Last Sunday we began a new preaching series thinking about...the Bible! What kind of text are we holding when we pick up a Bible? Is it true? Is it clear? Is it good? We looked at Psalm 119 and how we should *feel* about God's word.
OTHER RESOURCES:
1. The 50 point sermon Andrew mentioned www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVPxRDe5Ni0
2. Bek mentioned this helpful article on Happiness vs. Holiness www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/happiness-holiness/
3. Bek also mentioned her Instagram as_the_adhdeer, "A late diagnosed Christian with ADHD and a life long struggle to have a quiet time with a busy brain." www.instagram.com/as_the_adhdeer
We wrap up our Colossians questions with your questions about child-parent and slave-master relationships. We also talk about the appointment of new Archbishop of Canterbury and the statement from the diocese of Sydney.
OTHER RESOURCES
1. The public statement on the Archbishop of Canterbury from the Archbishop of Sydney: https://sydneyanglicans.net/mediareleases/public-statement-on-the-archbishop-of-canterbury-appointment
2. What is "Authentic Anglicanism"? This article is an abridged version of a fuller report tackling that very question in light of division in the modern Anglican church: https://sydneyanglicans.net/news/authentic-anglicanism/54815
It's been a few weeks since we heard the instructions to households in Colossians 3:18-4:1 preached on. We took our usual school term break and it's time to tackle all of your questions about these lines:Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.Naturally, the instruction for wives has generated the most questions. We've wrestled hard to provide helpful answers.
OTHER RESOURCES1. Bek mentions this helpful and short article by Jen Wilkin on discipling kids:
https://www.jenwilkin.net/blog/2014/10/when-dad-doesnt-disciple-kids.html2. Andrew quotes from Christopher Ash's "Married for God" https://tinyurl.com/8sz6a7p2
Sadly our preacher James couldn't join us this week, so Bek and Andrew tackle your questions from Colossians 3:1-17. We look at some spicy topics, like how should we:
- think about "earthly things": God's good gifts or potential idols?
- balance kindness, gentleness and compassion alongside the table-flipping dust-off-sandal examples from Jesus?
- choose songs to sing in church (should we sing music by Bethel or Hillsong)?
- respond when people ask us about Charlie Kirk?
It's a big episode this week, as we cover two sermons worth of questions based on Colossians 2:6-23. James, Bek and Andrew take on your questions on renewing fleeting faith, disagreeing on secondary issues, our relationship to the Old Testament Law, the Holy Spirit in Anglican worship, and more!
RESOURCES:
1. Sean McDowell and John Marriott's book "Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith" (https://tinyurl.com/43n7tbz8)
2. "Before You Lose Your Faith" (https://tinyurl.com/2wynd4xz)
3. With All Due Respect podcast ("Less aggro, more conversation. Is it even possible to have a deep discussion without it descending into chaos? Michael Jensen and Megan Powell du Toit think yes, and want to show the rest of us how to do it." (https://undeceptions.com/wadr/)
4. Brian Rosner's "Paul and the Law: Keeping the Commandments of God" (https://tinyurl.com/4e96bk77)
This week we focus on suffering--how rejoicing in suffering is different for different types of suffering, and what it means for Paul to "present mature" the people in the churches he writes to. Nathan, Bek and Andrew take us through your questions on Colossians 1:24-2:5.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
1. Don Carson's Book on the theology of Suffering:How Long O Lord
2. Two Sermons on Suffering by Tim Keller:
If God is Good, why is there so much Evil in the World?
3. David Murray's book: Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture
4. Ed Welch's book: Side By Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love
In Episode 116, we're diving into Colossians 1:21-23 and tackling your big questions! How does the phrase "if you remain" fit with assurance, and how do you know if you're genuinely saved? Plus, have you ever felt alienated from church? How do we think about church and divorcees seeking to belong? We discuss the God who says he is close to the brokenhearted. You asked, we answered!
On Sunday we "right-sized" our vision of Jesus by dwelling on the spectacular description of the Son in Colossians 1:15-20. Today Bek and Andrew consider your questions on heaven, the Son's role in creation, and how we should encourage people who think going to church is unimportant.
Paul models a powerful prayer in Colossians 1:9-14. You asked about how God hears us, how we know God's will in our lives, which member of the trinity we pray to, and the tradition of praying to saints.
