What Jesus Says to a Complacent Church: Recent Episodes
Church in the Marketplace
This letter gives us another secret to growth and change to those of us who are feeling a little bit complacent. Maybe we feel a little more bored than blessed when we connect with church … Perhaps we feel a lot more attached to this world than we’d like - (who doesn’t struggle with that?) and looking us straight in the eye Jesus says - “I want you to see your need as you never have before. Then I’d be able to meet your need as I never have before.”
John writes this way to the church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church of Laodicea write, ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds that you’re neither cold nor hot … I wish that you were one or the other … But you don’t realise you’re wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you get from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness salve to put on your eyes so you can see.” (Revelation 3:14 ff)
Not easy words from Jesus but they end with his remarkable promise - “Look! I am standing at the door and I'm constantly knocking. If anyone opens the door I will come in and I’ll fellowship with him; I’ll relate to him, I’ll dine with him and he’ll fellowship with me.” (Revelation 3:20 – Message)
As Jesus and His disciples were walking through a grain field, a controversy erupts regarding the sabbath. Join us this Sunday to discover God’s intention for a regular day of rest to be a life-giving discipline and blessing.
Feeling weary? Burdened? Join us this Sunday as explore Jesus’ promise of 'rest for your soul'!
In our passage this Sunday, Jesus rebukes the spiritual childishness of His generation. But were they really any worse than those that went before or who have come after? Join us this Sunday to be challenged about our own generation's stubbornness and need for repentance.
Join us in-person or online at 10am for the Greatest and the Least - Matthew Chapter 11.
What would you be willing to sacrifice for God? Join us this Sunday as we conclude our study of Abraham, the father of nations, by examining the greatest test of his faith that he ever faced.
Abram is now 99 years old, but God reaffirms His amazing promise to him of countless descendants via his 89-year-old wife, Sarai. But God also gives Abram a bizarre command to ensure that His people are set apart, marked out, and cut off from the rest of the human tribe. Join us in-person or online to find out more.
Do you sometimes feel used and abused? So you sometimes feel like others value you only for the usefulness you represent to them? Join us this Sunday as we explore the story of Hagar, a foreign slave woman, who was used and abused, but who was seen and heard by God.
As Abraham wavers in his steadfastness to God, he is again promised descendants as numerous as the stars, as God enters into an unbreakable covenant of grace with him. Join us this Sunday as we explore how we too can benefit from God's amazing grace, and be declared righteous in God’s sight.
Abraham’s life journey is a masterful lesson in trusting God's promises despite our own human flaws and impossible circumstances. Abraham's obedience to God laid the groundwork for God’s gracious redemptive work in the world through Christ. Starting this Sunday 7th June, join us over the coming couple of months as we follow his amazing story of faith in the midst of uncertainty and doubt.
Our culture idolises different types of love. But Jesus said there was no greater love than sacrificial love for one’s friends. What's more, he issued a command to his disciples that they live out this kind of love. Christian friendship isn't just a 'nice-to-have'. It's vital, and Jesus showed us exactly what it looked like. Join us this Sunday 31st as Carlie Chapman helps us explore this powerful notion and what it means for our friendships.
Often when we think of God's Holy Spirit, we think of flamboyant acts of power that many of us rarely experience. However, when Jesus promises his followers the Holy Spirit, he uses an image of the most essential and everyday of human needs - water. Join us at 10am this Sunday to discover more.
As part of His impassioned farewell teaching to His disciples, Jesus uses a universally recognisable metaphor to emphasise the vital importance of remaining connected to Him in order to be fruitful in life. Join us this Sunday either in-person or online to find out more.
During his final evening with his disciples, Jesus gave them a final challenge - if they truly loved him, they would obey his commands. Join us this Sunday 10th May as we explore what this means for us today, and what reward awaits all those who indeed love and obey him.
In a relativistic world where many people think there are many paths to God, Jesus makes a confronting claim - that He, and He alone, is the only Way to God. Join us this Sunday as we explore one of Jesus’ most controversial claims to ultimate truth.
Jesus makes the bold claim to be the Good Shepherd who leads us to life-abundant. Join us this Sunday either in-person or online to discover how you can come under the care of Jesus, the gate to true life.
We are excited to have Greg Sheridan join us at Church in the Marketplace on 19th April to discuss his new book:
How Christians Can Succeed Today – Reclaiming the Genius of the Early Church. Greg Sheridan AO is an Australian foreign affairs journalist, author, commentator and a committed Christian.
Join us on Sunday as we hear from Rev. Dr Mark Layson, NSW/ACT Director / Senior Chaplain of the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN).
The Bible reading for this Sunday: Luke 7:36 - 50
Join us Sunday as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and hear how we can have communion with God.
Join us in-person or online this Palm Sunday (29th) from 10am as we experience the events of Jesus’ famous triumphal entry into Jerusalem from the perspective of the young owner of the donkey that He rode that day. All welcome.
Join us this Sunday either in-person or online as we consider what we can learn and apply today from the famous episode of Jesus raising of his friend, Lazarus, from the grave. All welcome.
John chapter 9 tells the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. However, as the story unfolds we see this healing goes far deeper than the restoration mere physical sight. Join us either in-person or online as we explore this profound miracle and accompanying teaching.
When a Moabite widow named Ruth finds redemption via a kinsman-redeemer named Boaz, God was at work in ways that no one could expect. Join us this Sunday online or in-person as we conclude this wonderful story about God’s work redemptive in a broken world.
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday morning as we explore one of the world’s great love stories - that of Ruth & Boaz, and the loving God who was working behind the scenes to bring them together and to redeem each of us. Join us either in-person or online to find out more.
As a widow living in a foreign land, Ruth had few options available to her. Join us this Sunday as we explore what we can learn from this incredibly faithful, loyal and industrious woman.
Join us this Sunday as we continue our journey through the wonderful book of Ruth - this week we will explore the challenge of remaining faithful even in times of uncertainty and hardship, as well as the importance of being honest with God in times of trial without allowing oneself to become bitter. All welcome.
This February we will be journeying through the short but powerful book of Ruth. We will see God’s hand at work, even in the bleakest of times. Join us Sundays at 10am, either in-person or online, as we explore God’s plan to bring us from ruin to redemption.
John opens his gospel with a powerful yet controversial statement about Jesus - that He is the Word (in Greek, ‘Logos’), made flesh. Join us this Sunday as we explore this profound truth and ask what it means for us today.
Having told his followers he would be returning at an hour no one knows, Jesus then tells a parable about ten bridesmaids awaiting the return of the bridegroom in order for the celebrations to begin. Join us this Sunday as we explore we can keep our 'lamps’ burning in the darkness in anticipation of the arrival of Jesus once more.
The Bible is adamant that Jesus is coming again. There are around a thousand prophecies in the Bible concerning the second coming of Christ. It's mentioned in 23 of the 27 New Testament books. In fact, seven out of every ten chapters in the New Testament, refer to it! The question for us, then, is obvious: Are you ready? Join us this Sunday to explore how you can be ready for the return of the King.
The people have failed to heed God’s warning via the prophet Jeremiah to be like soft clay in his hands. The results are catastrophic. However, in the midst of tragedy, God has a practical word of hope for his people. Join us this Sunday as together to listen for God's word to us still today.
When God tells Jeremiah to go down to the potters house, he has in store for the prophet an object lesson for Israel and for the nations. Join us this Sunday as we lean in to hear a word of both warning and hope from God.
During an encounter with the Sadducees in Luke chapter 20, Jesus provides us with a glimpse into resurrection life. Join us this Sunday, either in-person or online, to hear about how our relationships with one another will be deepened and enriched in the life to come if we are in Christ, where death will be a distant memory.
What do you truly rely on to give you life? Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore Jesus’ claim to be the ‘bread of life’ - that is, our daily staple upon which we can depend to give us not simply 'bios’ (Greek for biological existence), but ‘zoe', meaning an eternal quality of life.
Join us this Sunday either in person or online as we hear a classic parable from Jesus - the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax collector.
Jesus calls us to follow His way through compassionate love of those on the edge, and we do this in our individual lives, through our congregations and collectively through Uniting.
Living Water?Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. How does he treat her? What does he promise? What does this tell us about how to approach vulnerable people, especially victims of domestic violence? Don’t know any people suffering or surviving domestic violence? You’d be surprised.
What is faith? Is it magic? How can we have more faith?
We hear Jesus talk about faith as a small mustard seed… a seed so small that if I were to have a mustard seed on the tip of my finger and showed it to you, you wouldn’t be able to see it. It is that small.
We hear the disciples wanting more faith, yet I’m wondering if Jesus is actually saying that faith is about sufficiency rather than quantity; what is enough rather than an abundance?
After being arrested and beaten, the Apostle Paul is then transported to Rome for trial. And just when things couldn’t possibly get any worse, a huge storm engulfs the ship and wrecks it off the coast of Malta. Through it all, however, Paul remains calm knowing that God is in ultimate control. Join us this Sunday to discover how you too can have an unshakable confidence and hope, even in the face of life’s storms.
As his final missionary journey comes to an end, Paul calls the elders of the church in Ephesus together and gives them some final instructions regarding how to finish this Christian life well. Join us this Sunday either in-person or online to find out more.
As Paul continues his second great missionary journey, in Corinth he meets a married couple, Priscilla and Aquila, who become his greatly valued partners in the work of proclaiming Jesus. Join us this Sunday as we explore what we can learn from this husband and wife team.
