.30am service)
I pray that every one of you experiences this powerful miracle of Christmas, the Good News that brings great joy—that you experience the same good news as the shepherds did on the night the angel came to visit them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”
Now you might be like me and love all that goes with Christmas, the time spent with family, the music of Christmas, the celebration of it all—but I want to tell you that this is Christmas right here, spoken about in the Bible—written about on the pages of this amazing book—this is the heart and soul of all we need for Christmas—it’s the greatest story ever that brings great joy!
This story that has been passed on down the years is all we need folks—it’s been true for every century past and will be true for every century to come—and this story was foretold by the prophets of long ago as recorded by the prophets like Isaiah and Malachi.
But after Malachi God went silent for a period of time—there was a time between the Old and New Testaments—a period of 400 years—where God was silent—400 years God didn’t speak through His prophets to His people. But then, just at the right time—God’s time—He spoke into that silence—and He did it in an amazing way—at an amazing time—and what was the timing? Census time—one of the craziest periods for people to be caught up in—people rushing here and there to register—and into this craziness—into this upheaval, God broke His silence.
And He broke into it with the cry of a baby—not with a huge fanfare, or with the biggest display and performance that has been given on planet earth—no, God chose to break into the silence with a cry of a human baby. And with the human cry of a teenage girl giving birth to a baby boy who cries—Jesus, Son of God, deity, in human flesh—God saying I’m coming to earth, and I know that the earth I’m coming to is a broken one. I know that the people I’m coming to are crying—I know the world that I’m entering into is weary—and I want you to know that I identify with your brokenness, and your crying, and your weariness—God’s first sound after 400 years is a cry—the cry of a baby—Emmanuel—God with us.
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Is this just another Christmas?
It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of busyness as we prepare for our celebrations… and become jaded, even disillusioned… losing sight of the wonder, the peace and the joy of what Christmas is all about…
What if we took some moments to breathe, to focus…
What if the answer is right in front of us?
What if there’s a child in a manger who holds the key to wonder, peace and joy?
Join us at 9:30am as we focus on Jesus… the light of the world, the one who became one of us and made home among us… who brought with him God’s wonder, peace and joy… Join us as we worship him with carols accompanied by an organ…
Is this just another Christmas?
It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of busyness as we prepare for our celebrations… and become jaded, even disillusioned… losing sight of the wonder, the peace and the joy of what Christmas is all about…
What if we took some moments to breathe, to focus…
What if the answer is right in front of us?
What if there’s a child in a manger who holds the key to wonder, peace and joy?
Join us at 9:30am as we focus on Jesus… the light of the world, the one who became one of us and made home among us… who brought with him God’s wonder, peace and joy… Join us as we worship him with carols accompanied by an organ…
John the Baptist was so popular that people asked if he was the Christ. His humble and powerful denial points away from himself and on to Jesus. Just think of the potential we can unlock in others when we deflect from ourselves and release them. You get to experience one of the greatest thrills in life: seeing others soar and prosper.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings:1 Peter 2: 9-10; John 1: 6-8, 19-28 (NRSVA)
John the Baptist was so popular that people asked if he was the Christ. His humble and powerful denial points away from himself and on to Jesus. Just think of the potential we can unlock in others when we deflect from ourselves and release them. You get to experience one of the greatest thrills in life: seeing others soar and prosper.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings:1 Peter 2: 9-10; John 1: 6-8, 19-28 (NRSVA)
The most significant gift each of us receives is not the presents but God’s presence. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us”. He comes to show us the fullness of Father God’s heart toward us. Being present with others is also the most profound way we can share Jesus’ presence with others. In the message, you’ll see how driving lessons, hairdressing, and succession planning in farming all contribute to you giving the best Christmas gift ever.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; Mark 1:1-8 (NRSA)
The most significant gift each of us receives is not the presents but God’s presence. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us”. He comes to show us the fullness of Father God’s heart toward us. Being present with others is also the most profound way we can share Jesus’ presence with others. In the message, you’ll see how driving lessons, hairdressing, and succession planning in farming all contribute to you giving the best Christmas gift ever.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; Mark 1:1-8 (NRSA)
A message from Pastor Robert Voigt.
All the signs for the imminent return of Jesus are there for all to see. Christians have been saying that for nearly 2,000 years. And still, we are waiting! Humans are capable of great love and sacrificial service, and of equally great hatred and evil. We find all this within the institutional church too. It would be easy to get discouraged, as many have done and walked out. But God is faithful. He gives us all we need to be witnesses of his grace, mercy and patience.
A message from Pastor Robert Voigt.
All the signs for the imminent return of Jesus are there for all to see. Christians have been saying that for nearly 2,000 years. And still, we are waiting! Humans are capable of great love and sacrificial service, and of equally great hatred and evil. We find all this within the institutional church too. It would be easy to get discouraged, as many have done and walked out. But God is faithful. He gives us all we need to be witnesses
of his grace, mercy and patience.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
In 2018, the Christian band Casting Crowns released their song, Only Jesus, which included these lines:
“Make it count, leave a mark, Build a name for yourself.
Dream your dreams, Chase your heart, Above all else.
But all the kingdoms built, All the trophies won,
Will crumble into dust when it’s said and done.
Jesus is the only name to remember.”
If we are to leave any kind of legacy behind, it will not be because we have followed the patterns of the world.
It will be because the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, has graced us with faith and helped us in turn to reveal Jesus Christ, his life and love, to others.
Rev. Christopher McAleer
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:24-27; Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our ministry team.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
In 2018, the Christian band Casting Crowns released their song, Only Jesus, which included these lines:
“Make it count, leave a mark, Build a name for yourself.
Dream your dreams, Chase your heart, Above all else.
But all the kingdoms built, All the trophies won,
Will crumble into dust when it’s said and done.
Jesus is the only name to remember.”
If we are to leave any kind of legacy behind, it will not be because we have followed the patterns of the world.
It will be because the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, has graced us with faith and helped us in turn to reveal Jesus Christ, his life and love, to others.
Rev. Christopher McAleer
Bible Readings: Matthew 16:24-27; Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our ministry team.
Over the past years, I’ve seen large worshipping bodies diminish and I’ve experienced house-churches shutting down. Some of this reflects the societal cynicism toward Christianity. Some of it is due to changing patterns resulting from covid restrictions. Largely, however, the decline begins the minute a body—small or large—begins to look inward instead of outward.
A community is a group of people with a common unity. Unity is not preserved by gritting your teeth, trying harder, and stating, “We must stay united.” Unity is the byproduct of an outward focus—given by the Holy Spirit—where people are called to band together in order to move forward. Unity is the last thing on their minds. Achieving their purpose is. The unity transpires when preferences are left behind for the sake of living in Jesus’ love and giving it away.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Philippians 2: 1-11 (NRSVA)
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
Over the past years, I’ve seen large worshipping bodies diminish and I’ve experienced house-churches shutting down. Some of this reflects the societal cynicism toward Christianity. Some of it is due to changing patterns resulting from covid restrictions. Largely, however, the decline begins the minute a body—small or large—begins to look inward instead of outward.
A community is a group of people with a common unity. Unity is not preserved by gritting your teeth, trying harder, and stating, “We must stay united.” Unity is the byproduct of an outward focus—given by the Holy Spirit—where people are called to band together in order to move forward. Unity is the last thing on their minds. Achieving their purpose is. The unity transpires when preferences are left behind for the sake of living in Jesus’ love and giving it away.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Philippians 2: 1-11 (NRSVA)
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
A message by Pastor David Christian.
On 1st November All Saints Day is celebrated. Join us as we reflect on the things that all saints in Christ can know for sure, simply by believing in Jesus and being baptised in his name.
A message by Pastor David Christian.
On 1st November All Saints Day is celebrated. Join us as we reflect on the things that all saints in Christ can know for sure, simply by believing in Jesus and being baptised in his name.
A message from Pastor Robert Voigt.
For a few years in the 1960s my football coach was Jack Oatey. “Keep your eye on the ball!” he said (yelled) over and over again. “No matter who or what is coming at you, remember the objective – to get the ball.”
History has shown that as individuals and as churches it is easy to lose focus. The Bible is full of examples of that. And we know how easy it is for us to allow the many issues we face to distract us from God’s offer of grace to the world through Jesus. Today, as many Christians celebrate The Reformation, I believe God is reminding us again to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and to follow his example of sacrificial love and service.
A message from Pastor Robert Voigt.
For a few years in the 1960s my football coach was Jack Oatey. “Keep your eye on the ball!” he said (yelled) over and over again. “No matter who or what is coming at you, remember the objective – to get the ball.”
History has shown that as individuals and as churches it is easy to lose focus. The Bible is full of examples of that. And we know how easy it is for us to allow the many issues we face to distract us from God’s offer of grace to the world through Jesus. Today, as many Christians celebrate The Reformation, I believe God is reminding us again to “fix our eyes on Jesus” and to follow his example of sacrificial love and service.
You are a Christian; a follower of The Way – Jesus. Great. Now what? Jesus isn’t here “in the flesh” to talk to you. God is invisible. From a purely pragmatic perspective, interaction with God isn’t like interaction with other human beings. So how do we have a relationship with Him? How do you hear God’s voice in your life? As Christians in a 21st Century world, it is SO fundamentally important that we are clear on exactly how God does (and doesn’t) speak to us. That’s what we are exploring this Sunday in my message.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: 1 Kings 19:1-3, 1 John 4:1 (NLT)
An audio message from Craig Heidenreich.
Jesus had a lot to deal with in his earthly ministry, but on one occasion he overflowed with joy when his disciples obeyed him. Is it possible that our response today could bring him the same joy?
A video message from Craig Heidenreich.
Jesus had a lot to deal with in his earthly ministry, but on one occasion he overflowed with joy when his disciples obeyed him. Is it possible that our response today could bring him the same joy?
Jesus sent his 12 disciples out with His authority to preach the good news, heal the sick and drive out demons. He then sent out another 72 of his disciples with that same authority and instructions. What does it look like to be a modern-day disciple with that same authority?
Bible Readings: Luke 10:1-20 (NLT)
Jesus sent his 12 disciples out with His authority to preach the good news, heal the sick and drive out demons. He then sent out another 72 of his disciples with that same authority and instructions. What does it look like to be a modern-day disciple with that same authority?
Bible Readings: Luke 10:1-20 (NLT)
‘Making Songs for Saints‘ is Robin and Dorothy Mann’s theme for Sunday. They’ve made songs for over 50 years with tunes to sing, words to understand, the story of faith to believe. Join us on Sunday to hear Robin and Dorothy bear witness to how God is using them to place a song on the hearts of others.
Bible Readings: Psalm 98, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (GNT)Words and music used by permission
‘Making Songs for Saints‘ is Robin and Dorothy Mann’s theme for Sunday. They’ve made songs for over 50 years with tunes to sing, words to understand, the story of faith to believe. Join us on Sunday to hear Robin and Dorothy bear witness to how God is using them to place a song on the hearts of others.
Bible Readings: Psalm 98, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (GNT)Words and music used by permission
t is an old adage that life is a journey. Now being on a journey implies that you have some directions on which way to go and some idea of what lies at the end destination. For some the answer to those points are ‘I’ll make my own way thanks’ and ‘My life right now is all I have, and the journey’s end is a plot of ground and a headstone’.
For followers of Jesus, he provides a different response. He tells us that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that waiting at the end of this earthly life’s journey is a place already prepared for each of us with him. By God’s grace he has called us into his kingdom and so growing in Jesus needs to be part of everything that we do. Ultimately it means grasping onto this promise, this hope, and this eternal truth that Jesus is the only way to the Father God.
Like travelling on a journey, growing can have its setbacks. Jesus doesn’t promise that life is all smooth sailing but as we draw closer to him through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be assured that he is always with us each step of the way to that day of glory.
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Fin Klein unpacks these life-changing promises, this new way of living and growing in Jesus and all that it means.
Bible Readings: John 14:1-6, Revelations 21:1-7 (NIV)
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
When we consider all the material and digital distractions of this 21st century world that we live in, many are asking the question ‘have we lost our sense of community?’ It seems like there is even a lack of willingness to make the effort to connect with others; instead, we replace that idea with something else rather than looking for new ways to be engaged with each other in any meaningful sense. Many find that this purposeful journey into a solitary lifestyle is not healthy for body or soul.
The Christian approach to community is in stark contrast to this modern worldview. Our Triune God is the perfect completion of being community. Even at the dawn of creation, Father, Son, and Spirit worked together to bring all things into being. As we draw near to God the immediate response should be that we also draw closer to each other. Why is this important? Because doing life as community is in the very essence and nature of God. As you grow in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit the love of Jesus is made manifest in you and into the lives of those around you.
May we all hold each other up and encourage one another in this.
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Fin Klein shares more on these themes of Christian community.
Bible Readings: Hebrews 10: 19-25 (NIV)Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
When we consider all the material and digital distractions of this 21st century world that we live in, many are asking the question ‘have we lost our sense of community?’ It seems like there is even a lack of willingness to make the effort to connect with others; instead, we replace that idea with something else rather than looking for new ways to be engaged with each other in any meaningful sense. Many find that this purposeful journey into a solitary lifestyle is not healthy for body or soul.
The Christian approach to community is in stark contrast to this modern worldview. Our Triune God is the perfect completion of being community. Even at the dawn of creation, Father, Son, and Spirit worked together to bring all things into being. As we draw near to God the immediate response should be that we also draw closer to each other. Why is this important? Because doing life as community is in the very essence and nature of God. As you grow in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit the love of Jesus is made manifest in you and into the lives of those around you.
May we all hold each other up and encourage one another in this.
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Fin Klein shares more on these themes of Christian community.
Bible Readings: Hebrews 10: 19-25 (NIV)Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™
A message by Pastor Paul Fielke.
All people are loved by God. God’s treasure is those whose faith is in his son Jesus Christ, and being God’s treasure means that we are greatly loved. A love so great that God was willing to sacrifice his only son to save us and give us life!
A message by Pastor Paul Fielke.
All people are loved by God. God’s treasure is those whose faith is in his son Jesus Christ, and being God’s treasure means that we are greatly loved. A love so great that God was willing to sacrifice his only son to save us and give us life!
Once again Father’s Day is with us.
How fascinating it would be to exchange our different memories about our dads. There would be plenty of interesting stories to tell and feelings to share.
Think about your Dad? What is, or was, he like? How would you describe him? How does he, or did he treat you? Would you describe him as warm, friendly, and loving or perhaps more distant and uncaring? Always available and approachable or perhaps difficult to deal with?
On Sunday we will be delving into the amazing heart of God, our heavenly Father but at one and the same time the Father of Jesus. Have you ever thought about the possibility that He may have had divided loyalties? Consider this for a moment. Could you as a parent, a dad or mum, who loves your child, if he or she were in a desperate situation, ever knowingly and willingly abandon them, turn you back on them? I’m sure you would answer with a resounding ‘No!”
And yet, as Jesus suffered that brutal and terrible suffering on the cross it seems that God, the loving Father of Jesus, did just that. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” was Jesus’ lonely cry.
What exactly was going on there on Calvary on Good Friday?
Come along on Sunday as we explore this question and reveal the wonderful but also heart-rending decision God chose to make on our behalf.
Chris Jaensch
Bible Readings: Philippians 2:6-8, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1:3-6, Philippians 4:6, 1 John 5:14, Luke 11:9-13, John 8:12, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 3:19-21 (NLT)
Once again Father’s Day is with us.
How fascinating it would be to exchange our different memories about our dads. There would be plenty of interesting stories to tell and feelings to share.
Think about your Dad? What is, or was, he like? How would you describe him? How does he, or did he treat you? Would you describe him as warm, friendly, and loving or perhaps more distant and uncaring? Always available and approachable or perhaps difficult to deal with?
On Sunday we will be delving into the amazing heart of God, our heavenly Father but at one and the same time the Father of Jesus. Have you ever thought about the possibility that He may have had divided loyalties? Consider this for a moment. Could you as a parent, a dad or mum, who loves your child, if he or she were in a desperate situation, ever knowingly and willingly abandon them, turn you back on them? I’m sure you would answer with a resounding ‘No!”
And yet, as Jesus suffered that brutal and terrible suffering on the cross it seems that God, the loving Father of Jesus, did just that. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” was Jesus’ lonely cry.
What exactly was going on there on Calvary on Good Friday?
Come along on Sunday as we explore this question and reveal the wonderful but also heart-rending decision God chose to make on our behalf.
Chris Jaensch
Bible Readings: Philippians 2:6-8, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 1:3-6, Philippians 4:6, 1 John 5:14, Luke 11:9-13, John 8:12, Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 3:19-21 (NLT)
Hope. With all of the change, pressures, and challenges we face in life we are all in need of hope. Thankfully Jesus offers us and the whole world hope. With Australia becoming more multicultural – 30% born overseas, 50% have a parent born overseas – there are many from all over the world looking for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is with us to empower and guide us to be Jesus’ witnesses. Witnesses to the hope of Jesus Christ.
Messages of Hope continues to reach out to millions of people in Australia and New Zealand on more than a thousand radio stations including 1079 Life, SEN, FlowFM, and many other commercial and community radio stations. People are being inspired with this hope on Messages of Hope social media too. There are videos, podcasts, and booklets and much more available for you and people you care about at messagesofhope.org.au.
Pastor Richard Fox
Bible Readings: Acts 1: 1-8 (NLT)
Hope. With all of the change, pressures, and challenges we face in life we are all in need of hope. Thankfully Jesus offers us and the whole world hope. With Australia becoming more multicultural – 30% born overseas, 50% have a parent born overseas – there are many from all over the world looking for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Thankfully the Holy Spirit is with us to empower and guide us to be Jesus’ witnesses. Witnesses to the hope of Jesus Christ.
Messages of Hope continues to reach out to millions of people in Australia and New Zealand on more than a thousand radio stations including 1079 Life, SEN, FlowFM, and many other commercial and community radio stations. People are being inspired with this hope on Messages of Hope social media too. There are videos, podcasts, and booklets and much more available for you and people you care about at messagesofhope.org.au.
Pastor Richard Fox
Bible Readings: Acts 1: 1-8 (NLT)
There are Many names for Jesus in the Bible – Saviour; Good Shepherd; Messiah; Immanuel to name a few.
In the text for today’s sermon St Paul talks of Jesus as ‘God’s Yes’. When you think about that, it is really one of the most beautiful ways to describe Jesus, because “yes” implies action and involvement.
“Yes” implies commitment, God’s commitment to, and for us.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 1: 17-20 (NLT) Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our ministry team.
There are Many names for Jesus in the Bible – Saviour; Good Shepherd; Messiah; Immanuel to name a few.
In the text for today’s sermon St Paul talks of Jesus as ‘God’s Yes’. When you think about that, it is really one of the most beautiful ways to describe Jesus, because “yes” implies action and involvement.
“Yes” implies commitment, God’s commitment to, and for us.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Readings: 2 Corinthians 1: 17-20 (NLT) Please check the website www.paravista.org.au for podcasts and video archives of weekly messages or head to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/goodshepherdparavista for regular updates and encouragement from our ministry team.
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
Transitions can be challenging. Change often is. The most challenging transitions are those that may involve a mindset shift, an expansion in our thinking, or facing the opportunity to step out when we’d rather draw back. Peter may have eventually sunk after he walked on water, but at least he stepped out.
How comforting for the early believers — and us — to look back on this and know that not only is Jesus with us in the storm, but when we step out, he’s standing there right beside us, reaching down, and restoring us all. It’s emboldening to realise what you can face when you know Jesus is there with you.
Photo by Ramona Hills on Unsplash.
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
Transitions can be challenging. Change often is. The most challenging transitions are those that may involve a mindset shift, an expansion in our thinking, or facing the opportunity to step out when we’d rather draw back. Peter may have eventually sunk after he walked on water, but at least he stepped out.
How comforting for the early believers — and us — to look back on this and know that not only is Jesus with us in the storm, but when we step out, he’s standing there right beside us, reaching down, and restoring us all. It’s emboldening to realise what you can face when you know Jesus is there with you.
Photo by Ramona Hills on Unsplash.
Have you ever caught yourself measuring your level of faith, how strongly you believe in God. Perhaps you compared yourself to someone else whom you held in high regard as an example of strong Christian faith. Maybe at this stage you thought and prayed ‘Lord increase my faith’. Jesus’ disciples asked the same thing of him in the reading in Luke’s gospel. But did they have it right, were they asking the right thing, did they have the right faith focus?
Grace and Faith
Pastor Fin Klein
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NLT)
A message by Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Do you reckon God answers prayer? You bet he does, because He wants to be involved in our lives and grow us as His disciples every day.
To grow our lives as a follower of Jesus, we are to rely on Holy Spirit to lead us. This means our lives are to be a daily Spirit-controlled and Spirit-led life.
I reckon the best example of the Spirit–controlled Spirit-led human being who prayed in the Spirit is Jesus. He prayed without ceasing - it was his custom. We don't always know how to pray, but it's wonderful to know that in these times, Holy Spirit comes to our aid by interceding for us.
Isn’t it great to know we have someone praying for us all the time? Jesus prays for us in heaven, and Holy Spirit intercedes for us here on earth. What a caring and gracious God we have praying for and living in us!
A message by Pastor Wayne Kerber.
Do you reckon God answers prayer? You bet he does, because He wants to be involved in our lives and grow us as His disciples every day.
To grow our lives as a follower of Jesus, we are to rely on Holy Spirit to lead us. This means our lives are to be a daily Spirit-controlled and Spirit-led life.
I reckon the best example of the Spirit–controlled Spirit-led human being who prayed in the Spirit is Jesus. He prayed without ceasing - it was his custom. We don't always know how to pray, but it's wonderful to know that in these times, Holy Spirit comes to our aid by interceding for us.
Isn’t it great to know we have someone praying for us all the time? Jesus prays for us in heaven, and Holy Spirit intercedes for us here on earth. What a caring and gracious God we have praying for and living in us!
We (Michael and Kim Findlay) have always had a passion for social justice. We both independently felt called to live and work in Africa. But what God asked of us in our 20s – to set up a hospital in a remote village in Uganda – felt impossibly hard at times. We had to learn over and over again hard lessons about trust, obedience, and what God actually was asking of us. Sometimes it was very different to what we had in mind!
Michael and Kim Findlay
Bible Reading: Micah 6:8 (NLT)
We (Michael and Kim Findlay) have always had a passion for social justice. We both independently felt called to live and work in Africa. But what God asked of us in our 20s – to set up a hospital in a remote village in Uganda – felt impossibly hard at times. We had to learn over and over again hard lessons about trust, obedience, and what God actually was asking of us. Sometimes it was very different to what we had in mind!
Michael and Kim Findlay
Bible Reading: Micah 6:8 (NLT)
The Scriptures give us insight into how we might have a meaningful and fulfilling life. In Romans 7 Paul teaches that if we try to live the Christian life in human effort we will fail miserably—for we will experience condemnation, hopelessness, entrapment, burn out and exhaustion—then in Romans 8 he tells us how to move beyond that to a growing mature walk with and by Holy Spirit.
Our actions and behaviours are determined by our mind-set—as a person thinks in their mind so they are—what we choose to dwell on in our minds determines how we behave. It’s a question of our preoccupations, our ambitions, and our interests, which engross us—what we set our minds on will ultimately determine how we spend our time, money and energy. And it’s also what we set our minds on that determines how we live the Christian life—a mind under the control of Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of Holy Spirit—a mind set on the flesh will produce fruit of “Fleshly” behaviour.
The problem for every believer has always been how to be in the world and not buy into its philosophy of life—far too often many believers try to compromise with the world, to be socially accepted—hence they look at appearance, performance, and status to find fulfilment and acceptance.
Every Christian lives in a physical body like all other people, but they are not obliged to it—the world system doesn’t characterize them—they are to belong to another realm—another dimension—they are to be “in the Spirit” of God. And Paul speaks also of one being “in Christ,” and Christ being in them—followers of Jesus are to live very close to God and be in His constant presence—one is not to be an occasional visitor.
And when Holy Spirit has taken up full residence within the believer, to be a permanent dweller, this then becomes their strength—in fact, it becomes their life—a life living out the fruit of Holy Spirit. This is where the believer finds their identity, worth, security, significance, and sufficiency—it comes from Jesus’ dwelling within us by His Spirit—the world system will leave you high and dry every time—only Jesus and Holy Spirit satisfies—and that’s why every Christian is into recycling!!
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Readings: Romans 8: 1-11 (NLT)
The Scriptures give us insight into how we might have a meaningful and fulfilling life. In Romans 7 Paul teaches that if we try to live the Christian life in human effort we will fail miserably—for we will experience condemnation, hopelessness, entrapment, burn out and exhaustion—then in Romans 8 he tells us how to move beyond that to a growing mature walk with and by Holy Spirit.
Our actions and behaviours are determined by our mind-set—as a person thinks in their mind so they are—what we choose to dwell on in our minds determines how we behave. It’s a question of our preoccupations, our ambitions, and our interests, which engross us—what we set our minds on will ultimately determine how we spend our time, money and energy. And it’s also what we set our minds on that determines how we live the Christian life—a mind under the control of Holy Spirit will produce the fruit of Holy Spirit—a mind set on the flesh will produce fruit of “Fleshly” behaviour.
The problem for every believer has always been how to be in the world and not buy into its philosophy of life—far too often many believers try to compromise with the world, to be socially accepted—hence they look at appearance, performance, and status to find fulfilment and acceptance.
Every Christian lives in a physical body like all other people, but they are not obliged to it—the world system doesn’t characterize them—they are to belong to another realm—another dimension—they are to be “in the Spirit” of God. And Paul speaks also of one being “in Christ,” and Christ being in them—followers of Jesus are to live very close to God and be in His constant presence—one is not to be an occasional visitor.
And when Holy Spirit has taken up full residence within the believer, to be a permanent dweller, this then becomes their strength—in fact, it becomes their life—a life living out the fruit of Holy Spirit. This is where the believer finds their identity, worth, security, significance, and sufficiency—it comes from Jesus’ dwelling within us by His Spirit—the world system will leave you high and dry every time—only Jesus and Holy Spirit satisfies—and that’s why every Christian is into recycling!!
Pastor Wayne Kerber
Bible Readings: Romans 8: 1-11 (NLT)
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
Rest is a key to holistic and joyful living. We think we can keep going and going, harder and harder, trying to achieve more and more. But without rest, you blow up or burn out.
