Message Notes 15/12/2024 - Robyn Becker Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   || iTunes Have you ever experienced disruption in your life? Someone speaking a negative word over your life, which has led you down a path of destruction for years. Or perhaps you have been in recovery and you took one wrong step and now you feel you are on the road of destruction. Or perhaps your disruption is that you have been waiting for God to do a miracle in your life and you are just not sure you have enough faith to believe He can do it for another day.   God has been silent for 400 years, but suddenly he sends an angel to Zechariah to tell him he will have a son, and then 6 months later, he sends angel Gabriel to Mary, who is engaged to be married to Joseph, to tell her that she has found favour with God and that she will conceive a child and give birth to a Son, and she is to call him Jesus. Mary is in shock, her life has just been disrupted as she gets news that she is having a son even though she is a virgin. Luke 1: 39-45 39  At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45  Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” ’ It goes on to say that at the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth speaks a word over Mary saying: that God has blessed her and her unborn child. She says that she is honored to be visited by the Mother of the Lord. Mary’s life is disrupted, and she hurries to Elizabeth, who is filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary arrives and speaks out a word over Mary, which then unlocks a declaration and Mary sings a song of praise. Luke 1:46-55 NLT 46  Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47      How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48  For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,    and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49  For the Mighty One is holy,    and he has done great things for me. 50  He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. 51  His mighty arm has done tremendous things!    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. 52  He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. 53  He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. 54  He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. 55  For he made this promise to our ancestors,    to Abraham and his children forever.” We can respond to disruption in two ways: Run from Community or Run to Community Run from community: respond to disruption by disorder by withdrawing or isolating. Run to community: we can get into community where someone can speak a word over you and unlock a declaration in you. Matthew 1:19 19  Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[ a ] quietly. Joseph who was engaged to Mary, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.’ Mary was disqualified as she described herself as a lowly servant girl. But confirmation comes from Elizabeth, who speaks a word over Mary, perhaps you are the person who God gives a word for someone, don’t hold back. You never know what is on the other side of your obedience. Ask God to lay someone on your heart this week, and when that nudging comes, pick up the phone, send a message, or call them. This small act can unlock a declaration for someone. Or maybe your life has just been disrupted. You may have been walking in chaos for years, or it just happened last night. Reach out to community where someone can unlock a declaration in you, so that you will find the peace of God.

Message Notes 08/12/2024 - Gareth Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   || iTunes When what's true becomes truth, we move from silence to song. What moves you? Songs? Stories? Sport?   What doesn’t move you… facts. (Cold hard facts)   1/ True: Community is good for you 2/ Truth:  Going through something and people rally around you   1/ True:  R13.2 Million People live on less than R1,109pm 2/ Truth: when it's personal - when what's true becomes tangible Here's why it matters:   1/ The Christmas story can be true, but until it becomes truth, it won't move you. 2/ The Gospel can be factually true, but until it becomes foundational truth, it won't transform you. 3/ You won't be changed because you understand the facts of the Gospel … but because something burns in your heart.  The Story comes alive by the Spirit! When we get Revelation we can choose to doubt (which leads to silence) or lean in with faith, be filled with Spirit & respond in praise (song)   Imagine if the story began to come alive in you!   Zechariah’s Story is one where he goes from silence to song as what's true becomes truth. A priest with a prayer… He and Elizabeth were old and had no children (a social disgrace). With 20000 priests allocated in small teams for a 2 temple service week rotation, he is chosen by lot to go into the sanctuary to burn incense as people pray outside. He's only got "one shot". Gabriel appears with a promise, not just an answer to Prayer but a purpose. They will have a son and are to name him John. Doubting, he asks "How can I know this to be so?" In the supernatural revelation, he looks to natural limitations.  He is stating the reasons why it won't work.   He focuses on the facts (what's true), instead of putting faith in the story and discovering the truth.   Gabriel says "Because you have not believed my message. You will be silent until the day this comes true." Perhaps his faith was not yet at the level it needed to be to be part of the story so he was silenced to stop more negative talk.   