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Archive - April, 2011

4 Youth Sermons on ROMANS 8

April 28, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

Romans is the Mt Everest of the Bible. Romans 8 is the Mt Everest of Romans. That means Romans 8 is pretty massive. Breathe-taking. Go read it. Seriously. In early March I got to hang out with a fantastic bunch of young punks from Holy Trinity and Trinity Bay in Adelaide, South Australia. We spent 4 days digging into Romans 8. What a great encouragement to see the hunger and maturity of the members of these youth ministries.

Here are the mp3s from the Romans 8 talks:

Romans 8 – Delivered
Romans 8 – Adopted
Romans 8 – Frustrated
Romans 8 – Loved

[right-click etc to download]

Ask God Anything

April 26, 2011 in Jesus with 1 Comment

If you could ask God anything, what would it be? Check out www.askgodanything.com.au and log your question. St Faith’s have been running this microsite during April. The top 4 questions will form the basis of the teaching series throughout May.

Topic 1 has already been selected for this weekend. There were lots of questions on God and disasters: earthquakes, fires, tsunamis etc. So topic 1 for May 1 is

WHERE IS GOD IN DISASTER?

Submissions close at midnight on Wednesday April 27. The other 3 topics will be announced this weekend. Anyone is welcome to leave a question. We’ll do our best to get back to people on any questions that aren’t answered during the series.

If you’re from St Faith’s – encourage your friends to leave their questions and then invite them along to the series or any that are particularly relevant.

Check out service times etc: St Faith’s Website. If you’re from out of town, keep an eye on the podcast for each of the responses.

www.askgodanything.com.au

Zimbabwe + Zambia with Tim, Steve & Naomi

April 25, 2011 in life with 2 Comments

Steve & Naomi Chong are currently traveling to Zimbabwe and Zambia with Tim Costello from World Vision. Here’s a vid explaining the trip. Looks exciting.

They’d value your prayer. Keep up-to-date with their video blogs.

God’s Wonderful Surprise

April 24, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

From The Jesus Storybook Bible, Written by Sally Loyd-Jones & Illustrated by Jago.

———–

The Resurrection from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20.

JESUS’ FRIENDS WERE SAD. They would never see their best friend again. How could this happen? Wasn’t Jesus the Rescuer? The King God had promised? It wasn’t supposed to end like this.

Yes, but whoever said anything about the end?

Just before sunrise, on the third day, God sent an earthquake – and an angle from heaven. When the guards saw the angel, they fell down with fright. The angel rolled the huge stone away, sat on top of it, and waited.

At the first glimmer of dawn, Mary Magdalene and other women headed to the tomb to wash Jesus’ body. The early morning sun slanted through the ancient olive trees, drops of dew glittering on leaves and grasses – little tears everywhere. The friends walked quietly along the hilly path, through the olive groves, until they reached the tomb. And immediately noticed something odd – it was wide open.

They peered through the opening in the dark tomb. But wait. Jesus’ body was gone!

And something else: a shining man was there, with clothes made from lightening.

“Don’t be scared,” the angel said.

But (they couldn’t help it) they screamed anyway.

Continue Reading…

What’s the deal with Jesus + Christianity???

April 23, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

Have you got questions about Jesus? God? Christianity? Life? Christianity Explored have just launched an amazing resource that will help you to learn more about Jesus and Christianity. It’s a website. It’s hot. Really good stuff. Check it:

Check out some of the ‘Real Life Stories‘ – you might hear from people just like you. If you’ve got doubts or you’re skeptical, check out the ‘Tough Questions‘ section.

(h/t Kevin DeYoung)

Freedom from Sin and Death

April 22, 2011 in Jesus with 0 Comments

In a world where many are crying out for freedom and liberation, Good Friday is a message of freedom: “God brings freedom from sin and death through the death of Jesus for sin.” I preached from Matthew 27 across the day. Always encouraged by the older crew at 830. Good time with my family at 1030. And then a new Good Friday Night service and dinner at 6pm tonight. I’m thankful to God for time with our church family today.

Here’s some details from tonight: there were 3 Bible readings, Isa 53 and 2 from Matthew 27, each with live music backing. The above pic from creation swap was used as a background. The band played 5 songs: Nothing but the blood; How deep the Father’s Love; In Christ Alone; Jesus Thank You; and Stronger. They also did a great version of Lead me to the Cross as an item (here’s a short vid). We used a countdown video to kick off and another video off the back of the sermon.

Click here to have a listen to my sermon on Matthew 27.

See below for the Easter Message from the Arch Bish.
Continue Reading…

The Crucifixion of Jesus

April 21, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

Check out this short video about the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s taken from the Life of Jesus documentary featuring author and historian Dr John Dickson from CPX.

If you’ve got questions about Jesus – check out your local church this weekend.