When Jesus invited us to come to him and rest, he wasn’t instigating a go-slow policy or saying we need a snooze. Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those. He was inviting us to rest from those attitudes, activities, and performance-based sources of identity that rob us of life in him.
Spiritual rest is about life in Jesus: celebrating who he is and what he has done; living in his accomplishments and rejoicing in his declaration “It is finished.”
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
Rest is a key to holistic and joyful living. We think we can keep going and going, harder and harder, trying to achieve more and more. But without rest, you blow up or burn out.
When Jesus invited us to come to him and rest, he wasn’t instigating a go-slow policy or saying we need a snooze. Not that there’s anything wrong with either of those. He was inviting us to rest from those attitudes, activities, and performance-based sources of identity that rob us of life in him.
Spiritual rest is about life in Jesus: celebrating who he is and what he has done; living in his accomplishments and rejoicing in his declaration “It is finished.”
We know what we should and shouldn’t do as Christians, but often we fail. We don’t have the power to make ourselves better, so what do we do? Today we will explore how we might live as God’s people, without letting sin rule our lives on the one hand, and without being legalists and living under the law, on the other hand. The Spirit of God enables us to live under grace. That is his gift to us.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Readings: Romans 6:12-23 (NLT)
We know what we should and shouldn’t do as Christians, but often we fail. We don’t have the power to make ourselves better, so what do we do? Today we will explore how we might live as God’s people, without letting sin rule our lives on the one hand, and without being legalists and living under the law, on the other hand. The Spirit of God enables us to live under grace. That is his gift to us.
Pastor Steen Olsen
Bible Readings: Romans 6:12-23 (NLT)
How’s this…
God bless you! I give you, my blessing. In worship we hear this word bandied about. But what does it actually mean? This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham will explore what Scripture tell us about blessing; what it is, what it isn’t and how it is to be used.
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV) & Ephesians 1:1-3 (NCV)
How’s this…
God bless you! I give you, my blessing. In worship we hear this word bandied about. But what does it actually mean? This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham will explore what Scripture tell us about blessing; what it is, what it isn’t and how it is to be used.
Pastor Stephen Abraham
Bible Readings: Numbers 6:22-27 (NKJV) & Ephesians 1:1-3 (NCV)
Being ‘ourselves’ – being ‘real’ – is valued in society today. But what do you do when who you are is not enough? When what you do is not enough? This is a major issue for so many people today. Am I who I know myself to be, or the person that other people think I am? The apostle Paul claims that our identity can only be truly found in Jesus. And when I believe that it is Jesus who gives me my identity & worth, then I can do what the Westminster Catechism says is the chief purpose of all people: “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: Galations 2:16-21 (NLT)
Being ‘ourselves’ – being ‘real’ – is valued in society today. But what do you do when who you are is not enough? When what you do is not enough? This is a major issue for so many people today. Am I who I know myself to be, or the person that other people think I am? The apostle Paul claims that our identity can only be truly found in Jesus. And when I believe that it is Jesus who gives me my identity & worth, then I can do what the Westminster Catechism says is the chief purpose of all people: “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”
Pastor Robert Voigt
Bible Readings: Galations 2:16-21 (NLT)
In a world where everything is changing very rapidly, how do we react as Children of God?
How does our congregation adapt, change so that we can still reach people with God’s Grace?
We are told to be in the world but not of the world. What does that mean?
Have you ever stopped to really consider how this is reflected in your life?
Pastor Matt Thiele will unwrap this for us this Sunday.
Read: John 17: 11-18 in preparation for this message.
Pastor Matt Thiele
We apologise for the interruption in this recording which was due to a short power outage.
In today’s world people have all sorts of ideas about who God is and what he’s like. Our confession of God as the Triune God (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) clearly identifies which God we worship and believe in as Christians. However, the Church’s confession about the Triune God tells us not only who God is but also the story about what our God has done to save us.
It is also a call for us to reflect in our relationships with each other the same unity of love and peace that characterizes the relationships within the Trinity: the same love and peace that Jesus has so abundantly and graciously poured over our lives, through the power of the Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.
In today’s world people have all sorts of ideas about who God is and what he’s like. Our confession of God as the Triune God (as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) clearly identifies which God we worship and believe in as Christians. However, the Church’s confession about the Triune God tells us not only who God is but also the story about what our God has done to save us.
It is also a call for us to reflect in our relationships with each other the same unity of love and peace that characterizes the relationships within the Trinity: the same love and peace that Jesus has so abundantly and graciously poured over our lives, through the power of the Spirit, to the glory of God the Father.
A friend emailed this quote to me recently: “There are so many ways to move forward, but only one to stand still.”
Sinful selfishness will have us standing still, full of hurt and bitterness, wondering why others aren’t more accommodating of us.
The fruit of the Spirit shows us many ways to advance and live free. You can move forward with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul also shows us more inventive ways through which we can soar: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)
This is the work of Holy Spirit in us. We ask him to apply the freedom Jesus won for us on the cross and in his resurrection. And the result? Instead of standing still, we move forward and help others advance with us.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Galatians 5: 16 - 26 (NSRV)
A friend emailed this quote to me recently: “There are so many ways to move forward, but only one to stand still.”
Sinful selfishness will have us standing still, full of hurt and bitterness, wondering why others aren’t more accommodating of us.
The fruit of the Spirit shows us many ways to advance and live free. You can move forward with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul also shows us more inventive ways through which we can soar: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all this put-on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)
This is the work of Holy Spirit in us. We ask him to apply the freedom Jesus won for us on the cross and in his resurrection. And the result? Instead of standing still, we move forward and help others advance with us.
Pastor Peter Steicke
Bible Readings: Galatians 5: 16 - 26 (NSRV)
Have we put up walls around the church, or do we offer the water of life? Is our life one that shares the source of living water, or do we put up fences to protect our faith?
Do we trust that God is still active?
Pastor Fin Klein unpacks the apostle Peters first interaction with the Gentiles in a powerful sermon that challenges us to examine how we share the gospel with the world around us.
Reading: Acts 11: 1-17
Have we put up walls around the church, or do we offer the water of life? Is our life one that shares the source of living water, or do we put up fences to protect our faith?
Do we trust that God is still active?
Pastor Fin Klein unpacks the apostle Peters first interaction with the Gentiles in a powerful sermon that challenges us to examine how we share the gospel with the world around us.
Reading: Acts 11: 1-17
While Paul waited for them at Athens… he saw… he was provoked… he discussed… he debated… he proclaimed Jesus and the resurrection… he called people to a radical life change… (Acts 17-34)
What do you do while you are waiting?
I was waiting at the KL airport on my way to Vietnam. I met a Vietnamese woman who spoke fair English. We talked about Jesus as we waited to catch our flight. We kept in touch via email, always talking about Jesus. Now she and her family live in Adelaide…
Today I was waiting at the supermarket checkout in Littlehampton. I engaged a young woman in discussion, and after the checkout the discussion went on until it led to God. She went on her way saying it had made her day…
Make the most of the time… Colossians 4:5-6.
Pastor David Christian
Bible Readings: Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:13-22 (NRSV)
While Paul waited for them at Athens… he saw… he was provoked… he discussed… he debated… he proclaimed Jesus and the resurrection… he called people to a radical life change… (Acts 17-34)
What do you do while you are waiting?
I was waiting at the KL airport on my way to Vietnam. I met a Vietnamese woman who spoke fair English. We talked about Jesus as we waited to catch our flight. We kept in touch via email, always talking about Jesus. Now she and her family live in Adelaide…
Today I was waiting at the supermarket checkout in Littlehampton. I engaged a young woman in discussion, and after the checkout the discussion went on until it led to God. She went on her way saying it had made her day…
Make the most of the time… Colossians 4:5-6.
Pastor David Christian
Bible Readings: Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:13-22 (NRSV)
My Identity is in Christ, however, sometimes I still struggle with my brokenness and how I perceive myself. How can I reconcile that, is there hope for more freedom in this life?
My Identity is in Christ, however, sometimes I still struggle with my brokenness and how I perceive myself. How can I reconcile that, is there hope for more freedom in this life?
These days we are very conscious of our mental health and also body conscious, but do you ever give much thought to your “soul”?
On this “Good Shepherd” Sunday we reflect on verse 3 of the 23rd Psalm: “He restores my soul.”
Pray that our Good Shepherd might do that for you and for those around you in worship this morning.
Bishop David
Bible Readings: Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 (NLT)
These days we are very conscious of our mental health and also body conscious, but do you ever give much thought to your “soul”?
On this “Good Shepherd” Sunday we reflect on verse 3 of the 23rd Psalm: “He restores my soul.”
Pray that our Good Shepherd might do that for you and for those around you in worship this morning.
Bishop David
Bible Readings: Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 (NLT)
What does it mean for us to be chosen by God?
What does it mean that God’s work in us is greater than anything we could do for God?
What does it mean to faithfully serve God where we are?
I’d love to share my story of how God has helped me wrestle with these questions, and how I’ve come to serve as a Ministry Apprentice with Evangelical Students (ES) North Terrace, a Christian Uni club.
Hope Stahl
Bible Readings: Philippians 2, 2 Timothy 1:6-14 (NLT)
What does it mean for us to be chosen by God?
What does it mean that God’s work in us is greater than anything we could do for God?
What does it mean to faithfully serve God where we are?
I’d love to share my story of how God has helped me wrestle with these questions, and how I’ve come to serve as a Ministry Apprentice with Evangelical Students (ES) North Terrace, a Christian Uni club.
Hope Stahl
Bible Readings: Philippians 2, 2 Timothy 1:6-14 (NLT)
The Easter season is one of celebration, and joy, and victory. It is a truly awesome time for Christians. In Sunday’s sermon we will reflect on just how AWEsome Easter is.
Pr. Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-7 (NLT)
The Easter season is one of celebration, and joy, and victory. It is a truly awesome time for Christians. In Sunday’s sermon we will reflect on just how AWEsome Easter is.
Pr. Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-7 (NLT)
In the Garden of Eden our first parents disobeyed God and were ashamed. They broke the close relationship with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples couldn’t stay awake to support Jesus in his suffering. And, in the cemetery on Easter morning his followers came looking only for a corpse.
What will you see this, Easter? An innocent but dead man? A great teacher & an inspiration for a good life? Or the risen, living Saviour and Lord of the whole world? Your Saviour? What you “see” will make a world of difference to your present and your future.
Pastor Rob Voigt
In the Garden of Eden our first parents disobeyed God and were ashamed. They broke the close relationship with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples couldn’t stay awake to support Jesus in his suffering. And, in the cemetery on Easter morning his followers came looking only for a corpse.
What will you see this, Easter? An innocent but dead man? A great teacher & an inspiration for a good life? Or the risen, living Saviour and Lord of the whole world? Your Saviour? What you “see” will make a world of difference to your present and your future.
Pastor Rob Voigt
In the Garden of Eden our first parents disobeyed God and were ashamed. They broke the close relationship with God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples couldn’t stay awake to support Jesus in his suffering. And, in the cemetery on Easter morning his followers came looking only for a corpse.
What will you see this, Easter? An innocent but dead man? A great teacher & an inspiration for a good life? Or the risen, living Saviour and Lord of the whole world? Your Saviour? What you “see” will make a world of difference to your present and your future.
Pastor Rob Voigt
See your King comes to you…to be for you. But who cares? Who even wants a king these days. Our ideal leader has moved away from someone who commands and directs and rules. We want someone who collaborates and co-creates with us. Anyone and everyone can lead…can’t they? Maybe. The desire to have control over our own lives is nothing new (that started way back with Adam and Eve). So where does God fit into this? What kind of King is Jesus and is he a welcome presence in our lives?
Pr. Stephen Schultz
Bible readings: Zechariah 9:9-10 and Matthew 21:1-11 (NLT)
See your King comes to you…to be for you. But who cares? Who even wants a king these days. Our ideal leader has moved away from someone who commands and directs and rules. We want someone who collaborates and co-creates with us. Anyone and everyone can lead…can’t they? Maybe. The desire to have control over our own lives is nothing new (that started way back with Adam and Eve). So where does God fit into this? What kind of King is Jesus and is he a welcome presence in our lives?
Pr. Stephen Schultz
Bible readings: Zechariah 9:9-10 and Matthew 21:1-11 (NLT)
For many of us Christians, living as a child of God is a depressing struggle as we try to become better disciples of Jesus. We mostly feel ashamed and guilty when we take our “spiritual temperature”. Is this what God wants for us?
Pr. Steen Oslen
Romans 8: 1-11 (NLT)
For many of us Christians, living as a child of God is a depressing struggle as we try to become better disciples of Jesus. We mostly feel ashamed and guilty when we take our “spiritual temperature”. Is this what God wants for us?
Pr. Steen Oslen
Romans 8: 1-11 (NLT)
An audio message from Pastor Noel Kluge.
This Sunday we will be looking at forgiving others. Forgiving someone is not easy. It doesn’t feel fair, and it doesn’t seem right. And yet if we hang on to unforgiveness it will grow into bitterness. Bitterness is an insidious thing that can negatively affect every area of our lives. Join us this Sunday as we look at how with God’s grace, we can begin to forgive others and live in the freedom it brings.
A video message from Pastor Noel Kluge.
This Sunday we will be looking at forgiving others. Forgiving someone is not easy. It doesn’t feel fair, and it doesn’t seem right. And yet if we hang on to unforgiveness it will grow into bitterness. Bitterness is an insidious thing that can negatively affect every area of our lives. Join us this Sunday as we look at how with God’s grace, we can begin to forgive others and live in the freedom it brings.
The Christian’s foundation for life is found in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and eternal life. One of the key passages for guidance on the foundation for life is found in the book of Matthew, where Jesus tells the parable about a wise man who built his house on a rock, and a foolish man who built his house on sand. The wise man’s house withstood the storm, while the foolish man’s house fell down.
A solid foundation for life is only found in Jesus Christ. This faith in Jesus provides a sense of purpose and direction, as well as the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life. We also believe that faith in Christ is the guiding force in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to work and community involvement.
This foundation provides a sense of purpose, direction, and security that cannot be found in any other source, and we build on this foundation by practicing regular worship, prayer, Bible study, participation in our church community and service to others as we live out our faith in our daily lives, sharing the love of Jesus with those around us.
Pr. Paul Fielke
The Christian’s foundation for life is found in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation and eternal life. One of the key passages for guidance on the foundation for life is found in the book of Matthew, where Jesus tells the parable about a wise man who built his house on a rock, and a foolish man who built his house on sand. The wise man’s house withstood the storm, while the foolish man’s house fell down.
A solid foundation for life is only found in Jesus Christ. This faith in Jesus provides a sense of purpose and direction, as well as the assurance of forgiveness and eternal life. We also believe that faith in Christ is the guiding force in all aspects of life, from personal relationships to work and community involvement.
This foundation provides a sense of purpose, direction, and security that cannot be found in any other source, and we build on this foundation by practicing regular worship, prayer, Bible study, participation in our church community and service to others as we live out our faith in our daily lives, sharing the love of Jesus with those around us.
Pr. Paul Fielke
This is part 5 in the occasional series "A Surprising God".
Let me tell you the best news you’ll ever hear. It’s not about following all the rules and regulations that religion demands and being burdened with guilt, shame and regrets. Rather it’s all about Jesus: allowing him to take control of our lives be in the driver’s seat as He invites us along for the ride.
This is part 5 in the occasional series "A Surprising God".
Let me tell you the best news you’ll ever hear. It’s not about following all the rules and regulations that religion demands and being burdened with guilt, shame and regrets. Rather it’s all about Jesus: allowing him to take control of our lives be in the driver’s seat as He invites us along for the ride.
1st Sunday Lent –Telling Tales & Punchy Parables Finding the LostAre you a jigsaw puzzler? Are you easily drawn into an amusing tale or an absorbing parable? Do you enjoy music and singing?
Worship this coming Sunday will be a little different as Chris Jaensch refreshes us with a different angle on the Gospel. The focus will be on three of Jesus’ parables, his lost and found parables, familiar, but with a message that continues to speak to every single one of us in a powerful and personal way. You’ll also hear some different tales and parables that you’ve not heard and that will reveal a different slant on the Gospel. We’ll be celebrating our part in the Gospel story as we sing together and as Chris shares some of his own songs. (Songs (c) Chris Jaensch, used by permission)
Bible Readings:John 8:12 (NLT) Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 3:19-21(NLT)Luke 15:1-7, Luke 15:8-10 (NLT)Romans 8:1-3, Luke 15:11-32 (NLT)Romans 3:23 (NLT)2 Peter 3:9, Luke 19:10 (NLT)1 John 1:9 (NLT)Philippians 4:6, 1 John 5:14 (NLT)
1st Sunday Lent –Telling Tales & Punchy Parables Finding the LostAre you a jigsaw puzzler? Are you easily drawn into an amusing tale or an absorbing parable? Do you enjoy music and singing?
Worship this coming Sunday will be a little different as Chris Jaensch refreshes us with a different angle on the Gospel. The focus will be on three of Jesus’ parables, his lost and found parables, familiar, but with a message that continues to speak to every single one of us in a powerful and personal way. You’ll also hear some different tales and parables that you’ve not heard and that will reveal a different slant on the Gospel. We’ll be celebrating our part in the Gospel story as we sing together and as Chris shares some of his own songs. (Songs (c) Chris Jaensch, used by permission)
Bible Readings:John 8:12 (NLT) Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 3:19-21(NLT)Luke 15:1-7, Luke 15:8-10 (NLT)Romans 8:1-3, Luke 15:11-32 (NLT)Romans 3:23 (NLT)2 Peter 3:9, Luke 19:10 (NLT)1 John 1:9 (NLT)Philippians 4:6, 1 John 5:14 (NLT)
This week we continue our interview series with people from our community sharing their faith and prayer journey.
This week Perry Campbell shares how God has placed him in a place where he can use his Gifts to share his faith with young people and use his personal interests to witness to others.
Come and be challenged, and then look at how God has shaped you and how you can witness to others using who you are.
Bible Readings: Mark 3:33-34 (NLT) and Matthew 13:31-33 'Parable of a Mustard Seed' (NLT)
This week we continue our interview series with people from our community sharing their faith and prayer journey.
This week Perry Campbell shares how God has placed him in a place where he can use his Gifts to share his faith with young people and use his personal interests to witness to others.
Come and be challenged, and then look at how God has shaped you and how you can witness to others using who you are.
Bible Readings: Mark 3:33-34 (NLT) and Matthew 13:31-33 'Parable of a Mustard Seed' (NLT)
The Church makes many claims about God – about who God is and what God does and what God is like—and the biggest claim of all, the one that is at the core of all its claims is that God is love—above all else, God is love.
We sing songs and hymns about the God of love—we pray to the God of love—we are called to offer the gift of ourselves to the God of love—and then we dwell in Matthew’s Gospel reading (5:21-37) which speaks about God’s Law.
Are these really the words from the God of love, words from the very heart of God made flesh, Jesus? Well, yes, they are. We read a section of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus had gathered with his disciples near the Sea of Galilee and began to teach them how He came to fulfil all that He was telling them.
Now we all know the joys of listening to the sounds of the heart—we have perhaps felt, even heard the sound of our own hearts beating in excitement. Our heart is the centre of our personality—”Heart” means the core of ourselves in all our most vibrant aspects—we talk about the human heart as the centre of loving, of compassion, or tenderness, of courage.
But while God’s heart sings out a love song, begun in creation and is sung to us every day, our hearts so often fall far short of singing a love song back to God, or to others.
And so, in God’s mercy, God gives us the law—the teachings of Jesus—and this law will not let our hearts fall short of loving as God would have us love—it’s a law that would have us love in a way that respects the dignity of every human being—as reflected elsewhere in the Scriptures—and it’s a law that ultimately convicts us, because what it demands of us, we cannot achieve.
And here again the law shows us God’s love—for when He shows us our failings it is meant to drive us into His merciful arms. Discovering our failure to love as God loves is not a cause for despair—rather, it’s a call back to God, into the arms of Jesus, who loves and strengthens us, and sends Holy Spirit to us to lead us to love again.
The sound of our hearts and the sound of God’s heart are different—but they’re meant to sing the same song—so we are given the law that we might know more completely how to love—and when we fail—because we do fail—we are given the key to God’s heart—Jesus our Saviour and Holy Spirit our Sanctifier.
God’s heart is the key to the vast treasure of God’s mercy that stands ready for us to receive and use—the key to a heart that offers us true joy—true love—true grace—true mercy—true forgiveness—all because our God is a God of love—and in that we can be sure—for it comes to us in and through Jesus and Holy Spirit, for us to give to others.
Pr. Wayne Kerber
The Church makes many claims about God – about who God is and what God does and what God is like—and the biggest claim of all, the one that is at the core of all its claims is that God is love—above all else, God is love.
We sing songs and hymns about the God of love—we pray to the God of love—we are called to offer the gift of ourselves to the God of love—and then we dwell in Matthew’s Gospel reading (5:21-37) which speaks about God’s Law.
Are these really the words from the God of love, words from the very heart of God made flesh, Jesus? Well, yes, they are. We read a section of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus had gathered with his disciples near the Sea of Galilee and began to teach them how He came to fulfil all that He was telling them.
Now we all know the joys of listening to the sounds of the heart—we have perhaps felt, even heard the sound of our own hearts beating in excitement. Our heart is the centre of our personality—”Heart” means the core of ourselves in all our most vibrant aspects—we talk about the human heart as the centre of loving, of compassion, or tenderness, of courage.
But while God’s heart sings out a love song, begun in creation and is sung to us every day, our hearts so often fall far short of singing a love song back to God, or to others.
And so, in God’s mercy, God gives us the law—the teachings of Jesus—and this law will not let our hearts fall short of loving as God would have us love—it’s a law that would have us love in a way that respects the dignity of every human being—as reflected elsewhere in the Scriptures—and it’s a law that ultimately convicts us, because what it demands of us, we cannot achieve.
And here again the law shows us God’s love—for when He shows us our failings it is meant to drive us into His merciful arms. Discovering our failure to love as God loves is not a cause for despair—rather, it’s a call back to God, into the arms of Jesus, who loves and strengthens us, and sends Holy Spirit to us to lead us to love again.
The sound of our hearts and the sound of God’s heart are different—but they’re meant to sing the same song—so we are given the law that we might know more completely how to love—and when we fail—because we do fail—we are given the key to God’s heart—Jesus our Saviour and Holy Spirit our Sanctifier.
God’s heart is the key to the vast treasure of God’s mercy that stands ready for us to receive and use—the key to a heart that offers us true joy—true love—true grace—true mercy—true forgiveness—all because our God is a God of love—and in that we can be sure—for it comes to us in and through Jesus and Holy Spirit, for us to give to others.
Pr. Wayne Kerber
We live in an increasingly polarised and cynical society. There is deep division, mistrust and hurt. Sometimes we find ourselves caught up in this fragmentation and we find it seeping into our lives, our homes, our schools, and our churches.
When Saint Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he was writing to a church that was thriving in the midst of some big challenges and sorrows. Instead of fragmenting and falling apart – they were “falling together”. This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham unpacks 3 lessons from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church, titled “Choose Kindness”.
We live in an increasingly polarised and cynical society. There is deep division, mistrust and hurt. Sometimes we find ourselves caught up in this fragmentation and we find it seeping into our lives, our homes, our schools, and our churches.
When Saint Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he was writing to a church that was thriving in the midst of some big challenges and sorrows. Instead of fragmenting and falling apart – they were “falling together”. This Sunday Pastor Stephen Abraham unpacks 3 lessons from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian church, titled “Choose Kindness”.
I was at a youth camp recently and the young people were talking about wanting to do something for God – to live out their faith in a truly meaningful way. They talked about various missions they would like to go on. They were inspiring in the vision they had for how they could serve God.
However, as the discussion continued, I began to feel a bit sad, because I realised they were undervaluing what they were already doing. As I looked around at these young people I knew, I had always really valued the way they witnessed to God in their everyday lives. Particularly that they lived out their faith in a way that was real and authentic. But they couldn’t see that. They were looking to serve God in meaningful ways but did not realise that in their day to day lives they were living out God’s love to people around them in marvellously meaningful ways. I wanted to shout out to them “YOU ALREADY ARE!” But I’m not they would have heard me.
What about you? If I said that to you, would you hear me?
You see God’s love comes to life as we simply live out our faith in, dare I say it, our ordinary lives.
Love comes to life in our relationships, in our vocation, in our family and social life.
Love comes to life where we are.
Love comes to life as we simply use the gifts that God has given us, for others.
1 Peter 2: 4-10
Pr. Paul Fielke
I was at a youth camp recently and the young people were talking about wanting to do something for God – to live out their faith in a truly meaningful way. They talked about various missions they would like to go on. They were inspiring in the vision they had for how they could serve God.
However, as the discussion continued, I began to feel a bit sad, because I realised they were undervaluing what they were already doing. As I looked around at these young people I knew, I had always really valued the way they witnessed to God in their everyday lives. Particularly that they lived out their faith in a way that was real and authentic. But they couldn’t see that. They were looking to serve God in meaningful ways but did not realise that in their day to day lives they were living out God’s love to people around them in marvellously meaningful ways. I wanted to shout out to them “YOU ALREADY ARE!” But I’m not they would have heard me.
What about you? If I said that to you, would you hear me?
You see God’s love comes to life as we simply live out our faith in, dare I say it, our ordinary lives.
Love comes to life in our relationships, in our vocation, in our family and social life.
Love comes to life where we are.
Love comes to life as we simply use the gifts that God has given us, for others.
1 Peter 2: 4-10
Pr. Paul Fielke
Jesus was the Messiah, the promised Saviour, who ushered in the Kingdom of God (the reign of God). The Scriptures tell us that the Kingdom of God exists, wherever Jesus reigns as King.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your Kingdom come.” That is, “Lord, bring in your Kingdom.” God’s Kingdom comes to us when we acknowledge Jesus as our King and trust in his help and salvation. Let that be your prayer throughout 2023, that Jesus would reign as King over your heart and life and that he would help you to trust in his forgiving, saving, healing, and renewing love – as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, including yours and mine.
