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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
Feb 4, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
30 min
Some foreign visitors found baby Jesus sometime after his birth. Were there only 3? Were they kings? Astrologers? Priests? Is there symbolism in the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Were they there at the same time as the shepherds? Was there a real star that led them on their journey?
This story should encourage us to look anew at what assumptions we have and to look for truth not just within our familiar frame of reference but to see if God is speaking to us in an unexpected way. Are we complacent in our faith like the religious leaders in the story? Listen now as Paul unpacks his thoughts.
Feb 4, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
29 min
What is the greatest speech that you have ever heard? Do you listen to speeches? Maybe the State of the Nation address? Or a specific graduation speech? In this day and age the power of the tongue in rhetoric has the ability to even bring nations to war or peace.
What is the purpose? Why preaching? Why did the God of the Universe decide that that would be one of the major ways that He would communicate with the people of the world? Listen now as Pierre unpacks his thoughts.
Feb 4, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
27 min
You’d think it would be pretty hard for any one here in Sydney, Australia to miss Christmas. Is it possible to miss Christmas? Well, yes. We can miss it today, for the same three reasons people missed the first Christmas - busyness, familiarity and fear.
Feb 4, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
29 min
Christmas is surrounded by culture. Sometimes, we find all the cultural stuff exhausting. We long to find a simpler, more meaningful celebration of Christmas.
Navigating the cultural history and contemporary expectations of Christmas can be draining. If we’re going to come to Christmas in any meaningful way, if we’re going to “take the road to Christmas” - we need spiritual strength and intelligence. How do we find that?
Listen now as Pastor Peter unpacks his thoughts.
Feb 4, 2016
Nov 27, 2015
Nov 27, 2015
29 min
In one sense, we all want to have a sense of purpose for our lives. It seems that we’re hardwired to look for some sense of significance; to leave some lasting impact in this world. On the other, the notion of God’s calling is frankly, somewhere between disconcerting and downright scary!
What if He calls me to something I don’t want to do? What if He sets me up to fail? What if He doesn’t provide the where–with–all for me to get it done? What if what He’s called me to do is way beyond me? What if I have to suffer? Listen now to hear Berni unpack this thought.Nov 27, 2015
Nov 27, 2015
23 min
We say that God is powerful. God is “all - mighty”. God has unlimited power. God never gets tired. God is never frustrated. Everything God does, He does easily. Nothing is ever too hard, or
too difficult for God. OK - that’s God.
But the Bible says that for us - "all things are possible with God." (Luke 1:37).
Can that be true? God’s power in our lives!!Nov 27, 2015
Nov 27, 2015
29 min
Wouldn’t you love it? A relationship with God that comes about through Jesus - that’s so real, so compelling, so fulfilling, so complete - that everything else is dull and lifeless in comparison.
If we’re truly liberated Christians, if we’re “free in Christ”, that’s what we’re told we can have. So how is it that we’re so “needy”, and how does God meet our needs? Listen now to hear Pastor Peter unpack this thought.
Nov 27, 2015
Nov 27, 2015
28 min
All Christians are not alike!! We often have differences of opinion and find ourselves working out how to get along with people. Other people’s views can seem more “liberal” or more “conservative” than our own. Sometimes the differences in our points of view relate to matters that aren't particularly spelled out in Scripture. Listen now to hear Pastor Peter unpack this thought.
Nov 27, 2015
Nov 27, 2015
23 min
Jesus said, "I came to set you free." Sadly it’s true that many of us experience our faith as anything but freedom. We feel burdened and stressed out by life and, our practice of faith, has become “one more thing” in the struggle to stay afloat. Is there any way to “take the pressure down” and reclaim the joy we discovered when we began our relationship with God? Listen now to hear Pastor Peter unpack this thought.