As we rapidly head towards the end of the year we'd love to invite you to take a pause and catch your breath with us on the Nourish Podcast. Join Ps. Jody and Gabi Gulay as we explore 'Psalms that Sustain Us'. 

In this series, we unpack a favourite Psalm in each episode and ask ourselves the question: "What is it that God might want to reveal about himself to us through his Word and how does this Psalm encourage, strengthen and anchor us in the seasons of life?"

This week we dwell on Psalm 103.

We continue our series, The Lord is There, with a challenge and call to a season of renewal with Pastor Matt.

Sermon Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exodus 34:29-35

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.

1 Kings 18:36-39

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

2 Corinthians 3:18

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate 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 4:16

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”

Story: Searching for “David”

Key message: Jesus is guiding us into the heart of what transformation means as disciples in His story: a continual journey of change that aligns us ever closer to the likeness of Christ, and a renewal of all things in His presence. He is ‘chipping away’ at us – renewing us, creating us, and bringing out in us what was always there.

1. Unveiled faces: embracing vulnerability
2. The necessity of renewal: Formation vs. Malformation
3. The process of beholding: transformation through worship
4. Faith in the power of the Spirit: we build the altar, He brings the fire

Question: What are the shifts on the horizon for Discovery Church, and what role to Jesus’ followers play in this season of renewal?

1. From one location to two:
2. From Polish to Presence:
3. From church engagement to community engagement:
4. From concert to cathedral:
5. From comfort to cost:
6. From roads to rivers:.

• How is God calling you to renewal personally?
• What is He asking you to surrender?
• In what ways is He calling you deeper, wider, or in new directions?

As we rapidly head towards the end of the year we'd love to invite you to take a pause and catch your breath with us on the Nourish Podcast. Join Ps. Jody and Gabi Gulay as we explore 'Psalms that Sustain Us'. 

In this series, we unpack a favourite Psalm in each episode and ask ourselves the question: "What is it that God might want to reveal about himself to us through his Word and how does this Psalm encourage, strengthen and anchor us in the seasons of life?"

This week we dwell on Psalm 121.

This week we continue our series "The Lord is There - Our Mission in Community," with an encouraging word on prayer from Pastor Jody. We are encouraged this week that if we want to see renewal and His kingdom come in our community, that we need to start with prayer.

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Sermon Notes:

Big Idea: Prayer is the foundation for renewal in our community.

Key Scriptures:

Matt 6:5-13

Gen 2:15

Psalm 8:4-8

Isaiah 9

So what is prayer really?

Prayer is a relationship – it’s about connectedness to God. Prayer is a conversation with God.

Prayer is communion – a way of being with God, and ultimately, it is the place where we experience God’s deep love for us. And prayer is where God births in us a deep love for others

– for our friends, families, neighbours and our community.

Prayer is the foundation of the Christian life.

The Challenge: We live in a world where “MY Kingdom” is often more important and central to us than seeing God’s Kingdom come.

Question: What does ‘your kingdom come’ mean?

– God’s kingdom refers to His rule and reign coming on the earth. It exists perfectly in heaven but it’s under opposition here on earth.

The Invitation: To Imagine a better Kingdom than the ones we are creating for ourselves & to move from ‘my kingdom come’ prayers to ‘Your kingdom come’ prayers

Question: What would it look like to see this prayer realised? To see the kingdom of heaven breaking out in our midst – God’s rule and reign returning to the earth?

• Read Isaiah 9 to find out!

Application: Living and Praying For Kingdom Renewal – How do we position ourselves to partner with God in this?

1/ Start in surrender – commit to a deepening life of prayer – asking for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done in our lives, families, and community. Come under his rule and reign.

2/ Follow Jesus’ example – Jesus was a man of prayer – he got up early and stayed up late, he wrestled in prayer, he wept in prayer, he contended in prayer, he prayed before making big decisions, he was still in prayer even on the cross.

Find regular rhythms of private and corporate prayer to participate in. E.g anchor it to a practice – prayer walk around your neighbourhood / prayer chair, pray in a garden – a quiet place.

Prayer in your Discovery Group, Prayer and Fasting, Pray at work, at school – United Prayer Events etc

3/ Contend with Jesus for renewal – let God break your heart for what breaks his. Let him stir you to a new level of faith and conviction.

