8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” - Luke 12:8-12
Ahoy family,
It was wonderful to share with Zach, family and friends on Sunday as he was baptised! Thanks to all those for welcoming many who joined us.
God had planned for us to explore one of Jesus' fabulous teachings on FEAR. The summary was, who you fear (God or people) determines how free you are.
I cut the reading short because it was just too much to take in. Above, Luke 12:8-12, you can see the rest of the context, revealing that Jesus really is priming us to be fearless amidst social and political upheaval - especially as it relates to our faith in him.
While there is so much to ponder on in this passage - it raises some big questions - I want to draw your attention to the following phrase, "".
In our modern, sanitised, spirit-less world, we often get caught off-guard by peoples attacks of Christianity, or seemingingly rational defences of secularism or DIY spirituality. After a few of these experiences, many are left bamboozled, or even embarrassed at our lack of defences of our faith and the teachings of Jesus.
While God actively encourages us to develop a clear and compelling answer to all those who ask about our faith, Jesus makes it clear there is no need to become "anxious" about these conversations.
Part of our anxiety is that we see a conversation about faith as a battleground that we have to come out as victor. I think this is why Jesus says that we shouldn't be anxious about how we should "defend" ourselves. He is discouraging us from a mindset that has us, "going into battle" against other people and their ideas.
Rather than retreating from people, or going in to do battle with them, Jesus just tells us to expect that his Holy Spirit will "teach us" everything we need to know and say in that moment.
I don't know about you, but that's both challenging and freeing for me.
Today, I had an opportunity to practice this non-anxious engagement with an anti-Jesus/church/faith man. After telling me he, "didn't want to go into his story", he took me through a long, emotional explanation of why he doesn't need God.
As with many of these conversations, there was some tension to begin with, but after a few breaths and a couple of reminders that my job isn't to "defend" myself, my faith, our church or God himself, I could relax.
You could say the conversation even went well! We will chat again, we found some common ground, and we are closer to become friends than we've ever been.
I'm trusting that not only did I offer something of the Holy Spirit's words, but that God's Spirit was speaking directly to my new friend.
So if you find yourself retreating from people - step in, peacefully trusting the Holy Spirit will guide you.
If you find yourself anxiously "battling" people, learn from the Holy Spirit how to offer only the words that are needed to bring peace to a precious soul.
Much love and see you this Sunday,
Dan
P.S. Last Sunday was another reminder that a significant factor in most of our gatherings is simply introducing yourself to newcomers. With so many joining us who've not been to church at all, or for a long time, gathering to welcome others meaningfully is GREATLY appreciated - and potentially life-changing! Your welcoming of others truly has been making a difference in peoples lives, so thank you.
Jesus: Ask, Seek, Knock
“7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened…”
- Matthew 7:7-11
This week you'll be encouraged to not give up in prayer. Join us this Sunday to be reminded what to do when you feel like giving up!
If you're keen to read more: https://52follow.com/ask-seek-knock/
General Meeting now on 21st Sep 2025
Purpose
Approval and appointment of Governance Group members
Context
After nominations for Governance Group members closed on the 16th of July, the following members outlined below have been nominated requiring approval for appointment to the Governance Group:
- Renee Moody
- Marcello Lalut-Salvatore
- Fred van Staden
As the number of nominations being proposed will constitute the minimum requirements for a Governance Group, an open vote of members will suffice for approval and appointment.
Coming Up
September
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 22 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 29 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
October
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 05 - 3pm Monthly Worship Gathering - Venue TBA
Sun 12 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 19 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Armstrong, Jack + __ Baptisms
Sun 26 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
November
Mondays - Emotionally Healthy Relationships, Kings Beach - Katie 0412 500 940
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Thursdays - Dads Coffee, Bible + Prayer - Dan 0402 301 568
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sundays - Home Church - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Sun 02 - 3pm Monthly Worship Gathering - Venue TBA
Sun 09 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 16 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats + Baptisms
Sun 23 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Sun 30 - 3pm Beach Gathering at Moffats
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Rhythms
Get to Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you intentionally open up your life to?
Gather and get involved: who can you connect, listen, share or pray with this weekend?
Our Giving
We are slowly being led to needs for our giving kitty! Please take time to ask God if there is someone in need around you whom God wants you/us to help!
Last month's giving: $8,960
Last month's expenses: $11,974
Balance: $78,187
Giving in : Oct 23-Aug 25: $5000
Giving out : Oct 23-Aug 25: $14.082
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
If you would like to support what we are doing and our giving to those in need, you can get started giving to Open Road to meet the needs of our church or get in touch with any questions you may have.
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