Letters
Ephesians Overview
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Complete In Christ audio
I wonder how good your theology is. How well thought out are you? Have you worked out the answers to those difficult questions about God that arise from time to time? Or are you like me and still thinking some things through? Of course those who are well educated theologically have probably answered more questions than others but even then there’ll be ideas and concepts that they still wonder about. I remember reading something that Leon Morris once said. He was principal of Ridley College in the 60s and 70s and a world renowned expert on John’s Gospel. He once commented that the more he read of John’s gospel the more he discovered. It was like a gold
mine where the deeper you dug, the more treasure you unearthed.
I mention all of this because we’re about to embark on a study of Ephesians over the next 3 months and the theme of the series is Complete in Christ. And it’s that phrase “in Christ” that caught my attention. So I thought we’d spend some time today thinking about that.
Titus 3:1-15
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- Written by: George Hemmings
Good To Go audio (3MB)
The wait is over. Not the wait for the building to be finished. There’s still 61 sleeps to go for that. No, I’m talking about something else that some of us here have been waiting anxiously for. On Thursday the first round of university offers came out. Across the state students and their families have discovered if they’re good to go. Good to go to the university they wanted, good to go for the course they’d hoped to get into. I’m sure many here can remember that nervous wait, wondering if we, or our children, were good to go.
Titus 2:1-15
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- Written by: George Hemmings
Good Relations audio (3MB)
If someone asked how they could be good, what would you say? What does it take to be good? What do you need to do?
Last week, we saw that the foundation of being good is being pointed in the right direction. It comes from having leaders who are good models for us. Leaders who have a firm grasp on the word of God. Good leaders who faithfully ‘Teach the Bible’. It’s not just leaders, we all need a solid grasp on the Bible if we’re to be good. In the pew sheets are the Bible reading plans that I mentioned last week. I’ve been told that Jack Giles is the man to see if you want to get your hands on the Daily Bread reading plans. And here’s the chart that I said I’d be using, but had left at home. Being good starts with being pointed in the right direction, by leaders, by God’s word.
Titus 1:1-16
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- Written by: George Hemmings
Good Directions audio (2.6MB)
There are two words that Micah loves to hear. Two words make his day. These two words are, ‘Good boy.’ They’re words that we all love aren’t they. We want someone say that we’re a ‘good person’, a ‘good man’ or a ‘good woman’. We love to be told, ‘Good job’ or ‘good work.’ We all have a desire to be good, to do good.
Phil 4:1-9
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- Written by: Chris Appleby
Rejoice in the Lord audio (4MB)
You’ve probably noticed that there’s been a resurgence lately of vocal opponents to belief in God. And it’s especially obvious in Melbourne where the new atheists seem to think it’s a great place to hold their annual international convention. Do you think that means it’s becoming harder to be a Christian in our world? Is this rise of atheism something we should be worried about? Well, you’d have to say it’s not anything new. In this letter to the Philippians Paul has just finished warning that there are many in the world who live as enemies of the cross of Christ. And that’s not only in the world outside the church. There are plenty inside the church. So he says: “Therefore stand firm in the Lord.” Don’t give way to the forces that oppose you. Remain steady in your love and devotion to Christ.
Well today I want us to think briefly about what that means in practice? How are we to do this?