“Do not let your prayers be all about your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, your own trials, but do let them climb the starry ladder and get up to Christ himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, offer this prayer continually, “Lord, extend the kingdom of thy dear Son.” Such a petition, fervently presented, will tend to elevate the spirit and tenor of our prayers.” (Charles Spurgeon)

As we rapidly head towards the end of the year we'd love to invite you to take a pause and catch your breath with us on the Nourish Podcast. Join Ps. Jody and Gabi Gulay as we explore 'Psalms that Sustain Us'. 

In this series, we unpack a favourite Psalm in each episode and ask ourselves the question: "What is it that God might want to reveal about himself to us through his Word and how does this Psalm encourage, strengthen and anchor us in the seasons of life?"

This week we dwell on Psalm 145.

Join us this week as Ps. Matt shares on how we can truly encounter Jesus.

We are encouraged that to truly see Jesus for who He is, we must encounter Him in worship, listen to His Word, and follow Him into the work of compassion and prayer.

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Sermon Notes:

Scripture: Luke 9:29-43

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,[a] which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One;[b] listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. 37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

The Mountaintop Experience

When we have a spiritual journey and encounters with God, those moments help us see Jesus with fresh clarity.

Exegesis: Understanding the Mountaintop Encounter

1. The Old Testament Significance of Mountains
2. The Presence of Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets)
3. Jesus’ Exodus

 Application: Up and Down the Mountain

1. Following Him Up the Mountain
2. Look at Him (in worship)
3. Listen to Him (by His Word)
4. Following Him Down the Mountain
5. Imitate Him (in compassion)
6. Imitate Him (in prayer)

Prayer: May we leave with a renewed vision of Jesus—fully God, fully man, leading us from glory to glory and calling us to participate in His transformative work in the world.

As we rapidly head towards the end of the year we'd love to invite you to take a pause and catch your breath with us on the Nourish Podcast. Join Ps. Jody and Gabi over the next 4 weeks as we explore 'Psalms that Sustain Us'. 

In this series, we unpack a favourite Psalm in each episode and ask ourselves the question: "What is it that God might want to reveal about himself to us through his Word and how does this Psalm encourage, strengthen and anchor us in the seasons of life?"

This week we dwell on Psalm 27.

In this inspiring and challenging sermon titled "For The Good Of The Hood," Pastor Jody Destry ecnourages followers of Jesus to actively engage with their communities as instruments of love and transformation. Drawing from the book of Matthew, Jody emphasises that loving God inherently means loving our neighbours, challenging us to overcome fears and insecurities in sharing our faith.

Through practical steps and a heartfelt call to action, listeners are invited to reflect on their role in partnering with God to meet the needs of those around them. Join us as we continue our series, 'The Lord is There."

Sermon Notes:________________________________________________

For The Good Of The Hood

27/10/2024 - Jody Destry

Followers of Jesus are called to be a gift to the community.

God is already present and at work in our community and he chooses to use humans to outwork his mission to see the lost saved and to see communities transformed by the Good News of the Gospel.

Matt:22:36-39

 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Loving God and Loving our neighbour are the 2 most important roles of a disciple of Jesus. You can’t love God without also loving your neighbour.

What Stops Us?

• The fear of intruding or imposing our views on others in this current social and political climate of ‘You do you’& ’Your truth’,
• The fear of rejection
• A lack of faith to be open and bold about our beliefs
• Feelings of inadequacy – the needs are so great, where do we begin? What do I have to offer that would make a difference?

Matt 14:3-21 – Jesus feeds the 5000

The miracle of feeding the 5,000 wasn’t just about filling empty stomachs or revealing Jesus ‘ working power. It was about teaching the disciples to take responsibility for the needs around them.

They wanted to outsource the solution – but Jesus was teaching them that he wanted them to be the solution.

As followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to partner WITH Jesus in caring for our community.

Reflect on this invitation from Charles Spurgeon

“No one intrudes on a hungry man if he brings him bread to eat. Go and intrude yourselves, my Brothers and Sisters, among the hungry, with the Bread of Heaven! Intrude yourselves in the valley of dry bones and cry aloud unto them, “Thus says the Lord, you dry bones, live!” Intrude yourselves as Christ intruded into a world which despised and rejected Him, to whom, after all, He is the only Saviour.”

Application:

What does respectful and intentional intrusion look like:

1/ Pray – community transformation begins in prayer

2/ Get to know your neighbours – be intentional about engaging locally, learn people’s names,

3/ Listen to the needs – of your neighbours and community and meet them where they are

4/ Work for peace – look for ways to engage in practical acts of love, kindness and service – come up with your own “For The Good of The Hood” project

5/ Commit to community transformation as a Church – Legacy Project

6/ Don’t give up – play the long game

Pray:

Father God, give us your heart for our neighbours and our community. Help us to truly see them through your eyes. Increase our compassion and our conviction to love our community well. Give us opportunities to be a voice of hope to others, to your hands of feet of compassion and kindness.

