In Case You Missed It, we discuss how there are practices that shape and build our relationship with God. In Case You Missed It: It’s about relationship, not religion  | Amy Nicholson | 26 May 2025 Catch up: YouTube  | iTunes  | Spotify God is always inviting us to more! Book of ACTS. They radically re-ordered their lives! Act 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Devoted = To be attached to, to dedicate oneself to, to attend to constantly, to endure, to be steadfast in and my favourite to be fully immersed in!  Nobody can devote you! You can only devote yourself.  Mark 12: 30 - 31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 1. The Apostles teaching Jesus had only just left the earth and the disciples were still grappling with everything that had happened. They didn’t have the Bible like we have. All they had was the testimony of Jesus was and what He taught them for the past 3 years. They simply told the people about the life and teachings of Jesus.  That was the Apostles' teachings… unpolished and full of faith. Led by the Holy Spirit. False Narrative: Some teach that people should obey everything that “the apostle” “church leader” or “man of God” says. This has led to church abuse, people doing crazy things like eating snakes or telling untruths. I encourage you to test everything we say against scripture.  Truth: You can devote yourself to learning about the life and teachings of Jesus through the reading of scripture. All scripture is God breathed and is one of the best ways to get to know God. 2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17 (MSG) There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God- breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. Invitation: Get to know God through His word and let the word of God shape your world. Give yourself permission to radically re-order your life and begin reading the Bible. 2. To fellowship We don’t use the word fellowship too often anymore. Fellowship is choosing to do life with someone else or a group of people. In the case of the Church, it’s gathering around the name of Jesus. I know that fellowship or community or even church can be a trigger word for people… because unfortunately we are all human and sometimes we hurt or get hurt by the very people that are supposed to love us.  I am so sorry if this is your story! Please will you view God through the lens of scripture and not through the lens of people. False: To be accepted into a church community you need to change who you are, or dress a certain way, or pretend that you have it all together.  Truth: God created us each to be unique, it is not His desire that we all become carbon copies of each other. There is beauty in our diversity! We are all imperfect, broken, sinners that are doing our best to walk humbly before God WHO LOVES US and be changed into HIS LIKENESS.  1 John 4:7-8 NIV Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Invitation: Join a life group. In case you missed it - it’s about relationships, not religion. We get to experience what God is like through our healthy relationship with others. Give yourself permission to radically re-order your life and join a life group. 3. To the breaking of bread Daily!  The breaking of bread in this context has two different potential meanings. Bread was a staple part of the evening meal at the time, and the breaking of bread also refers to what we now call communion. Where Jesus took the bread and explained that this was a symbol for His body that was given over to death on our behalf and the wine which was a symbol of His blood that was shed for our healing and forgiveness. Some people believe that this just means that they ate together, while others say it means they ate the bread and drank the wine in remembrance of what Jesus had done daily. I personally think that it’s both, but I encourage you to find your own conviction.  I think that they took the ordinary everyday moment (like eating dinner) and turned them into something significant (communion). Daily. Jesus said” Do this in remembrance of me” and if you are anything like me, you need to be reminded of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice DAILY, and not only on Sunday. False: Communion or the breaking of bread is a sombre moment that we only do occasionally. Truth: The breaking of bread is a celebration of the victory that Jesus has won for us and we can do that daily around a meal with people we care about and with Jesus at the centre. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 NIV For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” It’s a physical reminder of a spiritual reality. Invitation: We encourage our life groups to share a meal together like we see here in ACTS. We see our life group times as breaking bread celebration meals. Join a group, share a meal and celebrate our saviour! 4. And to prayer. They would have had set prayer, where they prayed through the Psalms for example and spontaneous prayer, led by the Spirit. The Lord's prayer is an example of a set prayer we can prayer. Try praying it in a different translation so that it doesn’t come rote and overly familiar. Our Heavenly Father, May the Glory of Your name Be the center on which our life turns. May Your Holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us. Manifest Your Kingdom on earth. And give us each day what is needed for that day. Forgive us our sins as we ourselves Release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. And rescue us every time we face tribulations.                                      Luke 11:2-4 tPt False: Pray isn’t important. Or the prayers of the Pastor are more powerful. Or I pray to hand over a to-do list to God. Truth: Our Father wants to connect with us, He longs to talk to us. That is the main reason to pray. In case you missed it - It’s about relationships not religion. AND: Spiritual warfare is real, prayer changes things in the spiritual even if we don’t always see it or feel it.   Ephesians 6: 10 - 18 MSG And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. Invitation: Start praying. If you already pray, pray more. Join Sunrise prayer on Thursday mornings or Tuesday morning prayer in Doornkloof.  Close: Act 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Following Jesus is not about a bunch of rules to follow permission, but an invitation to relationship. God doesn't love you any more or any less if you forget to pray or don’t join a life group. But He has a desire to walk with you, and for you to walk with others as we journey to become more like Jesus. No matter how long or how short you have been following Jesus for, He always invites us to more. The invitation today is to add some healthy habits to your life and in so doing to radically re-order your life!   Discussion Questions for Life Groups: What is one thing you can start doing in order to build your relationship with God? What is one thing you can stop doing in order to build your relationship with God? What stood out to you as a false mindset that you may have had? Has this changed how you view Christianity or Religion vs relationship?