8 Sermons on Matthew 8-12

April 20, 2011 in Jesus with 0 Comments

During term 1 at St Faith’s Narrabeen we hit up Matthew8-12. Quality series. In those verses Jesus is both the one to fear, but also the one who comes to show mercy and compassion to lost people. Below are links to all the sermons. Check them out:

Jesus: Before he was famous | Matt 7:28-8:27 – Kerry Nagel
Jesus: Doctor to sinners | Matthew 8:28-9:36 – Dave Miers
Jesus: Lord of the Harvest | Matt 9:35-10:23 – Ben Molyneux
Jesus: The one to fear | Matt 10:24-42 – Dave Miers
Jesus: Don’t look for another | Matt 11:1-19 – Ben Molyneux
Jesus: The way to find rest | Matt 11:20-30 – Kerry Nagel
Jesus: The Lord of Rest | Matt 11:28-12:21 – Dave Miers
Jesus: The big brother you want | Matt 12:22-50 – Ben Molyneux

If you’ve had a listen to the series (live or via mp3) I’d would love to hear how you were impacted by them. Peaceout.

Michael Collings – Tracksuit Wearing Legend!

April 19, 2011 in culture with 6 Comments

Humans are so superficial. If someone doesn’t fit a certain celebrity stereotype, we write them off. Paul Potts and Susan Boyle were a bit awkward and/or uncool, so we were shocked by their amazing performances on Britain’s Got Talent. Michael Collings is the latest ordinary person to rebuke our superficiality! Click here to check out his recent performance.

Cool story. Ordinary fella. (Even though he’s playing a cheap Ashton!) he’s got some mean skills on the guitar and an amazing voice. Boom!

(h/t Stevie G via facebook)

No broken people allowed

April 14, 2011 in Jesus with 6 Comments

1 Samuel 22:2 stood out in my readings yesterday (need a reading plan? check this): “And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.” (ESV) It’s in the context of David fleeing from Saul as he tries to kill David. I love it. All the bothered, bankrupt and bitter join David’s team. This isn’t a crack team, far from it. It’s a bunch of broken people.

I love the fact that this motley crew of fellas are ultimately formed into a pretty lean mean fighting machine under David’s leadership. I don’t want to overly allegorize, but perhaps there’s a lesson here for Christian leadership. Sometimes in Christian ministry we set the bar so high for participation on a ministry team that we only allow those who’ve got it all sorted out to be part of the action. That’s dumb.

Don’t write off the bothered. Don’t write off the bankrupt. Don’t write off the bitter.

David pulled together a killer team because “the LORD was with him”. But David is only a shadow of the reality to come in Christ. On Jesus’ team, it’s only broken people allowed. He didn’t come for the healthy, but for the sick. He’s a pretty good captain!

Next time someone doesn’t measure up to your list of requirements, perhaps you could think again.

You know you want to dance like this

April 13, 2011 in culture with 0 Comments

This is all time. Maybe triple all time. You know it. Beat Street Roxy Battle. Action:

If you could be in a scene from a movie… which movie? which scene?

Sharing Your Faith in a Dangerous Place

April 12, 2011 in Jesus with 1 Comment

I’m so encouraged by the work of Thirteen Three. They’re the youth arm of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. (You can see some of my previous posts related to 13:3 under the ‘persecution’ tag). Brad Konemann is doing an amazing job at encouraging youth ministries to stand with and be encouraged by our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. I’m personally looking forward to working closely with Brad on some upcoming projects. More info coming soon.

In the meantime, I want to encourage any youth ministers within an achievable distance of Western Sydney or Sutherland Shire to take your group along to Thirteen Three’s two upcoming June events. I’m guessing you’re finalising your term 2 program now – so make sure you leave some room for this event!! I believe that under God it will have a profound impact on your youth community.

Here’s some deets:

Thirteen Three is bringing out Pastor Victor, an international youth speaker and frontline evangelist with a dangerous, covert ministry to Muslims in Malaysia!

Are you nervous about sharing your faith?

This event is for you! Thirteen Three is helping to equip Australian youth to share their faith in their local communities. Learn from ordinary Christians who speak up for Jesus even if it means being beaten or going to jail and be BOUND WITH THEM as an everyday part of following Jesus.

Save these dates now!

Western Sydney
7PM Friday 17 June 2011
MBM Rooty Hill
20 Westminster Street
Rooty Hill NSW

The Shire
7PM Friday 24 June 2011
Menai Anglican Church
Broughton Place
Barden Ridge NSW

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to meet a persecuted Christian firsthand and to be challenged to live out Hebrews 13:3!

Check out the website for more details and some resources to help you promote the event.

Also, see below the jump for highlights vid from last year’s event:

The Genesis of Everything

April 11, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Sometimes I think we complicate things by focusing on the wrong things when it comes to reading the rest of Genesis 1. I don’t think the purpose of Genesis 1 is to describe the mechanics of how God created the heavens and the earth. God could have created in 6 literal 24 hour days, but I think to make that the centre of my gospel is to miss the point of Genesis 1 and the point of the gospel! I think that’s reading Genesis contrary to its historical context.

