Mark Sayers - Renewal in the 21st Century by The Grainery Church

The word “Christian” is only used three times in the New Testament. It was first used to describe the followers of the way of Jesus living in Antioch. The uneducated disciples of Jesus, once they were filled by the Holy Spirit, shocked the religious establishment by their boldness and faith, not by their beliefs. Sue explains how discipleship is not essentially about a set of beliefs, nor a set of rules to be followed. Disciples of Christ are those whose life direction has radically changed as they are now on a journey towards knowing Jesus and becoming like him.

This is the path to an abundant and eternal life, and, illustrating this truth with real-life anecdotes, Sue encourages us to become fully dedicated apprentices to Jesus.

Eternal life = kingdom of God = being saved. These things are here and now - in this world. We are bringing heaven to earth whenever we do Gods will here on earth. John runs through biblical word studies on “salvation”, “kingdom” “eternal life“, linking these great realities with the story of the rich young ruler. Becoming a disciple of Jesus is more than just about eternal life when we die. John shows how a rich life of obedience, a re-alignment of our lives, flowing from a repentant heart and a deep, intimate relationship with God, is what God being enthroned as king of our lives is all about.

Salvation is a journey. A process. It is the start of a journey not an end in itself.

Once saved always saved? Is it possible to get a “ticket to heaven”, where salvation is a kind of completed transaction which can be maintained by even a minimum ongoing lifestyle commitment? Matt poses questions and tells anecdotes which help to transition our thinking from “how much can I get away with and still have eternal life?” to “how can I be a totally committed and freely available disciple of Jesus, living fully for him here on earth?”

Jesus wants to be king in our lives and Lord over every part of our being, taking “self” off the throne in our lives.

Matt presents salvation as an ongoing work of transformation in our hearts, making us a totally new person.

Once a person gets a “free ticket” into heaven, what next? Jesus came not just to give out free tickets to heaven, but to bring heaven to earth. Human beings are easy to pull apart but way more difficult to put back together. As well as saving us from the deadly consequences of our sin, God wants to put individuals and our world back into the shape it was originally meant to be in. Using a beach shade tent and a story about the last day of primary school with characteristic humor to illustrate his point, Asher unpacks teaching about the Kingdom of God and the implications of this Kingdom for individuals and planet earth. Life matters because the Kingdom of Heaven comes through us and our words and deeds.

Is Religion just about earning a ticket to heaven? Wrong question when it comes to Christianity. Jesus announced that the Kingdom of Heaven was now coming to earth. Knowing him personally is to know the new reality- the good news of forgiveness, healing, deliverance, meaning and purpose - life in all its fullness - here on earth.

Sue asks us to consider what this good news of God’s new kingdom means to us. Knowing and surrendering to Jesus is the key to experiencing the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Is Jesus your King? Sue explains how the benefits and blessings that are a part of the kingdom of God are only available to his followers. This is so much more than just a ticket to heaven sometime in the future.

Ps Ryan Zweygartt - Letting Go of Control - 29th December 2019 by The Grainery Church

Looking at your year how would you sum it up? What shouts loudest to you from 2019? God looks at this year and asks of you “who did you become?”

Using the Biblical example of Paul the Apostle, Sue explains how God's purpose is to transform you into the person you were always meant to be.

Humans yearn to be fully known, loved, valued, heard and understood. Only knowing God personally and intimately can provide these things for you.

The path to this involves forgetting our own achievements and the pride of our own life and acknowledging our hurts, unforgiveness, pride - our human weakness.

This is the starting point for experiencing the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. In the path of knowing him, we become who we are meant to be.

The Christmas story draws people. Using moving real-life stories Sue illustrates the divine rescue plan put into effect at the coming of Jesus as the God-man. God is with us, for us and not against us, advocating for us and present within us when we become disciples of Jesus. The gift of life in Jesus needs to meet a response in us. We can ignore it, decline it , accept it but never use it. or receive it gladly, gratefully and wholeheartedly. Which will it be for you this Christmas?

What is the likelihood that the Christmas story is true? Moving stars? Virgin birth? Angels? Isn’t the story of Santa Claus just as likely?

What would a detailed historical and philosophical inquiry reveal? Matt discusses the evidence for dates relating to Jesus’ birth, and explores philosophical thought about miracles surrounding that event.

The conclusion? The Christmas story when believed can make you deeply mystical, happily material, fiercely relational and free to be emotional.

The highly personal nature of the incarnation, of God becoming human, sets our prayer aside from being a repetitive religious ritual and establishes a way for us to know him personally by faith with implications for our emotional well-being.