When the Apostle Paul came to Athens he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Join us this Sunday to discover how we too can speak life in the marketplace of ideas in a culture beset by all manner of idols.
In Acts 15, the church comes together in Jerusalem to decide a vital eternal truth… Jesus plus nothing equals everything! Join us in-person or online to find out more.
When Barnabas & Paul are sent out in mission from the church in Antioch they encounter range of responses to the gospel. Come along this Sunday to hear what we can learn and apply from this world-changing journey.
The city of Antioch was known throughout the Roman Empire for its infamous immorality. However, when the gospel of Jesus reaches Antioch, a great number of people were bought to faith in Christ. Antioch thus became the first place where the believers were called Christians. Join us this Sunday to discover how we too can be known as 'Christ’s ones' in our city today.
As a Roman Centurion, Cornelius was no joke. A fighting man. A powerful man. A commander of men. Yet Cornelius was also a seeker. A man of faith. He had humility enough to recognise that he too needed to come under the command of the One who commands legions of angels.
Join us this Sunday to hear this man’s incredible story of coming to faith in Jesus.
Tabitha is the first woman to be named as a disciple in the book of Acts. Join us this Sunday in-person or online as we learn about her remarkable story and ask what we can learn from her.
When persecution against the church breaks out in Jerusalem, God uses this scattering of his people to spread far and wide the good news of life-abundant in Christ! Join us this Sunday at 10am in-person or online to find out more.
When persecution against the church breaks out in Jerusalem, God uses this scattering of His people to spread far and wide the good news of life-abundant in Christ! Join us this Sunday at 10am in-person or online to find out more.
Join us online or in-person this Sunday as we examine an episode from the early church of stark contrasts and of dire warnings about what we truly value and where our allegiances truly lie. We look forward to seeing you!
Join us this Sunday at 10am, either in-person or online, as we examine a miraculous healing from Acts chapter 3. All welcome.
The book of Acts the inspiring story of the Spirit-empowered early church taking the gospel from Jerusalem, to the ends of the earth! Join us this Sunday we commence our journey alongside them, firstly learning the importance of 'with-ness’ in order to then witness!
This Sunday is Pentecost - 50 days after Christ’s resurrection, God sent his Holy Spirit to empower his church to reach the nations with the good news of Jesus. Join us from 10am as we seek a fresh filling of the Spirit to empower us to reach the nations in 2025.
Light Home is a residential school in rural India that offers hope to the poorest of the poor by educating children in English and in the love of Christ. Join us at 10am this Sunday, either in-person or online, to discover how you too can partner with Light Home in working towards a kinder, more just world.
In John 5, we see Jesus healing a man who had been crippled for 38 years, telling him to pick up his mat and walk. However, there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Join us this Sunday to be challenged about seeing Jesus as simply a means to our own ends.
In a world torn by hatred and division, Jesus commands us to love one another. Join us this Sunday at 10am to find out what exactly it means to truly love.
Towards the end of his reign, King David, the former shepherd, looked back over all the ups and downs of his life, and was able to declare with great boldness, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Join us this Sunday to discover how you too can make this declaration with confidence, even in the valleys and shadows of life.
Following the roller coaster of that first Easter, the disciples go back to doing what they know best - fishing. But the risen Jesus has other things in mind when he provides them with breakfast on the beach and a fresh call to follow him.
Join us this Sunday at 10am for: Our road to Emmaus.
The scripture verse will be: Luke 24:13-35
Join us in celebrating new life at any (or all!) of our Easter worship services: 10am Good Friday, Easter Sunday Dawn service (6am at Bronte Beach), or 10am Easter Sunday. All welcome!
Join us in celebrating new life at any (or all!) of our Easter worship services: 10am Good Friday, Easter Sunday Dawn service (6am at Bronte Beach), or 10am Easter Sunday. All welcome!
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the final time, he threw down the gauntlet to both his followers and enemies in a bold claim to be God’s long-awaited coming King - the Messiah! Join us at 10am to discover how Jesus still challenges us to ‘ride or die’!
Whether they admit it or not, everybody worships. Everybody worships - it’s just a question of what you chose to worship. Join us this Sunday at 10am (remember to put your clocks back an hour Saturday night) as we explore a beautiful story of extravagant worship from Jesus’ final days on earth, and learn how we can be set free by choosing to worship the only One worthy of it.
If we feel we are on shaky ground with God, the story of the prodigal son is great news. It is all about God’s willingness to embrace everyone – even those who have deliberately cut God out of their lives. But this much loved story from the Bible has a sting in its tail for those who have stuck with God and not wandered off. This Sunday we will be exploring how we can lose our own relationship with God if we value fairness more than compassion.
With his amazing, God-given strength, Samson is remembered a kind of 'superhero' of the Bible. Yet, he was also a deeply flawed character, and thus, all the more relatable to each of us. Join us this Sunday 23rd March to discover what we can learn and apply from his story.
Join us as we hear from the Ford Family about their amazing ministry in the midst of war-torn Ukraine.
Gideon is a famous character from the Bible who’s known as a courageous leader who delivers his people from oppression against all the odds. But he didn’t start out courageous. When God called him, we find a man prone to worry, fear and bitterness. Join us this Sunday (March 2nd) either in-person or online to discover the secret to moving from fear to faith.
Deborah was a Prophetess and Judge during a dark time in Israel’s history. Join us in-person or online this Sunday 23rd February to hear how she inspired her people to throw off the yoke of oppression and have peace.
The story of the Judge, Ehud, is one of those episodes from Scripture that leaves us scratching our heads wondering what it’s doing in the Bible at all! Join us this Sunday as we explore how God can use anyone and anything for His good purposes, and bring salvation for His people.
The first of Israel's Judges was a man named Othniel - his name means ‘strength of God', and God worked strongly through him and his family to show us what true godliness, strength and courage looks like. Join us in-person or online this Sunday to find out more.
Join us the Sunday as we begin a preaching series through the book of Judges - a series of stories about broken heroes, a fickle people, and a faithful God who remains gracious through it all. We will encounter many inspiring yet challenging individuals in this era of lawlessness. However, against a dark backdrop of sin and rebellion, God’s grace and faithfulness to sinners shines brightly. We will learn that, despite appearances, God’s purposes are never thwarted.
Join us this Sunday (Australia Day) as we consider the spiritual state of our nation and what we can do ensure our country walks in the way of Christ.
Join us this Sunday, either in-person or online, as we hear from the mission team who have recently returned from spending time at 'Light Home' in India, sharing the love of Christ with the kids, staff, and community in that struggling yet joyous part of the world.
What is truth? Is there such a thing? And, even if it does exist, how would you recognise it? Join us this Sunday as we explore some of life’s big questions as part of our Advent series, ‘Why He came’.
You often hear it said that 'Jesus saves’, or that Jesus is the 'Saviour', or that Jesus offers ‘salvation'. The question must therefore be asked: saved from what exactly? Join us this Sunday as we continue our Advent series - ‘Why He came', and explore Jesus' claim that he came "not to judge the world, but to save the world."
During a heated encounter with the religious authorities of his day, Jesus declares that he is the One who brings life, and brings it to the full! Join us this Sunday at 10am to find out how you can have this abundant life - in this life and the next!
Join us each Sunday in the run down to Christmas this year as we consider, in his own words, why Jesus came. We will examine four different texts from John’s gospel where Jesus explains what his mission to earth was all about, and why it brings joy to the world.
Have you ever wondered what the enduring appeal of royalty is within the human psyche? Even if we reject the notion of monarchy, why do we instead crown politicians, sportspeople & celebrities? Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore our nature as humans, and discover the only One worthy to claim ultimate sovereignty over our lives.
When asked about the end of the age, Jesus warns against jumping to conclusions. He does however, give us a repeated command: "Keep watch!” Join us in-person or online this Sunday as we decipher what this means for us today.
Jesus goes on the offensive this Sunday with a dire warning about the religious leaders of his day who ‘devour widows’ houses’. Then in stark contrast, he points to a humble widow as an example of true faithfulness. Come ready to have your world turned upside down!
What is the greatest commandment? Join us this Sunday at 10am to hear Jesus answer that question in a way that will challenge us all. Also, don’t forget to bring $10 for our special fundraising lunch featuring ‘completos’- Chilean-style loaded hot-dogs.
When a blind beggar on the street hears Jesus is coming his way, he stops at nothing to encounter the One who has the power to heal and liberate. Join us this Sunday at 10am to discover how we too can find life by tossing aside the worldly trinkets we cling to.
When James and John come to Jesus with an audacious request in Mark chapter 10, they get a challenge from Jesus that up-ends their understanding of power, honour and acclaim. Join us this Sunday at 10am to discover the key to true greatness.
The Bible reminds us that we can join in God’s story for a more hopeful future. The decisions made during this decade can shape the world’s path towards escalating catastrophes or move us towards greater peace and flourishing – for our communities, for Australia and for the rest of creation.
Tearfund is committed to journeying with the church in responding to global issues which perpetuate poverty and injustice. Into a fractured and sometimes frightening world, we offer this invitation to draw near to God and to each other, and to act in the light of the hope available to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Sam Fagan from Tearfund will explore this promise.
Join us on Sunday as Susan Russell, a regional chaplaincy coordinator with Uniting, speaks on Isaiah’s call, and encouraging us to consider volunteering at our local aged-care establishments visiting residents. She will also bring with her our new local aged-care chaplain, Sanchita Dayal, to meet us.