When the baby is born, he still can't speak. Only when 7 days pass, he aligns with the promise by writing that the boy is to be called John. Immediately, his mouth is opened, he is filled with the Spirit, and he sings this song that has been sung for thousands of years. Benedictus (blessed) Canticle  - most used in Anglican / Church of England Morning Prayer Luke 1:67-79 GNT 67 John's father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke God's message: 68 “Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel!     He has come to the help of his people and has set them free. 69 He has provided for us a mighty Savior,     a descendant of his servant David. 70 He promised through his holy prophets long ago 71     that he would save us from our enemies,     from the power of all those who hate us. 72 He said he would show mercy to our ancestors     and remember his sacred covenant. 73-74 With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham     he promised to rescue us from our enemies     and allow us to serve him without fear, 75 so that we might be holy and righteous before him     all the days of our life. 76 “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord     to prepare his road for him, 77 to tell his people that they will be saved     by having their sins forgiven. 78 Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us 79     and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death,     to guide our steps into the path of peace.”    Are you in silence, or inspired by the Spirit? Is this Gospel story true, or is it truth? Is there a promise that you need to come into alignment with? When you have a revelation of God, the response is to express yourself back to him! Lift your hands and voice in praise!   Psalm 63:1-5 GNT   O God, you are my God,     and I long for you. My whole being desires you;     like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land,     my soul is thirsty for you. 2  Let me see you in the sanctuary;     let me see how mighty and glorious you are. 3  Your constant love is better than life itself,     and so I will praise you. 4  I will give you thanks as long as I live;     I will raise my hands to you in prayer. 5  My soul will feast and be satisfied,     and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

Message Notes 01/12/2024 - Gareth Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   || iTunes Some words' meanings shift over time, for example. Black Friday, Awful, Awesome, Bet, Cancelled Drip, GOAT, Slaps... and Christmas! Christ [Messiah - God's anointed King] + Mas [Ite, missa est, (go, sending, mission)] This is a reminder of a bigger story! ○ As we started to prepare for this CHRISTMAS series, we began to read the usual Christmas passage. Something caught my attention in the first few verses. ​1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, Luke 1:1-3 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke 1:4 We've been taught some things about Christmas, about Jesus. Do you know with certainty ? Where there is uncertainty, there is chaos Where there is certainty, there is peace, in the chaos. Luke writes to bring certainty. When you have a revelation of Christ, you find certainty, in the midst of chaos. 5 In the time of Herod king of Judea… Luke 1:5 Roman Empire Augustus Caesar (Octavian), was in charge. Rome controlled all the land from Western Europe to the Middle East. This was the time of Pax Romana - Romans regarded peace not as an absence of war, but as a rare situation which existed when all opponents had been beaten down and lost the ability to resist. He was believed to be the son of a god, the saviour of the world. ‘Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a saviour, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance, surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the good tidings/news for the world . Priene Inscription , Asia Minor. 9 BC. Herod. A procurator for the Romans. A practicing Jew, loyal to the Romans, butdisliked by he Jews. He was cruel and suspicious (the one who carried out the infanticide when he was threatened by Jesus). Judea The land that belonged to Judah (which means "Praise") Context: there is chaos in the land - Pax Romana, but no freedom. Occupied territory God's people, conquered, exiled, And, the presence of God gone for 400 years. A hopeless, despairing situation. Yet…a promise from 800 years before: “But you, Bethlehem though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 And it's in this context, that suddenly things begin to change. As people have this revelation of the Christ, they respond in song. Over the next few weeks, we're going to unpack these encounters as they find Christ, in the midst of chaos. Proximity is Personal. Emmanuel, God with us! The ruler who comes to restore order. I don't know what your chaos is. Perhaps you are despairing, hopeless, fearful, stuck, worried, addicted, abused, hurt, betrayed, in too deep, wanting to give up. Perhaps your praise has been silenced, and you feel like you are oppressed by an evil power. This I know… When you find Christ, you find certainty, in the midst of chaos. And when you encounter him, he starts to bring order from chaos and sends you on a mission. This is the Christmas story. God's anointed King is in proximity. He brings peace, and He sends you.

