Renew Gold Coast

Proverbs is a difficult book, full of contradictions, puzzles and straightforward no-brainers. How should a Christian treat this ancient collection of wisdom? Does it have any value for us in the distant 21st Century, almost three millenia removed from its origins? Join us as we introduce our study on Proverbs, wisdom for life.

At Christmas we remember the time when God came to dwell with us in the person of Jesus Christ. But did you know God still comes to dwell with us, indeed, in us? Join us as we reflect on encounters with God in both recent and ancient history, and how we, too, may encounter the creator of the universe.

At Christmas we remember the time when God came to dwell with us in the person of Jesus Christ. But did you know God still comes to dwell with us, indeed, in us? Join us as we reflect on encounters with God in both recent and ancient history, and how we, too, may encounter the creator of the universe.

Joy is a major theme in both the Old and New Testaments, so both Judaism and Christianity are faiths full of joy. But what exactly is joy? Where does it come from? What suppresses it? How does it work today, in my day-to-day life in 21st Century Australia? Join us as we tackle these questions.

Joy is a major theme in both the Old and New Testaments, so both Judaism and Christianity are faiths full of joy. But what exactly is joy? Where does it come from? What suppresses it? How does it work today, in my day-to-day life in 21st Century Australia? Join us as we tackle these questions.

What is love? Do the poets of our age (song writers) have its measure? Is it more than a feeling? Do we get to define it? What does it have to do with Christmas? For millenia the Judeo-Christian tradition has held that God is a god of love. But what does that mean? And what does it mean for our lives here at the end of 2022? Join Graham as he unpacks this deep puzzle. (For more on the situation in the SF BART stations, see: https://youtu.be/f1wlV0X7CJM)

What is love? Do the poets of our age (song writers) have its measure? Is it more than a feeling? Do we get to define it? What does it have to do with Christmas? For millenia the Judeo-Christian tradition has held that God is a god of love. But what does that mean? And what does it mean for our lives here at the end of 2022? Join Graham as he unpacks this deep puzzle. (For more on the situation in the SF BART stations, see: https://youtu.be/f1wlV0X7CJM)

Peace. We all yearn for peace. A refuge from the anxiety of everyday life, from conflict and competition, from danger and loss. But are we prepared to accept the preconditions of peace? Can we stomach the sacrifices we must make? Do we even understand what those things are? Join us as we explore the prophet Micah's promise of peace, and how it will be fulfilled in the world and in our own lives today.

Peace. We all yearn for peace. A refuge from the anxiety of everyday life, from conflict and competition, from danger and loss. But are we prepared to accept the preconditions of peace? Can we stomach the sacrifices we must make? Do we even understand what those things are? Join us as we explore the prophet Micah's promise of peace, and how it will be fulfilled in the world and in our own lives today.

A powerful, northern neighbour mouths threats against us. Our economy is faltering. Our government seems determined to please people rather than be responsible. We all just wish it would go away and we could shop in peace. Who are we? Are we modern Australia, or ancient Israel? Or perhaps we are both. In times like this, God's hope shines bright. As we look towards Christmas, that reminder of God's great rescue mission, that hope is a balm to our hearts. Join us as Graham explains.

A powerful, northern neighbour mouths threats against us. Our economy is faltering. Our government seems determined to please people rather than be responsible. We all just wish it would go away and we could shop in peace. Who are we? Are we modern Australia, or ancient Israel? Or perhaps we are both. In times like this, God's hope shines bright. As we look towards Christmas, that reminder of God's great rescue mission, that hope is a balm to our hearts. Join us as Graham explains.

Why does Christianity continue to grow? What are the values that drive its culture-spanning history? How does it transform cultures and people into better versions of themselves, rather than forcing the one culture on everyone? The values of inclusion and diversity, which lie at the heart of Christianity, account for all these questions. But then why does the church struggle so much with the modern Western values of inclusion and diversity? Where did they come from? How are they different? Join us as we grapple with these questions in the hope that we can understand how, as modern, Western Christians, we can embrace the values of Christianity while reaching out to a broken world.

Why does Christianity continue to grow? What are the values that drive its culture-spanning history? How does it transform cultures and people into better versions of themselves, rather than forcing the one culture on everyone? The values of inclusion and diversity, which lie at the heart of Christianity, account for all these questions. But then why does the church struggle so much with the modern Western values of inclusion and diversity? Where did they come from? How are they different? Join us as we grapple with these questions in the hope that we can understand how, as modern, Western Christians, we can embrace the values of Christianity while reaching out to a broken world.

A church practice that has spread widely outside the church into our culture is giving. But giving is not just about submitting your 10% or whatever; like all church practices it reflects something much deeper than the surface practice. Join Graham as he explores where Christian giving comes from, and why it is uniquely generous.

