Renew Church Gold Coast - Robina: Recent Episodes
Renew Church Gold Coast - Robina
When Jesus rose from the dead, he changed the world. In a world riven by chaos, selfishness, and evil, we now have hope--hope that we can escape from the past, hope for the future, and hope for today.
When Jesus died on the cross, he made an off-ramp for us all, so we can leave the expressway to despair and chuck a u-turn to head towards life. Listen to Steve sharing how that is possible.
Proverbs is a difficult book, full of contradictions, puzzles and straightforward no-brainers.How should a Christian treat this ancient collection of wisdom? Does it have any value for us in the distant 21st Century, almost three millenia removed from its origins?Join us as we introduce our study on Proverbs, wisdom for life.
At Christmas we remember the time when God came to dwell with us in the person of Jesus Christ. But did you know God still comes to dwell with us, indeed, in us?Join us as we reflect on encounters with God in both recent and ancient history, and how we, too, may encounter the creator of the universe.
Joy is a major theme in both the Old and New Testaments, so both Judaism and Christianity are faiths full of joy.But what exactly is joy? Where does it come from? What suppresses it? How does it work today, in my day-to-day life in 21st Century Australia?Join us as we tackle these questions.
What is love? Do the poets of our age (song writers) have its measure? Is it more than a feeling? Do we get to define it? What does it have to do with Christmas?For millenia the Judeo-Christian tradition has held that God is a god of love. But what does that mean? And what does it mean for our lives here at the end of 2022?Join Graham as he unpacks this deep puzzle.(For more on the situation in the SF BART stations, see: https://youtu.be/f1wlV0X7CJM)
Peace. We all yearn for peace. A refuge from the anxiety of everyday life, from conflict and competition, from danger and loss.But are we prepared to accept the preconditions of peace? Can we stomach the sacrifices we must make? Do we even understand what those things are?Join us as we explore the prophet Micah's promise of peace, and how it will be fulfilled in the world and in our own lives today.
A powerful, northern neighbour mouths threats against us. Our economy is faltering. Our government seems determined to please people rather than be responsible. We all just wish it would go away and we could shop in peace.
Who are we? Are we modern Australia, or ancient Israel? Or perhaps we are both.
In times like this, God's hope shines bright. As we look towards Christmas, that reminder of God's great rescue mission, that hope is a balm to our hearts. Join us as Graham explains.
Why does Christianity continue to grow? What are the values that drive its culture-spanning history? How does it transform cultures and people into better versions of themselves, rather than forcing the one culture on everyone?
The values of inclusion and diversity, which lie at the heart of Christianity, account for all these questions.
But then why does the church struggle so much with the modern Western values of inclusion and diversity? Where did they come from? How are they different?
Join us as we grapple with these questions in the hope that we can understand how, as modern, Western Christians, we can embrace the values of Christianity while reaching out to a broken world.
A church practice that has spread widely outside the church into our culture is giving. But giving is not just about submitting your 10% or whatever; like all church practices it reflects something much deeper than the surface practice.
Join Graham as he explores where Christian giving comes from, and why it is uniquely generous.
God's word is an incredible gift. But do we really understand what it is, how it fits into our lives, how it transforms us?
Join us as we explore what studying the Bible can do.
Prayer is one of the most difficult practices for most Christians. What is it for? How does it work? Why is it necessary?
Join Graham as he unpacks this tricky discipline and explores our questions and struggles with prayer.
The video clip shown is from 1:55 in this YouTube clip from The Chosen: https://youtu.be/SgC4BLyfeLQ
What is baptism? What does it mean? Why is it important? And why does it involve dunking people in water?
We explore the deep roots of this ancient practice and discover why it is both so meaningful and so joyous.
One of the most distinctive practices of the Christian church for the last two thousand years is the practice of communion, also known as the Lord's supper or the eucharist. What does this strange practice mean? Why is it so enduring? How can we properly practice it in the 21st century?
Join Graham as he explores this very special practice. (At the end of the sermon we shared together in communion.) The video mentioned in the sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/bByePUvldwQ
The idea of service as a high calling is unique to Christianity. Jesus showed us by example how a leader must be servant of all.
We have a choice: the way of the Dragon, which exploits strength and power to achieve control and dominance, or the way of the Lamb, which recognises that God's power is expressed through our weakness, and frees us to serve one another.
How do these contrasting approaches work in the modern world? Join us for some ideas.
The video from Mrs Maisel early in the sermon can be found here: https://youtu.be/pvKe0c007Cc
Eating together is an important feature of almost all cultures. But what makes it so important to share food with others?
Is it the same for Christians, or does it have even more significance?
Join us as we look at why eating together is so important, and how we can do it better.
One of the unusual aspects of a Christian worship gathering, from the perspective of modern Australian culture, is that we burst into communal song at regular intervals.
Why do we do this? How does this help us worship God or commune together?
Join us as we explore the rich subject of music in Christian practice.
There are few things that are both more foundational to our experience as Christians and more difficult to maintain than the act of meeting together with other Christians. Even in a society where Christianity is not met with active persecution, meeting together requires substantial effort.
