Suffering.

Hi everyone, just back from the States. I attended "Together for the Gospel" conference in Louisville Kentucky & wanted to share this talk with you all.
It's vital that we understand that suffering is a reality of life, & just because we suffer it doesn't mean that God doesn't care, or that He isn't still at work in our lives.
I was vividly reminded of that by listening to Matt Chandler's story.
It's powerful!
"In this (our Living Hope) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:6

T4G 2010 -- Session 8 -- Matt Chandler from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Being part of the body of Christ. MP3

The New Testament again & again describes Christians as a body.
A body with Jesus Christ as the head, & then each of us being all the seperate parts that make up a body.
So just as our physical bodies are made up of arms, legs, hands, feet, ears, eyes, mouth etc, so to the body of Christ, the Church.
How we fit into that body, & what our role is within the body is what we all need to look at & learn.
And just as a physical body can get sick, so too the body of Christ, if we are not on guard for things like pride & selfishness!
Listen along to "Being part of the body">

The Church part 4 MP3

One of the great things about being involved in a local church is seeing & experiencing those around you discovering & using their God given gifts!
It's an eye opening, joyful time for the church, when the congregation realises their full potential, & starts to use the 'tools' that God has given them, when they start to serve, start to minister to each other & to the community around them.
But, we need to be careful that we are using God's gifts as He has planned for us, as He wants us to, not as others may suggest, or our pride may dictate!
listen along as we start to discover our call to serve!

The church part 2. We are living stones! MP3

As we come to the realization that the church isn't the building, but instead it's the people meeting in the building, we come to understand so much more about Christ's church on earth.
We start to see how we fit into Jesus church, how we are placed together as 'living stones' that make up the spiritual building.
How that process takes place is important.
Not everyone who sits on a pew or attends a worship service is a 'living stone.'
Peter reminds us we need to be "born again" (1 Peter 1:23)
Jesus is our 'precious cornerstone', the 'Living Stone' upon which His church is built, & each born again Christian is a living stone in the building of His spiritual house.
"Everytime someone trusts Christ,another stone is quarried out of the pit of sin and cemented by grace into the building." Warren Wiersbe
Listen along to learn more about these 'living stones.'

The church part 1. Built on the rock. MP3

What is the church?
What's it's purpose?
Just what did Jesus mean when He said "I will build my church on this rock"? Matthew 16:18
There's much misunderstanding about this passage of Scripture, & much has been implemented into the life of many churches that really needs to be addressed.
So as we start to look at "The church" lets come once again to God's word with an open mind & see!

Jesus. There's no substitute! MP3

Late December in Australia saw many getting excited over the pronouncement that Mary MacKillop will be declared "Australia's first Saint" this year.
Is this a correct understanding of Scripture?
Or is this a misleading & false teaching that the church has taken hold of?
Whenever there is controversy in the church we need to examine the teaching carefully against God's Word, the Bible.
We read in 1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 5 that "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
As we gain a correct understanding of Christ's role in our relationship with God, we see no need for anyone or anything else!
listen along as we look at "Jesus. There is no substitute!"

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one & only Son," (John 3:16) As you celebrate Christmas this year, with family & friends, & as you exchange gifts with each other, don't lose sight of the greatest gift of all, God's only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Don't lose sight of the love God has shown us. Don't lose sight of what you're actually celebrating!

"Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart and it is with His love that all celebration starts. We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth and thank God for sending His only Son to earth. His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will. He freely laid down everything so that we could live, and there is no greater treasure anyone could give. Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost. So each time that we give we remember what He’s done and honor the perfect Gift —God’s one and only Son." Holley Gerth

Wishing you a peaceful & joyous Christmas, & every blessing for the new year! "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Cor 9:15