"Give us today our daily bread" reminds us of the  manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness, emphasising God's daily provision for His people. This phrase underscores our reliance on God for our sustenance, trusting Him to meet our needs each day. Just as the Israelites gathered manna every morning, we are reminded to seek God's help for our daily necessities and to be thankful for His continuous care and provision.

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" highlights the importance of mercy and forgiveness in our lives. In this context, "debts" symbolizes our sins and shortcomings. By asking for forgiveness, we acknowledge our need for God's grace and commit to extending the same forgiveness to others.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" is a plea for God's guidance and protection. This part of the prayer notices the trials and temptations we encounter and seeks God's help in overcoming them. It acknowledges the presence of evil and our need for God's strength to resist it. 

In ancient times, the concept of a God as "Our Father"  was revolutionary, as it introduced a personal and intimate relationship with God, unlike the distant and fearsome gods of other cultures. Jesus used the term "Abba," akin to "Daddy," to emphasise this deep affection and trust. This shift meant that believers could approach God with the confidence of a child, knowing they are loved and cared for deeply.

By saying "Our Father in heaven," we acknowledge God's supreme authority over all creation. This phrase elevates God above all earthly powers, underscoring His control and sovereignty. Unlike the localized deities of the time, our God is depicted as omnipotent and omnipresent, ruling over the entire universe. This assurance of God's supreme power brings peace and confidence, knowing that despite life's chaos, His will prevails.

Finally, the phrase "Hallowed be your name" is a declaration of praise and honor. It reminds us to worship God for His greatness, power, and majesty. Just as we are awed by the vastness of the ocean or the height of a mountain, we are called to recognize and proclaim God's epic nature. This reverence shapes our prayers, leading us to seek His kingdom and His will in our lives, trusting our loving Father to guide us.

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Today, we're exploring two powerful miracles from the Gospel of John: Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana and the raising of Lazarus from the dead. In Cana, when the wine ran out, Mary’s faith in Jesus led to a miracle that turned an ordinary moment into a testament of God's care for our daily needs. This story reminds us that God is attentive to even our smallest concern.

The raising of Lazarus further emphasises this truth. Despite arriving after Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days, Jesus demonstrated profound compassion and power by bringing him back to life. This miracle showcases that God’s love and attention extend to our deepest sorrows and greatest needs. Both miracles reveal a central message: God cares about your prayers because He cares deeply about you.

In this sermon, we explore revenge stories. Some examples include hiding frozen bait in someone's house, letting someone's tires down daily, or secretly growing illegal plants in someone's yard and reporting them.

As Christians, we must deal with these situations differently. In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. He asks us to turn the other cheek, give generously, and treat others as we want to be treated.

Why does God ask us to do such difficult things? It's not about having an easy life. God wants to transform us to be more like Him. When the Bible seems to ask for the impossible, it’s a chance to grow. Anyone can hate their enemies or seek revenge, but as Christians, we are called to a higher standard.

Christianity challenges us to love the unlovable and be kind to the ungrateful. Our actions should reflect Jesus’ teachings. By loving our enemies and doing good without expecting anything in return, we show true transformation. This is how we can change the world.

God calls us to treat others with the same mercy and kindness He shows us. This way, we will be rewarded greatly. How can we do this? By letting the Holy Spirit transform us and learning from Jesus' example.

In this sermon, we delve into the  significance of celebration and gratitude as integral components of our spiritual journey. We begin by recognising celebration as an outward expression of gratitude towards God, manifested in various aspects of our lives including communal worship and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Drawing inspiration from the lives of hero's like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we learn to find joy even in the midst of adversity, acknowledging that amidst life's darkest moments, gratitude and joy can still flourish. 

However, as we navigate our spiritual journey, we confront obstacles such as pride and cynicism, which can obstruct our path to joy and celebration. Pride blinds us to the beauty of gratitude and humility, while cynicism robs us of the ability to embrace life's blessings with open arms. Yet, by overcoming these barriers and infusing our spiritual practices with joy, we unlock the transformative power of celebration, rekindling our sense of wonder and fulfilment.  We also acknowledge the importance of addressing depletion and disconnection in our lives, recognising that neglecting self-care and overexertion can drain us of the energy needed to experience true joy in our spiritual journey.

Finally, we reflect on the  relationship between obedience and intimacy with God, understanding that disobedience fractures our connection with the divine, hindering our ability to experience deep joy and fulfilment. Through repentance and alignment with God's will, we can restore intimacy and rediscover the joy that comes from living in harmony with His purposes. In conclusion, we are reminded of the transformative power of celebration, gratitude, and obedience in shaping a vibrant and joy-filled spiritual life, inviting us to embark on this journey with open hearts and minds.

In Christianity, the spiritual practice of service embodies the teachings of Jesus Christ, who exemplified humility and love through his acts of service to others. Following his example, Christians engage in serving their communities and beyond, inspired by the belief that every act of kindness is an expression of their faith. Through volunteering, charity work, and caring for the marginalised, Christians fulfil the call to love thy neighbour as thyself, deepening their connection to God and living out the gospel message. Service becomes a sacred duty, a way to honor God and demonstrate His love to the world, fostering spiritual growth and unity within the body of Christ

In today's sermon, we delve into a topic often overlooked in spiritual practices: sleep. The journey of Jess and I, fraught with night terrors and sleep apnoea, highlights the impact sleep disturbances can have on our physical and mental well-being. As we navigate through the biological imperative for rest, drawing insights from sleep scientist Matt Walker, we uncover the undeniable need for regular, restorative sleep. It's not merely a suggestion; it's a biological imperative.

Beyond its physiological necessity, sleep holds spiritual significance. Just as we redeem food as a spiritual practice, we can transform our sleep into a sanctuary of peace, blessing, and Spiritual encounter. The Psalms paint a picture of sleep as a place where we find refuge in God's protection and experience his lavish love. 

Yet, many obstacles hinder this sacred space, from stress and financial worries to unhelpful rhythms and overstimulation. By aligning ourselves with God's rhythms and relinquishing control over our anxieties, we pave the way for restful sleep and deeper spiritual connection. 

In this part 2 of Anthony's teachings, we deepen our understanding of work as a sacred practice.  Anthony's insights remind us of the connection between our daily labours, our relationships with others, and our journey towards God. Embracing this perspective, we find that every aspect of our work journey holds the potential for transformation and deepening of our spiritual
connection. 

Anthony unveils the  spiritual dimensions inherent in our daily labours, guiding us to see work as a sacred practice. As we listen, we're reminded that each task holds the potential to deepen our connection with people and God. From the mundane to the monumental, Anthony shows us that  every aspect of our work journey can be infused with purpose and worship. Discover how embracing this perspective can transform the way we engage with the world around us.