We often imagine heroic one‑time acts. But for refugees, courage is quieter – and harder. It’s leaving everything behind. Learning a new language while grieving a lost home. Standing before officials who hold your future in their hands. And somehow, still moving forward.

In this special Refugee Week episode, we open Matthew 9:35–10:23 – a passage where Jesus sees the harassed and helpless, sends his followers out with almost nothing, and commands them to flee when rejected.

We explore:

• the bravery of refugees and hows that speaks to witnesses seeking those that need help or are harassed. 
• what it means for those forced to flee today and what it means for witnesses to go into areas where people flee from.
• How sharing the gospel begins not with words, but with compassion that acts.

Whether you’ve walked a refugee journey yourself or want to stand alongside those who have, this episode will change how you see courage – and the road.

No one travels alone.

🎧 Listen now. Share with a friend. And this Refugee Week, discover the courage that’s already walking beside you.

In this episode, we dive into Matthew 9:9–13 and 9:18–26 – a passage where Jesus declares, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” On the surface, these verses are about outcasts being restored to community. But when we listen with World Environment Day in mind, a surprising connection emerges.

We explore a simple but profound idea: the natural world is given to us for the fulfillment of our sustenance and need, not as a commodity to be used up. It keeps us connected to God.

From that starting point, we ask:

• How does treating creation as a “sacrifice” damage our own souls?
• What would it mean to offer the earth mercy instead of exploitation?
• Why your home environment – your room, your yard, your local stream – is actually liturgical space that shapes your relationship with God.

Using the vivid images of the bleeding woman touching Jesus’ cloak and the dead girl being raised, we reframe environmental care as an act of restoration, not guilt. 

Whether you’re passionate about creation care or feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental problems, this episode offers a gentle, spiritually grounded way forward. No politics. No shame. Just a call to touch the “fringe” of God’s presence – starting right where you live.

“She touched the fringe of his cloak – and was healed. Perhaps the earth is that fringe.”

This Trinity Sunday, we sit at a holy intersection. The church celebrates the God who is community – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and Reconciliation Week calls us to total commitment, not half-hearted gestures.

In this episode, we walk through three powerful scriptures:

• Exodus 34 – The God who cuts new tablets and stays faithful, even after we break covenant.
• Matthew 28 – The risen Jesus with all authority, sending us to all nations with his enduring presence.
• 2 Corinthians 13 – The Spirit’s koinonia (fellowship) that draws us into a dance of mutual giving.

Together, these readings reveal a Triune God who is utterly “All In” – and an invitation for the church to follow suit. No holding back. No Sunday-only faith. Just a deep, covenant-shaped walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, grounded in truth, presence, and hope.

Whether you’re preaching, praying, or simply listening for a fresh word, this episode offers biblical depth, practical reflection, and a closing prayer to send you out.

🎧 Press play – and come all in.

Listen in to hear the reading in the languages of the world.

This week on the podcast, we explore a powerful convergence: Pentecost Sunday and Volunteer Sunday. Drawing from Numbers 11:24–30, Acts 2:1–12, and John 20:19–23, we unpack a critical transition:

• Natural capacity = good people doing good things with their own gifts, energy, and training.
• Supernatural testimony = disciples releasing the kingdom of God through the Spirit’s unexpected, uncontainable presence.

You’ll hear how Moses wished for all God’s people to prophesy (even the ones who stayed in the camp), how the first Pentecost turned a language barrier into a witness of “God’s deeds of power,” and how the risen Jesus breathed the Spirit into fearful disciples – not to make them nicer, but to send them as the Father sent Him.

Whether you serve on a roster, lead a ministry, or are just trying to figure out where you belong, this episode will challenge you to stop asking “Can I do this task?” and start asking “Is God’s reign becoming visible through me?”

Listen in as we move from natural capacity to supernatural testimony – because the Spirit doesn’t fill resumes. The Spirit fills witnesses.

• John 17 – Jesus prays for you before you’re sent into drought, isolation, or a neighbour’s crisis.
• 1 Peter 5 – The practical how‑to: lead like a shepherd, cast your anxiety, and find joy again.

We particularly kept the CWA members in our thoughts but this is for all people connecting with others in the hard places, and anyone who’s ever felt tired from caring. Pour a tea, press play and put your feet up for a little while. ☕

In this episode, we explore the beautiful, demanding rhythm of the Christian life: God in us (by the Spirit) and us in God (through the disciplined practices of Scripture and prayer). The cross made the first possible—Jesus died utterly alone so we would never be alone. But experiencing His constant presence requires our intentional response.

