Syndal Baptist Church Audio

SIMPLIFY OverviewApart from the joy of going from cluttered to tidy, there is something deeply satisfying about a good spring clean. We may have decluttered our sheds, our house or even our bedroom. But how often do we declutter our minds? In an increasingly complex world, with deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, debt to pay off, investments to manage, people to see and places to be. Add in the complexities of relationship with family, friends, and work colleagues. Then and add an overlay of 24/7 connectivity, and uncluttered is not a word that readily springs to mind! Week 4 - From Static to Clarity "Surely life is about more than this!" When our schedules get maxed out, along with our credit cards. These are signs that we are trying to meet the deeper needs of significance and purpose with things that were never made for it. Amidst the frenetic pace and constant demands of postmodern life, how can we find meaning, and live with clarity?

SIMPLIFY Week 3: From Shallow to DeepIn the age of social media, it seems that connectivity has never been so high, and true connection it would seem has never been so low. How is it that we can have 24/7 access to one another, but at the end of the day still feel isolated and lonely? Inwardly many of us yearn for something deeper in our relationships with family and friends.Join us this week as Chris Danes explores some biblical practices that can enable us to grow our relationships and take them deeper.

SIMPLIFY Week 2: From anxious to peacefulSometimes our feelings can be too heavy to bear. Although we might tell ourselves or have others tell us to smarten up! or "Just relax!" It can feel like those suggestions are totally out of reach for us.Join us this week as Dr Lindsay Tunbridge, (currently completing a Phd in wellbeing at Deakin University) shares with us about some of the science and the myths around anxiety and depression, and how we might best deal with them in partnership with God.

SIMPLIFY OverviewApart from the joy of going from cluttered to tidy, there is something deeply satisfying about a good spring clean. We may have decluttered our sheds, our house or even our bedroom. But how often do we declutter our minds? In an increasingly complex world, with deadlines to meet, appointments to keep, debt to pay off, investments to manage, people to see and places to be. Add in the complexities of relationship with family, friends, and work colleagues. Then and add an overlay of 24/7 connectivity, and uncluttered is not a word that readily springs to mind!Join us for a mid-year spring clean, as we seek to look at some biblical ways to deal with the clutter and bring order to the noise in our lives.Week 1: The simplicity lensIn a world of many worries, sometimes it's the small things that take you down. That little comment, that nagging feeling, that conflict at work or home, that long term pressure, be it financial or emotional. When we get consumed with the small things, how

KINGDOM STORIES In our current cultural moment of filtered photos, crafted social media updates and the ability to project our ‘wins’ and airbrush our faults, it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparison. Comparing our highlights with others’ lowlights, or vice versa.But in this age of self- what alternative does Jesus present for those who desire to live in His Kingdom and under His rule?What might Jesus say to those of us who either have too high, or low, a view of ourselves? And what hope can be found, for ourselves and others, in King Jesus?Join us today as Chris Williames unpacks a powerful Kingdom Story of Jesus which speaks to the way we view ourselves and others.

KINGDOM STORIES Week 5: The shrewd managerJesus had an innate ability to speak into all aspects of the human experience. His teachings and stories provide a compelling vision for how someone can live as a participant in Jesus’ Kingdom. One of things that Jesus spoke a great deal into, was into the subject of wealth and the position of influence and priority it has in our lives.As followers of Jesus, how can we align our vision of wealth, with His vision of it? What does it look like to live with Jesus as King of our lives, and in so doing, best steward the varying levels of wealth we each may have?Join us today as Bill Brown unpacks another Kingdom Story of Jesus which speaks directly to these questions and more, and what it means for our lives in response.Key ScriptureLuke 16:1-15

KINGDOM STORIES Week 4: The talentsJesus had much to say about what His Kingdom looked like- with many implications for those who desire to participate in this new Kingdom with Jesus as King.But as followers of Jesus and as participants in His Kingdom, how can we properly value and honour the opportunities, gifts and talents we each possess, and how can we harness them in a way that is good and pleasing to our King?What impact can I make, even if there are others who are more talented or gifted than me? And in the end, what does God desire most of me?

KINGDOM STORIES Week 3: The Great BanquetMany of us have received an invitation to a special event- perhaps a birthday, wedding, graduation or other cause for celebration. But in the hustle and haste of everyday life, it can be easy to neglect to a response to the invitation, or choose to ‘not attend’ because of higher priorities.Jesus came with an open invitation to participate in His kingdom- but some ignored the invitation whilst others were surprised at who was invited.As we continue this series on ‘Kingdom Stories’, we’ll be looking at Jesus’ parable of The Great Banquet and consider anew for ourselves who is invited to participate in Jesus’ Kingdom and what our RSVP might be to the invitation that Jesus extends towards you and me.Key ScriptureLuke 14:15-24

KINGDOM STORIES The sower Part 2:Fruit! Its easy to talk about and hard to produce. The world seems to be sick to death of Christians who are able to talk about Jesus, but bear absolutely no resemblance to him in word or action. This week in stories of the kingdom Jesus uses the concept of a fruit tree to help us understand the importance of actions and words in living a life that makes a difference.Key ScriptureLuke 13:6-8

KINGDOM STORIES Jesus came to proclaim that there is a new king in town. He then proceeds to declare that if you want to participate in his kingdom then there is some unlearning and some new learning to take place. To help in this process, Jesus tells many stories about what the kingdom is like and what it means to participate in it.Each week we will look at one of these stories and explore the key messages of Jesus.Key ScriptureMatthew 13:1-23