Jesus was the Messiah, the promised Saviour, who ushered in the Kingdom of God (the reign of God). The Scriptures tell us that the Kingdom of God exists, wherever Jesus reigns as King.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your Kingdom come.” That is, “Lord, bring in your Kingdom.” God’s Kingdom comes to us when we acknowledge Jesus as our King and trust in his help and salvation. Let that be your prayer throughout 2023, that Jesus would reign as King over your heart and life and that he would help you to trust in his forgiving, saving, healing, and renewing love – as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, including yours and mine.
This Sunday we look at Moses who was possibly the greatest person in the Old Testament. Moses led the people of Israel out slavery from Egypt to the promised land. It was an incredible fete. Moses spoke directly with God. God gave us the 10 commandments through Moses. Yet none of us would have known Moses if he hadn’t taken an enormous risk and stepped out of his safe zone and into faith zone when he responded to God’s call at the burning bush.
As we look at Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, we see that it was not easy for Moses to step out of his safe zone into God’s faith zone. In fact, he put up quite an argument against it. Yet in the end he went and was used by God to do amazing things.
The same is true for you and me. Our natural tendency is to play it safe. God may never call us to lead a nation out of slavery, but as people of faith we are called to live by faith every day. To live by faith is to step out of our safe zones into God’s faith zone. Join us this Sunday as we learn from Moses how to can live in the faith zone.
Pr. Noel Kluge
This Sunday we look at Moses who was possibly the greatest person in the Old Testament. Moses led the people of Israel out slavery from Egypt to the promised land. It was an incredible fete. Moses spoke directly with God. God gave us the 10 commandments through Moses. Yet none of us would have known Moses if he hadn’t taken an enormous risk and stepped out of his safe zone and into faith zone when he responded to God’s call at the burning bush.
As we look at Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush, we see that it was not easy for Moses to step out of his safe zone into God’s faith zone. In fact, he put up quite an argument against it. Yet in the end he went and was used by God to do amazing things.
The same is true for you and me. Our natural tendency is to play it safe. God may never call us to lead a nation out of slavery, but as people of faith we are called to live by faith every day. To live by faith is to step out of our safe zones into God’s faith zone. Join us this Sunday as we learn from Moses how to can live in the faith zone.
Pr. Noel Kluge
Pastor Wayne Kerber's message on how our Heavenly Father not only delights in His Son, our Lord Jesus but also delights in us as his pre-loved children.
Matthew 3: 13 - 17.
Pastor Wayne Kerber's message on how our Heavenly Father not only delights in His Son, our Lord Jesus but also delights in us as his pre-loved children.
Matthew 3: 13 - 17.
Bible reading: Revelation 21:1-6
Our guest today is Pastor Matt Thiele. Matt grew up at Para Vista and is now Pastor at St Luke's Lutheran Church Nambour in Queensland. The message is New Year! A better kind of new?
Bible reading: Revelation 21:1-6
Our guest today is Pastor Matt Thiele. Matt grew up at Para Vista and is now Pastor at St Luke's Lutheran Church Nambour in Queensland. The message is New Year! A better kind of new?
The alarm blared at 5 am. It was a cold, foggy autumn morning. I wasn’t overseas on a ministry trip heading out early, there were no appointments in my diary, and I only planned to start writing at 8.30. Why the early start?
There was no hesitation, however. I leapt out of bed, dressed appropriately, switched on my headlamp, and went to meet the four other morning joggers waiting at the local pub.
Halfway home, I huffed to the guy running next to me, “I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t for you lot. Not only did your presence motivate me, but you also made it enjoyable.”
“Same,” he gasped.
That’s the power of presence.
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Christmas is about the power and possibilities of presence.
Presence changes everything. In Jesus, God is with you, despite the worst of you, outside of your circumstances, and regardless of what others think of you. You have his very presence living within you through the Holy Spirit.
You now begin to see yourself as incredibly loved, one in whom the Father delights. Even when you feel abandoned, you can declare out loud that you are chosen and loved.
This is the message of Christmas. Jesus enters this world and your world. He dies in your place and is raised to life to be present with you always.
How different would life be if you knew that you were never alone, that your problems don’t cut you off from God but instead move his heart toward you? That’s the power and possibility of presence. It releases you to think in a new way—about God as your Father, about yourself, and about others.
Pr. Peter Steicke
The alarm blared at 5 am. It was a cold, foggy autumn morning. I wasn’t overseas on a ministry trip heading out early, there were no appointments in my diary, and I only planned to start writing at 8.30. Why the early start?
There was no hesitation, however. I leapt out of bed, dressed appropriately, switched on my headlamp, and went to meet the four other morning joggers waiting at the local pub.
Halfway home, I huffed to the guy running next to me, “I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t for you lot. Not only did your presence motivate me, but you also made it enjoyable.”
“Same,” he gasped.
That’s the power of presence.
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
Christmas is about the power and possibilities of presence.
Presence changes everything. In Jesus, God is with you, despite the worst of you, outside of your circumstances, and regardless of what others think of you. You have his very presence living within you through the Holy Spirit.
You now begin to see yourself as incredibly loved, one in whom the Father delights. Even when you feel abandoned, you can declare out loud that you are chosen and loved.
This is the message of Christmas. Jesus enters this world and your world. He dies in your place and is raised to life to be present with you always.
How different would life be if you knew that you were never alone, that your problems don’t cut you off from God but instead move his heart toward you? That’s the power and possibility of presence. It releases you to think in a new way—about God as your Father, about yourself, and about others.
Pr. Peter Steicke
A message from Pastor Steen Olsen.
All Christians experience doubts at times. John the Baptist shows us what to do when the devil whispers such thoughts into our ears. He points us to Jesus.
A video message from Pastor Steen Olsen.
All Christians experience doubts at times. John the Baptist shows us what to do when the devil whispers such thoughts into our ears. He points us to Jesus.
An audio recording of Pastor Albert Gast's message on 4 Dec 2022. This is part three of the three part series "The Repentance of God".
How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Does this riddle apply to you? So, here’s the Good News – it’s not about you. It’s about God, and it’s about how change and transformation were part of his story long before it was part of ours. From Guilt to Grace – From Law to Love – From Lost to Life – The Repentance of God.
(Please note that a video of this message is not available due to circumstances beyond our control)
An audio recording of Pastor Albert Gast's message on 27 Nov 2022. This is part two of the three part series "The Repentance of God".
How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb? Does this riddle apply to you? So, here’s the Good News – it’s not about you. It’s about God, and it’s about how change and transformation were part of his story long before it was part of ours. From Guilt to Grace – From Law to Love – From Lost to Life – The Repentance of God.
(Please note that a video of this message is not available due to circumstances beyond our control)
How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? Does this riddle apply to you? So, here’s the Good News – it’s not about you. It’s about God, and it’s about how change and transformation were part of his story long before it was part of ours. From Guilt to Grace – From Law to Love – From Lost to Life – The Repentance of God. See you there!
Pr. Albert Gast
This week’s service is titled “A Surprising God”. When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways.
This is the second in a series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey and how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith? Read Joshua 3: 14-17.
Bible Readings: Exodus 4:10-12 (NLT) and Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)
This week’s service is titled “A Surprising God”. When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways.
This is the second in a series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey and how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith? Read Joshua 3: 14-17.
Bible Readings: Exodus 4:10-12 (NLT) and Matthew 14:22-33 (NLT)
Children are renowned for asking questions. While an incessant “why?” may grate, questions are how they discover and mature. We can learn from them.
Jesus engaged people through questions, giving them time to reflect, process, and take ownership of the discovery process. It was an empowering aspect of their discipleship journey. It led to wonder.
“Who do you people say that I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. This was quickly followed by, “Who do you say I am?”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked the once-blind Bartimaeus. This question invited Bartimaeus to trust Jesus, and at the same time, it invited him to participate in (not contribute to) his own healing.
You get to grow through asking your heavenly Father questions. Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock.
Some of my favourite questions, all addressed to God, assist me in growing in Father’s love and be a conveyor of this love to others:
“What is it about you and your heart and character I’m missing that has me responding this way?”
“What is it about you and your heart that, if I knew, would have me responding differently?”
“Father, I know you’re with me; what is blocking me from seeing your presence?”
“Father, where am I living out of what I’ve heard in the past rather than what you’re showing me in the present? And what would you like to show me today?”
“Father, how can my joy in you return?”
You can ask your heavenly Father about absolutely anything: relationships, sex, finances, work, emotions, uncertainties, faith, and motives; nothing is off limits.
Ask, be still, wait, listen, he will answer.
Pr. Peter Steicke
Children are renowned for asking questions. While an incessant “why?” may grate, questions are how they discover and mature. We can learn from them.
Jesus engaged people through questions, giving them time to reflect, process, and take ownership of the discovery process. It was an empowering aspect of their discipleship journey. It led to wonder.
“Who do you people say that I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. This was quickly followed by, “Who do you say I am?”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked the once-blind Bartimaeus. This question invited Bartimaeus to trust Jesus, and at the same time, it invited him to participate in (not contribute to) his own healing.
You get to grow through asking your heavenly Father questions. Jesus invites us to ask, seek, and knock.
Some of my favourite questions, all addressed to God, assist me in growing in Father’s love and be a conveyor of this love to others:
“What is it about you and your heart and character I’m missing that has me responding this way?”
“What is it about you and your heart that, if I knew, would have me responding differently?”
“Father, I know you’re with me; what is blocking me from seeing your presence?”
“Father, where am I living out of what I’ve heard in the past rather than what you’re showing me in the present? And what would you like to show me today?”
“Father, how can my joy in you return?”
You can ask your heavenly Father about absolutely anything: relationships, sex, finances, work, emotions, uncertainties, faith, and motives; nothing is off limits.
Ask, be still, wait, listen, he will answer.
Pr. Peter Steicke
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
The good news, the gospel, is all about acceptance. This is the message Jesus brings and it’s the reality he lives out. He embodies the heart of his Father and the security of his identity as a son by accepting those who were deemed unclean, misfits, and outcast.
The good news is that you too are accepted. You’re included - despite your sin, failings, insecurities, and lack of spiritual disciplines. You’re loved because God is a loving Father who calls you beloved and relates to you as his daughter, his son.
The good news is, when you live in your identity as an accepted son or daughter of Father God, you become attractive to be around. You accept others, relate to them, include them, and give them a sense of belonging.
The good news is, people are crying out for this, and it’s as simple as you are living loved, living loving.
A video message from Pastor Peter Steicke.
The good news, the gospel, is all about acceptance. This is the message Jesus brings and it’s the reality he lives out. He embodies the heart of his Father and the security of his identity as a son by accepting those who were deemed unclean, misfits, and outcast.
The good news is that you too are accepted. You’re included - despite your sin, failings, insecurities, and lack of spiritual disciplines. You’re loved because God is a loving Father who calls you beloved and relates to you as his daughter, his son.
The good news is, when you live in your identity as an accepted son or daughter of Father God, you become attractive to be around. You accept others, relate to them, include them, and give them a sense of belonging.
The good news is, people are crying out for this, and it’s as simple as you are living loved, living loving.
So where do you look when you worry? Where do you place your attention? Where do you put worried eyes?
The problem with anxiety and worry is that they take our focus and we see nothing else.
Jesus is the great God who became small for you.
Jesus is the One who put each star in place.
Jesus, for a time is unseen, is close as your breath.
Jesus has you!
Pastor Matt Thiele
So where do you look when you worry? Where do you place your attention? Where do you put worried eyes?
The problem with anxiety and worry is that they take our focus and we see nothing else.
Jesus is the great God who became small for you.
Jesus is the One who put each star in place.
Jesus, for a time is unseen, is close as your breath.
Jesus has you!
Pastor Matt Thiele
Prayer grows out of hearing God’s Word. It is about speaking with God – asking, seeking, sharing, in fact it is about bringing my whole life to God and letting him walk along with me as I live out my life.
Can I talk with God? Can I bother God with my little problems?
Yes, you can. You are God’s child. You are part of his family, the body of Christ. God wants to speak to you. And he wants to hear from you as well. And most importantly he has promised to listen!
Prayer grows out of hearing God’s Word. It is about speaking with God – asking, seeking, sharing, in fact it is about bringing my whole life to God and letting him walk along with me as I live out my life.
Can I talk with God? Can I bother God with my little problems?
Yes, you can. You are God’s child. You are part of his family, the body of Christ. God wants to speak to you. And he wants to hear from you as well. And most importantly he has promised to listen!
Being a disciple of Jesus – what does it mean to you?
This Sunday Pastor Fin Klein from St Michael’s Hahndorf explores this topic via video.
The primary function of disciples is to prayer for all people. Do we pray for everyone – even those who we don’t like or don’t agree with?
Pastor Finn Klein
Bible reading 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NIV)
How do you feel when you hear Jesus calling you to be a ‘servant’? This seems the exact opposite of a world that encourages us to constantly promote ourselves, get ahead, accumulate ‘likes. We’ll explore some of the ways we can be a servant in 2022 suburban Adelaide, and how that can lead us to places we might not expect, and joys that can be experienced nowhere else. Shovel, sceptre, or shotgun – how will you serve?
Jonathon Krause
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NIV)
How do you feel when you hear Jesus calling you to be a ‘servant’? This seems the exact opposite of a world that encourages us to constantly promote ourselves, get ahead, accumulate ‘likes. We’ll explore some of the ways we can be a servant in 2022 suburban Adelaide, and how that can lead us to places we might not expect, and joys that can be experienced nowhere else. Shovel, sceptre, or shotgun – how will you serve?
Jonathon Krause
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NIV)
How do you feel when you hear Jesus calling you to be a ‘servant’? This seems the exact opposite of a world that encourages us to constantly promote ourselves, get ahead, accumulate ‘likes. We’ll explore some of the ways we can be a servant in 2022 suburban Adelaide, and how that can lead us to places we might not expect, and joys that can be experienced nowhere else. Shovel, sceptre, or shotgun – how will you serve?
Jonathon Krause
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NIV)
How do you feel when you hear Jesus calling you to be a ‘servant’? This seems the exact opposite of a world that encourages us to constantly promote ourselves, get ahead, accumulate ‘likes. We’ll explore some of the ways we can be a servant in 2022 suburban Adelaide, and how that can lead us to places we might not expect, and joys that can be experienced nowhere else. Shovel, sceptre, or shotgun – how will you serve?
Jonathon Krause
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NIV)
The book of Lamentations isn’t necessarily the most popular or well-known book in the Bible, but it has some important messages to teach us. A specific focus of Lamentations is the lament of the Israelite people, and they show us in this poetic book what lamenting can look like and how we should be lamenting as followers of Christ.
What does it mean to lament? Why should we lament? How does God reveal his character through our lamenting? I would love to challenge you to reconsider the way you lament, pray, and come together as followers of Christ. I look forward to sharing the message with you on Sunday and unpacking Lamentations and how it applies to us today.
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:19-40 (The Message)
The book of Lamentations isn’t necessarily the most popular or well-known book in the Bible, but it has some important messages to teach us. A specific focus of Lamentations is the lament of the Israelite people, and they show us in this poetic book what lamenting can look like and how we should be lamenting as followers of Christ.
What does it mean to lament? Why should we lament? How does God reveal his character through our lamenting? I would love to challenge you to reconsider the way you lament, pray, and come together as followers of Christ. I look forward to sharing the message with you on Sunday and unpacking Lamentations and how it applies to us today.
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:19-40 (The Message)
The book of Lamentations isn’t necessarily the most popular or well-known book in the Bible, but it has some important messages to teach us. A specific focus of Lamentations is the lament of the Israelite people, and they show us in this poetic book what lamenting can look like and how we should be lamenting as followers of Christ.
What does it mean to lament? Why should we lament? How does God reveal his character through our lamenting? I would love to challenge you to reconsider the way you lament, pray, and come together as followers of Christ. I look forward to sharing the message with you on Sunday and unpacking Lamentations and how it applies to us today.
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:19-40 (The Message)
The book of Lamentations isn’t necessarily the most popular or well-known book in the Bible, but it has some important messages to teach us. A specific focus of Lamentations is the lament of the Israelite people, and they show us in this poetic book what lamenting can look like and how we should be lamenting as followers of Christ.
What does it mean to lament? Why should we lament? How does God reveal his character through our lamenting? I would love to challenge you to reconsider the way you lament, pray, and come together as followers of Christ. I look forward to sharing the message with you on Sunday and unpacking Lamentations and how it applies to us today.
Nicole Pfeiffer
Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:19-40 (The Message)
A message from Pastor Steen Olsen on 18 Sep 2022.
The Church does many good things in our world and so we should. But we mustn’t neglect our core business. Paul tells us that God appointed him a herald and apostle because “our God and Saviour wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
A message from Pastor Steen Olsen on 18 Sep 2022.
The Church does many good things in our world and so we should. But we mustn’t neglect our core business. Paul tells us that God appointed him a herald and apostle because “our God and Saviour wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
A message from Pastor Steen Olsen on 18 Sep 2022.
The Church does many good things in our world and so we should. But we mustn’t neglect our core business. Paul tells us that God appointed him a herald and apostle because “our God and Saviour wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
A message from Pastor Steen Olsen on 18 Sep 2022.
The Church does many good things in our world and so we should. But we mustn’t neglect our core business. Paul tells us that God appointed him a herald and apostle because “our God and Saviour wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
No matter where I go, when I meet people within the Lutheran Church, I’m forever being asked: “So, what’s your story?” Folks want to know all the details: where did I come from, where did I grow up, who am I related to? It seems everybody has a story, and we want to know it. We’re fascinated in knowing all the bits from other people’s lives.
This also applied to the apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul lets us in on some rather intimate details of his life and what we learn is that he was a lot like you and me. In fact, his story is also our story and it’s a story of God’s amazing grace and love, where like Paul, through God’s grace and love, we too are being continually transformed to be a Reliable Witness and have been given a Reliable Message to share with others.
Paul was a reliable, unyielding figure. He stood strong in the faith – in fact, he was imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith in Jesus – yet Paul also tells us a different story. He tells the story of himself in the following terms: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” Paul goes on say that “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”—that is an amazing testimony of God’s faithful love. And this same amazing grace that transformed Paul from an ignorant persecutor to a wise gospel messenger, is the same grace that changes us—it transforms us to also be reliable gospel witnesses like Paul was.
Like Paul, Jesus considers us worthy to be his witnesses. What a statement! In light of his grace, Jesus allows His love to be showcased in our lives, where we become His stained-glass windows of love and grace, shining out all that He has given and done for us.
What’s Paul’s story? It’s an example of how God turned what was “worst” into something reliable and wonderful—what happened to Paul, who was lost, like a lost sheep, the worst of sinners—is an example of what has happened to us…and so we too share this story of what God has done and continues to do for us and others.
The Bible says that we are always to give the reason for the hope we have—so when somebody asks, “And just what’s your story?” You can say with the apostle Paul, “I’m a forgiven and redeemed sinner in Jesus Christ. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Pr. Wayne Kerber
No matter where I go, when I meet people within the Lutheran Church, I’m forever being asked: “So, what’s your story?” Folks want to know all the details: where did I come from, where did I grow up, who am I related to? It seems everybody has a story, and we want to know it. We’re fascinated in knowing all the bits from other people’s lives.
This also applied to the apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul lets us in on some rather intimate details of his life and what we learn is that he was a lot like you and me. In fact, his story is also our story and it’s a story of God’s amazing grace and love, where like Paul, through God’s grace and love, we too are being continually transformed to be a Reliable Witness and have been given a Reliable Message to share with others.
Paul was a reliable, unyielding figure. He stood strong in the faith – in fact, he was imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith in Jesus – yet Paul also tells us a different story. He tells the story of himself in the following terms: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” Paul goes on say that “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”—that is an amazing testimony of God’s faithful love. And this same amazing grace that transformed Paul from an ignorant persecutor to a wise gospel messenger, is the same grace that changes us—it transforms us to also be reliable gospel witnesses like Paul was.
Like Paul, Jesus considers us worthy to be his witnesses. What a statement! In light of his grace, Jesus allows His love to be showcased in our lives, where we become His stained-glass windows of love and grace, shining out all that He has given and done for us.
What’s Paul’s story? It’s an example of how God turned what was “worst” into something reliable and wonderful—what happened to Paul, who was lost, like a lost sheep, the worst of sinners—is an example of what has happened to us…and so we too share this story of what God has done and continues to do for us and others.
The Bible says that we are always to give the reason for the hope we have—so when somebody asks, “And just what’s your story?” You can say with the apostle Paul, “I’m a forgiven and redeemed sinner in Jesus Christ. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Pr. Wayne Kerber
No matter where I go, when I meet people within the Lutheran Church, I’m forever being asked: “So, what’s your story?” Folks want to know all the details: where did I come from, where did I grow up, who am I related to? It seems everybody has a story, and we want to know it. We’re fascinated in knowing all the bits from other people’s lives.
This also applied to the apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul lets us in on some rather intimate details of his life and what we learn is that he was a lot like you and me. In fact, his story is also our story and it’s a story of God’s amazing grace and love, where like Paul, through God’s grace and love, we too are being continually transformed to be a Reliable Witness and have been given a Reliable Message to share with others.
Paul was a reliable, unyielding figure. He stood strong in the faith – in fact, he was imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith in Jesus – yet Paul also tells us a different story. He tells the story of himself in the following terms: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” Paul goes on say that “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”—that is an amazing testimony of God’s faithful love. And this same amazing grace that transformed Paul from an ignorant persecutor to a wise gospel messenger, is the same grace that changes us—it transforms us to also be reliable gospel witnesses like Paul was.
Like Paul, Jesus considers us worthy to be his witnesses. What a statement! In light of his grace, Jesus allows His love to be showcased in our lives, where we become His stained-glass windows of love and grace, shining out all that He has given and done for us.
What’s Paul’s story? It’s an example of how God turned what was “worst” into something reliable and wonderful—what happened to Paul, who was lost, like a lost sheep, the worst of sinners—is an example of what has happened to us…and so we too share this story of what God has done and continues to do for us and others.
The Bible says that we are always to give the reason for the hope we have—so when somebody asks, “And just what’s your story?” You can say with the apostle Paul, “I’m a forgiven and redeemed sinner in Jesus Christ. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Pr. Wayne Kerber
No matter where I go, when I meet people within the Lutheran Church, I’m forever being asked: “So, what’s your story?” Folks want to know all the details: where did I come from, where did I grow up, who am I related to? It seems everybody has a story, and we want to know it. We’re fascinated in knowing all the bits from other people’s lives.
This also applied to the apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Paul lets us in on some rather intimate details of his life and what we learn is that he was a lot like you and me. In fact, his story is also our story and it’s a story of God’s amazing grace and love, where like Paul, through God’s grace and love, we too are being continually transformed to be a Reliable Witness and have been given a Reliable Message to share with others.
Paul was a reliable, unyielding figure. He stood strong in the faith – in fact, he was imprisoned and eventually martyred for his faith in Jesus – yet Paul also tells us a different story. He tells the story of himself in the following terms: “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” Paul goes on say that “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”—that is an amazing testimony of God’s faithful love. And this same amazing grace that transformed Paul from an ignorant persecutor to a wise gospel messenger, is the same grace that changes us—it transforms us to also be reliable gospel witnesses like Paul was.
Like Paul, Jesus considers us worthy to be his witnesses. What a statement! In light of his grace, Jesus allows His love to be showcased in our lives, where we become His stained-glass windows of love and grace, shining out all that He has given and done for us.
What’s Paul’s story? It’s an example of how God turned what was “worst” into something reliable and wonderful—what happened to Paul, who was lost, like a lost sheep, the worst of sinners—is an example of what has happened to us…and so we too share this story of what God has done and continues to do for us and others.
The Bible says that we are always to give the reason for the hope we have—so when somebody asks, “And just what’s your story?” You can say with the apostle Paul, “I’m a forgiven and redeemed sinner in Jesus Christ. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
Pr. Wayne Kerber
This Fathers’ Day, I’m going to talk to you about God being our heavenly Father, specifically unpacking on what basis it is, that we can call him “Father.”
What is often missed in the discussion of the fatherhood of God is the way it is grounded biblically in Christ the Son. The point is that we don’t independently call God “Father” and Jesus didn’t come simply to say that God is our Father. Rather, Jesus came to reconcile us to God the Father, and this only happens through Jesus himself. Jesus is the embodiment of the Father’s love, and we are reconciled to God our Father in him – in Jesus.
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” It is by faith in Jesus that we become the children of God and can call him “Father” and it is by faith in Jesus that we know God’s great love for us as our heavenly Father.
God’s an amazing, loving, caring heavenly Father and we fathers are called to be loving, kind, caring, compassionate, protective, patient, accepting, forgiving, and understanding fathers to our children, just like our heavenly Father is to us. That’s a big ask, isn’t it?!
Please note that our union with Christ is crucial here. On our own, we will fail at being the kind of fathers that we ought to be (and hopefully the kind of fathers that we want to be). It is only through our faith in Jesus and the renewal that he brings – one that is grounded in Jesus’ love, grace, and forgiveness – that we can begin to become the kind of fathers that God calls us to be.
And it is only through daily relying on Jesus’ love and forgiveness – by the power of the Holy Spirit – that we can persevere with this. For we constantly fall short and fail in our parenting of our children and grandchildren. And I don’t think that’s just me!!
But in Jesus there is hope! Always! In Jesus there is indeed forgiveness for all our failings – including forgiveness for how poorly we do at being fathers. In Jesus there is power to change. And in Jesus, we belong to a community of faith (his Body the Church) that can support us and cheer us on as we take up the vitally important task of parenting our children (and grandchildren).
In all this, as always, we look to Jesus for his help and comfort, knowing that in him we ourselves have the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of our loving heavenly Father.
Pastor Richard Haar
This Fathers’ Day, I’m going to talk to you about God being our heavenly Father, specifically unpacking on what basis it is, that we can call him “Father.”
What is often missed in the discussion of the fatherhood of God is the way it is grounded biblically in Christ the Son. The point is that we don’t independently call God “Father” and Jesus didn’t come simply to say that God is our Father. Rather, Jesus came to reconcile us to God the Father, and this only happens through Jesus himself. Jesus is the embodiment of the Father’s love, and we are reconciled to God our Father in him – in Jesus.
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” It is by faith in Jesus that we become the children of God and can call him “Father” and it is by faith in Jesus that we know God’s great love for us as our heavenly Father.