We’ll cover:

• Why “God in us” is the central promise of the New Covenant—and what it actually feels like.
• Why discipline (not legalism) is the pathway to remaining in God: regular time in Scripture, prayer, and obedient trust.
• Practical steps to cultivate the “mutual abiding” – God living in you as you live in Him.

Key insight: The same Jesus who cried out alone on the cross now offers to live inside you. But the door of that indwelling swings open on the hinges of love, obedience, and the daily, disciplined choice to be in His Word and in His presence.

If you’ve ever felt spiritually distant or wondered why the presence of God feels inconsistent, this episode will help you see the connection between God’s promise to dwell in you and your discipline to dwell in Him. Let's get disciplined about being with God to have a consistent relationship.

Today we looked at Domestic Violence and looked to raise awareness about this in our community.

Karen, our parishioner and boardmember of GenWest, shared her information about what is happening on the front line of those that support domestic violences. She also shares some important statistics which make the information very real.

As well as this, our Vicar does something rare and holy: he steps into the pulpit not as a distant Bible teacher, but as a survivor of domestice violence. Growing up in a home marked by domestic violence, he knows the sound of a slammed door, the terror of unpredictable rage, and the silence that shame demands.

He uses the gospel of the day to speak into this situation. John 14:1-14 are words read at funerals or whisper to anxious hearts: “Do not let your hearts be troubled… In my Father’s house there are many rooms.”

But what if “home” is the very place that troubles you?
What if the only room you know is a prison of control, fear, or fists?

Our Vicar walks through John 14:1–14  — not to offer cheap comfort, but to tell the truth:

• The many rooms of God’s house are a promise of safety — not a cage of false unity.
• Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life — exposing every counterfeit “way” of coercion and gaslighting.
• The “greater works” Jesus promises are not magic tricks; they are a church that stops pretending and starts protecting.

With vulnerability and pastoral wisdom, he shares his own story of childhood survival — not for sympathy, but for freedom. He names the lies that kept him silent. He offers a vision of faith where leaving an abusive home can be an act of discipleship, not betrayal.

And he asks the hard question: What will our church do to become a safe house for the next survivor?

If you know of anyone who is in a domestic violence situation, it might be helpful to listen to this with them in a non-confrontational way. You might start the conversation with "Hey I heard this talk at church. Want to listen to it with me and tell me what you think??"

But many of us are also walking away from church—quietly, painfully, and for real reasons. Hypocrisy. Judgment. Hurt from a leader. A gospel that felt false. The problem of evil that no one could explain. Or simply being too busy, too fine, or too tired to keep showing up.

In this episode, we open Luke 24—the road to Emmaus—and discover something surprising: Jesus doesn’t wait for you to turn around. He joins you on the road away.

We explore:

• Why walking away doesn’t mean you’ve outrun God
• How to name the real reasons you left (without shame)
• Why the communion meal—the breaking of bread—is the exact place where eyes open
• How the table speaks directly to every wound: hypocrisy, doubt, irrelevance, hurt, false teaching, and more
• What it means to return to worship with a burning heart—not because the church got perfect, but because you are changed

Whether you’re still in the pews, standing at a distance, or haven’t set foot in a church in years—this episode is for you. No guilt. No pressure. Just bread, honesty, and the risen Christ on your road.

Listen in. And let your heart burn again.

In this episode, we open up the familiar story of the disciples hiding behind locked doors after Jesus’ death – and discover how the risen Christ still walks through the locked rooms of our families today.

We talk honestly about the pressures on our children: school stress, friendship struggles, anxiety about the world, and the weight of feeling “not good enough.” And we ask: How can we parent differently when everything feels unsettling?

You’ll hear:

• Why the resurrection doesn’t just comfort us – it sends us out of hiding.
• How Psalm 16:8 (“He is at my right hand; I shall not be shaken”) becomes a simple, powerful prayer for kids and parents alike.
• Practical, gentle ways to help your child name their fears and invite Jesus into their “locked room.”
• Why your peace as a parent is the greatest gift you can give your anxious child.

This isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about knowing the One who stands at your right hand – and your child’s.

For every parent, grandparent, or carer who has ever felt stuck behind a locked door of worry: this episode is for you.

