Sunday Sermons from Every Nation Brisbane Central

Pastor Tina reminds us that God works through divine appointments and kingdom relationships to fulfil His mission. We can rely on spiritual discernment over suspicion, embrace our unique roles in serving others, and choose forgiveness over offence when relational challenges arise. Through humility, repentance, and supernatural compassion, God can instantly heal relational wounds and form us into His original design as we serve one another.

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. - Acts 18:18-21 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli examines how we as believers can engage a culture filled with modern-day idols and competing philosophies. We are encouraged to deepen our understanding of God's Word so we can clearly communicate our faith with clarity, integrity, and love. Complete satisfaction is found in God alone, so share His gospel, knowing He goes before you to create divine appointments in every marketplace of your daily life.

For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. - ACTS 17:23-25 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli reminds us of the power of worship during our darkest "midnight hours". Worship is dependent on who God is rather than our circumstances.  We are encouraged to lift up a bold, audible praise - even before seeing a breakthrough - knowing that our worship impacts those around us and can remove darkness in difficult seasons. So bring your praise into every situation, standing firm in the promise that God is faithful to save, transform hearts, and bring light into any dark place.

 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,  and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. - Acts 16:25-26 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli helps us how to navigate disagreement in the Christian life. We should address our conflicts directly by gathering at the table with scripture, prayer, and wise counsel rather than shrinking back or allowing bitterness to take root. Conflict is not a sin.  When handled with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, hard conversations and healed scars can ultimately multiply God's mission and serve as powerful testimonies of His grace.

 

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”  Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. - Acts 15:36-38 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores the core value of spiritual family. Doing the will of God opens up an invitation for everyone to belong to a global, eternal family. By involving our families in active faith and ministry, and seeking godly mentors, we can live as an intergenerational community that welcomes others home. You are not isolated, but rather sealed in Christ and called to actively walk together in spiritual family.

And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” - Mark 3:31-35 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli is joined by Joel and Katrina Renkema from Every Nation Leiden as they explore the vital role of outreach and sharing the good news of the gospel. We can face our fears, step outside of our comfort zones, and cross the boundaries of our everyday lives to connect with those around us. Life often begins outside of your comfort zone.  You can confidently take the next faithful step in full dependence on Jesus, leaving the ultimate outcome to Him.

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”  But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. - Acts 9:13-15 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores the core value of discipleship and what it truly means to follow Jesus. True discipleship requires a continuous posture of repentance, life-on-life relationship, and a dedication to growing into spiritual maturity. Instead of chasing our own comforts we are encouraged to step into proximity with a spiritual family, allow others to speak truth into our lives, and actively pour what we receive back into others. Discipleship is a step-by-step journey whose sole destination is Christ. He promises to be with you every single day as you take up your cross and follow him.

And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:19-20 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores the core church value of biblical worship. True worship is sacrificial and becomes genuine when it costs us something rather than just remaining convenient. Worship is not an obligation or a mood-dependent activity, but a deliberate posture where we build an altar for God's presence and surrender our everyday lives, finances, and control to Him. When we delight in sacrificial worship from the heart, we create a powerful environment that invites the miraculous moving of God.

On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”  So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad.  When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. - 2 Samuel 24:18-20 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores how we can truly live in the Spirit and prepare our hearts for an outpouring of God's presence. Instead of chasing after our own agendas or trying to fool God with impure hearts, we are called to a space of confession and repentance - intentionally turning away from sin to let Jesus take complete lordship over every area of our lives. The Lord moves mightily through holy vessels who are completely sold out to Him, ready to embrace silence, and willing to give Him their all.

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 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 1:6-8 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores the attributes and characteristics of the Holy Spirit. We can recognise Him as a person who has a mind, will, and emotions. The Holy Spirit is fully God, is already present, and is inviting you to step out in faith, surrender your will to His, and walk closely with Him in complete freedom and grace.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. - John 16:7-11 (ESV)