Discovery Church Podcast

Scripture: Phil 4:1-9Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Context:– Paul is writing from prison to the church in Philippi about what it means to walk the walk as followers of Jesus and to encourage them in what it looks like to live out their faith in real life!Paul speaks to the temptations that were facing the Philippians that would cause them to sink into the culture of their day rather than stand out from it.Paul speaks with honesty from his own experiences and discusses 6 key attributes that should be evident and obvious in the lives of those who follow Jesus. You'll stand out if you…..1/ Stand firmdon't retreat or waver when opposition, trial and challenge comesresist running to old patterns and old comforts (anything that draws our attention and affection away from Jesus is idolatry)2/ Seek unitybe committed to resolving differences instead of holding grudgesworking together = increased effectiveness for the Gospel3/ Be gentle with one another– the literal meaning of the word ‘gentleness' in this scripture translates as ‘sweet reasonableness' – to be intentionally kind, compassionate and humble towards others especially when they're facing struggles or difficulties.a strong hand with a soft touch (1 Thes 2:7 – gentle like a mother caring for her children)gentleness is not weakness4/ Pray (Don't be anxious)–  there were plenty of reasons for the Philippians to be anxious, discouraged and worried – Paul invites them to experience prayer as an active strategy against anxietyPaul shows them that prayer is a gateway to God's supernatural peaceGod's peace is not dependent on a perfect outcome – God's peace is available to us in the midst of our circumstancesbeing a person of peace in an anxious world stands out!5/ Focus on what's goodPaul addresses the battlefield of the mindour thoughts are prone fix themselves on things are unhelpful and unhealthy but Paul also teaches us that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind – Rom 12:2what we think about and focus on translates into our behaviour.This serves as a reminder to be wise about the content we engage with6/ Walk the Walkmoving from head knowledge to heart transformationdiscipleship is a journey not a destination – a journey of practicing the way of Jesus and becoming more like him– When we encounter the grace of Jesus we can't help but be changed – this change should become evident to others.Invitations for us today:To stand out boldly in our culture rather than blend into itTo be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world – faith in actionTo keep growing by practicing the way of JesusTo live a life worth followingQuestions:Q: How is God inviting me to stand out for him?Q: Am I walking the walk or just talking the talk?Q: Do my actions line up with my words?Q: Am I the same person on Monday as I am at church on Sunday?Q: Do people encounter the nature of Jesus in me?Q: Am I becoming more like Jesus each year?

Philippians 4:14-1614 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Philippians 3:17-20 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:15-1715 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

09/06/2024 - Matthew Destry The elephant The goldfish Philippians 3:1-14 Observe: a/ ‘Finally' b/ Watch out for the dogs c/ Paul's pedigree 1/ If you're going to look back, look back at what God has done 2/ If you're going to look ahead, look forward to new things 3/ If you feel like letting go, know that Christ is holding you Questions: 1/ Is there anything in your life that you will sometimes trust in other than Christ (good behaviour, church attendance, Christian background, anything else)? 2/ Are there any negative past experiences that are currently holding you back from living a full life for Jesus now? 3/ How could a big, bright and beautiful vision for the future influence your living today?

Philippians 2a/ Sing an old song: an ode to humilityVerses 1-11The real ones live for humility and unityb/ Hold on and hold outVerses 12-18Daniel 12:33 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.The real ones live with gratitude and thankfulnessc/ Pay the priceVerses 19-30Real ones give honour where honour is due

Our Partners:Discovery Community CareSouthern Cross Kids CampG&JEFICOR“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Philippians 1:21 ESVHow do we live? To live is self, to die is loss.“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…”2 Timothy 3:1-2Live for something bigger than yourself, Paul defines his life as a partner of the Gospel. If dying is seen as loss, it is because you live for self and not for Jesus. Without God, death is seen as the end of self.

Pentecost Sunday 2024Acts 2Pentecost Sunday — Shauvot — Feast of weeks - celebrated 7 weeks after Passover (Jewish)What for:To commemorate the giving of the law,The grain harvest,And entrance into the promised landWhat did they do:A feast that explicitly included leaven or yeastA covenant renewal ceremonyA tithe of first-fruits from the harvest, leaving the edges for the alienA public reading of the book of RuthAll Jewish males required to travel to Jerusalem to offer sacrificesPentecost - 50 days after EasterWhen the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.1/ One baptism, many fillings5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”2/ Going beyondAnd all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.3/ Collaborative leadership16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,    and your young men shall see visions,    and your old men shall dream dreams;even on my male servants and female servants    in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.4/ Peter's covenant renewal ceremonyAnd they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.5/ Vibrant community

