The thing that delights the Holy Spirit the most, is introducing people to Jesus. The Holy Spirit can and does speak to the hearts of men, not just for our own benefit, but also so we can bless others. When you start to talk about the Holy Spirit he shows up - and begins to show off!!! That is, he begins to touch lives. Our task is to understand who the Spirit is and what he does, and to listen to him then obey. Vicki gives dome insights into how to do those things. She gives encouragement to follow the Spirit into salvation, into spiritual growth and into giving and receiving spiritual gifts, especially prophetic ministry, in an atmosphere of love.

How do snorkeling and an indigenous “welcome to country” relate to the story of Jesus and Nicodemus? What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit? Should we just give up on praying for salvation for someone and/or sharing the gospel with them if they are just not responding? What is the gospel anyway? Paul applies the first three chapters of the book of John to understanding Gods heart for lost people. He encourages the congregation to pray for salvation for those around us and not to give up.

In 1 Peter 4:7-9 the service of others by using our spiritual gifts is described. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to Christians to work through us in fitting the calling he has for us. Lists of spiritual gifts in the New Testament come from the one God for the common good. Gifts call out of us things we could never do in our own strength. Kieran encourages us to access and use our spiritual gifts, eagerly desiring the higher gifts.

For this new six week challenge we begin with John chapter four and the story of “the Samaritan woman at the well”. Jesus promises this woman something incredible - an unending spring of water (being the Holy Spirit) which waters all those around us with God’s grace and peace and joy. Exploring what it means to be baptised in, or filled with the Holy Spirit, Sue focuses on the transforming and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for witness to others and for blessing others. Learn about your new identity, your new boldness, confidence and victory, a new invasion of the earth by heaven - by His Spirit through you!

The whole of John chapter 9 recounts the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. What is your response to this miracle? Pastor Sue explores the responses of the religious people, the disciples, the spectators, and the healed man’s parents. She asks whether there is a little part of each of these people in us.

Sue points out that sickness and spiritual blindness and human brokenness can be healed and restored no matter what their cause. God can use us to carry out that task, not by our own wisdom or abilities but by the Holy Spirit working through us by God’s grace.

Patricia Weerakoon - Biblical View of Sexuality - 30th May 2019 by The Grainery Church

Most people are not prepared for death. It has been a taboo conversation topic - even in the Christian church. In this poignant message John explores the idea of grieving with hope, presenting seven reasons why believers can grieve our losses but with a great hope for our own healing from existential distress and for a new life in eternity. He outlines the Biblical view that death is an enemy, which has been defeated in the resurrection. Eternal perspectives, community, the fatherhood of God, the humiliation of losing our independence, the crucifixion and God’s purpose for us. All of these issues are addressed in this thoroughly ground breaking, powerful message.

Why is belief important? Because it gives us purpose. We need to live our life journey with purpose to give us direction and growth – or have no purpose at all. If we ignore God we invite chaos into our lives. We need rules to play the game – rules from the person who invented the game. We can be caught in a storm and Jesus comes to us – do we invite him into the boat to calm the storm and restore order? His presence transforms our fear. Jesus said don’t be afraid I am with you. Bring Jesus into everything – he transforms your fear.

Where do you stand as far as miracles are concerned? Is it the view that only Jesus could do it – they are part of history or Jesus has called us to do things that are impossible. As Christians we face a conflict – belief or unbelief. Am I in or not really sold on the idea of miracles? The writer of John wants us to know that Jesus is the real deal. Where does human effort become divine effort. Do we rush off in our own strength then find ourselves in a situation that only Jesus can fix? The disciples were rowing the boat thinking that they should have waited for Jesus. Jesus comes to them and says do not be afraid – I am here. In a split second of belief Peter steps out of the boat. Life can be a series of miraculous events where God steps into our circumstances and does the impossible.

Each person has a story about having a mother or being a mother. Vicki shares the experience of her own growing up and how some bad choices led to drugs, outlaw motorbike gangs and being a poor mother.

However, this all changed when she met her Saviour. Our failures don’t define us and the changes in Vicki’s life and in the life of her kids were both positive and radical. Success and failure - we are encouraged to lay all of this at the feet of God who creates our life narrative from the depth of our relationship with Him.

Learn about the difference between instructing and parenting, and become a river of blessings as you listen to this inspiring Mother’s Day message.