I recently read a brilliant paper by John Dickson, The Genesis of Everything: An historical account of the Bible’s opening chapter, where he deals with this very issue.

Check out the Abstract:

The paper seeks to plot a path through the controversy surrounding the Bible’s opening chapter by examining Genesis 1 in historical context. The author assumes and endorses no particular view of human origins but argues for a literal interpretation of the text, as opposed to what may be called ‘literalistic’. The former reading gives due weight to both the literary genre of Genesis 1 and the cultural milieu of the original writer, whereas the latter gives sufficient attention to neither.

Various pre-scientific interpretations of Genesis 1 are described, including those of the first century Jewish intellectual Philo and the great Christian theologian Augustine. In particular, comparisons are drawn with the Babylonian creation epic, Enuma Elish, and it is suggested that Genesis 1 is a piece of ‘subversive theology’, making significant theological points in the light of contemporaneous creation ideas. The questions raised (and answered) by the Bible’s opening chapter concern the nature of the Creator, the value of creation and the place of humanity within the creational scheme. Modern questions concerning the mechanics and chronology of creation may not be appropriately put to the ancient text.

Read the whole thing here.

(h/t Craig)

I will wait for you

April 10, 2011 in Jesus with 2 Comments

Check this amazing poem by Janette…Ikz. The Resurgence recommend it “for all single people”, but I think it’s valuable for married people too. Here it is:

Here’s 3 things I like about it:

it’s real about the struggles single people may face
it encourages all people (single or married) to trust in the sufficiency of Jesus
the audience clicks/snaps instead of clapping. cool.

3photos: Paradox Lamps

April 6, 2011 in design with 7 Comments

Paradox Cafe. Wednesday night. Good vibe. Sweet tunes from Mike McCarthy. Raised cash for Japan. Amazing story from Sal. Solid intro to Jesus from Ben Molyneux. Legit coffee. Dessert. Lots of new faces. June 2011. It’ll be back. Boom. Latest in 3 photos series:

See 2 more below

Jesus Hates Religion – Campus Posters

April 5, 2011 in design with 2 Comments

The Jesus Hates Religion mission at Sydney Uni has kicked off well. I appreciate the many who have partnered in prayer. Keep praying! This post isn’t actually about the mission. I wanted to share the posters they have on the notice boards around the campus:

Here’s 4 things I like about them.

They look good. Striking.
I like the font
The important information is massive. The rest of the content is minimal, but sufficient.
They’ve got 4 posters displayed together, the 3 colours used in the arrangements are good. 4 would have been too many, 2 not enough.

I haven’t really written anything profound here. But hopefully it might provide some design inspiration.

The pic originally appeared here and this is the app that grunged it up.

Simply Sing – Fresh Songs for Churches

April 4, 2011 in Jesus with 6 Comments

When my friend Matt Mulready contacted me and said I should check out his new music project, I knew it would be good. But let me be honest, it’s much better than I was expecting!! Let me explain. Simply Sing is seeking “to equip God’s family with fresh songs that teach and respond to the saving work of Jesus.” Cool aim. I knew that the songs would do that. They do. The music is great, and the lyrics are really encouraging.

After I downloaded the tracks I prepared myself to listen to some basic demo’s. This is when I was blown away (not literally, I’m pretty heavy and the wind would need to be pretty strong). The tracks that they’ve produced aren’t basic demo’s. They are really tight, well produced and recorded songs. Sweet!

Simply Sing have released 5 songs with the launch of the website. For a limited time it includes a free download of See the Man. The other tracks are priced cheaper than tracks on iTunes. Win. I really enjoy the new music to the old hymn There is a Green Hill. It’s a tough call, but of the 5 tracks my favourite is At your Feet. Check out these great lyrics from verse 1 and the chorus:

Jesus Hates Religion – SUEU Campus 2011

April 2, 2011 in Jesus with 0 Comments

I’ll be joining Steve Chong and Andy Judd preaching at the Sydney University Evangelical Union over the next 3 weeks. I’ll be speaking on 3 consecutive Tuesdays about the topic: Jesus Hates Religion. Here’s a promo vid, yes, I’m smelling Sam’s teddy bear:

Here’s a blurby thing:

At EU Public Meetings in weeks 6, 7 and 8, we’re going to have guest speakers talking on the topic of ‘Jesus Hates Religion”. Come along and invite your friends!

Tuesday: Dave Miers @ New Law LT 1-2pm
Wednesday: Andy Judd @ Quad General LT 1-2pm
Thursday: Steve Chong @ Eastern Ave LT 1-2pm (upstairs)

I’m praying that peeps will start following Jesus. Amen! See you there.

Pinch + Punch // April 2011

April 1, 2011 in life with 7 Comments

Ok. I’m up to my old Pinch + Punch tricks again. It’s the 3rd day of the month. But I’m going to backdate this post and pretend I wrote it on the first of the month. Deal? Deal. Here’s my April desktop thingy from smashing mag. Rock. On. April. Boom.