Lord, give us a renewed boldness to share our faith and be a light in the darkness.

In Jesus Name,

This week at Discovery Church, Pastor Matt shares with us about "Making Sense of Life" in the second sermon of our series, "The Lord is There." We delve into the profound lessons of Daniel 4, exploring themes of pride, vulnerability, divine wisdom, and the transformative power of surrendering to God’s rule. Join us as we reflect on our personal experiences in light of the story of the ancient Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, and discover how acknowledging God's purpose can bring clarity and peace amidst life's chaos.

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Making Sense of Life

20/10/2024 - Matthew Destry

Daniel 4

Context of the Book of Daniel

• Exile – What was it?
• Daniel – Who was he?
• Babylon – What was it?
• King Nebuchadnezzar – Who was he?

1. Despite All of Our Advancement, We Are Still Vulnerable (Daniel 4:4-5)

Reflection Questions:

When have you felt most secure in life, only to realise your vulnerability?

What dreams or events have challenged your sense of control?

1. God’s Word ≠ Conventional Wisdom (Daniel 4:8-9)

Reflection Questions:

How have you seen God’s wisdom challenge conventional thinking?

Where do you need to seek God’s wisdom instead of relying on your own?

1. God’s Imagination (Daniel 4:10-16, 17b)

Reflection Questions:

How might God be speaking to you through your imagination, dreams, or unexpected events?

What parts of your life might God be asking you to see differently?

1. God’s Purpose Prevails – Daniel’s interpretation (Daniel 4:26-27)

Reflection Questions:

Where in your life do you need to surrender to God’s rule?

How can you trust in God’s purpose even when things seem out of control?

1. Pride Takes God’s Gift and Makes It Our Own (Daniel 4:29-30)

Reflection Questions:

How might you be taking credit for what is ultimately God’s gift?

In what areas do you need to replace pride with humility?

1. The Rule of God Makes Sense of Life – All Else Is Insanity (Daniel 4:31-34)

Reflection Questions:

Where have you experienced chaos from trying to rule your own life?

How has acknowledging God’s rule brought clarity and peace?

1. There Is a Way to Prosper Under God (Daniel 4:36)

Reflection Questions:

What does prospering under God’s rule look like for you?

How can you align your life more fully with God’s purpose to experience this kind of peace?

In this episode, we explore Pastor Matt Destry's sermon "If These Walls Could Talk," the first message in the series "The Lord Is There." Discover how church buildings serve as powerful symbols of God's presence and mission in our communities, while reminding us that the true church is defined by the people of God. Join us for insights on the deeper meaning behind our places of worship!

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Sermon Notes:

Main Idea: Church buildings are more than physical structures; they stand as visible declarations of God’s presence and mission in the community, while also reminding us that the church is the people of God.

1. Introduction: Buildings That Speak

Scripture: Ezekiel 48:30-35 (“The name of the city from that time on will be: The Lord is there.”)

Key Point: Just as ancient cities symbolised God’s presence, so do church buildings today—they act as a declaration that “The Lord is there.”

Reflection Question: What does our church building communicate about God’s presence and mission to those who pass by or enter?

2. Ecclesiology: The Church as a Living Community

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5 (“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.”)

Key Point: The true church is not the building, but the people—believers are the “living stones” of God’s spiritual house. However, physical spaces can still serve as powerful symbols of God’s presence and invitation to the world.

Application: While the church’s mission is about the people, our buildings can still be a tangible signpost pointing to the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Question: How can we, as “living stones,” reflect God’s presence both inside and outside the walls of our church?

3. Buildings as Prophetic Witness to the Community

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16 (“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”)

Key Point: Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, our church buildings serve as visible declarations to the community—they testify that “God is here.” Historically, churches have served as places of refuge and mission.

Reflection Question: What message does our church building send to the community around us? Is it a place of hope, healing, and welcome?

4. Vision and Legacy: Frankston Church of Christ and Legacy Project Update

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22 (“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone.”)

Key Point: Our building is part of our larger mission to reach the community for Christ. It represents a legacy that will serve future generations through the ministry it enables.

5. Application: The Role of Buildings in Our Mission

a/ Investing in the Future

a/ Inviting the Community