Is it worth it? Why do we bother? What is the purpose of meeting together and why should we prioritise it? Join us as we explore the first of our Church Practices.
Have we reached a final age for Christianity, a post-Christian age? Or have we never been in a Christian age at all?
The last verses of Acts reveal a startling reality about how Christianity interacts with the surrounding cultures which just might turn our ideas about our nation and its history on their heads.
In Acts 19, we find Paul wrestling with the pushback that comes when Christianity has started transforming a culture. Faith in Jesus has consequences that are felt throughout the culture, and those who reject Jesus will not respond kindly to the impacts on their lives. In our world, we won't find silversmiths rioting, but there are consequences for us, too.
Join us as we explore this important dynamic in Acts and modern Australia.
In Acts 10 the essence of the new Christian faith is revealed to the apostle Peter. This revelation has shaken our world down to the present day.
What did Peter discover? How has it transformed our lives?
Join us as we explore this pivotal event in history.
In Acts 9 we hear of Paul's radical transformation from persecutor to proselytizer.
What effected this transformation? Is this power available in our lives?
In the second half of Acts 8 we find Philip listening to the Holy Spirit and so encountering a true seeker for God. How do Philip and the Ethiopian relate to God? Are there other types of people? And what type of person are we?
Join Graham as he explores the different ways we can walk with or apart from God, and what those mean for us.
In Acts 8, the church grows beyond its cradle of Judaism. In Samaria a famous sorcerer, Simon, is wooed by the power of the Holy Spirit, but his response is disastrous.
What did Simon get wrong, and what can we learn from it?
The followers of Jesus have been confronted by bullies since the very beginnings of the church. But why? And how should we respond?
Join us as we explore Acts 4, the first encounter between bullies and boldness for the church.
Here is a testimony from Lupcho, known to many as Louie, of his extraordinary experience of surviving a massive cardiac arrest and extended coma and his spiritual encounters during that.
As Graham explains in his following sermon, this sort of experience is miraculous, but not unique. In Acts 3 we read about a man who was born unable to walk, completely healed. This undoubted miracle gave the apostle Peter a platform from which to preach the gospel--just as the lame man was released from the captivity of his condition, we too need release from the captivity of sin.
Join Graham and Lupcho as we explore the reality of Jesus' power in the early church and today.
God is a God who delights in doing new things. Even with broken, old people, God can do new things. Be refreshed and encouraged as Pastor Dave brings this message from Isaiah.
In the book of Acts, Paul follows up his account of Jesus' ministry with an account of how the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus' disciples to change the world.
But what exactly was the power the Spirit granted, how was it used to such dramatic effect, and is this still something available to us today?
Join us to dig into these questions.
The final part of the book of Judges reveals a society that has completely lost its way. Though Israel was supposed to be ruled by God, they ended up with no rules, every individual and tribe out for themselves, indulging in whatever they felt like.
Such anarchy only sounds like fun if you're not living in it. In reality, such unregulated "freedom" ends up enslaving and destroying people, especially the weakest in society.
Join Graham as he walks through the lessons we can learn from the horrors of Judges 19-21.
Ruth accompanied a despairing Naomi home to Bethlehem out of a strong bond of loyalty. She did not expect anything from the move. Yet she gained a protector and a son, and even a place in the ancestry of the savior of the world!
What pleasant surprises have we had in our own new beginnings?
At Pentecost, the first sign visible to people outside that upper room was the sound of the disciples speaking in their own languages.
God's purposes have never been limited to a select few, although he has always selected a few to serve him. But his goal has always been to reach the whole world.
To reach a world riven by differences, we need to engage with those differences. Listen on to find out how God helps us do that.
Samson seems like a super-hero. With his super-strength he is almost invulnerable, and single-handedly kills thousands. And yet his story is one of constant frustration and failure.
Samson's strength is not his own, for he was called to a purpose: ridding Israel of the Philistines. So even when he ignores this purpose, God works through him to achieve this end.
How can we avoid being like Samson--striving for (and failing at) our own purposes serving greater ends despite ourselves? Are we, too, doomed to Samson's restless misery, or is there a better way?
What is the meaning behind Pentecost? Why did God wait until this day to send the Holy Spirit? Who is the Holy Spirit, anyway?
Join us as we explore the history of Pentecost, and how it impacts us today.
When Gilead, Eastern Israel, became desparate, they sought help from the bandit Jephthah to lead them in the battle against their enemies. In return, he would be their ruler. But does great skill in battle make for a great leader?
Join us as we discover the tragic consequences of promoting bad character.
In Judges 6-9 we read the account of Gideon. One of the most famous scenes from this account is Gideon's fleece as he sought reassurance from God. But is this really something we should be emulating, or is their something rotten underneath the cute story?
Join us as we explore the ancient Israelite judge, Gideon.