In Case You Missed It, we discuss some essential things to know and do following Jesus' return from the dead. These are not just helpful messages but life-transforming principles and practices. In Case You Missed It: You Have a Choice  | Gareth Nicholson | 18 May 2025 Catch up: YouTube  | iTunes  | Spotify To follow Jesus is a way of life; it is more about decisions in a direction a destination. To know true identity means being secure and not feeling the pressure of expectations To grow in freedom means to find victory in what you are battling, be it alcohol, busyness, comparison or chaos. To go live with purpose means finding a sense of fulfillment and contentment in life All of this is possible by the Gospel! I had a dream where the words got all mixed up on a page in the Bible, and I wasn't able to make sense of them. Sometimes, we might feel that the whole Bible is confusing. Here is a great summary of the story of the Bible: https://bibleproject.com/videos/the-story-of-the-bible/ If this is the big picture, then it's essential for each of us to realise that we have a choice -to stick with the old way of being human, or venture into a new way of Jesus. Will you be part of this reality that is moving forward? Will you be a part of moving this reality forward? Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, empowered by the Spirit, said to the people “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:36-37 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41  At one minute per baptism, assuming 12 disciples baptizing, that's 4 hours straight to baptize 3000 people! Repent: Change the way you think. Return. Be baptised: A symbolic commitment, covenant, symbolic cleansing, symbolic Receive the gift of Holy Spirit: Unity, empowering - the Spirit has a Sound! The Spirit gives wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2) The great reversal: Jesus' resistance to temptation in the wilderness and work on the cross reverse the fall in Eden (Gen 3) Water baptism is a symbol of the flood (Gen 6) -  A cleansing, a covenant, a new creation, a remnant saved. The Ark was covered with “pitch” – the word means“atoned with ransom” - an incredible picture of the atoning work of Jesus. The Spirit reverses the Babel story (Gen 11) by bringing unity. In Gen 11 and Acts 2 God comes down. In Babel, people are dispersed, confused, with many languages - man's project stops. In Acts, many languages are given, but one message. God's building project starts. The pattern of belief (repentance), baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit continues... Philip in Samaria But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women…When Peter and John arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12,15-17 Philip & the Ethiopian As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Acts 8:36 Peter in Caesaria Then Peter said, “ Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 10:46-48 Paul & Silas in Philippi The jailer.. asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved —you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Acts 16:29-33 Paul in Corinth Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 Paul in Ephesus On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied Acts 19:5-6 You might be looking for the right answer to the questions of faith. How about the right question? What can stand in the way? Will you be part of this reality that is moving forward? Are you a part of moving this reality forward? You have a choice, what will it be?   Discussion Questions for Life Groups: What did you hear God say to you through this message? What is the difference between living in a direction vs living for a destination? In other words, living in the Kingdom / the Way, vs hanging on for heaven? Have you been baptised in water? If not, what is standing in your way? Have you received the gift of the Holy Spirit?  If not, what is standing in your way?

In Case You Missed It, we are discussing some of the essential things to know and do following Jesus' return from the dead. These are not just messages but life-transforming principles and practices. In Case You Missed It: The Spirit Has a Sound! | Amy Nicholson | 11 May 2025 Catch up: YouTube | iTunes | Spotify Jesus told the disciples to wait for the empowering of the Holy Spirit... as soon as the Spirit arrived, there was a sound like a violent wind, and the sound that came from them as they spoke was in different languages! There was a courage and a boldness that wasn't there before. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:2-4 (NIV) Fire is a symbol of commissioning, see also Moses and the burning bush, and Isaiah's vision. Exodus 3:1-21 (NIV) Uncommissioned to Commissioned through fire Isaiah 6:1-8 (NIV) Unclean to Clean through fire There is a connection between being commissioned and speaking out God's message! In the case of Isaiah, the people didn't listen; even so, he spoke! Obedience is your responsibility, the outcome is God's Before Jesus was crucified, Peter denied Jesus three times. After being restored and receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter's sound completely changed. Same city, same people (who had shouted for Jesus to be crucified), same Peter... but this time he declares the truth of Jesus instead of denying Jesus - the result: 3000 people get saved in one day! “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:36 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39 (NIV) What sound is coming out of your mouth? Is it the sound of the Holy Spirit, or the sound of the spirit of this world? Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (bsb) Every kind of animals, birds, reptiles and fish is tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. James 3:7-10 (csb) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,  Proverbs 10:11 (NIV) Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. Proverbs 11:11 (NIV) Are your words like a fountain of life, pure and clean? Or are they like the Hennops river, stinky and full of toxic waste? The spirit of this world sounds like criticm hate, despair, self-centeredness, gossip, exclusiveness, violence, and breaking down. The sound of this world is "breaking down" The sound of the Holy Spirit is encouragement, love. praise, self-control, hope, peace, certainty, faith, blessing. The sound of the Holy Spirit is "blessing". Our words are powerful. They create worlds! It's not easy to change a negative narrative! It takes intentionality and persistence The greatest blessing you can give is to share the message of the Gospel and God's great love for the world.  “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:13–14 (NIV) Imagine a church that was more like Jeremiah - the words of God like a fire that counldnt' be tamed. But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9 (NIV) Discussion Questions for Life Groups: Do you know someone whose words are pure and clean like a fountain of life? How does being around them impact you? Do you know someone whose words are like the Hennops river, stinky and full of toxic waste? How does being around them impact you? If you were to ask those close to you, do you think they would say your words are life-giving, neutral, or negative? Do you agree with this statement: "Obedience is your responsibility, the outcome is God's"? Why or why not? In what area might God be leading you to sound more like the Holy Spirit and less like the spirit of the world? Are you carrying a wound from words that someone has spoken over you? Ask others in your group to pray for you to find healing and freedom!