God’s an amazing, loving, caring heavenly Father and we fathers are called to be loving, kind, caring, compassionate, protective, patient, accepting, forgiving, and understanding fathers to our children, just like our heavenly Father is to us. That’s a big ask, isn’t it?!
Please note that our union with Christ is crucial here. On our own, we will fail at being the kind of fathers that we ought to be (and hopefully the kind of fathers that we want to be). It is only through our faith in Jesus and the renewal that he brings – one that is grounded in Jesus’ love, grace, and forgiveness – that we can begin to become the kind of fathers that God calls us to be.
And it is only through daily relying on Jesus’ love and forgiveness – by the power of the Holy Spirit – that we can persevere with this. For we constantly fall short and fail in our parenting of our children and grandchildren. And I don’t think that’s just me!!
But in Jesus there is hope! Always! In Jesus there is indeed forgiveness for all our failings – including forgiveness for how poorly we do at being fathers. In Jesus there is power to change. And in Jesus, we belong to a community of faith (his Body the Church) that can support us and cheer us on as we take up the vitally important task of parenting our children (and grandchildren).
In all this, as always, we look to Jesus for his help and comfort, knowing that in him we ourselves have the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of our loving heavenly Father.
Pastor Richard Haar
We have the command from Jesus to treat our neighbours with love. But the Christian response never begins with a command. Instead, it begins with first being given something - God’s love, shown in the suffering, death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ. It is this love that Christ tells us to pass on to others.
We have the command from Jesus to treat our neighbours with love. But the Christian response never begins with a command. Instead, it begins with first being given something - God’s love, shown in the suffering, death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ. It is this love that Christ tells us to pass on to others.
Grace is a free gift of God and means you are beloved, whether you deserve it or not. In Grace the focus is on Jesus. Join Pastor Matt Thiele via video as he explores what it means to be ‘beloved’ as he opens up 1 John.
Bible Reading for this Week: 1 John 2:7
Please also read: 1 John 3:2, 1 John 2:21, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:11
Pastor Stephen Abraham will share his personal journey through chronic pain and disability, and how he has found hope in hard times. Retired due to spinal injury, Stephen nonetheless has a vocation to convey the love of God through music and contemplative practices that bring hope and healing to others. You can find some of Pastor Stephen’s work, including music, devotions and Christian meditations, at https://www.youtube.com/stephenabrahammusic
His latest song may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3pb3GkH
Pastor Stephen Abraham will share his personal journey through chronic pain and disability, and how he has found hope in hard times. Retired due to spinal injury, Stephen nonetheless has a vocation to convey the love of God through music and contemplative practices that bring hope and healing to others. You can find some of Pastor Stephen’s work, including music, devotions and Christian meditations, at https://www.youtube.com/stephenabrahammusic
His latest song may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3pb3GkH
Who would you like to see call on the name of the Lord?
Maybe someone like John: “My wife of 45 years, who is only 65, has dementia that has rapidly progressed over the last year. Thank you for sharing your story. I am inspired by your story.”
Or someone like Chris: “Religions are divisive and poisonous. They keep people in ignorance and fear.”
Or someone like James: “My wife and I are super excited. I’ve been scratching my head for this info for years and I will be sure to tell my friends to swing on by.”
There can be great joy when someone calls on the name of the Lord and they have hope in Jesus Christ. How is God calling and equipping you to share his good news with people you meet?
Thanks, and God bless you all. Pr Richard Fox
Who would you like to see call on the name of the Lord?
Maybe someone like John: “My wife of 45 years, who is only 65, has dementia that has rapidly progressed over the last year. Thank you for sharing your story. I am inspired by your story.”
Or someone like Chris: “Religions are divisive and poisonous. They keep people in ignorance and fear.”
Or someone like James: “My wife and I are super excited. I’ve been scratching my head for this info for years and I will be sure to tell my friends to swing on by.”
There can be great joy when someone calls on the name of the Lord and they have hope in Jesus Christ. How is God calling and equipping you to share his good news with people you meet?
Thanks, and God bless you all. Pr Richard Fox
When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways. This week is the first in an occasional series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey, exploring how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith?
When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways. This week is the first in an occasional series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey, exploring how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith?
When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways. This week is the first in an occasional series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey, exploring how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith?
When we look back over our lives, we might find that God has prepared the way or guided us in surprising ways. This week is the first in an occasional series of interviews with people who will share their faith journey, exploring how God has guided and shaped their lives through people, events, and prayer.
Sometimes God is prompting us to “put a toe in the water” without us knowing what He has planned. Are we in tune with God’s promptings and do we trust Him enough to step out in faith?
At its simplest, prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other. That means prayer is not about perfecting the correct methodology. Instead, it’s about growing in this love relationship where we can respond with all we are, to all that Father God is to us. When it comes to praying, we’ve already been given everything we need: a heart, mind, mouth, and ears. Using these, prayer becomes a flow of love toward God that can bear fruit of all kinds as we submit to him and know him better.
Pr Peter Steicke
At its simplest, prayer is a conversation between two people who love each other. That means prayer is not about perfecting the correct methodology. Instead, it’s about growing in this love relationship where we can respond with all we are, to all that Father God is to us. When it comes to praying, we’ve already been given everything we need: a heart, mind, mouth, and ears. Using these, prayer becomes a flow of love toward God that can bear fruit of all kinds as we submit to him and know him better.
Pr Peter Steicke
If you could ask God for anything you wanted – what would you ask for?
Would it be pleasing to God?
Solomon was given this option and he asked for ‘wisdom’, but what is wisdom?
Bishop Stephen Schulz unpacks what this meant for Solomon and what it means for us today.
Is God’s offer still open to us?
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3: 5-10.
The older I get the more I’m noticing how hard it is to change. There are things I have been wrestling with for many, many years and yet I seem to have made little or no progress in changing them. It can be rather discouraging and disconcerting. I also find myself wondering what God must be thinking about my inability to change those things in my life that are not his best for me.
The good news for me and all of us is that God’s loves us as we are, and there is nothing we can do to make him love us more, or less. That’s important to remember so that we don’t slip into despair over our inability to change. While God loves us just the way we are, He loves us way too much to leave us as we are. God knows how much pain and struggle those things we need to change bring into our lives. God wants to work change so that we can live more fully in the blessings of the life he has made possible for us in Jesus.
This Sunday we are going to look at Jacob and how God worked change in his life after many years of living deceitfully and running away. As we observe what God used to change Jacob, we realise that God is still using this approach to transform us to be more and more like Jesus.
I look forward to sharing this message with you on Sunday.
Yours in Jesus Noel Kluge
The older I get the more I’m noticing how hard it is to change. There are things I have been wrestling with for many, many years and yet I seem to have made little or no progress in changing them. It can be rather discouraging and disconcerting. I also find myself wondering what God must be thinking about my inability to change those things in my life that are not his best for me.
The good news for me and all of us is that God’s loves us as we are, and there is nothing we can do to make him love us more, or less. That’s important to remember so that we don’t slip into despair over our inability to change. While God loves us just the way we are, He loves us way too much to leave us as we are. God knows how much pain and struggle those things we need to change bring into our lives. God wants to work change so that we can live more fully in the blessings of the life he has made possible for us in Jesus.
This Sunday we are going to look at Jacob and how God worked change in his life after many years of living deceitfully and running away. As we observe what God used to change Jacob, we realise that God is still using this approach to transform us to be more and more like Jesus.
I look forward to sharing this message with you on Sunday.
Yours in Jesus Noel Kluge
Resilience has become a bit of a buzz word in recent years. Doubly so, as we’ve battled through Covid and are still recovering from that, emotionally, socially, financially, and even spiritually. We’d all like to know how we might hang in there during the tough times in life and continue to thrive and live well, in even the most challenging of circumstances?
In today's message we explore resilience, look at how worship helps us hang in there, and unpack a simple prayer for resilience: “Lord, warm my heart, renew my mind, use my hands, and shape my life. Amen.”
Resilience has become a bit of a buzz word in recent years. Doubly so, as we’ve battled through Covid and are still recovering from that, emotionally, socially, financially, and even spiritually. We’d all like to know how we might hang in there during the tough times in life and continue to thrive and live well, in even the most challenging of circumstances?
In today's message we explore resilience, look at how worship helps us hang in there, and unpack a simple prayer for resilience: “Lord, warm my heart, renew my mind, use my hands, and shape my life. Amen.”
Here is a thought that comes from the book “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande, where he talks about an effect of using the Golden Rule to treat others as we would like to be treated. He calls this the Golden Result:
The Golden Result says that people will usually treat us as we treat them. If we blame others for a problem, they will usually blame us in return. But if we say, “I was wrong,” it is amazing how often the response will be, “It was my fault too.”
I have seen this result in hundreds of cases over the past twenty-one years. Whether the dispute involves a personal quarrel, divorce, lawsuit, or Church division, people generally treat one another as they are being treated. When one person attacks and accuses, so does the other. And when God moves one person to start getting the log out of his or her own eye, it is rare that the other side fails to do the same.
The Golden Result occurs more often with people who understand and cherish the gospel. When we admit our own sins are so serious that Jesus had to die for us, and remember that he has forgiven us for all our wrongs, we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness and freely admit our failures. When we do this, we experience the wonderful gift of God’s forgiveness.
In so many cases this results in a softening and a willingness to work things out rather than to continue the conflict.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: 1 John 4:11, 15-21
Here is a thought that comes from the book “The Peacemaker” by Ken Sande, where he talks about an effect of using the Golden Rule to treat others as we would like to be treated. He calls this the Golden Result:
The Golden Result says that people will usually treat us as we treat them. If we blame others for a problem, they will usually blame us in return. But if we say, “I was wrong,” it is amazing how often the response will be, “It was my fault too.”
I have seen this result in hundreds of cases over the past twenty-one years. Whether the dispute involves a personal quarrel, divorce, lawsuit, or Church division, people generally treat one another as they are being treated. When one person attacks and accuses, so does the other. And when God moves one person to start getting the log out of his or her own eye, it is rare that the other side fails to do the same.
The Golden Result occurs more often with people who understand and cherish the gospel. When we admit our own sins are so serious that Jesus had to die for us, and remember that he has forgiven us for all our wrongs, we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness and freely admit our failures. When we do this, we experience the wonderful gift of God’s forgiveness.
In so many cases this results in a softening and a willingness to work things out rather than to continue the conflict.
Pastor Paul Fielke
Bible Reading: 1 John 4:11, 15-21
Being a follower of Jesus is a package deal. If we have God as our heavenly Father, through Christ, then because of that, other Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
St Paul tells us in Galatians 3:36-29 that, because of our shared union with Christ, the usual cultural distinctions and separations between people no longer apply. Our unity with each other is grounded in and flows out of our union with Christ. We don’t come together as a congregation simply as a human arrangement, but because God has drawn us to himself and made us part of his family. This is not our doing, but his. It is a gift of grace!
Our unity as Christians is a gift – and this precious gift is what that determines our identity. Who am I? I am God’s beloved and forgiven child, through my union with Christ. And who are we? We are God’s beloved and forgiven family, though our union with Christ. That’s how we are to think of ourselves and of each other.
We are one in Christ – praise God! Let’s live that way!
Being a follower of Jesus is a package deal. If we have God as our heavenly Father, through Christ, then because of that, other Christians are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
St Paul tells us in Galatians 3:36-29 that, because of our shared union with Christ, the usual cultural distinctions and separations between people no longer apply. Our unity with each other is grounded in and flows out of our union with Christ. We don’t come together as a congregation simply as a human arrangement, but because God has drawn us to himself and made us part of his family. This is not our doing, but his. It is a gift of grace!
Our unity as Christians is a gift – and this precious gift is what that determines our identity. Who am I? I am God’s beloved and forgiven child, through my union with Christ. And who are we? We are God’s beloved and forgiven family, though our union with Christ. That’s how we are to think of ourselves and of each other.
We are one in Christ – praise God! Let’s live that way!
What does it mean to belong to the Kingdom of God?
How do we live in our local community as the Kingdom of God – the Church?
What is the Church – Jesus’ Church?
We live in a “individualistic” society, so how do we become a community acting together in unity?
We live in the world and have been given the role to share Jesus’ Kingdom on Earth.
Pastor Klein explores how we as a community share the Wisdom of God with each other and with those around us.
We are to be a community for each other’s sake.
Please read Acts 15:22-35 in preparation for Sunday.
Pr Fin Klein
What does it mean to belong to the Kingdom of God?
How do we live in our local community as the Kingdom of God – the Church?
What is the Church – Jesus’ Church?
We live in a “individualistic” society, so how do we become a community acting together in unity?
We live in the world and have been given the role to share Jesus’ Kingdom on Earth.
Pastor Klein explores how we as a community share the Wisdom of God with each other and with those around us.
We are to be a community for each other’s sake.
Please read Acts 15:22-35 in preparation for Sunday.
Pr Fin Klein
Pentecost is all about the coming of the Holy Spirit. This raised a lot of questions for those who saw and heard what the Spirit was doing. First of all, there were the “tongues of fire,” which were a visible representation of the presence of the Spirit on the disciples. And then the Spirit caused them to “speak in other tongues.”
With repetition of the word “tongues,” it’s understandable why some people might mistakenly think that the disciples were exercising the spiritual gift of “speaking in tongues.” But that’s not the case. The disciples were speaking real languages. Luke explicitly says, “each one heard them speaking in his or her own language.”
Those who heard the disciples speaking, explained that “we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” The standout thing here is not so much the phenomena of the disciples speaking in other languages, but more about what they were saying in these different languages – the message they were sharing.
What was the Holy Spirit’s intention here? To put on a good show? Well, it certainly got people’s attention. But that’s only a means to an end. The goal here is for people to hear the Good News about Jesus. To proclaim the greatest miracle of all: the resurrection of Christ and his victory over sin and death!
Finally, what does Pentecost mean for us here at Good Shepherd? It means that the Holy Spirit is continuing to pour his power over our lives so we ourselves can believe in Jesus and then share that message with others; The Spirit is continuing to renew our hearts and change our lives so that we become more like Jesus and share his love with those around us; and the Spirit is filling us with peace and hope, so that we can persevere during this time of vacancy with determination and confidence. The Holy Spirit is continuing to do what he’s always doing: drawing people into God’s Kingdom and growing God’s people in faith and love.
Pastor Richard Haar
Pentecost is all about the coming of the Holy Spirit. This raised a lot of questions for those who saw and heard what the Spirit was doing. First of all, there were the “tongues of fire,” which were a visible representation of the presence of the Spirit on the disciples. And then the Spirit caused them to “speak in other tongues.”
With repetition of the word “tongues,” it’s understandable why some people might mistakenly think that the disciples were exercising the spiritual gift of “speaking in tongues.” But that’s not the case. The disciples were speaking real languages. Luke explicitly says, “each one heard them speaking in his or her own language.”
Those who heard the disciples speaking, explained that “we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” The standout thing here is not so much the phenomena of the disciples speaking in other languages, but more about what they were saying in these different languages – the message they were sharing.
What was the Holy Spirit’s intention here? To put on a good show? Well, it certainly got people’s attention. But that’s only a means to an end. The goal here is for people to hear the Good News about Jesus. To proclaim the greatest miracle of all: the resurrection of Christ and his victory over sin and death!
Finally, what does Pentecost mean for us here at Good Shepherd? It means that the Holy Spirit is continuing to pour his power over our lives so we ourselves can believe in Jesus and then share that message with others; The Spirit is continuing to renew our hearts and change our lives so that we become more like Jesus and share his love with those around us; and the Spirit is filling us with peace and hope, so that we can persevere during this time of vacancy with determination and confidence. The Holy Spirit is continuing to do what he’s always doing: drawing people into God’s Kingdom and growing God’s people in faith and love.
Pastor Richard Haar
This Sunday we will be looking at 1 Samuel 8 where the people of Israel through the prophet Samuel ask God for a king. Samuel their leader is aging and with the looming threat of war they’re desperately looking for a leader to guide them through.
As you read through the chapter it becomes clear that God is not pleased with their request. Why? God is not pleased because in asking for a king the Israelites are rejecting God as their king. They are doubting God’s capacity to safely lead them through the threat of war just as he had done in the past. Would God be enough for them this time? Their request for a king reveals their doubt.
Is God enough? We all face this question in our faith journey. Is God enough to get me through this or should I look for something more? As we look at 1 Samuel 8 this Sunday, we will explore what happens when we no longer believe that God is enough and how our choice to add something is a rejection of God. The reality is that whatever we hope to gain by adding to God we end up losing.
The good news is that God’s grace can reconfigure our bad choices and use them for his purposes. God’s grace is enough to take Israel’s sinful choice to have a king and reconfigure it into a Saviour. Whatever you are facing in life right now, even if it is of your own making, God is enough to get you through.
Noel Kluge
This Sunday we will be looking at 1 Samuel 8 where the people of Israel through the prophet Samuel ask God for a king. Samuel their leader is aging and with the looming threat of war they’re desperately looking for a leader to guide them through.
As you read through the chapter it becomes clear that God is not pleased with their request. Why? God is not pleased because in asking for a king the Israelites are rejecting God as their king. They are doubting God’s capacity to safely lead them through the threat of war just as he had done in the past. Would God be enough for them this time? Their request for a king reveals their doubt.
Is God enough? We all face this question in our faith journey. Is God enough to get me through this or should I look for something more? As we look at 1 Samuel 8 this Sunday, we will explore what happens when we no longer believe that God is enough and how our choice to add something is a rejection of God. The reality is that whatever we hope to gain by adding to God we end up losing.
The good news is that God’s grace can reconfigure our bad choices and use them for his purposes. God’s grace is enough to take Israel’s sinful choice to have a king and reconfigure it into a Saviour. Whatever you are facing in life right now, even if it is of your own making, God is enough to get you through.
Noel Kluge
A message by Pastor Paul Fielke, read by Michael Gower.
St Paul never compromised God’s standards, but he was always willing to forego traditions and other things in order to reach any audience. He used things that would give him credibility with his audience so that he had common ground with them. He earned the right to speak so that he could tell people about God’s love in Jesus.
Being all things to all people is something St Paul did to enable others to hear the wonderful message of Jesus. It is also a way we have of showing God’s care and love to all people as well.
A message by Pastor Paul Fielke, read by Michael Gower.
St Paul never compromised God’s standards, but he was always willing to forego traditions and other things in order to reach any audience. He used things that would give him credibility with his audience so that he had common ground with them. He earned the right to speak so that he could tell people about God’s love in Jesus.
Being all things to all people is something St Paul did to enable others to hear the wonderful message of Jesus. It is also a way we have of showing God’s care and love to all people as well.
The opening question of this Psalm resonates with all of us. To be a human being, so often means having to face numerous problems and challenges in life. No one is immune from that. Sooner or later, we all find ourselves asking: Who’s going to help me? How am I going to get through this? How will I cope? These kinds of questions naturally come up when we’re faced with difficulties in life – when we’re pulling a heavy load and it all seems a bit too much for us.
Where will my help come from when I get sick? Or when my loved ones get sick? Where will my help come from when my business fails? Or my marriage fails? Where will my help come from when I feel overwhelmed and afraid? When I don’t think I can cope anymore? Where will my help come from when I don’t know what to do? And when I feel like giving up? Where will my help come from when I feel crushed by guilt? Or when I’ve been deeply wounded by others?
With the Psalmist, we can confidently say, “My help comes from the Lord!” These problems may indeed be too much for us to handle on our own, but God promises to be with us, and nothing is too much for Him to handle!
The take-home message for us, is that we can trust in God because He is trustworthy. We can have faith in Jesus because he is faithful to us – always and in all things! This same confidence in God’s faithfulness and goodness to us, is repeated in Romans 8:37-39, where we are reassured that whatever life throws up at us, whatever we have to go through, God will always be with us, and He won’t let us down. God will continue to be faithful and trustworthy. And His love for us will never fail!
Pr. Richard Haar
The opening question of this Psalm resonates with all of us. To be a human being, so often means having to face numerous problems and challenges in life. No one is immune from that. Sooner or later, we all find ourselves asking: Who’s going to help me? How am I going to get through this? How will I cope? These kinds of questions naturally come up when we’re faced with difficulties in life – when we’re pulling a heavy load and it all seems a bit too much for us.
Where will my help come from when I get sick? Or when my loved ones get sick? Where will my help come from when my business fails? Or my marriage fails? Where will my help come from when I feel overwhelmed and afraid? When I don’t think I can cope anymore? Where will my help come from when I don’t know what to do? And when I feel like giving up? Where will my help come from when I feel crushed by guilt? Or when I’ve been deeply wounded by others?
With the Psalmist, we can confidently say, “My help comes from the Lord!” These problems may indeed be too much for us to handle on our own, but God promises to be with us, and nothing is too much for Him to handle!
The take-home message for us, is that we can trust in God because He is trustworthy. We can have faith in Jesus because he is faithful to us – always and in all things! This same confidence in God’s faithfulness and goodness to us, is repeated in Romans 8:37-39, where we are reassured that whatever life throws up at us, whatever we have to go through, God will always be with us, and He won’t let us down. God will continue to be faithful and trustworthy. And His love for us will never fail!
Pr. Richard Haar
Change is always hard, and times of transition can be quite challenging. At Para Vista we are beginning to come to terms with the fact that Pastor Rolly will no longer be with us. That’s a big change for us! How will we transition successfully through this?
In Joshua chapter 1, we encounter the people of Israel in transition. Moses was dead and Joshua was wondering whether he was up to the task of leading God’s people. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill! It seems to me that many of the things that God said to encourage Joshua, equally applies to us today.
In verse 3 God says to Joshua, “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land.” Here God is reassuring Joshua and the people that the promises spoken to Moses still hold good, even though Moses is no longer with them.
Note too how God refers to the people as “my” people, not Moses’ people. In the same way, God claims you as his own here at Para Vista. Jesus is your true Pastor, not Pastor Rolly or Pastor Reid. They may have left, but Jesus is still with us! And his promises to you still hold true! God is, and will continue to be, faithful during this time of vacancy and transition.
In verse 5 God says, “I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.” You can’t help but think of Jesus’ other name, “Immanuel” when you read this. Immanuel, of course, means, “God with us.”
Next God says to Joshua the same thing three times in a row. In verse 6 God says, “Be determined and confident.” He repeats the same encouragement in verse 7, “Just be determined, be confident.” And for a third time God says in verse 9, “Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!” God says it three times. Clearly God wants us to take this message to heart!
So, let’s be really determined to remember that and be super confident because of it, knowing that God loves each one of us and will be with us every step of the way!
Pr. Richard Haar
Change is always hard, and times of transition can be quite challenging. At Para Vista we are beginning to come to terms with the fact that Pastor Rolly will no longer be with us. That’s a big change for us! How will we transition successfully through this?
In Joshua chapter 1, we encounter the people of Israel in transition. Moses was dead and Joshua was wondering whether he was up to the task of leading God’s people. Those were some pretty big shoes to fill! It seems to me that many of the things that God said to encourage Joshua, equally applies to us today.
In verse 3 God says to Joshua, “As I told Moses, I have given you and all my people the entire land.” Here God is reassuring Joshua and the people that the promises spoken to Moses still hold good, even though Moses is no longer with them.
Note too how God refers to the people as “my” people, not Moses’ people. In the same way, God claims you as his own here at Para Vista. Jesus is your true Pastor, not Pastor Rolly or Pastor Reid. They may have left, but Jesus is still with us! And his promises to you still hold true! God is, and will continue to be, faithful during this time of vacancy and transition.
In verse 5 God says, “I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you.” You can’t help but think of Jesus’ other name, “Immanuel” when you read this. Immanuel, of course, means, “God with us.”
Next God says to Joshua the same thing three times in a row. In verse 6 God says, “Be determined and confident.” He repeats the same encouragement in verse 7, “Just be determined, be confident.” And for a third time God says in verse 9, “Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident!” God says it three times. Clearly God wants us to take this message to heart!
So, let’s be really determined to remember that and be super confident because of it, knowing that God loves each one of us and will be with us every step of the way!
Pr. Richard Haar
This Sunday will be my last sermon as your pastor here at Good Shepherd.
Last words can be poignant and impacting. The “last words” I want to share with you are not mine, but God’s! God has spoken to us most clearly and personally in his Son: Jesus – the Word made flesh. In Jesus we discover that our Father’s heart is always beating with love for us, wanting us to be in relationship with him, and to join his work in this world.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1-3 warns his audience not to return to their old way of life, but to walk in the freedom and life that Jesus has for us. He urges his readers – and us – not to get distracted by lesser things, or things that have no future in God’s plans; but to run the race trusting God’s promises and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
I thank you for the privilege of sharing the Scriptures with you and pointing you to Jesus. As I bid you farewell, I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
- Pastor Rolly Stahl
This Sunday will be my last sermon as your pastor here at Good Shepherd.
Last words can be poignant and impacting. The “last words” I want to share with you are not mine, but God’s! God has spoken to us most clearly and personally in his Son: Jesus – the Word made flesh. In Jesus we discover that our Father’s heart is always beating with love for us, wanting us to be in relationship with him, and to join his work in this world.
The writer of Hebrews 12:1-3 warns his audience not to return to their old way of life, but to walk in the freedom and life that Jesus has for us. He urges his readers – and us – not to get distracted by lesser things, or things that have no future in God’s plans; but to run the race trusting God’s promises and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
I thank you for the privilege of sharing the Scriptures with you and pointing you to Jesus. As I bid you farewell, I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
- Pastor Rolly Stahl
A message from guest preacher Paul Fielke.
Doubt almost seems like a bad word in Christian circles. All too often it is equated with falling away — with losing your faith. Christians fight against doubt and are often encouraged to just have faith. But doubts are a normal part of our lives. So rather than run from it, use it to your advantage. Bring your doubts to God. Seek answers to your doubts. When you do that, doubts can lead to growth.
There may be times when your doubts are really hard to answer. When they are, remember even though you might at times doubt God, God never doubts you. And always tell yourself that you can rely on his love for you and his promises to you.
A message from guest preacher Paul Fielke.
Doubt almost seems like a bad word in Christian circles. All too often it is equated with falling away — with losing your faith. Christians fight against doubt and are often encouraged to just have faith. But doubts are a normal part of our lives. So rather than run from it, use it to your advantage. Bring your doubts to God. Seek answers to your doubts. When you do that, doubts can lead to growth.
