There are days in our lives which are difficult
There are occasions in our lives that are confusing
There are times in our lives we'd rather forget.
There are moments that are simply unbelievable
But not today.
There are days when the darkness surrounds us
And the night appears to be endless
But not today
Because today is a sunrise that resurrects It all
Today is a light that breaks every darkness
And shines brighter than any sun
Today is a day like no other
Because the tomb that once held the body of Jesus
Is now, by the power of God, empty.
Today the stones that hold life at bay are rolled away
Today the staleness of decay meets God's breath
And new life springs forth.
Love has won Death is defeated Peace is real
Today the unbelievable is believable,
the impossible is possible
Because Jesus lives.
READINGS: Colossians 1:19-27; Luke 24:1-12
THEME VERSE
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:5-6a
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
No Other Life
Awakens hope
Renews
Endures…Than the life of Jesus for you.
FAITH TALK:
- If you had to pick three words which come to mind when you think of Easter morning,
2, Where in your life do you need new hope?
3. How has the risen Christ revealed himself to you?
What's the colour of your bus? Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Blue and Orange? What placards are you waving? What team are you getting behind? That's the question that will be on everyone's lips over the next six weeks as we head to the polls to elect the next Prime Minister. Who is best to lead our country? Who will bring peace and prosperity to the nation? Who is best placed to serve us as we wrestle with all the global and personal issues we face? How committed are you to supporting the cause? The questions are not new. It's the very question that disciples of Jesus were confronted with back then and the very questions we need to address ourselves as we begin this Holy Week. Whose cause will you commit to and back? Whose placard will you wave high? Whose campaign feels like a threat for you? Which King will you follow? The stakes are high and the ramifications eternal. Today Jesus steps up the journey that by the end of the week will demonstrate that there is no other King.
#1 in Holy Week Series: "No Other..."
THEME VERSE
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
No other king…
Sees his people
Cares for his people
Weeps for his people
Suffers for his people
Defeats death for his people
No other King but Jesus
FAITH TALK
1. What part of the Holy Week journey is most meaningful for you and why?
2. What does it mean to you to say that Jesus is King of your life?
Welcome home! There's no greater word to hear whether you are coming home from deployment, returning after travelling, reuniting after separation, reconciling after years estranged. Welcome home ... let us celebrate. In the final week of our series 'At the Table' we do just that. Celebrate. Party. Rejoice. For that's what God does every time he welcomes someone home. Throws a lavish party, where love abounds, forgiveness flows freely, laughter multiplies and joy spreads. Wherever you come from, no matter how far away you have been, the party today is for you - for the Father longs to embrace you in his arms and say, 'Welcome. Welcome home.'
There is no recording of the service today as it is our special Kids Church service where the young people lead us in our service:
BIBLE READING:
Luke 15:11-32
THEME VERSE:
"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:32
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
When you wander or go astray
Think you know a better way.
Head off down a harmful track
God is waiting to welcome you back
Yes Jesus loves you
Yes, Jesus loves you
Yes Jesus loves you
The Party's just for you!!
His steadfast love for you is great
And his mercy's an open gate
Through which he runs to seek your face
And shower you with amazing grace.
Come on in and celebrate
This party's for you, so fill your plate
And have no doubt, his love is true
He gave up his Son on a cross for you.
Food has often been used as means of persuasion, coercion or behaviour control. We see it in families - a mother trying to coax her child into believing that if they eat their 'vegies' they will grow up big and strong and smart. Or the 'carrot-and-stick' approach that if they don't eat their vegetables, they will miss out on dessert. We see it in the school yard where only the ‘populars’ are allowed to sit in a certain place and anyone who dares to defy that unwritten rule is dealt with quickly. As for politics and the workplace, food has been a staple when it comes to doing business for centuries. Meals are often a place where power is exercised and games are played. Jesus is confronted by these power games at a meal today. Yet he refuses to play by the established rules, breaking the power games with love and expanding the table to all who are willing to sit down at a place of humility. We’ll explore and experience that today.