In Case You Missed It, we are discussing some of the essential things to know and do following Jesus' return from the dead. These are not just messages but life-transforming principles and practices. In Case You Missed It: You Need the Holy Spirit! | Gareth Nicholson | 4 May 2025 Catch up: YouTube | iTunes | Spotify Amy makes the best chocolate brownies. Once, I tried to make them, but I left out the salt. They looked good, smelled good, but tasted horrible! Followers of Jesus sometimes miss the key ingredient: The Holy Spirit. After being raised from the dead, Jesus did not go to heaven right away. He spent forty days with his disciples. Before he left, Jesus gave the impossible task of changing the world to His followers, and he was very clear that they couldn't do this on their own! ​ 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:1-11 God gives his followers the Holy Spirit so that they might change the world through his power. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 9 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ… 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:6,9,11 The Holy Spirit is essential to being a follower of Jesus. There should be a (supernatural) difference between people who have the Spirit (that raised Christ from the dead), and those who don't. The Holy Spirit Is God   ​1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (NIV)   26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, Genesis 1:26 (NIV)   The Spirit is the first of the Trinity mentioned by name. There is un ity of the Father, Son, and Spirit as they work together. They are one in purpose, but three in person. One in essence but not in function. Initiator - Architect Father Administrator - Foreman - Son Manifestor - Builder/Creator - Spirit All powerful and present everywhere (Ps 139:7-12) What would your life look like if you handed over completely and allowed the Holy Spirit to call the shots?   The Holy Spirit is a Person     14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship {Partnership} of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)   Not some influence, but infinite in wisdom! A Person with mind and emotions, not a force, not an "it" Before the work and power, get to know the person Jesus is not living in your heart! Father and Son are in the heavenly realm - Spirit is here, and lives in you Can be revered or disrespected   Do you want to get more of the power or give more to the person?     The Holy Spirit Empowers You To Follow Jesus and Live With Purpose    8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)   The Holy Spirit Empowers Us in what to say. (Mark 13:11) to abound in hope  (Rom 15:13) with a supernatural prayer life (1 Cor 14:2) by helping in our weakness  (Rom 8:26-27) with gifts for the common good  (1 Cor 12:4-7) Communication: Prophecy, Diverse tongues, Interpretation of Tongues Revelation: Wisdom, Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits Power: Faith, Healings, Miracles   When we work in our own strength to be the kind of people who are like Jesus, we're missing the point.   The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth & Reminds You of Your True Identity   16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16 (NIV)   26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV)   Convicts the world of sin, and believers of righteousness (John 16:8) Helps Get Your identity right - He convicts you of who you are. That check before you make a dumb decision… The only way you will understand the Bible is through the Spirit   Learn to Listen!   The Holy Spirit Helps You Grow In Freedom   1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) The tension to hold: Free from the penalty of sin & being freed from the power of sin Justification & Sanctification Being set free & Spiritual Formation to live in freedom You are out of Egypt, and now it's time to get Egypt out of you!   Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) If the Spirit is everywhere, why isn't there freedom everywhere? Well, because he is not Lord everywhere (yet) Produces the fruit of the Spirit     - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23) Takes time!   The Holy Spirit doesn't come upon you when you are like Jesus, but rather to help you become more like Jesus.    ICYMI...You need the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus, know your true identity, grow in freedom, and go live with purpose FOLLOW JESUS: Receive the Gift of and Be Constantly Filled with the Holy Spirit Receive the GIFT of the Spirit. in Acts 19:1-7 Paul found disciples who hand't heard of the Holy Spirit, and he prayed for them, laying hands on them to receive the Spirit. From there being filled with the Spirit is really a lifelong, ongoing process. (Eph 5:18) Intimacy with God is the deepest desire of the human heart. God desires a relationship with us, so much so that He gives His Spirit so we have constant fellowship with Him. KNOW TRUE IDENTITY: You Are The Temple of the Holy Spirit You are the temple, and the spirit of God lives you; he doesn't have to come visit, he is with you! If your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, when was the last time that you asked if the Holy Spirit is comfortable in that space? Maybe there are some things that need to be cleaned out… Sin grieves the Spirit! GROW IN FREEDOM: Sanctification Requires Participation with the Holy Spirit Transformation happens slowly Walking by the Spirit is a daily dependence in the mundane moments. Sin struggle might not get easier, but it becomes easier to make the right choice. As we follow the Spirit's leading, He also gives us the strength and power to walk in the direction He leads There has to be a willingness to participate with the Spirit The more you surrender to the prompting on the inside, you know you are articipating more and more with the Spirit GO LIVE WITH PURPOSE:  Live in a Way That is Only Possible by the Holy Spirit Step out of your comfort zone Do something where you desperately need God to show up Engage the hurting, broken, serve others, and speak out A life that demands an explanation is one where people know that you couldn’t be doing this in your own power. It's living in a way that you are desperate for Him to come through I pray that the Spirit of God would radically transform your life and that your life will never be the same! Recommended Extra Reading To Go Deeper Forgotten God - Francis Chan The Holy Spirit: An Introduction - John Bevere Holy Fire: A Balanced, Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit's Work in Our Lives - R.T. Kendall Discussion Questions for Life Groups: Why do you believe what you believe about the Holy Spirit? Why do you want more of the Spirit? What are your motivations What might be distracting you from a deeper relationship with the Spirit? If you were absolutely, 100 percent submitted to the will of God at this moment, what do you think He might ask you to do? What would your life look like if you handed over completely and allowed the Holy Spirit to call the shots?

