Alice Springs Baptist Church

(Ecclesiastes 2) *Please note that there are some gaps in the start of this message due to technical issues* As we spent time in community with each other at Church Camp Iain continued our series exploring the limitations of who we are. Today we unpack the things that Qoholet pursues in seeking to bring meaning to their life. Join us as Iain shares about the 3 things Qoholet pursues, and the tension that comes from how God created us.

(Colossians 3:1-15) As Gavin finishes our series in Colossians we encounter chapter 3 and a challenge from Paul to consider who we truly are. Are we living in the old clothes and ways of living that we used to live in before Jesus, or have we chosen to put on the new wardrobe He purchases for us with His blood? Join us as we look at and explore what Paul has to say to us today

(Ecclesiastes 1:12-18) As we continue our series engaging with Ecclesiastes we have the privilege of hearing Melinda Cousens, current Director of Ministries with BCSANT sharing with us on the weariness of wisdom. Today we unpack the various tensions that come from seeking knowledge. As The Teacher in Ecclesiastes shares, seeking wisdom can lead to grief and sorrow! Melinda takes the opportunity to unpack the various tensions at play, and to offer a suggestion of what it looks like to live in the middle of them.

(Colossians 2:6-15) As we continue our journey through some of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that Paul is sharing with the Colossian church, we come to chapter 2. Here Mike takes the opportunity to remind of the truth that Christ is Enough, that we don't need fear that will lead us into legalism. Instead, we are able to worship God without needing human made rules. Join us as we consider this important and encouraging truth.

(Ecclesiastes 1:1-14) As we begin our new series exploring the strange words of Ecclesiastes found in the Old Testament, we come face to face with the words of Qoholet, the Teacher, as he wrestles with the limitations that we all face in life. Today as Gavin unpacks some background for the series and begins to look at Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 we encounter the reminder that these limitations that we face are not there to depress us, but to remind us of the constant truth of God.

(Colossians 1:15-23) As we look at the first of 3 'treasures of wisdom and knowledge' that Paul shares with the church at Colossae, we see Paul sharing the beautiful words of what is believed to be an ancient church hymn. Rather than trying to share some new idea, Paul is inviting the church to pause and consider 'Who is this Jesus that you worship?' Join us tonight as Iain begins this new series in Colossians and unpacks the beautiful reminder that Paul has as he seeks to encourage.

(Ephesians 4:1-16) Today we have Mikey Lindsey, one of our Mission Partners from MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) joining us to share and unpack the beautiful truths about unity that are found in Ephesians 4:1-16. As he does so, he also takes the opportunity to share a little about MAF, the work they are doing and what is coming up for him and Naomi as they step forward into their next steps.

(James 4:1-10) As we pick up our series on Pursuing Peace today, Philip Nippress takes the opportunity to unpack James' warning on quarrels and fights and how it relates to us as we seek to be people of peace. James warns us that conflict often comes from our own desires. Join us today as we unpack what this means, and how we can be aware of it as we seek to redeem conflict in our relationships.

(Genesis 29-31) Through Jacob's life we are going to see massive patterns of dysfunction, all these false starts, that nonetheless God is going to continue to work through. With our painful histories, blind spots, ignorance: God is faithful anyway.

(Mark 10:17-32) Gavin explores the limitations of the label "good" as a measurement of faith, challenging us to consider what it looks like to cry out before we run out, and the "one thing" that my be getting in the way of truly trusting God.

(Jude 1-25) In today's little letter Gavin shares with us Jude. A letter in which we like and use the introduction and the benediction, but as for the rest of it.... well we can tell it is a warning, but there are so many references to other parts of Scripture and tradition that it can be easy for us to get lost. Join Gavin as he takes the opportunity to unpack the argument that Jude is making, and what it might mean for us today.