Catch Up: YouTube Here is a list of resources that you might find useful to learn more about sexuality from a Christian worldview. A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus - David Bennet Costly Obedience: What We Can Learn from the Celibate Gay Christian Community - Mark Yarhouse / Olya Zaporozhets Divine Sex: A Compelling Vision for Christian Relationships in a Hypersexualized Age - Jonathan Grant Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say - Preston Sprinkle Holy Sexuality and the Gospel - Christopher Yuan Is God Anti-Gay? - Sam Allberry People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue - Preston Sprinkle Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate - Justin Lee

As we head towards the end of the year, we often find ourselves white knuckling life until work or schools shut down - kind of wishing our knock off date could come sooner. Exhaustion and saturation is real, but in that space, we often lose sight of performing under and with the authority of God. So, in the hurried madness of life, we need to stop to ponder who is in charge in our home, our work environment, our relationships, our parenting style, our friendships, our decisions? Surely, if we are positioned under His authority and surrender all aspects of our lives to our Lord and Saviour, we can be released for purpose and be free to do His will! Message Notes 24/11/2024 - Amy Nicholson Catch Up Links: You YouTube   || Spotify   || iTunes The Sermon on the Mount - This is living according to Jesus "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority , and not as their teachers of the law," Matthew 7:28-19 Jesus doesn’t only teach with authority - He lived with authority too. If we are followers of Jesus, disciples or apprentices of Jesus, then we are called to be more like Him. So if He lives with authority, would it be fair to say that we should live with authority too? Jesus demonstrated a spirit of authority that is seeped in love, kindness and compassion and he restores people to freedom while he teaches with great gentleness. The BIG Story Jesus stood under God's authority. He died for us so that we have can live under authority and with authority, and He was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Great Commission: Matthew 28:17-20 Jesus gives us the authority to make disciples of all nations through the power of the Holy Spirit Genesis 1:28 Despite our history, mistakes and misgivings, God saves us and blesses us with authority Dominion: In charge of something or rule it: Revelation 1:17-18 Acts 1:7-8 We have authority to: Pray - John 15:7 Preach - Titus 2:15 Heal the Sick - Luke 9:1 Defeat Demons - Luke 10:19 Use the Word as a shield and sword - Isaiah 55 and Hebrews 4:12 Proclaim Freedom - Isaiah 61 The church is a people who gather and go into the world to make disciples - BE the church and walk under authority and with authority John 14:12-14 Jesus said that we will do even greater things than Him! We can boldly cloak ourselves with the ownership of authority We don't have to do life alone. We can claim authority when we surrender our life, our soul to Jesus and make Him our authority Prayer is not the least we can do. Prayer is the most we can do! Do you see Jesus as just a ticket to Heaven? Is He only your Saviour or is He your Lord and Saviour? When you make Him your Lord and Saviour, this is living in authority, under authority, with authority and released to purpose!

There are thousands of ways that you can build your life, but Jesus says that there is only one way to build that will ensure you withstand the storms of life, and that is on the rock! Message Notes 17/11/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   || iTunes DOING MAKES THE DIFFERENCE, HEARING IS NOT ENOUGH! Paradox: People love to share advice, but people don't like to take advice Social Shift 1 A surge in the popularity of self-help resources: personal growth: empowerment, how to build/improve each area of your life Social Shift 2: the elevation of the self. The individual above the community. Referencing Richard Rohr's work - all cultures / believe systems (and movie plots) have a concept of integrated stories. The problem is that, when the individual is promoted and made the center of a story, there is no anchoring, which drives anxiety and overwhelm. Greater questions about value, identity, and purpose can't be answered by a bigger story. The Bible is THE Story, about God. THow you see this story is foundational to your life. CREATION ​1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 MISSION 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. Genesis 1:27-28 CHOICE 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 The FALL Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’? Genesis 3:1 The UNFOLDING STORY (The Old Testament) Can humans help themselves? 1/ Failure? 2/ Foreshadows? It's both, a story of failure but also a foreshadow of a promised Messiah THE FIRST GOSPEL So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 THE KINGDOM From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 THE CHURCH 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; Matthew 16:13-19 The first mention of the CHURCH - not a building, but an ekklēsia (governing council) THE KING'S COMMISSION 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 28:18-20 EDEN RESTORED 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more nights. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever Revelation 22:1-5 INVITATION And you are invited into this drama, this grand narrative, the greatest story ever told JESUS CONCLUDES: 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 The houses are the same. The storms will come. Everything is fine and looks good until the storm comes. Sand: the 1000 ways to build your life Rock: The ONE way to build your life - Hear the words of Jesus, and put them into practice! Which will you choose? 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17