There may be times when your doubts are really hard to answer. When they are, remember even though you might at times doubt God, God never doubts you. And always tell yourself that you can rely on his love for you and his promises to you.
Mary Magdalene – Devotion Mary Magdalene is arguably Jesus’ most devoted follower. She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and supported his ministry. She is present at the cross and at his burial. So, surprise, as soon as Sabbath is over, she is back at the tomb – only to find that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open! Shock! Who would do such a thing? Not long afterwards her grief is turned to joy!
Praise the Lord, we’ve received lots of positive comments about this series. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus – so many will encounter him personally.
Peace and Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
Mary Magdalene – Devotion Mary Magdalene is arguably Jesus’ most devoted follower. She was one of the women who followed him in Galilee and supported his ministry. She is present at the cross and at his burial. So, surprise, as soon as Sabbath is over, she is back at the tomb – only to find that the stone has been rolled away and the tomb is open! Shock! Who would do such a thing? Not long afterwards her grief is turned to joy!
Praise the Lord, we’ve received lots of positive comments about this series. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to open ears, eyes, hearts, and minds to Jesus – so many will encounter him personally.
Peace and Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
Mary the mother of Jesus – Traumatised As Mary witnesses the trauma of her firstborn son’s execution, she questions what the Father of Jesus is doing. How can he allow this travesty of justice to happen?
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus the Pharisee – Emboldened Both were members of Jewish Ruling Council: The Sanhedrin. Since most of the Sanhedrin were hostile to Jesus, Joe and Nic were discreet about their connections with him. This changes after Jesus’ death. What inspired their boldness to ask for Jesus’ body and carry out his burial?
Mary the mother of Jesus – Traumatised As Mary witnesses the trauma of her firstborn son’s execution, she questions what the Father of Jesus is doing. How can he allow this travesty of justice to happen?
Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus the Pharisee – Emboldened Both were members of Jewish Ruling Council: The Sanhedrin. Since most of the Sanhedrin were hostile to Jesus, Joe and Nic were discreet about their connections with him. This changes after Jesus’ death. What inspired their boldness to ask for Jesus’ body and carry out his burial?
We wonder, “What motivated Judas to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders?” Was it just greed or something deeper? It seems Judas failed to understand Jesus’ plan and purpose. Perhaps Judas wanted to impose his own agenda on Jesus.
We wonder, “What motivated Judas to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders?” Was it just greed or something deeper? It seems Judas failed to understand Jesus’ plan and purpose. Perhaps Judas wanted to impose his own agenda on Jesus.
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Joanna, the wife of Chuza. After being healed by Jesus, she and some other women followed him and financially supported his ministry. It is likely that they accompanied Jesus and the disciples to Jerusalem for Passover and were in the crowd on Palm Sunday, giving him a welcome fit for a king - the promised Messiah-King of Israel.
What were the expectations of those who sang Jesus’ praises that day. Of the women who followed Jesus during his ministry in Galilee, and then to Jerusalem for the Passover festival? And the children who came along as well? What might their expectations have been of Jesus as Messiah-King?
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Joanna, the wife of Chuza. After being healed by Jesus, she and some other women followed him and financially supported his ministry. It is likely that they accompanied Jesus and the disciples to Jerusalem for Passover and were in the crowd on Palm Sunday, giving him a welcome fit for a king - the promised Messiah-King of Israel.
What were the expectations of those who sang Jesus’ praises that day. Of the women who followed Jesus during his ministry in Galilee, and then to Jerusalem for the Passover festival? And the children who came along as well? What might their expectations have been of Jesus as Messiah-King?
Over the last 4 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, Andrew, and his brother Peter. This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Pontius Pilate. His encounter with Jesus can be summed up with the word: Perplexed.
In John’s account we read the dialogue of Pilate with the Jews – and Pilate with Jesus. While Pilate is trying to get to the truth of what Jesus has done wrong, Jesus is also asking questions of Pilate – and making claims that Pilate finds perplexing. It makes the reader wonder: “Who is on trial here?”
What is common in all four Gospel accounts is that Pilate cannot establish a charge under Roman law to warrant the death penalty. The Jewish leaders keep pressuring Pilate until he concedes to their demands.
It’s a travesty of justice! Yet it is also a key part of God’s plan to justify us!
Over the last 4 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, Andrew, and his brother Peter. This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Pontius Pilate. His encounter with Jesus can be summed up with the word: Perplexed.
In John’s account we read the dialogue of Pilate with the Jews – and Pilate with Jesus. While Pilate is trying to get to the truth of what Jesus has done wrong, Jesus is also asking questions of Pilate – and making claims that Pilate finds perplexing. It makes the reader wonder: “Who is on trial here?”
What is common in all four Gospel accounts is that Pilate cannot establish a charge under Roman law to warrant the death penalty. The Jewish leaders keep pressuring Pilate until he concedes to their demands.
It’s a travesty of justice! Yet it is also a key part of God’s plan to justify us!
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).
Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, and last week Andrew – one of Jesus’ first disciples. This Sunday we will hear the story of Andrew’s brother: Peter – The Fickle Follower.
With his propensity to speak first and think later, I so get Peter! It’s not easy for an extrovert to remain silent or bite one’s tongue. One’s words can gush out like water from a fire hydrant… and do untold amounts of damage!
Peter wants to prove himself worthy of being Jesus’ right-hand man. But the harder he tries, the more he keeps messing up. Think of when he hopped out of the boat amid the swell, took a few steps towards Jesus, and then sank like a rock!
Even after three years with Jesus and the others, Peter is still making impulsive promises. At the last Passover meal, Jesus talks of imminent betrayal – and of being deserted by his disciples. With characteristic boldness, Peter declares to Jesus: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37).
But as the night wore on, Peter’s resolve ran dry. Before the dawn crowing of the rooster, Peter denied having anything to do with Jesus… three times.
Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter! This is good news for every one of us. Jesus never gives up on us! His mercy triumphs over judgment. He is always walking towards us to do us good – to forgive us, to restore us, to grow us, to keep loving on us, and to bring us into his story for his world.
A widely held attitude in many cultures: “Three strikes and you’re out!”
I’m glad that Jesus is not like that!
Shalom! Pr Rolly
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection (based on John 11-20).
Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve heard the stories of Caiaphas, Mary the sister of Lazarus, and last week Andrew – one of Jesus’ first disciples. This Sunday we will hear the story of Andrew’s brother: Peter – The Fickle Follower.
With his propensity to speak first and think later, I so get Peter! It’s not easy for an extrovert to remain silent or bite one’s tongue. One’s words can gush out like water from a fire hydrant… and do untold amounts of damage!
Peter wants to prove himself worthy of being Jesus’ right-hand man. But the harder he tries, the more he keeps messing up. Think of when he hopped out of the boat amid the swell, took a few steps towards Jesus, and then sank like a rock!
Even after three years with Jesus and the others, Peter is still making impulsive promises. At the last Passover meal, Jesus talks of imminent betrayal – and of being deserted by his disciples. With characteristic boldness, Peter declares to Jesus: “I will lay down my life for you” (Jn 13:37).
But as the night wore on, Peter’s resolve ran dry. Before the dawn crowing of the rooster, Peter denied having anything to do with Jesus… three times.
Yet Jesus did not give up on Peter! This is good news for every one of us. Jesus never gives up on us! His mercy triumphs over judgment. He is always walking towards us to do us good – to forgive us, to restore us, to grow us, to keep loving on us, and to bring us into his story for his world.
A widely held attitude in many cultures: “Three strikes and you’re out!”
I’m glad that Jesus is not like that!
Shalom! Pr Rolly
Once a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew became a disciple of Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus.
Later Andrew brought a boy with his lunch box to Jesus, which in Jesus’ hands ended up feeding more than 5000 people. In Sunday’s reading, Andrew brings some Greeks to come and see Jesus. Andrew loved to bring people to Jesus.
If you’ve been reading through the John’s account, you would have noted the opposition to Jesus:
It is flagged in John 1:11: ‘He came to that which was his own. But his own did not receive him.’ In chapter 2, Jesus clears the temple courts and is questioned about his authority. In chapter 5, when Jesus heals on the Sabbath and claims to be doing his Father’s work, they want to kill him (Jn 5:16-18).
From then on, the religious leaders of Jerusalem treated him with hostility and were looking for a way to kill him (Jn 7:1). Despite their ongoing threats, we read that Jesus’ time/hour had not yet come (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20, 8:59).
We get a clear sense that Jesus is steadily moving towards his destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death by being ‘lifted up’ on the cross. Everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16).
In this week’s reading, Jesus tells Andrew and Philip:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (Jn 12:23-24 NIV)
Jesus knows that his death is imminent. Paradoxically, Jesus will be glorified when he is ‘lifted up’ on the cross.
John regards the cross as Jesus’ coronation and supreme exaltation:
His anointing is Mary’s act of worship. His crown is one of thorns. His coronation gown is a purple robe draped as mockery. His charge sheet: King of the Jews, is ironically his true title. His exaltation to kingly office is the cross. His last word shouted at death: “It is finished!” is declaration of victory.
At the cross, we see the glory of God’s love for us in Jesus. As you contemplate the cross, may the Holy Spirit give you a fresh appreciation of Jesus’ love for you!
Shalom! Pr Rolly
Once a follower of John the Baptist, Andrew became a disciple of Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus.
Later Andrew brought a boy with his lunch box to Jesus, which in Jesus’ hands ended up feeding more than 5000 people. In Sunday’s reading, Andrew brings some Greeks to come and see Jesus. Andrew loved to bring people to Jesus.
If you’ve been reading through the John’s account, you would have noted the opposition to Jesus:
It is flagged in John 1:11: ‘He came to that which was his own. But his own did not receive him.’ In chapter 2, Jesus clears the temple courts and is questioned about his authority. In chapter 5, when Jesus heals on the Sabbath and claims to be doing his Father’s work, they want to kill him (Jn 5:16-18).
From then on, the religious leaders of Jerusalem treated him with hostility and were looking for a way to kill him (Jn 7:1). Despite their ongoing threats, we read that Jesus’ time/hour had not yet come (Jn 2:4, 7:6, 7:8, 7:30, 8:20, 8:59).
We get a clear sense that Jesus is steadily moving towards his destiny for which he had come: the time of his sacrificial death by being ‘lifted up’ on the cross. Everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:14-16).
In this week’s reading, Jesus tells Andrew and Philip:
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (Jn 12:23-24 NIV)
Jesus knows that his death is imminent. Paradoxically, Jesus will be glorified when he is ‘lifted up’ on the cross.
John regards the cross as Jesus’ coronation and supreme exaltation:
His anointing is Mary’s act of worship. His crown is one of thorns. His coronation gown is a purple robe draped as mockery. His charge sheet: King of the Jews, is ironically his true title. His exaltation to kingly office is the cross. His last word shouted at death: “It is finished!” is declaration of victory.
At the cross, we see the glory of God’s love for us in Jesus. As you contemplate the cross, may the Holy Spirit give you a fresh appreciation of Jesus’ love for you!
Shalom! Pr Rolly
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection, based on John’s account. Over these weeks, we will hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.
This Sunday: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with the word “worship”? Is worship just what we do on Sunday mornings – or is it what we do in and through our everyday lives?
One thing’s for sure: we don’t worship God to gain his favour. Rather, we worship God because we already have his favour. Our story this Sunday is an amazing account of worship – of pouring out. It precedes Jesus’ pouring out his holy and innocent blood for you and for me!
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’re following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection, based on John’s account. Over these weeks, we will hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.
This Sunday: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind with the word “worship”? Is worship just what we do on Sunday mornings – or is it what we do in and through our everyday lives?
One thing’s for sure: we don’t worship God to gain his favour. Rather, we worship God because we already have his favour. Our story this Sunday is an amazing account of worship – of pouring out. It precedes Jesus’ pouring out his holy and innocent blood for you and for me!
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.
Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.
March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened
March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship
March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come
March 27: Peter – Tested
April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed
April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations
April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal
April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised
April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles. As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.
This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?
I often get stewed up inside. As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”
But then we need to ask: “Who is in control? Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”
Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.
After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.
Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story. Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
In our Lent-Easter worship series, Encounters with Jesus, we’ll be following Jesus from his raising of Lazarus to his resurrection. This will be based on readings from John 11-20.
Over the next 7 weeks, we hope to hear stories from people who encountered Jesus. With each character’s name, there’s a tag word/phrase to describe their experience.
March 6: Caiaphas – Threatened
March 13: Mary (sister of Lazarus) – Extravagant Worship
March 20: Andrew – The Hour Has Come
March 27: Peter – Tested
April 3: Pontius Pilate – Perplexed
April 10 (Palm Sun): Joanna (wife of Chuza) – Expectations
April 14 (Maundy Thurs): Judas Iscariot – Betrayal
April 15 (Good Fri): Mary (mother of Jesus)/Nicodemus & Joseph – Traumatised
April 17 (Resurrection Sun): Mary Magdalene – Devotion
Over the 40 days of Lent, we encourage you to read and reflect on the Gospel of John, taking note of people’s reactions to Jesus’ claims, teaching and miracles. As John’s account unfolds, the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders keeps escalating – until they get him killed.
This Sunday: Caiaphas – Threatened How do you handle it when your dreams, plans or goals get blocked by circumstances beyond your control?
I often get stewed up inside. As the saying goes: “Blocked goals lead to frustration.”
But then we need to ask: “Who is in control? Am I the master of the universe, or can I defer to the One who is?”
Following Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus’ popularity is skyrocketing. Members of the Sanhedrin are at their wits end about what to do with him. They fear losing control over the Jewish people.
This Sunday we’ll hear the story of Caiaphas – the Jewish High Priest who was instrumental in getting Jesus killed. Threatened by Jesus, Caiaphas comes up with an elegant solution to deal with him. Ironically, his prophetic words are fulfilled in a way he never expected.
After Jesus’ resurrection, Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas try to shut down the spread of the Gospel, but to no avail (see Acts 4:5-21, 5:17-42, 7:1). Nothing can stop the Holy Spirit enacting God’s restoration plans for his world.
Like Caiaphas, we can reject Jesus – and seek to write our own story. Or we can join Jesus and be part of God’s good news story for his world.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
Ash Wednesday message called Reconciled based on 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10.
Jacob Fabich
Ash Wednesday message called Reconciled based on 2 Corinthians 5:20 - 6:10.
Jacob Fabich
Jesus modelled a life of service and invites us to follow him in this. How are we modelling a life of service to the next generations? Do we invite them to join in with us in serving others – and talk about it afterwards?
Serving is faith and love in action. If we are not serving, what does that suggest?
Now we do not serve others to earn God’s favour.
Rather, God’s favour produces a life of good works.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT).
Safe and secure in Jesus, we don’t have to keep grasping after greatness in the eyes of the world. Instead, we are free from self-promotion to get on with the good things God planned for us.
We don’t sit around just waiting for God to take us home to heaven; but actively participate in God’s restoration plans for his world. We are saved to serve.
Pr. Rolly
Jesus modelled a life of service and invites us to follow him in this. How are we modelling a life of service to the next generations? Do we invite them to join in with us in serving others – and talk about it afterwards?
Serving is faith and love in action. If we are not serving, what does that suggest?
Now we do not serve others to earn God’s favour.
Rather, God’s favour produces a life of good works.
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT).
Safe and secure in Jesus, we don’t have to keep grasping after greatness in the eyes of the world. Instead, we are free from self-promotion to get on with the good things God planned for us.
We don’t sit around just waiting for God to take us home to heaven; but actively participate in God’s restoration plans for his world. We are saved to serve.
Pr. Rolly
When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?
As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed? (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)
I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?
Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.
When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)
These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).
Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars. Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works. It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.
What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.
Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.
Joy in Jesus! Pr. Rolly
When Israel crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, it was in flood at the time. The priests carried the wooden Ark of the Covenant in front of the people. What happened when they stepped into the water?
As the nation crossed over, do you remember what they gathered from the riverbed? (You can read the whole story in Joshua 3:1-4:24)
I wonder, what’s was the significance of the 12 stones?
Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, “Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you’ll have something later to mark the occasion.
When your children ask you, ‘What are these stones to you?’ you’ll say, ‘The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of the Covenant of God as it crossed the Jordan—stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.’”
(Joshua 4:4-7 The Message, see also Joshua 4:19-22)
These rocks were “milestones” to help the next generations remember what happened at this place. For as long as that pile of stones remained, the people would remember: “After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, this is where the LORD parted the waters – just like at the Red Sea – and brought us into this land that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
This marks the first of 7 memorials made with stones in the Promised Land (see Joshua 7:26, 8:29, 8:31, 10:27, 22:27-28, 24:26-27).
Gathering a pile of stones was a ritual that marked significant events: entry into the land, defeating enemies, taking cities, dealing with sin, memorial altars. Each time people passed by these stones, they could tell the stories of God’s great works. It began a tradition of remembering God’s activity in their lives.
What are our signs, symbols, songs, rituals, and traditions that help us remember God’s activity in our lives? This Sunday we’re looking at the third of our 4 keys to doing life at home with Jesus: Family Rituals and Traditions.
Family rituals and traditions help us to remember important things from the past so we can celebrate them in the present – and renew our hope in the Lord for our future. They remind us that we are part of God’s restoration story for his world, and that each one of us has a part to play HIS story.
Joy in Jesus! Pr. Rolly
A message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 13 February 2022.
The aim of our February series, "At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation", is to learn how to share the language of faith, hope and love in our households more naturally. Four key practices can help us to become more “fluent” in this. This Sunday we’re looking at the second of our 4 keys to doing life together with Jesus: “God-talk” in all its forms. Or in other words: “Devotional times without the yawn factor”!
Did you ever pray together as a family? Were there times when your family discussed characters, or passages or stories from the Bible? Did “our Heavenly Father”, “Jesus”, or “the Holy Spirit” ever come up in everyday conversations?
If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generations, then we need the Holy Spirit to help us. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will be creating a passion for us to get better at God-talk in all its forms – in all of life!
A message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 13 February 2022.
The aim of our February series, "At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation", is to learn how to share the language of faith, hope and love in our households more naturally. Four key practices can help us to become more “fluent” in this. This Sunday we’re looking at the second of our 4 keys to doing life together with Jesus: “God-talk” in all its forms. Or in other words: “Devotional times without the yawn factor”!
Did you ever pray together as a family? Were there times when your family discussed characters, or passages or stories from the Bible? Did “our Heavenly Father”, “Jesus”, or “the Holy Spirit” ever come up in everyday conversations?
If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generations, then we need the Holy Spirit to help us. I’m praying the Holy Spirit will be creating a passion for us to get better at God-talk in all its forms – in all of life!
Do you ever wonder about the legacy you are leaving behind?
What do you want to pass on to the next generations?
What important things do you want your loved ones to ‘get’ from your life? How are you modelling, encouraging, or helping that to happen?
Many of us lament over children, grandchildren, or ‘once close friends’ who are no longer walking with Jesus or connecting with his Church. We may have feelings of deep sorrow, personal failure about that. We may find ourselves worrying over how things are in their lives now, and anxious about their eternal destiny.
As Pr. Peter mentioned last Sunday, there’s no point reading them the riot act! If we want to influence them positively for Jesus, then they need to experience the kindness and favour of Jesus through us. And we need to keep praying for them!
In our households and networks of relationships, how can share the fullness of life in Jesus across the generations? How can the Holy Spirit help us to nurture our precious young persons in the faith, so they have a better chance of doing life with Jesus as adults?
Acknowledging that we ALL need God’s help to pass on the faith to the next generations, our February worship series at Good Shepherd will be:
At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation.
Each Sunday, we will explore one of four ‘faith practices’ for our households:
- Caring Conversations
- “God-talk” in All its Forms
- Family Rituals and Traditions
- Family Acts of Service
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships. This Sunday we will talk about ‘learning the language of faith, hope and love’ by regularly practicing it in our households. And we will look at the first key to building relationships: Caring Conversations.
In Jesus’ name, I ask our Heavenly Father to fill us with his Holy Spirit: that each of us will be so secure in the Father’s love that the next generations will experience Jesus through us – and do life with him forever! Please join me in praying this for all the families of our Good Shepherd community.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
Do you ever wonder about the legacy you are leaving behind?
What do you want to pass on to the next generations?
What important things do you want your loved ones to ‘get’ from your life? How are you modelling, encouraging, or helping that to happen?
Many of us lament over children, grandchildren, or ‘once close friends’ who are no longer walking with Jesus or connecting with his Church. We may have feelings of deep sorrow, personal failure about that. We may find ourselves worrying over how things are in their lives now, and anxious about their eternal destiny.
As Pr. Peter mentioned last Sunday, there’s no point reading them the riot act! If we want to influence them positively for Jesus, then they need to experience the kindness and favour of Jesus through us. And we need to keep praying for them!
In our households and networks of relationships, how can share the fullness of life in Jesus across the generations? How can the Holy Spirit help us to nurture our precious young persons in the faith, so they have a better chance of doing life with Jesus as adults?
Acknowledging that we ALL need God’s help to pass on the faith to the next generations, our February worship series at Good Shepherd will be:
At Home with Jesus – 4 Keys of Faith Formation.
Each Sunday, we will explore one of four ‘faith practices’ for our households:
- Caring Conversations
- “God-talk” in All its Forms
- Family Rituals and Traditions
- Family Acts of Service
Faith is passed on and nurtured through trusted personal relationships. This Sunday we will talk about ‘learning the language of faith, hope and love’ by regularly practicing it in our households. And we will look at the first key to building relationships: Caring Conversations.
In Jesus’ name, I ask our Heavenly Father to fill us with his Holy Spirit: that each of us will be so secure in the Father’s love that the next generations will experience Jesus through us – and do life with him forever! Please join me in praying this for all the families of our Good Shepherd community.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly
An audio message from Pastor Peter Steicke on 30 January 2022.
You could sum up the ministry and mission of Jesus in that one word: favour. He brings the presence, character, values, and inclusiveness of the Father to every person he comes across.
His favour embraces you. On your bad days and your good days.
His favour includes those we might presume to be outside of his reach. In fact, Jesus’ life of favour is not represented by whom he excludes, but rather by whom he includes. There’s a beautiful invitation for us there: receive Father’s favour through Jesus, live in favour, give favour away.
It’s that simple; it’s that profound. For to be sure, favour is life-changing.
A message from Pastor Peter Steicke on 30 January 2022.
You could sum up the ministry and mission of Jesus in that one word: favour. He brings the presence, character, values, and inclusiveness of the Father to every person he comes across.
His favour embraces you. On your bad days and your good days.
His favour includes those we might presume to be outside of his reach. In fact, Jesus’ life of favour is not represented by whom he excludes, but rather by whom he includes. There’s a beautiful invitation for us there: receive Father’s favour through Jesus, live in favour, give favour away.
It’s that simple; it’s that profound. For to be sure, favour is life-changing.
A message from Pastor Richard Haar on 23 January 2022.
What does freedom mean to you? Being free is one of the core aspirations of our modern world and is highly important for all of us. This week we will reflect on what it means that Jesus sets us free as we listen to the message of Luke 4:14-21.
One way of expressing the modern take on freedom is that “No one’s the boss of me!” Freedom is thus defined as nobody telling me what to do or how to live my life. However, the freedom that Jesus brings us is much more than that. When Jesus is in charge of your life, you can also joyfully affirm that “Nothing is the boss of me – not sin; not guilt; not fear; not even death – for I am free in Christ!”
A message from Pastor Richard Haar on 23 January 2022.
What does freedom mean to you? Being free is one of the core aspirations of our modern world and is highly important for all of us. This week we will reflect on what it means that Jesus sets us free as we listen to the message of Luke 4:14-21.
One way of expressing the modern take on freedom is that “No one’s the boss of me!” Freedom is thus defined as nobody telling me what to do or how to live my life. However, the freedom that Jesus brings us is much more than that. When Jesus is in charge of your life, you can also joyfully affirm that “Nothing is the boss of me – not sin; not guilt; not fear; not even death – for I am free in Christ!”
While the Bible condemns drunkenness, wine is a gift of God for times of celebration and joy. Wine was regarded as one of the Lord’s covenant blessings on his faithful people:
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today — to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV).
I love the story of Jesus turning 6 large jars of water into a LOT of wine. And it’s not just because I enjoy a cracking good red! Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Given that it’s not far from Nazareth, they may have been friends of his family.
Things start off well, people enjoying themselves and giving thanks to God. The Kiddush, the Jewish prayer over the wine: “Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
But with the wine running out, the family hosting the wedding banquet was facing total embarrassment and decades of shame. Jesus’ mum tells him: “They have no more wine.”
Following Jesus’ instructions, the servants fill up 6 stone jars with water; and then draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. He declares that this is the best wine at the banquet.
Jesus saves a family from shame; and enables a wedding feast to continue for the enjoyment of all. Yet at first, most were oblivious to the source of the best wine.
One of the Messianic signs:
‘In that day the mountains will drip new wine…’ (Joel 3:18 NIV). ‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…’ (Amos 9:13 NIV).
This sign points to Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah. And it points toward the heavenly banquet at God’s place – where all God’s people will celebrate life to the full!
Jesus is the life of the party because he is the Lord of Life.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
While the Bible condemns drunkenness, wine is a gift of God for times of celebration and joy. Wine was regarded as one of the Lord’s covenant blessings on his faithful people:
So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today — to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul — then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil (Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NIV).
I love the story of Jesus turning 6 large jars of water into a LOT of wine. And it’s not just because I enjoy a cracking good red! Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. Given that it’s not far from Nazareth, they may have been friends of his family.
Things start off well, people enjoying themselves and giving thanks to God. The Kiddush, the Jewish prayer over the wine: “Praise to You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”
But with the wine running out, the family hosting the wedding banquet was facing total embarrassment and decades of shame. Jesus’ mum tells him: “They have no more wine.”
Following Jesus’ instructions, the servants fill up 6 stone jars with water; and then draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. He declares that this is the best wine at the banquet.
Jesus saves a family from shame; and enables a wedding feast to continue for the enjoyment of all. Yet at first, most were oblivious to the source of the best wine.
One of the Messianic signs:
‘In that day the mountains will drip new wine…’ (Joel 3:18 NIV). ‘New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills…’ (Amos 9:13 NIV).
This sign points to Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah. And it points toward the heavenly banquet at God’s place – where all God’s people will celebrate life to the full!
