"And when they saw him they worshipped him,
but some doubted."
- Matthew chapter 28, verse 1
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Ahoy Church!
So wonderful to see two newcomers to Jesus be baptised on Sunday! Thanks for celebrating with us and welcoming their family and friends.
While Home Church meets in a temporary location while Marcello and Mariela visit family interstate, on the beach this Sunday, Dan Hill will be sharing about Jesus' command to shepherd other followers of Jesus.
I love the passage Dan's preaching from in John chapter 21, verses 15 to 19, because it reminds us that even though we are in God's family by faith, Jesus knows we still need loving leadership through every season of following him.
As I've read the Bible this week, God has drawn my attention to doubts. Doubts about who Jesus is. Doubts about the truth of what Jesus taught.
In Matthew 28, verse 17, we find Jesus' final earthly words spoken to his closest followers. It's the passage I see as foundational to our church and how it operates (lovingly obeying everything he taught)! But before he proclaims what he expects of his most trusted followers, the gospel writer notes that when they saw Jesus' resurrected body, "they worshipped him"; however, "some doubted"!
Consider this for a moment. These are the people who walked with Jesus. These are the people who saw him die on the cross and then walk in a new, resurrected body!
Some worshipped. Some doubted. Which group are you in? Are you sold out, stoked to know and worship Jesus? Or are you questioning things right now? Are you doubting if Jesus is willing and able to do in your life what he said he could and would?
My reflection this week was that Jesus spoke his most famous directive to both those who worshipped and those who doubted. If you're in a season of questioning Jesus, you may feel less-than. You may feel ashamed. You may feel like you've messed things up.
My encouragement to you today is that Jesus invites you to move forward. Continue to follow him. To accept that you're doubting right now, but move forward in faith.
In this final moment on earth, it'd make sense to us if Jesus were to talk down to those who doubted. That's not the case.
This honest, but generous approach to those who doubted Jesus is mirrored in the short book of Jude.
"...have mercy on those who doubt" - Jude 1:22
In a hard-hitting book like Jude, it's surprising to see this guidance to have mercy on Christians who doubt. Doubting isn't celebrated or encouraged, but neither is it punished. No doubt, the early Christians had in mind Jesus' final appearance to his mixed-bag group of followers. Jesus had mercy on the doubters, so should we.
Do you know someone with doubts?
Have mercy on them!
Do you have doubts?
Let someone know. Walk with them as you both follow Jesus with your doubts.
How good that our King and Saviour is not only the God of all creation, but the God who has mercy on us when we doubt.
Meeting School Needs for a Missionary Family
If you're keen to help other "sheep" (followers of Jesus), a wonderful missionary family who visited us earlier in the year has a financial need: their children's education. They are long-term, trusted and known by us. If you can contribute, please see the section below on Giving Out. If you have questions, HIT REPLY.
Much love, and see you Sunday,
Dan
Coming Up
September - 9am [Home] + 3pm [Moffat]
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Sep 27 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach
October - Home + Moffat
Mondays - Young Adults - Marcello + Mariela 0428 986 423
Fridays - 6am Men's Prayer - Fred 0431 437 080
Oct 04 Home Church; Beach BBQ + Communion: BYO/Share
Oct 11 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach Baptisms
Oct 18 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach
Oct 25 Sunday Gatherings: Home + Beach
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus.
Our Vision
Fully Alive through faith in Jesus. To see this vision come to life, we developed FAM, our Fully Alive Model. Ideally, you can work through FAM with someone else.
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?
Giving Up, In, and Out
Our church encourages people to set aside money each week/month to meet the needs of our church, community and beyond. We follow the same simple pattern of giving that we encourage each other individually: UP, IN, and OUT.
Giving UP
As a church, we give 2.5% to our denomination to support what's happening in churches like ours statewide and show appreciation for all the support they provide. We encourage each follower to consider giving "up" to support their local church - in this case, ours :)
Giving IN
We encourage you to be alert for personal/family needs within our church. If you know someone with genuine needs that you can't meet yourself, please REPLY now.
Giving OUT
We encourage people to be generous not just in/around our church family, but also to those serving beyond us.
This month we encourage you to consider giving to Geoff and Marielle, who visit us each year from their overseas base. They are requesting funds to meet their children's school fees, which total approximately AUD$15,000/yr. This not only ensures a quality, safe education, but one that does not require the teaching and practice of alternate religions in the region.
You can donate directly:
Geoff and Marielle
BSB: 923100
Account #: 37443010
REF: KyleG GIFT
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
Last month's giving: $10,061
Last month's expenses: $15,288
Balance: $62,772
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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