So many of us live with regret. The "I wish I could turn back the clock" moments. What if there was a way to tap into ultimate wisdom that not only helped you make better decisions in the future but also helped you find freedom from unwise decisions in the past? There is! Mindset / Mindshift: this is not about getting access to some new information but rather about getting to know what you already have access to. Message Notes 03/11/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up Links: YouTube || Spotify || iTunes   The 5 "I"s of unwise decisions… Am I? Impulsive Isolated Irresponsible advice (internet, unwise or otherwise?) Influenced by _____ (peers, substances) Instructed by emotion   Unwise decisions (yours and others) usually lead to Unexpected regrets / baggage Unwanted Consequences Unnecessary relational complexity   7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:7-12   If you take the text out of context, all you are left with is a con.     Context Judgement  |——|   Golden rule This is a passage in between two other passages about wisdom in relationships with people!   2/ Cross Reference   13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13   3/ Commentary   5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:5-8   17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17   4/ Conclusion   This is a formative prayer for wisdom in relational complexity, to navigate the deep-rooted issues, to change the internal structure of our hearts to become more like Jesus.  Here's why it matters:  Most of the issues we have in life, are to do with people and unwise decisions.  Stretching right back to Eden - take wisdom, or lean into the wisdom that I already have. How we have been treated, how people treat others. The sin that we have done, and the sin that has been done to us Pride, control, betrayal, manipulation, hurtful words, prejudice, anger, contempt etc.   This part about Ask, Seek Knock is more Formative than formula Infusion than Informational Posture than process Relational  than transactional    It is wisdom that flows out from a deep personal dependence of God - connected to the source. It promotes humility and generosity in relationships in the day to day opportunities to discern what is wise.   The Formation Journey: The goal is to become more like Jesus    Generally big victories at first Then, settling, things remain under the surface Examples Anger, contempt, pride, thought patterns   The more you follow Jesus the more the Holy Spirit works on the heart   Gifts are given. Fruit is grown.  It takes time & intentionality. Ask, seek, knock.   22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23   Whether you are navigating relational complexity now or dealing with regret of the past   The enemy will try to Keep you rushed / impulsive Keep you isolated Keep you following irresponsible advice Keep you influenced Keep you emotionally instructed Keep you believing you are incapable of change   This is not what God wants for you! The wisest decisions you can make for yourself, and for everyone around you:   Decide to follow Jesus and then open yourself to the deeper work of the Spirit Transformation should happen in the place where you need it most, i.e. in the areas you are not yet transformed! Difficult people - Ask seek knock Prejudice - Ask seek knock Offense/unforgiveness - Ask seek knock Gossip - Ask seek knock Anger - Ask seek knock

It's no wonder we experience decision fatigue - we make about 35 000 of them every day, so battling to decide what's for dinner, whether or not to hit the gym, or choosing a specific social activity is a real thing. What if we became more intentional about pre-decision making - taking a lot of stress out of the process while aligning to God's will and direction for our lives? Yep - it's possible and, more importantly, can become a natural habit if we adopt a few basic principles while choosing the narrow road. Message Notes 10/11/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up Links: YouTube || Spotify || iTunes Discernment > Decision > Direction > Destination Pre-decisions pave the way to better decisions by creating a margin for discernment Two Ways 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14 There is a starting point (gate) = initial decision: Jesus is the gate (John 10:9) and Sustained progress (way) = daily choice - formation: Jesus is the way (John 14:6) We can't become like Jesus unless we go through what Jesus went through Do we choose conventional wisdom or follow Jesus on a narrow formative way? Wide Road (Conventional wisdom) Narrow Road (Formative way) Groupthink Counter-cultural Conventional wisdom Divine wisdom Easy Not easy Liberty Formative Freedom Unrestricted Constrictive Fast / Hurried Slow Vengeance Golden Rule Hate Love Judge Humble Bible out of context Held in context Point out brokenness Owning blind spots My will God's will Two Voices 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:15-20 Influences may initially not be obvious, but you need to discern the good fruit - Galatians 5:22 You don't know when you are deceived. Do you see the fruit of the spirit in other people's lives? Does your behaviour align with your relationship with God? You can't follow Jesus on someone else's faith “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” 1 John 4:1-2 Two Representatives 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Matthew 7:13-23 Do you know about Him? Do you have a relationship with Him? Ministry is important, but not the point - He is the point! How do you know the will? ​ "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2 Now What? Jesus invites us into a personal relationship with Him He is the gate, He is the path He is the one to abide in and produce fruit from Every decision comes with a price What will your decision be?