(Mark 10:13-16) In today's passage from Mark, Jesus takes the opportunity to teach his disciples and welcome the children to come and spend time with Him. As He does so, we are challenged over the ways in which we view and consider children, are they second class Christians, or full members of Jesus' kingdom today? Today Jennifer takes the opportunity to unpack and consider what this teaching of Jesus looks like for each of us as we interact with young people within the Church.

(Philemon 1-25) As we pick up our series exploring some of the little letters of the New Testament we pick up a beautiful letter that Paul has written to a dear friend Philemon. Here in this letter we are reminded of the importance of restoring relationships, even for those who have caused us angst and pain. Join us tonight as Iain unpacks and shares some beautiful truths from this letter.

(Mark 10:1-12) As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark we come to another challenging teaching that has often been misused and misunderstood. Here Jesus takes the opportunity to share about divorce, to share God's heart and how the tension that arises can be navigated. Join us as Gavin unpacks this teaching and what it means.

(Mark 9:42-50) As we pick up our series looking at the Works, Words and Ways of Jesus we come to a challenging passage where Jesus challenges those who are following Him about the way they are living their lives. Here he points to the little child in his arms and warns His followers that the example they set matters. Join us as Gavin unpacks what this teaching is about, and the way we need to consider the direction our lives are heading.

Gavin completes this series The Challenge of Stuff getting practical around how we perceive our wealth and the responsibility attached, starting with 1 Timothy 6:9-19 and Luke 12:13-21.

(1 Timothy 6:2b-8) Our stuff is a big part of our lives, and despite how big it is so often we don't take the time to talk about it. Yet Jesus regularly spoke about money and our relationship with it.

(Matthew 18:21-35) Today we have Wayne Forward, CEO of Peacewise sharing live via Zoom with us on the important topic of forgiveness. Unpacking the parable of the unmerciful servant, Wayne shares about the gift that forgiveness brings us, as well as what this challenging topic can look like.

(Mark 9:38-41) Today we encounter a passage which challenges us on our desire to be special! The disciples seek to distinguish between themselves and others who seek to do things in the name of Jesus. Yet; this is a desire to build our own empires instead of God's Kingdom. Join us as Gavin unpacks how Jesus challenges His disciples, and us today.

(Mark 8:30-37) As Jesus intentionally spends time with His disciples to help them understand why He came, an argument has broken out among them. They are wrestling with the question - Who is the greatest? Jesus' response to this situation is perhaps not what we would expect. Join us as Gavin unpacks Jesus' different way of defining greatness as we are challenged as well.

(Genesis 28:10-22) As we continue exploring the lessons we can learn from Jacob's story about having a discovery mindset when it comes to the things of God, we explore Jacob's experience in a certain place. How often have you chosen to put God in a box where He only operates in a specific place, or through a specific person's words? Join us as Gavin unpacks Jacob's story and realisation that God is more present than we first imagined.

(Mark 9:14-27) As we continue our journey through Mark's Gospel we come to another powerful example of Jesus' healing. Yet like many of these examples; it is not just the healing that Jesus wants us to pay attention to. Here Jesus unpacks a powerful lesson for both those waiting for healing, and those seeking healing for others. Join us as Megan unpacks this passage and challenges us about how this passage applies to us today.

(2 Corinthians 4:6-15) We celebrate today - Resurrection Sunday. He is Risen! And yet... do you sometimes look around you and wonder where the power of the resurrection is at work in your life and world? Do you see the resurrection just as a future promise, and not for now? This resurrection Sunday, Iain takes the opportunity to unpack Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4 that remind us of how the resurrection affects us today!

(3 John 1-14) In our second sermon in the Little Letters series Iain takes a look at the Letter of 3 John. Here John is writing to his dear friend Gaius, inviting us to consider what example will we choose to imitate? Will we seek to build community, or division? Join us as Iain unpacks this letter with an important challenge for us as the Church today.

(Nehemiah 4) Today we come to the end of our short series exploring the first 4 chapters of Nehemiah and what it looks like to rebuild from a place of suffering. As we explore chapter 4, we see that rebuilding needs perseverance! Join us as Gavin unpacks what this looks like for us today.