In this episode, we dive into Luke 8:1–3 and uncover a powerful, often overlooked truth: healed people help people. The women who followed Jesus didn’t just receive healing—they turned their gratitude into generosity. They gave out of their own “means” to fuel the mission of the Gospel, becoming silent partners in every miracle, every sermon, and every life changed.

But this isn’t just ancient history. It’s a blueprint for us today.

If you’ve been touched by the grace of God, you’re invited to be more than a spectator. Join us as we explore what it means to be a cheerful giver, why generosity is the natural response to grace, and how your own “means”—no matter how small—can partner with God’s work in the world.

Whether you’re wrestling with what it means to give, or you’re ready to discover the joy of partnering in the mission, this conversation is for you.

Key Scriptures: Luke 8:1–3, 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Theme: Generosity, healing, partnership, cheerful giving

🎧 Tune in and discover why the most joyful givers are always the ones who’ve been healed the most.

A man born blind. A miracle made of mud and spit. A confrontation with religious power. And a healing that nobody asked for—but everyone needed.

This is the story of John chapter 9.

But it's more than just an ancient miracle. It's a map for anyone standing in the middle of a transition. A new job. A broken relationship. A faith that no longer fits. A season you didn't choose but cannot escape.

In this episode, we explore what happens when God gives us new sight—and why that new sight never fits into our old lives. We'll uncover the three first fruits of spiritual vision: Clarity that ends the guessing game, Confidence that stands when questioned, and Connection that draws us closer to the Source than ever before.

And we'll ask the hard question: When the new wine comes, are you still holding onto the old wineskin?

If you've ever felt like your world is shifting beneath your feet, this episode is for you.

Blessings,

Rev. Rob.

In this episode, we explore John 4:5-42 and discover that our God is not a distant deity—He is a God of time and space who enters our dusty roads and sits at our wells. We unpack what it really means to steward our time, how vulnerable presence can tear down walls, and the three "first fruits" that appear when we learn to simply show up for others.

If you've ever felt too busy to pause, too rushed to notice, or too exhausted to love well—this episode is for you.

Have a listen to discover:

• Why time and presence is a gift to us from God.
• The difference between managing time and stewarding it
• What happens when we finally leave our "water jars" behind

That was Nicodemus. Teacher of Israel. Expert in Scripture. Respected leader. And completely clueless about the one thing that mattered most.

In this episode, we sit down with the nighttime conversation that changed everything. We tackle the questions no one wants to ask:

• Why do we pour into others while neglecting our own souls?
• What does it mean to be "born again" anyway?
• How do we steward relationships with people who are still in the dark?
• And what does "first fruits" have to do with any of this?

If you've been serving, leading, teaching, or parenting on fumes—if your tank is empty but you keep trying to fill everyone else's—pull up a chair. This conversation is for you.

The devil doesn't always look like he is coming to destroy you. Sometimes, he comes to “comfort” you.

In this week's episode, we're looking at the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4 and the three traps outlined in 1 John 2. Today we reflected on the hard questions:

• When does self-care become the lust of the flesh?
• When does chasing a spiritual experience become the lust of the eyes?
• When does pursuing success become the pride of life?

We live in a world that prioritises feelings over faithfulness, and the spectacular over substance. But Jesus shows us a different way. He faced the tempter, stood on the Word, and now offers us not just sympathy, but solidarity.

We also tackle a practical application that might surprise you: how giving your first fruits is helping you with gather the Holy Spirits power in the spiritual warfare you face.

If you're ready to stop being tossed around by your emotions and start walking in your God-given identity, hit play when the site loads up.

This week we ascend the mountain of Transfiguration to witness the moment Jesus pulled back the veil on His divine glory. Not just a shining face or dazzling garments—but a definitive declaration that He stands above every authority, every power, and every so-called god humanity has ever worshipped.

Moses and Elijah appear, then vanish. The Father's voice thunders. And when the cloud clears, only one remains: Jesus only.

If you've ever wondered whether Jesus is enough—whether He truly outshines every competing voice, every lesser loyalty, every fear that claims your attention—this episode is for you.

Listen now to "The Unveiled Glory." 

In our podcast this week, we explore how our collective belonging to Christ equips us to preserve what’s good, flavour our communities with hope, and illuminate dark places. Through thoughtful teaching and real conversations, we’ll discover how to live this out—in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, and families. Because together, we’re a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Join the conversation. Find your purpose within the story.

