The Seismic shift of our world has been huge in these last months...our foundations have been shaken, the ground beneath our feet has shifted. It has left nations destroyed, communities devasted and lives in ruin. Death Moves among us, confronting and challenging each one of us, leaving us raw and vulnerable, exposed and alone. The very word has a hollow ring that echoes through the caverns of our body, leaving our body shivering and shaking with despair. Today death moves again and it has Seismic repercussions - the very earth quakes at the cross of Jesus who is plunged into the heart of death. But it is this death that shifts everything for eternity. His death that changes the outcome of death for each one of us. His death that can fill every death move in your life with hope and life.
What do your feet say about you? Do you have a manicured life? Or are your feet rough and calloused, from the hard toil of life? Where are your feet taking you now. Are you steps tentative from fear, or trying to regain traction as you go back on former paths to get some sense of equilibrium in your life? Are your footsteps heavy from the burden of guilt or shame? Or are your steps aimless and getting into a tangled mess. Have they taken you into places where you should not have gone? Wherever your journey has taken you, Jesus invites you to come and place your feet, the most vulnerable, raw and exposed parts of your life in his hands. For he came in love to take those vulnerable an exposed parts of your life and restore, heal and forgive. Will you let him wash your feet this night.
There has been a seismic shift in the landscape of the world. The coronavirus has rocked, shaken and agitated the very foundation of our lives, exposing the cracks in societal structures and leaving lives in ruin, rubble and turmoil. There was a similar seismic shaking when Jesus entered Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday. The whole city was “stirred”. Jerusalem was “in turmoil, rocked, agitated, shaken” when Jesus entered this epicentre of religion. His presence rocked the identity of the nation. His arrival agitated the hearts of people whose foundations needed to be challenged and way of living confronted. It unnerved and unsettled those who were expecting something else. Today Jesus comes to stir your heart, disrupt your lives and unleash a POWER MOVE that will forever change who you are and the life you live.
#1 in series: Seismic Shifts
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THEME VERSE
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” Matthew 21:10
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
When Jesus enters your life, your life will be shaken. In his presence, anything that stops you from being fully alive, fully yourself and fully his will be left in ruins. For Jesus comes to build a new structure, a new life in you on the foundation of his love and grace that will withstand all of life's turmoil.
Fear. Panic. Job losses. Uncertainty. Lives shutdown, freedoms curtailed. The global reach of COVID-19 and the societal and economical shutdowns it is triggering, is a disaster with no modern parallels. The sustained public pain is widespread. Wherever you go, whatever media you listen to or watch, there is no escaping this pandemic which is touching everyone, everywhere and will do so for a very long time. In the midst of life, we are certainly in death. We can smell it. Death. That’s the reality we all face. The death rate for every community is the same: one per person and 100%.There are no shortcuts around it, no opting out of it. It will confront each of us one day, at a time unknown. But Jesus offers us a DEEP LIFE where death doesn’t have the last word; where resurrection and life forever is real and available to all. And what is more, today Jesus invites us to be part of the miracle of bringing deep life to a world in need of hope like never before.
#6 and final in series: Deep Cycle
Click here for Weekly Bulletin and News
Click here for Coffee and Chat begins at about 10.30am AEDST after the service. All welcome.
THEME VERSE
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. John 11:40-41a
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
God loves you so much that he lets nothing stand between you and his life-giving powerful love…not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. God is not finished bringing deep life to this world that is wrapped in death. You are his instruments of resurrection life, grace, and power here and now.
FAITH TALK
1. Fill in the blank. Life is________!
2. What is it you want Jesus to come and see and resurrect in your life today?
Reality television is on the rise. Australians are living vicariously through the experiences of the reality TV stars – from the safety of our own homes. Living vicariously is safe - we don't have to risk our own heart or our own reputation - but it's not real. The network stations have latched on to Australian's deep desire or deep deficiency in our lives, namely we are always looking for more. We live dehydrated lives where we are thirsting for something more, something different, but we always keep returning to the same wells hoping our thirst will be quenched. What is your well? Food? Marriage? Children? Perfectionism? Isolation? Withdrawal? Power and Control? Addiction? Busyness? Denial? Have you spent too long drinking at a well that will never satisfy? There is another well, one that promises life, one by which we are known and loved. Jesus invites you today to drink deeply from his well and be completely satisfied. It's an encounter that will transform your life, as you discover the deep intimacy that comes from being loved, seen, accepted, included, forgiven and known.
THEME VERSE:
“We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.” John 4:42
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Intimacy = in-to-me-see.
Your thirst will never be quenched by the external wells of life. Only by Jesus.
