In the world of marksmanship, there is a popular phrase – “aim small, miss small.” This means that if you just aim at a target, you may miss the target entirely, but if you focus and aim at the bullseye, you may miss it, but still hit the target. Peter narrows the focus for us in today in our missional calling as the people of God. How we concentrate our time…focus our attention…direct our efforts is important. But more critical than “How” is “Who.” Who is the focus of our attention and devotion? Who calls the shots and guides our days? Who has the final word about us both now and forever? Who determines both our identity and our destiny? Who is the centre of our lives? Knowing the answers to these questions prepares us for living with hope in every circumstance especially times of struggle. Only when Christ is at the centre of our hearts do we have or can we live the hope that offers future certainty and is grounded in the present reality of his victory over sin, death, evil and the trials and chaos of this world. Only when Christ is the centre of our lives…when we intentionally aim to be like him and focus to make his life visible…can we ever offer the hope we have in him, with others. Today we get back to basics, slow our breathing, focus our eyes, take aim and live the resurrection life God has set before us.
#5 in series: The New Normal
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” “We have met the enemy & he is us.” “Hi, my name is_____ & I’m an alcoholic.” However we say it…However much we want to deny it…Sometimes the greatest threat we face is the face that stares back at us in the mirror. Sometimes the greatest challenge in our world is the world we create by our own beliefs, thoughts & actions. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to following Jesus faithfully is the person standing in my shoes. In a world that often turns up the heat against us & our faith, we are called to not add fuel to the fire or jump straight into it. Our call is to ‘reach’ not just ‘resist’ those around us who are not yet part of the family of Christ. We are called to reveal the face of Christ in the most challenging circumstances… to witness to the power of Christ that triumphs over the painful brokenness of the world…to live as believable witnesses to the power that raised Christ from the dead & gives to us his victory. You are face of Jesus wherever you are…in private...in public…in your family. Holiness matters. Credibility makes a missional difference. We’ll explore that today
#4 in series: The New Normal
In Australia, over 30% of residential buildings annually are undertaken by owner-builders. An owner-builder is both the homeowner and the person responsible for managing and coordinating the building work done at their own residence from concept/design to reality, from getting the approvals to ensuring that everything is a compliant with all standards, specifications and regulations. An owner builder has greater control over the process and flexibility to make changes more easily. If the stress and worry of that seems too much, you can simply sign a contract with a builder who will charge you a fee to manage the building project for you. Any variations to the standard template will incur additional costs and any changes once building is underway will be subjected to a builder’s premium. Which of the two options would you choose? They represent two building projects that are being undertaken in the world today with widely different outcomes. Today, Peter shows us again the blueprint of a building project that is stunningly simple in design, is built to the highest standard possible, is fit for purpose and provides a place for all, regardless of background or circumstance, to come together in community for living in unity. It's a building project in which you play a valuable role.
#3 in series: The New Normal
'Don't put all your eggs in one basket!' If you have ever been to a financial advisor, you will have heard words like this. Don't risk everything on one thing we are told. Diversify your investments, hedge your bets, seek multiple opportunities, multiple paths and multiple options to mitigate the risk of something going wrong and thereby losing everything. Don't put all your eggs in one basket because you can't be sure of anything. But the new normal when it comes to living the resurrection life, shares a different narrative. Because of what Christ has done for us, we can go all in. There's no need for spiritual hedging, and no need to look for multiple options. There is one life strategy, one life calling, one way that we can pursue with all we are and all we have because we have a living hope and an eternal destiny which is an absolute certainty. The pressure is not on getting it right, but in simply being the people Christ has redeemed you to be...a people set apart to let his life radiate out through us. That's living in holiness and that's what we'll explore and unpack together today.