In Matthew 4, Jesus moves from being the revealed Light to issuing a radical invitation: "Come, follow me." What if the Wise Men's journey didn't end at the manger? What if it was actually the beginning of a path that leads straight to your local church's baptismal font?

This episode explores how that same journey—from revelation to response—happens every time someone steps into the baptismal waters.

We'll unpack how:
• Epiphany shows us WHO (the revealed Christ)
• Baptism declares WHOSE (our answered "yes")
• Mission sends us FOR WHAT (God's work in the world)

Featuring powerful insights from a live baptism service, we explore what it means to leave your "nets" behind and step into the waters of new identity and purpose. This is the episode that connects the star over the manger to the water in the font—and to your daily life.

This week, it's nightmares, a political massacre, and a desperate sprint to Egypt. We're exploring how God speaks in dreams, why deliverance sometimes looks like becoming a refugee, and where to find Emmanuel when you're far from home. 

The first Christmas was more gritty thriller than silent night.

This podcast looks past the stained glass to meet Mary: the courageous theologian, willing revolutionary, and model for anyone who wants to follow God. Discover how her world-turning song defines what it means to be a disciple, then and now.

This week, we’re heeding the prophets’ disruptive cry. We’ll unpack the stunning vision in Isaiah 11, where wolves bed down with lambs and justice flows like a river. Then, we’ll feel the scorching challenge of John the Baptist in Matthew 3, who screams in the wilderness that this peace demands a gut-level overhaul. Finally, we’ll see in Romans 15 how this wild hope forces us to build radically welcoming communities now.

This isn’t a gentle lullaby. It’s a urgent briefing on the true shape of God’s Shalom and what it takes to be ready for the return of the Prince of Peace. If you think you know what "peace" means… the prophets are here to expand your imagination.

Listen. Seek the vision. Seek the change. Seek to be part of it.

#Advent #Prophets #Peace #JohnTheBaptist #Advent2 #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #AdventPodcast #ReadyForJesus

Our light is surely coming!

This isn't a call to just do more; it's an invitation to do what we are called to do in places that make us feel uncomfortable or might not be savoury. Let’s make this a year where we move beyond the walls and into our community with a view to sharing testimony that helps the Holy Spirit convict others so we too can say to those we are ministering to, “Today you are in paradise with me.” 

Listen now and be equipped to carry the revolutionary love of our Servant-King into your everyday world.

#ChristTheKing #Sermon #Podcast #FaithInAction #BeyondTheWalls #KingdomOfGod #Lectionary #YearC #ChristianMission #CommunityEngagement

In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful transformations in the Bible. We'll unpack how Jesus' scandalous grace turned a greedy taker into a generous giver, and what that means for us today. If you've ever felt lost, overlooked, or wondered if real change is even possible, this story is your invitation to come down from the sidelines and discover the God who came "to seek and to save the lost."

In this episode, we explore one of the most hope-filled statements in Scripture: "What is impossible with man is possible with God." We'll break down three pivotal scenes:

1. Jesus and the Children: Why the key to the Kingdom isn't accomplishment, but humble, childlike reception.
2. The Rich Young Ruler: How our greatest strengths—like wealth, morality, and influence—can become our biggest spiritual barriers.
3. The Astonished Disciples: The liberating truth that frees us from the burden of "making it happen" and plugs us into God's limitless power.

Join us as we uncover the new equation for missional living and learn how to trade the pressure of self-sufficiency for the peace of divine possibility. This message is for anyone who has ever felt they weren't "enough" to make a difference for God's Kingdom.

But what if we’re using the wrong metric?

In this powerful episode, we explore the counter-intuitive path to true missional success as defined by Scripture. We’ll dive into Luke 18, where Jesus tells two startling parables—one about a persistent widow and another about a humble tax collector. These stories reveal the two essential postures for anyone participating in God's work: dependent persistence and radical humility.

Then, we see these principles come to life in the gritty, real-world ministry of the Apostle Paul. In his final charge to his protégé Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5, we find a model for enduring hardship, rejecting pride, and staying faithful even when no one seems to be listening.

Today's podcast is a message for every weary warrior, every discouraged evangelist, and every Christian who wonders if their faithfulness matters. Discover how the path of persistent prayer and self-emptying humility isn’t a detour—it’s God’s intended highway for His mission to move forward in power.

