Every Nation Brisbane

Acts - Breaking the Spell

This week Michael Coe encourages us to shift our focus from seeking a counterfeit, self-serving power to embracing the true lordship of God. The society we live in is obsessed with power - whether through physical strength, financial status, or even spiritual tools used for personal branding and control. While the world may offer temporary comfort, the gospel provides a profound relationship with a heavenly Father who offers unconditional love and forgiveness. We can move beyond treating God's grace as a transaction and instead seek His heart, finding that true greatness in His kingdom comes from a place of humility and service. So stop bargaining for benefits and instead be changed by who God is, allowing His presence to be your ultimate source of strength.

But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.”  And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. - Acts 8:9-13 (ESV)

Acts - The Danger of Looking Surrendered

This week Pastor Neli explores the difference between truly being surrendered to God and merely looking surrendered for the sake of "optics". We should move beyond religious behaviour and performance within an environment meant for grace. God has provided each of us with a unique abilities and anointing to be His witnesses. This strength is renewed not through our own merits, but by waiting upon Him and living out of the overflow of His work in our lives. So lean into God's grace, rejecting the pressure of perfection and the trap of trying to impress others, and instead choose to strengthen and build up the community around you.

 

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.  And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. - Acts 4:32-33 (ESV)

Acts - Where Beautiful Meets Broken

This week Pastor Neli teaches us that in the middle of our brokenness and God's beauty is the exact place where miracles occur. Life’s disruptions are not just inconveniences to be avoided for the sake of comfort, but are important opportunities to see God's hand at work. By focusing on the in-between corridors and passageways of our journey - these moments are never wasted - they are stages with purpose where God prepares our patience and transformation. 

 

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. - Acts 3:6-8 (ESV)

Acts - Mission Identity

This week Pastor Tina reminds us that the church is not a building but a people - living stones founded on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. Our faith is not just based on a series of events but just as we breathe, it is a continuous life-sustaining pattern.  So stop holding our breath and instead inhale God's revelation, allowing His truth to be deeply inscribed in your hearts to shape and change your life.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. - Acts 2:42-44 (ESV)

Acts - First Words: The Step Up

This week Pastor Neli helps us to identify the weight and power of our words, showing how they can serve as an anchor in times of trial. A single word from God can enable families to thrive even in the face of significant challenges.  So call upon the name of the Lord for strength, trusting that when words come from an earnest place of faith, they carry the authority to transform their environment and nurture their divine calling.

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ - Acts 2:19-21 (ESV)

Acts - Full to the Max

This week Samantha Thomas encourages us to be "Full to the Max" by the Holy Spirit. The Day of Pentecost changed everything, moving beyond a specific Jewish tradition to include everyone as God’s chosen people. The early church was formed not by perfect individuals, but by ordinary, flawed people - much like us - who were simply willing to pray, obey, and be witnesses for Jesus. You are part of God’s people from Monday through Saturday.  Will you open your heart for a "holy emptying" of yourself so that you may be filled with everything God desires to pour into your life?

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. - Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

Acts - It All Starts Here

This week Pastor Neli helps us to see our own perspective to live out our God-given mission. God has a unique purpose and plan for every person.  We must understand, that mission is not about activity or expertise, but is rooted in our identity in Christ. True mission begins by recognising Jesus as Lord and embracing the call to be His witnesses. So receive the power of the Holy Spirit to honour God and live out His global purpose.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8 (ESV)

The Mission - The Church's Mission

This week Pastor Neli helps us to recognise God has intentionally placed each of us in specific environments and among certain people to fulfil a corporate calling. Our mission is where sowers and reapers thrive together.  We are called to be partners on the ground who proclaim the gospel through love, justice, and mercy. Be challenged to embrace our differences and shine the light of reconciliation, knowing that when God sends us on mission, He always sends us with others and for others.

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” - John 4:35-38 (ESV)

The Mission - The Spirit's Power

This week Pastor Neli explores The Spirit's Power, reminding us that mission is not just a geographical destination but a participation in the very life and presence of the Holy Trinity. As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus sends each of us, empowering us with the Holy Spirit for the journey ahead. While many face burnout or discouragement, we can find steady confidence in knowing that our sending comes directly from God rather than human authority, and that He is actively working in us - transforming and forming what we need - even as He works through us. 

 

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. - John 20:21-22 (ESV)

The Mission - The Father's Love

This week Pastor Neli and Michael Coe deliver a message together focusing on the depth of the Father's love. God’s love is an active, high-cost pursuit intended for "whoever" believes. God has already provided you everything you need to fulfil His mandate, calling you to abandon your own mission for His. Whether you are in healthcare, the corporate world, or education, you are part of a global and local legacy of faith, sent to see every area of society centred on the kingdom of God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16 (ESV)