The Way Forward

3 March, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

It's heard in changerooms, on courts and grounds of all major sports - "The best defence is a good offense." If you score more points, tries and goals than your opposition, then you will win. Jesus takes that saying to a whole new level when it comes to advancing the cause of the Gospel. For Jesus it isn't about winning or losing, but about mercy, grace and living in imitation of the Father who gives life and joy and shows compassion even to those who don't deserve it. In a world that is all too ready to win at any cost, Jesus shows a way forward that gives life, breathes hope, multiplies joy and advances his kingdom locally and globally in a way that is radically countercultural.

BIBLE VERSE

Luke 6:27-36

THEME VERSE:

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

When the mercy and compassion of Jesus, is lived out through our lives, we see the gospel transforming lives, communities and the world like never before. Grudges are transformed by grace, fractured relationships are restored through forgiveness and hard hearts are broken open by love. And the Lord adds daily in the Book of Life, the names of those being saved.

View

The Way of Growth

24 February, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

MRI, CT Scan, blood tests, bone density scan, mammogram, dental exam, x-ray, angiogram, ultrasound. From the simple bathroom scale and a tape measure to medical equipment costing millions of dollars, we can physically assess, diagnose, prescribe, and treat almost every part of the human body. But there is no scan, swab or scope for your soul. We can’t make an appointment and have someone probe, poke or pry and determine the condition of our spirit. But like all things living, even there you are either growing/thriving or withering/dying. So at this week's waypoint we are going to look at the way of growth and explore some outside indicators that reveal an inner spiritual health.

#4 in series: Waypoints

THEME VERSE:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

The way of growth is a call to each of us as individuals but also as a community. The body of Christ grows when its members are well nourished in the word and bound together in Christ; it leads to a life that overflows with thankfulness and grace.

FAITH TALK:

1. Rate your physical fitness 1-10 - 1awful 10 ready for a marathon. How did you determine that? To improve?

2. What “data” would you use to rate your spiritual fitness? What would you currently score?

View

The Way of Mission

17 February, 2019 Pastor Mark Simpfendorfer

You can tell a lot about the purpose of a trip or the nature of an event by the invitation and the list of instructions given.

1. Bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen (outdoors activity)

2. Dress is business casual (social event for work)

3. Bring a Bible, sleeping bag and a torch (church or youth camp)

4. Bring a salad or dessert to share (church potluck)

5. In lieu of flowers please send donations to... (funeral)

Today Jesus' invitation and instructions clue us in to the purpose of the Kingdom trip he is sending us on. It's an urgent trip that will challenge and confront but it comes with a promise that will sustain us in all circumstances. So today we pack our faith and our courage and get ready to embark on 'The Way of Mission.

#3 in Series: Waypoints

THEME VERSE:

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. Luke 10:1

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

In the way of mission , the question is not what you need for the journey, but who you need. It's Jesus and the community of faith. For when we are on the way of mission, his mission, we are never, ever alone.

View

The Way of Life

10 February, 2019 Matthew Andrew

‘Whatever it takes…’. Three little words that embody a strength, a commitment and passion. Three little words that will not be pushed aside when the obstacles become too large or the challenges too great. Three little words that we are reminded of again today as Jesus shows us the unexpected, life transforming ‘whatever it takes’ that both surprises us and enables us to live fully. Three little words that lead to a healing, restoration and a fullness of life that goes way beyond what is expected. Today we explore ‘The way of life’ that God has envisioned for us as his people.

#2 in series: Waypoints

THEME VERSE:

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Living fully is only possible when you receive three little words - love, grace and forgiveness - spoken to you from the cross. It creates faith that is active, persistent, creative and sacrificial; a faith that enables you to do whatever it takes to bring people into the presence of Jesus.

READING

Luke 5:17-26

FAITH TALK:

1. Finish the sentence: “My life would be so much better if______________”

2. Share a time when someone did somethng for you that was more than you ever expected. How did it make you feel?

3. Who is someone you would do 'whatever it takes' for? Why them?

View

The Way

3 February, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Waypoints are a part of our life. To varying degrees we all have them. For some they are called a "Bucket list" - things that we want to do and tick off before we die. For others, they are life goals - markers along the way that signal we are on the right path, whether relationally, financially, spiritually or career wise. But the only way we can punch in the waypoints for the journey ahead, is to know our starting point and the destination that we are heading to. So as we launch into a new season of ministry, it’s time to check our bearings, be clear about the vision God has called us to, so that we can continue the journey with confidence and boldness in the Way he has shown us.

#1 in series: Waypoints

THEME VERSE:

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

The beginning, the waypoint and the goal of life is Jesus!

