The Holy Spirit empowers the church by giving gifts to each member. He gives different gifts to different people - and every gift is necessary. This means that the church needs YOU to do what the Holy Spirit has gifted YOU to do!

If we all discover our gifts and we all play our part, the church will be healthy, effective and worthy of the title "The Body of Christ"!

1 Corinthians 12:7-28, Romans 12:4-8, Acts 2:46-47

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, a process of transformation begins in our lives. The more we co-operate with him, the more we will experience the fruit of his work in our lives.

If we resist him, or fail to keep in step with him, we will remain “spiritual babies”.

If we yield our lives to him and learn to keep in step with him, our lives will be transformed - we will become more and more like Jesus!

John 14:15-18, Galatians 5:19-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Romans 7:21-25, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Acts 7:51, Galatians 5:25

God has always intended to be with his people. Sin separated us, but Jesus came as "God with us"! While it is true that God is everywhere, he makes his presence known to us (his "manifest presence"). His presence with us makes us blessed people - so we should pursue and prioritise the presence of God!

Matthew 1:23, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Genesis 39:1-5 & 20-22, Exodus 29:45-46, John 17:3, Psalms 51:9-11, Exodus 33:14-16

Jesus has ascended to heaven - but he is still on mission with us! As a human, Jesus came alongside the first disciples so that they could join him on his mission. Now, the Holy Spirit comes alongside us - and even fills us - so that we can all join Jesus on his mission!

Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot fulfil our mission; we need him to

- empower us

- teach us

- guide us

- convince those we are discipling

- point people to Jesus

- glorify Jesus!

Let's not try to do this alone! Let's embrace his wonderful work, in us and through us!

John 14:15-18, Acts 1:4-8, John 16:7-8, Acts 2:37, John 14:26, John 16:13-14, Luke 11:11-13

Just as our bodies thirst for water, so our souls thirst for God. We may try to satisfy this thirst independently of God, but this is like trying to store water in a leaky tank!

We all experience "dry" or "desert" experiences. In those times we should seek the presence of God, both alone and in corporate worship.

Jesus invites us to come to him and drink. When we do this, we are renewed - and are a blessing to those around us!

Psalm 84, John 16:33, Philippians 3:10-11, Jeremiah 2:13, John 7:37-39, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 8:28

Jesus has given ALL of us a command: to make disciples of Jesus, people who will also obey his commands. This command can feel very intimidating - but actually, all we have to do is take a step - of faith and obedience - and then keep on taking the next step.

These steps can seem too big for us because we feel unqualified - even disqualified. But Jesus delights in using the weak, foolish and despised - in his eyes we’re good for the job!

Our first steps may not seem to amount to much - they are “small beginnings”. But as we faithfully persist, our small steps will have a big impact! And as we do this together, we encourage one another and see even more impact!

Matthew 28:18-20, Zechariah 4:9-10, Luke 13:18-‬21, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Hebrews 10:23-25

Mankind was created in the image of God - so we should reflect his nature. Yet mankind in general does not reflect his glory. We tend to destroy rather than create. We tend to lack his kindness, compassion and holiness.

Through Jesus, God has made a way for us to be restored into his image. As we believe in Jesus, focus on Jesus and follow his words and ways, we become more and more like him - more and more like God!

And we become more and more able to help others to do the same!

Mark 12 :13 - 17, Genesis 1:27, Nehemiah 9:6, Isaiah 63:7, Psalm 103:8, 1 Samuel 2:2, Genesis 1:24-28, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 1:16-17

We all have stories to tell and many are well worth telling! But while many stories can inspire, only one can transform lives! This story is known as the "gospel", the proclamation of the good news about Jesus.

Here's the story:

- Jesus died for our sins

- Jesus was buried

- Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many witnesses (over 500)

- All this was foretold by the Jewish prophets

This is a TRUE story, well witnessed and documented. But we still have to BELIEVE it - and RESPOND to it!

1 Corinthians 2:1-2, Romans 1:14-17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Jesus has called all of his people to a great project - his great commission to make disciples of all nations. But other people, other projects and other pressures can cause us to stop. These things will help us stay on track:

- partnership

- leadership

- knowing the words of Jesus

- clear communication

Jesus calls us into close relationship, obedient faith, humble dependence, sober self-evaluation and single-minded commitment.

Nehemiah 6:1-4, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 5:13-14, Hebrews 11:10, Matthew 16:18b, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Matthew 5:3-12, James 4:8

The first century church had great expectations of what God would do - in them and through them. And they had an amazing impact on their city, region and the world. But many today have low expectations - and have little impact.

Biblical expectations are that:

- we will be transformed, more and more like Jesus

- we will represent Jesus wherever we go

- we will make disciples of Jesus wherever we are

- the church will change the whole world!

Matthew 5:48, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Acts 2:42-47, Colossians 1:3-6, 1 Corinthians 1:11-13, 3:5-7, Acts 8:1, 11:19-21