Stairway Church

Andrew Gilbert—The Psalms of Ascent talk about a metaphorical and literal uphill journey towards Jerusalem - the place where GOD resided in His temple. This was a journey about community, surrender, trust, obedience, joy, pain and tears. Psalm 126 was written by those who had already returned to their spiritual homeland after the 70-year exile in Babylon, now ecstatic with joy, but praying for GOD to deliver those who haven’t yet returned to their spiritual and physical homeland (prodigals). Joy and tears are a key theme of this Psalm, as their history with God reminded them of Who He was for them, and also what to anticipate in regard to answers to future prayers. It begs the question - what if joy is such a highly valued commodity in the Kingdom of Heaven that we place it in the middle of our walk with GOD, and don’t treat it as simply a footnote or an afterthought?

Sarah Hudson—Psalm 122 is not simply a psalm about my individual faith or my personal pilgrimage. It is about OUR faith and OUR pilgrimage as the people of God. When God's people gather, we aren’t simply a collection of individuals who are in the same room. We gather around a shared story; the story of what He has done, what He has promised, and WHO He has made us to be. The challenge isn't individual identity or personal freedom, but rather when we begin to think that our lives belong to us alone.

Nartarsha Wisewould—God's providence is not a promise of a trouble free life, but the assurance that our Creator is fully present, watching over and keeping us through every circumstance. Even when we cannot see what God is doing, experience suffering or struggle with uncertainty, we can release our need for control and trust in His unchanging character and love. As we journey towards becoming more like Jesus, we can keep walking in faith because we are never alone — the God who watches over our coming and going keeps us now and forevermore.

Matt Romano—We begin a new series exploring the Psalms of Ascent, fifteen songs ancient Israel sang while walking toward Jerusalem and what they teach us about following Jesus. We trace the idea of pilgrimage through Scripture, from Abraham to Exodus to the early church

We will dive into what it means to live in the middle: the space between where God has brought you from and where He's taking you, where most of life happens, even when nothing seems to be moving. Along the way what it means to be formed by the road itself, not just arrive at the destination, and why none of us are meant to walk it alone.

We will discover what following Jesus is. Not a moment we experiece but a road we but a walk, through the waiting, the silence, the middle, with Someone who never once stops walking beside you.

This week’s message looks at the importance of intergenerational relationships in the church, and how they can have an impact on the lives our young people.

Nartarsha Wisewould—Living by the Spirit is both about being formed in Christlike character and being filled with the Spirit’s power. While daily surrender and obedience gradually shape us, encounters with the Holy Spirit can deepen our awareness of God’s presence and accelerate our growth as disciples.

The goal is not to chase emotional experiences or manifestations, but to pursue relationship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit. His presence forms us, His power fills us, and His purposes work through us. A Spirit-filled life is ultimately evidenced by a changed life—growing Christlike character, obedience, spiritual fruit, spiritual gifts, and an increasing ability to represent Jesus to others.

Sarah Hudson—Around the 12th century, Church leaders realised that there was a process by which our souls become increasingly awake to the indwelling presence of God, and increasingly free from what competes with Him, helping us simply be at home in His Presence. That process was described as four movements of the soul towards what GOD was doing. These four movements were: Awakening → Purgation → Illumination → Union. Today looks deeper into the second movement themed purgation. Purgation is God simplifying the soul where he loosens our attachment to everything we want alongside Him. We then realise that Jesus is the prize, not just the answer.

Shane Willard—The Old Testament has types and symbols that are fulfilled in the New Testament. In Acts 2, we see the Presence of GOD come upon those in the Upper Room. The Presence of God coming in a full way here, is a fulfillment of the types and shadows of what happened in previous Old Testament experiences.

Common occurrences in the Old Testament of God’s Presence coming in a more full way, are symbolized by a mixture of smoke, fire, voices, and this is seen as God’s Presence coming, or the establishment of a temple - holy ground. In the Old Testament, the understanding was that the Presence of God rested on Kings, Priests, the Temple, and Prophets. In the New Testament, when the Spirit of God came in Acts 2, the Spirit of God rested upon ‘all of them’.

Maurice Benington—Humility is a fruit of the Spirit that postures us and enables us to give GOD charge of our world. Only a posture of humility will enable me to trust GOD with a sense of waiting for Him to move in my life. A J Swoboda says it this way, ‘Waiting is not weakness or foolishness, as our digital world would have us believe. It is not a bug; rather, it is a feature of the spiritual life. To wait on what God has promised is to choose trust and the fear of God at the very core of our being.’

Andrew Gilbert—We follow an Extraordinary GOD, and His influence in our lives can cause us to feel extraordinary too. Most of the time, the slow process of growth in Him, can cause us to feel ordinary more than extraordinary. However, whilst Jesus was Extraordinary, HE chose the most ordinary bunch of people to become HIS disciples. The disciples were all ordinary - that is until Jesus invited them to come and follow HIM. Through encounters with the Holy Spirit, they were able to become true Jesus followers, and represent or re-present Jesus to the world.