1 Sam 1:1-20The Womb – A biblical metaphorHannah Stood UpHannah RespondsHannah takes all the emotion, anguish, grief, disappointment and desperation, the years and years of longing, waiting, the torment from Penninah and she pours it all out before the Lord.The peace comes before she even gets the outcome.While Hannah was waiting for a baby,  God was waiting for Hannah to come into alignment with a bigger story. Hannah's prayer is not a prayer of bargaining but a prayer of surrender. What are you waiting for or clinging to that needs to be let go and surrendered in order for God to bring about the breakthrough in your life?‘The point of prayer is not the power it releases, but the person it reveals'  (Peter Greig – 24/7 Prayer) 1 Sam 2:1-10A prayer that points to Jesus Why? Because the person it reveals is a God who loves us – and in his grace meets us in the middle of our story – changes and transforms our lives!A God who takes the barren and lifeless things and breathes new life into them.A God who takes the broken things and makes them beautiful.A God who turns our mourning into dancingA God who binds up the broken-heartedA God who bestows on us a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair THE INVITATION:1/ To be reminded that God sees you in your season – you are not forgotten.2/ To see a bigger story for your life – God has good plans for you!3/ Changing your life starts with surrender – coming into alignment with God's good plans for you

Psalm 42:1-5As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul pants for you, my God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When can I go and meet with God?My tears have been my foodday and night,while people say to me all day long,“Where is your God?”These things I rememberas I pour out my soul:how I used to go to the house of Godunder the protection of the Mighty One[d]with shouts of joy and praiseamong the festive throng.Why, my soul, are you downcast?Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him,my Savior and my God.What is the middle?Types of “middles”Looking at Psalm 42/43:The tyranny of distanceThe voice of detractorsThe isolation of spirit“Send out your light”1/ Faith becomes personal2/ Celebration is communal3/ God is the goalWe shall not cease from explorationAnd the end of all our exploringWill be to arrive where we startedAnd know the place for the first time.TS Eliot

Jesus' Prayer for ALL BelieversJohn 1720 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” A PRAY on words…ἕν (heis) = one, ofStrong's #1502“in” ἡμεῖς (hemeis) = us, we ourselvesStrong's #1510“with” εἰμί (eimi) = I am, I existStrong's #2249“through” The essence of Jesus' prayerful repetition…That believers would be IN Jesus (Eph 2:8, Col 2:6)That God and Humankind be WITH each other (2Thess 2:16-17)That God would work THROUGH believers (John 3:17, Romans 5:15) “In” prayer sounds like…Projecting God to be IN our lives, hopes and circumstancesAsk + Task God to be IN things we are hoping for“With” prayer sounds like…Experiencing ideas and thoughts WITH God presentObserving ourselves and our circumstances WITH God present“Through” prayers sound like…Uniting with God's plan THROUGH you, your churchPraising Him for what He is doing THROUGH you, your church

Amos 7:8 (NIV):“And the Lord asked me, ‘What do you see, Amos?' ‘A plumb line,' I replied. Then the Lord said, ‘Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.'”Jeremiah 1:11-12 (NIV):“The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?' ‘I see the branch of an almond tree,' I replied. The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.'”Zechariah 4:2-3 (NIV):“He asked me, ‘What do you see?' I answered, ‘I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.'”God is asking us, “what do you see?”God is calling us to imagine the Kingdom in three distinct areas:  People, places and timeText: Acts 10:9-15The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”Matthew 9:35-38And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”Exodus 3:2-5Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”A biblically informed imagination:1/ Soak in Bible stories2/ Befriend silence and solitude3/ Write things down4/ Ask yourself ‘why'?5/ Best case scenario

5 Keys to a Disciples PrayerTo Recognise and to KnowGod's Will > My WillCome Daily for Daily BreadForgiveness Both WaysGod Protects & Delivers

Questions to reflect on:What is prayer to you?What are the things you tend to pray about when you pray?When do you pray?How often do you pray?Where do you pray?When you pray what do you experience?When you pray what don't you experience?When you pray, what would you like to experience?Does God answer your prayers?If you don't pray – why not?Does your prayer life bring you life and joy or has it become stale? Do you think the average Australian prays? What is prayer?In its simplest form: Prayer is a conversation with God. What Prayer Is NOT:Rubbing the lamp to get 3 wishes from the genieA self-help strategyA test of eloquenceNot magic (but it is supernatural!)One size fits allPrayer IS:A way of being with God (the God of the Bible)Talking and listening to GodA practice of devotion and worship to GodA gateway to God's peace and powerBoth a private and communal experience ‘Then the man and his wife heard the sound of God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day' (Gen 3:8) 6 INVITATIONS OF PRAYER: 1/ Prayer is a gateway to ConnectionPsalm 139: 23 ‘Search me, God, and know my heart' 2/ Prayer is a gateway to CompassionLam 3:22-24Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;therefore I will wait for him.” 3/ Prayer is a gateway to ComfortPhil 4:6-7“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. “(NLT)“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.”(MSG) 4/ Prayer is a gateway to ClarityRom 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 5/ Prayer is a gateway to CelebrationPsalm 100:4-5Enter his gates with thanksgivingand his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations. 6/ Prayer is a gateway to Communion (with God and others)Matt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Invitations:1/ Ask God to refresh and reinvigorate your prayer life.2/ Think about how you might commit to giving prayer another chance over the coming weeks.3/ Be intentional about creating time each day to pray.4/ Be honest before God in the knowledge that you are seen, known and deeply loved.