In Judges we meet the characters Deborah, a prophetess, and Barak, called to lead Israel's army. But the story of these people and those around them, doesn't work out quite how we might expect it. What can we learn from Deborah and Barak? How is our God at work in this violent history, and how can we expect him to work today?
Join Graham as he unpacks this complex, challenging story from the book of Judges.
After God led Israel into the promised land of Canaan and conquered the inhabitants, what happened to the people? Did they go from strength to strength, or did they fall back into temptation and chaos?
The book of Judges tells us what happens when God gives his people good things, but not good hearts. The first judges, Othniel and Ehud, show us what a human deliverer can do, and cannot do. Join us as we discover how God works in a broken world.
What does it mean to be "holy?" Why is it such a big deal that God is holy, and how and why are we supposed to be holy? In a world that doesn't understand holiness because it doesn't care about it, it is more and more important that we, as followers of Jesus, do understand it.
Join Graham as he explores this often neglected, but very important topic.
Love never fails. That is how the apostle Paul ends his description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. But why does love never fail, and how does it make a difference that it never fails?
It turns out that love's infallibility is a key aspect of love that underpins the universe. To find out how, have a listen as we conclude our series on the "love chapter."
Two thousand years ago a man was crucified, and then on the third day he rose up and left his tomb. What does this have to do with us today? In a word so different from, and yet so similar to, the world of the first century, what possible impact can the empty tomb have on our lives?
Christians have long claimed that this event has changed, and is changing the world! How can this be? Join us for a little insight into the most important event of history.
Our Christian life is not just a life of taking God's good gifts, as if we were infants. God sends us rain and drought, struggles and joys, but he gives us more than that. He gives us the source of life itself: his own Son. How much difference can that make?
Join Shane as he explores the Christian life.
Love always supports, is always loyal. How much do we yearn for that sort of love? The Good News that we share as followers of Christ is that this sort of love is not only given to us, it is given to us to share!
Join us to explore what it means to be always supportive and loyal.
Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing because love understands the nature of human beings. That is also why it rejoices with the truth.
But what exactly is the nature of human beings, and why does that make love work this way?
In 1 Corinthians 13:5 the apostle Paul tells the members of the church in Corinth that love is not easily angered and does not keep a record of wrongs.
Given the many ways Paul could have described love, why does he include these in his short list in 1 Corinthians 13? Join Graham as he explores how real love, God's love, is slow to anger and keen to forgive. This is a part of our "Love is" series, so check out our other sermons on the rest of Paul's immortal description of love.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul gives a list of ways to describe love. The seventh item in that list is key--he says that love is not self-seeking. But if love is not interested in furthering its own interests, but rather the interests of others, how can we love that way? Isn't it dangerous?
The Gospels show us the answer to that. Join us as we explore this radical concept unique to Christianity.
1 Cor 13 describes what love is and is not. Everyone loves this passage, because it sounds so beautiful and everyone wants to be loved this way. However, the passage describes love so that we may better demonstrate it, not receive it! And meeting this incredible standard is not easy. But before we can begin striving to meet this standard we must understand it.
What does it mean for love to not be envious or boastful? How do envy and boasting affect our relationships?
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul explains the key place of love in Christian life. Nothing is more important!
But love is not just an abstract concept for Paul. Nor is it a culturally relative concept--one that changes with the changes mores of society. Love is grounded in God. Paul writes what is probably the most famous defintion of love in an attempt to explain to the Corinthians how they must live.
Join Graham as he unpacks the first two words Paul uses to describe love: patience and kindness. Just like the word love itself, these words conceal a richness that allows us to draw closer to God.
When Jesus told us to live in the world, but not become a part of it, how did he mean for us to relate to our family? And what about friends? Should we even have non-Christian friends?
Can we both love God above all else and also be a light to the little part of the world we live in: our friends and family?
Renew's values are Biblical Discipleship, Gracious Community, and Light to the World. Where do these values come from, what do they mean, and how do we live them out?
Join Malcolm as he explores our foundations and their consequences.
Paul talks about finding contentment in all circumstances. But how does he find this, and what does he mean by it? And, is this accessible to us, too?
Join Dave as he shares this incredible message of hope.
When Jesus tells us to live in the world, but not to be of it, what does he mean when it comes to politics and government? Especially for those of us today who live in a democratic country, where participation in government is a civic duty?
Join Graham as he threads the needle on this complex issue.
The first clip in the sermon from the movie Amazing Grace can be found here: https://youtu.be/U20Ad8D8l3I
The second clip of Martin Isles talking on civil disobedience can be found here: https://youtu.be/TWVgGcgHpwo
In our modern world, one of the places we spend our most waking hours is at work. As Christians, then, it is critical that we understand how to be in the workplace, but not "of" the workplace. What is that should distinguish us, so that we can be salt and light, brightening and sustaining our workplaces with God's presence?
Join Graham as he looks at this important topic in our series "In the world, not of it"
The two videos in the sermon can be found here: Chariots of fire: https://youtu.be/VQFms0F9hMo The Simpsons: https://youtu.be/jLruYGNs-m0
We are called to be in the world, but not of it. Yet in our world today, we are surrounded by powerful, influential corporations. These entities are rarely aligned with Biblical ethics because they exist to make money. So how should Christians interact with them? How should we be customers, employees or even bosses in this complex, sinful world we are called to shine in, but not belong to?