Following Jesus has never been a 'solo sport’. Join us in-person or online this Sunday as we conclude our journey through Paul’s letter to the Colossians and learn the importance of finding our place within the body of Christ that we call the church.
Negotiating our closest relationships with the people we spend most of our time with can be tricky. Join us this Sunday 22nd Sept, either in-person or online, as we consider how to live out our faith in Jesus, both at home and at work.
In light of the good news that we have been raised to new life with Christ, how then should we live? Join us at 10am this Sunday 15th September to find out how we should live as God's chosen people, setting our minds on things above.
Join us this Sunday as we explore the extraordinarily liberating news that we don’t need to earn our way to heaven. Come and hear how 'Jesus paid it all’. All welcome.
No person need ever feel shiftless, baseless or without a home. Join us this Sunday as we discover how to be rooted, built up, established, strengthened, and overflowing with thankfulness. (PS - see Colossians 2:7 for a sneak peak!)
We’d love to meet you this Sunday as we continue our journey through the wonderful book of Colossians. At the end of chapter 1, we discover the key to being able to rejoice even in the midst of suffering. All welcome.
Join us this Sunday 18th August as we study Paul’s magnificent hymn to the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1. Come and be inspired. Come and be challenged. Come and be humbled. Come and be reconciled to God.
This Sunday we embark on a journey through one of the absolute gems of the bible, the book of Colossians. Join us over the coming 8 weeks as we examine how Jesus is... everything, supreme, above all, the very image of the invisible God. We look forward to meeting you!
We’d love to see you this Sunday at 10am as we celebrate the baptism of four precious children of God - we’ll affirm God’s amazing grace to each of them and each of us by studying the precious parable of the lost sheep. All welcome.
What are you really looking for in life? What truly motivates you? What is it that you’re really working for? Join us this Sunday at 10am as we consider Jesus’ call to give up chasing after food that spoils, but instead seek food that endures to eternal life, and never be hungry or thirsty again.
Join us we hear about Philemon - revolution and reconciliation, 10am Sunday 21st July 2024.
Join us in person or online this Sunday 14th July at 10am for a family worship service - a dangerous mission.
Ever feel like your faith in Jesus is struggling to break through from underneath the concrete and noise of modern life? Join us this Sunday morning to hear Jesus give some reassurances about how his kingdom will thrive into the future in even the harshest of climates!
Jesus is often associated with good family values. But in our passage this Sunday, we hear from Jesus with a hard teaching regarding the relationship between family and faith. If you can’t join us in person in Bondi Junction (we’d LOVE to meet you), you can watch the service live online.
Roll up, roll up! Come see history’s greatest grudge match - Jesus vs Religion!! Join us 'ringside’ in the heart of Bondi Junction or online this Sunday at 10am as the Prince of Peace squares off in a series of encounters with religion in a battle for the soul of humanity! Come cheer on the young challenger from Nazareth - Jesus ‘The Lamb of God’ Christ - as he battles to set people free from the crushing forces of guilt and legalism. All welcome!
"How can someone enter once more into their mothers womb?!?" When the pharisee Nicodemus visits Jesus at night for a quasi job interview, he gets more than he bargained for when Jesus starts responding to his questions. Join us at worship this Sunday morning to explore this revealing encounter between the young Rabbi, Jesus, and a powerful member of the Jewish ruling council. All welcome.
Help is here! Join us this Pentecost Sunday (19th) at 10am as we claim the power of God’s Holy Spirit in our lives as our helper, comforter, advocate and friend.
Ahead of our special baptism service at Clovelly Beach at 3pm this Sunday, join us at our regular 10am worship service in Bondi Junction as we consider the ‘why’ of baptism: Jesus ‘great commission’ to go with his authority into the nations to make disciples, baptising and teaching them, in the certain knowledge of his presence with us until the end the age!
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday 5th May as we commission the team heading to serve with The Good Neighbour International (TGNI) in Fiji. All welcome.
Rev Karina Kaminski will focus on how we can engage with and discern God's work in our neighbourhoods. What does it mean to be the church as a part of the "ecology" of the neighbourhood.
Join us Sunday 21st April as Anna White-Atkins chaplain at Ravenswood girls school on the North Shore preaches.
The risen Jesus appears to his followers following a fruitless night’s fishing trip. He blesses them bountifully, challenges them, restores them, and commissions them. Join us in-person or online this Sunday at 10am to hear more about Jesus call on your life.
The disciple Thomas get a bad rap - he’s known as ‘Doubting Thomas’. Join us this Sunday as we explore how Thomas is actually a wonderful example for us all in his powerful confession that Jesus is his "Lord and God."
Join us for celebratory worship at our home base in Bondi Junction as we hear again the best news the world has ever heard - new life for all!
We journey through the 'Scriptural Stations of the Cross’ remembering Jesus’ final journey to his crucifixion and consider our own role in the greatest of injustice in history.
This Sunday we conclude our journey through the book of Joshua with a final challenge from Joshua himself just before his death: “Chose this day who you will serve!’
Following worship, we will enjoy an all-church lunch together as we hear Brother Elisha from Light Home in India give us an update on this life-changing ministry.
Please bring a plate of food to share.
Hot on the heels of a famous victory at Jericho, the Israelites now tragically find themselves routed by the enemy due to one man’s heartfelt desire for worldly wealth and prestige. Join us this Sunday as we uncover the devastating consequences of sin, as well as it's wonderful antidote.
Most of us will at our annual church family camp this weekend, but a ‘faithful remnant’ will gather for a simple worship service at our home base in Bondi Junction - if you’d like to join them you’d be most welcome.
Having finally crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, Israel are expecting to go to war. But Yahweh has other plans. Join us to explore how God humbles and prepares us for all of life’s battles.
The Israelites are standing at the edge of the Jordan River in flood. They’re called to cross over and take hold of what God has prepared for them, but the waters are deep and wide. What will they do? What will you do?
From a house of shame to the hall of fame, Rahab the prostitute has an amazing story to tell. Join us this Sunday 18th to learn about this incredible woman of faith.
When God calls Joshua to lead his people into the promised land, he repeatedly commands him to be ’Strong and courageous’, and gives him some tips on how to do so. Join us this Sunday to discover how you too can be strong and courageous in your own life today.
Upon Moses’ death, the mantle of leadership of the Hebrew people passes to Joshua. He is commanded by God to be 'strong and courageous’ in leading God’s people as they claim the promised land, and overcome much opposition both from without and from within. Join us each Sunday at 10am over the next couple of months as we explore this exciting yet challenging book and learn to apply it in our lives today.
When you’re a follower of Jesus, you’ll do whatever it takes to introduce other people to Him for the sake of the gospel. Join us Sunday at 10am to find out why and how.
Far from being just a kids' story, the book of Jonah a deep dive into God’s deep love for even the most wicked of cultures. Join us in person or online at 10am to discover how the story is relevant in Australia still today!
Join us at 10am as we kick off a new year of worship and teaching at CMP.
Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-23
Join us at 9am on Christmas Day as we celebrate the arrival of true and lasting hope for the world. This Christmas we will be challenged to think creatively about a character that doesn’t actually appear in the biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus, yet who can teach us much about making room for what is eternally important.
Join us this Sunday our our annual Christmas Kids’ Service for the young and young-at-heart! The service will feature our own CMP kids as well as the ’Silly Duffers’ puppet troupe! All welcome.
John the Baptist was a firebrand preacher who was called to prepare the way for Jesus. But how do we prepare for Jesus today? What can we do prepare the way for Jesus to bring abundant life to ourselves, to our land Australia, and to the world? Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online to find out!
By the time the prophet Isaiah was an old man, we was ready for God to break open the sky and come and make himself known in great might and power. Unlike Isaiah, we know that God did indeed come down to earth, just not in a way people were expecting. Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online to find out more.
As followers of Jesus, we need not fear the final judgement of God who will one day put things to right. Join us this Sunday to discover how God will make a final stocktake and bring his own into their heavenly inheritance by his side.
Join us in-person or online this Sunday from 10am as we explore a pointed parable from Jesus about ten bridesmaids, only five of which made it to the celebration with the bride & groom - don’t you miss out!
Join us in-person or online this Sunday from 10am as we explore a pointed parable from Jesus about ten bridesmaids, only five of which made it to the celebration with the bride & groom - don’t you miss out!
When Jesus is confronted with a trick question about paying taxes, he answers in a way that not only evades the trap, but challenges his hearers to think differently not only about money, but their very lives. Join us at 10am in-person or online this Sunday to find out more.
Jesus told a parable about a great wedding feast where everyone’s invited. However there’s a sting in the tail of the story when someone is ejected for not being properly attired! Join us this Sunday to discover how you can be dressed 'fit for the King'.
Join us this Sunday as we conclude our ‘One body, many parts’ mini-series. We will be getting creative and considering where each of us fits into the ‘body of Christ', the church.
This week we begin a mini-series on how we each have a vital part to play in God’s church. Come and be both encouraged and challenged to find your place in the body.
Join us on Sunday 8th October as we hear from Rev Charissa Suli, President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia. Charissa is the youngest and first person of colour to serve as President-elect, and the second ordained woman. She has more than 20 years experience in cross cultural and intercultural ministry in the Uniting Church. She was ordained in 2014 and served in congregational ministry at Dapto Uniting Church in NSW.
Through the Water and the FlamesRev Keith Garner will be bringing a message to us on Sunday.
