Grace Community Church Listen Again

In Luke 15, we read a parable that depicts a Shepherd going out to to look for his Lost Sheep. This parable is another picture of the Good News Story. The Good News that one sheep was worth finding — it had precious value in the eye of the Shepherd. Perhaps when we think of this story, we jump to the conclusion that this sheep was lost by choice and he chose to leave the Shepherd and the comfort of the herd. As we look at the parable of the lost sheep, maybe we can consider that the sheep didn’t get lost on purpose. Maybe the sheep didn’t know it was lost. And, maybe, the sheep is not aware of its value. As we think of sharing the Good News story with those around us, we need to be mindful of the assumptions we make and the judgements that follow. Our message of Good News shouldn’t be one of morality, but one of Grace.

In Genesis chapter 1, we read the story of how God created new life in a desolate and empty space. He brought light into a dark place — and it was very good. This is perhaps our first glimpse at the good news of the Gospel. This good news, is still good news for us today? When God enters a place, situation, or community, he brings light that cannot be overtaken with darkness. He can fill spaces that were once empty and bring life to that which was once dead. Do we need to rejuvenate our minds with this good news?

We carry burdens, often unnecessarily. Or feel we need to resolve conflicts or problems immediately. God wants us to be still and trust him in these moments. New City Church’s Matt McFarland shares his story of growing up and struggling to please God, then realising we can’t reach a point where we are worthy on our own merit. Instead, God loves us where we are. Psalm 37 describes what it means to trust God: to be still in him. Also, Deborah shares her love for Psalm 121.

Even in the most hostile conditions there is growth. Homero talks about what makes the cedar and palm trees special, and what they can teach us about endurance and perseverance. We then explore the idea of chesed love: A promise-keeping loyalty rooted in deep loving care.

Death, suffering and injustice are a challenge when we're confronted with them. It's easy to dismiss the feeling of sorrow as a lack of faith, or worse, shame people when they are grieving. When we shun lament we lose that place of raw, honest vulnerability. In doing this, we also avoid the pain in the world. Do we think that God cannot handle your cries? Psalms 42 and 88 emboldens us to lift our voices with courage and also in protest of injustice.

In Psalm 133 we see the heart of God revealed, when we are encouraged to live together in unity. This does not mean that we will agree on everything, or always see eye-to-eye, but rather we have a common bond that ties us together - Jesus! In verses 2 and 3 we are drawn to metaphors that speak to the way in which we should come together, like a fragrant oil made from a variety of ingredients or the morning dew which softens all the ground equally. The bond which ties us is greater than than the differences that divides us.

The Psalms is a truly diverse mix of songs and ideas. From lament to praise. From reflection to exaltation. We often associate Psalms in the Bible with David, but there are many writers. Some unknown. This eclecticism of voice is important as we get used to the idea of ambiguity and theological assortment. We might have favourite Psalms, but they are even more powerful collectively than individually. Conveniently for us, the book of Psalms is actually arranged in five books: each dealing with a different period in Israel’s history. Written for a post-exilic people, they speak to the journey they’ve been on. Book One (1 – 41) The rule of King David. Book Two (42 – 72) Transition of power from David. Book Three (73 – 89) Collapse of David’s rule. Book Four (90 – 106) A retrospective of a time before David. Book Five (107 – 150) A returning home of the people who were in exile.

Stubbornness can be a good thing, but often it can be damaging. No matter what you’ve been through, God’s promise remains on your life. We walk in the promises of God through surrendered devotion to God. Stubbornness will keep us out of the presence of God. Surrender will lead us to deeper levels of encounter with the living God.

Acts 2:1 reminds us that on the day of Pentecost all believers were together in one place. We are called in to community in the same way, to walk together and encourage one another in utilising our gifts.

It’s easy to procrastinate, but what if we were able to put each day into an order that reflects our love of God and others? In Colossians Paul is commending them for the love they have in their hearts for Jesus and others. Where does their love come from? It comes from a hope that springs up from heaven. This hope is calling them home. Prepare ourselves by knowing that we are loved. Prepare ourselves by embracing a life of grace. Prepare ourselves by fixing our eyes on a vision of God for our lives. Prepare ourselves living a life of gratitude.

At Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured out an all flesh. This event shattered man-made hierarchies and religious norms. It would cause men and women, young and old, rich and poor to prophecy and dream. The debate around the Spirit of God tends to fall into one of two camps: academic and charismatic. However we need a balance between the two. We need both Spirit and Word. Experiencing God means opening ourselves up to him, just as Peter did in Acts 10. If you ask for the Spirit, He’ll give it.

