Every Nation Brisbane

Not Next But Now

This week Samantha Thomas reminds us that before God formed us in the womb, He knew us intricately and set us apart for a purpose. We are encouraged to reject the limiting "I am" statements, doubts, and fears that we often carry like a cloak, such as feeling inexperienced or not enough. Take this truth as a reminder that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you do not need to be afraid because the Lord is faithfully with you to deliver you.

 

Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.” - Jeremiah 1:6-8 (ESV)

Pentecost Sunday - Revival Ready

This week Pastor Neli explores how we can become "Revival Ready" by examining the powerful move of God that occurred during Pentecost. We are encouraged to move beyond searching for emotional experiences and instead position ourselves expectantly through obedience, physical gathering, persistent prayer, and deep spiritual hunger. We can organise our life around God's promises and allow the Holy Spirit to purge distractions, so that we can be a holy vessel prepared to receive His fresh outpouring.

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 - Prayer That Works

This week Pastor Neli explores how God moves powerfully through the persistent and consistent prayers of ordinary believers. We are reminded that prayer is far more than just asking God for help - it is an invitation to participate in His work. Even when our faith feels weak or an outcome doesn't match our exact expectations, we are encouraged knowing that our imperfect faith rests on a God who remains completely faithful. 

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. - Acts 6:7-9 (ESV)

Acts - Women On The Move

Join us at Brisbane Central as we continue with our current series, Acts: Season 2. This week, Pastor Tina explores how God uses all people, regardless of gender, age, or social class, to advance His kingdom. Be encouraged to recognise that the Holy Spirit's equalising work makes everyone an active participant in God's mission. Take this truth into your week as a reminder that you are not just an observer, but are called to step into your specific calling as a vital part of what God is doing in the world today.

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. - Acts 2:17-18 (ESV)

Acts - Peter and Cornelius

This week Pastor Neli encourages us to overcome personal biases. Actively resist the urge to distance yourself from others based on social class, ethnic background, or previous mistakes. We must move past our religious and cultural prejudices to embrace the missional recalibration God desires for us.

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. - Acts 10:34-35 (ESV)

Acts - Stephen the First Martyr

This week Pastor Neli helps us to reflect on whether our faith is visible to those around us.  Stephen from the Book of Acts is a man full of grace and power, his character shaped by his time with God.  We have complete freedom available through Christ so we must live a life formed and shaped by our beliefs for the sake of the gospel.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. - Acts 6:88-10 (ESV)

Acts - The Conversion of Saul

This week Pastor Neli explains the conversion of Saul, from threats against the church to believer through an encounter with Jesus and the disciple Ananias. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Scriptures to discover fresh purpose and a way home. Find strength in the fact that God has a specific design for our lives and that His Word serves as a constant guide for how to live with true meaning.

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. - Acts 9:17-19 (ESV)

Acts - Gospel On The Margins

This week Pastor Neli helps us to reflect on the question, “What prevents us from coming to God?” No matter our insecurities, past failures, or how busy and noisy our lives may be, the invitation to come to Jesus and find rest remains open to everyone who is weary and heavy-laden.  God measures your growth by your heart's obedience rather than your worldly success or visibility, and He can use your life as a light to help others find their way home to Him .

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?”  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:34-35 (ESV)

Resurrection Sunday: Sunday's on the Way

Pastor Neli helps us understand how the resurrection determines the way we live our lives. Jesus is "the resurrection and the life," providing victory over the sting of death through His finished work at the cross and the empty tomb. The Holy Spirit is alive within you today, illuminating the Word of God and offering the greatest gift to all of humanity.

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” - John 11:20-22 (ESV)

Good Friday: Three Three Words

Pastor Neli encourages us to take heart by reflecting on the powerful words of Jesus during the most important week of the Christian calendar. The Good News that Jesus has already overcome the world speaks of His victory as a finished work. We are never alone because Jesus endured His suffering in isolation so that we could be relationally connected to Him and to the broader body of Christ. So embrace the power of the resurrection, walking in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing Jesus is victorious.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” - John 16:25-28 (ESV)