The evidence for, and implications of the resurrectionFor I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.1 Corinthians 15:3-8Are there reasonable evidences for the resurrection of Jesus in the historical documents, and if there are, what does that mean for us today?1/ Jesus was buried2/ The tomb was then found empty3/ Jesus' post mortem appearances4/ The witness of the early churchImplications1/ Jesus claims about himself were true – they were vindicated by his resurrection2/ There is reason to live today – there is a bigger story3/ If there is life after death, our lives must be shaped by the narrative of death and resurrection4/ We have a story to tell5/ Your life is to be lived for Christ – you are His and He loves you.

Good Friday at Discovery Church

Giving what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot loseRecap: what does it mean to live the good life?Matthew 5:10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.1 We know what we really love by what what we are willing to suffer for——Matthew 21:6-11The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”2 We know what Jesus means to us by what we think He's saved us from——Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.3 We know who Jesus is because of the relationship between His words and deeds——He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose – Jim Elliot

Passage – Matthew 5:9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”εἰρηνοποιός, peace-making, peace-maker2 immediate observations:a/ Jesus assumes there will be conflictb/ Jesus commands His followers to engage in conflict resolution4 ways to handle conflict – think about the crowd gathered — who is there?like a Saducee (plan political gain)like a Pharisee (double down on ‘rightness')like the Essenes (seek utopian separation)like a Zealot (fight, fight, fight)Like Jesus…a/ humble heart – assume your own ignoranceb/ curious questions  – find out the story behind the storyc/ give generous mercy and be willing to loseConclude – Ephesians 2:11-22Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[d] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[e] the Spirit.Peace between creator and creation

Do you over-value the seen over the unseen? So our belief of God is based in the ability to see him, know him, understand him, discern what he is doing. Just show me you are moving, just show me miracles, signs and wonders. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Mt 5:8 ESV What is a pure heart? PURE (KATHAROS) & HEART (KARDIA) PURE HEART (KATHAROS KARDIA) The good life is for those who have been pruned to the deepest part of their being. Allow God to enter into those deepest parts of your life and prune it back, prepare you, do a deep work in you. Hard Heart or Pure Heart? God is not that hard to find

Ep 4/ Contagious Community - Acts 2:42-47 - The eternal impact of a devoted community. What is the priesthood of all believers and how are we invited to be part of a contagious community? Join Jody and the Discovery girls as they explore this and more.

Matthew 5:1-7Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.Who gets to ‘live the good life'?Developing your palateMercy (ἔλεος) and the two levels of relationshipHow do we live as mercifully as this?Our need for ongoing mercySeeing others through a Kingdom lensA heart of mercy with a firm handAdvancing the Kingdom by merciful worksWhat fuels this kind of mercy?Psalm 136

We're joined by guest speaker Ash Barker. Ash Barker is immersed in the multi-racial and multi-religious inner city neighbourhood of Winson Green, Birmingham (UK) as the Founding Director of Newbigin House.

My Father's Business - Luke 2:41-52 - Join Jody and the Discovery girls as they explore identity, calling & clarity and ask the question: who's agenda are we living for?

Matthew 5:5 — “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”5 blocks of teachingBlock 1- Matthew 5-7: 8 beatitudes, sermon on the mountBlock 2 – Matthew 10: The “sending” sermon (Go into all the towns)Block 3 – Matthew 13: Kingdom parables (The Kingdom of heaven is like…)Block 4 – Matthew 17-18: The values of the Kingdom (Childlike faith, upon this rock)Block 5 – Matthew 24-25: 7 ‘woes', new temple, judgement to comeMeekness – Psalm 37:7-11Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,over the man who carries out evil devices!Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.For the evildoers shall be cut off,but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.But the meek shall inherit the land    and delight themselves in abundant peace.Meek – Gk: pra-us – the pra-us are unimportant and vulnerable.Inheriting the land – Genesis 15:7And he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”No Jubilee – Leviticus 25:10-13, 23And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field.“In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property… “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.God, in affect, is saying to the people of God: “this land will be yours again”Apply – be less important, accept vulnerability, wait patiently1/ Seek anonymity2/ Accept vulnerability3/ Wait patientlyA new Jubilee — Psalm 37:11:But the meek shall inherit the landand delight themselves in peace (Shalom) and goodness (Tov)

Devotion and Discipleship - Deuteronomy 6:4-15 + Luke 10:26-28 - What does living a life fully sold out for Jesus look like? What is wholehearted devotion? How do we balance head and heart? What's the invitation for us to model devoted discipleship to the next generation and to the person next door. Join Jody and some of the Discovery girls as they explore these Q's and more.

