20240728 6PMp CD Elijah’s Message to us.

King Ahab meets Elijah and after an altercation, the people are summoned to mount Carmel.  Elijah challenges the people to decide between the Baals and the LORD with a test by fire. If the Baal is God, serve him. But if the LORD is God, serve him!  God is claiming Israel back as part of his promise to Abraham.  The challenge is also to us! Choose this day, whom we will serve!

Speaker: Chris Donald.

20240721 6PMp JB God, Why am I here?

Elijah is told by God to present himself to king Ahab. Elijah meets the king’s administrator, Obadiah, who recognises Elijah, and is then fearful for his own life.  Obadiah has faithfully served the Lord God, Yaweh, and, in matters where there was no conflict, has served his earthly master, Ahab. At times, we may wonder, and ask the question, “What am I doing here?” yet God has us in the right place at the right time.

Speaker: John Batten.

20240714 6PMp CD Elijah the Prophet - God what are you doing?

Elijah The Tishbite, of Tishbe, the prophet of God, appears about some 900 years BC. He brings a message from God to King Ahab, whose wife is Jezebel, that there will be drought in the land. The drought and ensuing famine affects Elijah and others in the land.  In the ensuing events, at the brook Cherith, and later at Zarephath, in the area of Sidon, they then come to know that there is a God in Israel!

Speaker: Chris Donald.

20240707 6PMp RI Check your heart!

When jogging, and at various other times, we would do well to “Check our heart!”

In this final sermon of our current series in Luke: “On the Road with Jesus” Jesus accepts the Invitation to a meal at the house of a Pharisee.  Jesus perceives that the Pharisee is critical of him because he does follow their practice of washing hands before the meal.  Jesus responds with a critique of focussing on outward appearances whilst neglecting the inward attitude of the heart.  And when an “Expert in the Law” protests, Jesus then points out issues in their behaviour also, that shows a need for them to “check their heart!”.    On our journey, with Jesus, we too, need to check our heart! This is a fundamental need for followers of Jesus.  “Check your heart!”

Speaker: Ron Irving.

20240630 6PMp RI Don’t Just stand there Do Something

In Ulladulla, 2004, There was a situation in church, that required decision and action.

Continuing our series in “Luke’s Gospel: On the Road with Jesus” speaker Ron Irving explains the need for decision and action: siding with Jesus.  In the matter of casting out a demon, and focussing attention on various other issues, the one issue of importance, is “siding with Jesus” as the signs of the Kingdom of God come upon the world.  There are various other stances that are seen to be inadequate or to miss the point. “Blessed are those that hear the word of God and obey it!

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20240623 6PMp GH Jesus Teaches his Disciples about Praying.

Jesus shows us that knowing how to pray is about knowing what God is like, knowing who He is.  The more we know that, the more we are going to know how to pray.  

In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus calls God “Father”. Even as a little boy, Jesus used that term for God. Teaching his disciples to address God as ‘Father’ is inviting them into an intimate relationship with God. This invitation is even to others who may not yet know God. In the words, “Your Kingdom come” Jesus shows that God is a King, a ruler, our Sovereign.  He has power, and his name should be honoured. Forgive us our sins.  We need His forgiveness, we can pray for this, we can do this in all sorts of circumstances.  

In prayer we know better the nature of God, his character, his love and goodness toward us, and the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit.

We are encouraged to approach God our Father, in prayer.

Speaker: Gary Hill.

20240616 6PMp CD Mary and Martha with Jesus c QandA

In New Testament times, writings were written on scrolls, up to about 30 feet long. Luke’s writing in his gospel and in the book of Acts are the longest in the New Testament.  Why did Luke include this story of Jesus with Martha and Mary in his gospel?  The point in this story may readily be missed or misunderstood.  In keeping with the way our world thinks, we may often seek to earn our way, by doing things for Jesus and for God.  But we can never do enough to earn our way.  Jesus, by his death and rising again, has provided the way for us. Mary chooses to be with Jesus, and to listen to him.  This is better, this is what is needed. And it shall not be taken away.

Speaker: Chris Donald.

20240609 6PMp JB Who is the Good Samaritan?

An expert in the Law, comes to test Jesus, and asks him, “What must I do to inherit Eternal Life?”

Jesus turns the question around and asks the expert what his answer is. This leads to the question: “And who is my neighbour?”  Jesus answers with a parable, the “Parable of the Good Samaritan”.

In the parable, the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan see the man in need, but it is the Samaritan who has mercy on the man. 

And who is the one who sees us in need, and has mercy on us?

It is Jesus! Jesus is the Good Samaritan! to us.

Speaker: John Batten.

20240602 6PMp FY The Kingdom of God has come near

Bible Passage: Luke 10:1-24

In ministry, introducing Jesus is the key intention; getting side tracked from this a trap which must be avoided.

In the passage, Jesus sends out 72, in pairs, ahead of him with specific instructions what to do, to preach and how to act.

1. To preach: The Kingdom of God has come near. This message is a message of hope, and death will be defeated.

The people have been waiting for this promise for centuries. However, they may have been expecting something different to the what is coming through Jesus.

1. To give a warning: to those who reject the message.

The message is to bring life, but there is a sober warning to those towns and people who reject his message. Jesus declares woe to those who reject him.

1. Meeting Jesus, the King.

The fulfilment of God’s promises. The message brings a promise, and a message of warning,

The warning is of the reality of what it means to reject the message.  To reject the message is to reject Jesus, and to reject Jesus is reject the one who sent him.

And the challenge is to us, to share the scriptures, to share God’s Word, with those around us. To bring people to know Jesus.

 Speaker: Faraj Yusofov

20240526 6PMp RI Don’t Look Back. Choose Jesus.

4th in our current series on Luke’s Gospel.

Bible passage: Luke 9:51-62

Using an illustration of the disadvantage of looking back when running a race, “Don’t look back” is the key message when following Jesus.  When Jesus sets his mind resolutely to go to Jerusalem. Where death on the cross awaits him.  Multiple examples on this resolute path help to make clear just what it means to take up one’s cross daily to follow Jesus.

Speaker: Ron Irving.