The Lakes Church Cairns

Paul takes the Galatians back to Abraham to show that faith—not law—has always been the way to God. The law had a purpose, but now that Christ has come, we are set free to live as children of promise. Are we still holding onto things that Christ has already fulfilled? The post Faith that frees (Ben Pearson) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Even the early church struggled with adding rules to the gospel. Paul confronts Peter for backing away from grace, reminding us that we are justified by faith, not by what we do. If the church is built on grace, why do we so often drift toward performance-based faith? The post Grace Over Performance (Phil Sproul) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

From the very start, Paul makes it clear: there is only one true gospel, and anything else is a dangerous distortion. The church Jesus is building must stand firm on his grace, not on human effort or religious traditions. In a world filled with competing voices, how do we recognise and hold fast to the real gospel? The post No Other Gospel (Kate Cathcart) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Looking at the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they faced the fiery furnace. We'll reflect on what it means to trust God unconditionally—not just when He delivers us from challenges, but even if He doesn't. The post But if not (Jireh Scheurwater) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

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Job chapters 38-42. Job has demanded answers and God shows up to talk about random things that don't seem to address a single one of Job's questions! Why do these speeches actually seem to help Job process everything? What is a behemoth and leviathan? What is it Job seems to understand from what God says and does it have any application to our lives? The post Job: God's speeches (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Job chapters 4-37. The vast majority of the book of Job is taken up with a poetic debate where they just seem to say the same thing over and over. The friends accuse Job of secretly sinning and thus deserving that has happened and Job denies it only for the next friend to accuse him. What is going on? Is there anything we can learn from ancient people with foreign worldviews debating the finer points of theology? The post Job: the debate (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Job chapters 1-3. We'll look at the book of Job first talking about its inclusion in the Bible, who wrote it, and if it's “true”. Then we'll take a look at Job himself, the horrible suffering he goes through and chapter 3 as he lets vent his frustrations. The post Job: an Introduction (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

This Easter we'll follow Jesus and his disciples in the hours before his death and resurrection. In the first weeks of April we'll use Luke 22-24 to spend time in the upper room and the garden as Jesus prepares his disciples for what was about to happen.On the Easter weekend we'll gather together on Good Friday to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We'll gather again on Easter Sunday to celebrate his resurrection to new life. The post Easter Sunday (Jireh Scheurwater) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

This Easter we'll follow Jesus and his disciples in the hours before his death and resurrection. In the first weeks of April we'll use Luke 22-24 to spend time in the upper room and the garden as Jesus prepares his disciples for what was about to happen.On the Easter weekend we'll gather together on Good Friday to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We'll gather again on Easter Sunday to celebrate his resurrection to new life. The post Good Friday (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

This Easter we'll follow Jesus and his disciples in the hours before his death and resurrection. In the first weeks of April we'll use Luke 22-24 to spend time in the upper room and the garden as Jesus prepares his disciples for what was about to happen. On the Easter weekend we'll gather together on Good Friday to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We'll gather again on Easter Sunday to celebrate his resurrection to new life. Over the Easter The post Everyone leaves Jesus (Jireh Scheurwater) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

This Easter we'll follow Jesus and his disciples in the hours before his death and resurrection. In the first weeks of April we'll use Luke 22-24 to spend time in the upper room and the garden as Jesus prepares his disciples for what was about to happen. On the Easter weekend we'll gather together on Good Friday to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We'll gather again on Easter Sunday to celebrate his resurrection to new life. Over the Easter The post The Last Supper (Kate Cathcart) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Laodicea (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Philadelphia (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Sardis (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Thyatira (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Pergamum appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us today. In this series, we will read and wrestle with Jesus' words to his church, asking: What is he saying to us? The post The letter to the church in Smyrna (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Dear, Church: the 7 letters of Revelation To help us understand the style of writing in the book of Revelation, Laura recommended this podcast by Dr. John Dickson: https://undeceptions.com/podcast/the-apocalypse/ When Jesus said, “I will build my church”, he meant it. But what kind of church is he building? In Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks directly to seven churches—affirming their faithfulness, confronting their weaknesses, and calling them to stand firm. These letters aren't just ancient history; they are a mirror for us The post The letter to the church in Ephesus (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

