Every Nation Brisbane

God of All Seasons - Autumn: The Beauty Fall

This week Pastor Neli helps us to identify the things we must let go of to embrace God’s calling. God values us far beyond our skills or possessions, for He has specific callings. When we refuse to surrender what is holding us back - be it old methods, worldly pursuits, or old blessings - we are attempting to fill a God-shaped void and missing the beautiful deeper work He wants to do during this season of exposure. Know that when we let go, it is our declaration to move forward into the prosperous life and divine provision He has planned for us.

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. - Mark 10:20-22 (ESV)

God of All Seasons - Summer: I Know What You Did

This week Pastor Neli helps us to cultivate a resilient faith that is developed in and can bear fruit during every season of life.  God desires to cultivate a resilient faith within us, which is developed not in perfect conditions, but instead is formed in every season we face. You can develop spiritual rhythms to experience Jesus in His presence and ensure your root structure is firmly planted in the secret place so you can bear fruit in and out of season.  Remember you are blessed to be a blessing by sharing the fruit of your life with others.

What gain has the worker from his toil?  I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.  He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. - Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - The RESTurection

This week Pastor Neli challenges us to lay down the burden of control, which fuels anxiety and burnout, and embrace the freedom found in absolute trust. The truth of Christ’s death and resurrection is the foundation of our faith, and the key to overcoming a tough week is accepting that Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light. We can find rest and peace for your soul, not just in death, but in every moment of your life, by simply choosing to come to him.

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - Singleness and Marriage

This week Pastor Neli encourages us to remember the condition in which we were called is where we should remain with God. Singleness is not a curse or spiritual deficiency , both singleness and marriage are gifts from God. Know that Jesus is the true goal and that we can find fulfilment in whatever phase of life we’re in.

 

Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.  Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)  For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.  You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.  So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. - 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - One Body, Many Gifts

This week Pastor Neli encourages us to discover and play your God-given part in life's symphony. Every person has a specific gifting distributed by the same Spirit of God for the common good. As we lean into the Holy Spirit and familiarise ourselves with the how we should live, we are empowered to take our place and manifest the Spirit's gifts in the body of Christ. 

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.  You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.  Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - Order in Worship

This week Pastor Neli encourages us that all things should be done decently and in order for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.  Just as every member of an orchestra knows their role and their part in the symphony, the Holy Spirit as the conductor, is trying to get your attention, urging you to fix your eyes on Jesus, the author, the composer, and the finisher of our faith.  God's order allows us to use our freedom in a way that helps everyone. By knowing your part and preparing in private, you put on display a beautiful work.

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. - 1 Corinthians 14:37-40 (ESV)

Thriving Missionally

Join us this week at the Alexandra Park Conference Centre as we are join by special guest speaker Pastor Jennifer Tower (Highpoint Church, Orlando FL). This week Pastor Jennifer Tower's message helps us to overcome fear and insecurity to truly Thrive Missionally.  We often put on ourselves self-imposed limits, which prevent us from fully embracing God's call. We serve a limitless God who made the heavens and the earth, and therefore, the only limits on our mission are the ones we create. So move beyond personal boundaries, and step into a life of purpose, knowing that God has already equipped you. 

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. - Acts 8:4-8 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - The Art of Gospel Flexibility

This week Pastor Neli encourages us to be empowered to influence the world around us rather than conforming to its pressure. We need to stop acting like a thermometer, which simply reflects the surrounding cultural temperature, and start living as a thermostat, actively determining and transforming our environment from the inside out. Don't just reflect the culture—change it.

 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - When Grace Gets Gritty

This week Pastor Neli explores the importance of both giving and receiving loving correction for spiritual growth.  True grace sometimes involves difficult conversations, like confronting sin, rather than ignoring it.  Confrontation and correction are not unloving acts but are just as important for both individual and communal spiritual maturity.  Honest and loving correction is a vital part of growth, leading us to be the church that walks in holiness and glorifies God.

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 (ESV)

Church in The Mess - Spiritual Maturity

This week Samantha shares an encouraging about spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is a process of growing with God, similar to how we grow from childhood to adulthood. We can allow ourselves to be stretched and moulded to become more like Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides guidance and helps in the process of spiritual growth. So today, pray to God to reveal both the areas where you have grown and the areas where you still need to grow.

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual - 1 Corinthians 2:11-13 (ESV)