Given that followers of Jesus have become citizens of heaven, Philippians 4:2-3 reminds the church to live God’s way. Unresolved relationship problems in the church ought not to occur but Christians should seek to reconcile and help others do the same in order to shine a light to a world full of conflict.
Archives
‘Our citizenship’ (Rev Keith Bell)
We read in Philippians 3:20 that followers of Jesus have their citizenship in heaven. On Australia Day, Rev Keith Bell preached on the implications of our dual citizenship.
‘Welcomed into God’s Kingdom’ (Luke 14:15-24)
God spreads a banquet for all peoples yet the self-righteous are unwilling to enter the kingdom. They give weak excuses to justify their unbelief and despised the sinners who came readily. Sinners who know they need a saviour enter the kingdom instead of those who rejected the invitation. Jesus tells a parable in Luke 14:15-24 that shows our need – are we willing to accept the invitation and welcome others into God’s kingdom?
‘Relying on the real hero of Acts’ (Acts 1:1-11, Ryan Smith)
We currently live in a super-hero obsessed culture and it can often affect the way we think about sharing the message of Jesus. We can fall into the trap of thinking the apostles are like ‘super-Christians’ and sharing Jesus is for other ‘super-Christians’, [pastors, trained-evangelists, extroverts, people gifted in talking and sharing]. We often think “I’m ordinary, I’m unimpressive, I’m unequipped, I can’t do it, Jesus can’t be expecting anything from me”. But according to Acts 1:1-11, Jesus is the real hero of the book of Acts. We don’t need to be super or a hero, but just need to be used by Him.
‘Saved to serve the King’ (Luke 19, Rev Peter Phillips)
Jesus tells a parable in Luke 19 and perhaps we didn’t notice the context. He tells the story to highlight his mission to “seek and save the lost”. It connects with Zacchaeus’ conversion, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and how the people didn’t understand his mission or have him as king. We read of a present saviour and a coming judge. Will we serve him as king?
‘The Parable of the Rich Fool’ (Luke 12, Rev Peter Phillips)
In Luke 12, Jesus is teaching about life and death only to have someone interrupt with a self-centred request! Life is more than possessions, food or clothing. Do we trust God to meet our needs? God gives abundantly but are we rich toward him? “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
‘Jesus’ Temptations’ (Matthew 4, Rev Keith Bell)
In Matthew 4, we read one of the most exciting passages; a master class in facing temptation. Like us, Jesus faced temptation. Unlike us – and everyone who has come before – he never fell into it. How should we respond?
‘Jesus displays his authority and power’ (Mark 4:35-41, Rev Keith Bell)
In Mark’s gospel, we meet Jesus and see his authority and power, much to the amazement of his disciples. On display is his power over nature, over demons, to forgive sin and even over death. How should we respond?
‘Resurrection’ (John 20, Rev Peter Phillips)
The resurrection is central to Christianity. Without it our faith in futile (1 Corinthians 15:17-18) and we have no hope (1 Peter 1:3). Reason says that dead people don’t rise but that was known in the first century AD as well as now. Scripture records the careful eyewitness of such a surprising event and even 50 days afterward (Pentecost, Acts 2) there was already a debate about the resurrection! It was testified so that you may “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead” (Romans 10:9). “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
‘Jesus’ Three Three-Word Messages’ (Rev Keith Bell)
On Good Friday, we are reminded of three three-word messages: “I love you”, God shows his great love at the cross (Romans 5:8); “It is finished”, by faith our sins are paid in full; “I will return” to take us to be with him (John 14:1-6).