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Episodes
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)
Episodes
Aug 7, 2017
Aug 7, 2017
28 min
“Yet a time is coming, and has now come, when the true worshipers, will worship the Father, in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers, the Father seeks.”
John 4:23 (New International Version)
Everyone worships something or someone.
We worship what we consider valuable. And it becomes obvious what’s valuable to us by how we live our lives.
Jesus tells His followers how we’re to worship God; how we’re to “declare God’s worth”; how worshiping brings us in line with God’s purposes for us.
We’re to worship with thankfulness.
We’re to worship “in spirit” (from the depth of our being), and “in truth” (with honesty and sincerity).
Our worship brings God’s presence into all our life experiences and circumstances.
Jul 31, 2017
Jul 31, 2017
30 min
“In Christ, we who are many form one Body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Romans 12:5 (New International Version)
“…let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:10 (New International Version)
Jesus describes his followers as disciples, as ambassadors, and as members.
Following Jesus is more than just believing in Him, it’s belonging.
Believing without belonging makes us spiritual orphans!
To truly realise what it means to follow Jesus, we need to be part of a church family.
The church is the body of Christ.
A member is valuable when they’re connected to the body. So, if we truly want to realise the power of Jesus in our lives, we need to be connected to a church family.
Many see the church as a building or an event, but more than that, it’s a family in relationship with God. There’s a significant difference between attending a church service and being a member of a church family. Ephesians 2:19 tells us that as believers in Christ, we’re part of God’s family, with an obligation to meet as a church family in relationship with God.
Jul 24, 2017
Jul 24, 2017
30 min
“We are Christ's ambassadors.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
An ambassador is someone sent on a radical kind of mission.
They’re sent to build relationships - political, economic, goodwill, cultural, and spiritual.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that as Christians, we’re Christ’s ambassadors. If we’re going to follow Jesus, be “all in” for Jesus, we need to understand what it means to be an ambassador
Jul 19, 2017
Jul 19, 2017
31 min
“As Jesus was going down the road He saw Matthew sitting in his tax-collection booth, ‘Come be My disciple,’ Jesus said. So Matthew got up and followed Him.” Matthew 9:9
When Jesus was thirty years old He began His public ministry.
The first thing He did was go gather a group of people who He could train.
They’re called His disciples.
Many times in Scripture we see that He invited everyday people to become His disciples.
He invites us too.
Jul 12, 2017
Jul 12, 2017
26 min
Jesus taught in the Synagogue.
He travelled by boat over the Sea of Galilee.
He taught from the boat.
Many healings and miracles were carried out at Capernaum.
Are you being fed by a personal relationship with Jesus?
Are you taking Jesus the light of the world into the dark places ?
Are you being a Fisherman?
Take your God given gifts and let Jesus feed the people.
Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go? YOU have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the holy One of God
Jul 3, 2017
Jul 3, 2017
33 min
You must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer if necessary to share the Good News. 2 Timothy 1:8
Daniel stood out because of his professional competence, his personal character, and his public commitment to God - so much so that he survived three kings and two empires. At the age of 82, he was still in demand and being promoted. Daniel’s success made others around him jealous.
When a group of them conspired against him, Daniel continued to pray and be faithful to God.
Jun 26, 2017
Jun 26, 2017
29 min
“I have heard that the Spirit of God is in you, that you possess brilliant knowledge and extraordinary wisdom.” Daniel 5:14
Daniel was known for his wisdom and knowledge. The measure of a person’s success can usually be evaluated by their reputation. When we need help with something we want to call on the people who know the most about what’s puzzling us.
Daniel was called on to “interpret dreams, explain the meaning of mysteries and solve difficult problems” (Daniel 5:12) and he was known as having the Spirit of God in him.
We can learn from Daniel, a man of integrity who put into practice what he learned and honoured God with his life.
Jun 19, 2017
Jun 19, 2017
30 min
“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” Luke 16:11
Success tests our character.
Success raises in us questions of pride and humility.
As the leader of the Babylonian empire, King Nebuchadnezzar was the most successful man in the world at that time (Daniel chapter 4). But with pride, ego, and arrogance, he took all the credit for his success and never acknowledged God’s role in his life.
Nebuchadnezzar’s story helps us see some of the potential pitfalls that come with success, and how we can avoid them.
Jun 14, 2017
Jun 14, 2017
33 min
“As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:5b-6 (Good News Bible)
Movies and sports teams give us plenty of people to idolise. Social media shows us how to make ourselves appear greater than we are. But God tells us He is to have first place in our lives. When confronted with social pressure to conform to the world’s standards, God is there to defend us when we believe in Him and declare our allegiance to Him. Trusting God frees us, gives witness in the world around us, and grows our faith.
May 30, 2017
May 30, 2017
30 min