Looking for something fun for the kids to do in the September/ October school holidays? We are excited to open our doors to the Kedron community.
Our Kids Holiday Club program will encourage kids to explore through games, craft, music, food and bible stories. There is also a huge, free, family fun night.
Indicators of true gospel ministry
As mainline churches in Australia steadily decline, new churches are popping up with increasing frequency. Sometimes these are a result of strategic church plants. Other times they are the result of splits and breakaways. Sometimes they go well. Often they struggle and fail. Some are well led. Others are not. It’s hard working planting a church in secular Australia. But what are the criteria we should look for in a valid gospel ministry today? Paul had to defend himself against those who opposed and critiqued him harshly at Corinth, and in doing so he gives us five non-negotiable indicators of what every true gospel-centred church should look like. And these indicators are especially relevant today. Are they true of your church… and mine?
Part of the family
Tonight John answers the question, “How do we know that we are part of God’s family?”
A pastor and his people
What happens when a pastor has a falling out with his people? Sadly, it happens… far more often than it should. A rift had developed between “Pastor Paul” and the church at Corinth, and serious damage had been done to their relationship. How could this situation be resolved? In today’s message we explore the approach Paul used to defend himself and to appeal personally to the people for a resolution to the crisis. With humility, grace, forgiveness… and also courage… there was a way forward. If only we might see more disputes in our churches resolved like this today!
Exposed!
Listen as our hearts (and some of the lies we might tell ourselves) are exposed by the God who is light.
Meeting God in the troubles of life
Today’s message by Pastor Murray begins a new series in the book of 2 Corinthians. In this letter to the church at Corinth the apostle Paul shares very personally – his appeals to them, his joys, his disappointments, his struggles in ministry – and through all his vulnerability we see how God gave him the strength to persevere. This theme is introduced in the opening verses of the book, where Paul helps us see that even through the troubles and pain of life, God is there to comfort and care. While we don’t like to suffer, God meets us in our suffering and uses it for beneficial purposes in our lives. What tough situation are you going through at this moment? This message will be an encouragement to you!
This we proclaim
Tonight we begin our journey through the letter of 1 John. Listen as John reminds us of the content, the reliability and the effect of the message about which he is so passionate.
A discerning leader with the gift of encouragement (Barnabas)
Jesus, of course, is the only perfect leader, but God seems to have used many different types of men and women to take the lead in His work. In this message we encounter Barnabas, an early Christian convert and trusted leader in the church at Jerusalem. Sent to Antioch by the apostles to check out what was happening in the church there, he quickly realised that God was doing something special, and soon co-opted Saul (later Paul) to help him in teaching the Bible to these young Gentile believers. Next, he and Saul were commissioned by the Antioch church to go out as the very first formal missionaries to the Roman empire. His ability to see what God was doing, get on board, and encourage others to do the same was inspirational.
An ordinary man with a heart to serve (Andrew)
In an age of A-listers and celebrities it is easy to overlook the ordinary people who make up the overwhelming majority of people in the world (and the church!). The disciple, Andrew, is simply referred to in the New Testament as “Simon Peter’s brother” in a couple of places. He was never part of Jesus’ inner circle and we have no record of him in any significant upfront role, yet each he is mentioned, he is doing something useful in connecting people with Jesus. He made the most of his opportunities and served his Master well. God needs more “ordinary people” who are ready, willing and available to use their time, talents and opportunities for Him. Never use your “ordinariness” as an excuse for avoiding the work that God has for you, especially in connecting people to Jesus.
A matter of priorities (Martha and Mary)
More and more today people are struggling because of the stress of 21st century life. Whether it’s anxiety, depression or burnout, the pace of life is taking its toll. Task-oriented achievers who like to be busy are particularly susceptible. Martha was one of these people, and in today’s message we see how Jesus had to gently rebuke her because her busyness was actually holding her back from spending quality time with Jesus Himself. Her priorities were wrong. A little later we see how her sister Mary expressed her devotion to Jesus by “wasting” her most valuable perfume on Him! Are you a busy person? Remember, make sure you don’t neglect having a regular time with the Lord, and always give Him your very best. This is the best way to stress-proof your life.