(2 John) Tonight we take the opportunity to begin a new series we will explore at times over the year looking at some of the Little Letters of the New Testament. Tonight's little letter is the 13 verses of 2nd John. Here we explore John's message warning against deceivers seeking to lead us away from Jesus. Join us as Iain unpacks John's warning, as well as the solution to this deception.

(Nehemiah 3) As we continue our journey through the journey of rebuilding in the first 4 chapters of Nehemiah, we come to a chapter that some have described as, '...a colourless memorandum of assignments...'. Yet even here in the midst of names and locations we see important truths that God reveals in the rebuilding process. Join us as Dave Clark unpacks the journey of rebuilding with the importance and need for us to be playing our part.

(Nehemiah 2:1-9) Have you ever had to wait in a place of awkwardness? Waiting for the opportunity to move forward, but struggling to remain. Today we pick up Nehemiah's story as he waits for an opportunity from God to move forward. Join us as Iain unpacks what we are looking for in the opportunities God provides for us.

(Nehemiah 1) As we begin our journey considering Nehemiah's story and what God is prompting us to consider rebuilding, we look at chapter 1. Here Nehemiah is hurting and broken, and we learn the important lesson that when rebuilding is coming, we need to start by feeling the pain of loss. Join us as Gavin unpacks this challenging and important lesson for us today.

(Matt 7:1-5) Today Iain picks up our series conflict. As we look at the next part of this practical series for how to redeem conflict and glorify God we turn to Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount about needing to reflect on our own role in the conflict. Join us as we unpack Jesus' words encouraging us to check ourselves as we prepare for conflict.

(Mark 8:34-9:1) As we continue exploring Mark's Gospel, Jesus takes the opportunity to turn his teaching moment with Peter into some important lessons for the whole crowd of people following Him. Jesus shares what it means, and what it costs to be His disciple - the same cost and meaning as for us today. Join us as Iain unpacks and considers Jesus' challenging words in this passage.

(Mark 8:27-33) As Jesus and His disciples continue on their ministry; Jesus takes the opportunity to help them pause and reflect on what they have seen and experienced. The question he asks - Who Do You Say I Am? Peter's answer - You are the Messiah! Join us today as Iain unpacks how the difference between what Peter saw the Messiah as, and the truth of who Jesus is caused tension, as we reflect on our own blindspots.

(Genesis 25:19-34) As we begin this new series looking at the story of Jacob and his mindset of pursuit, we see 2 very different brothers in Jacob and Esau. While Jacob is not necessarily the example for us to follow, he does give us glimpses into what it means to desire more of the things of God. Join us as Gavin introduces us to, and explores these 2 brothers and their different mindsets.

https://youtu.be/9uXcd9Pz6DU

(John 15:5-17) As we come to our Focus Week for this year the question that often gets asked; How is Church Going? While that can seem like an easy question to answer, how we answer it reveals what we value and think is important to measure. As Gavin looks at Jesus' words in John 15 there is a challenge to re-focus on the things that are truly important. Join us as we re-focus in preparation for the year ahead.

(Mark 9:2-13) In the final sermon of our Mountains of Meeting series (and a sneaky peek ahead for our Gospel of Mark series) Iain takes the opportunity to look at the incredible moment of Jesus revealing Himself to His disciples on Mount Tabor with the Transfiguration. Here in this beautiful moment of Jesus inviting Peter, James and John to know Him more, there is also some discomfort and uncertainty. Join us as Iain unpacks the beautiful invitation to question and discomfort as we get to know Jesus more.

(Mark 8:1-21) This morning as we continue our journey through Mark's Gospel we come to 3 situations that could easily be considered separately, and yet Jesus is using all 3 of them to help share the same important truth. Join us as Gavin unpacks the Feeding of the 4,000; The Demand for a Sign and Jesus' warning of the yeast of the Pharisees and the lesson about who Jesus is in all of these events.