Join us as we explore God's words on this important topic.
There are some things that look small, but are actually much bigger than they seem. Such small things can turn out to have world-changing power and influence. The baby lying in a manger in Bethlehem of Judah two thousand years ago was one such thing.
Join us as we explore the unexpected reality of Christmas--how small things can actually be huge!
Peace, we all yearn for it, but what is it? If we go by our society's image of peace, we would think it could be find in nature, or in transcendental meditation.
But the Bible tells us that peace is something quite different. In the Bible, relationship is placed at the core of our story. And so peace is all about relationship.
So what does peace have to do with Christmas? Join us as we hear of Joseph's journey, and how he found peace.
How does a doubting priest and a baby boy demonstrate God's love? Before the Messiah arrived, God sent a man to "prepare the way" for him. So important was this man, that God gave him his name, placing him in the elite company of Adam and Jesus. Why did God do this? Why did John's father, Zechariah, doubt God's promise, and how does all this show us the depths of God's love for us?
Join Stephen as he unpacks this mystery--the mystery of Christmas.
Hope seems to be a tenuous feeling in our world. Our "hopes" are as often in vain as they are fulfilled.
And yet, in the Bible, we find God's word offers a type of hope that is very different.
Mary's reaction to God's promises demonstrates Biblical hope for us, and helps us understand how crucial it is to our spiritual journey.
As Christmas approaches we prepare by looking at the four wonderful gifts that God gives us in Christ: joy, hope, love and peace. Today Graham looks at joy. What is it? Why is it so elusive? How does the birth of a baby boy in a far away manger bring us joy?
Solomon concludes his search for wisdom under the sun with nothing more than empty admonitions to take action rather than doing nothing. But in the end, he says, it's all meaningless.
But wait, there's more! A mystery editor concludes the book with an extraordinary turn around: you can exhaust yourself with endless worldly wisdom, or you can take the simple path.
What is that simple path, and how do we tread it today?
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon adopts an "under the sun" perspective on life. He recognises that life in this world is inherently unfair--rewards don't match effort. How can we handle this? Solomon suggests several responses, but none of them are satisfying.
But what if we take an "above the sun" perspective? Does that make a difference?
In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon writes a beautiful poem expressing the different seasons of life. But what does this mean for us? Is it a comfort, is it a challenge, is it an expression of hopelessness or hope? Join Graham as he wrestles with how Ecclesiastes 3 speaks to us today.
The book of Ecclesiastes has consistently confused its readers with its bold arguments against traditional wisdom. For us moderns, its words ring true. But what if Ecclesiastes is strikes such a sympathetic note to us because it is so materialistic, like we are? What if Solomon's exploration of wisdom "under the sun," is really an exercise in finding wanting all the options available to materialism?
Join us as we start our journey with the Teacher of Ecclesiastes.
In Ruth 4 we find the fulfilment of the theme of hesed--faithful love--that runs throughout the book. Join Stephen as he unpacks the beautiful message of this delightful book.
In the third chapter of Ruth, Naomi hatches a scheme to ensure Ruth is cared for. Her scheme sounds bizarre to our ears, and even lewd to ancient Hebrew ears. Will God honour such a scheme? Will Ruth go through with it?
Join us as Malcolm takes us through this extraordinary episode in one of the most famous love stories of all time.
In the second chapter of Ruth, we, along with Naomi and Ruth, find that God has not abandoned them. He has provided a way for the empty to be filled. Join Graham as he unpacks how this works in Ruth & Naomi's life, and how it can work in ours, too.
The book of Ruth is a delight: a short, punchy story of faith and courage in the face of difficulty, rewarded with an amazing happily-ever-after ending. Who could want more?
But what does it have to do with us? How could we learn from such a simple tale?
Let's dig into the first chapter of Ruth to find just how similar the lives of the ancients were to ours, and how much we can learn from them.
In the final section of Hebrews, the preacher argues that, even recognising the supremacy of Christ and the deadliness of turning away from him, we still need to work hard to build our faith as persecution approaches. "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see," he says. As our world takes a turn for the worse, we too need to press into our faith. Can we trust Jesus no matter what?
The video early in the sermon is: https://youtu.be/r8p0QW3cyog
Thanksgiving is part of the heart of the child of God. In this service we give thanks both to God and to one another for the work that he has been doing in and through us over the past year.
This is not a normal service, and so the recording includes our worship and the thanksgiving interspersed between it.
The book of Hebrews teaches plainly that we can't take our faith for granted. Faith is a journey, and like all journeys, the destination is not guaranteed. But what are the perils on the journey of faith? Join Graham as he unpacks how we need to guard our faith, and what we can guard it with.
The preacher of Hebrews begs his church to place their faith in Christ before it is too late. His first argument is that Jesus is greater than any other authority or power, so he deserves our trust and obedience.
