Forgiveness: Learning to Let Go

In Matthew 18 we read of Jesus instructing His disciples about how to deal with issues in their relationships with others that arise when someone sins against them. In response, Peter asks how often they should forgive such as person. The response from Jesus is a powerful story which completely transforms the way we see people and the sins they commit against us, and it's all in response to the way that God has chosen to treat us.

7 Marks of an Effective Confession

Confession is an essential part of getting rid of the sin in our lives and healing the damage in our relationships. In this message we look at the characteristics of an effective confession and remind ourselves that confession should be a normal part of our relationship with God and with others.

Getting to the Heart of the Issue

Why do we argue and fight? Why do we lay awake at night stewing over what people have said or done or trying to work out what we're going to do about something? The answer according to James 4 is the desires that are within our hearts. It's because of what matters to us. In fact, when some things matter too much it can get a little ugly! We explore what the Bible says in James chapter 4 and Philippians chapter 4 about handling the conflicts that arise because of competing desires. There's nothing wrong with having desires - life would be pretty bland without them! However when desires go to war - growing from desires into demands - that's when we have a problem. Thankfully, it's a problem that God has the solution for!

Conflict: Crisis or Opportunity?

Conflict: Crisis or Opportunity?

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Most of us tend to treat conflict as a crisis. We focus on the dangers that it poses to us and our relationships with others.  We feel the tension of trying to get what we want while someone is blocking our way, or we struggle to stand up for ourselves and what we think is best when someone else is trying to get their own way!
What if instead of seeing conflict as a crisis and a struggle we instead saw it as an opportunity?  Conflict provides us with some unique ways that we can glorify God, grow to be more like Him, help others do the same and finally, to find new ways of working and living together in unity of spirit and purpose.

In Case of Emergency

In Case of Emergency

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Knowing that our time is limited heightens our sense of urgency to spread the Gospel. It’s always an emergency. Jesus said He’d return at a date unknown. In the mean time, our attitude ought to be one of diligent prayer, generous love & hospitality no matter the cost. All that we have belongs to God, for us to wisely use for the blessing of others & the glory of God. Sometimes it hurts to love & to give, but the trick is to not care that it hurts. Jesus didn’t care how much it hurt Him to die for us.

The Reborn Identity

The Reborn Identity

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When a disciple of Jesus chooses to live by God’s standards, rather than the way of the world, others don’t understand. Often those who we used to associate with will try to persuade a Christian to return to an old lifestyle that doesn’t challenge the unbelieving friends & relatives. The good news for the Christian is that they are free to follow the guidance of God’s Spirit, rather than the values of the world. Free to explore a new identity & a new purpose for living.

The Victory of Christ in a World Gone Bad

The Victory of Christ in a World Gone Bad

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As we continue to explore 1 Peter 3 we see how God has woven the themes of the letter together to help us understand how to live in a world which seems increasingly hostile to Him. The closing verses of 1 Peter 3 contain some things which are hard to understand with certainty, yet they serve an overall message which is clear and important. 

Peter refers to the story of Noah to help us make sense of the times in which we live and to assure us that our deliverance is certain. At the same time, this means that judgment of evil is also certain, so we find ourselves in a position of needing to warn those around us to be ready for that day.  Jesus has won, His rule has begun and a time is coming when it will be made complete as he returns to make all things new.