Welcome
Over the last few months, we have had the opportunity to gain a slight insight into how millions of Christians gather to worship God. Ironically from the comfort of our homes, we join with Christians around the world who are not worshipping God in the way they desire. Persecuted Christians around the world and throughout history have found ways to gather and remind themselves they are children of God. Our circumstances may have changed and our mode of worship may have been slightly disrupted but God continues to reign and we, his people, continue to worship and follow Jesus.
(Optional) Visit the Open Doors website and hover your cursor over the map to find information about persecuted Christians around the world. Spend some time praying for persecuted Christians around the world.
If you have recently connected with our church community, please connect with us.
Don’t forget to join us on Zoom from 10:30. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8128818085
Also, we are participating in Communion this morning. Take a few minutes to assemble your Communion elements.
Please follow the outline below knowing that we are all doing this together!
Song – This Is Our God
The first verse of this song includes these words, “I wait for you, draw near again, Let your spirit make me new”. Allow God to draw you close and allow him to restore you.
Rivers Update
Video correction: We will start to gather on the 12th of July
Give
We want to thank those who have continued to give generously and sacrificially throughout recent weeks. You can use the button below to set up a regular offering as part of our church.
Kidz Biz
Prayer (from Queensland Baptists prayer guide)
We pray for revival
If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Let us humble ourselves and repent of things which may restrict God working through us
- Praise God for accounts where God is already blessing and moving through his people to touch the wider community
- Cry out to God asking him to send a revival and be prepared to let it begin in us
- Pray that the brokenness and pain of the COVID-19 crisis will provide fertile ground for the sharing of the gospel and that God may reap a great harvest
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
Continue to pray for our world, our neighbours, our church community, our families, ourselves.
Hymn – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Talk – Living the Jesus Creed – Reaching Out In Jesus
Today is the last talk in our series Living the Creed.
The Jesus Creed is our new ethic, our new way of life as followers of Jesus.
Matthew 22: 37 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'”
Over the last 5 weeks we’ve explored what this new way of life includes. These new ways and practices express our love for God through following Jesus.
Believing in Jesus
Abiding in Jesus
Surrendering in Jesus
Restoring in Jesus
Forgiving in Jesus
And today we look at Reaching out in Jesus
Here is my outline of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Read through it slowly. What aspects of the outline is God drawing you to? How will you respond with loving obedience?
God is > God creates > God rules > Humanity reigns with God > But humanity rebels > Chooses self-rule > we are Banished > But God Loves > Chooses Israel > Blesses them and all the people through them > They rebel > But God loves and promises the Messiah – his rescuing King >
Jesus the Messiah > Finally arrives with good news of the Kingdom of God > Demonstrates his love and power through the cross and Resurrection > When we are confronted by God’s love and power in Jesus > And respond with faith/trust > We receive the Holy Spirit > Become fully alive with Jesus > Become participants in Jesus’ Kingdom >
As Jesus transforms us > We are becoming his people > God blesses the world through us > One day Jesus will return and completely destroy all rebellion > and set all things right.
If you are responding to Jesus today, and maybe for the first time, please connect with us because we’d love to accompany you on your journey with Jesus.
Connect More about Jesus Respond
Song – King of Kings
I wonder if this next song has renewed significance you / us as we respond to God this morning?
Communion
1 Cor. 11:23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people – an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
These symbols cause us to look back. Jesus, the perfect Son of God gave His life on the cross. These symbols remind us that God loves us enough to die for us and is powerful enough to defeat death so he can offer us a new life with him. Jesus died to pay the penalty of our sin not because we were worthy, but because of God’s mercy and grace.
These symbols cause us to look at the present. We are part of something much bigger than this family…bigger than our church…even bigger than this country. We are part of the church of Jesus Christ around the world. As we remember Jesus through this simple meal, let us remember that millions of believers around the world are doing this same thing. As we have Communion we are reminded of our oneness with ALL of God’s family.
These symbols cause us to look to the future. The last verse of our text says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” Even in our present crisis we have hope that King Jesus is in control and we look forward to when he makes all things good!
Share the bread and the cup.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
thank you for reminding us this morning of how you paid the price for our sin and offer us a new life with you.
Help us to live as your children, trusting you and following you every day.
Help us to live with your love, strength and hope each day and to offer it to others
Amen.
Go
Thanks again for remaining faithful and following Jesus everyday!
Don’t forget to join us on Zoom from 10:30am. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8128818085
See you soon!