Jesus is the life of the party because he is the Lord of Life.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, some wondered whether he was the Messiah.
John doesn't point to himself, but to the One who will baptise people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove - and God the Father declared who Jesus is.
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on Luke 3:15-22
When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, some wondered whether he was the Messiah.
John doesn't point to himself, but to the One who will baptise people with the Holy Spirit and fire.
When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove - and God the Father declared who Jesus is.
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on Luke 3:15-22
With the challenges of the last 2 years, people wonder: "Where's God in this?" "Where is God taking us?" "What does it mean to follow Jesus and share him with others?" As we start this New Year, It's good to fix our eyes on Jesus and to remember who we are and whose we are in Him. Our series Jesus is... Today: Jesus is God doing life with us.
Today message is by our guest: Pastor Peter Steicke.
With the challenges of the last 2 years, people wonder: "Where's God in this?" "Where is God taking us?" "What does it mean to follow Jesus and share him with others?" As we start this New Year, It's good to fix our eyes on Jesus and to remember who we are and whose we are in Him. Our series Jesus is... Today: Jesus is God doing life with us.
Today message is by our guest: Pastor Peter Steicke.
This is the sixth and final message in our series "Surprised by Joy", by pastor Rolly Stahl.
Christmas celebrates God coming down from Heaven to earth in the baby boy Jesus. In Jesus, God has opened his heart and his kingdom to us. In Jesus, we have God's favour so that we can bless others. In this message on Boxing Day, we explore the joy in blessing the poor.
This is the sixth and final message in our series "Surprised by Joy", by pastor Rolly Stahl.
Christmas celebrates God coming down from Heaven to earth in the baby boy Jesus. In Jesus, God has opened his heart and his kingdom to us. In Jesus, we have God's favour so that we can bless others. In this message on Boxing Day, we explore the joy in blessing the poor.
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.
There is joy in knowing that we are loved and treasured by our Heavenly Father. In spite of human indifference and rebellion towards our Creator, God has never given up on his restorations plans for his creation – including us humans who have been created in the image of God.
Over thousands of years, God promised a Deliverer from the curse of sin, a descendant of Abraham who would bring blessing to the nations, a son of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom, the Messiah through whom God would redeem the world. The Lord’s ancient promises are – and will be – fulfilled in Jesus.
At the birth of his Infant Majesty, God’s holy angels sang for joy in heaven; and people rejoiced here on earth. As we remember Jesus’ birth, we celebrate the love of God for us in sending his Son to save us and make us his forever.
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (Romans 15:13 MSG)
Pastor Rolly Stahl
Joy to the world! The Lord is come: Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.
There is joy in knowing that we are loved and treasured by our Heavenly Father. In spite of human indifference and rebellion towards our Creator, God has never given up on his restorations plans for his creation – including us humans who have been created in the image of God.
Over thousands of years, God promised a Deliverer from the curse of sin, a descendant of Abraham who would bring blessing to the nations, a son of David who would establish an everlasting kingdom, the Messiah through whom God would redeem the world. The Lord’s ancient promises are – and will be – fulfilled in Jesus.
At the birth of his Infant Majesty, God’s holy angels sang for joy in heaven; and people rejoiced here on earth. As we remember Jesus’ birth, we celebrate the love of God for us in sending his Son to save us and make us his forever.
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! (Romans 15:13 MSG)
Pastor Rolly Stahl
“A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved; a joy shared is a joy doubled.”
What do you think – has this been your experience?
I reckon it’s generally true. When you share a burden with someone who shows empathy and concern for your welfare, and perhaps offers to pray with you, you go away feeling a “lighter”. You are no longer carrying that burden on your own.
When you share a joy with another person, then they have an opportunity to rejoice and celebrate with you. There’s not much joy in having a party on your own, is there?
I wonder what have been some of the ‘joy milestones’ in your life:
- Can you recall an experience of joy as a child?
- What has been one ‘joy milestone’ in your adult life?
- What brings you joy in this season of life?
The wonderful thing about joy is that it’s contagious. When we hear some good news, or experience something wonderful, we want to share it with others.
Jesus gives us some examples in Luke 15:
- When a man finds his lost sheep, ‘he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep’ (Luke 15:5-6 (NIV).
- When a woman finds her lost coin, ‘she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin’ (Luke 15:9 NIV).
- When a father has his younger son back in his family, he tells the older son: ‘But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’ (Luke 15:32 NIV).
This Sunday we continue our Advent/Christmas series: Surprised by Joy. After the angel Gabriel visited Mary, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth in Judea – and joy erupts like a fountain in both of them. Sunday’s theme: A Joy Shared.
Come and celebrate the joy of Jesus with your church family.
Shalom! Pr Rolly Stahl
“A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved; a joy shared is a joy doubled.”
What do you think – has this been your experience?
I reckon it’s generally true. When you share a burden with someone who shows empathy and concern for your welfare, and perhaps offers to pray with you, you go away feeling a “lighter”. You are no longer carrying that burden on your own.
When you share a joy with another person, then they have an opportunity to rejoice and celebrate with you. There’s not much joy in having a party on your own, is there?
I wonder what have been some of the ‘joy milestones’ in your life:
- Can you recall an experience of joy as a child?
- What has been one ‘joy milestone’ in your adult life?
- What brings you joy in this season of life?
The wonderful thing about joy is that it’s contagious. When we hear some good news, or experience something wonderful, we want to share it with others.
Jesus gives us some examples in Luke 15:
- When a man finds his lost sheep, ‘he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep’ (Luke 15:5-6 (NIV).
- When a woman finds her lost coin, ‘she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin’ (Luke 15:9 NIV).
- When a father has his younger son back in his family, he tells the older son: ‘But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’ (Luke 15:32 NIV).
This Sunday we continue our Advent/Christmas series: Surprised by Joy. After the angel Gabriel visited Mary, she went to visit her relative Elizabeth in Judea – and joy erupts like a fountain in both of them. Sunday’s theme: A Joy Shared.
Come and celebrate the joy of Jesus with your church family.
Shalom! Pr Rolly Stahl
“Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
Do those words ring a bell? If an angel of the LORD spoke those words to you, would you believe them?
Finding favour with God – isn’t that something we all long for? But sometimes we might wonder whether it’s even possible.
These words are not just addressed to Mary, but to you and me… and to every person you know! The Son Mary carries will bring God’s favour to all! At the cross, her Son will carry all our blame – so we can be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God. Through his resurrection, we are given a hope and a future in God’s restoration story for his world.
“Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
Do those words ring a bell? If an angel of the LORD spoke those words to you, would you believe them?
Finding favour with God – isn’t that something we all long for? But sometimes we might wonder whether it’s even possible.
These words are not just addressed to Mary, but to you and me… and to every person you know! The Son Mary carries will bring God’s favour to all! At the cross, her Son will carry all our blame – so we can be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God. Through his resurrection, we are given a hope and a future in God’s restoration story for his world.
This week we begin a new series as we continue our journey towards Christmas, called ‘Surprised by Joy’. The backdrop to this Sunday’s message is that the people of Israel had been waiting a thousand years for a Deliverer, a promised Messiah who would be a descendant of King David. This Messiah would bring restoration to Israel and hope to the nations.
Yet after being exiled to other nations and then dominated by foreign rulers for hundreds of years, the people of Israel must have wondered, “When was God going to keep his promise?” Was God going to come through for them?
With this backdrop in mind, we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25). They had not only been waiting for the promised Messiah; they had been waiting on God for something much closer to home, a child. Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, and they were now very old. God had not answered their prayers and the hole left by having no children was filled with a deep sorrow.
Then suddenly God shows up through the angel Gabriel and tells them that their prayers have been heard and they will have a child. This child’s birth will not only replace their sorrow with joy, but the sorrow of a nation as God delivers on his promise to send a Saviour. John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for God’s ultimate plan to send his Son Jesus into the world to save it. It is in the gift of Jesus we find the real source of lasting joy.
This Sunday we will look at the struggles of living with unanswered prayer and the sorrow that can bring us. At the same time, we will look at the joy that comes from knowing that God is still with us and for us. We’ll also look at how the cross of Jesus can continue to give us joy even when we don’t understand what God is up to.
I look forward to exploring and sharing God’s word with you this Sunday.
Noel Kluge
This week we begin a new series as we continue our journey towards Christmas, called ‘Surprised by Joy’. The backdrop to this Sunday’s message is that the people of Israel had been waiting a thousand years for a Deliverer, a promised Messiah who would be a descendant of King David. This Messiah would bring restoration to Israel and hope to the nations.
Yet after being exiled to other nations and then dominated by foreign rulers for hundreds of years, the people of Israel must have wondered, “When was God going to keep his promise?” Was God going to come through for them?
With this backdrop in mind, we meet Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25). They had not only been waiting for the promised Messiah; they had been waiting on God for something much closer to home, a child. Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, and they were now very old. God had not answered their prayers and the hole left by having no children was filled with a deep sorrow.
Then suddenly God shows up through the angel Gabriel and tells them that their prayers have been heard and they will have a child. This child’s birth will not only replace their sorrow with joy, but the sorrow of a nation as God delivers on his promise to send a Saviour. John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for God’s ultimate plan to send his Son Jesus into the world to save it. It is in the gift of Jesus we find the real source of lasting joy.
This Sunday we will look at the struggles of living with unanswered prayer and the sorrow that can bring us. At the same time, we will look at the joy that comes from knowing that God is still with us and for us. We’ll also look at how the cross of Jesus can continue to give us joy even when we don’t understand what God is up to.
I look forward to exploring and sharing God’s word with you this Sunday.
Noel Kluge
Last Sunday Pastor Rolly encouraged us to have hope in the midst of the troubles and difficulties of life as we wait for the return of Jesus. Our follow-up message this Sunday is based on Luke 21:25-36 with the theme: “Heads held high.”
This week we begin the season of Advent, with its important emphasis on preparing our hearts to celebrate the coming of our Saviour Jesus at Christmas. Verse 28 of our text speaks directly to that when it says: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
What are some of the practical ways that we can prepare spiritually for Christmas? Our answer to that will centre around the following three key words of Waiting, Praying, and Hoping.
(1) Waiting is about being alert. To wait effectively, we need to slow down. We need to be quiet enough to listen. At this time of year, everything is rush, rush, rush. But that’s precisely why we need to intentionally step away from all that and find a place to slow down, catch our breath, and quietly reflect.
(2) This waiting leads us into praying. In verse 36 we read: “Be always on the watch, and pray …” The bottom line is that we prepare best for Christmas by spending time reading the Bible and in prayer. Listening to God’s promises and trusting in them is a core part of us preparing spiritually to celebrate Christmas.
(3) Such waiting and praying, lays the foundation for us approaching Christmas with great hope. We can face the many troubles and challenges that life throws up at us, with confidence and hope because we know that Jesus is with us every step of the way. As his name “Immanuel” reminds us, Jesus is “God with us.”
Knowing all that, we can joyfully raise our heads high, absolutely confident in the goodness of God: knowing that God loves us, that he forgives us, that he accepts us and embraces us with his grace and mercy.
Come along and join us in confessing and celebrating that truth, as we embark on our journey together in celebrating the coming of Jesus to save us at Christmas.
God bring you joy! Pastor Richard Haar
Last Sunday Pastor Rolly encouraged us to have hope in the midst of the troubles and difficulties of life as we wait for the return of Jesus. Our follow-up message this Sunday is based on Luke 21:25-36 with the theme: “Heads held high.”
This week we begin the season of Advent, with its important emphasis on preparing our hearts to celebrate the coming of our Saviour Jesus at Christmas. Verse 28 of our text speaks directly to that when it says: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
What are some of the practical ways that we can prepare spiritually for Christmas? Our answer to that will centre around the following three key words of Waiting, Praying, and Hoping.
(1) Waiting is about being alert. To wait effectively, we need to slow down. We need to be quiet enough to listen. At this time of year, everything is rush, rush, rush. But that’s precisely why we need to intentionally step away from all that and find a place to slow down, catch our breath, and quietly reflect.
(2) This waiting leads us into praying. In verse 36 we read: “Be always on the watch, and pray …” The bottom line is that we prepare best for Christmas by spending time reading the Bible and in prayer. Listening to God’s promises and trusting in them is a core part of us preparing spiritually to celebrate Christmas.
(3) Such waiting and praying, lays the foundation for us approaching Christmas with great hope. We can face the many troubles and challenges that life throws up at us, with confidence and hope because we know that Jesus is with us every step of the way. As his name “Immanuel” reminds us, Jesus is “God with us.”
Knowing all that, we can joyfully raise our heads high, absolutely confident in the goodness of God: knowing that God loves us, that he forgives us, that he accepts us and embraces us with his grace and mercy.
Come along and join us in confessing and celebrating that truth, as we embark on our journey together in celebrating the coming of Jesus to save us at Christmas.
God bring you joy! Pastor Richard Haar
A connection brings two families together to share their lives and their faith in Jesus.
An audio message by Pastor Rolly Stahl. It is part 2 of our 3 week series "Infused with Hope".
If life is a journey, then our destiny will determine the direction of our lives. As followers of Jesus, we join in his restoration story for his world in the security of knowing that he has brought us into eternal life.
According to tradition, most of Jesus' disciples were martyred. The Apostle John may have been the exception. Yet he spent time in exile – cut off from his community. While stuck on the Island of Patmos, John received a revelation from God to encourage the Church through times of persecution. We can still read it today in the last book of the Bible.
This Sunday, we’ll unpack a little of what God revealed to John in the opening verses of Revelation. Our attention will turn to the Lord who loves us, and to the return of our victorious King.
Come along and join us as we celebrate who and whose we are in Christ – and the hope that is ours in Him!
A video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl. It is part 2 of our 3 week series "Infused with Hope".
If life is a journey, then our destiny will determine the direction of our lives. As followers of Jesus, we join in his restoration story for his world in the security of knowing that he has brought us into eternal life.
According to tradition, most of Jesus' disciples were martyred. The Apostle John may have been the exception. Yet he spent time in exile – cut off from his community. While stuck on the Island of Patmos, John received a revelation from God to encourage the Church through times of persecution. We can still read it today in the last book of the Bible.
This Sunday, we’ll unpack a little of what God revealed to John in the opening verses of Revelation. Our attention will turn to the Lord who loves us, and to the return of our victorious King.
Come along and join us as we celebrate who and whose we are in Christ – and the hope that is ours in Him!
In the last Sundays of the Church year, we often consider the end-times and the return of Jesus. This Sunday we will commence a 3-week series: Infused with Hope.
In the Apostles’ Creed we say of Jesus: “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
And in the Nicene Creed: “He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end.”
I wonder how often you and I reflected on these things? How about asking friends and/or family members what they think and feel about this? You might be surprised where the conversation leads.
History is not coming to a dead end, but with the return of Jesus as Lord and judge of all. For all believers, this is Good News indeed. At the return of Jesus, chaos and evil be vanquished, justice will be administered, and all believers will inherit eternal life in the glorious kingdom of God. I wonder: How do you picture that reality?
Between now and then, there is still much kingdom work to be done: listening to people’s stories, sharing the kindness of Jesus, praying for opportunities to share the difference Jesus has made in our lives, passing on the faith to the next generations, and bringing the presence of Jesus into each encounter.
Yes, at times we will carry burdens, reminding us that we are still caught up in the brokenness of this fallen world. Jesus knows how that feels from first-hand experience. He has entered the depths of our suffering so he can ultimately free us from it.
Where this is life there is hope. And where there is hope there is life. No matter what trials or suffering we experience, hope of “better things to come” enables us to endure.
I suspect that many loud voices in our culture rob us of hope and fill us with despair. If we keep listening to bad news stories in the world, along with the doomsday preppers and conspiracy theorists, we will end up paralysed with fear… and in dread of the future.
Whose voice do we listen to? Who can we trust to tell us the truth?
Whenever we are feeling hopeless or helpless, it’s helpful to ask: “What does Jesus say about this? What does he tell us about the end times?”
Believers keep listening to the words and promises of Jesus. Secure in his love and truth, we can avoid being deceived by human speculations; or by temptations of strategies of the evil one. Through God’s Spirit, Word, and Church, we can be infused with hope in Jesus.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
In the last Sundays of the Church year, we often consider the end-times and the return of Jesus. This Sunday we will commence a 3-week series: Infused with Hope.
In the Apostles’ Creed we say of Jesus: “He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
And in the Nicene Creed: “He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end.”
I wonder how often you and I reflected on these things? How about asking friends and/or family members what they think and feel about this? You might be surprised where the conversation leads.
History is not coming to a dead end, but with the return of Jesus as Lord and judge of all. For all believers, this is Good News indeed. At the return of Jesus, chaos and evil be vanquished, justice will be administered, and all believers will inherit eternal life in the glorious kingdom of God. I wonder: How do you picture that reality?
Between now and then, there is still much kingdom work to be done: listening to people’s stories, sharing the kindness of Jesus, praying for opportunities to share the difference Jesus has made in our lives, passing on the faith to the next generations, and bringing the presence of Jesus into each encounter.
Yes, at times we will carry burdens, reminding us that we are still caught up in the brokenness of this fallen world. Jesus knows how that feels from first-hand experience. He has entered the depths of our suffering so he can ultimately free us from it.
Where this is life there is hope. And where there is hope there is life. No matter what trials or suffering we experience, hope of “better things to come” enables us to endure.
I suspect that many loud voices in our culture rob us of hope and fill us with despair. If we keep listening to bad news stories in the world, along with the doomsday preppers and conspiracy theorists, we will end up paralysed with fear… and in dread of the future.
Whose voice do we listen to? Who can we trust to tell us the truth?
Whenever we are feeling hopeless or helpless, it’s helpful to ask: “What does Jesus say about this? What does he tell us about the end times?”
Believers keep listening to the words and promises of Jesus. Secure in his love and truth, we can avoid being deceived by human speculations; or by temptations of strategies of the evil one. Through God’s Spirit, Word, and Church, we can be infused with hope in Jesus.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
This Sunday is the final part of our series: How Then Shall We Live? We’ve been working through Mark’s account to see how Jesus responds to questions and issues of his day – and what this means for us. Our theme: Fake Performance or True Worship?
In our reading from Mark 12, Jesus exposes the teachers of the law as hypocrites. They give their religious performance to bring attention and honour to themselves – yet they exploit widows! In reality, they are fakes and fraudsters.
Then as Jesus sits and watches people contributing to the temple treasury, he points his disciples (including us) to a poor widow who gave her last two copper coins to God. I wonder: What does this tell us about her relationship with God? And: What might this mean for us?
Jesus came to bring us into a relationship with God, where we can freely come into his presence without fear, give him our praise and honour, share whatever is on our hearts with him, seek his guidance and help in all that we do, and join in his eternal plans by blessing others in Jesus’ name. Secure in his love for us in Jesus, we get to love God above all else; and love others as ourselves.
So why do we settle for religious performance, where we go through the motions to placate God or impress people? The problem with religion is the perpetual focus on self: seeking to impress God or others with my outward behaviour.
Jesus warns against religious performance or showing off to impress others. Our 24/7 life of worship is to be real, without pretence or pride, and focussed on bringing glory to God and his Son Jesus. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come…Your will be done… Yours is the kingdom the power and the glory. Amen?
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
This Sunday is the final part of our series: How Then Shall We Live? We’ve been working through Mark’s account to see how Jesus responds to questions and issues of his day – and what this means for us. Our theme: Fake Performance or True Worship?
In our reading from Mark 12, Jesus exposes the teachers of the law as hypocrites. They give their religious performance to bring attention and honour to themselves – yet they exploit widows! In reality, they are fakes and fraudsters.
Then as Jesus sits and watches people contributing to the temple treasury, he points his disciples (including us) to a poor widow who gave her last two copper coins to God. I wonder: What does this tell us about her relationship with God? And: What might this mean for us?
Jesus came to bring us into a relationship with God, where we can freely come into his presence without fear, give him our praise and honour, share whatever is on our hearts with him, seek his guidance and help in all that we do, and join in his eternal plans by blessing others in Jesus’ name. Secure in his love for us in Jesus, we get to love God above all else; and love others as ourselves.
So why do we settle for religious performance, where we go through the motions to placate God or impress people? The problem with religion is the perpetual focus on self: seeking to impress God or others with my outward behaviour.
Jesus warns against religious performance or showing off to impress others. Our 24/7 life of worship is to be real, without pretence or pride, and focussed on bringing glory to God and his Son Jesus. As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come…Your will be done… Yours is the kingdom the power and the glory. Amen?
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Dr Fred Hollows was a living legend who restored sight to thousands of blind people. His work continues through the Fred Hollows Foundation: “An international development organisation working towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving Indigenous Australian health.” https://www.hollows.org
If you’ve ever seen video footage of Fred Hollows taking the bandages off a person after eye surgery, the joy that erupts on that person’s face in being able to see again is priceless. It reminds me how much I take my sight for granted. And it moves me to think of how life for that person is changed for the better with restored vision.
According to t
Dr Fred Hollows was a living legend who restored sight to thousands of blind people. His work continues through the Fred Hollows Foundation: “An international development organisation working towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving Indigenous Australian health.” https://www.hollows.org
If you’ve ever seen video footage of Fred Hollows taking the bandages off a person after eye surgery, the joy that erupts on that person’s face in being able to see again is priceless. It reminds me how much I take my sight for granted. And it moves me to think of how life for that person is changed for the better with restored vision.
According to the eyewitness accounts, Jesus restored sight to many people – even a man born blind (John 9). We meet another one in our Bible reading this Sunday: a roadside beggar by the name of Bartimaeus.
he eyewitness accounts, Jesus restored sight to many people – even a man born blind (John 9). We meet another one in our Bible reading this Sunday: a roadside beggar by the name of Bartimaeus.
Pr Rolly Stahl
Dr Fred Hollows was a living legend who restored sight to thousands of blind people. His work continues through the Fred Hollows Foundation: “An international development organisation working towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving Indigenous Australian health.” https://www.hollows.org
If you’ve ever seen video footage of Fred Hollows taking the bandages off a person after eye surgery, the joy that erupts on that person’s face in being able to see again is priceless. It reminds me how much I take my sight for granted. And it moves me to think of how life for that person is changed for the better with restored vision.
According to t
Dr Fred Hollows was a living legend who restored sight to thousands of blind people. His work continues through the Fred Hollows Foundation: “An international development organisation working towards eliminating avoidable blindness and improving Indigenous Australian health.” https://www.hollows.org
If you’ve ever seen video footage of Fred Hollows taking the bandages off a person after eye surgery, the joy that erupts on that person’s face in being able to see again is priceless. It reminds me how much I take my sight for granted. And it moves me to think of how life for that person is changed for the better with restored vision.
According to the eyewitness accounts, Jesus restored sight to many people – even a man born blind (John 9). We meet another one in our Bible reading this Sunday: a roadside beggar by the name of Bartimaeus.
he eyewitness accounts, Jesus restored sight to many people – even a man born blind (John 9). We meet another one in our Bible reading this Sunday: a roadside beggar by the name of Bartimaeus.
Pr Rolly Stahl
…whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be slave to all. ~Mark 10:43,44
When I first read this passage for our worship this week, I thought to myself, ‘Wow! This is really appropriate in the 21st century.’
Throughout the history of Christianity and the Church’s infatuation with power and prestige, we are reminded time and time again how important it is for the body of Christ to serve, not to be served. (Mark 10:45) In the book of Mark, time and time again, Jesus points out that egoism and self-absorption restricts both the Christian and the future Christian.
First, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. (Mark 9:34) Then, they are frustrated because others are not doing things the way that the disciples would have. (Mark 9:38) After that, they rebuke some adults who bring children to Jesus for a blessing. (Mark 10:13) Finally, James and John want to elevate themselves to a place of honour when Jesus comes into his kingdom. (Mark 10:37) Every time the disciples do this, Jesus brings them back down to earth and reminds them that those who want to be the greatest have the opportunity to do even more with humility – as servants.
There is another way to understand Mark 10:44. In our world that is inebriated by power, prestige, and pontificating, it is abundantly clear that the moment one wants to be great, they become a slave to popular opinion and social media. Some politicians constantly check their approval ratings. Some entertainers perpetually push the edge of what is good and correct so that they can continue to be in the public eye. Some churches and pastors are slaves to the approval of the congregation.
And yet, Jesus pushes that all out of the way. That slavery to public honour and opinion leads to nowhere. One private or public mistake and you are erased – cancelled, as is the contemporary terminology.
But rarely, if ever, do we hear of servants, or servant-hearted people, being cancelled. Why is this? Because power and prestige and popularity has not enticed them to do and say things that bring glory to themselves. They serve to bring glory to God the Father.
Thus, Jesus points to this way of life as one for which we strive.
In the next instalment of ‘How Then Shall We Live,’ we will dive into being a GOAT (the Greatest of All Time) as opposed to being a servant of the living king dedicated to help people shed their blankets of fear.
Pr Reid Matthias
…whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be slave to all. ~Mark 10:43,44
When I first read this passage for our worship this week, I thought to myself, ‘Wow! This is really appropriate in the 21st century.’
Throughout the history of Christianity and the Church’s infatuation with power and prestige, we are reminded time and time again how important it is for the body of Christ to serve, not to be served. (Mark 10:45) In the book of Mark, time and time again, Jesus points out that egoism and self-absorption restricts both the Christian and the future Christian.
First, the disciples argue about who is the greatest. (Mark 9:34) Then, they are frustrated because others are not doing things the way that the disciples would have. (Mark 9:38) After that, they rebuke some adults who bring children to Jesus for a blessing. (Mark 10:13) Finally, James and John want to elevate themselves to a place of honour when Jesus comes into his kingdom. (Mark 10:37) Every time the disciples do this, Jesus brings them back down to earth and reminds them that those who want to be the greatest have the opportunity to do even more with humility – as servants.
There is another way to understand Mark 10:44. In our world that is inebriated by power, prestige, and pontificating, it is abundantly clear that the moment one wants to be great, they become a slave to popular opinion and social media. Some politicians constantly check their approval ratings. Some entertainers perpetually push the edge of what is good and correct so that they can continue to be in the public eye. Some churches and pastors are slaves to the approval of the congregation.
And yet, Jesus pushes that all out of the way. That slavery to public honour and opinion leads to nowhere. One private or public mistake and you are erased – cancelled, as is the contemporary terminology.
