Sunday, 31 July 2011
Duration: 17 mins 34 secs
This message focuses on prayer. Through prayer we invite God to empower us for evangelism. Prayer connects us to the heart of God as we intercede for those who aren’t yet believers. Ask God whom He wants you to pray for and keep on praying for them and don’t give up. Enlist others to pray also. Pray for open doors to spread the gospel. Pray for open minds to receive the gospel. And pray for open hearts to embrace the gospel. Note: Beginning of message was not recorded.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Duration: 33 mins 11 secs
When it comes to evangelism, many Christians feel apprehensive and under confident. Simply put, evangelism is cooperating with the Holy Spirit and others to bring one person one step closer to Christ. This means that there is no set style or methodology. The New Testament presents many different ways the gospel was shared on different occasions by different people. Evangelism is also a process that involves others. It's about developing relationships within community. Often we are just one link in the chain that brings someone to know Jesus, and God is responsible for the results anyway! Sometimes we wrongly associate evangelism with preaching and crusades, but Jesus frequently dealt with people individually. Bringing a person one step closer to Christ involves us taking steps too. What's your one step?
Note: The video referred to at the beginning of the sermon is called 'The Pizza Evangelist'. The original audio recording of this video has been replaced with silence (from 0:00:24 to 0:00:30) to allow listeners to pause and watch the video.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Duration: 25 mins 17 secs
Jesus says mission has three aspects: evangelism, mercy and justice. We are wealthy by world standards. Part of the responsibility of the privileged is to advocate for others. This requires effort, learning about issues, writing and speaking up. "All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men (and women) do nothing." Maybe all it will take to make a difference is to add our voice to the voice of others. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Sunday, 08 May 2011
Parenthood is difficult due to the lack of tangible rewards, the relentlessness of the task and the fact that results aren’t assured. Motherhood is a channel of love and caring that reminds us of God. It attempts to install Godly character and values, and it involves constant prayer and sacrifice. Are we living out such an example? Our response should be to honour our mothers. The greatest gift you can give a Christian mother is to give your life to Jesus.
Sunday, 01 May 2011
Duration: 25 mins 39 secs
The proof of a powerful product is in the change it effects. The disciples were cowering behind locked doors until the Spirit filled them and gave them the power to preach and live out a message that changed the world. The Holy Spirit has continued to work since Pentecost in significant waves of spiritual renewal. We have the same Spirit as Peter, that enables us to live consistently and share with others about Jesus. After 2 000 years the task of world evangelisation is not completed. What shall we do? If we're disobedient, God's plan stands but we will miss out. Are we content to be the 'before' photo of world mission, consumed with lesser gods? Preaching the Good News to all the world is down to us. Is it a gripping priority in our lives to complete the task so we can see Christ return?
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Duration: 24 mins 34 secs
The resurrection is central to Christianity. Its significance is that we can put our trust in Jesus, we can have a fresh start and we can have the power to live life right. If God's Spirit can defeat death, there is no sin, habit or attitude that we face that He cannot defeat. We can choose to give up or look ahead in faith to what He can do. The fact that Jesus rose, gives us hope that new life is possible for us too. God is inviting us constantly to a better way of life where we're growing in obedience to Him, overflowing with love, joy and generosity to others and where our lives have a larger purpose and we're in touch with that, so we can have hope for the future. And we have a future that extends beyond death...
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Duration: 31 mins 33 secs
Sunday, 03 April 2011
Duration: 28 mins 22 secs
God's gift of hope is for our past, present and future. Hope for our past - the burden of guilt is lifted and we are given the ultimate second chance with new life through Christ. Hope for our present - He enables us to live free from the things that bind us. Hope for our future - He has given us the church to help us all move forward into the freedom Jesus has secured for us. Unity is an outworking of our hope for the future. EPCBC doesn’t exist to meet our needs, but for the 8 000 people in Emu Plains facing a Godless eternity. Our lives must be marked by a relentless concern for God’s kingdom. We’re to bring heaven to earth in our faith sharing, unity and obedience.