In this powerful episode, we dive into the story of the ten lepers from Luke 17, where Jesus makes a stunning distinction that changes everything. While ten men were miraculously healed, only one was told his faith had made him well.

We'll unpack the crucial difference between the Greek words katharizō (cleansed) and sōzō (saved/made whole), and explore how this same truth applies to us today. Discover how moving from a transactional faith that just asks God for things, to a transformational relationship built on gratitude and worship, is the key to unlocking wellness for your spirit, soul, and body.

You may have felt that your prayers stop at the ceiling, or that a breakthrough didn't bring the lasting peace you expected. Today is an invitation for you to walk the road back to Jesus, not just for a healing in the moment, but for a wholeness that lasts a lifetime.

Wayne delved into themes of spiritual inheritance, the importance of "fanning into flame" the gifts God has given, and the courage to step into a faith that is both received and personally owned. His reflection is a challenge and an encouragement for every generation—to faithfully pass the baton and to confidently pick it up. Join us as we look at committing to building a church where young people are not just the future, but are empowered leaders in the present.

And what if the secret to avoiding burnout in your service to the church wasn't more recognition, but less?

This week, we're diving into Luke 17:5-10, where Jesus confronts our deepest misconceptions about faith and work. We'll explore His startling claim that faith the size of a mustard seed is powerfully sufficient, and His challenging parable that redefines our relationship with God as "unworthy servants." This episode will change how you view your discipleship, your daily life, and your role in the mission of your parish.

Our service today honours their service through a spiritual lens that’s as timely as it is timeless.

This isn't a parable about embezzlement. It’s a parable about urgency, wisdom, and what we do with what we’ve been given. And for us, as a church, it’s a powerful statement on how we see our mission right in our parish.

God calls us to use our temporary, earthly resources with urgent, creative wisdom to build eternal, relational bridges to our community.

This parable ends with a vision of welcome. The manager wanted to be welcomed into homes and other jobs. Jesus commands us to live in such a way that people will welcome us into eternity and in today’s parable asks us to use the things we have to build relationship that give life. Our wisdom in Christ is to use the things that are not eternal to help build the things that are eternal.

 It means the money in the offering plate isn’t just for the light bill; it’s a tool for eternal friendship. This building isn’t just our holy space; it’s a gift to be used for our community. Your time and talent aren’t just for serving your family or being on a committee; they are for serving a person Jesus loves.

 Let’s be shrewd. Let’s be wise. Let’s be as passionate about building God’s kingdom as the world is about building its own. Let’s use all that we have, all that we are, to make friends for eternity. To make relationships that show our love and point to Jesus Christ and make the cross the place where the whole world unites in love of God and of each other in Jesus Christ"

 Call to Action: 

"Lord God, what one resource do we have – time, skill or possession – that I can use this week to creatively show your love to someone in my world? Make us shrewd for your mission and courageous in my manifestations. Amen.”

There was a wonderful spirit—a sense of excitement, holy imagination, and a palpable feeling of God’s presence among us yesterday. We did a quick Christian based meditation and it was clear how in the space of a 3 minute song we were able to transcend what we were doing and in some ways feel God’s peace that is beyond all understanding. We’ve shared ideas, dreamed dreams, and felt that nudge from the Spirit to step out in faith for God’s kingdom. Now we start moving  from the *inspiration* of the conference to the *implementation* of a plan. And into this precise moment—the fragile space  between a holy dreaming and a practical plan—the words of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel today land with a powerful, and perhaps unsettling, clarity.

Today’s passage, as adapted to our mission planning, isn’t meant to scare us. It’s meant to strengthen us. It’s meant to set us on a firm foundation, so that the work we do will not be our work, but His. So that the tower we build will stand. So that the mission we undertake will be fruitful, lasting, and gloriously salty. 

 We are called to be a community of inviters, not exclusives. You can only truly take the lowest seat (Luke 14:10) if you know you are poor in spirit (Matt 5:3). When you understand your acceptance by God is a gift of grace, you stop trying to prove your worthiness to everyone else. You are free to take the low seat.

You can only truly welcome the outcast (Luke 14:13) if you know you were once an outcast. When you know God welcomed you in your brokenness, you lose all condescension. You see the marginalized not as "them," but as "us." We are all beggars who have found the bread of life.

Let our church be a place where no one fights for the spotlight because we're all amazed we're in the light of Christ at all.

