9W. Who wins: Obeying Jesus' last command Acts 5.12-42
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Acts
{podcast id=244}
Who wins? Obeying Jesus' last command Acts 5.12-42
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on Sunday August 26, 2012
The 12 apostles and the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Who is obeying what God said? Obeying the command to make disciples of all nations and bear witness to the Lord Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit? And us?
A culture of invitation 26 Aug 12
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
A culture of invitation
“If you build it, they will come.” If you start a new service, will they come? Maybe once they might have, but not now. For most people church is not part of their thought world.
Although, the recent census revealed that 2786 people in Willetton said they were Anglicans. That is quite a lot of people. Perhaps some go to other Anglican churches, perhaps some have a different definition of Anglican. But they did tick that box.
But how will they find their way to Christ the King? Here is an answer from Dr James White,
8W. Barnabas and Ananias: The Spirit and Satan. Acts 4.34-5.11
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Acts
{podcast id=245}
Barnabas and Ananias: The Spirit and Satan. Acts 4.34-5.11
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 19 August 2012
Much grace was on the believers but Satan had filled the hearts of some to pretend to others, to themselves and to God. With dire consequences. But was the preventive?
The 12 Steps to becoming an inviting church 19 Aug 12
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
The 12 Steps to becoming an inviting church
Michael Harvey has presented 12 Steps to becoming an inviting church. Here is a summary:
1. Vision: An ungodly belief: “If they wanted to come they would come.” Change to: “If we invited them, many would come.”
2. Modelling: leaders should set an example.
3. Cascading: Use one on one invitation. One then invites another – personally not just a leaflet.
4. Gift of friendship: Make friendships outside of church. Take time to build friendships
Read more: The 12 Steps to becoming an inviting church 19 Aug 12
“What would you like me to pray for you?”. 12 Aug 12
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
“What would you like me to pray for you?”.
What do you do when the going gets tough? The cliché says that’s when the tough get going. But what do Christians do when the pressure mounts? When people oppose us, or attack us, or when things just seem plain difficult?
One thing they do is to pray. They call out to the God who saves. Ah, but what do they pray? A variety of things if we are to judge by the Psalms. Even “destroy my enemies!”. But Christians have a different model. Jesus prayed “forgive them”. Stephen, the first Christian killed for his faith, prayed, “Don’t hold this against them.” Christians are taught to let God take care of the justice side of things – they are not to take vengeance themselves.
But all of this is a bit self-focused (understandable if you’re being beaten up I suppose). The other thing disciples pray is for help and courage to keep on doing what God told them to do. And to ask God to keep on doing his part.
Read more: “What would you like me to pray for you?”. 12 Aug 12
7W. Four angles on what happened to the lame man Acts 4.1-22
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Acts
{podcast id=246}
Four angles on what happened to the lame man Acts 4.1-22
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 5 August 2012
How different groups saw Jesus' action and message as brought by Peter and John
Would you like to start an apprenticeship? 5 Aug 12
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- Written by: Dale
- Category: Weekly Reflections
Would you like to start an apprenticeship?
Are you a disciple – of Jesus that is? Have you ever been helped to be a disciple? I know a man who is a disciple of a famous guitarist. He has even travelled overseas to study with him. I know another person who is a disciple of a fine carpenter. He made sure he got an apprenticeship with him, and even though he has now passed out of his indentures he still learns from him. Another friend of mine is a disciple of a high level mathematical physicist, again she has followed her teacher overseas in order to benefit from his supervision of her PhD.
These are all disciples, even though we have different words to describe them. At least they are disciples in the biblical sense. Unfortunately in church language “disciple” has tended to mean merely a follower. Someone who follows Jesus around, watching and listening, yes, but mostly a spectator. A bit like the peloton in a bike race.
But disciples are not a fan club. They are not even supporters. They are apprentices. This implies five things at least.
Read more: Would you like to start an apprenticeship? 5 Aug 12
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