Everybody knows what it feels like to have a guilty conscience. To have done something we know we should't have done.And as we get older, we get more sophisticated at justifying our questionable behaviour to ourselves.If we're honest, we all still do things from time to time that we know we probably shouldn't do but we're way better at convincing ourselves why it's really not that bad.We say things ourselves like…..I'm a good personI try to do the right thingsI'm kind be kind to othersI pay my taxes.I don't stealI try not to liehaven't murdered anyone….I'm trying to be a decent contributing member of society….So, this little sin over here…. or this little white lie over there …..this little secret over here… it isn't really hurting anyone…so it's not so bad, right?!Church & Culture:In Church we tend to major on the grace message and minor on the sin message because it's more comfortable. It's more palatable and acceptable to talk about the positive stuff than the hard stuff.  When we talk about grace we're assuming the reality of sin but just don't really like to talk about it that much.In 2024, we find ourselves living in a very individualistic culture where it's more about ‘your' truth than ‘The' truth. Where, ‘you do you' is widely accepted often over and above the way of life Jesus calls us to if we choose to follow him and be his disciples.The thing is though, the bible doesn't shy away from talking about the hard stuff - we just often have selective hearing and selective reading.Today's scripture: Matt 5:4‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (NIV)Jesus makes a radical statement here - we would never say to someone who is grieving would we?  Oh, you're grieving, look how blessed you are!And if someone said that to us in the middle of a difficult time in our lives we would probably not receive it well at all.It poses some big questions for us:What is Jesus actually saying?What kind of mourning is he talking about?What kind of comfort is he promising?How can experiencing grief possibly be the good life?Who was Jesus talking to?- Jewish villagers under Roman occupation- Ordinary people - farmers, fishermen, women, children, tax collectors, sex workers.living under the oppression of Roman rule, they've all but lost hope of any kind of deliveranc and believing their current circumstance is a direct result of their sinful ways - they had turned away from God and not been faithful to him.They were mourning a future that felt hopelessThey were mourning over their own sin and brokennessThey were mourning over the state of their cityWhat kind of mourning was Jesus talking about?Mourn - Greek verb = Pentheo - to mourn over one's sin and brokenness (spiritual mourning over the state of one's soul and circumstance)We struggle to identify with this kind of mourning - it's counter-cultural to us and a lot of the time, we honestly don't see ourselves as people in need of a saviour.“The present age is definitely not an age of mourning. Instead, people deliberately turn away from anything unpleasant, determined to fill their lives with those things which will divert their minds from anything serious. In their preoccupation with momentary pleasures and diversions, people settle for shallow and empty substitutes for reality. Millions give more thought to what programs they will watch tonight on TNT, or what videotape they will rent for the weekend than they do to the things of eternity.”  - Billy Graham -Jesus is saying this kind of mourning is necessary. Not just necessary - but good for us - ‘the good life'.In other words, “You're blessed when you can humbly acknowledge your sin and brokenness and grieve over it, for then you shall receive the comfort of forgiveness and healing”.But there's also a school of thought that would say Jesus wasn't just talking about personal sin and brokenness but the grief and sadness that comes from living in a world ruled by death - in this earthly world where death has the final word - but in the Kingdom Jesus is talking about,  death is swallowed up in victory and the promise is eternal comfort and eternal life.The invitation in this scripture is to be present to our grief - to be honest to it with God - and not to ignore our need for comfort.What kind of comfort is Jesus talking about?Greek //Comfortedπαρακαλέω / parakaleó (verb)Q: comforted by who or what?Comforterπαράκλητος (paraklētos) (noun)PARACLETE - One called alongside to standby.Amazingly - this is same word that we see in John 14 & 16 that Jesus uses to describe the Holy Spirit who was coming.When we ignore our need for comfort we cannot invite The Comforter into those places of pain to bring us the help and the relief that we so desperately need.The Promise:Help is on the way!You do not have to be alone in your grief.The Paraclete has been called to come and stand alongside youHe will advocate for youHe will console you   The promise is not that our grief would be removed instantaneously - but that in the midst of our grief and our pain we would experience the deep comfort of the Paraclete - our advocate, our counsellor and our standby.“You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. (MSG)

Extreme PDA - Luke 7:36-50 - A sinful woman anoints Jesus with her tears and his feet with her hair! This response to Jesus made everyone in the room uncomfortable EXCEPT for Jesus. Why? Join Jody and some of the Discovery girls as they explore what this encounter teaches us about radical devotion and how it challenges us to think about how we come to Jesus.

Matthew 5:1-3Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.A tale of two mountainsMount SinaiMount of beatitudes  Old CovenantNew CovenantMosesJesus10 Commandments9 beatitudesWritten on tablets of stoneWritten on human heartsSet free from slavery in EgyptSet free from slavery to sinThe kind of world that God is makingThe kind of world that God is making What does it mean to be ‘blessed'?A quick look at μακάριοςahh… that is the good life!What does it mean to be ‘poor in spirit'?Powerless = the good life?Empty hands for holding something betterWe inherit the Kingdom of God by giving our power away1/ Give your ear away2/ Give your money away3/ Give your influence away4/ Give your grudges away