A place where the most important people aren't the ones up front, but the ones in the back praying, the ones in the kitchen cleaning, the ones welcoming the newcomer.

A place where the guest list is as wide as the arms of Christ on the cross—open to everyone, especially those who have nothing to offer but their need.

Maybe you've never taken that lowest seat before God. Maybe you've been trying to earn your place. Today, Jesus invites you to rest. To admit your spiritual poverty and receive the rich grace of God. The kingdom of heaven is yours.

Jesus actively works to liberate a woman who has been marginalised. Our mission action plan is our parish way of responding to the the call to liberate people, joining him in helping those that are bent over to stand tall and to removing the shackles that bind us to things that numb our heart, minds and souls to the glorious reality of God’s work and presence in the world around us. 

Our mission can't just be about saving souls with kind word.  It must be about feeding the hungry, advocating for justice, welcoming the outcast. We proclaim freedom in word *and* deed. 

Jesus doesn't call her "that crippled woman." He calls her a "daughter of Abraham." This is a title of honour, covenant, and belonging. He affirms her inherent worth and her place in God's family. Reaching the marginalized isn't about pity from a position of power. It’s about recognizing family. It’s declaring that every person, regardless of their brokenness, is made in God's image and is deeply valued by Him. Jesus died on the cross for all human kind. That’s how Jesus sees creation. What if we had a mindset like Jesus. What if we don't reach out to "the less fortunate.", but instead reach out to our brothers and sisters we haven't met yet and are in need. How does that change the way we think about mission. Does it move your thoughts from seeing people as a project to seeing them as family? And if you see them as family, how does that change the things we do and the way we act as a community that makes room for all.

 Jesus missional success in today’s reading shows how people rejoice when they see God’s redemptive and liberating power, how healing and restoration of people who are seen with dignity and worth leads to immediate praise.  Jesus is still in the synagogue - in our place of worship. He's still looking for the bent-over. He's still asking us, his church, to join his mission of liberation. Pray for God to give you His eyes for the overlooked so you see someone who needs help. Confront and bring to light any hypocrisy that you might have in viewing people as projects that require you to adhere to a rule, or looking down on them in any way. Affirm the identity of others in your minds as the beloved children of God. 

Jesus says when the Holy Spirit comes there will be division as the gospel does come to shake things up. As we face the future we need to look at the gospel and consider how we implement it in our parish, not as a means of pleasing people, but as a means of addressing God's missional success in the world.

We reflected on how we should think about the priorities before us as we move forward.

The rich fool’s story ends in death because he was blinded by greed... but baptism points to RESURRECTION! Like a seed falling to earth (John 12:24), we died to greed our greed and rose to rise bearing eternal fruit. 

 As we rise from these waters of Baptism, we declare our desire to be RICH TOWARD GOD—and that our riches are shared with the world He loves.

Let us be ready to use our daily bread to do the work of Christ on earth as well as take the time to know Jesus in a deeper way. Let us release things that don't serve our relationship with God and allow our hearts to beat in the rhythm of Jesus eternal beating heart.

Father, thank You for supplying all we need to glorify You. Fill us anew with Your Spirit. Make us bold askers, faithful servers, and joyful givers—until Your Kingdom comes in full. Amen. 

Have a listen in to what is happening at the Parish of St Thomas' Moonee Ponds.

We prefer spirituality that ‘slants’ in our favour—affirming our politics, lifestyles, and biases. But God’s standard is fixed: justice, holiness, compassion (Micah 6:8). His plumb line doesn’t bend to culture.

Amaziah responds by rejecting truth that disrupts comfort (vv. 10–13). We see this when he calls Amos a "conspirator" (v. 10)—framing truth as a threat, through his dismissal of Amos and the message"Go back to Judah!" (v. 12)—exiling uncomfortable voices, and deflection "This is the king’s sanctuary!" (v. 13)—hiding behind tradition/power. 

We build ‘sanctuaries’ of selective hearing—churches that with selective hearing. We hear the ideas around blessings, but sometimes miss the point when speak about our role in the world as well as the costs that we will need to bear. We live in circles were where truth is filtered.

In baptism, we renounce Amaziah’s way. We reject compartmentalized faith that says, ‘Don’t bring God into my relationships, finances, or justice.’ We embrace full surrender. Like a builder throwing away a bent ruler, baptism is our declaration: ‘I will measure my life by Christ alone.’ 