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 10: Pray Like You Need ItIt is interesting to note whenever a tragedy or national emergency happens, that politicians and news readers of every persuasion seem call people to pray. Jesus prayed and taught those who follow him to do the same. Why is it that so many of us seem treat prayer as a last resort? And what would it look like if we began to integrate prayer into every day life?Join us this week as we look at the final words of James to his people on prayer. Not only as an emergency measure, but as a way to reframe everyday life.Key ScriptureJames 5:13-20

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 9: Stay the CourseWhat is it about tough times that brings the best out in some and the worst out in others? For some people adversity is the very thing that is instrumental in the growth and flourishing of their character. For others adversity is a destructive force that is ruinous to life and character. What makes the difference?Join us this week as Bill Brown revisits the teaching of James to a group of people who were doing it tough in life, and empowers them to find courage and hope in the midst of adversity.Preacher note… Patience and perseverance as character traits rather than what to do is more the focus of this week (see Week 1)Key ScriptureJames 5:7-12

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 8: The Cost of Luxury “What did you pay for it?” seems to be the number one criterion on which we judge a purchase in our times. From hotels, to fuel, from the clothes we wear, to the food we eat, there is a price, and someone is paying it. As consumers we are trained to look at cost only in terms of how it affects us. What if Jesus holds us to a different standard? What are the implications of loving our neighbour when it comes to our spending and saving? Join us this week as Chris takes a look at what James has to say about considering others in what and how we consume. Key ScriptureJames 5:1-6

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 7: The best laid plans “Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.” (Allen Saunders, Readers Digest 1957) It seems that no matter how carefully you plan, and no matter how diligently you apply yourself, there is no guarantee that any plan on any given day will succeed. Does that mean we should not plan at all? Or is there a road to walk between great planning and flexible living? Join us this week as Mandy explores the ancient wisdom of James in how to keep our planning on track, and our forward thinking in perspective. Key Scripture James 4:13-17

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 6: Changing your mindIf people had access to your mind what might they say about what you think? Whether you are an elite athlete preparing for an event, or an everyday person trying to make your life count. There appears to be plenty of evidence to suggest that most success begins in back blocks of our mind. Not only what you think, but also the way you think about it, is a critical part of doing life well. How can we learn to direct our thinking in a way that takes us forward rather than backward?Join us this week as we take a look at what James has to say about the use of our minds and how it impacts the world around us.Key ScriptureJames 3:12-4:10

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Wk 5: Talk Ain't CheapWith our words we can build up. With our words we can tear down. Even though many of us have experienced both the pain and the joy of words used badly and words used well, we often fail to learn from the experience. Whether it is on Facebook or email, whether it is in person or behind someone’s back, our words have an impact. How can we learn the art of using them well?Join us this week as Chris explores with James the idea of making your words count. Both in what you do say, and also in what you don’t!Key ScriptureJames 3:1-12 & 4:11-12

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH No-one likes favouritism, but somehow it seems to be part of our humanity. We naturally seem to gravitate towards those who are attractive to us, and seem to avoid those who are not. Whether it is social status, economic status, or even general interpersonal skills, many of us apply filters to those we embrace and those we do not. Both in his example and word, Jesus had called us to a different way. Join us this week as James reminds his audience of the Jesus Way and gives us a timely reminder of our natural bent toward favouritism and the benefits of overcoming it. Key Scripture James 2:1-13

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH OverviewThe single greatest criticism of the church in western society seems to be that there is a huge gap between what the church says and what the church does. A little under two thousand years ago, James the Brother of Jesus, calls the Christians of his time to account for the massive divide between their words and their actions. From their treatment of the poor to their dealing with trials and temptation. From emotional resilience to the content of their conversations. James calls the people of God back to living their message in both word and action.Join us as we take a look at the most practical book in the New Testament and seek clarity on what it might look like to live life to the full in 2018.Wk 3: Just Do It“I must get round to it!” For many of us procrastination is what happens when there is a gap between what we know we should do, and what we actually do. John Maxwell suggests that many of us have uphill hopes and downhill habits. Our hopes require effort, but

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH Overview The single greatest criticism of the church in western society seems to be that there is a huge gap between what the church says and what the church does. A little under two thousand years ago, James the Brother of Jesus, calls the Christians of his time to account for the massive divide between their words and their actions. From their treatment of the poor to their dealing with trials and temptation. From emotional resilience to the content of their conversations. James calls the people of God back to living their message in both word and action. Join us as we take a look at the most practical book in the New Testament and seek clarity on what it might look like to live life to the full in 2018. Wk2: Tempted “The devil made me do it!” One of the greatest difficulties for most people of temptation is the issue of ownership. Whether we blame our family of origin, a work colleague, the devil, or even God. Often our sense of shame around temptation is enough to cause us to hide

SHOW ME YOUR FAITH OverviewThe single greatest criticism of the church in western society seems to be that there is a huge gap between what the church says and what the church does. A little under two thousand years ago, James the Brother of Jesus, calls the Christians of his time to account for the massive divide between their words and their actions. From their treatment of the poor to their dealing with trials and temptation. From emotional resilience to the content of their conversations. James calls the people of God back to living their message in both word and action.Join us as we take a look at the most practical book in the New Testament and seek clarity on what it might look like to live life to the full in 2018.Wk 1: When the going gets toughWe all know how the sentence is supposed to finish, but many times “…the tough get going!” are not words that we could readily use to describe ourselves. When life takes an unexpected turn for the worse, how can we increase our resilience, and g