In Case You Missed It, we are discussing some of the essential things to know and do following Jesus' return from the dead. These are not just messages but life-transforming principles and practices. In Case You Missed It: You've Got the Job! | Gareth Nicholson | 27 Apr 2025 Catch up: YouTube | iTunes | Spotify I remember going for my first interview, getting my first job, and showing up at work, but not sure exactly what to do. A lot of time was spent doing" on-the-job training", and I found later that I learnt the most when teaching others. Perhaps you have had a similar experience? Jesus' way of sharing the cure for the brokenness of the world was to give the job to eleven guys, and the way of getting this done was a lot like on-the-job training (but without the interview process). We're here today because of them 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus' idea: "When I come back, there should be more of you." Salvation is the start line, not the finish line! Disciples, not Christians Christian appears just 3 times in the Bible (Acts11:26,26:28, 1 Pet 4:16) Disciple appears 269 times Disciples are learners, growing, developing In times of old, followers of Jesus were known as people of "the way" Jesus didn't come to make Christians, he came to make disciples! The apprentice model (watch, do) ICYMI, if you follow Jesus, the Great Commission is your job description!   Commission Components Go - missional Make - intentional Baptize - relational Teach - informational Commission Condition "And surely, I am with you" He is closest when we are doing what he has commanded us to do"   Our Expression of this Help people to 1/ Follow Jesus  2/ Know True Identity 3/ Grow in Freedom 4/ Go live With Purpose   We want to help you do this well. We Go Together    Three Barriers to overcome: Delegate - "Someone else should do this, maybe the church staff." A full room doesn't equal a fulfilled mission Preaching is like spraying everyone with a hosepipe and saying everyone got water There are no "levels" in Jesus version, both the worshippers and doubters got the job - YOU are the Church, and an important and necessary part of it Disqualify  "I can't… because of..." No matter what you may have done in your past, Jesus Christ is not ashamed of you, and can use you! If he qualifies you, who are you to disqualify yourself? Delay - "When I… then I will..." " Go quickly and tell them, " the angel said in Matt 28:7. At that time, women were not considered trustworthy witnesses - imagine if they had delayed until things changed in the culture... I'm still working on getting a theology qualification - imagine if I put everything on pause until I had the certificate?  Don't think cookie-cutter approach in the sense that everyone should be preaching the Gospel in the same way - books have been written about see several different styles of evanglesim : Direct, Intellectual, Testimonial, Relational, Invitational, and Service   How to become a disciple who makes disciples: Admit  this is missing Be  before do Walk authentically with God You reproduce what you are Choose  three key relationships In front, alongside, behind  (Paul, Barnabas, Timothy) Everyone needs to be discipled. Everyone needs to make disciples. Develop this culture in your life Spend time in passages of Scripture that stir your heart for the lost.  Continuously reflect on what God has done in your own life. Be around people who have the value of discipleship in their lives. Get into places and spaces with people who are not disciples     "Ultimately, each church will be evaluated by only one thing - its disciples." Neil Cole   Discussion Questions for Life Groups: When you began to follow Jesus, was there someone who was there to help you grow? When / how have you grown the most as a disciple? Which of the three barriers is most familiar to you? What practical steps will you take to grow in your discipleship journey?

Easter Weekend | Gareth Nicholson | 20 Apr 2025 Catch up:   YouTube  |  iTunes  | Spotify Text Mark 14 - 16 (NIV) Thursday - The Table - REMEMBRANCE (AND REVELATION)   Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover with the traditional 4 cups, each one representing a promise from Exodus 6. 6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out  from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves  to them, and I will redeem you  with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:6-7   Jesus is re-enacting the EXODUS  story,  connecting the moment into a bigger story. He shifts the focus from history to the present reality Sanctification  = FOLLOW JESUS  (Sundays) Deliverance = KNOW TRUE IDENTITY (The Pathway) Redemption = GROW IN FREEDOM (Life Groups) Praise - together, God's people  - GO LIVE IN PURPOSE  (Dream Team)    Friday - The Cross - REDEMPTION   23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a  sacrifice of atonement , through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25   REDEMPTION -  bought back ATONEMENT  - Making amends for wrong. SUBSTITUTION - One person takes the place of another   Receive by faith!   Forgiveness is just the start!   Saturday & Sunday - The Tomb - RESURRECTION   Saturday - Silent Sabbath, Heartbreak, Despair, No idea what was going to happen next. Sunday arrives. The resurrection means death was defeated The empty tomb means the cross was a victory, not a defeat  Jesus' resurrection means that God's new world, new creation, new Kingdom has already begun. The Kingdom began to arrive, the plan was underway.   14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:,14,17   Follow Jesus, Know True Identity, Grow in Freedom, Go live with Purpose.   These events are not just to be thought about, but form a story in which we are called to live God's new world has begun, and you are invited to be a part of it.     Discussion Questions for Life Groups: Has your perspective begun to shift from "Jesus died for my sins" to "Jesus was raised to life so that I can die and be raised to life?" Why do you think that none of the Gospel accounts said," Jesus is alive, so that means we can go to heaven when we die"? If the putting right of creation has begun, what signs have you seen that change is happening? What can you do on a micro level to facilitate kingdom change?