Luke 18:18-25The Rich and the Kingdom of God18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'[a]”21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”Discipleship isn't something you do, it's who you are called to be Matthew 7:22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?'23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Perspective 1: Camel or RopePerspective 2: Eye of the needle gatePerspective 3: It's impossible Luke 18:26-2726 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Key Scripture:John 3:22-30 (ESV)22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptising. 23 John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptised 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptising, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”Observations:John models here an acute sense of awareness to the move of God that was happening around him to be able to respond in such a way.here was no hint of jealousy or insecurity present in John as Jesus influence and popularity began to increase. Why was this the case?hint: John had a sense of deep clarity around his call and assignment.Challenges:We like to be at the centre of our own lives, and often we also like to be at the centre of other peoples lives too. We love to feel important, needed and celebrated.Decrease is difficult for us. It makes us uncomfortable.The Invitation:The invitation is to NOT be at the centre – to NOT be in the spotlight and to NOT have the starring role in the story – but instead to take a posture of decrease in order that God's presence and power and will would increase in us and be amplified in our lives so much that when others see us, what they really see is not us at all but a glimpse and a reflection of Jesus – of his kindness, his love, his grace, his mercy, his generosity, his gentleness, his faithfulness, his goodness……Dallas Willard (Spirit of the Disciplines)“The point is that in our culture we are conditioned to think that the most valuable way to do anything is to do or have more of it, and so we work more, consume more, learn more and get more friends on Facebook. We can then unwittingly transfer this way of thinking to our spiritual lives, and so we study more, pray more, fellowship more. The problem is not that such activities are bad or wrong (as a Bible professor I can certainly attest to the value of reading the Word!), but that we have a difficult time seeing the importance of disciplines in which we don't do or add something.However, it is important to realise that sometimes we need to take things out of our lives rather than just adding things to them. When we take something out of our lives, we create a space that needs to be filled, and amazing things can happen when we open up spaces in our lives. It is easier to hear the voice of God when we practice silence because our world is not filled with competing noises. Doing without something can help us appreciate it more. Sometimes when we remove something from our lives, even for just a short period of time, we discover how much unnecessary time we spend on it, or even how much it controls us…. Abstinence makes way for engagement. … A proper abstinence actually breaks the hold of improper engagements so that the soul can be properly engaged in and by God. However, the disciplines of abstinence can be harder to practice because we have to overcome our need to feel “productive.” In this we need to be willing to go against our inclinations if we are going to be able to make space for God to reveal himself to us and to show us our needs, shortcomings, blessings or his will for our lives.”The pathway to increase, growth, maturity and fruitfulness in your life is, not by being bigger and louder, or by just doing more or just adding more into your life – it's through adopting a posture of decrease, it's through removing those things in our lives that are no longer serving us – the unhealthy behaviours or attachments, redundant attitudes and mindsets, unhelpful narratives, surrendering our often over-inflated egos, surrendering our pride and our need for assurance and control. Decluttering the mess and noise and creating space and room for God to increase, for his voice to be amplified and his presence to be magnified in our lives.Questions:Q: Am I open to God revealing himself to me in 2024?Q: What needs to decrease in me in this year to make room for God's will and work to increase in my life? What needs to be less, removed or surrendered in my life in 2024 to see an increase of God's presence, power and purpose?Q: How clear are you on who God has called you to be and what your current assignment is?Q: Does my life point people to Jesus?Q: Does the way I live and work reflect kingdom values and principles? Telling people about Jesus is often less about what you say and much more about how you live – are you living out God's kindness, integrity, humility, servant-heartedness, self control.Q: How might we imitate the kind of humility we see in John in our lives this year?Q: Am I secure in who God has created and called me to be?Q: Am I experiencing contentment and joy in my life?

Macquarie Dictionary word of 2023: Cozzy LivsOne of Jesus' favourite places, and the disciples on their facesThe issue of authoritya/ Jesus' defeat of the devilb/ Jesus' defeat of deathIf “Cozzy livs” was your word of 2023, let “Because He lives” become your word of 2024Hold up… I don't see it.He is working His authority through you1/ As you go, make disciples: He makes us good news bringers2/ Baptise, and be baptised: We surrender to him (baptism), immersed in body and mind3/ Teach, and be taught: He puts His words into our hearts“To the end of the age”

Parable of the Farmer, or sower.Matthew 13: 1-23.The parable was used by Jesus to tell an earthly story with a Kingdom meaning.The farmer or sower is a representation of God the Father.He is the one who sows the seed, not us.Jesus speaks about four kinds of ground. Hard, rocky, thorny and good.As Jesus jewish hearers would have wanted to know which of the grounds they identify with, we are asked the same question. Which ground am I?The message of the Kingdom and the message of the Gospel.Jesus  explains the parable to the disciples and speaks about the message of the Kingdom.  The fact that God wants us! Wants relationship with us. Wants us to be close to him.The Apostles' message was about the message of the Gospel, in which Jesus offers himself to make the Kingdom message possible!The four grounds. Jesus compares the ground to our hearts and the seed is Holy Spirit.The hard ground.When our hearts have been trampled, we become hard and resistant to the Spirit. Just like Hard ground is resistant to the rain. The evil one can easily snatch us away from becoming soft and receptive to God.The rocky ground.When our circumstances keep us from being receptive to the planting of the Spirit in us , we need to remember that Jesus has come so that His new covenant erases the need to see our circumstances as God's response to us.We have gone from circumstantial to relational.The thorny ground.When the worries of life draw us away from God and our propensity to be lured by our comfort and wealth to satisfy, we struggle to surrender to Holy Spirit as he invites us into relationship with him.Jesus tells us earlier in Matthew not to worry about the daily needs we have.What are the weeds we need to confess and be accountable to removing?The good soil.Jesus speaks about the harvest that will come from good soil.This harvest will be the fruit of the Spirit that God the Farmer plants in the good soil of our hearts. As this fruit is seen in action by people around us, they too will be invited to make their hearts good soil for the planting of the Spirit, by God.It's not about activity, it's about proximity.The closer we position ourselves to God, by Prayer that is open, honest and authentic, the more we will be empowered by our relationship with Him.The things that we do, prayer time devotionals, Small groups, going to church, won't bring us closer to God, as we get closer to God we find ourselves responding to his love with a desire to speak with him, learning about his word, being in community. These are the responses to being in a close relationship with him.Lets spend this next few weeks becoming the good soil that Jesus can plant his Spirit in for 2024.