Who are the authorities the we, the church in modern Australia, bow down to? How can we place Jesus on the throne of our lives? What is it that we must see as less than Jesus, so that we can dedicate our lives wholly to him?
The New Testament book of Hebrews is unique. Instead of being a letter to a church, it is an hour-long sermon, encouraging the members of a church facing a new wave of persecution to strengthen their faith in Christ.
Join us as we explore how relevant this extraordinary book is to us today.
The Bible Project video on Hebrews which is played early in the sermon can be found here: https://youtu.be/1fNWTZZwgbs
In Acts 7, the newly minted deacon, Stephen, shows the church and the surrounding culture how Christians should respond to pressure to abandon Christ. In doing so, he unleashes the next phase of the growth of the Church, spreading the Good News around the world.
How can we learn from Stephen? Are we able to emulate his courageous stand, or should we?
Listen to Graham's message ponder these questions.
In Acts 6 the fledgling church is confronted by a potential disaster: ethnic divisions, present throughout human history, have begun riving the church. How can the apostles solve this? What resources does this new born body possess that humanity has never yet held?
Listen to Stephen's sermon and find out! And remember, we too hold this power today, in a world more shattered than ever before.
At Renew Youth Group we have a weekly talk, presented by one of our leaders. We loved these talks so much we wanted to present them to the rest of the church. Here is the first two of those talks for the church to hear. Rachel presents her talk on Self Control, from the series on the Fruits of the Spirit, while Tim presents his talk on Love from this last term.
Malcolm wraps it up with a reflection on the importance of youth hearing this sort of talk, and young adults presenting it.
Enjoy!
The account of Ananias and Sapphira is shocking to us. Is the church built on a foundation of blood? What was God thinking? How does this show his grace?
Let's wrestle with these difficult questions as we look at this passage in Acts 5.
Acts 4 records how the Jewish religious leaders reacted to the powerful, and miracle-supported teaching of Jesus' disciples. And we also find how the disciples reacted to the demand to stop preaching. What can we learn from this account? Could we be in this situation some time?
In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a lame beggar at the temple, and then take that opportunity to share the full gospel with the Jews there. You have probably never healed a lame beggar, but are there ways that you can follow in their footsteps and speak from God's power?
At Pentecost, God launched the final phase of his great plan of salvation. What was his launch plan? How did the Holy Spirit use the disciples? What can we learn from this?
At his ascension, Jesus tells his disciples that they are his witnesses. What does this mean? How do we live this out? Join Graham as he unpacks this.
Our guest speaker Caleb shares his difficult discovery of who his neighbour really is. (This is a first-person sermon presented by Graham, just in case you're wondering.)
In his parables of the lost sheep and coin, Jesus reveals the extraordinary love of God for his lost children. Join us as we explore how God expresses that love, and how we can join him in his hunt for the lost. The video of the sheep played after my story can be found here: https://youtu.be/f97zwQS6I4o
The parable of the pharisee and the tax collector was deliberately shocking to Jesus' listeners, but it's comfortably mainstream for us. Join Tim as he helps us understand how to rediscover the radical call to humility in this parable of Jesus.
Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven or God 85 times in the Bible. It would seem to be important, right? Yet what is it and how do we relate to it? In the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, Jesus describes how we should respond to discovering the Kingdom. Join us as we unpack these rich, if brief, parables.
Jesus' story of the lost son (better known as the Prodigal Son) could equally be called the Loving Father. In this famous parable, every detail hammers home the extraordinary patience, grace and love of our heavenly father. God is no remote judge or finger-wagging grandpa in the sky.
Listen as Graham unpacks the love of our Father in Heaven in The Lost Son.
A reflection on the cross, taken from the sermon sent to the Hebrews, and the Apostle Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, both found in the New Testament.
When Jesus chose to ride the colt of a donkey into Jerusalem at the end of a long, dusty climb from Jericho, he was making a momentous choice. Why a donkey? Why a colt? Why did the crowd shout hosannas? Is this relevant to us? Listen and find out.
In Psalm 7, David responds to accusations in surprising ways. Yet, when we look deeper, we see that his response is so much more fruitful than the responses of our contemporaries. In our world, where words are becoming terribly powerful, as they were in the ancient world, we must, like David, find a way to deal with accusations. Join us as we explore David's holy response, and how it draws us closer to God.
In Psalm 5, King David contrasts the righeous and the wicked. This contrast--so stark and so common in the Psalms--is strange to our modern sensibilities. Why, then, is it so common in the Psalms? Is this merely an ancient prejudice? What does the New Testament have to say about this? Join us as we explore the idea of two separate groups, the righteous and the wicked, from God's perspective.
In Psalm 3, King David recalls the bitterness of the terrible time when his son Absolom turned against him, but also the way that he reacted to that in the presence of God. We, too, are betrayed, and we can learn much from David's reaction. Let's reflect on this beautiful poem from the pen of King David.
Psalm 2 talks about the way the nations want to rebel against God. And yet, God offers refuge for those who will listen to him. How do we see this at work today?
