Counterslip Church

Today Nathan Logan took us through Jesus' parables in Mark 4, simple stories about soil that teach us something about how God wants to be at work in our hearts, planting the kingdom in our lives, producing fruit that changes us and the world.

This week Matt took us through the first block of Jesus' teaching, known as the sermon on the mount. There we saw that Jesus wasn't just giving us a standard to live up to, but words that reveal the brokenness of our hearts and world into which Jesus offers a radically different answer to this - Himself.

Today Matt took us through John 2-5 pointing out a pattern that John uses through the stories he tells of the life of Jesus to show us that in Jesus there is new life for all, and a new place in which we can meet with God, no matter who we are or where we are.

Today Matt showed us how the authors of the new testaments main hope is that you see who Jesus is - The God that the Old Testament pointed us too, now revealed in Jesus, the God who is with us.

Today Glenys took us through the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1. From this list of names we discover that God doesn't see as we do. He sees the heart. He sees those who feel unseen, ostracised, broken. In Mary God saw someone who would carry His most precious gift. In Joseph a man who said yes to God's call even though all the pieces didn't fit together in his head. Are we willing to surrender our rights, and our reputation to say yes to God. Jesus laid aside His reputation. Do we really want to be like Him?

Today Dennis took us through the book of Nehemiah pulling out biblical and historical context, and showing us ways in which this book speaks to us, His church, today.

This week we have been reading the book of Esther, and what we discovered today is that this book which never mentions God, whispers the name of Jesus and prophetically explains, through its specific context and moment in history, the victory over sin & death that Jesus would accomplish cosmically for all.

Today we journeyed through the book of Zechariah where the people, after their exile was over, were starting to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem in the hope that this would usher in the new Messianic reign and the kingdom of God. But we discovered that God's vision for this was way bigger than they could imagine, and so too is His vision for our lives.

Today we walked through Daniel 9, where Daniel sees the state of his world at that time and cries out to God to do something. The answer God gives him in the text is amazing, and through it we see that all along Jesus has always been, and will always be, the hope that we are all looking for.

This week we read Ezekiel 37 in which Ezekiel had a vision of a valley full of dry bones. These bones were the people of God, who while in exile felt like life was over. But we saw that we have a God who is not content to leave His people in the place of death, and who continually is inviting them to be made whole and new by His word and Spirit. Matt showed us that this is who God has always been, right from Genesis 1, and who God promises to always be, even today. And so there is hope for all of us who at times feel dry, dead and in pieces, to find new life in Jesus.

This week we have been reading these three books of the bible. Today we saw how these three characters stories overlapped and Matt unpacked how in each of their stories we see a God who is inviting us to be with Him, so that we might learn His way of life, and be transformed by Him receiving a new heart, a new Spirit and becoming more alive human beings like Jesus.

Today we had the honour of having Nigel Coles (Pastor at Counterslip in the 90's, and Webnet regional team leader for the last 25 years) come and share with us from God's word. Nigel took us through the theme of judgement in Ezekiel 15-17 and showed us how it all led to, and revealed, God's true heart to see us free and living life to the full (Ezekiel 18).

This week Heidi talked us through Ezekiel's encounter with God which happened in the strangest of places, not in the temple where God was found in the Old Testament, but by a river in Babylon in captivity. Explaining the vision he saw and sharing how Ezekiel's vision led him into the calling on his life, Heidi encouraged us to draw near to God - for it is encounter with Him that encourages and empowers us to live out the call of Jesus on our lives.

This week we read Daniel 1 & 2 and learned from the life and story of Daniel how to trust God in the mundane, and the subtle ways that the enemy tries to change who God made us to be. We also discovered how to trust God for the miraculous, so that we might see Him do what the world says is not possible.

This week we looked at a really well known verse from Jeremiah and discovered that this verse has more context than maybe we realise. But as we see the context into which God spoke these words we find that this verse actually encourages us to trust the God who is faithful, the God who is love, the God who is peace even when times are hard and the world around us is challenging.