On Your Mark.. Get Set... GO!| Gareth Nicholson | 13 Apr 2025 Do you bear the Mark of God? In Mark 12, we read about three images: a pressed image, cleaning the mirror, and presenting the coin, which help us bear the Mark of God. The more we recognize this mark in ourselves, the easier and more important it becomes to give all we have to God and to build God's kingdom, to serve others and to reach the lost THE WORLD needs you to show your Mark, to become who God has called you to be, and to live that out. Catch up:   YouTube  |  iTunes  | Spotify Text Mark 13 (NIV) In a passage that is challenging to understand, zoom out and ask how does this fit into the big story of the Bible. Gospel = Godspell = The story Of God   The Gospel is about New Beginnings   A new way - not the end of the world, but the end of the old way For something new to come, something old must end. These are the beginning of birth pains  Mark 13:8 To live in Christ, we must learn to die  Gal 2:20  "Saved to serve" is a foundational biblical principle    The Gospel is that Jesus is coming back   32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come Mark 13:32-33 TheBible is written in a circle, like a movie, with twists and plots, characters You are invited to find yourself in the story Three Ways to wait for Jesus to return Apathetic Anxious  Alert, Active   The Gospel needs to GO!    And the gospel must first be preached to all nations Mark 13:10   Action - On your Mark... Get Set... GO! This is the beginning, not the end. Don't think the work is done; it's just getting started The Church is the plan A… not the building… not the service… the people - YOU   God loves people. So we love people. They matter to him, they matter to us.   Discussion Questions for Life Groups: How has someone sharing the Gospel impacted your life? "Your life is the best curriculum for someone who wants to know about following Jesus". What are your thoughts about this statement? In what ways can you preach the Gospel this week?

The Mark of God | David Molver | 06 Apr 2025 Do you bear the Mark of God? In Mark 12, we read about three images: a pressed image, cleaning the mirror, and presenting the coin, which help us bear the Mark of God. The more we recognize this mark in ourselves, the easier and more important it becomes to give all we have to God and to build God's kingdom, to serve others and to reach the lost THE WORLD needs you to show your Mark, to become who God has called you to be, and to live that out. Catch up:   YouTube  |  iTunes  | Spotify Text Mark 12:13-17 , Mark 12: 28-34 , Mark 12:41-44 A pressed image: Mark 12:13-17 gives an account of some Pharisees and Herodians asking Jesus a question, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[ b ] to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him The Herodian’s, opponents of Jesus, they probably were not a political party or a religious sect. They probably favoured the policies of Herod Antipas, who was tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea (4 bc–ad 39) and a strong promoter of Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) culture in Palestine. The Pharisees exhibited themselves as righteous on account of being scrupulous keepers of the law but were, in fact, not righteous: their mask of righteousness hid a secret inner world of ungodly thoughts and feelings.  In a Christian context, a modern day “Pharisee” is someone who follows the impulse to be seen as righteous by obeying certain laws while ignoring more important matters of the heart. The Pharisees and Herodians align here, not because they are fond of each other, but because they want to catch Jesus out.  The denarius was a coin used as the tax money at the time. It was made of silver and featured an image of the emperor with an inscription calling him “divine.” The Jews considered such images idolatry, forbidden by the second commandment. This was a reason why, if Jesus answered, “Yes,” He would be in trouble. His acceptance of the tax as “lawful” could have been seen as a rejection of the second commandment, thus casting doubt on His claim to be the Son of God. The Herodians knew that should Jesus answer no, that they should not pay tax, he would be in trouble with the Roman law. So Jesus asks for a Denarius, it seems like he is asking the Pharisees, I think this may have caused them to back off a little, knowing that they were carrying the Denarius with the image of Caesar. Jesus looks at the Denarius and points out the image of Caesar, He then says, give back to Caesar what is Caesars, and Give to God, what is Gods’. That point stands out for me, we have a reference to Gods image in scripture. Genesis1:27 27 So God created mankind in his own image,    in the image of God he created them;    male and female he created them. Gods’ image is pressed on us, Give back to God, what is Gods. Do we believe that we are worthy of bearing the image of God? Cleaning the Mirror: Mark 12:28-34. One of the teachers of the law, a scribe, asked Jesus. Of all of the commandments, which is the most important? In his question to Jesus, we can see that the man exhibited qualities that weren’t apparent in the others, he asks a sincere, intelligent question. Not in the hope of catching Jesus out, like the Pharisees and Herodians had tried to do. But to understand more. His question, which in Greek would read: What kind of commandment is first of all? Suggests a difference in the importance or class of the commandments. Rabbis divided the commandments into “weighty” and “light”.  It could be that he wanted a distinction between the moral and ritual commands. Jesus answer brings together two widely separated scriptures to sum up the duty of man. Both were very familiar. The first, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which reads as follows: 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[ a ] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  This was the Shema/ creed of Israel, normally recited twice a day by the questioner himself. It was the commandment worn in Phylacteries, (small leather boxes worn by Jewish men, containing Hebrew texts. These were worn to morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law.) The commandment was also sometimes nailed to door posts, in line with Deuteronomy 6:8 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. The second Leviticus19:18 8  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. The Two commands are here, summed up as one word, LOVE! The word love here is not meant as an emotional sentiment but as an active principle in embracing the entire personality. I think it is probably true to say that in modern times, men place great emphasis on love to man in the form of philanthropy (the desire to promote welfare to others, expressed especially or most commonly by the generous donation of money to others). But we are inclined to forget the requirement of Love to God!  Giving does not equate to Love; it should, however, flow from it. God links the two commandments here and gives the emphasis, to Love. Loving others is hard, it takes hard work!! I think that loving ourselves is even harder. I believe that it is easier for us to start with the first of these two commandments, Love God.  We can't practice Philanthropy with God, There is no wealth or treasure that we can appease God with; God doesn’t want our charity, he wants our hearts, our Love. And what a privilege it is to love GOD! You see, there is something so incredibly special that happens when we love God. When we love God, actively love God, I believe that we begin to clean our mirrors.  