The video mentioned at the end of the sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/Q1AyMDZNy9k
Psalm 1 describes the contrasting paths of the righteous person and the wicked person. The difference is stark, and the cause of that difference is simple. Join us as we explore this ancient and invaluable wisdom from God.
Paul concludes his letter to the church at Ephesus with a vivid metaphor for God's provision for us as we engage with the world in Spiritual conflict: the armour of God. Spiritual conflict is real, if invisible, and Paul's descriptions help us understand how we can serve as God's soldiers against the powers of evil. Join Graham as he unpacks this important passage.
In the final relationship pair of the household code of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we find how slaves and masters are to treat each other. This is the least directly applicable relationship to our contemporary society, and yet, in many ways, it has the most to tell us: when obedience is required on pain of death, what distinguishes Christian obedience?
One of the hardest teachings in the New Testament, is the idea of submission. It's even harder when it involves intimate family members. And it's harder still when our surrounding culture glorifies independance and prideful self-direction.
But, in Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul instructs wives to submit to their husbands and husbands to sacrificially love their wives. Is this still relevant? How do we manage this? And what happens if we obey?
The letter of Revelation has so much to tell us right now--we don't have to wait for the end times to take encouragement and challenge from its message.
Listen to Stephen's sermon and be encouraged and challenged for 2021!
The announcement of the most important birth in the history of the world was made to the least important people in society: shepherds.
Why? Why did the hosts of heaven appear to a bunch of shepherds in Judea, rather than people who mattered to the world?
Listen to our Christmas Eve message and find out why this message is for everyone in society, from the "least important" to the "most important."
The video in the middle can be found here: https://youtu.be/4y9rNSKuk3I
What is love? What impact does it have in our world? Where can we find it?
As strange as it may seem, we can find love, lying helpless in an animal feed trough, 2000 years ago.
Join Graham as he tells the story of how love came down.
Paul challenges Christ's followers to recognise the gulf between the darkness of the world around them and the light of Christ in them. If we recognise the difference, and the dangers of the dark, then we will cherish the light in ourselves and one another.
But how do we live as children of light?
When Paul tells us how to live as Christians, who does that apply to? All Christians? All the time? And what will happen if we don't? Join Malcolm as he works on these questions.
The video in the middle of the sermon can be found here: https://youtu.be/B5NmhtqGg04
Apologies for the poor audio quality.
As Jesus' ministry moves into full swing, Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is. There are many answers to that question, and the disciples effortlessly provide them. But then he asks the most important question in the universe: who do you say I am?
Like the disciples we must answer that question, and our eternal fate hinges on the answer we give. Join Graham as he unpacks why this is such an important question and answer.
We all have many goals and ambitions. Where do these come from? Are they legitimate? Are Christians different from other people, and should they be? Graham explores Paul's explanation of the new life in Ephesians 4:17-32 in search of answers to these questions.
In Ephesians 4 Paul starts to explain how all the amazing truths he has shared up to now translate into everyday life for the Christian. He starts by showing how the church is both unified and diverse, and how we need humility, love, patience and respect for both one another and the different gifts God gives each of us to grow into mature children of God.
In Galatians 4, Paul compares the two sons of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac. Join Graham as he explores the history of these two men, and how their own character demonstrates two different ways to live our lives, and the consequences of those choices.
Paul explains God's love in spatial terms to emphasize, not merely its immeasurable vastness, but its multi-dimensionality. But despite Christ's love being unknowable, we are asked to know it, to immerse ourselves in this limitless sea of beauty, because by this we will find our stability, our security.
Listen as Malcolm and the people of Renew explore how this works in our lives.
Some people hold that there are many paths to God. Unfortunately, the Bible teaches something much harder than that view. Listen as Graham explores how we can encounter God, according to his Son and his Word.
When we open our mouths to share the Good News of Jesus Christ here in Australia we are likely to encounter one of two types of opposition. What's going on here? Where is this coming from and what should we do about it? In this fifth part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we find some answers, so join us as we join Paul explaining the "difficult mystery of the Gospel."
When I moved to Japan, I needed an "Alien Registration Certificate" to show, ironically, that I belonged there. I certainly felt like an alien, but the real shock came when I came home to Australia and felt just as alien there! So often we feel alienated and alone, but for those who give their lives to Christ, there will always be a home: the church.
Listen to Malcolm explore Ephesians 2:11-22 to find out how the church transforms humanity, and offers our only hope for peace and unity.
We live in a world filled with conflict, violence, confusion, and strife. And yet Paul told Titus that we followers of Christ were meant to be people of peace, renewed by the Holy Spirit! How can this work? What difference does it make? Join Graham as he works through this world-changing reality.
Paul writes to Titus reminding him that not everyone who claims to know God, actually does know God. How can we discern the difference? Most importantly, how can we ensure our own faith is genuine? Join Graham as he explores this important topic.