God gave Jeremiah words about water, about the lack of water in the lives of the people of Judah at that time. Today Matt shared about how water in the bible is symbolic of the Spirit of God, and how the Spirit helps us to cling to God and to shape our lives around Him discovering His goodness in our lives. But so often we look to other sources of water that ultimately do not provide. God calls us again and again to come to Him the Living Water. All we need to do is ask the Father who willingly gives us His Spirit.

This morning Andy helped us look at the opening chapters of Jeremiah, and felt the weight of the prophet's words as God proclaims judgement over Israel due to their persistent idolatry. In contrast to this, we looked at God's promise to raise up a righteous remnant of ordinary people that would ultimately bring forth His Kingdom. We rejoice again that we have a God who speaks life into our mess and cares enough to bring about redemption.

You can jump through to the questions and answers at these points: (00:55) Micah 6:6-8 Does this passage mean that the sacrifices laid out in the law could not save them, but that salvation comes through deeds of justice, mercy and humility? (06:57) Isaiah 14 Is this passage about Babylon or Satan? (15:13) Isaiah 45:1-4 Why did God anoint Cyrus, bestowing on him a title of honour even though Cyrus didn't acknowledge God? (26:22) Isaiah 45:17 Will all Israel be saved? (1:08:45) Isaiah 61:1-7 Why, amidst all the hopeful promises of God in these verses is it "the day of vengeance of our God" in verse 2? (1:12:44) Isaiah 65:20 The NT seems to imply that in the new heavens and earth there will be no more death, but this verse in Isaiah seems to say that there will be. Which is it? (1:30:00) 2 Chronicles 29:1-2 If Hezekiah's father was Ahaz why does it say that he did right in the eyes of the LORD like his father David?

Today we learned from the story of Hezekiah that there is a Babylon, an enemy, who wants to rob us of our treasure (our hope, peace and joy). But saw how that enemy works, and we discovered that there is a solution for us in Jesus if we would just run to Him.

This week we looked at Isaiah 53-66 and discovered that Jesus claimed that this prophecy was all about Him. Matt unpacked why Jesus came to be this guy that Isaiah talks about, and we saw that He came to be this guy because He loves us, and we need Him to be that guy, so that we can find life, hope, peace and joy again, which is His heart for us.

This week Matt shared from our weekly readings (Isaiah 45-52 and 2 Kings 19). We saw how when you read the prophesies of Isaiah in the context of the dates in which they were written you discover that God spoke of things hundreds of years before they happened, and then history reveals that what God said was right. When we read the bible chronologically we discover that there is even more weight and power to Gods word that brings us even more life, hope, joy and strength.

This week Matt Holman reflected on our "bible in two years" readings from Isaiah 34-44 and drew out that in the prophecies about Jesus we find a God who calls us to Himself and breaks down the barriers that stop us from experiencing Him and the life He longs to give us.

As we wrap up 2024 Matt gave us an overview of the Old Testament story that we have read so far this year. We saw that the story of the OT is much like our story, it's one of a people who struggled, messed up, felt pain and experienced darkness. But we also saw that it is the story of a God who never fails, never changes and never ceases to love us.

This week Dennis showed us the story of the enemy (Satan). We see in the bible that the enemy has been at work in our world through powers like Babylon and Tyre in Old Testament times, and still is today. But we also see that the God of the bible has something to say to powers who would seek to destroy his good creation and rob those He loves of peace, hope and joy. Ultimately that message is "your day has come" and we through Jesus can know victory over that enemy.

Today we looked at the message of the prophet Micah which was written to a people who were living in dark days. Matt shared how he felt that today we live in the days of Micah, which can be challenging, but the message of Micah to the people is that hope is coming and Micah gives us some clues for how we should live as a people of hope.

This week Matt shared with us from 2 Kings 13, from the story of Elisha telling Jehoash to fire arrows on the floor which leads to victory over his enemies. But Jehoash didn't fire every arrow in faithful response to Gods word, and so didn't receive the full victory God longed to give him. Matt asked us about the areas in our lives where we haven't yet seen full victory and asked if we have been faithful to God's word, firing all our arrows, and giving God space to bring us victory.