In this service we had an interview with Luke & Bev Vos who serve with Pioneers in Uganda, and we had a message from Luke about growing in faith & trust. The three questions Luke left us with at the end of his message are: 1. Does hardship/stress/suffering/loss draw you closer to God or cause you to pull away? 2. What (or who) is your foundation in life? 3. How is God growing you in Christ-like character? Connect with us The post Growing in Faith and Trust (Luke & Bev Vos) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

As we begin this year, the mission and vision statements God led us to years ago are still big enough and sharp enough to guide us forward. Alongside these, a fresh focus that fits within our mission and vision will bring clarity to 2025. As Geoff set aside time to pray about 2025, a well-known phrase from Jesus in Matthew 16 immediately came to mind: “I will build my church.” The more Geoff sat with this verse the more it The post Our focus for 2025 (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Note: due to trouble with YouTube the audio from the video clips isn't included in this livestream, however you'll still be able to follow along with the message. Faith at the Movies Movies capture our hearts. They can transport us into imaginary worlds, paint a picture of better lives and take us on rollercoasters of emotion. We can enjoy movies as demonstrations of God's gifts, creativity and storytelling. Movies also have the power to shape our thoughts and our faith, The post Rogue One – Faith at the Movies (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Note: due to trouble with YouTube the audio from the video clips isn't included in this podcast, however you'll still be able to follow along with the message. Faith at the Movies Movies capture our hearts. They can transport us into imaginary worlds, paint a picture of better lives and take us on rollercoasters of emotion. We can enjoy movies as demonstrations of God's gifts, creativity and storytelling. Movies also have the power to shape our thoughts and our faith, The post The Greatest Showman – Faith at the Movies (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

NOTE: the livestream for this message was blocked by YouTube. We have purchased all of the appropriate licenses, authorisations and permissions to use the videos, and have appealed the decision. In the meantime, you can find the video of the message and end of the service here. Faith at the Movies Movies capture our hearts. They can transport us into imaginary worlds, paint a picture of better lives and take us on rollercoasters of emotion. We can enjoy movies as The post Home Alone – Faith at the Movies (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

NOTE: most of the video clips we showed in this message have been removed for copyright reasons. You can watch them on YouTube here: Clip 1 (movie trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZVEIgPeDCE Clip 2 (The Cheese Touch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q39-jYaFWwg Clip 3 (Rowley confronts Greg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuE1dGgOfwg Clip 4 (ending): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLZTz5F_jqM Faith at the Movies Movies capture our hearts. They can transport us into imaginary worlds, paint a picture of better lives and take us on rollercoasters of emotion. We can enjoy movies as demonstrations of The post Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Faith at the Movies (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Faith at the Movies Movies capture our hearts. They can transport us into imaginary worlds, paint a picture of better lives and take us on rollercoasters of emotion. We can enjoy movies as demonstrations of God's gifts, creativity and storytelling. Movies also have the power to shape our thoughts and our faith, which is why we should be intentional about what we watch and how we let it affect us. If we're on the lookout, we can find godly and The post Inside Out 2 – Faith at the Movies (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