Have you ever tried looking at yourself in a dirty mirror? Maybe trying to look through the side mirror in a car when it misted up? Its almost impossible to see what we need to see, impossible for us to see what MATTERS! But in loving God, in knowing God, we begin to clean the mirror. We begin to see the image of God, the mark of God that is pressed into us, and when we see this, we begin to start loving ourselves, not because we have made it in life, not because of our money or title. But because we are made in the image of the creator, because we were created by God, we are fully loved and fully known by Him. Only then can we begin to love others, as we love ourselves. To love others who also bear the mark of our creator, mankind that bear his image. Isn’t that beautiful, doesn’t it move you, knowing that you are so loved, and so loveable. Presenting the Coin. Mark 12:41-44 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” This section of the scripture brings some relief from the heated controversy. The woman, in the SIMPLICITY of her lowly worship given to God, gave her all. I want to refer to the passage that precedes this, Mark 12:38-40 8 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” "They devour widows’ houses” Pharisees and scribes were often appointed to oversee the estate left to a lady when her husband had passed away. These executors of the estate would often take all that they could for themselves, they would twist the law in their favour and leave the widows with nothing. And the widows could do nothing to stop this. Just for some context, married women had little to no say, and widows had even less say. A woman relied on the name and standing of her husband for her place in society and to ensure that she was treated correctly.  So we have a woman, a widow, who has been left with next to nothing. With no social standing, no money, and no job, she gave all she had to God.  If we look at the Greek name for the coins she gave is “LEPTA” these were the smallest copper coins that they had. I don’t believe for a minute that the scripture is there to tell us to give the last two coins that we have, I think there is a far greater meaning.  You see, the act of giving her two coins was an act of giving all she had to God, her life to God. This woman, was showing the image of God, presenting the “coin of God” in her life Jesus sees the two coins, not because of their value, but because of the position of the woman’s heart. God’s first concern is not the amount we give, it’s about how we give it.  Jesus uses this as a teaching moment to show his disciples what it means to give all we have and all we are to God. In my preparation I came across a quote that really stood out:  “The essence of all true giving is sacrifice, and the value of every gift relative, not absolute.” Show Your Mark: Friends, I don’t know where you are in your journey, but I do know that you bear the Mark of God. I know that regardless of what your past looks like, you were created in the image of the creator. Maybe your mirror needs some cleaning before you can see that image clearly.   Maybe it’s time for you to come and present your two coins to God, He doesn’t need your charity, but he longs for your heart. Maybe you are in a space that I was in, trying to figure out what your Mark is, the only way to know is to journey with God, to receive Gods love, to love God and yourself. The better we know God, the easier it is to recognize the Mark of God in ourselves and in others.  The more we recognize this mark in ourselves, the easier and more important it becomes to give all we have to God and to build Gods kingdom, to serve others and to reach the lost THE WORLD needs you to show your Mark, to become who God has called you to be and to live that out. I'm not saying that you need to drop everything and go into full time ministry, unless that’s what God is calling you to. But how different would it look if we lived the lives that God has in store for us?    I want to encourage you to bear the Mark of God, to show others who this God is. To live the two greatest commandments, to love God and to love your neighbor as you love yourself! You are Marked by God!

The MARKetplace in the Temple | Gareth Nicholson | 30 Mar 2025 Is the Marketplace meant to be in the temple? Or are you meant to be the temple that transforms the marketplace? In this story in Mark 11, set against the themes of God's desire to be with his people and for his people to do good to others, we learn that Jesus has a different idea about the temple and what goes on there! Catch up:   YouTube  |  iTunes  | Spotify Text Mark 11:12-15 Two truths that reoccur throughout the Bible: 1/ God Desires To Be With His People 2/ God's Aeople Are To Do Good Backdrop In Genesis (Eden) and Revelation (New Creation), heaven and earth overlap perfectly, and God dwells with his people.   Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.  Genesis 2:8 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.   Revelation 21:3 However, things go wrong when people reject God in Gen 3. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4 God pursues his people PROMISE Gen 12  TABERNALCE that echo es Eden “ Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25:8-9 David decides to build a TEMPLE ( 2 Sam 7 ) which Solomon undertakes (960BC) Soon, the people's hearts turn away from God, but they feel secure because they have the temple. 4 Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!” 5 If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, 6 if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever. 8 But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. 9 “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? 11 Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 7 Later, God's presence leaves the temple (586BC) 18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. Ezekiel 10:18 Enter Jesus... Like the fig tree, the temple appears to be good from far, but it's far from good. When the PLACE is more important than the PRESENCE, the PEOPLE are full of PRETENCE The temple is supposed to be the place where heaven is touching earth/ Jesus, carrying the presence of God, not in the temple, but outside the temple. The place set aside for foreigners to come to worship is taken up by trading market. He quotes: Isa 56 - which speaks of the inclusive heart of God - all people He links back to Jerimah 7:11 "a den of robbers" - a place where evil is the normal The people of God don't have the presence of God, and they're not doing good. It seems the fig tree, is a metaphor for the religious system, which looks good from far, but is far from good. The clearing out of the temple, and the withering of the fig tree, it's as if Jesus is saying, we're done with this idea of the temple, and it's now time for a different kind of temple - a living temple, where heaven meets earth. God's Presence is now in His People not a Place (building) It would be a mistake to transpose that temple onto a church building today and think "There is a café outside, Jesus wouldn't like that". Jesus has become the new temple "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). ○ He is the person where the presence of God is ○ He is the high priest ○ He is the ultimate sacrifice By His Spirit, the Church (ekkelsia) carries the presence of God (1 Peter 2:4-6) 4 As you come to him, the living Stone —rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, 1 Peter 2:4-5 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16 At the end of the story, there is no physical temple 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Revelation 21:22 God's People Produce Good Fruit Don't be all leaves and no fruit! Look good from afar, but be far from good. What is the opposite of good fruit? The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Galatians 5:19-21 What is good fruit? 2 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control Galatians 5:22-23 Fruit is for others! Gifts are given, fruit is grown. It takes time. Stay connected to the vine. Best place, in a Life Group - where there is Safety, Vulnerability and shared mission Asking for help is not weakness, it's wisdom. God has called you to be home to His Spirit, the place where heaven and earth meet. And from that, to bear fruiir. How is it going?? No sense of condemnation, rather an invitation to deeper formation. WAS THE MARKETPLACE MEANT TO BE IN THE TEMPLE? WAS THE TEMPLE MEANT TO BE IN THE MARKET PLACE? YOU ARE TO BE THE TEMPLE THAT TRANSFORMS THE MARKETPLACE!