What does the movie "Unhinged" and the Pixar oeuvre have in common? And what does this have to do with Paul's majestic summary of God's grace in Ephesians 2:1-11? And how could this possibly tie in with the 19th century gold rush in North Queensland? You'll have to listen to find out!
What is wisdom? How does it work in our lives? Where does it come from? Graham tackles this theme, and looks at Paul's explanation of wisdom in second half of Ephesians chapter 1. Explore with us how God's wisdom is truly the best foundation for life.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul starts with a long, powerful sentence of praise for God. God, he says, has poured our spiritual blessings on us. But what is a spiritual blessing? And what spiritual blessings has God given to us? And how do these affect our daily lives? That's what we're looking at here.
In the closing verses of his letter to the scattered Christians, James writes about prayer. These are difficult verses for us to understand, partly because we struggle to understand our relationship with God. Listen as Graham unpacks how to understand James's (and the New Testament's) teaching on prayer.
As James comes to the end of his letter, he presents in stark contrast, two ways to live. We can be like wealthy landowners who exploit others so that they might live a life of luxury. But they will soon suffer the consequences of their greed. Or we can be patient and endure as we wait for Christ's return, caring for one another. We have to choose one or the other, we cannot be a double-minded person who vacilates between both, because they are so opposed.
James describes the deadly danger of the tongue, of words, with such vividness that it almost distracts us from his main point: that we require wisdom in order to live a fruitful, Christian life. Too often we think of wisdom as an abstract or academic quality, rather than the simple (but not easy) craft of living well. James's description of wisdom (and its competitors) is worth dwelling on. Join Malcolm as he explores this in "Fighting Fire." The Emma clip is here: https://youtu.be/NF2QheaP4vk
The letter of James presents quite a different take on "works" (religious practice) as opposed to Paul's emphasis on faith. What's going on here? Does the New Testament contain contradictions? Listen as Graham works through James's teaching on faith and works, and how they fit together for the Christian.
Suffering is hard, yet James tells us that it has purpose. But we have a part to play, we can blame God for responding to suffering with sin, or we can ask him for wisdom to endure, and so grow in integrity. Ultimately it is our choice that will determine our eternal destiny. Listen to this week's sermon for James's advice on how we can manage all that.
In our final instalment in our Inside Out sermon series, Graham grapples with joy. Joy is the only emotion which doesn't come easily or naturally. Yet the Bible tells us to be filled with joy, always. So we don't need to wonder how to react to joy, rather we need to learn how to encourage joy. Join Graham as he explores how we can rejoice always.
It is strange to think of disgust as a gift from God. And yet, as Stephen, explains, disgust is an emotion designed to protect us from wickedness. Listen to Stephen's sermon to discover for yourself how crucial disgust is to our lives.
In his first letter, the apostle John presents Christianity as an "in or out" question: are you heading for life, or are you heading for death? Join Graham as he unpacks how the New Testament explains our situation as human beings, and the options we have before us. Does it really matter what we believe?
Surprise is a very human emotion, not shared by God. Jesus demonstrates his embrace of humanity by sharing the possibility of surprise with us. But God does use surprise extensively. He uses his intimate understanding of how surprise works to grab our attention and to ensure that we hear his precious word. Surprise often brings us delight, and sometimes bewilderment. In either case, it welds the lesson into our memories and culture.
Anger is a powerful emotion, and Scripture often warns against it. Is anger ever OK, and what is it OK for? We look at God's anger, Jesus' anger, and our own anger, and try to figure out how this important emotion should work in our lives.
The Inside Out clip on anger can be found at: https://youtu.be/1DtMdRhtlfk
In the Pixar movie Inside Out, the emotion of Fear is one of the five primary emotions. Anxiety and fear often steal our joy and peace, but in the Bible we find two kinds of fear: the fear of the world that robs us of joy, and the fear of the Lord that is the foundation of wisdom. How are these different? What do they look like, and how do we embrace one and deal properly with the other? Listen to Graham's sermon and find out. The Inside Out video clip on Fear can be found here: https://youtu.be/9DTsdSdSne4
Sadness and sorrow are inherent features of this fallen world. Romans 8:18-25 captures this. If we cannot feel sadness then we are somehow disconnected from reality. Sadness should motivate us to press into Christ in the hope of the new creation, and to share God's love with all around us.
The Inside Out clip mentioned in the sermon can be found at: https://youtu.be/M5pfng5S8tQ
The Bible ends with an incredible vision of the future: God's triumphant completion of his plan to bring humanity back to him. Somehow God works through the rebellion of humanity and creates a new world that is even better than the original creation. How does this relate to us, where do we fit in?
If there was anything that characterised the early church, especially in contrast to the surrounding societies, it was the way they loved. But how did they love, and why? Join Graham as he unpacks the New Testament's idea of love and what it means for us today.
In Acts 10 the Apostle Peter was called by God to put aside the Jewish purity laws which had distinguished Jews from everyone else for fifteen hundred years! Why did God so abruptly discard such an important part of Jewish identity? What was to be gained? Nothing but the entire world. Join us as we unpack God's amazing strategy to redeem mankind as the church goes global.