#5 in series: At the Table
THEME VERSE:
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
God loves you just because. Until you live knowing that you are simply loved by God and you don't have to give to him to get something back, you will always be a Pharisee. Jesus invites you not only to engage with him but participate with him at the table, for it’s there that his gracious presence will totally transform you.
READING
Luke 14:1-24
FAITH TALK:
1. How would you describe ‘humility’?
2 What’s the best ‘excuse’ you’ve heard for declining an invitation?
3 Why do you think so many say “no” to God’s banquet?
4 What would it take to get you to come to the banquet of God’s deeper things?
You would think it would be customary for party or dinner guests to act per status quo -- as in being polite -- but when you get people together around a table with food, things can often go wrong. There's the' always late perso'n who comes when they are ready, your family's version of Uncle Bob who drinks way too much and wants to give everyone a kiss! There's the 'food critic' who is quick to offer advice on how they would have cooked it, the raconteur who dominates the floor and thinks they are Jerry Seinfeld or keen to impart the knowledge gained from their latest intellectual reading. There's the 'the wine spiller' or the one who doesn't know when to leave! It can leave the host wishing they had never invited the person in the first place. Today at the table, Jesus is that guest, who makes the meal one that the host and other guests will never forget…for all the wrong reasons. We'll explore that today as Jesus speaks a hard word; a word that may even offend, a word that takes aim at those who take refuge in ritual, rote, resources or routine rather than finding a place of trust in the only relationship that matters.
#4 in series: At the Table
THEME VERSE:
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
Jesus is never after acts of religiosity, but genuine love, compassion, mercy and service that overflow from a deep relationship of love with him. He throws the spotlight on your heart, not to condemn you, but to cleanse you, so that the beauty of his love may be completely reflected in your life and draw others in his presence where they can take refuge forever.
FAITH TALK:
1. What’s the most embarrassing or awkward meal you have hosted/been to?
2. Who’s the person in your family that you can count on to embarrass you at a family event?
3. Who are the people who are good at pointing out the hypocrisy between your life and faith?
We've all been there: You're having a pleasant meal when, out of nowhere, you take a bite or have a drink and suddenly you start choking, gagging and gasping for air as the food goes down the wrong way. It can be a painful and uncomfortable experience. Today, in an unexpected encounter at the Table, an outpouring of emotion and gratitude goes down the wrong way as the host of the meal chokes on a bit of Lamb that he considers too hard to swallow. But Jesus' promise is that all who willingly receive this gift of grace will discover a place of forgiveness that is not only easy to swallow, but will restore, renew, and release to live fully and abundantly. For love is born from forgiveness and forgiveness makes love grow. And from great forgiveness, great love grows. That's what we will experience and explore today.
#3 in series: At the Table
THEME VERSE:
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Luke 7:47 NLT
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
Bring Jesus your worst. He can handle it. Confess your worst. He will forgive it. At the table of his mercy, you will find a life-transforming grace that will lead to nothing less than spontaneous, unguarded, unplanned, emotional, and joyful worship.
FAITH TALK:
1. If you could meet any living person for a chat over a shared dinner, who would you pick and why?
2. Share a time in your life when you were incredibly thankful and relieved.
3. What difference does forgiveness make to your daily life?
Do you ever feel pressured to do it all? Be the perfect spouse, parent, child, employer, employee, Christian? Here’s the truth about having it all together. Jesus has not come for those who have it together, but those who are falling apart. He has not come for those who have made it to the top, but those struggling at the bottom. He has not come for the respectable, but for the despised. He has not come for those who are “healthy, wealthy, and wise,” but rather those who are sick, poor, and lost. He hasn’t come for the righteous but for the unrighteous, to give them a place of healing.
# 2 in series: At the Table
THEME VERSE:
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
Jesus comes for those who are struggling and in need of healing. Unless you can admit your deep down and profound need of healing, Jesus has nothing to offer you. When you acknowlege that need, Jesus has everything you need.
READING
Luke 5:27-32
FAITH TALK:
1. In what circumstances do people hear the message: You don’t measure up or you are not good enough?
2. What's the most memorable banquet you have ever been a part of?
3. When's the last time you invited non-Christians over for a meal at your place?
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.
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?