In the Kingdom of God:

-Greatness is not measured by our power, status, titles or recognition, but by our level of servanthood.

-Leadership is not about position, power and control, it is simply another way to serve others.

-All ministry is a form of service.

-If we want to be great, we must learn the ways of servanthood!

Mark 10:35-45, Matthew 23:5-12, Romans 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, James 1:1, 3 John 1:9-11, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Unity is a wonderful thing! Jesus prayed that we would be united - not merely for his sake or our sakes, but for the sake of the lost. Our unity points people to Jesus, the Lord and the Saviour!

So let’s be people who build unity! Let’s do it for Jesus. Let’s do it for the lost. Let’s do it for each other.

Let’s relate to each other in humility. Let’s relate with gentleness. Let’s patiently bear with one another’s weaknesses. Let’s work hard to build unity in our community.

It is SO worth it!

Psalm 133, John 17‬:20‬-23, Ephesians 4:1-6, Proverbs 15:1, Romans‬ 12‬:18

Jesus called his disciples “the light of the world”. We are to "shine" - by how we live and what we teach.

Our point of reference for what is right and wrong is found in the commands of God. Jesus taught his disciples to practice and teach these commands. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, but God's laws still teach us right from wrong. They are "light" for us - and when we demonstrate & teach these truths, we are light to those around us!

Matthew 5:14-19, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 1:1-6, Deuteronomy 4:23-26 & 30:16-19, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:21-22

One of God's many amazing attributes is his compassion. He has shown this compassion to many people, including Moses, David, Elijah and the nation of Israel.

Jesus also revealed God's compassion, both in his mission to seek and save the lost and in his general ministry.

When we recognise God's compassion, we live with greater peace and confidence.

And just as we have RECEIVED compassion from God, we are commanded to SHOW compassion to those around us. We can do this because God works in us. And when we remember the immeasurable compassion that God has extended to us, it is much easier to extend it to others!

Exodus 33:18-34:7, Psalm 103:8-14, 1Kings 19:4-7, Matthew 9:36-38, 14:14, 15:32, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 4:32, 2Peter 1:3-4, Matthew 18:21-35

We live in an age when we are used to quick or even instant results - but the Bible teaches us to wait on God!

Waiting on God is a learning process and not always easy - but it has many benefits! Waiting times are often times when God matures our character and faith and teaches us new things.

A delay does not mean that God did not hear us or pay attention; we can trust that he will do what is best in his perfect time. And he will renew our strength as we put our hope in him!

Psalm 40:1-5, 37:7, 27:14, Matthew 7:7, Isaiah 40:29-31, Hebrews 13:8, Ephesians 3:20-21

The journey of transformation into the image of Christ begins with our first decision to follow Jesus. For the journey to continue, we need to KEEP deciding to follow Jesus!

Jesus told us to decide three things every day:

1 deny ourselves (today will be centred on Jesus, not me)

2 take up our cross (today I will embrace sacrifice & suffering for his sake)

3 follow him (I will obey him as he leads & teaches me)

If we make this our "daily decision", we will be true disciples of Christ & be transformed into his likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:18, John 3:3, Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 2:6-7, Luke 9:23

Like Elijah, we may be devoted to God and serve him will all our hearts, yet we don't see the results that we had hoped for. We may then feel disappointed, frustrated and even want to give up.

Like Elijah, we can experience God's restoration - as we come to him, as we pour out our hearts to him and as we take time for rest and renewal.

We’re not done until the Lord takes us home!

Romans 8:28-30, 1 Kings 17 - 19

The new-born child of God should not remain a baby, but grow up into maturity, reflecting more and more of the glorious image of Jesus. Two keys to this transformation are related to our thinking:

1. Think differently about your life:

The transforming life is a life of worship. I no longer live for me, I live for Jesus.

2. Think differently about your source of truth and wisdom:

The transforming life follows the patterns of Jesus, not the patterns of the world around them.

When we re-align our thoughts and our habits with Jesus, our lives are transformed!

2 Corinthians 3:18, John 3:3, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 6:9-10

Whatever our comforts or struggles, as God's children, we are God's treasure. Every believer is precious to God!

We have experienced God’s deliverance, protection & provision, so can testify to his greatness & goodness.

And we are called to live as a royal priesthood & holy people, proclaiming God’s worth & majesty through our lives. As we live God-centred lives, we display God’s love and character to those around us.

Exodus 19:4-6, Genesis 22:17-18, Jeremiah 24:9, Romans 2:24, Luke 2:32, Galatians 3:29, Genesis 12:3, 1Peter 2:9-12

God transforms his children in a process whereby they steadily become more and more like Jesus. This journey of transformation begins with salvation, when we are born again, becoming new creations. To experience salvation, we need to believe that Jesus is who he said he is - both saviour and Lord - and respond by surrendering our lives to him and coming under his rule. We can then start taking our first steps of obedient faith, enjoying the power of God at work in us, transforming our lives!

2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:12-14, 2 Peter 1:5-8, John 3:3-8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 16:24-25, Colossians 1:13