Riverside Church - Whitstable

Julian Barnard considers differing aspects of Jesus who is the Light of the World. We often hear of God’s radiance and magnificence but is there another vista of Jesus we can discover?

This week our guest speaker Kevin Crook from Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) talks about stepping out in faith as in the feeding of the 5,000 in the book of Mark ch6 v30 and also a particular miraculous MAF rescue mission in Kenya. Is Jesus asking you today to give something up to serve in the mission field?

Simon explains how God has “plans for people”. He looks at Acts 9 and at how Ananias played a key role in Saul’s conversion and that God also has plans for us as well and we need to follow his will and go out to fulfil them.

Simon explains how “starting out” starts the story. He looks at how Philip’s obedience to the Holy Spirit in Acts 8 carries a radical message of God’s love and inclusion to the Ethiopian travelling back from Jerusalem.

The full interview with NT Wright referred to in his talk is available to view on our website www.riversideuk.org/2019

Using the story of Jesus’ first miracle in John chapter 2 where he turns the water into wine Jake explains how obedience is a choice and obedience is also an action and Jesus will lead us when we step out in faith.

Simon teaches us using the book of Acts ch27 v9-44 about the apostle Pauls shipwreck, that we are called to bring words of life into the storms of life.

Our expectation is influenced by our perspectives and prejudices and today Simon explains how sometimes our perspective around church, religion and even Jesus obscures the reality of the spirit of God at work in our lives.

We all have doubts, especially hearing God’s voice and having the confidence to act on it. Jake explains how it will become easier when we change our mind set from our worrying about our ability and just giving God our availability.

Our six monthly look back and celebration of the great things going on in the life of Riverside and also looking ahead to what we believe God has for us in the coming year.

In part five of this current series ‘Spirit-Led Living’ Simon talks more about listening to God in the quietness or stillness. Think about it… listen and silent are spelled with the same letters.