Jesus Christ encounters us at our dry well and invites us to drink deeply from the well of his life and love. That's a vicarious living that will deeply satisfy. For to be known by Jesus is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.
"There are none are so blind as those who will not see." It's more than just a proverb. It's a vision impairment that confront many. Blindness is not about the quality of our vision or the condition of our eyes. How we see others, what we see in the world, the way we see life is less about the objects of our seeing and more about ourselves. It's a reflection of the fears, attachments and beliefs that we hold onto tightly and which we project onto the world.. Today Jesus wants us to confront our own blindness and own myopic and selective vision in order to see a large reality and live with a deep vision that comes from him. It's a vision that opens up a totally new perspective and way of life for us.
#3 in series: Deep Cycle - Epping Campus
THEME VERSE
One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! John 9:25
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
When you have defined yourself or others in terms of tragedy, challenge or limitation, or let others define you in that way, know this: the mud of darkness will always give way to the light of Christ. Let his grace not only give you clarity of vision but confidence to step into the open future he gives.
FAITH TALK
1. When have you ever felt isolated or abandoned?
2. When it comes to Jesus, how would you fill in the blank? “All I know is ___________”
We live in a fast changing world, where the need to retrain or upskill is becoming a constant reality. That is what makes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) so important for many. RPL is a way of getting any previous relevant knowledge, experience or wisdom formally recognised towards a new qualification. It short cuts the process. It gives credit for knowledge already held. When it comes to salvation, many people wish they could receive RPL - that their religiosity, their charitable works, their goodness or knowledge of God would give them or earn them some credit points. Jesus rejects any application for RPL. You have to start over, begin anew and discover the Deep Wisdom that comes as the Spirit leads us in the way and life of Jesus. It's a life that engages our passions, sparks our imaginations and satisfies our deepest yearnings for more. May you find that deep wisdom today.
#3 in series: Deep Cycle
THEME VERSE
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Deep Wisdom is simply this: Let God be God to you.
FAITH TALK
1. If there is one question you would like to know the answer to from God or about God, what would it be?
2. How have you experience the love of God for you over this past week?
Deep Threat. Sudden Impact. Clear and Present Danger, War Games, True Lies, ISIS: Rise of Terror, The Sum of All Fears. They may just be movie titles but they point to the underlying threats that lie beneath the surface of our lives. Add the current threat of Coronavirus to the threats of bushfires, drought, losing homes, financial insecurity and it is easy to see why people are burdened with fear, anxiety or helplessness. But the real threat that we constantly face is a daily encounter with the evil one and the temptation that he strategically places before us. to shift our allegiance, trust & confidence away from God to some immediately available substitute that promises more now…to meet a real need the wrong way…the results of which are always the same - a heart either burdened by guilt & filled with pain, or so hardened by sin that it refuses to acknowledge the brokenness that exists or the pain that follows. Rather than run in fear or feel anxious about it, today Jesus shows us how to face the Deep Threat of temptation head on, and to come out of it with a clear sense of identity, and with a purpose, power and authority to engage the world.
#2 in series: Deep Cycle
THEME VERSE:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Every day the very first threat we face is an attempt to undermine our identity. To counter that threat, return to the wilderness to remember whose we are, and who we are.
FAITH TALK
1. In your opinion what is the greatest thrreat that exists in the world today?
2. What is the greatest threat in your life to your relationship with God and how do you deal with that risk?
You are sitting at the end of the runway. Your seat belt is done up tightly, your personal items secured. It’s about to happen. The engine power increases. Do you close your eyes? Grab the seat rest or the person next to you? Look out the window? Say a prayer? The plane is cleared for take-off. It’s time to go. As full take off power is applied, the aircraft on which you are seated begins hurtling down the runway, and with a small bump, you leave the ground, are airborne, and the adventure begins. Today Jesus clears us for take-off. It’s time to go, to begin this next stage of the adventure, to get airborne as a Church and fly; to go beyond the limits of what we consider possible and see how far his love takes us! The control tower has given the all clear for take-off. So go, with the full power of the Spirit and let’s leave the ground and fly!
# 4 and final in Vision Series: Take Off
THEME VERSE:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Don't discard the "Go" of Jesus' commission! It's a call that requires simple obedience. We are made to be like Jesus, to do what Jesus did and participate in his mission to the world. It's time to go!
FAITH TALK
1. What do you do when the plane is about to take off down the runway and get airborne?
2. How willing are you to go and participate in God's mission to the world? What stops you from going?
3. What limits do you place on yourself that stops you being bold for Jesus?