A church practice that has spread widely outside the church into our culture is giving. But giving is not just about submitting your 10% or whatever; like all church practices it reflects something much deeper than the surface practice. Join Graham as he explores where Christian giving comes from, and why it is uniquely generous.

God's word is an incredible gift. But do we really understand what it is, how it fits into our lives, how it transforms us? Join us as we explore what studying the Bible can do.

God's word is an incredible gift. But do we really understand what it is, how it fits into our lives, how it transforms us? Join us as we explore what studying the Bible can do.

Prayer is one of the most difficult practices for most Christians. What is it for? How does it work? Why is it necessary? Join Graham as he unpacks this tricky discipline and explores our questions and struggles with prayer. The video clip shown is from 1:55 in this YouTube clip from The Chosen: https://youtu.be/SgC4BLyfeLQ

Prayer is one of the most difficult practices for most Christians. What is it for? How does it work? Why is it necessary? Join Graham as he unpacks this tricky discipline and explores our questions and struggles with prayer. The video clip shown is from 1:55 in this YouTube clip from The Chosen: https://youtu.be/SgC4BLyfeLQ

What is baptism? What does it mean? Why is it important? And why does it involve dunking people in water? We explore the deep roots of this ancient practice and discover why it is both so meaningful and so joyous.

What is baptism? What does it mean? Why is it important? And why does it involve dunking people in water? We explore the deep roots of this ancient practice and discover why it is both so meaningful and so joyous.

One of the most distinctive practices of the Christian church for the last two thousand years is the practice of communion, also known as the Lord's supper or the eucharist. What does this strange practice mean? Why is it so enduring? How can we properly practice it in the 21st century? Join Graham as he explores this very special practice. (At the end of the sermon we shared together in communion.) The video mentioned in the sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/bByePUvldwQ

One of the most distinctive practices of the Christian church for the last two thousand years is the practice of communion, also known as the Lord's supper or the eucharist. What does this strange practice mean? Why is it so enduring? How can we properly practice it in the 21st century? Join Graham as he explores this very special practice. (At the end of the sermon we shared together in communion.) The video mentioned in the sermon can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/bByePUvldwQ

The idea of service as a high calling is unique to Christianity. Jesus showed us by example how a leader must be servant of all. We have a choice: the way of the Dragon, which exploits strength and power to achieve control and dominance, or the way of the Lamb, which recognises that God's power is expressed through our weakness, and frees us to serve one another. How do these contrasting approaches work in the modern world? Join us for some ideas. The video from Mrs Maisel early in the sermon can be found here: https://youtu.be/pvKe0c007Cc

The idea of service as a high calling is unique to Christianity. Jesus showed us by example how a leader must be servant of all. We have a choice: the way of the Dragon, which exploits strength and power to achieve control and dominance, or the way of the Lamb, which recognises that God's power is expressed through our weakness, and frees us to serve one another. How do these contrasting approaches work in the modern world? Join us for some ideas. The video from Mrs Maisel early in the sermon can be found here: https://youtu.be/pvKe0c007Cc

Eating together is an important feature of almost all cultures. But what makes it so important to share food with others? Is it the same for Christians, or does it have even more significance? Join us as we look at why eating together is so important, and how we can do it better.

Eating together is an important feature of almost all cultures. But what makes it so important to share food with others? Is it the same for Christians, or does it have even more significance? Join us as we look at why eating together is so important, and how we can do it better.

One of the unusual aspects of a Christian worship gathering, from the perspective of modern Australian culture, is that we burst into communal song at regular intervals. Why do we do this? How does this help us worship God or commune together? Join us as we explore the rich subject of music in Christian practice.

One of the unusual aspects of a Christian worship gathering, from the perspective of modern Australian culture, is that we burst into communal song at regular intervals. Why do we do this? How does this help us worship God or commune together? Join us as we explore the rich subject of music in Christian practice.

There are few things that are both more foundational to our experience as Christians and more difficult to maintain than the act of meeting together with other Christians. Even in a society where Christianity is not met with active persecution, meeting together requires substantial effort. Is it worth it? Why do we bother? What is the purpose of meeting together and why should we prioritise it? Join us as we explore the first of our Church Practices.

There are few things that are both more foundational to our experience as Christians and more difficult to maintain than the act of meeting together with other Christians. Even in a society where Christianity is not met with active persecution, meeting together requires substantial effort. Is it worth it? Why do we bother? What is the purpose of meeting together and why should we prioritise it? Join us as we explore the first of our Church Practices.

Have we reached a final age for Christianity, a post-Christian age? Or have we never been in a Christian age at all? The last verses of Acts reveal a startling reality about how Christianity interacts with the surrounding cultures which just might turn our ideas about our nation and its history on their heads.