He says: "Throughout my ministry, I have found the theme of suffering and its link to our preaching of the gospel to be a very relevant topic. Isaiah 43 is one of the most challenging passages in the Bible that begins to address this theme. So many of us have been down difficult roads, and I hope I can explore the subject in a manner that is pastorally helpful, spiritually challenging and offers practical ways forward."
We look forward to having you with us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online as we study a most unfair parable of Jesus - the parable of ‘The workers in the Vineyard’ from Matthew 20. Prepare to have your sense of justice and fairness challenged!
How many times should we forgive those who wrong us? Surely there’s a limit? When is it OK to seek revenge? This Sunday Jesus answers these questions for us, and gives us a parable that speaks powerfully to the human condition.
Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online as we consider Jesus’ challenge to not shy away from doing the tough stuff of being church together.
Are you living your best life? Would you like to? Join us this Sunday to hear Jesus teach the counterintuitive truth that the key to finding true life is to give it up!
Jesus sat his disciples down and asks them point blank: "Who do you say that I am?” It’s perhaps the most important question you’ll ever be asked still today. Join us this Sunday, either in-person or online, to find out who Jesus is.
Joseph (of Technicolour Dream-coat fame) had fallen a long way down humanity’s totem-pole since his days as his father’s favourite son. Yet even in his darkest hour, God had a plan for his salvation. Join us this Sunday at 10am to discover more about God’s providence - his caring provision for you as he guides & protects you through life.
Jesus never promised us a life free from storms. As his followers, however, we have one who will come to us in the midst of the storm and bring us safely home. Join us this Sunday 13th at 10am either in-person or online to find out more!
Jesus feeding the 5000 is one of his most famous miracles. But what can we learn from the story? How can we experience this sort of abundance in our own lives? Join us in-person or online from 10am this Sunday to find out.
What do you really want? What are you really searching for? Jesus, the greatest teacher of all time, told a couple of mini twin-parables about doing whatever it takes to get what is most precious. Join us this Sunday at 10am to find out more!
Continuing our journey through Mathew's gospel - Jesus is now sending out those He has called on mission.
Are you happy? Really? Join us this Sunday as we discover the secret to true, lasting contentedness in life from Psalm 1. Also please bring a picnic lunch and tennis racquet as we gather for more fellowship after worship at Cooper Park. All welcome.
Following the infamous ‘golden calf’ debacle, God is fed-up with his people and ready to abandon them to their fate. But Moses intervenes on behalf the people and affirms that unless God is a companion on the road ahead, then all of life’s journey is pointless. Join us at 10am this Sunday to find meaning and purpose for your life’s journey.
When the Creator of everything gives you commands in order to live well in the land, you listen! Join us this Sunday at 10am as we explore one of the most famous passages of scripture - God's 'Ten Commandments' for the good life.
We will continue our series in Exodus with an examination of ‘The great hold up’ in chapter 17 where Moses needs some help from those around him.
When the people find themselves in the desert with no water, things look pretty grim and the accusations start flying. But God graciously provides for their needs in a most unexpected way. Join us this Sunday at 10am as we ask what we can learn and apply from this famous episode from the book of Exodus.
Hear from TGNI (The Good Neighbour International) about their upcoming mission to Fiji.
This phrase is how the Apostle Paul described the Corinthian church. This title represents the paradox of our journey as followers of Christ. We are invited to know the story but we are also invited to live the story. What story is shaping your life? Is it something you know about or is it something you are living out? Psalm 145 describes the generational impact our personal Jesus story can have on those around us. I hope to encourage you and the community at Church in the Marketplace that God is writing a beautiful story of love and forgiveness with your lives.
A Message on why God chose to rescue His people in the very way that He did and what Deuteronomy shows us about His purposes, the importance of patience and why we must persevere when things are tough. God has His reasons.
Easter Sunday - A celebration of new life at our home base in the heart of Bondi Juction. Join us for great music, teaching and fellowship as we consider the implications of the resurrection taking place 'In the flesh’.
Good Friday - a simple service incorporating a creative re-telling of the story of our relentless God who never gives up on us, even when we turn our back on him.
This Sunday as the kids hunt for Easter eggs around our building, the grown-ups will consider how God provides faithfully, day after day, even in the desert places of our lives. All welcome.
Bob Dylan sang ‘you're gonna have to serve somebody’. Join us this Sunday to discover the path to escape servitude to the things of this world, and find true freedom in living for the Creator of the cosmos.
When God’s righteous, deadly wrath sweeps through Egypt one night, the only protection for each home came from an unlikely source. Join us this Sunday to find how you too can be protected from death.
When Moses confronts Pharaoh with a message from God to ‘Let my people go’, Pharaoh tragically hardens his heart with devastating consequences. Join us this Sunday at 10am to hear how you can avoid a similarly deathly fate.
Join us at 10am this Sunday at 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, as we consider Moses' famous encounter with God via burning bush. We will explore how God speaks into our everyday lives, transforms everything by his presence, and calls us to partner with him in his liberating work in the world. All welcome.
This Sunday we continue our adventure through the book of Exodus, and discover that God can use epic failures (including you and I) to work his good and life-giving purposes in the world.
Join us this Sunday morning as we continue our grand adventure through the book of Exodus. This week we will encounter a story about three women showing how God can use absolutely anyone to achieve great things for him.
Join us this week as we hear all about the experiences of the group who travelled to Light Home in India.
Many Christians celebrate the Sunday before 26 January as Aboriginal Sunday. In his first public message Jesus made special reference to marginalised people. The early church made special arrangements for people who had been neglected. What does that have to say for us today?
Do you consider yourself an evangelist? Didn’t think so. Sadly our ideas of what it takes to be an evangelist are coloured by some less than ideal role models from over the years. However as we will discover this Sunday, inviting others to follow Jesus needn’t be high-pressure, manipulative or scary.
We would love to have you with us on Christmas morning at 9am as we celebrate the birth of Christ together. We will hear from one of the unsung heroes of that famous story as Joseph gives us his moving account of those fearful, yet wondrous days.
When angels appeared to shepherds outside Bethlehem announcing the birth of Christ, they communicated two earth-shattering truths - the glorification of God and his provision of peace upon those who receive him. Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online to find out more.
Join us this Sunday for our Kids' Church Christmas production, ‘Come to the Manger’. There will be the opportunity for everyone to dress-up and get involved in the service, so come ready to play your part in re-telling this most amazing of stories.
The prophet Isaiah lived in ominous and uncertain times for his country. Yet God gave him a vision of hope - a prophecy about new-life springing forth from the unlikeliest of places that will transform the earth. Join us this Sunday at 10am to hear more about this life-giving hope we have at Christmas.
When teaching his followers about his return, Jesus pointed to the days of Noah and the flood in warning them to 'be ready' and 'keep watch’. Join us this Sunday as we consider how we can remain watchful and ready for his coming ‘like a thief' at an hour we do not expect.
There are many examples of 'famous last words’ throughout history, but perhaps none are as significant as those spoken from the cross by the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, and by Jesus himself. Join us this Sunday to find out more.
When his disciples commented on the magnificence of the temple, Jesus ominously tells them that it will be thrown down, with not one stone left on top of another. Join us this Sunday as we ask what strongholds we erroneously set up in our lives still today, and how we can find genuine permanency and life.
Jesus was always open to questions from people genuinely wanting to know more. But when he's questioned by some cynical Sadducees, they quickly find their true motives laid bare. Come ready to ask questions this Sunday at 10am.
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday at 10am as we look again at one man’s encounter with Jesus that changed him forever.
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday at 10am as we look again at one man’s encounter with Jesus that changed him forever.
We hear a lot these days about ‘holistic’ health & well-being. But modern advocates of holistic healthcare are well off the pace - Jesus was on about holistic well-being two thousand years ago! Join us this Sunday morning and hear his timeless message to you about how to truly be well - body, mind & spirit.
We hear a lot these days about ‘holistic’ health & well-being. But modern advocates of holistic healthcare are well off the pace - Jesus was on about holistic well-being two thousand years ago! Join us this Sunday morning and hear his timeless message to you about how to truly be well - body, mind & spirit.
Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough faith? If so, take encouragement from knowing that Jesus’ first disciples felt like that too! We’d love to see you this Sunday morning as we gather to hear Jesus use the mustard seed as an illustration about how having even a tiny amount of faith can bring about big changes in this world.
Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough faith? If so, take encouragement from knowing that Jesus’ first disciples felt like that too! We’d love to see you this Sunday morning as we gather to hear Jesus use the mustard seed as an illustration about how having even a tiny amount of faith can bring about big changes in this world.
When we go to a wedding we often hear the familiar words at the end of 1 Corinthians 13 "...these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." We talk and think about faith and love frequently but not so much about hope. What is this hope? Is it a hope for the present or something in the future? A paralysed man had hopes of Jesus. Jesus' response was pretty surprising.
When we go to a wedding we often hear the familiar words at the end of 1 Corinthians 13 "...these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." We talk and think about faith and love frequently but not so much about hope. What is this hope? Is it a hope for the present or something in the future? A paralysed man had hopes of Jesus. Jesus' response was pretty surprising.
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday morning as we look at another of Jesus' most challenging parables with eternal consequences for each of us - Lazarus (no, not him, the other one) and the rich man. If you can’t get to 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, you can join us online at CMPonline.online.church.
We’d love to have you with us this Sunday morning as we look at another of Jesus' most challenging parables with eternal consequences for each of us - Lazarus (no, not him, the other one) and the rich man. If you can’t get to 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, you can join us online at CMPonline.online.church.