When was the last time you examined your heart's posture and those things you attach value to? Like velcro, are your heart hooks attaching to something? Can that thing be trusted?!   Message Notes 29/09/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   ||   iTunes Jesus says that our hearts attach like velcro to those things that we treasure most: God or money (mammon): 1/ Instability Mammon: subtle, attractive, promises that under-deliver and are unstable  Proverbs 23:4 " Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle."   2/ Idolatry Our thoughts, our desires, and our behaviors that we worship and that we think will deliver significance and security. We are always giving worth to something. If it’s not God, it's idolatry.  "An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.” There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship to something, but perhaps the best one is worship." Tim Keller 3/ Impact More focus on mammon = less focus on God - Kingdom impact reduced Jesus says this is the greatest hindrance and the greatest opportunity. Truths:  1/ Your spiritual life is directly connected to how you manage your money 2/ The Kingdom is about freeing your heart from idolatry, anxiety and fear and filling it with joy and neither poverty nor prosperity  3/ Generosity is shifting your heart from mammon to God.  4/ Generosity is worship in direct opposition to self preservation where our money will flow to that which is our god! Luke 11:39-42:  "41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you." 5/ Focus on radical generosity when tithing but with the right heart!   About tithing: Written into the legal code to shape the hearts: מַעֲשֵׂר Hb - ma‘ăśêr;  Means "tenth Some advocates are for and against tithing 10% to be given to the church (storehouse) <3% actually tithe (Barna research)   What is clear: 1/ Generosity is an invitation beyond a tithing obligation 2/ Giving should be first to the Lord  (2 Cor 8:5, 2 Cor 9:12) 3/ Giving should be motivated by love (1 Cor 13:3) 4/ Give to those in need, intentionally (2 Cor 8:4; 9:2) 5/ Give to support the church  (1 Cor 9:1-14, 2 Cor 8:13–14; 2 Cor 9:12) 6/ Giving is for every believer (1 Cor 16:2; Rom 1:20–21) 7/ Give proactively, voluntary, willingly  cheerfully  (1 Cor 16:2,  2 Cor 9:7, 2 Cor 8,9, Matt 19:16–21, 2 Cor 8:4) 8/ Give sacrificially and generously  (2 Cor 8:2–3, 13; Phil 4:17–18, Mark 12:42–44) 9/ Give regularly, proportionately (1 Cor 16:2. 2 Cor 8:12) 10/ Giving should not land you in debt (2 Cor 8:13) 11/ Giving must be stewarded well  (2 Cor 8:20–21)   Kingdom perspective and heart posture on tithing:  Give first to the Lord Support the church Give to those in need 10% is probably on the low side What giving does (the GIFT of giving) GROW: Helps you grow in righteousness (2 Cor 9:6, 9–10), Produces Spiritual growth (2 Cor 9:6,8) IMPACT: Impacts others - produces edification and thanksgiving to God  (2 Cor 9:13) FREEDOM: Frees your heart from addiction to stuff/mammon (Matt 6) Salvation not just from sin but from stuff! TRANSCENDANT: Involves you in what God is up to in the world- a bigger story   Where to start: Head / Heart / Hands   1/ Start where you are: quit giving excuses and see how you can steward God's gifts  2/  Create a strategic approach to giving  3/ Give secretly 4/  Give spontaneously    Following Jesus means becoming like Jesus! He modeled contentment of consumerism.  True apprenticeship must be shown in economic change.      Perspective: 3 systems: Capitalism - all mine Socialism / Communism - all ours Kingdom - all His May we be a community that excels in generosity so that salvation may come to many! 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— 2 so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. Psalms 67:1-2 Be liberated from the grip of mammon by excelling in generosity as an act of grace 2 Cor 8:7 Learn more Books: Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley Tithing  by  R.T. Kendall The Blessed Life by Robert Morris You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe?: A Deconstruction of Tithing and a Reconstruction of Post-Tithe Giving By David A. Croteau   Podcasts: Becoming People of Generosity https://bridgetown.church/teachings-vision-series-2019/becoming-people-of-generosity Leverage Money – Jon Tyson   https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kSwOJoHK45hYtdTyuTwg3

Being a Kingdom Builder has nothing to do with a bank balance, flashy car, lavish lifestyle, job title or fancy home. Jesus isn't interested in our material possessions - He owns them anyway. He's interested in our hearts! He generously provides for our needs and calls on us to use the increased seeds He lavishes on us to sow into His Kingdom with a cheerful heart. Are we living a radically generous life as Kingdom Ambassadors? Are we sowing so that others may come to know our Lord, or are we inwardly focused on hanging onto these seeds for personal gain?   Message Notes 22/09/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   ||   iTunes Seeds Have Potential! 