This month in our Bible Q&A we tackled your questions on the books of 1 & 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Amos & Jonah. You can jump through this episode by using the time makers below: (00:55) 1 kings 11:1-2 Why did Solomon take so many foreign wives? (05:28) 1 Kings 16:34 Why and how did it cost Hiel of Bethel his first and his youngest sons when rebuilding Jericho ? (10:19) 1 Kings 18:40 Why did Elijah kill all 450 prophets of Baal? (19:20) 2 Kings 2:11 What happened to Elijah? (25:24) 2 Chronicles 24:7 Why this verse is in the middle of this chapter about King Joash asking the Levites why they haven't done what he has asked? Who is the wicked woman and her sons? When did they break into the temple? (34:35) Amos 1 and 2 What does it mean that God repeatedly says "For three sins....even for four, I will not turn back my wrath" Why specifically three and four? (41:41) Amos 3:6 Does God really cause evil? (48:19) Amos 4:4 Does God encourage people to sin in this verse? (52:06) Jonah 1:17 Is Jonah literal history, myth, parable or allegory?

This morning Emmanuel encouraged us to seek the call of God on our lives and commit to living for Him, despite the cost and the opposition. When everything around us crumbles, we can stand firm on the truth of what Jesus, the Great High Priest, has done for us.

This week we got interrupted by a fire alarm and so Matt brought us a shorter talk, off the cuff, from a different passage to that which we had planned. But maybe this was simply God's heart for us this week, to tell us that He is the one who takes dead things and brings them to life if only we'd through it all on Him.

This week Glenys Lewis shared from 2 Chronicles where we find the people of Judah facing a hard and challenging situation, much like we all do at times in life. Glenys drew on the wisdom of King Jehoshaphat to help us consider how we should respond in such times.

This week as we stepped out into the call of God to leave our building we looked at how it is possible to stand in the promise of God but live in the past. We saw how Israel and their kings physically stood in God's promise but kept going back to live in the ways of the past, the ways of Egypt, the ways of slavery. And Matt challenged us not to go back, corporately but also in our personal lives, and instead to live fully in the promises of God for now.

This month in our Bible Q&A we tackled your questions on the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. You can jump through this episode by using the time makers below: (00:26) Proverbs 1:7 Why should we fear a loving God? (06:46) Proverbs 5:15-17 We are called to be a generous people why do these verses seem to say not to share your water? (15:06) Proverbs 16:33 Does/did God speak through things like casting lots? Why don't we use that in church today? (20:04) Proverbs 17:9 How does covering over an offense promote love? Why does it separate close friends if they repeat the matter? (27:37) Proverbs 25:21-22 We're called to love our enemies so why does this verse encourage us to put burning coals on their heads? (31:12) Proverbs 26:4-5 Do these verses contradict themselves? (37:03) Ecclesiastes 1:1 Is the teacher Solomon? (39:49) Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 Does these verses indicate that the Old Testament view of life after death is that there wasn't any? (48:55) Ecclesiastes 6:3 Please can you explain this verse. Why would a sill born child be better off than a man? (52:14) Ecclesiastes 7:3 Why is sorrow better than laughter, and a sad face good for the heart?

This week Matt shared with us from Ecclesiastes. We discovered that the author of Ecclesiastes makes references to the book of Genesis, and the garden of Eden in which man was created to live in peace with God. Ecclesiastes is the authors reflections on how the world he lives in is, like ours, not a hopeful or peaceful one, but one that is outside of Eden. Remembering Eden, however, reminds him that there is hope. That God's heart is for us to live in peace with Him.

This week Andy Kidd shared with us from the story of Solomon, who started so well building a temple for the Lord but then seemed to get off track building other things that as we read the scriptures leaves us feeling like something isn't right. Andy asked us to consider what we are building with our lives and in our church.

This week we looked at a question that we, like Solomon, have all asked "Will God really dwell with me?" and we saw from the surrounding and linked passaged in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, about the creation of the temple, that God's answers is a resounding yes, that His heart was, has always been and still is to do everything to make a space in which people can know Him.

