CPE Church

Jesus uses the parable of the soils and seeds to show us not only the purpose of the parables (for people to draw close so they not only hear, but understand too) but also the threats that stop us hearing.

Jesus is accused of doing demonic work by the Pharisees. Jesus shows the illogical nature of their accusation and uses them as an example of the kind of opposition that springs from a root of hard hearted ness.

Jesus is gentle and humble, and offers rest for all those who are weary - this rest come as we cease from our work of proving ourself and having to be good enough or in control, but instead rest on the grace of Jesus.

This 'hinge' section of Mathew helps us to look back at Jesus's mission so far and the bigger mission to come. We've seen the nature of Jesus's mission to preach, teach and heal those who are needy sinners, and how he states the urgency of that mission to expand.

The living hope we experience is the fuel for our mission to tell people about Jesus. It's not something we do just because God says so but because we've experienced it, because that's who we are.

God has given us everything we need to keep going: Christ-shaped community so we can grow and serve together under God, Christ-shaped perseverance knowing God's power, provision and care for us, and Christ-shaped confidence knowing God himself is committed to rescuing and restoring us so that we will surely be with him forever. God's people, both shepherds and sheep, are to humbly submit to God in the ordered relationships he has established so that together we can stand firm and resist the devil and endure suffering as we wait for Him to return and bring us home to be with Him forever.

Do not be surprised that suffering will come. You participatein Christ's suffering when you suffer with joy.

Do not be surprised that suffering will come. You participate in Christ's sufferings when you suffer with joy.

The time is over for living for our earthly desires - it's time for holiness, prayer and hospitality because the judge sits on his throne.

We are rejected by the world but become a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation to proclaim God's praises having received mercy.

God has call his children to holiness and to remember that we are but foreigner here. We were born again by an enduring word. Our holiness will proclaim our living hope.

The Living Hope we have in the resurrection means we have a sure inheritance for us. Thus, even in our suffering we have joy, because it proves and refines our faith

God uses all of us as ambassadors of Christ in small and big ways, to be a part of someone's story of salvation.

Wisdon is een most clearly in our relationship throgh the way we speak to one another. Wise speech is gracious and patient, not harsh and damaging.

God doesn't just have one special job for you to do. Your calling is to live with him as Lord in whatever circumstance he's put you in right now - that is your calling!

Spiritual Maturity is seen in Christlike, humble service of others, not through worldly pictures of success.

God doesnt need to use our prayers, but he chooses to use our prayers to powerfully bring about his will.

Every other religion is about us working our way to God. Only Christianity is about how God comes to us. This is the gift we celebrate this Christmas.

Though fear, uncertainty and even our unwillingness to trust in hi, God gives us the greatest sign (in Jesus) that he will never abandon his people and will save them.

God gave his one and only son to save us, while we were still sinners. This is love The love of God is so expansive that we cannot even humanly comprehend it (Eph. 3). This is a love that is sacrificial and unconditional, that was shown to us while we were still undeserving. We are more precious to God than we can imagine. We go on mission as recipients of God's great love and wanting to share that love with as many as possible. There is nothing better than to be reconciled to our loving creator.

Heaven and hell are real. God is perfect and holy and just. Sin is deely offensive to him and he grieves when evil is done. Because he is just, he cannot sit by and do nothing. He will judge and bring all sinner to account, and his wrath is fearsom. This someting to be celebrated! But we praise our God who sent his son Jesus Christ to take on the punishiment of sin in our place. Because of this we can be justified. The justice of God compels us to mission because we know judgement is real, serious and eternal and we want to see people saved from this.

Heaven and hell are real. God is perfect and holy and just. Sin is deely offensive to him and he grieves when evil is done. Because he is just, he cannot sit by and do nothing. He will judge and bring all sinner to account, and his wrath is fearsom. This someting to be celebrated! But we praise our God who sent his son Jesus Christ to take on the punishiment of sin in our place. Because of this we can be justified. The justice of God compels us to mission because we know judgement is real, serious and eternal and we want to see people saved from this.

“Mission exists because worship doesn't” - John Piper Our final destination is to be gathered in worship around the throne of God giving him glory. Why? Because God deserves it. He is the almighty creator who has saved us and gives life. Mission should not be people centric first and foremost but God centric. We want to see as many people as possible saved not ultimately for their sake, but so more may give God glory.

Alive in Christ

Jesus humbled himself so that we might be humbled before him. To humble ourselves under the Lord and give him all the glory.

The wise woman of Proverbs 31 is the exemplar of wisdom lived out, not a standard for women to pass. She works hard, is productive for her household and for the community at large. This is wisdom lived out to it's maturity - a blessing to all around us.

Proverbs is full of teaching about how we use our tongue - either to build up or to destroy. Wise people use their words sparingly, lovingly and with great discretion

The battle between wisdom and foolishness is seen in our hearts, in our words and in the daily battles of work, finances, family life, and in our character. This is a community battle and one in which we need friends and comrades for the journey.

There are many voices that call us, sometimes our own that can deceive us; but the most trustworthy and unchanging voice is God.

Proverbs begins with a call to wisdom. The beginning of wisdom is in the fear of the Lord. True wisdom comes from God and is knit into the moral order of the Universe. Living wisely means living along the grain of what God says is.

This is a Psalm about finding refuge in God from the threats and terros of our world

God is eternal, humans are not because we live under God's wrath. Yet the short days of our lives should drive us to seek God and find joy and compassion in Him.

Part 2 of the season finale discussing money, being generous and everything in between, with Ping Mao and Wayne Shen.

Is it okay for us to heave wealth and to enjoy the fruits of our labour? Where is the intersection between work, wealth, enjoyment and giving?

A special 2 part episode where everyone leaves with more questions than answers. Join Zeke as he discusses the topics of rest and money with Ping Mao and Wayne Shen in this special season finale. (Mostly special because Zeke forgets to introduce his guests until the end).

A Work Series Q&A Video is in the works. Zeke sits down by himself to introduce it.

What does it mean to be called to a job? Is it a job that suits our personality or something else? No job is better than another in God's eyes.

Aiming for huge goals and not achieving them, taking things a few steps slower, and what it looks like to not conform to pressures - this week we get to hear from Emily Berrios and some of her great stories figuring these things out. Have a listen!

Productivity is an obsesssion of our world but actually Jesus also expects us to be productive with out lives. The difference being that it's productivity for the sake of others and the sake of the Kingdom more than productivity for productivity's sake

This week April is back! Special guest Alvin Lai also joins us as we discuss work life balance, changing careers, being excellent or letting go, and how we all have a part to play in each other's lives following Christ.