32 000 year-old seeds have been regenerated. All that is needed is the right seed bed! How are you sowing into God's seedbed? Seeds Have Generational Importance During World War II, nine scientists died of starvation surrounded by seeds in a seed bank in St Petersburg. They knew the importance of preserving seeds for future generations. How are you sowing into the next generation? Seeds Produce Exponential Returns The power of popcorn seed is at least a 1/1000 return! If you eat all the seeds, there is nothing to sow: The potential is lost The generational impact is lost The exponential return is lost Jesus calls those who follow him to a lifestyle of radical generosity. Matthew 6:22-23 | 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Five enemy traps to overcome :   1/ No Generational Vision Impatience: Sow today, same day delivery. Imprisoned: Burdened, trapped, addicted to stuff with no spirit of generosity   A Generational Vision / Mindset The Gospel is generational! What kind of country do we want our kids to grow up in? How will the decisions that we make now benefit future generations? It's impossible to defeat a generational thinker! Pray for a generational vision for our country and our children and theirs.   2/ Fear of lack Fear says: What if I don't have enough? God meets the need and increases the seed. Need is you trusting Him.  Seed is Him trusting you. If we eat more than we need, we reduce the seed. When we eat only what we need, and sow seed for God we increase His kingdom.     3/ Deception  (Believing Lies) 1/ Lie: The church wants your money.   Truth : God (and the Church) don't need your money. Truth : God wants your heart, and for you to live free to be radically generous. How you handle or mishandle finance plays out spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. 2/ Lie: I'm not called to this. Truth: God loves to use the most unlikely as a kingdom catalyst.   4/ Apathy “Some people are so heavenly-minded that they are of no earthly good.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr Barna research indicates that <3% of the church gives consistently. Imagine if that percentage increased exponentially. Are you a Kingdom ambassador or a Kingdom absorber? What difference will it make if I give? Rather ask, What difference could I make if I gave generously?   5/ Not knowing how Freedom in personal finance: Basic Principles - Financial Freedom Course Begin with what you have Let's not become weary of doing good!   7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10  Part 4: https://www.freechurch.life/post/born-to-give

Building wealth was part of God's design. God blesses us SO THAT we can be a blessing to others. Generosity is the transmission mechanism of the Gospel and pure-hearted generosity paves the way to eternal significance! The upside-down Kingdom with an economy that works differently from anything we could imagine.   Message Notes 15/09/2024 - Peter Molver Catch Up Links: YouTube   || Spotify   ||   iTunes Four Pillars of the Kingdom Economy He (God) Supplies We Steward He Sends He Saves   Two important things to mention upfront:   1.        Generosity is not limited to money – it covers our time, talents, and treasures!  Generosity is the transmission mechanism of the gospel and pure-hearted generosity paves the way to eternal significance! You might not be able to be financially generous, but you might be able to be generous with your time or skills.   2.   Jesus’ love is unconditional and he loves us the same regardless of how generous we are! We cannot buy his love or earn it! He loves us and his love doesn’t change based on us being generous or not – but faithfulness and generosity will increase what he entrusts you with. 1/ God Supplies   Gen 1:29 2 Cor 9:10 Deut 8:7 , Deut 8:17-18 He supplies us with seed – resources that can be multiplied He supplies us with skills and abilities – natural gifts and abilities He supplies us with opportunities – moments in life that come across our paths to put our seed or skills to work.  He is the source of all we have and it’s a critical mindset to adopt in understanding the Kingdom Economy. Building wealth was part of God's design. Tangibly and practically we see that he provides us with seed to plant and skills and abilities to produce wealth! Throughout the pages of scripture, we read of the generous nature of God. Not just material, but generous with grace, love, kindness, and faithfulness! He is gracious and compassionate, abounding in love and faithfulness!    2/ We Steward    Ps 24 Genesis 1:28  Genesis 2:15 Deuteronomy 8 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 Ownership says "This is mine".  Stewardship says "I am a manager".   In the Kingdom Economy, we believe that all belongs to God. We are created to work, labour, build and multiply that which the Lord has entrusted to us. Stewardship is an ongoing acceptance of an invitation to partner with God in managing His resources! There is a key piece from Paul’s writings that we must include.  Why does God bless us like this? The answer is found in two short words – SO THAT. God wants us to prosper, build and multiply SO THAT we can be generous, see justice and fairness in this world and his Kingdom restored!    6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, SO THAT in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”  10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness (Tzedakah) . 11You will be enriched in every way SO THAT you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.   The third pillar of the Kingdom Economy – he Sends!   