How do we receive Jesus this Christmas? The gifts Jesus receive give us some helpful ways to receive him. Gold: A Gift for a King Frankincense : A Gift for a Priest Myrrh : A Gift for someone who is to Die

Nativity: the place, event and occasion of someone's birthJudges 13:1-3And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.An impossible task – Answer with faithJudges 13:23But his wife said to him, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these.”Luke 1:38And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”What is your impossible task?Judges 13:4-5aTherefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb…A quiet discipline – strong banks help the river flowLuke 1:35And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy…Where is discipline needed in you?Judges 13:5…for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”Matthew 1:21She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”A local solution – Taking ResponsibilityYou see, God grows His solutions, He doesn't import them!How might God be growing your solutions around you, rather than you ‘importing them?'One more question- what about prayer?Sometimes, God works in response to us, because He is a friend.Sometimes, God works all by Himself, because He is a King.Galatians 4:4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.1/ A warning against unhealthy attachment:2/ An encouragement toward divine joy:3/ The growing happens in secret:Judges 13:24And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him.Luke 2:40And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.What is God beginning in and through you in 2024? 

Luke 1:26-3826 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favoured woman! The Lord is with you!”29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don't be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favour with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.Some observations about this story – a 3 layered interruption1/ Interrupted by an angel (divine visitation)2/ interrupted with unexpected news x 2 (you're having a baby AND so is Elizabeth who was barren)3/ Interrupted with a miracle that seemed beyond belief (A virgin birth)This thing that's about to happen is remarkable!The prophesied Saviour King is being sent into the world!!The one who would bind himself to humanity – and be called Emmanuel – God with us – bringing hope and salvation into the darkness of the world (both then and now) is coming! And he's coming through the most unlikely, unexpected person – Mary, a 15 year old girl with no status or privilege from a small backwater town.She has an experience that would forever change life as she knew it.What is equally remarkable about this encounter is Mary's response.Q: How interruptible are you?v. 38 “Mary responded, “I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”But Mary's not the only one in this story who's life gets majorly interrupted…Matt 1:18-2518 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”22 All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord's message through his prophet:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.'”24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.Every time I read this Christmas story I'm inspired and deeply challenged by Mary and Jospeh's responsiveness to having their entire lives uprooted, turned inside out and upside down in order to steward someone else's plans.“Revelation is hard to receive. You must give up everything else to receive it – like finding a treasure in a field and selling everything you have so you can get that treasure”(Honest Advent book – Scott Erickson)Q: How interruptible and responsive are we?Q: How alert, awake and ready are we to how God might want to interrupt us with his plans?Q: How willing are we to surrender our own plans for his?Q: How might we make room in our lives for a divine interruption this advent season as we wait expectantly for the arrival of our Saviour?1st gleaming theme and invitation –  Be Interruptible.2nd gleaming theme is – The hope of new life.There is not 1, but 2 miraculous pregnancies wrapped up in this Christmas story.Zachariah and Elizabeth (old age / barren)Mary and Jospeh (young  / virgin)A double miracle – A picture of HOPE multiplied!Anything worthwhile takes time to grow – but learning to wait in our instant culture is even harder.In our culture everything is geared to speed us up toward Christmas ….. to make it come quicker – decorations are going up in stores in October in an attempt to bring Christmas to us early, the general pace of life speeds up right before Christmas which is ironic because Christmas and advent is actually all about the slow process of waiting patiently and expectantly for the arrival of a baby.Q: Have you even had an experience of waiting on the Lord for something?(chances are if you have, it's taken longer than you would have liked to get an answer or a breakthrough)Maybe there's something you're waiting for God to do in your life right now?A need or a desire you have?In waiting there is sense of longing and expectation – for what is to come, for what could be.Advent invites to ask the question –Q: What new thing is God doing in us? What is being birthed in us this season that God is inviting us make room for – to make preparations to receive?Birth is beautiful and full of joy – there is something very holy and wondrous about it –  but it's also messy, it can be chaotic, it's risky sometimes and painful –  actually nothing neat and tidy about it.It's often the same when God is doing something new in us – sometimes it's beautiful and joyful – but to he honest – it's often messy and painful and risky too.The journey Mary and Joseph had to go on together throughout the pregnancy through to the birth of Jesus was not an easy journey, there were obstacles and opposition, it was dangerous and risky.Yet into the stench of that putrid stable and into the darkness of the night came the Light of the World – Jesus was born – a thrill of hope and the weary world rejoiced so the song goes!At Christmas we celebrate that the Light of the World is still coming into the dark and putrid places of our world to restore hope and bring new life.And he's still coming into your life and into my life – into mess and the stench – bringing the hope of a future established in him.So will we make room this Christmas for a divine interruption?And will we make room to receive the hope of new life coming to us and in us?

