Have you ever started something with a dream in mind — maybe a relationship, a job, a family, a calling — only to find that reality looks nothing like what you hoped for?
That’s where the story of Joseph begins. Joseph has a dream — a bold, vivid, God-given glimpse of the future — but almost immediately, everything unravels. Family dysfunction, jealousy, betrayal. His dream doesn’t die, but it gets buried deep under disappointment.
And maybe that’s where some of us are too. We had a vision of what we hoped life would look like — what it should look like — but it hasn’t worked out that way. The good news is this: even when we can't see Him, even when dysfunction and struggle dominate the story, God is still at work. Not just in the outcome, but in the journey. His dream outlasts our dysfunction. His grace goes deeper than our brokenness.
Part 1 of our Old Testament series: "Behind the Seen"
Imagine sitting down at a meal and seeing an empty chair at the table.
You know it’s meant for someone; the place has been set, the crockery, cutlery and glassware have all been meticulously laid out for somebody – but who? Maybe they were invited… maybe they haven’t come yet… maybe no one thought to ask.
Today Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God is like a banquet—a table where there’s always room for more, especially for the forgotten and overlooked. God is the host who says, "Come, all who are thirsty... come to the feast!" And He sends us out to carry that invitation to others. Every other power tool God gives, every other power tool we have looked at over the last seven weeks is given to us to enable us to carry that invitation and to deliver it in a way that simply cannot be ignored.
Final part of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
Have you ever met a child who didn’t like to play with water? There are lot’s of different ways for children to play with water but the one thing you can almost guarantee when it comes to kids and water, they will find a way to spread it around, it never stays in its container.
Generosity is a bit like that. If God’s love, provision and grace are the water he gives us to play with, he doesn’t expect us to keep it in the one container. Generosity is about living as a conduit of God’s grace. Like a pipe through which water flows freely, God’s provision fills us—not to be hoarded, but to flow outward in blessing to others. As long as the channel stays open, there is no shortage—only movement, renewal, and impact. But when fear, self-interest, or scarcity thinking clog the pipe, the flow slows, and we become stuck. God invites us to live unclogged, open-handed, and freely receiving and releasing his gifts—so that the fullness we have in Christ can overflow into the lives of those around us.
Part 7 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
Some of you might be familiar with a popular Broadway musical called “Hamilton” which celebrated it’s 10th anniversary this year. In this musical, there is a song called “The room where it happens” in which one of the character’s (Aaron Burr) expresses his frustration at not being invited to be a part of the negotiations which helped establish parts of the American political landscape after the American Revolutionary war. He sings one particular line which really sums up the idea behind this week’s theme of involvement.
He sings, “when you got skin in the game, you stay in the game. But you don’t get a win unless you play in the game.”
Faith in Jesus is not a game, but He has won a victory for us. It is a victory which invites us into and enables us to actively participate in the life and mission of Jesus. Jesus in and become a part of God’s plan of salvation for all the world. It’s actively participating in the life and mission of God through Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit that keeps us living and experiencing the fulness of life that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Part 6 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
Every good building starts with a plan, a blueprint. Even before the foundations or cornerstone are laid, there is an architectural plan devised that will inform the size, and scope of the building works that will take place as the builders get to work and the building comes to life.
This is the way Paul talks about the church in Ephesians chapter 2. It’s architectural language, the picture is of God building something: something intentional, unified, enduring and purposeful. Something bigger than the sum of its parts. It’s God’s design, His plan, but we are all part of it.
What does it mean then to be a part of God’s church, to literally be “a dwelling in which God lives”? It’s not something we are supposed to do on our own.
Part 5 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
We all know that words can be powerful tools. I’m sure we have all been on the receiving end of both the destructive and constructive effects that words can have on us. Whether it’s the encouragement and affirmation of a boss or colleague, the criticism of a coach or mentor, maybe even the lyrics of a song or poem that express something of our own experience – words can express something of our reality and elicit deep emotional responses from us.
So, what happens when we are confronted with the Word of God? At times it critiques our sin and yet it also gives hope and encouragement. It not only describes or expresses reality, but it shapes it and changes it and its ultimate expression is not in prose or in song, or the confessions of any particular branch of the Christian Church or the Bible commentaries of various theologians, but in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh and dwelling among us.
Part 4 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
Have you ever heard someone talk about ‘cultivating a life of prayer’? It may seem odd but there are many ways that prayer is like planting seeds. Sometimes we don’t immediately see results but we trust that something is happening below the surface. We hope and trust that in bringing something before God, that he will be at work moulding, shaping, and growing his plan and purpose in the situation. And in prayer he is also often busy moulding, shaping and growing us.
Prayer is a two-way street, it’s not just talking to God but also learning to listen and be transformed as we are shaped by a life of open and honest communion and communication with our creator.
Part 3 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
The relationship between an apprentice and their ‘master’ is a uniquely special one, at least the way they depict it in the movies. Think about Daniel LeRusso (the Karate Kid) and Mr Miyagi, or Luke Skywalker and Master Yoda, or perhaps Po and Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda. In each case a wise and experienced master instructs and guides a young and usually impulsive student to harness the power and skill they develop in positive and productive ways. In each case, while walking in step with their master, these apprentices experience growth and progress. When they insist on doing things their way, they only find themselves in trouble.
Being apprenticed to a master means listening to and following the master’s instructions at all times. Sometimes, even Christians can take the gifts of God’s grace and mercy and use them in ways that do not bring life or healing but instead cause pain and destruction. Working with the God, the Master Craftsman is the best way to ensure that what we build in this life is something that will last. .
Part 2 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"
They say a good craftsman never blames his tools. They also say, ‘the right tool can make all the difference.’
Anyone who has begun a building or construction project, even an art or handicraft project will know the value of having the right tools for the Job. Power tools make things even easier. But a power tool without the right power source isn’t usually so helpful. The first and most important tool we have been given by God to help us live as his people is his presence with us. It is The Holy Spirit of God who gives us the power to employ all the other tools God gives us in the right way and at the right time to effectively build his kingdom here on earth. It's the same Holy Spirit who fully charged the first disciples to send them out on mission on that first day of Pentecost who now is at work in us empowering and equipping us to do the tasks that God has prepared in advance for us to do.
Part 1 of our Pentecost series: "Power Tools"