3/ He Sends   This is where things get challenging for us - the other side of the growth and multiplication  – yes we are called to grow but we are also called to give and be generous as he  sends  us to do his will.    We are made in his image – we are hardwired for it but the world we live in has blinded us to it. From 2 Cor 9 we read that He Sends us:   1.        He Sends us into the world to bring justice and fairness through our generosity 2.        He Sends us into the world that our generosity would bring thanksgiving to God   We have gifts and resources that we can use to restore this world to look more like his Kingdom! We get to be Kingdom builders and nation changers!  When we are generous – people experience the kindness and love of Jesus! We get the privilege and the joy of seeing his kindness and generosity impact lives around us.   When we give with him it’s not charity – its investment. When he sends, three things happen – there is supply in other people’s lives that they then steward, which he in turn multiplies and he then sends them which becomes seed for others. They learn about the generosity of Jesus and pass on his kindness to others as they are sent.  As we give, God increases the seed, for us and others!    If 300 people we each reach 2 people and show them the kindness of God, if that same pattern is repeated 20 times – that would mean that 314,572 ,800 lives would know and experience his love and kindness!   4/ He Saves   The last and without a doubt most important part of God’s Economy – is that he saves!  Jesus saves us from the pressure and stress of money that we all face. He encourages us to not place our trust in the things of this world and invites us on a journey of generosity that weirdly leads to abundance and freedom. The upside down Kingdom with an economy that works differently to anything we could imagine.    His best plan for us is that we would experience freedom! It starts with trusting him! God is generous by nature, he cannot help but bless us! We live in the same promise have to Abraham – he will give you land, he will bless you and he will bless others through you!    Matthew 6:25-34, 7:11 – "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, drink or wear. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you as well....“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more (say it) will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Part 3: https://www.freechurch.life/post/sow-this-so-that

When we trust God implicitly for His generous and extravagant provision, we are freed up to focus on what matters most - building His Kingdom on earth as we store up our treasures in heaven rather than on earth. We've got the wealth to transform a nation! Message Notes 8/09/2024 - Gareth Nicholson Catch Up: YouTube   || Spotify   ||  iTunes The Hand Heart Connection Closed Hands - fear, frustration, fight, danger, greed Open Hands - compassion, care, direction, blessing, generosity As people get a revelation of God the Father, and their hands are opened, the nation will be transformed! Jesus' Wisdom and Warnings about Wealth 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:19-24 What Jesus says about treasures: 1/ Matt 6:19-21 - Value - Where is your heart? 2/ Matt 6:22-23 - Generosity - Are your hands closed or open? 3/ Matt 6:24 - Honour - Who will you obey? M'ammon - that in which you trust | h0539. אָמַן ’âman;   (Trust) It's OK to have stuff, but be careful stuff doesn't have you. When we are free from the money trap, our wealth can transform a nation! Four Principles Ownership (Ps 24): Everything we have belongs to God Stewardship (Gen 1:27): Co-reigning with God and a responsibility to be generous Generosity (Matt 6): If your hands are open (spirit of generosity) your life will be filled with light Sowing (& Reaping) (2 Cor 9): God supplies bread (provision) for eating and seeds for sowing into the Kingdom Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10 Three Mindsets 1/ Prosperity (Give to Get): Driven by manipulation or control using God to get the small god (desires of our heart) 2/ Kingdom (Get to Give): God blesses us by taking care of our needs and He provides so that we can bless others 3/ Poverty (Can't Get/Give): Thinking you have nothing to give or that you can't get Two Trees - the agency of choice 9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 The tree of life: Wisdom, generosity, goodness of God who provides with open hands Tree of knowledge of good and evil: Focusing on yourself with closed hands One Father 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him ! Matthew 7:9-11 The Father is generous and His hand is open! He owns it all and wants to give good gifts - Choose the tree of life Adopt a Kingdom mindset - trust God for provision so that you can sow seeds A harvest of righteousness leads to transformation God's heart is for us to be free of financial worries Embrace mindset changes Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand *might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” 1 Chronicles 4:10   Hand - (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from Hb 3709, the closed one) Ps 67:1-2 "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us— so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations." Part 2: https://www.freechurch.life/post/kingdom-builders-nation-changers