But rarely, if ever, do we hear of servants, or servant-hearted people, being cancelled. Why is this? Because power and prestige and popularity has not enticed them to do and say things that bring glory to themselves. They serve to bring glory to God the Father.
Thus, Jesus points to this way of life as one for which we strive.
In the next instalment of ‘How Then Shall We Live,’ we will dive into being a GOAT (the Greatest of All Time) as opposed to being a servant of the living king dedicated to help people shed their blankets of fear.
Pr Reid Matthias
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on 10 October 2021.
During his ministry, Jesus invites people to join him on a Kingdom adventure.
In our reading, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus with a burning question: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17 NIV) Jesus tells this man the truth in love. His wealth is more important to him than God. Jesus has something better for him: “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mk 10:21 NIV)
In order to have life forever with Jesus, this man needed to let go of his treasures. I wonder, what might be some of our “treasures” or obsessions that prevent us from following Jesus? What do we need to let go of in order to have life in its fullness?
Jesus loves you! He invites you: “Come, Follow Me!”
What will you do with his invitation?
A message from Pastor Rolly Stahl on 10 October 2021.
During his ministry, Jesus invites people to join him on a Kingdom adventure.
In our reading, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus with a burning question: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17 NIV) Jesus tells this man the truth in love. His wealth is more important to him than God. Jesus has something better for him: “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mk 10:21 NIV)
In order to have life forever with Jesus, this man needed to let go of his treasures. I wonder, what might be some of our “treasures” or obsessions that prevent us from following Jesus? What do we need to let go of in order to have life in its fullness?
Jesus loves you! He invites you: “Come, Follow Me!”
What will you do with his invitation?
Even though the government recognises de-facto relationships, it’s interesting that people are still getting married.
And even though some people have experienced a messy break-up and subsequent divorce, many of them go on to get married again – perhaps a few times.
There’s something about marriage that doesn’t go out of fashion. Many of us do not do life well alone. We like the companionship and comfort of doing life together with a husband or wife. Having been married for over 35 years, I reckon that marriage is one of the best ideas God ever came up with. (And yes, a lot of this is because I am married to a saint!)
But it ain’t always easy! Marriage is not self-maintaining. It requires lots of love and understanding, patience and perseverance – from both sides – in order to flourish.
We tend to be lazy: we want great relationships with minimal effort or sacrifice!
We expect the other person to make us happy, and then get upset when they don’t!
When the “me” replaces the “we”, selfishness and hardness of heart can creep in. Over time, hardness of heart can build up layers of apathy, fault finding, conflict, unresolved hurts, resentment, bitterness, and blame. If a couple keep digging their heels in, refusing to apologise and be reconciled, it can end up in divorce.
In this Sunday’s Bible reading, the Pharisees ask Jesus: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10:2 NIV)
Jesus concedes that divorce happens. Yet he also highlights the root cause of divorce. It because human hearts can harden – even to a person they once loved more than anyone else in the world! Once that happens, we can justify our unwillingness to apologise, to forgive, and to reconcile. Once our hearts are closed to the other person, a broken relationship or marriage is looming.
Jesus points us back to God’s intention for marriage:
“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:6-9 NIV)
How can God keep our hearts soft and wide open to one another? How can God help us foster healthy relationships, so we don’t ‘divorce’ ourselves from God and each other?
Come along this Sunday as we explore these issues, unpack the cultural background to the Pharisees’ question, and discover how God wants us to live.
Please Note: divorce is not the unforgiveable sin. When Jesus met the woman at the well, he offered her living water – that would well up into eternal life (John 4:13-18). Even though she’d had 5 husbands and was currently in another relationship, Jesus wanted her to have life forever with him. No matter how much we’ve messed up in relationships, Jesus wants to give us the same gift!
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
Even though the government recognises de-facto relationships, it’s interesting that people are still getting married.
And even though some people have experienced a messy break-up and subsequent divorce, many of them go on to get married again – perhaps a few times.
There’s something about marriage that doesn’t go out of fashion. Many of us do not do life well alone. We like the companionship and comfort of doing life together with a husband or wife. Having been married for over 35 years, I reckon that marriage is one of the best ideas God ever came up with. (And yes, a lot of this is because I am married to a saint!)
But it ain’t always easy! Marriage is not self-maintaining. It requires lots of love and understanding, patience and perseverance – from both sides – in order to flourish.
We tend to be lazy: we want great relationships with minimal effort or sacrifice!
We expect the other person to make us happy, and then get upset when they don’t!
When the “me” replaces the “we”, selfishness and hardness of heart can creep in. Over time, hardness of heart can build up layers of apathy, fault finding, conflict, unresolved hurts, resentment, bitterness, and blame. If a couple keep digging their heels in, refusing to apologise and be reconciled, it can end up in divorce.
In this Sunday’s Bible reading, the Pharisees ask Jesus: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10:2 NIV)
Jesus concedes that divorce happens. Yet he also highlights the root cause of divorce. It because human hearts can harden – even to a person they once loved more than anyone else in the world! Once that happens, we can justify our unwillingness to apologise, to forgive, and to reconcile. Once our hearts are closed to the other person, a broken relationship or marriage is looming.
Jesus points us back to God’s intention for marriage:
“But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:6-9 NIV)
How can God keep our hearts soft and wide open to one another? How can God help us foster healthy relationships, so we don’t ‘divorce’ ourselves from God and each other?
Come along this Sunday as we explore these issues, unpack the cultural background to the Pharisees’ question, and discover how God wants us to live.
Please Note: divorce is not the unforgiveable sin. When Jesus met the woman at the well, he offered her living water – that would well up into eternal life (John 4:13-18). Even though she’d had 5 husbands and was currently in another relationship, Jesus wanted her to have life forever with him. No matter how much we’ve messed up in relationships, Jesus wants to give us the same gift!
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
It is a communal phenomenon, I’ve noticed.
When we pray in groups, often we conclude the prayer (like stamping an envelope and dropping it in the post box) ‘In Jesus’s name.’ Have you ever wondered why we do this? What do we hope will happen as we invoke His name?
Certainly, in the book of John, Jesus emphasises using his name for multiple reasons, but the most important is this: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” Unfortunately, many Christians have taken this sentence as kind of a magic phrase that will a.) give us what we want or b.) get us out of what we shouldn’t have been in.
To our own detriment, we neglect what comes before and what comes after Jesus’ words nullifying what he is actually talking about. Here they are: “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And they will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Notice the license that Jesus is giving to his followers. Ask for anything in his name but realise that everything you’re asking in his name must be about doing the works that he does.
That’s an amazing restriction to put on what we ask for.
John’s description fits tightly with our readings this week in Mark 9:38-41. Three times we find a directive about using Jesus’ name. The disciples misunderstand and Jesus corrects them. Using Jesus’ name is not about getting what we want, or achieving self-fulfilment, but aligning ourselves with the will of the Father.
Which is to do the works of God who ‘…calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith…’ (Luther’s Small Catechism – Third Article of the Creed).
We are called to live our whole lives in Jesus’ name, not only attaching his name to prayers. Is this confronting? It was for me, but it opens up an entire new world of opportunities for his Church. Read Mark 9:38-41 in preparation for a discussion this weekend and beyond.
Pr Reid Matthias
It is a communal phenomenon, I’ve noticed.
When we pray in groups, often we conclude the prayer (like stamping an envelope and dropping it in the post box) ‘In Jesus’s name.’ Have you ever wondered why we do this? What do we hope will happen as we invoke His name?
Certainly, in the book of John, Jesus emphasises using his name for multiple reasons, but the most important is this: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” Unfortunately, many Christians have taken this sentence as kind of a magic phrase that will a.) give us what we want or b.) get us out of what we shouldn’t have been in.
To our own detriment, we neglect what comes before and what comes after Jesus’ words nullifying what he is actually talking about. Here they are: “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And they will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Notice the license that Jesus is giving to his followers. Ask for anything in his name but realise that everything you’re asking in his name must be about doing the works that he does.
That’s an amazing restriction to put on what we ask for.
John’s description fits tightly with our readings this week in Mark 9:38-41. Three times we find a directive about using Jesus’ name. The disciples misunderstand and Jesus corrects them. Using Jesus’ name is not about getting what we want, or achieving self-fulfilment, but aligning ourselves with the will of the Father.
Which is to do the works of God who ‘…calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith…’ (Luther’s Small Catechism – Third Article of the Creed).
We are called to live our whole lives in Jesus’ name, not only attaching his name to prayers. Is this confronting? It was for me, but it opens up an entire new world of opportunities for his Church. Read Mark 9:38-41 in preparation for a discussion this weekend and beyond.
Pr Reid Matthias
A video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 19 Sep 2021.
Like it or not, we are in a spiritual battle. In this battle our enemy is not human beings, or governments, or even a virus – but the devil and his sidekicks. Paul urges us to put on the full armour of God – so we can stand firm against the activities of the evil one; and play our parts in God’s Good News story for his world.
This Sunday we’re going to examine each part of this armour. As we put on the full armour of God and stand together in battle, we will prevail. God has set us apart to stand firm and share in the victory Jesus has won for us!
An audio message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 19 Sep 2021.
Like it or not, we are in a spiritual battle. In this battle our enemy is not human beings, or governments, or even a virus – but the devil and his sidekicks. Paul urges us to put on the full armour of God – so we can stand firm against the activities of the evil one; and play our parts in God’s Good News story for his world.
This Sunday we’re going to examine each part of this armour. As we put on the full armour of God and stand together in battle, we will prevail. God has set us apart to stand firm and share in the victory Jesus has won for us!
Pay careful attention, then, to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise…
The Apostle Paul – the letter to the Ephesians
Socrates, just before his death, was given two choices: leave Athens or stay and live the rest of his life in silence. Unwilling to live a life which didn’t reflect on the rules of the culture, the government, and other outside influences (think, lemmings), he uttered the statement, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
We live in a culture similar (in some ways) to both the time of Socrates and the time of Paul the Apostle when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. The culture emphasised individuality, idolatry and personal pleasure, drunkenness (or overindulgence in many things) over a life filled with the Spirit. Even contemporary Christians sometimes live in the same way (think, lemmings) – ‘I must live as the culture tells me is good and right.’
A wise life examines this. How do we live knowing that there is more to life than simple feedings of the stomach?
This week we’ll examine Paul’s encouragement to live as children of the light – ‘for the fruit of light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth’ (5:9).
Let’s look at the basic lies that the culture tells us about ‘religion,’ the antidotes for the lies and what it means for us to live as children of the Light.
Read Ephesians 5:6-21 in preparation.
Pr Reid Matthias
Pay careful attention, then, to how you live – not as unwise people but as wise…
The Apostle Paul – the letter to the Ephesians
Socrates, just before his death, was given two choices: leave Athens or stay and live the rest of his life in silence. Unwilling to live a life which didn’t reflect on the rules of the culture, the government, and other outside influences (think, lemmings), he uttered the statement, “An unexamined life is not worth living.”
We live in a culture similar (in some ways) to both the time of Socrates and the time of Paul the Apostle when he wrote his letter to the Ephesians. The culture emphasised individuality, idolatry and personal pleasure, drunkenness (or overindulgence in many things) over a life filled with the Spirit. Even contemporary Christians sometimes live in the same way (think, lemmings) – ‘I must live as the culture tells me is good and right.’
A wise life examines this. How do we live knowing that there is more to life than simple feedings of the stomach?
This week we’ll examine Paul’s encouragement to live as children of the light – ‘for the fruit of light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth’ (5:9).
Let’s look at the basic lies that the culture tells us about ‘religion,’ the antidotes for the lies and what it means for us to live as children of the Light.
Read Ephesians 5:6-21 in preparation.
Pr Reid Matthias
A message by Pr Rolly Stahl.
Imagine sitting around a table with your extended family, or a group of friends, trying to work out a list of guidelines that will keep your relationships with one another healthy.
What would you put first? What other things would you want on the list?
What would you put on that list for when a person ignores the guidelines – resulting in hurt for the rest of the family/group?
From ancient times, wise people have compiled proverbs to help us think through our attitudes, words and behaviours – and the consequences. E.g.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3 NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
A message by Pr Rolly Stahl.
Imagine sitting around a table with your extended family, or a group of friends, trying to work out a list of guidelines that will keep your relationships with one another healthy.
What would you put first? What other things would you want on the list?
What would you put on that list for when a person ignores the guidelines – resulting in hurt for the rest of the family/group?
From ancient times, wise people have compiled proverbs to help us think through our attitudes, words and behaviours – and the consequences. E.g.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25 NIV)
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. (Proverbs 13:3 NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)
And (God) himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry to build up the body of Christ.
I’m not great at construction work.
Many years ago, when I was embarking on my new life into adulthood, I took on a second job as a bricklayer – or to be more exact – a brick carter. The process of building houses was tedious and arduous and often, as I dumped the same bricks in front of the brick layers, I wondered if it was all worth it. Even after numerous loads, it seemed like nothing was happening. It seemed as if the house would perpetually be built, and I was wasting my time.
Yet, what carried me through, was a word from the foreman who said, ‘What you do allows the building to actually go faster. Without you, the bricklayers would have to do all the work, and the one who bought the house would be without a home for significantly longer.’
Changing my perspective, I now recognised the task, but even more importantly the end product: to be part of building a house for people who as of yet had no home.
So it is with building God’s kingdom. At times, we don’t recognise the importance of what we do, the continual sharing of time and small stories with people who want to move into the house someday. We despair because it seems like our menial, arduous tasks don’t add much, and yet the Spirit speaks these words into our ears, ‘What you do allows the building to go faster.’
Paul writes to the united church of Ephesus reminding them, and encouraging them, that their calling and task, worthy of the gospel, is to build up the body of Christ with humility and gentleness and patience and love.
The task is still the same twenty centuries later. Even though it feels as if the kingdom will never be built, God has called specific people to equip the saints for their own ministry. Each adding brick upon brick to those who want to call Christianity their home.
This week, read Ephesians 4:1-16 and reflect on what role you play as you are set apart for building.
Pr Reid Matthias
And (God) himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry to build up the body of Christ.
I’m not great at construction work.
Many years ago, when I was embarking on my new life into adulthood, I took on a second job as a bricklayer – or to be more exact – a brick carter. The process of building houses was tedious and arduous and often, as I dumped the same bricks in front of the brick layers, I wondered if it was all worth it. Even after numerous loads, it seemed like nothing was happening. It seemed as if the house would perpetually be built, and I was wasting my time.
Yet, what carried me through, was a word from the foreman who said, ‘What you do allows the building to actually go faster. Without you, the bricklayers would have to do all the work, and the one who bought the house would be without a home for significantly longer.’
Changing my perspective, I now recognised the task, but even more importantly the end product: to be part of building a house for people who as of yet had no home.
So it is with building God’s kingdom. At times, we don’t recognise the importance of what we do, the continual sharing of time and small stories with people who want to move into the house someday. We despair because it seems like our menial, arduous tasks don’t add much, and yet the Spirit speaks these words into our ears, ‘What you do allows the building to go faster.’
Paul writes to the united church of Ephesus reminding them, and encouraging them, that their calling and task, worthy of the gospel, is to build up the body of Christ with humility and gentleness and patience and love.
The task is still the same twenty centuries later. Even though it feels as if the kingdom will never be built, God has called specific people to equip the saints for their own ministry. Each adding brick upon brick to those who want to call Christianity their home.
This week, read Ephesians 4:1-16 and reflect on what role you play as you are set apart for building.
Pr Reid Matthias
An audio message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 22 Aug 2021.
There are two verses in Ephesians which remind us of the privilege we have in coming to God in prayer:
- Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because ofwhat Christ has done for us. (Ephesians 2:18 NLT)
- Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. (Ephesians 3:12 NLT)
In his ministry, Jesus was often withdrawing from others to spend time with his Father, and resting in his love. Now we get to do the same.
I wonder: What’s the best blessing you might pray for your loved ones? This might be a question worth discussing at home, or with Christian friends, or in your small group.
In this message we’ll be getting a few tips from Paul, who not only tells the believers in Ephesus that he is praying for them, but also what he is asking God to give them. We will unpack Paul’s prayer (as listed below); and try to fathom what this could mean when praying for those we love.
A video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 22 Aug 2021.
There are two verses in Ephesians which remind us of the privilege we have in coming to God in prayer:
- Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because ofwhat Christ has done for us. (Ephesians 2:18 NLT)
- Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. (Ephesians 3:12 NLT)
In his ministry, Jesus was often withdrawing from others to spend time with his Father, and resting in his love. Now we get to do the same.
I wonder: What’s the best blessing you might pray for your loved ones? This might be a question worth discussing at home, or with Christian friends, or in your small group.
In this message we’ll be getting a few tips from Paul, who not only tells the believers in Ephesus that he is praying for them, but also what he is asking God to give them. We will unpack Paul’s prayer (as listed below); and try to fathom what this could mean when praying for those we love.
Before I built a wall, I’d ask to know What I was walling in or walling out And to whom I was like to give offence. Robert Frost, Mending Wall, 1914
Here is a deep truth, that walls are built to keep some things in and some things out, but how does one tell the difference? And who are we offending by building walls between us and them?
A professor in university once told me that the best way to look at Old Testament law was like this: “The law provides a wall, one which you can see over. But on the inside there is freedom. Freedom within a fence.” For the people of Israel, the law was a boundary marker. Across this you are not to go, but this law actually was a line over which no Gentile could cross. Circumcision was for Jews a testament and promise for them as people set apart for God’s holiness.
Amazingly, though, when Paul writes to the Ephesians, as Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were often in hostility towards each other he says, ‘For he is our peace who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility in the flesh, he made of no effect the law… so that he might create in himself one new body from the two.’
When the dividing wall of hostility, those who followed the law for reasons of righteousness and those who did not, was torn down, peace was created. And the new body of people, Christ’s body as the Church, can now do what it was designed to do: to be ambassadors for Christ’s peace.
We are set apart for a purpose, every member of Christianity, to make connections in the community and beyond. How do you see yourself as part of this?
As you approach worship this week, whether in person or online, read Ephesians 2:11-22.
Pr Reid Matthias
Before I built a wall, I’d ask to know What I was walling in or walling out And to whom I was like to give offence. Robert Frost, Mending Wall, 1914
Here is a deep truth, that walls are built to keep some things in and some things out, but how does one tell the difference? And who are we offending by building walls between us and them?
A professor in university once told me that the SET APART for CONNECTION (AUDIO)best way to look at Old Testament law was like this: “The law provides a wall, one which you can see over. But on the inside there is freedom. Freedom within a fence.” For the people of Israel, the law was a boundary marker. Across this you are not to go, but this law actually was a line over which no Gentile could cross. Circumcision was for Jews a testament and promise for them as people set apart for God’s holiness.
Amazingly, though, when Paul writes to the Ephesians, as Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were often in hostility towards each other he says, ‘For he is our peace who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility in the flesh, he made of no effect the law… so that he might create in himself one new body from the two.’
When the dividing wall of hostility, those who followed the law for reasons of righteousness and those who did not, was torn down, peace was created. And the new body of people, Christ’s body as the Church, can now do what it was designed to do: to be ambassadors for Christ’s peace.
We are set apart for a purpose, every member of Christianity, to make connections in the community and beyond. How do you see yourself as part of this?
As you approach worship this week, whether in person or online, read Ephesians 2:11-22.
Pr Reid Matthias
In the classic Aussie movie, The Castle, whenever Darryl Kerrigan receives a valued gift, he declares: “This is going straight to the pool room!” Along with trophies and photos of special moments, he was setting that item apart from everyday use.
I remember as a child, we had a glass display cabinet with my mum’s china cups, saucers and side plates. We were not allowed to use them. When mum had a dear friend or close relative visiting, she would get out the china tea set. We kids never drank or ate from them. They were set apart for a special purpose – and brought out to honour special guests.
I wonder what precious items have you’ve set apart as special? It might be something sentimental, perhaps an heirloom. Or it might be the prized item in a collection. Or it could be something you’ve made or restored.
Paul writes: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Eph 1:4 NLT) To be “made holy” is to be set apart from what is common and unclean, from the sin and evil that defiles us. To be “made holy” by God is to become his precious possession. Because of what Jesus has done for us, God has set you and me apart for a special purpose.
Our calling is to live out our new identity in “holy living”. This does not mean isolating in a “glass display cabinet”, church building, or holy huddle. Instead, we pray and look for ways to bring the presence of Jesus into every encounter. That way, others can come to know Jesus – and also share in God’s blessings.
Sure there are things we cannot participate in as followers of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we stop connecting with people and looking for ways to listen, encourage, help or bless them.
This Sunday we are going to unpack God’s bagful of blessings that are ours “in Christ”. If your relationship with God needs a “shot in the arm”, come along and be reminded of who you are in Christ, whose you are in Christ, the purpose God has for you in Christ, and the destiny that is yours in Christ.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
In the classic Aussie movie, The Castle, whenever Darryl Kerrigan receives a valued gift, he declares: “This is going straight to the pool room!” Along with trophies and photos of special moments, he was setting that item apart from everyday use.
I remember as a child, we had a glass display cabinet with my mum’s china cups, saucers and side plates. We were not allowed to use them. When mum had a dear friend or close relative visiting, she would get out the china tea set. We kids never drank or ate from them. They were set apart for a special purpose – and brought out to honour special guests.
I wonder what precious items have you’ve set apart as special? It might be something sentimental, perhaps an heirloom. Or it might be the prized item in a collection. Or it could be something you’ve made or restored.
Paul writes: “God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Eph 1:4 NLT) To be “made holy” is to be set apart from what is common and unclean, from the sin and evil that defiles us. To be “made holy” by God is to become his precious possession. Because of what Jesus has done for us, God has set you and me apart for a special purpose.
Our calling is to live out our new identity in “holy living”. This does not mean isolating in a “glass display cabinet”, church building, or holy huddle. Instead, we pray and look for ways to bring the presence of Jesus into every encounter. That way, others can come to know Jesus – and also share in God’s blessings.
Sure there are things we cannot participate in as followers of Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we stop connecting with people and looking for ways to listen, encourage, help or bless them.
This Sunday we are going to unpack God’s bagful of blessings that are ours “in Christ”. If your relationship with God needs a “shot in the arm”, come along and be reminded of who you are in Christ, whose you are in Christ, the purpose God has for you in Christ, and the destiny that is yours in Christ.
Joy in Jesus! Pr Rolly Stahl
An audio message from Reid Matthias, given online on 1 Aug 2021.
The Apostle Paul had been on the road along time.
On his third missionary journey, beginning in Antioch, taking him all the way into Greece, and back again, he was on his way back to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. As he approached the coast of present-day Turkey, he drew close to some of his favourite people in the world: the people of Ephesus.
Paul had a strong desire to see the people of the church. So, he sent for them to meet him on the beach near Miletus where they reconnected. It would be like one of your best friends flying from another country and staying at Victor Harbor. You would do everything in your power to meet up with them, right?
So, the leaders of Ephesus came to meet with Paul, and as they connected, Paul reminded them that they were set apart by Jesus for a purpose. To be living witnesses in the community, in the church, in their houses and neighbourhoods.
Has anything really changed in two thousand years? Has the mission changed at all? Was Ephesus any different than Para Vista?
This week we begin a journey as a community poring through the book of Ephesians learning about how Paul came to love this community which had been transformed from a pagan place to one which sought out the Holy Spirit’s will in their lives.
This week, as preparation for our Zoom worship, read Acts 20:17-38 and talk through this question:
What is God’s purpose in my life?
Due to the ongoing South Australian COVID-19 lock-down, worship on 1 August 2021 was live-streamed. This is a video recording of the live-stream, including the message "An overview of Ephesians?" by Pastor Reid Matthias.
The Apostle Paul had been on the road along time.
On his third missionary journey, beginning in Antioch, taking him all the way into Greece, and back again, he was on his way back to Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. As he approached the coast of present-day Turkey, he drew close to some of his favourite people in the world: the people of Ephesus.
Paul had a strong desire to see the people of the church. So, he sent for them to meet him on the beach near Miletus where they reconnected. It would be like one of your best friends flying from another country and staying at Victor Harbor. You would do everything in your power to meet up with them, right?
So, the leaders of Ephesus came to meet with Paul, and as they connected, Paul reminded them that they were set apart by Jesus for a purpose. To be living witnesses in the community, in the church, in their houses and neighbourhoods.
Has anything really changed in two thousand years? Has the mission changed at all? Was Ephesus any different than Para Vista?
This week we begin a journey as a community poring through the book of Ephesians learning about how Paul came to love this community which had been transformed from a pagan place to one which sought out the Holy Spirit’s will in their lives.
This week, as preparation for our Zoom worship, read Acts 20:17-38 and talk through this question:
What is God’s purpose in my life?
An audio message from Pastor Richard Haar, delivered online on 25 July 2021.
In this message we explore the question of whether we will have enough and then go more deeply into the question of whether we are enough in ourselves. The text (John 6:1-15) is about God's provision and his invitation to trust in him. With Jesus and us together, we are enough!
Due to the South Australian COVID-19 lock-down, worship on 25 July 2021 was live-streamed. This is a video recording of the live-stream, including the message "Will we have enough?" by Pastor Richard Haar.
In the message we explore the question of whether we will have enough and then go more deeply into the question of whether we are enough in ourselves. The text (John 6:1-15) is about God's provision and his invitation to trust in him. With Jesus and us together, we are enough!
A series of questions.
How busy is your life at the moment? So many people complain about how busy life is. Even people who retire tell me they can’t keep up with their new lifestyle!! Why are we so busy? Is there anything we can do about it or do we just get dragged along by life and we…
Pastor Paul Fielke
A series of questions.
How busy is your life at the moment? So many people complain about how busy life is. Even people who retire tell me they can’t keep up with their new lifestyle!! Why are we so busy? Is there anything we can do about it or do we just get dragged along by life and we…
Pastor Paul Fielke
King Herod heard about (the work of Jesus) because Jesus’s name had become well known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He’s Elijah.’ Still others said, ‘He’s a prophet, lone of the prophets from long ago’ (Mark 6:14,15).
It’s easy for our contemporary culture to look back two thousand years ago and label the ancients as superstitious, or ignorant, or any number of derogatory things. How could they think Jesus was a beheaded wilderness preacher? Or someone that had been dead hundreds of years? Just plain silly, weren’t they?
