Do you have tickets to the party? Advent 30 Nov14
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Do you have tickets to the party?
Do you think Jesus will really come back? Will he return to the earth in a way that everyone will see him as a glorified human? And if he does, would you like to be there at the time? Would this be a good thing to witness? (One of the problems with thinking about this is to try to imagine it without the ubiquitous TV news networks crowding out the event. But maybe this would be the cure for nonsense reporting.)
If you would like to be there to see him return, why would you? What would attract you? Or on the other side, if you would not want to be present, why not? Anticipating such an event puts many things into a different perspective. Would it be an interruption to our plans - 'please Lord can you fit it in after ...'. Or would it cap off the completion of many projects the Lord has got you involved in?
There is another question:
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3. How to pray for your Church Ephesians 1.15-23
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{podcast id=33}
3. How to pray for your Church Ephesians 1.15-23
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on Sunday 23 November 2014
Paul gives thanks and prays two double-barrelled prayers: to know God; and to know the hope, his inheritance, and his power
Taking a Risk 23Nov14
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Taking a Risk
Last Sunday Bishop Kay spoke about the three servants who were left wealth to invest for their master. One of them kept safe what he had been given and did nothing with it. The bishop challenged us to take risks with what God has given us - risks that might lead to blessing for his Kingdom.
Surprisingly, one of the most risky things is talking. Talking can get you into a lot of trouble. But it can also reap great rewards. One of our troubles is that our God is a talking God. Other religions have gods that don't speak, instead the people who follow them just have to do various actions and ceremonies. Much more straightforward really.
The trouble with the living God is that he wants to have relationships with people. And relationships are built on talking. Not only talking, but at least talking. And he has given us a speaking a Spirit. His Spirit helps us talk to God and to talk for God.
One of our risky behaviours is talking to other people about God.
Investing up. 16 Nov 14
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Investing up.
That was an interesting illustration in Nicholas' sermon last week. Investing money, time, effort, relationships in the direction of eternity. In the direction of what God is doing in his world in order to help others share in the life of God.
Which is not necessarily the same as investing in church activities. It could include such things. Indeed hopefully our investments would include church activities. But church activities themselves must also be invested upwards. And church money, and church relationships, and church time – all should be invested upwards.
Obvious I suppose, since church is supposed to be about God's work in his world to bring people to share his life, find forgiveness and enjoy a family relationship with him. But the forces that tend to encourage individuals to invest downwards also affect the church.
The cure? Wanting more than anything else to be with Jesus. That was one of the hidden features of last week's story – all the ones who were waiting and ready went into the banquet with the bridegroom. With the bridegroom. With Jesus. That's what makes Christianity. It is all about Jesus.
Loving Jesus. Serving Jesus. Waiting for Jesus. Being with Jesus. Investing in Jesus.
Dale
2. God's Inheritance Ephesians 1.11-14
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{podcast id=32}
2. God's Inheritance Ephesians 1.11-14
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 2 November 2014
The fourth blessing: How both we and you have become part of God's inheritance in Christ
Indonesia 2Nov14
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Indonesia
Sometime around the 1600s Northern Australia was part of the Kingdom of Gowa. This was a famous kingdom that included not only Northern Australia but most of the central part of what is now Indonesia. It was based in southern Sulawesi. Australia was important because it supplied trepang (sea cucumbers, beche de mer).
The traders interacted with the indigenous people of our north – sometimes helpfully, sometimes not, and left a few loan words in the local languages.
Around this time the Portuguese were in the area of Sulawesi trading spices. Eventually the Dutch forced them out, but not before the King of Gowa had adopted Islam.
1. God's Secret Plan Ephesians 1.1-10
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{podcast id=31}
1. God's Secret Plan Ephesians 1.1-10
Sermon preached at Christ the King Willetton on 26 October 2014
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