Disappointment. Disillusionment. Dysfunction. Discouragement. Dread. Defeat. Darkness. Death.
If monochrome grayscale life is all there is, then ready yourself for a life that is dreary dull, dead. But John assures us today that’s not the final chapter the Father has written for us. The resurrection of the lamb-who-was-slain changes everything. Out of darkness, light shines. Out of despair, hope arises. Out of discouragement, inspiration awakens. Out of death, new life grows. This is the beauty that the resurrection restores to life. Today we explore life that vividly colours & adds beauty in every time, place and circumstance; a vibrancy and freshness that emerges in and flows from living in worship.
In the vision John receives of Jesus and of God’s ultimate triumph of his kingdom… “…they sang a new song with the words our theme verse for today:
THEME VERSE:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
Worship not only unveils the beauty of a God who loves us, is for us, and living in us but it fills our lives with a new song that brings life, hope, strength, and trust in every circumstance of life. The daily act of living becomes an act of worship that proclaims to the world that there is nothing of greater worth than Jesus Christ.
FAITH TALK
1. What made/makes your mum beautiful?
2. How does worship help you see the beauty of God?
3. How are you singing a ‘new song’ in your life because of the resurrection?
Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and taken a long hard look at yourself? Forget about your hair, the wrinkle lines, zits or makeup and look at yourself. Who is that? Do you have the courage to speak honestly about who/what you see or do you look away? Today Jesus walks alongside his Church - the Church he loves, the Church his blood has bought, the Church he holds securely in his hands, and asks us to answer honestly, "What do you see reflected back. What sort of Church are we? A good honest look at ourselves can be confronting, challenging, even convicting but Jesus knows what is at stake. So he calls us out, warns us of danger, but above all reminds us of the incredible promised blessings given to those who live in honesty and claim daily his resurrection victory.
#2 in series: Making all things New
THEME VERSE:
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22
REMEMBER THIS WEEK:
Jesus loves you too much to pamper you. If it's comfort, strength and encouragement you need to hang in and hold on, he loves you enough to give that to you. But if you need to be challenged in areas where you are compromising your relationship with him or his witness to the world, he loves you enough to discipline you and warn you. For having paid the ultimate price to get you back and give you life, he cannot bear to lose you again.
FAITH TALK
1. When you look in the mirror, what do you think is your best attribute?
2. Who was or is the disciplinarian in your house?
3. What would Jesus commend or critique about your relationship with him?
C.S. Lewis once said, “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?” That's what the resurrection does for us. Resurrection is all about a new reality, a fresh perspective, a renewed life that changes everything…even if what you experience in this world seems to be the same...or getting worse. When we wonder who is in control of this world, when life seems too big or you feel too small, not good enough, inadequate, or that you have somehow disappointed Jesus…or made him mad at you…never forget, "the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Eph 1:19-20) is in you. In Christ's presence, by his power, we live the promised journey toward fullness of healing and life and discover a grace that is “making all things new” including us. For from beginning to end, God is in control of all things Today, we begin a journey where John unveils the reality of what God’s making all things new resurrection living looks like.
#1 in series: Making All Things New
THEME VERSE
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18
REMEMBER THIS WEEK
Living in Christ; means there is nothing too great for God's power to handle or too insignificant for his love to embrace. It's a reality that says from beginning to end, God is in control and his powerful love is transforming everything: …our past…our future…and how we live right now.
FAITH TALK
1. How has the good news of the resurrection made a difference in your life over the past week? If it hasn't, why do you think that is?
2. From your perspective or from the groups of people you hang around with, who or what seems to be in control of the world at this point of time?
3. What confidence does that give you in facing the future?
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?