READINGS

1 Corinthians 2:1-10

Luke 6:17-23

FAITH TALK:

1. Share a time when you got lost or lost your way. What happened?

2. What are some things that help you keep your life “on track?”

3. As you look back on your life, what have been key waypoints for you in your walk with Jesus?

View

Refocus

27 January, 2019 Pastor Mark Simpfendorfer

Routines - we all have them. Routines in relationships, in daily quiet times, in weekly scheduling. Routines bring order to chaos. It makes life predictable and less scary. It brings comfort and stability. But routines can also be dangerous; weakening us with fatigue, blurring our vision, limiting our ability to grow, and blinding us to new opportunities. Today Jesus issues an invitation that wakes us from our complacency, gives us a new situational awareness and calls us to a deeper trust as he gives us a kingdom refocus.

THEME VERSE:

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Jesus calls us to leave the shallows of our faith and life and venture into the deeper water of trust. The water may be deep, the vision murky, and the work difficult and uncertain, but the moment you respond to Jesus' call and say, "but because you say so", you will discover an abundance of blessing like you have never imagined.

READINGS

Isaiah 6:1-8

Luke 5:1-11

FAITH TALK:

1. What is your normal morning routine?

2. Where in your life does it feel like you are working hard but coming up empty and how does it make you feel?

3. What would it take for you to go deeper in trust in your relationship with Jesus?

View

Restore

20 January, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

The statistics and research cannot be clearer. The Church in Australia is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the eyes of the majority. It has been marginalised. It has lost its social location at the centre of culture and no longer occupies an influential place in the community. But maybe that's a good thing. For it's precisely on the edges and in the margins of life that Jesus says we belong as his people. It's among those that the world does not want to see or chooses to ignore, among all whose experience of life is impoverished, that we rediscover God's good and holy purpose for our lives - to restore people to the fullness of his life. So come, hear, receive, and experience the good news as Jesus pushes us out of the comfortable places to live a powerful life that restores.

#3 in series: A Time of No Regrets.

THEME VERSE:

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:21

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

You have but one mission and purpose in life. Filled and anointed with the power of the Spirit, God is calling you to go wherever there is hurt, pain, isolation, fear or need and announce, in word and deed, that God sees them and is present with his life-transforming grace to heal, release, and restore.

FAITH TALK:

1. Where are the marginal places of life in our communities today?

2. Complete the sentence: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to_________”

View

Renew

13 January, 2019 Charles Bertelsmeier

Who am I?

It seems the identity question grows more and more complex by the year. So what is it that determines your identity? Is it your sex, your ethnicity, your religious affiliation, your age, your abilities, your family of origin, your political beliefs? Is it the food you eat, the way you dress; the hair, piercings, markings or tattoos that reflect a certain identity you want to project? Who we think we are plays a key role in how we think, how we feel, and how we go about our everyday lives. Today God reminds us that we best understand "who" we are when we remember "whose" we are. So let him renew you today, that secure in his love and affirmation, you may step into this new year with confidence and boldness whatever 2019 may bring.

THEME VERSE:

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke 3:22b

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

Your relationship with God, is the one relationship in life that you cannot screw up, for you did not establish it. It's not dependant on your success, or lack of it, your abilities or lack of them, what you do or don't do. You are God's beloved....he loves you deeply and completely, now and for eternity. Full stop.

FAITH TALK:

1. Finish the question: I belong when ________.

2. What has been influential in shaping your identity?

3. Renew means to 'make new again.' What do you need God to make new again in 2019?

View

Reset

6 January, 2019 Pastor Mark Simpfendorfer

#1 in series: A Time of No Regrets

READINGS

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Luke 3:2b-6

THEME

Do you feel the same way as you launch into 2019? With the turning of the clock over to a New Year, everybody looks for a reset of their lives; to leave behind the old and move forward; that's why we make New Year's resolutions. To reset something is to set it back to its original purpose and original design. When an electronic device is functioning in a less-than-optimal way, it can be reset so that whatever was stuck gets unstuck and all the connections can run smoothly again. Similarly, when life is functioning in a less-than-optimal way, it can be reset too. The Bible has a particular word for this - it's called repentance and it's God's gift to us as we begin 2019 year, so that it can be a time of no regrets. Today we press the reset button of repentance in our lives so that they are in sync with God and his good and gracious will for our lives.

THEME VERSE:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:1. 6b-7

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

A year of no regrets begins in repentance at the feet of Jesus. It humbles the mountain of pride that obscures our view and makes the road ahead difficult and impassable. It fills in the valleys of sin and despair that unbalance our lives. Repentance clears the path and resets your life so that you can live fully in his grace and step forward in every season with confidence in his unchanging Word.

FAITH TALK:

1. What would you like to press reset on in your life as you begin this New Year?

2. What needs a reset in your life when it comes to your apiritual walk with Jesus in 2019?

View