The Great Commission pt 1
Have you ever noticed that some Christians talk a lot about the authority of God but don’t seem to experience or express His gracious presence? Or maybe they chase after encounters with God but don’t...
Understanding the Time pt6 – Ready for Christ’s Return
After answering the disciples questions about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and His second coming, Jesus goes on to the application part of His message. He tells four stories all driving home the...
Understanding the Time pt 5 – The Second Coming
As Jesus describes His second coming in Matthew 24 He creates a challenging tension – you won’t be able to predict when it’s going to happen, but you’ll need to be ready for it when...
Understanding the Time pt 3 – Pain Comes in Waves
In Matthew 24:4-14 Jesus tells His disciples about labour pains that will be experienced in waves up until the birth of the new age when He returns. He begins with the sorts of things that...
Understanding the Time pt 2 – The Hills of Prophecy
As we prepare to listen to Jesus’ answer to His disciples questions about the future, we take some time to familiarise ourselves with the pattern of prophecy throughout the Bible. Jesus knew what His disciples...
Understanding the Time pt 1 – Has Australia Abandoned God?
The release of 2021 census data has led to a flurry of headlines reporting that Australia is rapidly turning its back on religion – even on God. Before taking a closer look to see if...
Woes into Wows pt 4 – Reconciliation
Reconciliation Week is an important part of the Australian calendar as we seek to understand and address the impacts of colonisation on the first nations of this land. Reconciliation is a theme that is central...
Woes into Wows pt 3: From Deceit to Truthfulness
In Matthew 23:16-22 Jesus addresses the issue of honesty. Why have a system that compels people to be truthful sometimes but not all the time? Every culture has a system for limiting dishonesty, but why...
Woes into Wows pt 2 – From delivering destruction to reproducing righteousness
In Matthew 23:13 -15 we see Jesus turn His focus to the impact the scribes and Pharisees are having in the lives of others. It’s a vital challenge to us as well, because we all...
Woes into Wows pt 1: From a few in the spotlight to a Church that burns bright
Matthew 23 is well known for the “woes” that Jesus speaks to the Scribes and Pharisees. The chapter is taken up with a stinging rebuke from Jesus, so it’s not the place you’d naturally turn...