Like many old ruins, buried beneath dust and hidden in the Australian bush, integrity seems to be an abandoned relic of a bygone era. Whether it’s the telling of little white-lies, or embelishing facts to sell ourselves on our CV’s, whether it’s politicians using parliamentary privilige to make claims that don’t need to be substantiated (and which can ruin reputations), or being loose with travel claims, integrity is being buried in the dust of a world which is chasing after whatever it can get its hands on. Today Jesus draws a line in the dust and calls his church to live lives of radical integrity which not only reveal whose we are, but build and sustain communities in which all can find nurture, health, peace and blessing.
Go deeper with the Word as you study this important topic in a LifeGroup.
THEME
Have you heard the expression, 'shovel-ready jobs? It refers to those work projects that are ready to go and have an immediate impact, if funding is available. We are also told that the 'first 100 days' of a new Prime Minister or President are supposed to reveal the direction of the government and the impact it will have. They are supposed to be filled with decisive impact-full action.
As people of God who are eternally loved and incredibly blessed, today Jesus reminds us we are to have a Radical Impact in this world under the Spirit's power, transforming lives and communities locally in ways that have a ripple effect globally andi echo into eternity.
What do you associate with the word "radical?" The word "radical" often implies being way out on the edge and is used today to dismiss a group that makes us feel uncomfortable. So if this series "Radical Church" makes you feel a little bit uneasy, then that is understandable. But the word "radical" comes from a Latin term radix which means "root" and today Jesus is calling the Church back to its roots to re-discover her calling to be a world-changing, spirit-infused, culture-shaping, paradigm-shifting and radical movement of God in the world today. It begins with a radical faith.
302/351 253/308 To most people it just looks like random numbers. But to a car enthusiast, it's enough to get some animated discussions going. Which engine is more powerful, faster, sounds better! As a claimed and called disciple of Jesus, infused with his Spirit, you have more power at your disposal than you can ever imagine. Power to love, to heal, to teach, to bear the image and presence of God in whatever places, circumstances or institutions you find yourself. So today we look at being infused with power; a power that is life-creating and leads to a life that is flourishing.
It's experienced a great resurgence over recent years - the art of tea infusion. Infusion is designed to bring out the best of the flavours of the herb or tea that is being infused; flavours which can change depending on the solution and temperature that the tea is infused in. There have even been tea societies formed (just check out the T2 website) designed to create the ultimate tea communities! In this new year, God wants to give you a Life Infusion, one that will draw out the very best flavours in your life. It begins with being infused with the Spirit.
Talk seems to be so cheap these days. How many times have you wished that people would just say what they mean and mean what they say? It's what makes the angel's visit to Mary and her response to God's call to bear a miracle that would change the world, even more remarkable. It's a simple call - a call of faith, a call to trust, a call which takes God at his Word. It's a call that also dares us to take God at his Word and believe that the impossible is always possible with God.
Join a LifeGroup or study deeper the text for this week in your own family.
#1 in series: A Simple Christmas
Week Beginning: 27th November 2016
They are storylines that work – from rags to riches, the underdog triumphs, the oppressed receive justice, But real life doesn’t offer such tightly sewn plots, such happily ever after stories. Sometimes the chaos never clears, the larger perspective never appears, the honourable are never vindicated, and the light never shines through. Today we look at how a simple promise, a word out of place, changes the landscape forever.
Week 3 of the series: Futures Investing
Beginning week: 20th November 2016
In the real world, money equals success. Everyone wants to be a millionaire. Everyone wants to win the lottery.
In our more cynical moments we’ll say “You can’t take it with you,” but most of us live most of our lives trying to prove Jesus wrong when he says, “Life is not measured by how much you own.” Today Jesus shows us a more joyful way to live as we invest our resources generously to bless the world, in kingdom growing and kingdom expanding ways.