16. Living by the Spirit Romans 8.5-11
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Romans 2011-13
{podcast id=277}
Living by the Spirit Romans 8.5-11
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 6 May 2012
Sermon Outline
1. Two Groups v5
Those whose lives are determined by the ...
flesh/sinful nature: the Adam nature (chap 5). I can/will work it out. I can/will decide. I can/will ignore God.
Spirit: Holy Spirit of God.
Questions about Multiplying Congregations 6 May 12
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Questions about Multiplying Congregations
What would multiplied morning congregations look like? They might look exactly the same as now. Probably at first they would be smaller. That would feel a bit strange. Some familiar faces will be in the other congregation. Ditto. New people will join. And maybe the two congregations won’t be the same.
One possibility is that one will be much the same as now and the other will adapt differently to a different membership. What we don’t want to see is either of them turn into a “rump” service. Both need to be at times that allow them to grow, that is, at times that people would want to come. To this end we will start to survey everyone next Sunday. Our aim will be to see at what times everyone would be willing to attend one of the congregations and also to see what time they prefer. Also for people to be able to say they don’t want to change the present arrangement.
If we proceeded, both congregations would have Morning Tea! One advantage of having two morning congregations is the shared morning tea after the first service where some mingling and catching up between the two services can happen. Both might use the same liturgy or maybe they will use different liturgies.
Read more: Questions about Multiplying Congregations 6 May 12
15. Set free by the Spirit Romans 8.1-4
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Romans 2011-13
{podcast id=275}
Set free by the Spirit Romans 8.1-4
Bible readings: Ezekiel 34.7-16; Psalm 100; John 10.1-10
No condemnation because God has condemned sin by sending Jesus in the flesh as a sin offering, and the Spirit has set those who are in Christ free from the sin/death operation.
How big can a church get? 29 Apr 12
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
How big can a church get?
How big can a church get? Way back in the ‘70s research began to show that there were limits to the size of congregations. Attendances in a large number of congregations were surveyed in the UK over a number of denominations and over a period of years. One of the surprising results of this research was to show that the size of the congregation was not related to the size of its parish or catchment population.
One of the significant limitations was related to the number of people who could form some kind of relationship with the minister. At the time this was estimated to be around 100 people. Figures in Perth support this. My estimate is that 80 – 100 is our number. It was found that adding another member of staff did not double the number, but only added up to 80% of the original number.
14. Die to the Law Romans 7.1-25
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Romans 2011-13
{podcast id=274}
Die to the Law Romans 7.1-25
Bible Readings: Ezekiel 33. 1-11; Psalm 99; Luke 24. 36-49
The third step in living the life of faith. Dying to the law so as to live for Christ
What can you believe? 15 April 12
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
What can you believe?
What can you believe? Martha believed Jesus was the resurrection and the life but didn’t want him to open Lazarus’ grave. Peter believed the body was not in the tomb but didn’t understand about the resurrection. Thomas didn’t believe Jesus had been raised from the dead – at least he refused to until he had finger-poking evidence.
It was one of those marvellous catches that had Jesus fronting Thomas and calling him out to see the evidence. To do more than see. To stop being unbelieving and to believe. Thomas didn’t need to poke around – he saw and believed. Thomas portrays the issue very clearly (the RSV and the NIV have confused us by introducing the unnecessary word “doubt”). Thomas states his position clearly – he will not believe. This is not doubt but unbelief.
Being a follower of Jesus Easter 12
- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Being a follower of Jesus
News reports suggest that the city of Homs, the third largest in Syria, has now seen almost its entire Christian population of 50,000 to 60,000 flee for safety as fighting continues in the stricken country.
The number of Christians left in the city has reportedly fallen to below 1,000.
During the worst of the conflict, the opposition forces attacked churches and also occupied an evangelical school and home for the elderly, which were then shelled by the army. Church leaders have reported that Muslim neighbours are turning on the Christians, and that Muslim extremists from other countries have been coming to Homs to join the fighting.
In Sudan other news agencies reported that Khartoum denied that it had bombed civilians earlier this month, Sudanese aerial strikes last week were aimed at church buildings and schools in Kauda, South Kordofan state, a humanitarian aid worker said.