Trust in Jesus + We’re Back this Sunday!

As the sun set upon 2021, blazon across the Sydney sky was the words ’Trust in Jesus’. After another year of constant uncertainly, it was an unexpected but encouraging reminder of the only place and person we can be truly confident in.

As I reflected on this encouragement over coming days, I was reminded of Psalm 37:3 which says "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture"

Let’s break down that verse:

Trust in the Lord... - not in mankind or materials which are erratic and temporary, but in the One who is everlasting, trustworthy, faithful, always good, strong, and able.

…and do good - reflecting the goodness and kindness of God, not out of duty or obligation or motivated by guilt, and not trusting in those ‘good actions’ to carry us favour with God…but motivated by grace, empowered by His strength, for His glory, and especially towards to poor.

…dwell in the land - God has placed you where He has on purpose. If He's going to bless all nations through us (Gen 12), He wants His people to be central and accessible in the land…in all spheres of life, and every corner of society.

…and enjoy safe pasture - this phrase carries a sense of ‘provision’ for every need, and the promise that He will grow us through all of life’s experiences.

As we gather this Sunday for the first time this year and look forward into 2022, I wonder which of the 4 aspects of this verse the Holy Spirit might be nudging you in? Let the Spirit prompt and encourage you, as subtly or as significantly as that might be.

Big love and Grace,

James

Imitation

I’ve been reading Dave’s Grohl’s ’The Storyteller’ after getting it from my mother-in-law for Christmas (weird…I didn’t know she was a big Foo Fighter’s fan?!). Whether Dave Grohl’s music is your preferred genre or not, it’s been an interesting read. What stuck out to me from his early years was that his ‘big breaks’ with both the band Scream and Iggy Pop came because he practiced and practiced their songs and was able to emulate, or imitate them.

It reminds me of Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian church to Follow Me As I Follow Christ (1 Cor 11:1)…it’s both a big command for the Corinthian church to follow (or imitate) him, as well as a big claim that he’s following Christ in a way that’s worth imitating.

Context is important, and the verses immediately preceding the command and claim is "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Cor 10:32-33)

Paul sought the advantage of other people before his own, and his heartbeat was for people to meet Jesus. He wasn’t in the business of building a huge fan club, Paul wanted to lead followers of Jesus.

This command and claim is as challenging today for us as it was for the Corinthian hearers…and we all need more of the grace of God and the power of the Spirit to be able to say the same!

This Sunday’s service will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube from 10 am. We’re not giving up meeting together, we’re just doing it in what feels like the most loving and responsible way. We’d love you to join us, and believe that you’ll be blessed and encouraged!

If you feel comfortable, why don’t you get together with a small group of others (maybe from your City Group, or in your neighbourhood, etc) and have a 'watch party'. Worship together, share and fellowship together, pray for one another.

…and if you’d like to be a part of the live-stream process over the coming weeks, please let us know…we would love some extra hands!

Big love and Grace,

James