In Acts 9 we encounter Saul, a homicidal Pharisee. But when God encountered Saul, his love and power transformed him into the Apostle Paul, who brought Christ's salvation to the Gentile world. God is still in the practice of transforming broken human beings into his powerful, caring servants. Listen to Graham share how he does it.
Following his ascension, on the day of Pentecost, the Jewish festival of First Fruits, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in his disciples, permanently. The indwelling of the Spirit profounding transformed the disciples, ushering them out of the room they had gathered in, onto the streets, where Peter's powerful first sermon was the catalyst for the Spirit transforming 3000 new hearts that day. And so the church was born! Let's relive that event together, and explore how it transforms our lives 2000 years later.
Jesus' ascension reveals God's amazing love for us--Jesus becomes a part of the human race for ever more; Jesus gives us space to grow up into his likeness, and entrusts us with his great mission; and Jesus gives us time to come and be united with him. What an amazing God we have!
When Jesus rose again, he gave us all a second chance. How would he treat the disciples who betrayed him? Would he give them a second chance? Listen and find out.
It's fine to be sceptical, but Easter Sunday is not a fantasy. There are at least powerful pieces of evidence that exist to prove Jesus' rose from the dead. And if he did, that changes everything. Listen to Graham unpack this reality.
John's account of Jesus death focuses not so much on Jesus' suffering, but on his fulfilment of God's great plan of salvation. Finally, on our journey through Scripture, we get to see God's great plan to restore humanity into relationship with him--a relationship dashed by the first humans--accomplished by the Son of God himself.
Palm Sunday is traditionally celebrated as a time of joy. And yet it leads directly into a great tragedy. How do these fit together? What message was Jesus trying to send through the way he staged his entry into Jerusalem? Join me as I explore this puzzle.
What is true humility? How does it affect those around us? Is it something desirable, for us or for others? Listen to Graham unpack this important topic.
In this present crisis, how should the church behave? Paul, who believed that the church was in the last days, instructs the church to behave like God's ideal family. But what does that look like, and how do we live it out?
Jesus makes extreme demands on his followers, or so it seems. But what if his demands are entirely reasonable? What does that say about the situation we are actually in? Listen as Graham unpacks this in "Following Jesus." The video following the sermon can be seen at https://youtu.be/K4fnPcXc9CU
Introduction—choice People have been making some strange choices over the last couple of weeks, haven’t they? At least, their choices have had strange results, like this. [Toilet paper free shelves] Now people do recognise that sometimes they need to make radical choices, and yet when push comes to shove,…
In John 10, Jesus reveals that he is the Good Shepherd, and he assures us that he has come to bring us "life to the full."
What does that mean? What is life to the full? How is it different and better than what we already have here on the Gold Coast?
Graham explains in this part of our Biblical exploration, The Journey.
In Matthew 13, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Yet, we too have our own hypocrisy to confront. How are we like the Pharisees, and how can we avoid the trap they fell into? Listen to Mary share about Jesus' solution.
How do Christians engage the culture around them? Are we called to stand against it? To fit completely into it? Or to transform it? These three models of interaction have been advocated by various groups over the centuries, but which one is best, or is there some other approach which governs how we interact with the world?
Join Graham, Stephen, and Malcolm, along with the people of Renew, to explore this important, but complex topic.
In Matthew 10, Jesus chooses his 12 disciples, and then sends them out to announce the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. But he warns them: not everyone will be happy with this message. Humanity has been in rebellion against God since the Fall of Adam and Eve, and by identifying themselves with Christ, his disciples will find themselves in conflict with many who insist on continuing that rebellion. We, too, find ourselves in conflict, if we wish to identify with Christ. How should we handle this? What does Jesus offer? How can peace come out of conflict?
Jesus starts teaching his disciples in the famous "Sermon on the Mount." He starts with a list of cases in which people will be blessed, which we call "The Beatitudes." Listen as Graham unpacks these surprising and challenging insights that Jesus gives to reveal the true nature of reality.
In Matthew 13 Jesus shares several agricultural parables that explain the nature of the Gospel and the Kingdom of Heaven in surprising ways. One of the most surprising is the parable of the wheat and the weeds, which reveals that wheat and weeds are allowed to grow up together, and only separated at the harvest. Why can't the wheat and weeds be separated earlier?
Stephen unpacks the agriculture behind the parable's image, and the theology behind its meaning.
[NOTE: a digital glitch during recording damaged the last five minutes of the audio, but it is still intelligible, so please perservere if you can.]
Ephesians 3 is Paul's impassioned prayer for God's fullness to fill his people at Ephesus. Join us as Rev. Peter Graham unpacks this complex passage.
The video "That's my king!" can be found here: https://youtu.be/yzqTFNfeDnE
Early in his ministry, Jesus is questioned about the Kingdom of Heaven by one of the Pharisees, Nicodemus. In response to his questions he explains how no one can enter the Kingdom without being born again.
But what does that mean? Graham unpacks this foundational concept.