26/11/2023 - Matthew Destry Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 What is an acceptable offering to God? Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:1-7 a/ What is God's mercy? “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14 b/ What is true worship? Sacrifice “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings” Hosea 6:6 Reasonable service The son of God – a living sacrifice “How can the body become a sacrifice? Let the eye look on no evil, and it is a sacrifice. Let the tongue utter nothing base, and it is an offering. Let the hand work no sin, and it is a burnt offering. But more, this suffices not, but besides we must actively exert ourselves for good; the hand giving alms, the mouth blessing them that curse us, the ear ever at leisure for listening to God” (Chrysostom). c/ The proper use of the mind — to know God's will 1/ Good 2/ Pleasing 3/ Perfect (complete)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord;make his paths straight.'”Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.Mathew 3:1-6 (ESV)They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.”2 Kings 1:8Life on the fringes“in the wilderness”A new story, a new song‘baptised by him' //  ‘confessing sins'A prophetic life‘the kingdom is at hand”What made JTB stand out?The Nazirite Vow – set apart for GodSpeak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried…. All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long….All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body.Numbers 6:2-3, 5-6 (NIV)No grapes or grape products: a vow of sobrietyNo cutting of the hair: a vow of primitivismNo dead bodies: a vow of purityExamples: Samuel, Samson (a bad example), even Paul took the vow for a timeTo live a prophetic life of difference:1/ Jesus, be my comfort2/ Jesus, I give you my image3/ Jesus, set me apart

Life with Jesus is an invitation to intentional living. We are not merely spectators in the world but active participants in God's Kingdom Mission (the bigger story) and called to glorify him in all things. Join the conversation as Jody chats with Jo and Gabi about how we live “on purpose” in our families, workplaces and neighbourhoods.