Don't Miss the Mark | Amy Nicholson | 23 Mar 2025 James and John didn’t get it. They "missed the mark." They were after power and authority alongside the Messiah, who they expected would deliver Israel from Roman rule. God's plan was so much bigger, and unfolding in a most unexpected way. Staying small-minded makes us miss God's big plans. Don't miss the mark, make your plans big, because God has big plans! Catch up: YouTube | iTunes | Spotify 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10: 35-45 (NIV) Partnership not Position God isn’t interested in Titles or positions of power. He is looking for hearts willing to serve as He served. If He was interested in power and position He wouldn’t have gone to the cross.  Instead, He called a tax collector and a handful of young fishermen to be His Disciples. His invitation to follow Him still remains the same today. Not to gain but to give.  He invites us to partner with Him and all of Heaven to reach a lost and lonely world and call them into community and relationship with Him, the lover of their souls.  We find our purpose in God’s kingdom when we let go of power and position and take hold of God’s invitation to partner with Him in His redemptive plan on earth. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. Col 1 :12 (MSG)  Trajectory and not a Target. James and John thought they were bang on target - Jesus was going to become King and they would have “it made”, they had “arrived”, and they were about to be the greatest thing since sliced bread! They completely missed the mark: None of us ever “make it” in the kingdom - none of us will ever “arrive”.  The goal is not a place - One day when I get to Heaven all my problems will be good. The goal is not position: "One day when I become a Pastor/life group leader/ fill in the blank, then I'll be the real deal." The goal is a person and His name is Jesus.  When we choose to receive the free gift of salvation we are then on a trajectory that will last all eternity… who we become on earth is important as we step into eternity. We are not suddenly going to become someone else in Heaven. Do you like the person you are becoming?   As we walk in relationship with Jesus we become more like Him, it’s not a target, but a trajectory. What do we take with us into eternity? Who we have become & who we have included. Our view determines our vision.   James and John had a human view - that being a very small view - of what it meant for Jesus to become King.  Meanwhile, Jesus had an eternal view of what it meant to be King. They couldn’t see that God’s plan extended far beyond the Israelites, far beyond their lives, far-reaching into eternity past and future. They could only see what was right in front of them. The bigger our view, the bigger our vision. Jesus had a bigger view of how His life fit into the grand narrative of scripture and the purpose God had for His life here on earth.  What’s your view like? Do you see God as someone to solve your problems? How do you know? Maybe you only pray when you have a problem Or do you see God as eternal, immortal, supreme, powerful, magnificent. Do you see God as angry or scary or far removed? Or do you see God as compassionate & kind. A Father who loves you and calls you into a bigger story. Our view determines our vision. We need to have a correct view of who God is so that we can get a vision for our lives that is bigger than us.  If we want to get the right view of who God is, we only need to look at Jesus, He reveals God’s heart to us. We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.  He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross. Col 1:15-20 (MSG)  IF GOD IS YOUR PARTNER - MAKE YOUR PLANS BIG Renew rebuild restore   Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins     and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities     that have been devastated for generations. Renew mindsets  - Repentance - change the way that we think We're aiming to get 80% of the church into a Life Group - the best place for renewing minds! Restore relationships  - Between God and people & between people and people through preaching and applying the Gospel that brings unity! Rebuild - The city  - The mandate of the church is to use our God-given authority to make the city prosper. Let’s leave it better than we found it. Our Life Groups will be mobilizing - watch this space! This is not about "works". We do not have to do anything to earn God’s favour, we already have His favour!  This is an invitation to partner with Heaven to make a significant difference on Earth in our short time here. We are unapologetically going to be making room for more. More of Jesus is our lives, in our community, and in our city. He must increase and we must decrease. Here is something I wrote about where we are going as a Church:   When I close my eyes and open my heart, I see a church alive with possibilities. I see a church that shines as a beacon of light to a lost and lonely world. I see people filled with hope—so much hope that no building can contain them. I see a church deeply inspired by the life and legacy of Jesus, where individuals bring their brokenness to Him, trusting that He restores their souls. I see a resilient church, standing strong in its mission to push back darkness and bring God’s kingdom nearer. I see an intentional church, where people sit in the presence of God, restored through relationship with Him, healed, whole, and filled with purpose. I see a church on a mission, calling those who feel beyond healing into God’s redemptive plan, leading them from brokenness to wholeness. I see a whole-hearted community, connected to the true vine, where minds are renewed, souls refreshed, and individuals restored to purpose. I see a committed church, rebuilding ancient ruins—people who, like Nehemiah, say: “I’m doing a great work and I can’t come down.” I see a church with a vision to inspire others to follow Jesus and restoring them to true identity, freedom, and purpose. I see FREE Church.   Next steps for you: Join (or find out about starting) a Life Group Buy a T-shirt and make a significant splash in the city R130 Invite everyone you know to church or Life Group   Jesus has SO MUCH MORE  for you! What we do on earth matters in Heaven, and Heaven is closer than you think.