Yet the words of the people reflected a desire to understand who Jesus was and what he was on about. If they could label him, then they could control him. If he was just a prophet, they could treat him as such – with awe and reverence, yes – but not as the Son of God.
This questioning of Jesus’s identity has never stopped. On the night he was betrayed, Pilate asks the same identifying question: Are you a king? We ask questions of him today, If you are God, can you heal me today?
Certainly, Jesus is a puzzle. This week, we look at the question, “Who is Jesus?” And not only will we seek some clarification, we’ll talk about what it means for us as the Body of Christ moving forward.
Read Mark 6:14-29 and come prepared with questions…
Pr Reid Matthias
King Herod heard about (the work of Jesus) because Jesus’s name had become well known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He’s Elijah.’ Still others said, ‘He’s a prophet, lone of the prophets from long ago’ (Mark 6:14,15).
It’s easy for our contemporary culture to look back two thousand years ago and label the ancients as superstitious, or ignorant, or any number of derogatory things. How could they think Jesus was a beheaded wilderness preacher? Or someone that had been dead hundreds of years? Just plain silly, weren’t they?
Yet the words of the people reflected a desire to understand who Jesus was and what he was on about. If they could label him, then they could control him. If he was just a prophet, they could treat him as such – with awe and reverence, yes – but not as the Son of God.
This questioning of Jesus’s identity has never stopped. On the night he was betrayed, Pilate asks the same identifying question: Are you a king? We ask questions of him today, If you are God, can you heal me today?
Certainly, Jesus is a puzzle. This week, we look at the question, “Who is Jesus?” And not only will we seek some clarification, we’ll talk about what it means for us as the Body of Christ moving forward.
Read Mark 6:14-29 and come prepared with questions…
Pr Reid Matthias
A video message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 4 July 2021.
When Jesus returned to his hometown with his disciples – and attended synagogue on the Sabbath – things did not turn out so well. At first, the people of Nazareth were bowled over by Jesus’ teaching and miracles. But then things went pear shaped:
“How can Jesus do this?”
“Where did this man get these things?”
“Where did he receive the formal training and authorisation to do this?”
Our faith does not compel Jesus to make a miracle happen, but simply asks and receives whatever Jesus is prepared to give. What amazing things Jesus still wants to do in us – and through us here at Good Shepherd? How can we be more open to this? When we pray: “Your kingdom come. You will be done on earth as in heaven,” are we open to how Jesus might want to do this in our midst?
Chances are it may be different from how we’ve done things in the past! Yet if Jesus is in the middle of it, people’s lives will be touched and transformed.
An audio message by Pastor Rolly Stahl on 4 July 2021.
When Jesus returned to his hometown with his disciples – and attended synagogue on the Sabbath – things did not turn out so well. At first, the people of Nazareth were bowled over by Jesus’ teaching and miracles. But then things went pear shaped:
“How can Jesus do this?”
“Where did this man get these things?”
“Where did he receive the formal training and authorisation to do this?”
Our faith does not compel Jesus to make a miracle happen, but simply asks and receives whatever Jesus is prepared to give. What amazing things Jesus still wants to do in us – and through us here at Good Shepherd? How can we be more open to this? When we pray: “Your kingdom come. You will be done on earth as in heaven,” are we open to how Jesus might want to do this in our midst?
Chances are it may be different from how we’ve done things in the past! Yet if Jesus is in the middle of it, people’s lives will be touched and transformed.
A audio message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 27 June 2021.
Most things about this narrative are confusing from that point onwards. As Rolly described a few weeks ago about Mark sandwiches, there are two involved here, but as we read it with our eyes, it feels like Jesus has been unnecessarily slow in coming to the ruler’s request. ‘Why, Jesus, does it take you so long to respond?’ ‘Jesus, don’t you understand the necessity for haste? My daughter’s life hangs in the balance.’
As do most of us, in the midst of trials and pain, we come to Jesus as a first resort (or last) and push him to hurry. When things turn sour for us, Jesus asks the question, ‘Why are you so sad?’
How is it that you, Lord of the universe, don’t know?
A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 27 June 2021.
Most things about this narrative are confusing from that point onwards. As Rolly described a few weeks ago about Mark sandwiches, there are two involved here, but as we read it with our eyes, it feels like Jesus has been unnecessarily slow in coming to the ruler’s request. ‘Why, Jesus, does it take you so long to respond?’ ‘Jesus, don’t you understand the necessity for haste? My daughter’s life hangs in the balance.’
As do most of us, in the midst of trials and pain, we come to Jesus as a first resort (or last) and push him to hurry. When things turn sour for us, Jesus asks the question, ‘Why are you so sad?’
How is it that you, Lord of the universe, don’t know?
A message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 20 June 2021.
For the modern reader, this weekend’s biblical text should be frightening. Unfortunately, most of us are delighted that Jesus can speak to the wind and the sea and calm them, like a master telling his dog to ‘sit.’
In Mark’s description of what most commentators call ‘Jesus calms the storm,’ we miss out on the incredible details if we focus entirely on the miracle alone. These details are important as we approach this text because it gives us context to why Jesus is unconcerned about both chaos and storm, whereas the disciples’ faith is tested by the elements of their fear.
What is your boat journey like right now? Do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the stern? What about your church? Where is Jesus taking us now?
A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 20 June 2021.
For the modern reader, this weekend’s biblical text should be frightening. Unfortunately, most of us are delighted that Jesus can speak to the wind and the sea and calm them, like a master telling his dog to ‘sit.’
In Mark’s description of what most commentators call ‘Jesus calms the storm,’ we miss out on the incredible details if we focus entirely on the miracle alone. These details are important as we approach this text because it gives us context to why Jesus is unconcerned about both chaos and storm, whereas the disciples’ faith is tested by the elements of their fear.
What is your boat journey like right now? Do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the stern? What about your church? Where is Jesus taking us now?
When my girls were young, they loved listening to stories. It always amazed me that they wanted to hear the same stories over and over again. And it wasn’t just a ploy to avoid going to bed!
We loved telling them Bible stories. And they loved listening.
Why do people of all generations like stories?
Because we are curious. Stories draw you in. As you imagine or observe the characters, and the tensions between them, you start wondering how things will work out for them. (By the way, that’s why we sometimes keep watching a dull movie right until the end!)
A really good story or movie gives us something to consider, reflect on, and discuss with others. As we wrestle with the story, it wrestles with us. Stories have the capacity to shape and transform us – for better or for worse!
Jesus was a master storyteller. He uses illustrations from everyday life to explain how things are in the kingdom of God. As we get older, we may have become so familiar with those stories that we no longer listen, reflect, or wonder about its meaning for us today.
When it comes to the stories Jesus’ told, we do well to ponder:
-
What is the main point of the story?
-
What did this story mean for those who first heard it?
-
What might this story mean for us today?
-
If we take this story on board, what needs to change in our lives?
What I still love about reading God’s story is that my story is now part of it. Fact is we all need to live for a greater story than just ourselves. The joy of doing life with Jesus is getting to play a part in God’s restoration story for his world. His story is the only one that has a glorious ending.
Come along this Sunday as we talk about stories, and then unpack two stories that Jesus told. Who knows…? It just might change your life.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
When my girls were young, they loved listening to stories. It always amazed me that they wanted to hear the same stories over and over again. And it wasn’t just a ploy to avoid going to bed!
We loved telling them Bible stories. And they loved listening.
Why do people of all generations like stories?
Because we are curious. Stories draw you in. As you imagine or observe the characters, and the tensions between them, you start wondering how things will work out for them. (By the way, that’s why we sometimes keep watching a dull movie right until the end!)
A really good story or movie gives us something to consider, reflect on, and discuss with others. As we wrestle with the story, it wrestles with us. Stories have the capacity to shape and transform us – for better or for worse!
Jesus was a master storyteller. He uses illustrations from everyday life to explain how things are in the kingdom of God. As we get older, we may have become so familiar with those stories that we no longer listen, reflect, or wonder about its meaning for us today.
When it comes to the stories Jesus’ told, we do well to ponder:
-
What is the main point of the story?
-
What did this story mean for those who first heard it?
-
What might this story mean for us today?
-
If we take this story on board, what needs to change in our lives?
What I still love about reading God’s story is that my story is now part of it. Fact is we all need to live for a greater story than just ourselves. The joy of doing life with Jesus is getting to play a part in God’s restoration story for his world. His story is the only one that has a glorious ending.
Come along this Sunday as we talk about stories, and then unpack two stories that Jesus told. Who knows…? It just might change your life.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr Rolly Stahl
All of us grew up in some sort of family – whether it was with biological parents, adopting parents, a single parent, grandparents, relatives, family friends, or others who raised us.
We have all been shaped by our families. Families have great potential for blessing… or messing. The legacy of our family influences us for the rest of our lives. If your family has been a place of acceptance, understanding, mutual support, and healthy boundaries, chances are you have a sense of self-worth and confidence. If your family of origin was dysfunctional, then the wounds can last a long time. This is also true of “church families”.
Jesus was not always understood by his immediate family. Like when at the age of 12 he had an extended stop-over at the Jerusalem temple (Lk 2). Or when his brothers bagged him out about getting to Jerusalem to bolster his public image (Jn 7:3-5). Or when his mother and brothers turned up in Capernaum because they thought he’d lost his mind!
The leaders of ‘God’s family’, the teachers of the law did not know what to make of Jesus. They treat him with suspicion and hostility. They constantly find fault with him and accuse him of breaking the law. They label him as a drunkard and a glutton, a friend of sinners, a blasphemer, and as being possessed by the devil!
This Sunday, we see how Mark weaves two stories together where Jesus experiences “family misunderstanding”. In effect, Jesus ends up asking the question: “Who is my family?”
Jesus’ answer is both simple and profound, revealing and challenging. Come along to the Good Shepherd family gathering this Sunday: where we come together in God’s name, celebrate what it means to belong to his family, listen to his word, share in the family meal (8:45am), and then live out the grace and truth of Jesus in our families and communities.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly Stahl
ll of us grew up in some sort of family – whether it was with biological parents, adopting parents, a single parent, grandparents, relatives, family friends, or others who raised us.
We have all been shaped by our families. Families have great potential for blessing… or messing. The legacy of our family influences us for the rest of our lives. If your family has been a place of acceptance, understanding, mutual support, and healthy boundaries, chances are you have a sense of self-worth and confidence. If your family of origin was dysfunctional, then the wounds can last a long time. This is also true of “church families”.
Jesus was not always understood by his immediate family. Like when at the age of 12 he had an extended stop-over at the Jerusalem temple (Lk 2). Or when his brothers bagged him out about getting to Jerusalem to bolster his public image (Jn 7:3-5). Or when his mother and brothers turned up in Capernaum because they thought he’d lost his mind!
The leaders of ‘God’s family’, the teachers of the law did not know what to make of Jesus. They treat him with suspicion and hostility. They constantly find fault with him and accuse him of breaking the law. They label him as a drunkard and a glutton, a friend of sinners, a blasphemer, and as being possessed by the devil!
This Sunday, we see how Mark weaves two stories together where Jesus experiences “family misunderstanding”. In effect, Jesus ends up asking the question: “Who is my family?”
Jesus’ answer is both simple and profound, revealing and challenging. Come along to the Good Shepherd family gathering this Sunday: where we come together in God’s name, celebrate what it means to belong to his family, listen to his word, share in the family meal (8:45am), and then live out the grace and truth of Jesus in our families and communities.
Joy in Jesus!
Pr. Rolly Stahl
A Audio message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 30 May 2021.
The wind is an awesome power, one that is often forgotten about. With the sun, we can feel the heat and we know its source, but with the wind, we have a little understanding of how heat and cooling create the wind – but where does it start? Where does it finish? Where does it go when it stops?
This, in a nutshell, is how Jesus responds to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews. “Do not be amazed that you must be born again.”
There is a true power in being born again through water and the Spirit. In Lutheran circles, we don’t often talk about born againedness, as we often leave that to the Pentecostals (much to our detriment). But what does it actually mean? Do we actually understand the power of rebirth into Christ and the Spirit’s push into the Kingdom of God?
As you read through the oft quoted passage from John 3, notice especially verses 3 and 5. Jesus impresses upon Nicodemus the results and the benefits of being born again, of baptism and the power of God through his son.
Don’t be afraid if someone asks you this week if you are ‘born again.’ Even if you didn’t have a rapturous experience and burning in your heart at your baptism, know that Christ the Lord has given you new birth through his death and now you are raised a new creation.
Pr. Reid Matthias
A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 30 May 2021.
The wind is an awesome power, one that is often forgotten about. With the sun, we can feel the heat and we know its source, but with the wind, we have a little understanding of how heat and cooling create the wind – but where does it start? Where does it finish? Where does it go when it stops?
This, in a nutshell, is how Jesus responds to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader of the Jews. “Do not be amazed that you must be born again.”
There is a true power in being born again through water and the Spirit. In Lutheran circles, we don’t often talk about born againedness, as we often leave that to the Pentecostals (much to our detriment). But what does it actually mean? Do we actually understand the power of rebirth into Christ and the Spirit’s push into the Kingdom of God?
As you read through the oft quoted passage from John 3, notice especially verses 3 and 5. Jesus impresses upon Nicodemus the results and the benefits of being born again, of baptism and the power of God through his son.
Don’t be afraid if someone asks you this week if you are ‘born again.’ Even if you didn’t have a rapturous experience and burning in your heart at your baptism, know that Christ the Lord has given you new birth through his death and now you are raised a new creation.
Pr. Reid Matthias
The Grow Ministries team are introduced to the Good Shepherd Congregation to share what they are learning at the Grow Coaching sessions.
“Get ready. Get set. Go!!”
During childhood we heard these words at the start of a race, or a treasure hunt, or perhaps some other adventure. With the word: “GO!!” we get moving as quickly as possible – because we don’t want to miss out.
When traffic lights turn green, I like to get moving as quickly as possible. Why? Because I want to help motorists behind me get through the intersection without having to wait for another cycle of traffic light changes.
Just before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, he urged his followers to stay put in Jerusalem and to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was “get ready” and “get set”.
Ten days later, when the promised Holy Spirit came, it was all “GO!!” On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with signs and wonders that caught the attention of the thousands who were staying in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter points his audience to Jesus. Peter calls them to repent and to be baptised into the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins – so they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Around 3000 people responded to the Good News of Jesus by being baptised. People from all nations came to celebrate a Jewish festival; many went home knowing Jesus!
God’s desire to bless all people is still his mission for us. It happens as we share the love and Good News of Jesus with others. Jesus tells us: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
God doesn’t want anyone to miss out. Our Father wants every person to come into his family through Jesus so they can do life with him and inherit eternal life. Given the heart of God and the eternal benefits for all who are in Christ, I wonder: “Why we slow to GO?”
Pentecost reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, change our hearts, and infuse our souls with God’s love for others – regardless of their cultural background.
May God infuse us with a fresh anointing of his Spirit that moves us to engage with our community – so that all may know Jesus and worship him.
Pr Rolly Stahl
“Get ready. Get set. Go!!”
During childhood we heard these words at the start of a race, or a treasure hunt, or perhaps some other adventure. With the word: “GO!!” we get moving as quickly as possible – because we don’t want to miss out.
When traffic lights turn green, I like to get moving as quickly as possible. Why? Because I want to help motorists behind me get through the intersection without having to wait for another cycle of traffic light changes.
Just before the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, he urged his followers to stay put in Jerusalem and to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was “get ready” and “get set”.
Ten days later, when the promised Holy Spirit came, it was all “GO!!” On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with signs and wonders that caught the attention of the thousands who were staying in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter points his audience to Jesus. Peter calls them to repent and to be baptised into the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins – so they too would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Around 3000 people responded to the Good News of Jesus by being baptised. People from all nations came to celebrate a Jewish festival; many went home knowing Jesus!
God’s desire to bless all people is still his mission for us. It happens as we share the love and Good News of Jesus with others. Jesus tells us: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
God doesn’t want anyone to miss out. Our Father wants every person to come into his family through Jesus so they can do life with him and inherit eternal life. Given the heart of God and the eternal benefits for all who are in Christ, I wonder: “Why we slow to GO?”
Pentecost reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, change our hearts, and infuse our souls with God’s love for others – regardless of their cultural background.
May God infuse us with a fresh anointing of his Spirit that moves us to engage with our community – so that all may know Jesus and worship him.
Pr Rolly Stahl
An audio recording of a message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 16 May 2021.
Stay put. Don’t move. Wait.
Do you know how easy it is to sit still? Especially when you’re excited about something? Or if you’re frightened? Maybe all the time? Humankind is designed to move, yet over one hundred times in the Bible, we are reminded to quiet ourselves, sit still and wait for the Lord.
Why is this?
Why did the Spirit take a week to show up after the Ascension? Was it a test?
This week as we continue our theme on Stay, read through Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:4-8. Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple. Write down some thoughts about how you would have felt, what you would have thought and what you would have liked to do.
Then, on Sunday, we'll share some of those thoughts.
A video message by Pastor Reid Matthias on 16 May 2021.
Stay put. Don’t move. Wait.
Do you know how easy it is to sit still? Especially when you’re excited about something? Or if you’re frightened? Maybe all the time? Humankind is designed to move, yet over one hundred times in the Bible, we are reminded to quiet ourselves, sit still and wait for the Lord.
Why is this?
Why did the Spirit take a week to show up after the Ascension? Was it a test?
This week as we continue our theme on Stay, read through Luke 24:44-52 and Acts 1:4-8. Put yourself in the shoes of a disciple. Write down some thoughts about how you would have felt, what you would have thought and what you would have liked to do.
Then, on Sunday, we'll share some of those thoughts.
To be a servant in the ancient world was taxing and often frustrating. At the whim of the master, the servant must drop everything in order to serve the master’s desires. Whether preparing food, cleaning up, taking care of guests, the servant was commanded to do this without question.
To be a disciple of a teacher was in the same vein. To serve under the tutelage meant that the servant’s immediate response was necessary. To argue was a punishable offense. Certainly slaves, servants and students would never consider their masters ‘friends.’ Kind and generous, perhaps, but a friend? Not a chance.
The only way a servant and a master could become friends is if the master freed the servant. To be set free from the bondage of ‘must’ (‘you will do what I say’) to the glory of ‘would you,’ the servant-turned-friend would have the choice of when and how to serve.
But true friends are always freed to make the choice to help.
Interesting how Jesus puts this new framework in place for his disciples.
This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore because a servant doesn’t know what a master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command: Love one another. ~John 15:12-16
Jesus has freed his disciples from their role as his ‘servant’ to a new paradigm of friendship. What does this mean? How did they react? What does it mean for us to have (and be in) friendships in the 21st century of vague, temporary and disposable friendships?
God’s peace and you ponder what a friend we have in Jesus!
Pr Reid Matthias
To be a servant in the ancient world was taxing and often frustrating. At the whim of the master, the servant must drop everything in order to serve the master’s desires. Whether preparing food, cleaning up, taking care of guests, the servant was commanded to do this without question.
To be a disciple of a teacher was in the same vein. To serve under the tutelage meant that the servant’s immediate response was necessary. To argue was a punishable offense. Certainly slaves, servants and students would never consider their masters ‘friends.’ Kind and generous, perhaps, but a friend? Not a chance.
The only way a servant and a master could become friends is if the master freed the servant. To be set free from the bondage of ‘must’ (‘you will do what I say’) to the glory of ‘would you,’ the servant-turned-friend would have the choice of when and how to serve.
But true friends are always freed to make the choice to help.
Interesting how Jesus puts this new framework in place for his disciples.
This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down their life for their friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore because a servant doesn’t know what a master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. This is my command: Love one another. ~John 15:12-16
Jesus has freed his disciples from their role as his ‘servant’ to a new paradigm of friendship. What does this mean? How did they react? What does it mean for us to have (and be in) friendships in the 21st century of vague, temporary and disposable friendships?
God’s peace and you ponder what a friend we have in Jesus!
Pr Reid Matthias
"Stay with Me", a message by Pastor Reid Matthias.
I am the vine and you are the branches.
I think I’ve repeated that mantra thousands of times throughout my life. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and we’re supposed to produce fruit – and lots of it. Yet, when I prepared for this week, I realised that I had been incorrectly repeating the verse by forgetting some very important words, starting with this one:
True.
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.
That word ‘true’ changes everything, because it implies that their are false vines, or vines that speak lies to us.
Certainly, we can see by the fruit that’s produced what we are connected to, or even more importantly, WHO we’re connected to. Whether the influence of our perpetual connectedness to the vine of the internet, digital communications, entertainment, you name it, we see the fruit of fear, of distance, of hatred. It could be the circle of friends in which we connect. The fruit of our actions and words are a reflection of who we listen to.
Thus, we need the second half of the sentence – and my Father is the gardener.
A gardener’s job is to not only make sure that the vine is healthy and the branches are connected, but to prune in its season so that more fruit is produced.
But what does this look like in real life? How does Jesus’s parable of the true vine and branches look like in busy lives, (over)active lives that struggle with creating space to remain in him and allow his words to remain in us?
As you ponder the scripture reading this week – John 15:1-8 – reflect on what it means in your own life to have the gardener prune things from your life so that you can bear much fruit. What kind of fruit is your life producing? In what quantities? Then, apply the same scripture as if Jesus is talking about Good Shepherd as a community. Corporately, how is God pruning us? What fruit is being produced and what fruit can we expect in the upcoming growing season?
"Stay with Me", a message by Pastor Reid Matthias.
I am the vine and you are the branches.
I think I’ve repeated that mantra thousands of times throughout my life. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and we’re supposed to produce fruit – and lots of it. Yet, when I prepared for this week, I realised that I had been incorrectly repeating the verse by forgetting some very important words, starting with this one:
True.
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.
That word ‘true’ changes everything, because it implies that their are false vines, or vines that speak lies to us.
Certainly, we can see by the fruit that’s produced what we are connected to, or even more importantly, WHO we’re connected to. Whether the influence of our perpetual connectedness to the vine of the internet, digital communications, entertainment, you name it, we see the fruit of fear, of distance, of hatred. It could be the circle of friends in which we connect. The fruit of our actions and words are a reflection of who we listen to.
Thus, we need the second half of the sentence – and my Father is the gardener.
A gardener’s job is to not only make sure that the vine is healthy and the branches are connected, but to prune in its season so that more fruit is produced.
But what does this look like in real life? How does Jesus’s parable of the true vine and branches look like in busy lives, (over)active lives that struggle with creating space to remain in him and allow his words to remain in us?
As you ponder the scripture reading this week – John 15:1-8 – reflect on what it means in your own life to have the gardener prune things from your life so that you can bear much fruit. What kind of fruit is your life producing? In what quantities? Then, apply the same scripture as if Jesus is talking about Good Shepherd as a community. Corporately, how is God pruning us? What fruit is being produced and what fruit can we expect in the upcoming growing season?
Has someone ever said to you: “You’re just not listening to me!” What was their tone of voice? What moved them to say that? How did you respond?
To be heard and understood is one of the greatest gifts we can receive; and one of the greatest gifts we can give. It is how we empathise and care for one another. The power of listening helps us know that we are not alone. It brings people closer together. It brings restoration to broken hearts and hurting souls.
The best book I’ve ever read on listening is by Adam S. McHugh: The Listening Life – Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction, (IVP: 2015). Like a treasure chest, this book is full of gems for everyone who seeks to become a better listener and carer to others. Here are a few of them:
‘…how would our relationships change, and how would we change, if we approached every situation with the intention of listening first? What if we approached our relationship with God as listeners? What if we view our relationship with nature as one of listening? What if we approached our relationships using our ears rather than our mouths?’ (p.10)
‘Hearing is an act of the senses, but listening is an act of the will. In listening you centre not only your ears but also your mind, heart and posture on someone or something other than yourself.’ (p.16)
‘The true listeners are those who stay, who crowd around Jesus and ask the interpretation of the parable. This is the kind of listeners God desires: those who pursue and seek and relentlessly question. They sit with Jesus’ words like an old friend that you know yet don’t really know, chewing and digesting, continuing to seek greater clarity and depth of understanding.’ (p.17)
‘The sort of people we become is, in large part, determined by the voices that we choose to listen to. Truly, we do not have a choice of listening versus not listening. We all obey certain voices, and thus the question is not “Will I listen?” but “Which voices will I listen to?” (p.21)
Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14 NIV) And: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NIV)
Over the last two Sundays, our themes have been Open Door and Open Eyes. This Sunday we will consider: Open Ears. It’s a privilege to come together to listen to the words of Jesus, to discuss what that means for us, and to help each other to live them out!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Has someone ever said to you: “You’re just not listening to me!” What was their tone of voice? What moved them to say that? How did you respond?
To be heard and understood is one of the greatest gifts we can receive; and one of the greatest gifts we can give. It is how we empathise and care for one another. The power of listening helps us know that we are not alone. It brings people closer together. It brings restoration to broken hearts and hurting souls.
The best book I’ve ever read on listening is by Adam S. McHugh: The Listening Life – Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction, (IVP: 2015). Like a treasure chest, this book is full of gems for everyone who seeks to become a better listener and carer to others. Here are a few of them:
‘…how would our relationships change, and how would we change, if we approached every situation with the intention of listening first? What if we approached our relationship with God as listeners? What if we view our relationship with nature as one of listening? What if we approached our relationships using our ears rather than our mouths?’ (p.10)
‘Hearing is an act of the senses, but listening is an act of the will. In listening you centre not only your ears but also your mind, heart and posture on someone or something other than yourself.’ (p.16)
‘The true listeners are those who stay, who crowd around Jesus and ask the interpretation of the parable. This is the kind of listeners God desires: those who pursue and seek and relentlessly question. They sit with Jesus’ words like an old friend that you know yet don’t really know, chewing and digesting, continuing to seek greater clarity and depth of understanding.’ (p.17)
‘The sort of people we become is, in large part, determined by the voices that we choose to listen to. Truly, we do not have a choice of listening versus not listening. We all obey certain voices, and thus the question is not “Will I listen?” but “Which voices will I listen to?” (p.21)
Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14 NIV) And: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NIV)
Over the last two Sundays, our themes have been Open Door and Open Eyes. This Sunday we will consider: Open Ears. It’s a privilege to come together to listen to the words of Jesus, to discuss what that means for us, and to help each other to live them out!
Pr Rolly Stahl