Dwelling Place

[Speaker: Doug Parker] looks at the meaning of baptism as a part of the ancient biblical pattern of going through the waters of death and following Jesus out the other side into the new life. Jesus rescued the world from the chaos of evil & sin by going into death and rose again victoriously - this is what water baptism celebrates and invites us into.

[Speaker: Ps Tiana Wotherspoon] Danger is often posed as a threat towards us, but when we are on the offence we can become dangerous - dangerous enough, through Christ, to demolish strongholds. Our thoughts are powerful. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV) reads, "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

[Speaker: Doug Parker] A look into the life of Elijah and the lessons we can draw to be able to have a calm mind. A divinely-inspired inner stability that comes to the forefront during chaos.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm" (Psalm 107:28-30)

[Speaker: Doug Parker] Attending to the business of our mind. Doug explores the idea of "where our mind goes, our life follows."

[Speaker: Doug Parker] Courage is the fruit of our convictions. And to [en]courage others is an opportunity to stand in a gap with them to aid, strengthen and embolden their conviction.  

{Speaker: Doug Parker] Paul encourages us that to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, we need to be completely humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love.” Doug invites us to consider this - that Humility, Gentleness & Patience are all virtues of strength. And as virtues of strength they allow us to carry weight - to bear with one another.

[Speaker: Doug Parker] Forgive our way to freedom! The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:12 reads, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

[Speaker: Tiana Wotherspoon] Tiana explores the trait that should set us apart as disciples of Jesus. That the way we ‘love’ one another as believers, would be the defining factor to identify us as His followers - the church. John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

[Speaker: Doug Parker] Isaiah 55:1 reads, “Listen! Are you thirsty for more? Come to the refreshing waters and drink." Throughout the bible, the theme of living water flows from the first chapters to the last. And here in Isaiah, we are not only asked if we desire it, but also invited to drink of it.

[Speaker: Tiana Wotherspoon] This is the journey of Jairus. The humility, the detours and the miracle. For many situations and circumstances, there are the facts and there is the truth of God’s promises - this is where faith and facts can collide.