(1 Kings 18:41-46) As we continue to explore the Mountains of Meeting - Those places and spaces where God meets with people in the Biblical narrative, we come to Mount Carmel and Elijah. While we might immediately think of the showdown against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, there is another meeting with God in Elijah's life that speaks to what God is wanting to do in us. Join us tonight as Gavin unpacks Elijah's experience on a mountain of meeting.

(Mark 7:31-37) As we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark we come to a passage that could just be a simple example of Jesus healing someone. Yet when we pause and consider the WAYS, WORKS and WORDS of Jesus we encounter something more in this passage. Join us as Megan shows us how this passage reveals to us more about who Jesus is, and the way He cares for us.

(Exodus 19:1-25) As Philip continues our series looking at those experiences of mountain top places with God, we encounter a very famous mountain in the Biblical narrative - Mount Sinai and Moses' encounters with God on the mountain. Join us tonight as Philip unpacks the significance of what we can learn from Moses' encounters with God on Mount Sinai

(1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1) Today we begin to explore a new series that will continue throughout 2025. We are looking at what does it mean for us to be the Peace Makers that Jesus invites us to be? In this first message, Iain takes the opportunity to provide a different way of looking at conflict. Rather than seeing it as something to avoid, or a contest to be won, what if we saw it as a series of opportunities to grow closer to God?

(Genesis 22:1-14) Today Simon takes the opportunity to launch our new series on the Mountains of Meeting by talking about an important mountain in the Biblical story - Mount Moriah. The place where Abraham is called by God to go and demonstrate his trust in God. Join us as Simon shares about God's provision and our obedience.

(Mark 7:24-30) As we continue our journey through the book of Mark, looking at the Works, Words and Ways of Jesus, Gavin considers the story of a Greek woman, desperate and hungry for what Jesus had to offer. So much so she would describe herself as a dog! Here we are challenged to consider, do we have humility and hunger in our requests to God?

(Mark 7:1-23) The Pharisees aren't happy that Jesus' disciples don't wash their hand before eating - but Jesus wants to teach them something about how tradition can get in the way of love.

(Psalm 8, 6, 3, 10, Psalm 137) Mike looks at the truth of how do we engage with the Psalms when we are not a poetry person? Mike explores how the Psalms give us words to express what is inside, and that their power comes from the emotional honesty they express to God.

(Luke 17:11-19) This week Gavin encourages us to consider how core thankfulness is to our experience of God, and challenges us to be the one rather than the nine.

(Luke 2:25-33) We are all waiting for something. This Christmas Iain takes the opportunity to unpack Luke 2:25-33 and the story of Simon who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. Waiting for Jesus. Here we have the opportunity to see that Jesus is the one we are all waiting for.

(Luke 2:8-12; 15-20) As we continue our Christmas series Iain takes the opportunity to look at the Christmas story and the shepherds. Specifically today we take the opportunity to ask the question; What do the shepherds teach us about hope? Join us as we are reminded of some amazing truths that God reveals through the Shepherds.

(Matthew 2:1-15) As we continue preparing for Christmas, Philip takes the opportunity to unpack some truths and myths about the Wise men who visited Jesus. While this is a story that is well known to many, there are so many extra details involved, and yet the truth of the story is an incredible reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness over many years.

(Luke 2:8-15) This week as we begin our Christmas series Gavin takes the opportunity to ask the question - Who or what are the angels? As we unpack what angels are, we see that these messengers are still being used by God today to help us. Come and join us as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, worshipping Jesus, the greatest gift from God.

(Romans 16:1-19) As we come to our final message in our series on the Deep Truths in the book of Romans - Iain takes the opportunity to look at a passage that most of us would probably skip over. A list of names and people who have no connection to us. And yet these names also remind us of some important truths for who we are as the Church. Join us as Iain unpacks what these truths are.