20240324 6PMp JB Lessons from 2 Timothy

A question to ask ourselves, “Am I useful to God?”

Some vessels from a house are for honourable use, some for dishonourable use. 

Three things we need to do: Look up, simmer down, clean out.

Paul is aware of the spiritual realms.   How is your relationship with God?

Live in the presence of God. Simmer down, do not be quarrelsome.  Correctly present the word of truth. 

Avoid the false teachers, flee the dishonourable, cleanse yourself from the things that are stopping you from being useful to God.

Pursue righteousness.

Speaker: John Batten.

20240317 6PMp CD Lessons from 2 Timothy.

Second in this short series on Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

The sermon briefly compares Paul’s advice with the idea of “Utilitarianism”.

Jesus’ path involved suffering for our sake, and following Jesus may involve us in suffering also.

It concludes that in the “long view”, to follow Christ is still the best way.

Speaker: Chris Donald.

20240310 6PMp RI BP Encouraging Timothy, guarding sound teaching.

Reading 2 Timothy 1:1-18

Paul reminds Timothy of the faith that he, Timothy had, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, he had received by the laying on of hands, by Paul.  Paul encourages Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel nor be ashamed of Paul, who was in prison for the sake of the gospel. Timothy was confronting false teaching and idol worship. The city of Ephesus has some parallels with modern day Sydney.  God’s spirit does not make us timid, but rather gives us strength, love and self discipline. This may entail relying on God’s spirit when faced with difficult situations of testimony about Jesus.  Jesus suffered and, in following him, we may face suffering too. Sound teaching is called for, and it needs to be guarded.  The gospel is about Jesus, the son of David, the promised Messiah, who came, and who died for the sin of the world. Wandering away from sound teaching can happen gradually. We walk away from one thing, then another and other beliefs begin to take over.   Commitment to Christian community is an important part of maintaining sound teaching. Make a commitment to maintain the links with sound teaching and community. Find strength in God’s Spirit.  

Speakers Ron Irving and Bri Parsonson

20240303 6PMp RI BOLD Do Life together. 

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians, 2:1-18.

For the speaker, experience of support, in a time of physical weakness (after an operation) led to deep respect for the supporter.  Considerate, caring support in “Doing Life Together”, fosters respect! 

Paul dared to share Jesus. Even in the face of strong opposition Paul did not give up. How did he manage this? He did it, together in community, not with impure motives, nor trickery, flattery nor greed.  

Take an interest in them

Remember little things, friends, families.  Go with them, show care for them.  Be patient with people, develop healthy relationships.  And do life with others. Example is Kairos ministry.

Love is the motivation – it looks at the needs of others, at the deep needs of people, also.

Jesus is the perfect example of “Doing Life together”.   He lived, he taught, he healed, he gave his life for those he came to save... and thus brought reconciliation.  He calls us to follow him, to follow his example in doing life with others, to take up our cross for others, in love.

Speaker: Ron Irving. 

20240225 930Amp JB BOLD for Jesus Linking them in

In the Early Church (Acts 4:32-35) Christian community:

What did the early Christians do? They listened to the apostles teaching about Jesus.

Where did they meet? In their homes sharing in fellowship meals.

How did they use what given them? By generous living and giving.

And God added to their number daily!

What does this mean in 2024? Why should we be bold to link them in? 

We want to take risks..  Through a compelling community of believers.

A survey of views of non-Christians about their Christian friends:   Many found them Caring, Honest, Loving and Generous

Question? Is this how your non-Christian friends see you? 

Lord, we pray that you would help us to walk in the paths of Jesus.

 Ref Book by Sam Chan, “The Plausibility of Jesus.”

How can we link in our not-yet-Christian mates with our Christian friends?

Speaker: John Batten.

20240218 6PM CD BOLD Be Opening up about faith in Jesus

We want to be BOLD about faith in Jesus

Develop habits that help us share Jesus with others.  Following the advice of in the letter to the Colossians, there are three main points.            

1. Pray for opportunities, pray for us too. Christianity is growing, in Africa, and in Latin America.
   

1. Open up by making opportunities to share Jesus with people who are not yet Christians.
   

Redeem the opportunity.  Let our conversation be “full of grace”, “seasoned with salt”.  Salt is flavoursome, making it better. 

We can gently, and with curiosity deepen our interactions with people.

1. Take opportunities. e.g. How was your xyz…? or,  I was praying for you, how did it go?  or,  can I pray for you?  Now?  or,  What gives you hope? or, Would you interested in coming to church with me this week?  or, Would you be interested in reading one of the biographies about Jesus in the Bible? etc. 

Keep asking questions.  This encourages conversation. 

Speaker: Chris Donald.

B for BOLD: Be curious

Reading: Acts 17:16-34

B – Be curious.

1. Curiosity connects. Paul discovered much about the people of Athens. Many idols. How observant are we of the people and life around us? Curious before jumping to conclusions. Reasoning and debating were part of the culture of the people of Athens.

Speaker: Ron Irving.

20240204 6PMp RI et al Bold for Jesus

Bible Reading: Acts 4:1-31.

Be bold for Jesus. Boldness comes, not by skill, but by the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John spoke with boldness about the man who was healed in Jesus name (v, 10).  The authorities saw that Peter and John were unlearned men, but recognised that they had been with Jesus!  (v.13). After they were further warned by the authorities, the group lifter their voices in prayer. 

1. L. Moody prayed for his list of 100 people, each of whom became believers. Let us pray for 3 people we know.

2. Though our culture is trending against “having faith” and “believing in God”, yet, as the tide goes out, it will strongly return.  And people will again return to faith in Jesus.

3. Peter and John had been with Jesus. Though we may feel our own sense of insecurity, yet when we lean on Jesus, boldness overcomes our insecurity. 

Speakers: Ron Irving, Brie Parsonons, John Batten, Chris Donald.

20240128 6PMp JB Salt and Light shaping what we do at work

Matthew 5:13 Salt and Light

How can different people, in their particular circumstances, act to shape the community?

Examples were suggested by members of the congregation:

High School Student: Show good attitudes and behaviour in sport, show respect regarding teachers. Talk to fellow students about church activities.

Unit Student/ Part time barista: Show up on time, work hard, make contacts, …

Working Parents: discipling their own children. Interacting with children/ other parents at school drop off;  loving and supporting each other. 

Teacher in a school: Avoid gossip.  Do things to show genuine caring. Support Christian activities.

Next in our sermon series: Work Matters.

20240121 6PMp KM Shaped by Work, Shaped by God

Work may be paid or unpaid, and may be thought of as anything we do with intent or purpose, housework, caring work, something we put a lot of energy into doing, including study.  An example is given of Christine, whose experience in her workplace was quite bad, yet that experience and subsequent events have greatly shaped and deepened her faith and trust in God. The Bible example is of Joseph, who, as one of 12 brothers, became hated and mistreated and sold into slavery.  In his work as a slave, he was further mistreated, even thrown into prison, yet through It all, God’s purpose was through him to preserve his family and many others. We can get shaped by our work, yet God can use our work to shape us for his purposes and his glory.

Speaker: Kara Martin.