The birth of Jesus wasn't just about a baby—it was God's plan to save the world. Sometimes we don't understand God's methods, but we can trust his mission. On Christmas Day, we celebrate how God's story was and still is being written in ways we couldn't have imagined. We can trust in God, through his Son, and commit our ordinary lives to his extraordinary story. Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post God's mission, God's way (Geoff Snook) – Christmas Day 2024 appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Mary carried the Savior of the world in her womb, but she still had to live through the ordinary, everyday challenges. This continued even after Jesus was born. We don't know much about Mary's life, but there would have been a lot of uncertainty, pain and plenty of boring, repetitive and hard days. How do we hold on to the extraordinary promises of God when life feels ordinary and mundane? How do we carry forward the mission of Jesus in The post God's extraordinary story in our ordinary lives (Kate Cathcart) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Saying yes to God often comes with a cost. Mary faced potential shame, danger, and loss. This wasn't simple for Joseph either. What does it mean for us to accept God's calling today even when it's costly? The video clip playing at the beginning of the message is from ‘The Nativity Story', 2006. Used with permission. CVLI #CV4328. Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post The cost of saying yes (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Mary didn't carry out her mission alone—Elizabeth encouraged her, and Joseph stood by her. It's often our default to think of ourselves as the main character, but God often calls us to support others in their calling. How can we humble ourselves before God and humbly come alongside those around us in their God-given purposes? Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Supporting God's mission together (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Mary was chosen by God for an incredible part of his story. While we may not carry the Saviour, we too are chosen to play a role in God's purpose and plans. How is God calling you, and us, to be part of his extraordinary story? In this message we looked back across 2024 at the way God has been at work in our church and our lives. In this message Geoff talked about our focuses in 2024. You can The post Chosen for a purpose (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

True Christian community is not only inward-focused but also outward-reaching. This week, we'll look at how Jesus calls us to extend the grace and unity we experience in the church to the wider world. We are called to invite others to join us in a growing relationship with Jesus. While we invite others to church services and groups, this also means embodying Christ's love in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and social circles. We'll explore practical ways to live on mission, using The post Community on mission (Jireh Scheurwater) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Christian community is built on more than shared interests; it's about sharing life in Christ. Let's explore the early church's example of living in deep, purposeful community. Through worship, breaking bread, and sharing resources, they cultivated connections that went well beyond the surface. We'll explore how we can foster deeper connections in our church community, practicing forgiveness, encouragement, and accountability as we grow together in Christ. Discussion guide: Read and reflect on Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, Hebrews 10:24-25 The post Cultivating deeper connections in the church (Phil Sproul) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Jesus often used the table as a place of connection, healing, and grace. Let's focus on the significance of the table in Jesus' ministry. It's a place where barriers are broken, forgiveness is offered, and relationships are restored. As we reflect on Jesus' encounters around the table, we'll consider how we can use our tables—whether literal or figurative—as places where people can experience the transforming power of Jesus. Discussion guide: Read and reflect on Luke 7:36-50, Revelation 3:20, Acts 11:1-18 The post The table where Jesus meets us (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Jesus modelled radical hospitality—welcoming sinners, strangers, and the marginalised. Let's explore the heart of biblical hospitality: welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us. Through his example, we learn how opening our homes and hearts to others reflects the love of God. Hospitality isn't just about entertaining friends; it's about embracing strangers and showing them love, too. We'll point out some barriers to hospitality in our own lives and talk about how we can practice it with intentionality.   Discussion guide: The post Welcoming as Christ welcomed (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

In times of trouble and uncertainty, the Bible offers unparalleled comfort and hope. We'll explore how we can hold on to passages that remind us of God's constant presence, his promises of renewal, and the hope we have in Christ. The Bible is also a powerful tool in spiritual warfare. It equips us to stand firm against the enemy's schemes, resist temptation, overcome challenges, and stay grounded in God's promises. Discussion guideRead and reflect on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Romans 15:4, The post Wielding the Bible in spiritual warfare (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

The Bible is a diverse collection of writings, each with its own context, genre, and purpose. Understanding these elements is key to interpreting the Bible well. We'll dive into different types of biblical literature—from wisdom poetry to apocalyptic visions—exploring how context and genre influence our understanding of the message. We'll also talk about how our own perspectives shape the way we read the Bible and how we can approach it with greater clarity and depth. You can get a copy The post Wielding the Bible properly (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Reading the Bible is just the beginning; living out its truths is the goal. This week, we'll focus on practical ways to integrate the Bible into our daily lives and our community through meditation, journaling, and application. Reading and discussing the Bible together deepens our relationships and strengthens our faith. As we approach the Bible with intention and creativity, we'll discover how it can transform not only our individual lives but also the life of our community. Discussion guide Read The post Applying the Bible for everyday life in community (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

