Dale Appleby

Being there 3 June 12

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Weekly Reflections; Created: 28 May 2012

Being there

I thought the Annual Meeting last Sunday was an excellent time. The discussion was friendly, respectful and lacking any bitterness or ill-feeling. I felt very thankful for the way we were able to talk about matters that are very important for each of us.

Overall there seemed to be a strong affirmation for the idea of moving into two congregations, although some felt that it was not the right time or the right thing to do. Others were not sure they were ready to make up their mind yet. So we will take time to talk some more.

A question was asked at the meeting about the difference between “services” and “congregations” since we have been talking about starting two new congregations.

19. Living in the Love of God Romans 8.28-39

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Romans 2011-13; Created: 27 May 2012

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Living in the Love of God Romans 8.28-39

Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 27 May 2012

What difference does it make to us when we know that we are loved by God and that God works in all things for our good.

Would you like to come to church with me? 27 May 12

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Weekly Reflections; Created: 22 May 2012

Would you like to come to church with me?

Why are we talking about multiplying congregations? It often seems as though there is plenty of space still left at 9am. And sometimes there is. But experience and various bits of research tell us that 80% full is effectively full. What is more another ten people would probably push it to be quite full.

Is another ten people a good number? It would be a very good number compared to two or three. But not compared to twenty or fifty.

The simple answer to the question is that multiplying congregations gives us a good opportunity to increase the number of people who could join us.

It is also, at the moment, one of the good ways of allowing more people to hear the gospel and come to Christ.

There are however a couple of serious matters associated with the idea.

18. Suffering and Hope Romans 8.17-27

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Romans 2011-13; Created: 20 May 2012

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Suffering and Hope Romans 8.17-27

Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 20 May 2012

Sufferings and troubles now are to be seen in the light of the promised glory, as the creation and we groan as we look forward to our redemption, with the Spirit groaning and praying for us as well.

1. Suffering and Glory v17-18

2. Creation groans v19-22

3. Believers groan v23-25

4. The Spirit groans v26-27

The people at Willetton 20 May 12

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Weekly Reflections; Created: 15 May 2012

The people at Willetton

I was talking to my friendly hairdresser this week, who as usual asked me what I had been doing today. I said I had been to Mainly Music. Which required a certain amount of explanation. And what was my role in the church? I said I was the minister. Did I like the job?

Most of the time. Well, you know, jobs that involve people ... But this crowd at Willetton are a good bunch. A Number 2 haircut doesn’t take very long, so no time to say more.

What more could be said? Nice people? Certainly. Believers? Yes, believers. Grumpy? Not at the moment. Brave? Interesting question. Why would Christians need to be brave? Because Christians belong to a group faith. You have to get along with, cooperate with, actually, love, the other believers. And even if you try to run away to another church you have to do the same with them (run away to do it alone? - I think that disqualifies you).

17. Living according to the Spirit of the Son Romans 8.12-17

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Romans 2011-13; Created: 13 May 2012

{podcast id=278}

Living according to the Spirit of the Son Romans 8.12-17

Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on Mothers' Day 13 May 2012

The big idea is that what counts in living a holy life, is not the rules you are keeping but the company you are keeping.

Sermon Outline

LIVING BY THE SPIRIT = LIVING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT OF THE SON

Rom 8.12-17

Intro

What was your mum like when you were growing up?

Not Tom Sawyer’s Fence 13 May 12

Details: Written by: Dale; Category: Weekly Reflections; Created: 08 May 2012

Not Tom Sawyer’s Fence

Parents remember the birth of their first child, especially mum. It was an exciting time. Scary too. What kind of parents will we be? Will we know what to do with this new baby? Will it survive us?

The first child fixed any delusions we had about being super parents. And the second one? Well maybe we could get it right this time. But children are different and the next one just introduced us to more things we didn’t know much about.

But births and beginnings are exciting things. Starting new congregations is exciting – and scary. But there are some things that sound exciting but we doubt will be. Are we just listening to hype? Is the idea of growing a church a kind of con job?

Is it like Tom Sawyer’s fence painting? Are we being offered something that is just boring hard work with no real benefit in the end? Just something that interrupts our peaceful lives? Possibly.

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