MARK OF GLORY The most asked question on Google is "What should I watch?". That speaks of an apathetic consumeristic culture that desires to be entertained. Here 's a better question: "How can I live a life that is worth watching?". Catch Up On the message here: YouTube   || Spotify   ||  iTunes Mark 9:2-9 2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 3 witnesses establish a testimony A tension between the level of calling & level of comfort Elevation brings perspective Significant mountain moments where heaven meets earth - Eden, Sinai, Horeb, Calvary And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. A GLOW UP, Metamorphosis - heaven meeting earth in Jesus. Isa 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. No name tags! Elijah represents the prophets (all that will be), Moses represents the law (all that was) Revelation: Heaven is coming to earth, not in a place, but in a person. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Tent - Tabernacle - contained the presence of God Our nature - build memorials of what was… Application - Zechariah 3:8 who are men symbolic of things to come 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark of GLORY - like the cloud on Sinai - heaven invading earth You don't need to try be smart in His presence, just listen to, hear him. 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. When you know who Jesus is, you don't need to see anything or anyone else. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They had a vision of what was to come…but the couldn't stay on the mountain FAITH - A Picture & process Some things might not need to be shared right now Some things might only make sense later. The BIG Story - Heaven invading earth in and through Jesus, not in the temple. You are invited into this story! Step out of the level of comfort to and follow Jesus up to the level of calling See a glimpse of the future, and live symbolic of things to come, empowered by the Spirit 7 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (mirror, reflect) the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18   LIFE GROUP GUIDE Like last week, set aside time to break bread at the table. As we break bread; our dining tables become sacred spaces of celebration and remembrance of our hope in Jesus. Additional questions to discuss In what way is the Holy Spirit inviting you into a bigger story? What might be holding you back? Have you heard of any stories of people having a vision of Jesus in recent times?

Our culture is geared toward comfort. The way of Jesus is the way of the cross - self-denial, cross-bearing, and following. How exactly do we live that out? There's a big difference between serving the God of comfort and serving comfort as a god! Catch Up On the message here: YouTube   || Spotify   ||  iTunes 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:27-38 (NIV) God's plans are always bigger, different, more dangerous, and better than we can imagine! Free Church, 3 years old, 3 sharing words: Rebuild, renew, restore The Mark of a Disciple - Maybe more appropriate "It's about to get a little uncomfortable" “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Whoever - invitation Wants - desire & decision MUST - obligation, not an option Deny themselves NOT self mortification, NOT self-restraint Self-denial is simply a way of coming to understand that we do not have to have our own way. Our happiness is not dependent upon getting what we want. Richard J Foster - Celebration of Discipline Take up their cross - 1st level Roman times - the condemned would have carry the cross to an execution site as the ultimate act of humiliation. Not a reduced metaphor, Jesus was being very literal - this may cost you your physical life. 2nd level - for I have been crucified with Christ (Gal 2). Putting to death of sin in your life. (Rom 6) Follow me - not a set of beliefs, ideas, a way of life - formation - doing what Jesus did, becoming like him. All framed against the idea that if you want to gain your life, you need to lose it! The way to really live is to be prepared to get uncomfortable. This might cost you everything! Our culture is 100% geared toward comfort - life on easy street. Can we talk about your comfort?: Your will, your way, your timelines, your preferences…! Don't mess with that! You avoid pain and suffering wherever you can. Binge on things that will make you feel good. Convenience & instant gratification is important. You say things like "I deserve…" Comfort culture produces picky Christians “Comfort is the god of our generation, so suffering is seen as a problem to be solved and not a providence from God.” - Matt Chandler What does the comfort god (idol) promise? Happiness, contentment, fulfillment. But it always over-promises and under-delivers. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 There's a big difference between the God of comfort and comfort as a god The kingdom advances wherever comfort is set aside Our world has a shortage of followers of Jesus who carry these marks. If we want to see the kingdom advance, we need more! So what should we do? Well, you can't do it on your own! Peter tried by willpower and failed (when he denied Jesus just before he Jesus was crucified). Yet, later, restored and empowered by the Spirit, he became the disciple Jesus called him to be. If Jesus can use Peter, he can use you! No matter what you have done, by grace, through the empowering of the Spirit, you can live in the way that Jesus invites you into - not by willpower, but by His Spirit. LIFE GROUP GUIDE Like last week, set aside time to break bread at the table. As we break bread; our dining tables become sacred spaces of celebration and remembrance of our hope in Jesus. Additional questions to discuss How do you cope when you don't get your way? In what ways can you put into practice self-denial yourself and take up your cross? Share an example of the Spirit empowering you to do something you could not do on your own. Pray for each other to be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18)