The Bible isn't just a collection of ancient texts; it's a living, breathing story that has the power to transform our lives. We'll explore how the Bible reveals God's redemptive story and how we can live in, and from, this truth. We'll reflect on the purpose of the Bible and how it can shape our lives. We'll commit to engaging with the Bible in a more meaningful way. Discussion guideRead and reflect on Hebrews 1:1-2, Timothy 3:16-17, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews The post The Bible's transformative purpose (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Simon Ward from Compassion was our guest speaker this week. He shared an update from Compassion, and gave a message called ‘Don't Look Down' from Luke 24. Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Don't Look Down (Simon Ward from Compassion) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

The story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac is one of the most challenging in the Bible. This week, we will explore themes of trust, obedience, and God's ultimate provision. Abraham: faith and imperfection. This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We'll find parts of our own story, and we'll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham. Group Discussion Guide The post The greatest challenge to Abraham's faith (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Abraham is often admired for his great faith, but his story also includes moments of fear and failure. This week, we will explore how God's promises remain steadfast even when our faith wavers. Abraham: faith and imperfection. This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We'll find parts of our own story, and we'll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham. The post Abraham's flawed faith (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Abraham's journey begins with a radical call to leave everything familiar and trust in God's vision. This week, we explored the courage and faith required to embrace God's vision for our lives. This series will help us see Abraham not just as a figure of great faith, but as a complex person who experienced highs and lows. We'll find parts of our own story, and we'll find confidence in God, through the journey of Abraham. Group Discussion Guide:Read and reflect The post Abraham's radical call to embrace God's vision (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer. The post Transformative prayer: “Here I am, send me.” (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer. The post Transformative prayer: “Would you, please?” (Kate Cathcart) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer. The post Transformative prayer: “I'm sorry, forgive me.” (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Talking to God is a simple practice that can feel difficult and complicated. Many people see prayer as a “Break in Case of Emergency” box – they only pray in those moments when nothing else is working. Others see it as a shopping list for life, only talking with God when they need something. For others it is a therapeutic habit, processing their life with an external Presence. These are just a few of the many ways people see prayer. The post Transformative prayer: “Thank you God, you're amazing!” (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Phil & Julie Bignill were part of our church leadership for over 20 years! From my recollection it was 1995 when they moved to Cairns to pastor our church. And then in 2015 Phil moved into a regional role with Churches of Christ. Julie worked in the office for many years as well, and served the church in so many ways. Connect with us anytime at https://www.thelakes.church The post Psalm 23 (Phil Bignill) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

Doubt is not something to be afraid of in faith. Doubt is something that we should embrace. It is something should bring together into community. It's something that is ok and acceptable in our faith life. You are radically accepted by God as you are right now. And as an extension of Heaven on earth, you're radically accepted by this community. So if it's hard to believe right now or you have questions we want you to connect deeper into The post Doubt (Brian Paris) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

In today's fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with noise and distractions. This volume not only surrounds us but invades our minds, making it difficult to hear the gentle whisper of God. The practice of silence and solitude invites us to step away from the noise, to be still and know that he is God. On July 7 & 14 we are exploring the spiritual discipline of silence and solitude, learning to create intentional spaces for quiet closeness with God. The post Seek silence & solitude (Geoff Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.

In a world overwhelmed by noise and distractions, it's easy to feel disconnected from God's voice. This week, we'll explore how the constant clamour in our lives can drown out his gentle whisper. By looking at the story of Elijah and the practices of Jesus, we'll learn practical steps to reduce the noise and create space for God. Join us as we discover how turning down the noise can deepen our relationship with God and allow us to hear his The post Silence & solitude: Turn it down (Laura Snook) appeared first on The Lakes Church Cairns.