Waiting is hard. It stretches our patience to the limit. But what does it mean to wait on God? And why aren't we better at it? This week we're jumping into the tension between what is already true (Jesus is risen!) and what will be true very soon (we are raised to be with Him). We'll try to figure out the point of all the waiting, and along the way, discover the secret to what Peter calls inexpressible joy in the middle of intense suffering.

Waiting is hard. It stretches our patience to the limit. But what does it mean to wait on God? And why aren't we better at it? This week we're jumping into the tension between what is already true (Jesus is risen!) and what will be true very soon (we are raised to be with Him). We'll try to figure out the point of all the waiting, and along the way, discover the secret to what Peter calls inexpressible joy in the middle of intense suffering.

We're launching a brand new series in the book of 1 Peter called Chosen (Exiles). It's all about living with the blessings of Christ in the brokenness of our world and the brokenness of ourselves. It's about learning to live out the hope we have in light of the pain we carry. It's about hope in Jesus that endures in every season.

This week is also Church Planting Sunday, where we get to pray and hear a bit about what Acts 29 is up to, planting churches in every corner of the globe. https://vimeo.com/808848753 We look forward to seeing you this week!

Nathan looks at Why did Jesus have to suffer on the cross? & What does the suffering of Jesus mean for us today?

Sharing the Gospel is hard. For everyone. Even Paul the Gospel warrior asked people he'd never met to pray for him to have the courage to keep sharing the Gospel of Jesus clearly.

Even though it's hard, there's hope for us all. Not in a technique, but in a Person. Jesus is able to help us share Jesus with anyone He's pursuing. It will require leaning into our weakness, praying a lot, and one or two other things that we'll talk about in our last message in Gospel Fluency this week.

Our sermon series, based on the book Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Speaking-Truths-Everyday/dp/1433546035

Footy season is upon us again. I wonder--what would you say is the easiest way to recognise a Port Adelaide fan as opposed to say a Crows fan? (Be nice please.) Now do Christians. What is the easiest way to spot a Christian? Is it the way they dress? Speak? What they do on Sunday morning? According to Jesus, there's just one thing that sets us apart: genuine love for each other.

Love is harder than it sounds. But when it's missing from the life of a Christian or a Christian church, the consequences can be devastating. This Sunday we're in our second to last week of Gospel Fluency, and it's all about the Gospel in action. It's all about love.

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Speaking-Truths-Everyday/dp/1433546035

Every story has a hero. She might be a step ahead of everyone. He might be the only one with enough guts to do what it takes.

Who is the hero of your story? Is it the fighter on the mirror? Or is it the one who fights for you when you just can’t? Every religion but one says you are the hero. Work hard. Be good. Say you’re sorry enough times. The Gospel says the work is done— the Hero of your story is the One who conquered death. And it’s He who changes us— so that when we look in the mirror, we see new men and new women that reflect the Hero.

Our sermon series, based on the book Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Speaking-Truths-Everyday/dp/1433546035

Every week when we gather for worship, we take communion, otherwise known as the Lord's Supper. The bread and the wine are symbols representing the body and blood of Jesus. We tear the bread and pour out the cup to re-enact and remember the death of Jesus that opened the way for us who believe to have eternal life. 

In the earliest days of the church, the Lord's Supper was taken in the middle of a community meal. One where men and women, the rich and the poor, Jews and Gentiles ate together as a defiant demonstration of their blood-bought unity. These days Christians don't do regular community meals as a matter of course. But what if every meal we eat alone or with others carries spiritual significance? What if every bite we enjoy is actually an invitation to remember and worship Jesus? 

Our sermon series, based on the book Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Speaking-Truths-Everyday/dp/1433546035

How do people change their behaviour? What about their ingrained habits? It all starts with the heart. To use Jesus' words-- out of the overflow of the heart, we do (or don't do) the things we do. 

So what does it take to change our hearts? Do we as Christians have a role to play in any of it? This Sunday we're back looking at Gospel Fluency -- and we're going to war against unbelief that overflows into all kinds of messy and sinful living. And just in case you're wondering-- change is possible. You can change.

Our sermon series, based on the book Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Speaking-Truths-Everyday/dp/1433546035