Resources Mentioned:
1. A recent Kellyville Anglican sermon on Guidance and Decision Making: [LINK: https://www.youtube.com/live/3Fvph2YjrpY?si=iNr4GT0aU_O7-lDc&t=1605]
2. "Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will" [LINK: https://reformers.com.au/products/9780802411594-just-do-something-a-liberating-approach-to-finding-gods-will-deyoung-kevin?srsltid=AfmBOoryTGX5vOkHh4Lkea2bcBHKSh5Bv6VI6nLdRbESnkeKIJZRYuCW]
3. "Guidance and the Voice of God" [LINK: https://reformers.com.au/products/9781925424546-guidance-and-the-voice-of-god-second-edition-gods-living-word-will-show-you-where-to-go-jensen-phillip-payne-tony?srsltid=AfmBOorQLhY3DaefjAlEmcRlL3Y6BVhtHbNPqDB4A6c2w3el27JM-3ZZ]
James "Mugg Train" Muggeridge is back this week to answer your questions on Colossians 1:1-8 with Andrew and Bek. Why are the stats on church attendance for Christian baby boomers vs gen-y so different? Is it okay to work in a Catholic school if you're an Anglican? Are you really saved if you're not "bearing fruit"? And what would Paul say today to our church?
It's time for another post-school holiday bumper episode! This week we're answering all of your questions from the last two sermons in our Jeremiah series.
How do we speak to friends who think the Bible is silly? Do I have to be a book person to be a good Christian? If God punished Judah, could God take away our salvation? Is there a role for the nation of Israel in God's future plans?
It's a big episode...because you asked some big questions!
How does God heal today? What is the "heart" where God writes his law? Can there be salvation for someone stuck in addictive sins? In this episode Bek and Andrew go a little deeper on a handful of questions that you asked about Jeremiah 30-33.
How does God judge Babylon's king for attacking Judah while also using the king as his instrument and servant? How should we think about God's divine justice and what's happening in the middle east today? How does grace under the new covenant fit into all this?
You asked a huge range of questions about Jeremiah 25 this week, and we've managed to tackle them all in under an hour! So strap in for some heavy questions about a confronting part of God's word.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
1. Andrew mentions an article by Stephen McAlpine about how we should be neither under nor over concerned with political elections. It was actually a podcast episode that he was thinking of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvBMlPavvg
2. Bek mentioned this book by Kevin DeYoung: https://reformers.com.au/products/9781433541353-hole-in-our-holiness-the-filling-the-gap-between-gospel-passion-and-the-pursuit-of-godliness-deyoung-kevin
Is it God's will for Christians to suffer? How do we handle life's lowest moments? Why does God tell Jeremiah to not pray for people? Why do so many church leader's burnout?
Just a few of the questions you asked that Nathan and Andrew cover this week off the back of Jeremiah 20 last Sunday.
We mention this helpful talk on anxiety by Paul Grimmond:What the Bible Says About Anxiety - Paul Grimmond
What does being sorry look like? How should we lament as a church? Should we not pray for people? Are some people closer to God than others? Does God judge in the here and now?
This week Bek and Rusdyan go through some of our questions from Jeremiah 7-15
Songs in Hard Places: https://open.spotify.com/album/5npc6GQUldDBMA0SE4xzC2?si=H0V1Kk5KQdOgHi7a-L_zZA
Who was Jeremiah? Should we abstain from social media? How do I trust myself in decision making if my heart is deceitful? All questions that Bek, Nath, and Andrew tackle this week!
In Matthew 19 and 20 Jesus continues to deliver confronting teaching that astonishes his hearers.
Today Andrew, Rusdyan and James answer your questions from Sunday.
LINKS
You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Young Pastors - An excellent podcast with grace-filled encouragements; not just for pastors!
You're Not Crazy (The Book) - The podcast repackaged for churches to promote a culture of grace.
"Not everyone can accept this word." Jesus knew it. His hearers knew it. The teaching of Matthew 19 is a hard word on a hard topic.
Divorce is a very painful subject. This week we tackle your questions about Matthew 19:1-12.
RESOURCES
Don’t Take It from Me: Reasons You Should Not Marry an Unbeliever by Kathy Keller
Domestic and family violence | 1800RESPECT
Coercive control and the law | NSW Government
Seek Help Through Domestic Violence Support (Renew) | Anglicare Sydney | Anglicare
In Matthew 18 Jesus teaches on how we should engage with people who have sinned against us, and how we should forgive people. Two massive topics!
We mention plenty of resources in this one, including:
1. "Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?" — Tim Keller
2. "Can We Forgive When the Offender Doesn’t Repent?" — Mike Wittmer (An excellent article untangling the difference between "internal" and "outward" forgiveness, along with "payment" and "pardon." Make sure you read to the end for a super helpful illustration!)
3. Diocesan Policy for Dealing with Allegations of Unacceptable Behaviour
5. Domestic and Family Abuse Resources — Safe Minsitry (Includes lots of helpful resources, including a guide for what action to take when a person discloses domestic abuse.)
6. Are justice and forgiveness mutually exclusive? — Rachael Denhollander at USC
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.
This week Nathan, Bek and Andrew tackle your questions from the first part of Matthew 18. We're discussing God being "humble", who exactly the "little ones" Jesus refers to are, and what's going on with the coin in the fish miracle!?
