Every Nation Brisbane

Prodigal God - The True Elder Brother

We wrap up our series "Prodigal God" this week. Pastor Neli compares the similarities in the parables between the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost (prodigal) son. The major difference in the story of the lost son is that no one goes out after the son rather the son comes to himself and comes back home. We need to have a sense of elder brother-ship that we find only in Christ. Jesus didn't just go to the far off country, He left heaven to come to earth to reach us. Forgiveness costs, but it was the true elder brother who paid that price. Jesus paid the price so we can come back home.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
- Romans 8:32 (ESV)

Prodigal God - Home and Away

Join us as we continue our "Prodigal God" series. This week Pastor Neli discusses the Older Brother Syndrome. How many of us come to God giving expecting something in return? As older brothers we feel like we have to earn the Father's love, thinking our righteous activity helps as fulfil our purpose in God. The truth is we have been around the Father's love the whole time but have forgotten, as older brothers, that his love has always been available to us.

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
- Luke 15:31-32 (ESV)

Prodigal God - Sons For The Return Home

Join us as we flow into our "Prodigal God" series. This week Pastor Neli continues with the parable of the prodigal son but tells of the celebration the father has for his son's return home. God is the good father who chases after us. If we are saved and redeemed and God now calls us as a son or daughter, we have every reason to celebrate. Let us not be a church who stops celebrating.

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
- Luke 15:20 (ESV)

Prodigal God - Good Good Father

We are excited to start our new series, "Prodigal God". Pastor Neli refers to the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son and compares the meaning of each. Like the father in the lost son, God is pursuing us. Aren't we thankful that God has pursued us, found us and brought us out of the dark corner which we thought ourselves as incomplete to bring us to a place where there is celebration? Because Christ diligently seeks us, we should do likewise to the lost.

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
- Luke 15:7 (ESV)

The GAP - Closing The Gap

Join us as we finish our series, "The GAP". Pastor Neli talks about closing the gap in particular with the relationships we hold. Christ is at the centre of our relationships and therefore everything is seen through the lens of Christ. If Jesus is at the centre of our relationships it's amazing how when we open ourselves up we'll learn so much about the people we're in relationship with.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
- Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV)

The GAP - Soul Full

Join us as we continue our series, "The GAP". This week Roisin Welsh speaks of the Shalom peace we have in Christ Jesus. Shalom is not about a state of peace but that of restoration. It means our relationships are made one. God desires us to walk in peace and in relationship with him. In every situation his Shalom peace is waiting for us to rest in and make decisions with.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
- Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)

The GAP - Never Asunder

Continuing with series on "The GAP", Pastor Neli this week speaks about our covenant with God and how there are no terms we need to bring with us to this covenant. When we understand the price that Jesus had paid and the power of the Gospel, it transforms the way we live. The Lord had already raised up a standard because he has been high and lifted up in order to draw all men and women to himself. That is the covenant that God desires all of us to enter into.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
- Romans 8:32 (ESV)

The GAP - Meet Me At The Altar

Join us as we start a new series this week - The GAP. Pastor Neli talks about the Grace and Peace we have in Christ Jesus by referring the different methods of offerings at the Altar in the Book of Leviticus. When Christ laid his life down for us he stood in the gap for us. Christ's sacrifice is more than enough. Offer to God what bothers or worries you most so you may receive God's grace and peace in that area of your life.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

This Is Us - Unless

We are continuing our new series entitled, "This Is Us". Pastor Neli and Henry talk about our values as a Church and highlights in particular "Family". If we want to build a purposeful, protected and fruitful family then God has to be the Builder, Watchman and Provider. If you have to choose between opportunity and relationship, always choose relationship over opportunity because relationship is the economy of the Kingdom of God.

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
- Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

This Is Us - Towers and Travels

We are continuing our new series entitled, "This Is Us". Pastor Neli talks about our values as a Church and highlights in particular "Outreach". God has called us to go out. He has called us to have a compassion for his people who are in our city but how will they hear the gospel unless you preach it? Ask yourself the question, "How can I reach the nations within the nation God has called me in right now?

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:1-3 (ESV)