#2 in series: The New Normal
Fixed reference points. Pilots use them, so do sailors. The stars, mountains, buildings or other landmarks. Fixed reference points are a known measure or position that give certainty and enable us to know where we are and what direction we are heading. Business, schools and other industries use fixed reference points known as standards or benchmarks to give a baseline and measure progress or success. In the journey and struggles of life, we need help to find our way. We need a reference point - something that is constant, true and certain - by which we can set our course with confidence regardless of the circumstances we encounter. That fixed reference point, that baseline, that standard or benchmark Peter tells us today, which gives meaning, purpose, direction and certainty to our living is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It establishes the new normal that gives living hope, eternal security and an unshakeable identity that enables us to live through difficulty, thrive through suffering and endure hardship with confidence. It's the good news of the resurrection that strengthens and transforms us to be a people living with certainty whatever situations we face and wherever we find ourselves sent
#1 in series: Living with Certainty
The cross. It was meant to signal death. But instead, it's a sign of living. It was mean to be the end. But instead, it's our beginning. That's the earth-shattering good news of Resurrection Sunday that changes everything. There's nothing to see here. Everything that can be shaken has been shaken, so that what cannot be shaken remains. What remains for you is joy in the midst of sadness, peace in the midst of turmoil, hope in the midst of despair, love in the midst of hate, life in the midst of death. Death couldn't stop him, hell couldn't hold him, the grave couldn't contain him and sin couldn't defeat him. There's nothing to see here. God is with you...where you need him most. God is for you...in the ordinary everyday rhythms of life. So stop hanging around the tomb...there's nothing to see there. The crown, the meal, the cross...all of that he chose for you! Don’t be afraid…go & tell… Easter is NOT something back there…an echo in human history…a memory of something long ago…a once-in-a-while revisiting of a familiar tale. Jesus is alive & sends us toward the world that does not yet know…has not yet heard… Don’t be afraid…go & tell…What has been done FOR you from now on works IN you & THROUGH you.
It means YOU are part of God’s plan for the whole of creation…yes YOU. When it was time to choose…Christ chose YOU for life with him forever.
#4 in Holy Week Series: Crossroad Choices
The Cross. It's the centrepiece of the Christian faith. An instrument of torture. A way to kill people with extreme prejudice. Designed to hurt terribly and inflict as much pain as possible over a prolonged period of time. It was humiliating and shameful; the victim's agony put on public display. At the crossroad, the world says anything but the cross. At the crossroad, God says, nothing but the cross. For it's on the cross in his suffering and dying that Jesus is most like us. It's on the cross through his suffering and dying, Jesus is most like God. That is good news for all of us. At the crossroads, Jesus will always choose the cross for us.
#3 in Holy Week series: CrossRoad Choices
The open in the service adapted from words written by Jason Dyba
The Meal. From beginning to end, the Bible is full of meals. The meal is a sign of God's provision for and deliverance of his people. The meal is a place of forgiveness and acceptance. The meal creates belonging; it builds community. At every major Crossroad or intersection in life, God gave his people a meal as a means of coming together, to celebrate and remember. It's the meal that Jesus gives this night. The meal of friendship that reveals, restores, and gives resolve. The Meal that provides perspective, purpose and fills with promise all who are confronted with Crossroad choices. Jesus offers you a place with him tonight at the Meal.
#2 in Crossroad Choices
Ford or Holden? Eels or Panthers? Labour or Liberal? Buy or rent? Opposites are said to attract, but what they really do is cause us to choose. Choices which might have far reaching consequences or long lasting effects. Every time we reach a crossroad, a choice, there’s uncertainty & tension which create turmoil or confusion. Every choice is made based on who we are & what matters most to us. Every choice reveals what has authority over us & to what we give our allegiance.
Some choices come to us and shake those very foundations of our lives. As Jesus enters Jerusalem we see just such a shaking…an uproar. Jesus arrives and we face a choice between two alternatives to life…the choice between either power and control or humility and courageous faith. His presence unnerved and unsettled those who were expecting something else. This was a crossroad moment of life-altering proportions. It still is! For Jesus there was no confusion...no uncertainty. He chose to wear one crown, to take one road, to walk one path that would forever change the trajectory of human life.
#1 in Holy Week Series: Crossroad Choices