Baptism isn’t just a ceremony—it’s enlisting in Amos’s tribe! You’re saying: ‘I’ll stand on God’s Word, even when culture calls me a conspirator. I’ll seek His kingdom, not my sanctuary.’

 Today we celebrate that in Christ, we pass the plumb line test! His righteousness is ours. So, candidates - step into the water with joy. Church - live your baptism with holy courage. The world has enough "pick and choose belief" in the world. In our belief and following of the Lord. let's be resolyte in sharing the truth of the resurrection and gospel!

Imagine being a church that has been dedicated to Christ for 2000 years. Rachel reflected on some of the experiences of being in this church and shared some local knowledge and practices.

Our exhortation today comes from the life of St Thomas. St Thomas crossed large regions and countries, ministering to people of varied cultures and customs. Thomas was comfortable in being uncomfortable when sharing Christ with the world.

This week we are being asked to simply cross the road and meet up with a neighbour. We are being asked to step out of our comfortable Christian circle of friends and say hi to a new person.

Those who seek to minister go through trials. Ministry trades comfort for dependence on God. The kingdom's urgency trumps even sacred social duties. Minister demands total foucs, not nostalgia and divided loyalties.

In essence, Luke 9:51-62 strips away any illusion of ministry as a path to popularity, comfort, security, or social approval. Instead, it paints a picture of a demanding, often thankless, and sacrificial journey characterised by rejection, hardship, prioritising the Kingdom above all else, and unwavering focus. True ministry, as modelled by Jesus and demanded of His followers, is profoundly unglamorous in worldly terms. Its "glory" is found in obedience, faithfulness, and participation in God's redemptive work, not in external trappings of success or ease.

Today's reading from the gospel speaks about us reaching into the fringes of our society. This is the place where demons, anxiety and worry occupy the hearts minds and souls of many people. We looked at what we need to do to be able reach into those spaces as people of God.

We also looked at when we do this how people might think about another metric - the cost of discipleship. We looked at the mindset of cost, and how we need to respect what people are feeling when we evangelise to them. Evenglism is not about deny people their feelings, but reconciling them with another metric - blessings. There are costs to the things we do, but we also need to be open about the blessings that we get!

As people of God, we are called to share the kingdom. Let's share what a blessing it is to be a Christian with the power of heaven behind us!

With all the unrest about immigrants and their place in various locations, it is a timely reminder to pray for those in our community who are displaced, undocumented and do not belong where they are.

In recent years, refugees and assylum seekers have been demonised and labelled as criminals who are breaking the law. A refugee or assylum seeker is not a migrant. A migrant is someone who is actively choosing to be here and have a process they can follow. Refugees and assylum seekers are those who are displaced from where they want to be and we should have empathy for them.

One way for us to gain empathy is to think about the fact that we are spiritual refugees from heaven. We have been displaced from where God created us to be. We are in a form of creation that God did not intend. God intended us to walk with Him and be cared by Him. Yet, we chose to live in a way that showed God we can do things in our own strength and power. We chose to live by our own wisdom instead of Gods and now we find ourselves where we are today - women giving birth in pain, men living by the sweat of their brow and all people being subject to decay, disease and death.

The Holy Spirit remains with us to help us accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit guides and helps us to be bound the body of Christ as we move forward in our mission. 

Refugees of the world usually remain displaced from their country of origin. With the help of the eternal refugee in the Holy Spirit, we will be brought home to be with the father on the that Jesus comes back to bring all of creation back into the Father's glory.

Pentecost commemorates the idea of the law being shared with the right Spirit. It is a day when we think about how the law can bring life to a situation.

What does the Spirit ask you to do that you haven't done yet?

Blessings,

Rev. Rob.

Holy Spirit works against enslavement: like the demoniac, the girl imprisoned by a spirit recognise the saving grace of Jesus and announces their proclamation to the world – annoying Paul; the gaoler wakes up in the midst of the movement of the Spirit on the earth and immediately goes to harm himself thinking of the worst, but saved by Paul from death in the moment and the eternal death of his soul. 

In reconciliation week, today we remember the proceedings brought forward by Eddie Mabo and the Mabo High Court decision to grant native title. Imprisoned in camps and on lands they had no connection to, our aboriginal people were set free to move back to their lands and live the lives that their ancestors had put in place as it overturned the long held doctrine of terra nullius. The Native Title Act that was passed by the Commonwealth government aimed to recognise and protect native title to certain lands. The decision allowed them to be one with us, but their oneness with us still had boundaries and scope that still enslaved them to living in a way that is not their full expression.