In 1 Peter 4 v 7 – 11 we are encouraged to be clear-minded and responsible with the gifts that have been entrusted to us. We have a responsibility to take what has been given to us and share it with the world. If we steward our gifts well, we will make Jesus known to everyone and the deep love of Jesus will be seen and felt by those around us. Using our gifts to serve others, is like handing out God’s grace as a gift. When we fail to do this, or lack love for one another when doing it, the body of Christ is weakened and sometimes even dysfunctional. Peter is exhorting us to clear our minds, regulate our thoughts, and press on in using our gifts for the advancement of the kingdom.

As the church has evolved over time, some changes have led to it maybe not functioning as it should. The roles of pastor and teacher have often been combined. Evangelists tend to function outside of church and prophets and apostles are few and far-between. However, it is evident that the "Ascension Gifts" mentioned in Ephesians 4 bring all of these roles together, suggesting that for the church to operate well it needs all five — or none at all. - The Apostle: The pioneer. They keep us true to our mission. They're the foundation layer. - The Prophet: They glimpse God’s heart and draw it into the fellowship. - The Evangelist: They proclaims the gospel with their whole lives. Not just with a microphone on a street-corner. - The Shepherd: They're passionate about developing a loving community of people. - The Teacher: They're the mediators of wisdom and understanding. They communicate, simply, complex ideas. So the question is, do you carry one of these gifts? One way to find this out is to see which area o

We read in 1 Corinthians 12 about the range of spiritual gifts given to us as children of God. Each person is given a different gift, but they all point to revealing who God is and who we are in him. When we don’t unwrap our gifts, the whole body of Christ misses out, as all the gifts need to work together. Like the orchestral symphony that has many different parts, but is dependant on one another to work towards a common goal, we must use our gifts for the advancement of the kingdom of God. When it comes to spiritual gifts, there tends to be strong opinions at the extremes: ​“cessationism” and ​“charismatism”. 1 Corinthians chapters 1 and 14 warn holders of these views. One thing is certain: if a gift turns the person using it into the main character, there’s a problem.

God’s presence on earth is made visible through his people who are called to live sacrificial, fully available lives. His ‘Faithful Presence’ is manifest through us. In Romans chapter 12, we are encouraged to think of ourselves as part of the body of Christ. Each of us are blessed with gifts and talents, and we are called to use them in the building of the kingdom of God on earth. While our gifts are unique to us, we must see them and ourselves as part of an interdependent system with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The fire in Acts fell onto each person. Each individual blessed with a full gifting. And a spirit that can carry those gifts further and wider. Each of us has been gifted something that has the potential to change the lives of those around us. Yes, it’s unusual to find the sacrificial giving of your talent, time and treasure easy, but it’s important that we do not diminish the work of the Spirit and that we endeavour to give our gifts to each one.

Early Sunday morning, the disciples had returned to where they were staying. It was just Mary Magdalene left, crying, by the tomb were Jesus lay. Soon, she saw angels and who she thought was the gardener. It is possible the Jesus waited til Mary was on her own. The picture of Jesus’ tending the garden, might have seemed like a mistake on Mary’s part. Or, there’s significance here. Jesus: hands in the mud; intimately involved in the confusion and heartache that permeates humanity. His resurrection means he continues to make beautiful things out of the dirt.

How many times do I ignore something because it doesn’t meet my standard? 1. God meets us in the ordinary moments of our lives. 2. God sits with us in our time of rest. 3. God invites us to bring our whole selves to prayer. Centre your busy fractured lives on him.

We are called to use our gifts and talents to the glory of God. Sometimes it’s not easy to name, accept or embrace our talents, so perhaps asking these questions might help us achieve ‘Spiritual Ikigai’ - our spiritual ‘reason for being’. 1. What burdens our heart? 2. What do voices of wisdom say about our gifts and talents? 3. What skills do we possess? 4. Are we in good physical, emotional and spiritual health?

How can we have a prophetic imagination for our families, churches and communities? In the book of Acts we learn how the Holy Spirit awakened new imagination and authority in the early Christian church. As we strive to have prophetic imagination stirred in us, we need the ‘see, go and speak’ in faith, as Jesus did. We need to do this in ‘Oneness’ with one another, walking with spiritual authority that comes from our confidence in our faith. We are called to be part of one church, with the shared knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord of Heaven and earth.