Join us in-person or online this Sunday as we consider one of Jesus’ most challenging parables, the parable of the shrewd manager. Come ready to have some preconceived ideas about Jesus upended by this surprising story.
We'd love to have you with us this Sunday morning as we gather around God’s word and encourage each other on our journey following Jesus together. We will hear a couple of Jesus’ mini-parables about the joy that comes from the lost being found - hope you can join us!
This Sunday we have a special international guest - Elisha Chowtapalli from India. Elisha is the founder of 'Light Home’, an English school for 'Dalit' children that gives them a quality education, a path out of poverty, and life in Christ. Come and be inspired by this man’s story of transformation and radical love for Jesus and his people.
Jesus tells us to be ready for his arrival like guests at a wedding eagerly awaiting the bridal party. Join us in-person or online this Sunday to hear how we can 'keep our lamps burning’ as we wait for this revolutionary bridegroom who serves his guests himself!
Jesus talked more about money and possessions than just about anything else. In Luke chapter 12, he tells a story about a rich fool whose priorities were all out of whack as a warning to us all. Join us on Sunday morning either in person or online to discover what a truly life-giving relationship with our possessions looks like today.
Fed up with the disobedience of his people, God puts a plumb line against Israel and finds them wanting with disastrous consequences. Join us this Sunday morning ether in-person or online to hear how we can be saved from a similar fate.
In response to a request from his disciples to teach them to pray, Jesus provides us with a series of examples and mini-parables that make talking to God accessible for everyone. Join us at 10am this Sunday either in person or online for this prayer ‘masterclass’.
You know that one sin that keeps on coming back to haunt you? You think you have it covered - sin slayed, done and dusted. So it’s been a while since that particular temptation reared its ugly head and then, completely without warning … whoompa! Just when you least expect it, it slips under your guard (yet again!) and you’re back to square one. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! So what do you do about it? Try harder … give up? How well have either of those worked for you in the past, pray tell? Time for some good news, great news, fantastic news ... there is another way. God's way. One that actually works. So let’s get to it. Let’s dive into His Word to discover exactly what that looks like!
Something a little different this Sunday - we will hear from the delightful Tim Keller on how to make sense of tough times in your life.
Join us this Sunday morning at 10am as we gather to encourage one another and worship and find out about the image of the invisible God.
In response to a cynical question from an expert in the law, Jesus gives us one of his most famous and challenging parables to describe who a neighbour is. Join us in-person or online from 10am - morning tea follows the worship service. All welcome.
In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sends out 72 of his followers to take his message of healing and peace to every nearby town. Upon their return, he tells them he saw Satan fall from heaven as they made God’s kingdom a reality on earth. Join us this Sunday morning as we gather to encourage one another before being sent out to our own mission fields of today.
Even if all you did was hold yourself together over the past couple of years, you’ve done well!
Many of us have dealt with hopelessness, anger & depression, and we're now seeking to emerge out of a pandemic and into the abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. Join us on July 1 for a night of encouragement, hope and love as we hear from a panel of mental health and paediatric specialists who will give us some pointers regarding how to achieve holistic health and well-being for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we look at a series of brief encounters Jesus has with people who claimed to be willing to follow him into abundant life, but who couldn’t let go of worldly priorities tethering them to mediocrity. Be prepared to be challenged and encouraged!
Join us this Sunday either in-person at 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction or via CMPonline as we discover how Jesus crossed both physical and social boundaries to bring freedom and healing to a man from the wrong side of the tracks whose inner demons were legion.
Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person at 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, or online at CMPonline.online.church as study one of Jesus’ best known parables. We will use several different lenses in interpreting how the 'parable off the sower’ might apply to us still today. All welcome.
We invite you to wear red to church this Sunday to celebrate Pentecost - the day we remember God sending his Holy Spirit to empower and equip his church. Join us either in-person or online from 10am as we explore how we can have access to this world-changing power still today.
Attacked, stripped, beaten, flogged, thrown into prison & fastened in the stocks. Yet in their darkest hour, two of Jesus' followers sing songs of praise to God and find freedom. Join us this Sunday either in-person or online to learn how you too can sing in the midst of darkness and break free from the chains that bind.
This question that Jesus put to a paralyzed man was harder to answer than we might first imagine. Join us this Sunday morning either in person at 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction or at CMPonline.online.church as we ask this telling question of ourselves.
When confronted with the ultimate betrayal, Jesus has a choice to make. He can call down armies of angels to avenge him, or choose love and forgive. Find out more this Sunday 10am either in person at Bondi Junction or online at CMPonline.online.church.
In our time of fake news and broken promises, is there anywhere we can turn in order to find a trustworthy source of foundational truth in our life? Join us this Mothers Day at 10am either in-person or online as explore how we can have confidence that there is one in whom all God’s promises find their ‘yes' and 'amen'.
How does God work through a drunken and boastful king, a self-respecting queen, a beauty contestant, an obstinate uncle, or a power hungry bureaucrat? Are an overheard plot or timely insomnia just coincidences?
Well, Easter is almost on our doorstep again and this week is Palm Sunday.
So let’s join Jesus on the road into Jerusalem, with all the plots and subplots, wheels within wheels that were turning … amongst the religious leaders, the Romans, the people shouting “Hosanna in the highest” and the inner circle of twelve disciples.
What were they expecting? What are you expecting? What do you hope that any faith you may have in Jesus will deliver you?
Join us this Sunday at 10am for a very special time together. We will share in a Jewish ‘Passover’ meal and learn how this deeply symbolic celebration points us to Jesus, our ‘Passover Lamb’. All welcome.
As mankind spread 'East of Eden’ our arrogant self-reliance reached peak foolishness in an attempt to build to the heavens and make a name for ourselves. However, God has graciously provided a way for us to reach him without the need for labouring or earning his love. Join us this Sunday at 10am to find out more.
The story of Noah’s ark is widely known but is often mistaken as a children’s fairy tale. At 10am this Sunday (March 20) we will reconsider this famous story and discover a loving God who brings salvation in the midst of judgement and destruction.
Please note: the sound quality was poor at the start of the sermon due to technical issues, thus it starts part way through.
Join us this Sunday at 10am either in-person or online as we continue our journey through wonderful book of Genesis.
This Sunday we examine the infamous story of Cain and Abel - two brothers with very different heart-attitudes towards God, and challenge ourselves about where our hearts truly lie.
Have a read of Genesis chapter 4, and consider the following... Discussion Guide
Do you ever wonder why this world is so messed up? Join us this Sunday 6th March, either in-person or online, as we explore this huge question and look forward to God’s ultimate answer and solution.
When God placed people on the earth he commanded them to rule over and subdue it. But what does that mean for we moderns who often live quite detached from much of creation? What does having a right relationship with the environment look like today? Join us this Sunday at 10am, either in-person or online, and explore what eco-theology has to tell us about living as guests in God’s house.
When God created the heavens and the earth and living creatures of every kind, he looked and saw that they were good. Yet the best was yet to come - his final masterpiece he calls very good and and bears his own image. Find out why this still matters today this Sunday 13th Feb.
Join us over the coming months for an enlightening journey through the most influential text in history - the book of Genesis. We will answer life’s truly big questions: 'Who are we?', 'How did we get here?’, 'What went wrong?' and 'How do we fix it?’ All welcome.
David was a man after God’s own heart, but he also made mistakes – many of them! Join us this Sunday as Brodie dives into the story of David and Bathsheba and discusses how we can learn from David and develop better mental resolve.
An infamous episode from the pages of history will be our stepping off point as we draw on Philippians 3:7-14 in order to challenge ourselves to leave the past behind & step into a new day that God is calling us to.
A wedding runs out of wine, and Jesus is asked to help. What on the surface seems like a relatively minor act of compassion is in fact a sign to far deeper and more wonderful truths that will be revealed at the cross of Calvary.
Join us this Sunday 10am either in-person or online as look at the famous episode of Jesus being baptised by John in the River Jordan and ask what it means for us today.
As a new year dawns bringing with it both new opportunities and challenges, who not start out by handing it over to God? Join us at 10am this Sunday 2nd January either in person at CMPonline.online.church - we’d love to have you be part of our family in 2022!
Genesis 1: 1-5(NIV) V1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.V2 Now the earth was formless and empty, the darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.V3 And God said , “Let there be light”, and there was light. V4 God saw that the light was good , and he separated the light from the darkness. V5 God called the light ”day” and the darkness he called “night”. And there was evening and there was morning- the first day. John 3: 19-21(NIV) V19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.V20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.V21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly what he has done has been done through God.
Join us on Christmas Morning as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our 'Emmanuel'! We will explore the true meaning of Christmas by hearing an inspiring story about three trees who each played a part in the life of Jesus, and explore why all of this indeed brings joy to the world!
When a teenage girl discovers she is pregnant through the Holy Spirit, she has every reason to be fearful. But having faith in God’s goodness, she sings of the magnificent truth that, from generation to generation, all peoples will be blessed as a result of the child she bears.
Over 400 years before that fateful night in Bethlehem, the prophet Malachi foretold God’s breaking into human history. But far from picturing a silent night of new-born bliss, Malachi warns us of far more confronting scenes as God comes to cleanse and purify.
Join us either in person or online this Sunday at 10am for our Kid’s Club Christmas Spectacular! There will be angels, wise men, shepherds, all your favourite nativity animals, and even a dodgy innkeeper! All welcome.
When will the end of the world come? How will it happen? Does it even matter? Jesus addresses these big questions this Sunday at 10am - join us either person or online. All welcome.