This week Matt shared from the wisdom of Proverbs about how we have a choice to align our hearts with God's will and word

This month in our Bible Q&A we tackled your questions on the books of Psalms, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and Song of songs. You can jump through this episode by using the time makers below: 1. (00:47) Psalm 127:5 What does this verse mean by "quiver" and full of what? 2. (07:38) 2 Samuel 23:24-39 Why does it say there were 30 men but then that there were 37 in all? 3. (12:37) 1 Kings 2:10 What does it mean "rested with his ancestors"? 4. (25:46) 1 Kings 4:7-19 Is there any significance in the number of Ben's (7 - including the 2 Baana's)? 5. (30:23) Psalm 109:6-12 Is it ok that this psalm sounds like a prayer for vengeance? 6. (38:28) Psalm 138:1 Who are the "gods" that the author will sing God's praise before? 7. (47:04) Song of songs People say that this is about Jesus and the Church. How?

This morning, Emmanuel encouraged us to remember that God is love - the very essence of love. Despite the trials we face, that His banner over us is love and He is pursuing us endlessly! Also, drawing a parallel from the Parable of the Ten Virgins, we are to be ready for the long anticipated coming of the Bridegroom.

This week we learned from the wisdom of Solomon about how to deal with the attacks of the enemy in our lives so that we might walk more fully in the life that Jesus offers.

This week we talked about the heart. Learning from David that, in contrast to the view of the world around us, just because we feel or think something in our hearts doesn't mean it's good or right or of God. And we discovered that when we bring our hearts in to alignment with His word we do then discover the fullness of life that comes from God living in our midst.

Today Glenys Lewis shared with us from 1 Chronicles 23 where we meet the Levites at a time when their circumstances had changed and the role they had fulfilled was no longer required. As we looked at the scriptures we discovered that even though seasons and circumstances change, no matter what happens as the people of God we are all needed, and we all have a purpose and role to play.

This month in our Bible Q&A we tackled your questions on the books of 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles and some Psalms. You can jump through this episode by using the time makers below: 1. (00:30) 2 Samuel 10:18 Does this verse contradict 1 Chronicles 19:18 and why? 2. (11:37) 2 Samuel 12:8 Why did God give other men's wives into David's arms? 3. (18:22) 2 Samuel 12:14-18 Why is David's son punished for David's sin? 4. (27:31) 2 Samuel 14:27 Did Absolom have 3 sons, or no sons (see 2 Samuel 18:18)? 5. (36:50) 2 Samuel 23 Is there any significance in the all the numbers mentioned in this chapter? 6. (44:25) 2 Samuel 24:1 Why was the census a sin? 7. (53:36) 2 Samuel 24:24 How much did David pay for Arunah's threshing floor? Why does 1 Chronicles 21:25 give a different figure? 8. (57:19) Psalm 51:5 What does David mean that he was sinful at birth? 9. (1:06:20) Psalm 51:11-12 Is this the same Holy Spirit of the New Testament that was poured out a Pentecost, already at work in the OT? If so, why was Pentecost needed?

This week Matt talked to us from 2 Samuel 21, looking at how through this story the heart of the bible - the gospel message about Jesus, is revealed. We as people all experience famine (loss of love, peace, hope, joy and goodness) because of sin, but there is one who pays the price so that we can move from famine to feast.

This week, bouncing on themes raised from 2 Samuel 17-19, Jonalan shared with us about the importance of unity in the church, about the blessing it that comes from it, and about how to walk together in it.

This week Matt Holman shared with us from 2 Samuel 11-12 and Psalm 51. He talked about how despite King David's awful actions and subsequent cover ups - God still made a way for him to come back into his presence. The same invitation is continuously offered for us today!

As part of our journey towards seeking God as He calls us to leave our building we are having a week of prayer and fasting. But before we do that we wanted to share some thoughts with you on fasting: what it is, how and why we're doing it.

We long to be a people who are bringing and living the Kingdom of Heaven, but we have an enemy who strives stop us. This week from studying 2 Samuel 10 we learnt from the life of King David how to overcome the enemy and see the goodness of God's kingdom succeed.