Episodes
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Certainty amidst uncertainty
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
Sunday Nov 05, 2023
1 John 5:6-15
(14-15) This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. These verses offer one of the Bible's best definitions of prayer.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Wisdom
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Ephesians 1:16-20, Jeremiah 29:11-14
In Ephesians, Paul provides significant teaching on salvation, reconciliation, the nature of God's family, and the Christian identity. Paul's goal for all of this teaching was to encourage and energise believers in their faith.
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
What faith
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
Sunday Oct 15, 2023
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus reveals himself — not simply as Jesus, their teacher, but as “I AM.” A more literal translation of this sentence would be, “Take heart, I am, do not be afraid.” This self-revelation is a disclosure of Jesus' source of power.
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
The harvest is plentiful
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Luke 10:1-12
This is a warning for those who hear the truth yet do not receive it. There was a Jewish custom whenever Jews returned home from a Gentile country; they were to shake off the dust from their feet to signify the breaking of their ties with the Gentiles. This is exactly what Jesus is referring to here and again in Luke chapter 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases .....
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
The scandal of grace
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Scripture Mark 15:6-20
After sham trials, Jesus is taken to the local Roman governor, Pilate. This is the only person in Jerusalem with the legal authority to have Jesus executed. Pilate is not fooled, and he attempts to arrange for Jesus' release. But the ruler's ploys fail, in part because Jesus will not defend Himself, and partly because the mob is intent on His death. Pilate offers a prisoner exchange in Barabbas, and even has Jesus brutally beaten in order to pacify the crowd. Eventually, he caves in and Jesus is crucified. Thanks to His prior abuse, Jesus survives only a few hours on the cross before dying. Jesus is then buried in a tomb belonging to a secret follower among the Jerusalem council.
Sunday Sep 24, 2023
Being Thankful
Sunday Sep 24, 2023
Sunday Sep 24, 2023
Scripture today is taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalms 126:2-3 and Hebrews 12:28-29.
The author of Hebrews tells us that God is a consuming fire. God's kingdom is coming. It is here. If we will let him, God will consume more and more of our lives and our time right here on earth.
Our sanctuary today was full in a cafe style layout - it seemed many more came in to our service this morning.
Sunday Sep 17, 2023
Power over Death
Sunday Sep 17, 2023
Sunday Sep 17, 2023
The reading is Luke 8:40-56. Last week we looked at the first few verses, this week we look at the conclusion of the chapter relating to the women who was hemorrhaging.
There comes a time sometimes when even solid faith buckles. We hope against hope and then our hopes are dashed. We are tempted to give up and walk away from Jesus. But Jesus doesn't let us go so easily. "Don't be afraid," he says gently. He knows our fears and our limits. But if he goes with us, he can carry us beyond our fears. "Just believe," he says, "and she will be healed."
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
The hem of his garment
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Luke 8:40-56
Upon touching the Lord's garment, the woman was instantly healed. No doubt she intended to remain as inconspicuous as possible, allowing Jesus and the crowd to pass on, leaving her alone, unnoticed, and eventually be able to return to her home and a normal life. But Jesus wouldn't have it this way. Astounding the disciples and others, Jesus stopped and inquired as to who'd touched him.
Continued next week
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Encourage one another
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
Sunday Sep 10, 2023
The Bible verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, reads: “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up…” Encouraging and inspiring your neighbours is an important part of loving them as yourself. Providing encouragement and inspiration is doubly important because most people you meet are hurting in some way.
Sunday Aug 27, 2023
Our starting point
Sunday Aug 27, 2023
Sunday Aug 27, 2023
This psalm invites us to believe again that our faith in God will never desert us, no matter what happens. Life without fear is not possible, but faith can call us to live into God's will for our life instead of reducing our lives because of our fears and insecurities.