Join us this Sunday at 10am either in person at 400 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, or online at CMPonline.online.church as we challenge ourselves about what we are really willing to offer to God.
We will share in communion, and take a moment to mark all those significant events in our lives that we were unable to celebrate or mourn over these past few months. All welcome.
We will be looking at the famous encounter between Jesus and a pharisee named Nicodemus from John chapter 3, and asking what it means to be reborn as individuals and as a church.
In a time such as now with all the lockdowns and craziness going on in the world, it is so important that as believers we have a firm foundation in our identity in Christ. This Sunday we will be exploring 5 fingerprints of our identity in Christ that is found in 1 Peter 2:9-10.
"What do you want?” is the question Jesus asks two of his arrogant disciples, and later of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. He still asks the same question of us - what will your honest answer be?
Have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Join us for online worship this Sunday at 10am at CMPonline.online.church as we hear a story about a rich young man who approached Jesus wanting in on the ground floor of eternal life.
Join us online from 10am this Sunday as we examine the child-like qualities that are required to enter into God's kingdom. Join the chat at CMPonline.online.church - all welcome.
Join us online this Sunday at 10am as we confront the debilitating fears stalking our society today. If you want to live free from 'worst case scenarios', then this Sunday is the day to come along and be part of our family.Go to CMPonline.online.church and join the discussion.
We’d love to have you with us online this Sunday at 10am as we ask what true greatness looks like. Regardless of who or where you are, why not surf on in at CMPonline.online.church and be part of our loving family of faith?
Why not be part of our church family as we gather online this Sunday from 10am? We will be looking at one of the hardest sayings of all from Jesus - that whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for him will save it! Challenging, yet life-giving stuff! All welcome.
We’d love to have you with us online this Sunday morning as we consider the amazing graciousness of our heavenly Father. We will share in communion via Zoom over morning tea after the service, so be sure to prepare your own favourite bread and breakfast beverage of choice and have it ready to go as soon as the service concludes.
We look forward to having you join us online this Sunday as we examine an encounter that Jesus has with the pharisees from Mark chapter 7. What began as a debate around hand washing ends with a challenge about the nature of our hearts.
'When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.’ We look forward to being together with you online this Sunday as Carlie Chapman opens up 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 for us, and challenges us to live out our fundamental identity as ambassadors of Christ. She will encourage us to know that we each have a highly esteemed role in representing Jesus to a world in desperate need of Him.
We would love to have you with us online this Sunday from 10am as we explore the story of young King Solomon: his father, the mighty King David, is dead, and now the crown weighs heavy upon his own head. Solomon knows he’s no David. He knows he’s in way over his head. So, what will he do?
Join us online this Sunday from 10am as we hear a testimony from India: Hope for the Hopeless.
When the crowds come seeking another free feed, Jesus offers them something even more valuable than bread - himself! We’d love to have you with us online this Sunday from 10am as we explore this challenging yet inspiring episode in Jesus’ life and teaching.
Enjoy some community and fellowship online with us this Sunday morning as we explore the famous episode of Jesus walking on water, and ask what it might teach us today. You can share a comment or question, or ask for prayer via the interactive platform. We would also love to have you with us as we share in virtual morning tea following the livestream.
We will gather online again this Sunday as we continue our journey through Mark’s gospel. This week we consider how a little can be a lot when placed in Jesus’ hands!
Given the extension of Sydney’s current lockdown, we will again gather online this Sunday at https://cmponline.online.church/We will continue our journey with Jesus and the disciples as told by Mark in chapter 6 of his gospel. This week Jesus sends the twelve out on a short-term mission trip to bring healing and peace with a challenging proviso for them and us - travel light!
We are again unable to meet in person this Sunday 4th July, so join us online at cmponline.online.church from 10am for the live-stream.
We will hear about the time when Jesus scandalised his own home-town with his preaching, and ask what we can learn from these people who refused to believe the good news about this humble carpenter.
We would love connect with you online this Sunday 27th June from 10am as we look at a classic Jesus moment - the day He bought healing & wholeness to two very different people with a touch.
When the Babylonian king Belshazzar witnesses a terrifying supernatural event he is literally a mess. The prophet Daniel, by now an old man, is able to provide both this ancient king, as well as we modern Aussies, a stark warning that our days are numbered! Join us to hear the good news, however, that God is gracious, and has provided for us a path to life-eternal.
Join us from 10am this Sunday as we continue our roller-coaster journey through the book of Daniel. This week in chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by a dream that calls out the prideful nature that lurks within us all. We follow his journey into the depths of beastliness, and his redemption via humility and praise of God Most High.
Enjoy some warm fellowship with us this Sunday morning as we explore the fiery trail of three young men who stand firm in defying a king’s command to bow down to an ungodly culture, even if it costs them their lives.
When King Nebuchadnezzar is hammered by a recurring dream, he demands an interpretation from his top magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers. However it is a young Hebrew exile who explains that while earthly kingdoms come and go, the kingdom of the God of heaven will endure forever.
Join us this Sunday at 10am as we kick off 'Untamed’ a new teaching series on the book Daniel - what began as a national tragedy culminated in an inspiring story of heroic steadfastness in the face of deadly pressure to conform and compromise.
By historic circumstance or choice we find ourselves members of the Uniting Church which by its very name speaks of church unity.We each come with our own life experiences; our family upbringing, our Christian faith experience, and our biblical understanding.Without humility and repentance such differences can cause dissention and disunity, which is not what God wants His church to demonstrate to the world at large.In John 17 v 20-23 we read Jesus prayer for the church as He moved toward His death on the cross. 20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
And the consequence of dwelling in unity is set out very clearly in Psalm 133 where we read;1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard,running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.3It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Do we here at CMP want to be blessed to be a blessing to others?Then we need in all humility to repent where we have spoken out or acted in ways that do not promote true Christian unity. Remember, when we live together in unity! the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Join us this ANZAC Day (Sunday 25th April) from 10am as we reflect on theme of sacrificial service. As well as remembering those who gave their lives in wartime, we will remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us to ensure that resurrection life is freely available to all.
Join us from 10am this Sunday morning as we explore the often misunderstood figure of the disciple Thomas. We will challenge ourselves to look afresh at his story, and ask what we can learn from his experience.
Rabboni – Recognising the Risen Christ. We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus followed by morning tea.
We would love you to join our church family this Palm Sunday (28th March @ 10am) as we remember Jesus’ triumphal, yet humble, entry into Jerusalem seated on a donkey.
As Jesus drew near to his death on a cross, He offered us a profound insight into the power of willingly surrendering your life. Using the imagery of a single seed, Jesus points us to the abundant harvest that comes from dying to self and living for God’s eternal purposes.
This Sunday (March 14th) will be a special occasion as we celebrate the commissioning of our very own Brodie Teoh as a Pastor within the Uniting Church. Join us from 10am as we worship and fellowship together, and hear Brodie himself share the Word. All welcome.
Join us this Sunday morning for worship at 10am as we conclude our preaching series titled ‘Beautiful Resistance - the joy of conviction in a culture of compromise’. We will consider one of Jesus’ most challenging commands to us - to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
This Sunday at 10am we continue our teaching series, 'Beautiful Resistance'.We will confront the extent to which fear subtly dominates our lives, and challenge ourselves to offer the sort of radical hospitality that made Jesus such a revolutionary figure.
This Sunday we continue our series: 'Beautiful Resistance - the joy of conviction in a culture of compromise’. This week our challenge will be to keep our hunger for more of God's kingdom alive, and not yield our hearts to the spiritual apathy that dominates so much of our modern culture. We look forward to seeing you from 10am.
This Sunday our teaching series ’Beautiful Resistance’ continues as we consider God’s call to sabbath rest. The sabbath is a weekly reminder that we are not what we do - rather, we are who we are loved by.We will consider how Jesus will never be seen as beautiful or desirable if his followers are stressed-out and worn-out in the exact same way as the rest of the world.
'In a time of compromise and disillusionment, God is calling his people to a movement of beautiful resistance’ says Jon Tyson on the back of his new book of the same name.Over the next couple of months we will be following Jon’s insights gleaned from many years leading a flourishing church in New York City. In the midst of our permissive western culture, we will learn how to be a joyful, distinctive community as we follow Jesus together and offer hope to our world.
When Jesus begins his public ministry by teaching with great authority, opposition quickly makes its presence felt. Still today we can expect to face opposition when proclaiming Christ and the freedom that he brings. However if we are resolute in following him, we can be assured of ultimate victory in Christ.
Just as Jesus called a bunch of ordinary fishermen to leave everything to follow him, so too he calls us today to a life of radical selflessness and discipleship.The price for being a follower of Jesus can be high, but for those courageous enough to respond to his call, an abundant life of eternal meaning & purpose awaits.
Today’s lectionary readings give us some useful signposts for ministry, relevant as we celebrate today the beginning of a partnership in ministry between the congregation of CMP and Rev Peter Chapman. I want specifically to highlight a commitment to voicing uncomfortable truths, a willingness to be personally transparent with God and others, and a focus on introducing people to Jesus.
