Last Sunday we read from Matthew 15:1-9 where Jesus teaches us that we are to not replace God's commands with our own traditions. Like all areas of life and faith, traditions that once seemed obviously "good" or even "godly" can become distractions from God's heart for us.

Anyone who has grown up in a church knows that even God's own people can become collectively spiritually distracted by church activities and end up far from the individual and corporate life that God calls us to.

This is Max wearing a cap from LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR. The label is a social label from Switzerland that wants to spread lots of world changing love! 12% of their sales goes to homeless and the crew around founder David Togni are always busy loving on people in their world. Have a look att their website loveyourneighbour.ch
Photo by Nina Strehl / Unsplash

As we discussed on Sunday, Jesus shows us a simple formula in Luke 10:25-28 for distinguishing God's commands (that lead to life) and man's traditions (that lead to death - see Matthew 15:4): God's commands lead us to love God and our neighbours; man's traditions lead us love ourselves.

Furthermore, Jesus' use of "Corban" as an example a man-made doctrine that replaces God's commands ("honour your father and mother") reveals that our self-loving traditions are often of a financial or material nature.

Does honouring your father and mother include supporting the maroons at Origin time?

As I shared on Sunday, in our church context it may seem unusual to some that we haven't asked or expected anyone to give certain amounts or percentages to our church to fund what God's doing. This isn't because we're naive to the need for resources or the great impact that finances can have on the world, but because we are aiming to avoid the very thing Jesus is warning us about in Matthew 15.

When it comes to how our church discusses and stewards finances, it's important that we don't opt for a default, commonly-held or 'practical' expectation ("doctrine" or "tradition" in Jesus words) that distracts us from the very clear teaching of Jesus on generosity and wealth. While we always aim to be wise with finances, we don't want to replace God's divine (and challenging) commands with more 'practical' or 'reasonable' ones that suit our own needs not the needs of those God has called us to love.

I have often said that in regards to money, I believe God is going to move us beyond simply "meeting the church's needs" to "as a church meeting the needs of those around us". This conviction comes out of our shared heart to obey God's direct commands to help the poor and the needy, and to meet the needs of the members of our church family that we are clearly commanded to.

Thank you for being willing to hear from God together. Thanks to those who are giving and meeting our needs. Thanks to those who are giving to the needs of those around them. Together, God is revealing his wonderful heart for both his church and his world we live in.

Cheers, God Bless and see you for Kayla's baptism on Sunday!

Dan

Want to get baptised?

This Sunday, Kayla is following Jesus' call for all people of faith to be baptised!If you want to join her, let us know! We also are planning for another young woman to be baptised in a month, so there is plenty of opportunity to get baptised each month!

You can watch/read some basic info on baptism at www.openroad.church/baptism or call Dan and have a chat, 0402 301 568.

Prayer

Let's keep asking God to speak to us on the following areas of our church:

  1. Rhythms: how will we foster our simple rhythms (know, invite, gather)?
  2. Elders: how will we structure our long-term leadership and who will be on the team.
  3. Generosity: how would God have us become the generous individuals and church he's called us to.
  4. Future: how and where will we continue to gather including our location.

If you'd like to join with others in prayer, chat to Fred on Sunday about his men's prayer group that meets 6am every Friday in Dicky Beach!

If you can't find him Sunday call Fred on 0431 437 080.

Want to go camping together?!

One of the camping sections at Borumba Deer Park near Imbil, about an hour from Caloundra.

Merrick has done some research on a big group camp at Borumba Deer Park about an hour from us. We're proposing we invite people from our church to go camping together Sat-Sun (enthusiasts can stay Friday too!) for a very relaxed weekend together potentially on Sunday 8th of October.

If you're keen, let us know by REPLYING to this email or email us!

And YES, they have cabins too :)

Coming Up

Sun 20 Aug  Baptism
Sun 27 Aug  3pm Moffat Gathering

Getting ahead-of-the-game

Sun 03 Sep     3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 17 Sep  Baptism
Sun 01 Oct     Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 15 Oct  Baptism

Our Mission

To help people find and follow Jesus

Our Rhythms

Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you bless this week?
Gather and get involved: How can you connect, listen, share or pray with others this week?

Our Giving

If there is someone in need around you we'd encourage you to team up with another Christian friend and ask God to show you how to meet their need directly. You can also get started with giving to Open Road or get in touch with any questions you may have.

Last months giving $9,349
Last months expenses $5,842
Balance $20,673

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17

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