Have we reached a final age for Christianity, a post-Christian age? Or have we never been in a Christian age at all? The last verses of Acts reveal a startling reality about how Christianity interacts with the surrounding cultures which just might turn our ideas about our nation and its history on their heads.

In Acts 19, we find Paul wrestling with the pushback that comes when Christianity has started transforming a culture. Faith in Jesus has consequences that are felt throughout the culture, and those who reject Jesus will not respond kindly to the impacts on their lives. In our world, we won't find silversmiths rioting, but there are consequences for us, too. Join us as we explore this important dynamic in Acts and modern Australia.

In Acts 19, we find Paul wrestling with the pushback that comes when Christianity has started transforming a culture. Faith in Jesus has consequences that are felt throughout the culture, and those who reject Jesus will not respond kindly to the impacts on their lives. In our world, we won't find silversmiths rioting, but there are consequences for us, too. Join us as we explore this important dynamic in Acts and modern Australia.

In Acts 10 the essence of the new Christian faith is revealed to the apostle Peter. This revelation has shaken our world down to the present day. What did Peter discover? How has it transformed our lives? Join us as we explore this pivotal event in history.

In Acts 10 the essence of the new Christian faith is revealed to the apostle Peter. This revelation has shaken our world down to the present day. What did Peter discover? How has it transformed our lives? Join us as we explore this pivotal event in history.

In Acts 9 we hear of Paul's radical transformation from persecutor to proselytizer. What effected this transformation? Is this power available in our lives?

In Acts 9 we hear of Paul's radical transformation from persecutor to proselytizer. What effected this transformation? Is this power available in our lives?

In the second half of Acts 8 we find Philip listening to the Holy Spirit and so encountering a true seeker for God. How do Philip and the Ethiopian relate to God? Are there other types of people? And what type of person are we? Join Graham as he explores the different ways we can walk with or apart from God, and what those mean for us.

In the second half of Acts 8 we find Philip listening to the Holy Spirit and so encountering a true seeker for God. How do Philip and the Ethiopian relate to God? Are there other types of people? And what type of person are we? Join Graham as he explores the different ways we can walk with or apart from God, and what those mean for us.

In Acts 8, the church grows beyond its cradle of Judaism. In Samaria a famous sorcerer, Simon, is wooed by the power of the Holy Spirit, but his response is disastrous. What did Simon get wrong, and what can we learn from it?

In Acts 8, the church grows beyond its cradle of Judaism. In Samaria a famous sorcerer, Simon, is wooed by the power of the Holy Spirit, but his response is disastrous. What did Simon get wrong, and what can we learn from it?

The followers of Jesus have been confronted by bullies since the very beginnings of the church. But why? And how should we respond? Join us as we explore Acts 4, the first encounter between bullies and boldness for the church.

The followers of Jesus have been confronted by bullies since the very beginnings of the church. But why? And how should we respond? Join us as we explore Acts 4, the first encounter between bullies and boldness for the church.

Here is a testimony from Lupcho, known to many as Louie, of his extraordinary experience of surviving a massive cardiac arrest and extended coma and his spiritual encounters during that. As Graham explains in his following sermon, this sort of experience is miraculous, but not unique. In Acts 3 we read about a man who was born unable to walk, completely healed. This undoubted miracle gave the apostle Peter a platform from which to preach the gospel--just as the lame man was released from the captivity of his condition, we too need release from the captivity of sin. Join Graham and Lupcho as we explore the reality of Jesus' power in the early church and today.

Here is a testimony from Lupcho, known to many as Louie, of his extraordinary experience of surviving a massive cardiac arrest and extended coma and his spiritual encounters during that. As Graham explains in his following sermon, this sort of experience is miraculous, but not unique. In Acts 3 we read about a man who was born unable to walk, completely healed. This undoubted miracle gave the apostle Peter a platform from which to preach the gospel--just as the lame man was released from the captivity of his condition, we too need release from the captivity of sin. Join Graham and Lupcho as we explore the reality of Jesus' power in the early church and today.

God is a God who delights in doing new things. Even with broken, old people, God can do new things. Be refreshed and encouraged as Pastor Dave brings this message from Isaiah.

God is a God who delights in doing new things. Even with broken, old people, God can do new things. Be refreshed and encouraged as Pastor Dave brings this message from Isaiah.

In the book of Acts, Paul follows up his account of Jesus' ministry with an account of how the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus' disciples to change the world. But what exactly was the power the Spirit granted, how was it used to such dramatic effect, and is this still something available to us today? Join us to dig into these questions.

In the book of Acts, Paul follows up his account of Jesus' ministry with an account of how the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus' disciples to change the world. But what exactly was the power the Spirit granted, how was it used to such dramatic effect, and is this still something available to us today? Join us to dig into these questions.