Key Passage – – Luke 22:39-46 – The Disciples Fall Asleep at GethsemaneWhy was there so much urgency from Jesus for them to stay awake and what was the temptation that he was wanting them to guard against?Luke tells us that the disciples fell asleep because they were ‘exhausted with sorrowQ: Have you ever had an experience where you've felt overcome with sadness and sorrow about something, or so disappointed, or deflated or discouraged or overwhelmed about something in your life,  that all you wanted to do was curl up in a ball and go to sleep?Q: What was causing the disciples so much sorrow?We too as modern day disciples carry sorrows that causes us to become exhausted and fall asleep to the things of God.What sorrow are you carrying today?Are you carrying unmet expectations?Are you carrying dreams in your heart that are still yet to come to pass?Are you carrying hope deferred?Are you carrying a lack of clarity around your future or your sense of purpose?Is there a healing or a breakthrough that hasn't come despite your faithful prayer?Are you restless and dissatisfied in your soul (not content)Are you trapped in unhealthy behaviours that are causing you distress?Are you carrying pain or offence in a relationship that's causing you sorrow?Does you feel as though God has been silent on something for too long?Take some time to name these things before the Lord gives these burdens over to him.There is an exhaustion caused by sorrow that the Lord is wanting to break in many peoples lives today.There is a spiritual lethargy hanging over us that keeps causing us to fall asleep to the things of God – but the Lord is calling us to WAKE UP – He is rousing us from our slumber – he is healing our exhaustion and refreshing our dry places and drawing us to a place of renewed devotion in him.Our constant temptation in our lethargy and spiritual sleepiness is to run to sources of comfort outside of the true comforter.Our temptation is to seek relief and security and success from other places rather than trusting God's goodness and provision to us.Our temptation is to seek approval and love from things and people that were never meant hold such power and position in our lives instead of receiving love and approval from a Good Father who calls you his own.Ron Rolheiser says it this way:“We fall asleep out of sorrow whenever we become so confused and overwhelmed by some kind of disappointment that we begin to act out of hostility rather than love, paranoia rather than trust, despair rather than hope. We fall asleep out of sorrow whenever we sell short what's highest in us because of the bitterness of the moment”Q: Where am I acting out of hostility, paranoia or despair – rather than out of love, trust and hope?Symptoms of being spiritually asleep:lack of awareness of God's love and grace for meloss or lack of passion for Godloss of desire to spend time with Godprayer life is lackingavoiding accountable relationships and vulnerable conversationsbeing unresponsive to God's invitations to you or delaying obedienceheightened emotional reactions to things – highly defensive or easily offendedwondering if God is actually gooda need to be in constant control of situationsconstant drive towards comfort and numbing behaviourspatterns and cycles of sin or unhealthy behaviours that you can't seem to breakour lives are not bearing fruit / little evidence of fruits of spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-controlGod moves to the outside rather than being at the centre of our lives /living according to our own agenda and plans rather than living according to God's agenda and plans. God is bringing us into a new seasoning of AWAKENINGGod is waking us up to a greater awareness of Him.God is moving us from a place of spiritual slumber to a new place of radical devotion.From being on spiritual autopilot – to being fully alert and awake to his presence and his purposes.Moving us out of those places of sorrow and exhaustion and making us a well refreshing and restoration for others. But there is an awakening that the Lord is bringing across our community and he needs his people and his bride to be awake and alert and prepared and ready to usher it in.There is healing and restoration and refreshing that the Lord is wanting to release in us that we might be a place of healing and restoration for others. 2024 – An invitation to Radical DevotionRadical – Radix – meaning ‘changed from the roots'Devotion – Consecrated – set apart for someone (set apart for and to God) Radical //When we enter into s relationship with Jesus our lives are completely transformed or ‘changed from the roots' – it is radical life change.When we're changed from the roots our lives start to grow different kind of fruit – we start to hopefully become people of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and people who are self-controlled.And not only are we changed but we are invited into the bigger story – to partner with God in being agents of this kind of change in the world around us.Q: Is Jesus in me obvious to those around me? If not, what is stopping me from living my faith openly and authentically?Q: What would it look like for me to live everyday as someone ‘changed from the roots'?Q: How is God inviting me to be part of this community as we seek to be a place of restoration and healing for others? Devotion //Exodus 20:1-6Then God gave the people all these instructions:2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.3 “You must not have any other god but me.4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. The people of God have always had a habit of running after other God's.There is a good reason God wants our full devotion and affection. He has a mission he wants to accomplish on the earth and he chooses to use his people to accomplish it.If we're not fully devoted to him we are distracted and prone to falling asleep.Our devotion is actually an act of spiritual warfare – it guards against the enemy's plans to steal our authority for the Gospel.Our devotion is what will unlock the move of the Holy Spirit waiting to come in and through our church, community, region, city, nation.Our devotion is what will break the spirit of complacency and slumberOur devotion brings us back to the feet of Jesus and puts him in his rightful place as KingOur devotion will release Kingdom resources for Kingdom work – legacy projectOur devotion will lead to a connected and flourishing communityOur devotion is what will release God's favour of our lives and our church (for a thousand generations – Ex 20:6) The Invitations:1/ An invitation to ReturnRev 2:4-54 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Waking up from our slumber and returning to our first loveundivided hearts – putting away the comforts and the idols we run to and instead running to the comforterthe practice of repentance and the pursuit of holinessrekindling our passion in prayer and worship 2/ An invitation to RemainJohn 15:1-4“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.– guarding our hearts against falling asleep by drawing strength from the vine– openness to pruning– a lifelong journey of being ‘changed from the roots'– a renewed passion for the Word of God and the presence of God 3/ An Invitation to RealignLuke 2:4949 “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?– be busy with the right things – The about the Father's business– His agenda over our agenda– laying down my ego and our need to be noticed, celebrated and adored so that his name would be proclaimed, promoted, celebrated, glorified This is a season of invitation go on a journey of personal renewal and refreshing in Godbut it's also an invitation for us to go on that journey together as a community to continue to become a place of life, renewal, refreshing, restoration and healing for others. Will you come on the journey with us?

Special Guest Andrew Drummond from Kardinia Church joins us to speak about the life of Peter, a life of faith, courage and responsiveness to Jesus.

What is the cause of international conflict and where is God in the midst of it all? Genesis 25:24-33 This prophetic poem, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is addressed to the people of Edom, and shows us just how bad things can get when brothers turn against each other. This prolonged antagonism between Judah and Edom is in evidence in Obadiah, serving as the prophecy's framework. It serves as a cautionary tale to us about watching our relationships and living with humility. The vision of Obadiah… a/ Who will bring me down to the ground? Edom leaning on their strength: the danger of pride. b/ A word to the ‘wise' Edom leaning on their own wisdom: the danger of knowledge. c/ Where are you now when I need you? Remember, O Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down,' they cried, ‘tear it down to its foundations!' (Psalm 137:7). Sins of omission and sins of commission: when doing nothing is worse than doing something d/ Your wine shall turn to poison God's justice is coming: be ready e/ God is King A new kingdom: not David, not Israel, but the Lord. Empathy Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Responsibility Galatians 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Story Hebrews 12:14-17 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Romans 16:3-5Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house…In this letter to Gaius, a house-church leader, John is apparently attempting to counter the opposing influences of Diotrephes, a different house-church leader who is asserting his own authority and rejecting emissaries backed by John's apostolic authority.3 John 1-4The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.How many children do you have?How is your progress?Are your soul and body in harmony?3 John 5-85 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.Hospitality opens doorsWho is welcome at your place?Could your home be a mission field?3 John 9-109 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.An awkward momentThe attitude of prideThe actions of prideDoes not acknowledge godly authorityHolds the word of God backUses words as weaponsActs as a gatekeeper for the church3 John 11-1211 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.Honour those worthy of honour – and listen to themThe marks of true hospitalityAcknowledge and honour godly authorityOffers and promotes and brings the word of GodUse words to encourage and build upAct as a ‘doorkeeper' ie. host to the churchPsalm 84:10For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.3 John 13-1513 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.