Jesus speaks about oneness in his prayer for us. The prayer is for those who were yet to come to know him and that we would be one in him, like he is one in the father. 

Unity is not uniformity. We are not meant to be clones of each other. Jesus speaks about the richness of the unity in diversity of the body of Christ, to do the purpose of the father. Father is different to Son, and Son is different to Spirit in personality and how they act, yet they are unified in purpose. The purpose to redeem all of creation and bring everyone back to the Father. We find our diversity in giftedness. Isaiah 11:2-3, speaks about the gifts of the Spirit by which we will know the Messiah include: Wisdom: Insight into divine truth. Understanding: Grasping the deeper meaning of faith. Counsel (Right Judgment): Discernment to choose rightly. Fortitude (Courage): Strength to endure trials. Knowledge: Awareness of God’s will. Piety (Reverence): Devotion to God and others. Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): Humble reverence for God’s majesty. As I said these are gifts by which we recognise the suffering servant, but as we are one with Jesus and Jesus in one with the father, Jesus’ gifts fall on us. Whilst these do fall on the suffering servant, as we are one in Jesus they fall on us. In 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 Paul lists nine "manifestations of the Spirit" for building up the Church, gifts given for ministry and communal efficacy: Word of Wisdom: Supernatural guidance. Word of Knowledge: Revelation of divine information. Faith: Extraordinary trust in God. Gifts of Healing: Physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration. Working of Miracles: Divine intervention. Prophecy: Speaking God’s message. Discernment of Spirits: Judging spiritual influences. Speaking in Tongues (Glossolalia): Prayer in unknown languages. Interpretation of Tongues: Understanding and translating tongues.

As we remember today, we should also look to remove any obstacles that prevent our indigenous people being one with us, but to help us in our purpose to grow the prosperity of the nation of Australia in their glorious diversity. Our giftedness from the Holy Spirit is unified to achieve the purpose of bringing all people to God. If our purpose as a nation is to get the best outcome for ourselves as a nation, then the gifts that come from our diverse aboriginal community need to be included in our oneness.

Let's find a purpose that we can all get behond and seek to be unified as one in that purpose.

The location for what happened here was thought mythical for a long time until the place was discovers (approx 1890's). Once we had evidence we could speak about the story with far more legitimacy. As we uncover the truth of our indigenous people we find more and more evidence of how well they understood country and how sophisticated they were in the way they interacted with country. Instead of gaining legitimacy, our indigenous people are told how they are making things up and that what they are sharing is fantasy.

The man at the pool has waited 38 years to get healing. He shared his feelings with Jesus about how frustrating it was for him to be denied the healing powers of the water. Acting on the feelings the man shared, he was given a great healing. Our indigenous people share their feelings and put out information like the statement for the heart, and yet we deny them healing and ignore their feelings for our benefit at the expense of theirs - which is not how Jesus would like his disciples to act and is also against the law.

As we start reconciliation week, let's be agents of healing and do one thing to express our legitimate understanding of the sophistication of our first nation people and act on how they feel and what they tell us they need from us.

Let's pray that we be part of the bridge build from here to there!

Blessings,

Rev. Rob.

Loving others as Christ has loved us requires us to have our eyes open to how Christ loves us. As sinners and whose sins would have hurt others, we must recognise that we deserve nothing from our God, yet Jesus gives up his life for us. 

If we recognise that we, as the ones who are undeserving, are given eternal life, then how can we deny sharing the love of Jesus with other. This is what makes us radically different.

Today we reflected on the importance of:

- Intentionally watching what we let come into our hearts, minds and souls.

- Intentionally removing what take us away from Christ or deliberately removing what does not serve our relationship with God.

- That we must do this and whilst we are doing this Jesus will hold us in his hands and care for us, until we are filled with his light and can face the world in the power of the Spirit.

- We must intentionally move into the places where the "world" is and be amongst the churched who are not worshipping with us, and the unchurched who do not know God.

For those of us who call Jesus Lord and Master, Revelation says (Rev 7:14) 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb'  As we have come through great tribulations, let us help others come through their great tribulations and where white robes that have been washed in the blood of the lamb.

The Lord be with you!!

Rev. Rob.