A new year always brings a sense of hope.Year 2020 with all its tragedies, problems, disappointments, darkness, and sadness is now behind us, and a new year 2021 lies ahead. As we embark on this new year, embodied so well in the spirit of Epiphany and the reality of life moving on, a fair question for us to ask is, “how can we move on?”.The prophet Isaiah tells the people of Israel to “Arise, shine; for your light has come…” They no longer have to live in darkness – nor do we. Rise and shine, get up, begin again – there is more to come! There are new roads to travel upon in this new year. Each of us has a new road ahead of us in the new year. It’s another road, a different road than any we’ve travelled on before (Genesis 32:22-32). As we step off down that road, not knowing what we may find, not knowing exactly where we’re going, we can be comforted in knowing that for sure, the light goes with us, leading us, guiding us, showing us the way. Jesus said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). God will be with us on our journeys down that new road ahead. Even now God is calling to each of us, whoever we are, whatever our circumstance, calling us to get up off our hands and knees, to stop creeping, and rise and shine, and continue on the journey, giving God our praise, and sharing the Good News with others along the way (Matthew 5:13-16).
It’s 2021! It’s a new year, it’s a new start, it’s a new beginning.2020 proved to be a crazy year, it has been absolutely life changing for so many people. People have died, people have lost their jobs. Businesses have shut down.But Jesus remains the same yesterday, today and forever. As we start this year, I encourage all of us to hold fast to the promises of God and to let go and let God.
The message of the Nativity of Jesus has never been one of complete joy. The story, like our own existence, has strains of darkness and of light. It is into this human reality that God becomes incarnate.
If you were asked what word or words have been uppermost in your mind this year how would you respond?Covid-19? Financial stress? Physical stress? Emotional stress?What is the word or words that best express 2020?I want to suggest to you that the word is “SHAKEN”.This week starting with Hebrews 12 v25-29 & Haggai 2 v6&7 we will look at what, who & why things have been & are still being shaken at the end of 2020 and our Christian response.
Where is your hope this Christmas?This year has proven to be a difficult time considering the effects of a global pandemic.Everybody hopes for things at Christmas time. I know I’m hoping for a gift of some sort this year. But more than getting presents, Christmas is about the hope we find in Jesus.As the Gospel of John tells us, the word became flesh - God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He came to save us, and restore our relationship with God. We can put our hope and trust in Jesus.Join us this Christmas as we celebrate hope in this world.
Join us this Sunday as Bob Mendelsohn from Jews for Jesus shares on – Jesus Light of the World.
Join us on Sunday 6th December at 10am as CMP Children’s Church present: Silent Night.
"Silent Night" (German: "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht") is a popular Christmas carol, composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohr in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It has since been translated into 300 languages and dialects and was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011.
All welcome!
“My days just come and go and at the end of the day; I do not have any hope”.How is it possible that I am so depressed, filled with anxiety, hopelessness and despair if I claim to be a Christian?On a scale of 1 – 10 how happy are you? Is happiness even possible?In the book of Job, he answers the basic questions of life i.e., “Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all powerful”?God is Lord: in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth. He is omniscient, omnipotent, and good. As such, His ways are sometimes incomprehensible to men, but He can always be trusted.Being a Christian does not mean there will not be suffering in our lives, but there is hope in Christ Jesus.Heb. 4:15. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Christ is the believer’s Life, Redeemer, Mediator, and Advocate.
Over the last few weeks we’ve been talking about the power of God’s Word - alive + active - to help us live in victory over temptation and sin, so that we can each become all that God made us to be.Amen + Hallelujah!But … how does that actually happen? We all have our Achilles heel of sin, our entrenched behaviour, that one bad habit that try as we might, seems impossible to break.Well this week ... this week is when the rubber hits the road. This week is when we lay hold if the truth and the power to break that one bad habit!
They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. And yet that’s how many a Christ-follower lives their life.
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Tick! Believe that He died to pay for my sin? Tick! Believe that He rose again? Tick!
But that’s where it begins and ends.
Walking in that newness of life that the Bible promises (Rom 6:4)? Not so much!!
This week at Church in the Marketplace we’re going to dive deeper into God’s Word, specifically Hebrews 4:12, to discover the power to change; to lay hold of the power to change; to make that power our own. Because the Word of God is alive + active, amen?
Don’t miss out!
For many a Christ follower life seems to be falling short - well short - of all that Jesus promised. Where He promised an abundant life, things seem, well, flat. Something’s missing.
This week we’re kicking off a 3-part series called “Alive+Active” … because that’s what God has planned for us. And we begin in a surprising place … we begin by talking about the rest, the peace that God promises His people.
Baptism is a really significant event. Whether we were baptised as a child and our parents and the church stepped in for us and made some commitments that we picked up for ourselves later. Or maybe you were baptised as an adult. Doesn't matter. Baptism is lining our lives up with God. Baptism is saying "yes" to Jesus. And in the world we live in today, that's a pretty awesome thing to do. Because the message of Jesus is a message of love, and redemption, and hope, and grace, and mercy, and compassion. Many of us have experienced that love of Jesus. And we know what it's like to a part of His family. But there are lots of people and many are our neighbours who don't know that message; they don't understand who God is and they've never experienced the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. So, what does that mean if we're baptised. Jesus last words to his followers in Matthew 28:19-20 gave this charge: “God authorised and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.” Now there’s the challenge. Let’s do it!!
Join us this Sunday as we explore faith over fear. In the current state of the world, there are many things that instil fear. We are alive in the middle of a global pandemic that has completely changed the way we do things. It can be easy to fall into fear, but as followers of Jesus Christ we are called to have faith. We will be exploring what it looks like for us as believers to put our trust and to have faith in Jesus.
Today's verse evokes and describes the sense of the spiritual experience. It’s almost as though the Spiritual experience is best described with a body of water and a boat. In the beginning the spirit of God hovered over the waters, the story of Noah, the story of Jonah, of Paul and his shipwreck, off Jesus asleep in the back of the boat calming the sea and also in this story, the treacherous possibilities of the sea provide a portrait to frame what faith really is. In this story faith is a lot of things. Faith is obedient. The disciples got into the boat and started out the other side even though it was already late at night. Faith is persistence. Sometimes it feels like you’re rowing all night for no reason against the wind and the waves that keep hindering you. Faith fights the negativity that can seep in when you cry out thinking, Lord why did you lead me into this futile situation. But faith pushes on. Faith is courageous. Courage isn’t something you feel when you’re not afraid, courage is not letting your fear stop you or hinder you. Courage is a force of its own and Jesus wants us to have it when we hear him say, "it’s me." Faith in Jesus enables us to thrive in harsh environments.
2020 has been full of surprises. who would have thought that there would have been a global pandemic?
I have heard a lot of theories about why all these things have been happening, maybe God is judging us? Maybe the end is near? Maybe Jesus is coming back?
Join us Sunday 11th October as we explore the scriptures and look at what Jesus is saying to the church at this time.
Luke 4:14-30
We’ll take a look at the book of Mark, including its surprise ending.
We will be checking out some things that are in this book, and some things that have been left out ot it, to explore how Mark speaks to us as Jesus’ followers today.
It has a special message for people who are battling with difficult life circumstances.
Moving forward into God's future for us, with readiness to:
- Honour God
- Honour each other
- Reflect Christ's example
Trusting, hoping and loving
Philadelphia was a growing church. They were doing some things OK. The city was founded about 150 years before Jesus and was named Philadelphia because an early prominent leader had been so loyal to his brother that people had nicknamed him - “brother lover”. So the Greek name combining the two ideas of ‘brother’ and ‘love’ came together to give us the name … Philadelphia.
The city was poised right at the crossroads of different cultures. It was built to influence travellers and those who would come through that crossroads in Greek ideas and Greek thought. This church also faced open hostility from a ‘sect’ of people who considered themselves to be a higher “level” of Christian.
Jesus message to the Philadelphians, and to us, is that regardless of the culture, regardless of the increasing secularisation of the society, regardless of increasing anti-Christian sentiment, regardless of the opposition, regardless of the odds, God can do things through us, and through us as a church that are unstoppable.
This letter gives us another secret to growth and change to those of us who are feeling a
little bit complacent. Maybe we feel a little more bored than blessed when we connect with church … Perhaps we feel a lot more attached to this world than we’d like - (who doesn’t struggle with that?) and looking us straight in the eye Jesus says - “I want you to see your need as you never have before. Then I’d be able to meet your need as I never have before.”
John writes this way to the church in Laodicea - “To the angel of the church of Laodicea write, ‘These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds that you’re neither cold nor hot … I wish that you were one or the other … But you don’t realise you’re wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you get from me gold refined in the fire so you can become rich and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness salve to put on your eyes so you can see.”
(Revelation 3:14 ff)
Not easy words from Jesus but they end with his remarkable promise - “Look! I am standing at the door and I'm constantly knocking. If anyone opens the door I will come in and I’ll fellowship with him; I’ll relate to him, I’ll dine with him and he’ll fellowship with me.” (Revelation 3:20 – Message)
“I know your reputation. I know your deeds, that you have a reputation of being alive. But you are dead” (Revelation 3:1). Jesus had some pretty tough words for the church in Sardis to hear. But if they were going to grow and if they were going to change, they needed to hear some tough words.
Sometimes we do too! And there’s a secret to growth and change in this letter to the Sardis church that we can appropriate - “don't give up, wake up!" When we feel like we’re at a dead-end, that's the time in life to wake up and see God's new direction in our lives. It’s a time to “… strengthen what remains and is about to die”.
When we’re at a “dead-end” we can pray –
Lord, help us see the gaps in our lives
Lord help us close the gaps in our lives, and
Lord, with you, thank you that we will overcome.
Revelation 2 describes 7 churches - Ephesus was a busy church, Smyrna was a suffering church, Pergamum was a confused church and the church in Thyatira; it was a tolerant church.
Thyatira was on an important trade route. Most of the trading that went on there was strong and growing. But there was a hitch for the local church. To survive economically at that time and to have a job it was really necessary to be a part of a trade guild - a bit like a union. That wouldn't have been so bad, except if you belonged to a guild, you were required to participate in banquets hosted by the guilds. And these banquets were legendary for their immorality.
Can you see some similarities today? Where the cultural path to living, to just putting food on the table and a roof over our head brings tension with our Christian life?
The encouragement of this letter is that – we not “drop our guard”; especially in light of the promise - “I will give (to the ones who hold fast) the morning star!” (Revelation 2:28)
Paul, writing to Timothy says – “Anyone who has a different teaching does not agree with the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that shows the true way to serve God (1Timothy 6:5)
One of the seven letters to churches that we read in Revelation 2 and 3 is to a church in a place called Pergamum. The people there had many struggles. And those struggles resulted in a lot of “confusion” in the church.
Jesus reminds this church (and he reminds us, as he talks to this church), that our doubts and confusion can grow out of our relationships. Because the Pergamum church had left truth behind, they were in danger, not from the books they were reading and not from the thoughts they were thinking but from the relationships they were allowing into their lives.
This letter shares Jesus’ concern when we leave ‘truth’ behind and it reminds us how important relationships are when it comes to knowing and living the truth.
If we could go to a coffee shop, sit down opposite Jesus, look him in the eye and ask him "Jesus, what do you think about what's going on in the Church today ... what do you think about what's going on in Christian's lives today ... if you could say anything to the Church, anything about the lives of Christians, what would you say?"
Well - we don't have to wonder too much because the message he shared with the 1st century church is the same message for the 21st century church.
When we open up Revelation we read the letters, the messages, he sent through the apostle John to seven churches. The church at Smyrna was a suffering church and Jesus says - “look up and look ahead”. Revelation 2 says – “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer … be faithful … and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation isn’t an easy read; not easy to grapple with nor understand. It’s like the Bible ends with a kaleidoscope of – vision and song, doom and deliverance, terror and triumph. There’s colour and sound and strange images and energy.
But at its heart, Revelation is a multi-layered act of Christian worship.
In Revelation 2 we get the first of seven messages to various churches throughout Asia. Jesus is delivering them through the apostle John. And these are churches like churches today. So, these are messages for us as well.
Revelation 2:1-7 is to the church at Ephesus. Jesus is saying to this church that "there's one thing, that's got to be in first place.” It's him. This one thing, above all other things. We’re not to put Jesus behind a busy life, even a busy Christian lifestyle.
We’re to put Jesus first in our lives. Our first love has to be Jesus and responding to his “follow me” is to be our number one priority.
Robert Louis Stephenson said - "There's nothing but God's grace. We walk on it. We breathe it. We live it, and we die by it. It makes the nails and axles of the universe."
Everything is by God's grace. We wouldn't even have our own lives if it wasn't for God's grace.
So, we might say - "This sounds like a good deal. I want to be saved, forgiven, sustained, healed, liberated, given talents, used, kept saved, transformed and matured. We want to receive God’s grace in our lives to the fullest extent possible.
Then the question is - how do we get it? How do we receive the grace of God?"
The Bible says it in three simple words: by trusting Christ.
John in his gospel says it this way - "The law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
We’ve all experienced them. Let’s call them the ‘inevitables’ of life. The ‘inevitables’ that happen to us. We don't have a choice over them.
Paul, writing to the Philippian church says – "Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5) So, how can we have an attitude, an attitude like Jesus when we’re living with the ‘inevitables’ of life? Only if we’re transformed by God's grace.
Scripture reminds us that God’s transformation occurs when –
we change the way we think,
we choose to focus on others,
we persevere through our difficulties, and
we determine to keep growing.
God’s grace, God’s awesome ‘goodness’ to us is at the heart, of the relationship we have with God. Our relationship now, and our ‘forever’ relationship with God. The Bible describes that as ‘heaven’.
That relationship, which is put in place through Jesus, is like any other human relationship. It has to be maintained. Maybe, we’ve known Christians, who are no longer walking, with the Lord. They've fallen away. Maybe through over confidence, laziness, fear of disapproval or convenience.
The good news is that God offers us restoring grace. When we blow it, when we walk away, when we stumble, when we fumble, God says - "you can come back to Me." God does that because His love is unconditional, salvation isn’t based on our performance, Jesus has already dealt with our sin, Jesus understands our human weakness and God doesn’t hold grudges.
Isn’t that good news!
Four words probably define grace, better than any other phrase – “God is for us”.
God is not just ‘with’ us. God is not just ‘by’ us. If we’ve invited Jesus into our lives, He's not just ‘in’ us, but the Bible says He's ‘for’ us. The Bible says that God didn't just intend for us to receive grace. He wants us to pass it on.
Forgiveness is at the heart of God’s grace to us. If we’ve been blessed by God He wants us to bless others. If we’ve been cared for by God He wants us to care for others. If we’ve been forgiven by God He wants us to forgive others.
Matthew 10:8 reminds us to - "Give as freely as you have received."
Galatians 3:3 says – "You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it complete, by your own power. This is foolish."
If we understand how to relax in God's grace we’ll find a new level of joy in our lives, we’ll find a new level of freedom that we've probably never experienced before, except maybe when we first became a believer.
None of us sails through life. We all have problems and hurts. We may have some hidden wounds and emotional scars that nobody else sees but they're there and they hurt.
The Bible says in Psalm 147:3 – "God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds." How does He do that? By changing the way we think about ourselves. By changing our minds. Romans 12 says - "Let God transform you into a new person, by changing the way you think."
God helps us to see ourselves in a new light. We see that by His grace we’re acceptable, valuable, lovable, forgivable and capable. Healing Grace
The Bible tells us, that God always finishes what He starts. Always. In the first chapter of Philippians we read - "God, who began, the good work within you, will continue His work, until it is finally finished ..."
God says - I will help you finish life’s race. It’s God’s sustaining grace. God sustains us when we’re tempted, when we’re tired and when we’re troubled. 1 Peter 5:11 says it this way - "My purpose in writing, is to encourage you, and assure you, that the grace of God is with you, no matter what happens."
We can access God’s grace by asking, filling our minds with God’s word, accepting support from other people and holding on to God’s promises.
Let's admit it. When it comes to guilt, the truth is all of us at some point in our lives have to honestly say - "I did it." There are things, we've all struggled with. We're all in the same boat. James 2:10 says it this way - "The person who keeps every law of God, but makes one little slip, is just as guilty as the person, who has broken every law there is." The Psalm writer reminds us that guilt isn’t a good thing for us to carry around - "My guilt has overwhelmed me, like a burden too heavy to bear." (Psalm 38) When it comes to dealing with guilt we often resort to shame, hiding and blame. They’re methods as old as humanity itself that we see in the Genesis account of the garden and Adam and Eve. God’s way of dealing with our guilt is different. It flows out of his “grace” towards us. 1 John 1:9 describes it like this - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness." Isn’t God’s grace amazing?
Message by: Peter Godwin
Everything about our way of life teaches us that we get what we earn in life, that there’s no ‘free lunch’ and that we ‘make our bed and then we lie on it’. We’re very aware of the values of competition, winning and we know what it means to work hard. We value effort. We tell people ‘you get what you deserve in life’ and ‘If you want to make something of your life it's up to you’.
It’s sometimes called the ‘christian work ethic’. The only problem is God doesn't operate on the same work ethic. And that makes it difficult for us to relate to God because we're in this driven work mentality.
Psalm 145:8 tells us that God’s ethic is - "God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love."
The Bible says God is a gracious God. That means He loves to be gracious to us. God loves to bless people who don't deserve it. That's God’s nature.
I'm glad that God blesses people, who don't deserve it.
In the third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he gives us five habits we can practice that will nurture our happiness –
- Every day: relax in God’s grace.
- Remember what matters most.
- Get to know Jesus better.
- Review where we need to grow.
- Forget what can’t be changed, and
focus on the future.
Paul says - “For my determined purpose, is that I may know Christ – that I may progressively become, more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving, and recognising, and understanding Him more strongly and more clearly ...” Philippians 3:10
In the second chapter of Philippians, Paul describes his relationship with Timothy and Epaphroditus. He’s planning to send them back from Rome to Philippi and he says – “So that I may be cheered” – (Verse 19) and “so that you may be glad” – (Verse 28). Paul says, that sending these men – “will make me happy and lighten my cares”.
These two men clearly have some life qualities that create ‘happiness’. They include –
- a focus on others
- being trustworthy
- working well with others, and
- having a life purpose
In Mark 8:35 Jesus says - “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.”
Paul, writing to the Philippian church says - “You must continue, to work out your salvation, with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to act according, to his good purpose” – (Philippians 2:13-14).
Now there’s an incredible thought – God first works salvation “into” us so we can then “work out” our salvation in the way we live our lives.Because salvation is God’s gift and is given us by God’s grace, Paul says we can find happiness, if:
-we remember that God is with us, in us and for us (Verse 13), -we’re grateful and never grumble (Verse 14), -we keep our conscience clear (Verse 15), -we remember God’s word and live it (Verse 16), and -we use our lives to serve God by serving others (Verses 17 &18).
It’s all part of God’s promise that we first find in Ezekiel 36:26 - “I will give you a new heart, with a new and right desire, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take out, your heart hardened by sin, and I’ll give you a new heart of love.”