Tag Archives: Activate Church

Xpose Preaching Conference

Posted on
Reply

I recently attended the Xpose Preaching Conference hosted by Stu White and Murray Campbell aimed at raising up effective expository preachers across Melbourne. It was a fantastic conference and sadly, there aren’t enough of them around.

The theme was “Preaching to be heard” and the key special guest was Ed Stetzer from the USA who is a missiologist and President of LifeWay Research. Mikey Lynch from University Fellowship of Christians (University of Tasmania) also shared on Preaching Knowing Nothing.

Ed challenged us on engaging culture by embracing biblical preaching, Christ-centered preaching and contextual preaching. He exhorted us to commit to biblical authority and cultural engagement. I was reminded that I must contend for the faith but also contextualize my faith in the culture I live in.

Expository preaching, as a term, isn’t found in the bible but because the bible is what it is, we expound it to let the text speak for itself and not force the text to fit in with our pre-conceived ideas. A lot of contemporary preaching has become platform therapy or topical opinions, rather than simply letting the text speak for itself. At Activate Church, we are committed to expository preaching. This looks like preaching through books of the bible 75% of the year and preaching thematically or doctrinally 25% of the year. The goal is to let God speak for himself and remove the barriers to people hearing God in a clear and compelling way.

In a culture where the authority of the bible is under-minded, sometimes, even in the pulpit, conferences like this are too important to dismiss. If you are remotely interested in preaching or you are a pastor preaching week in and week out plan to attend Xpose Preaching in 2013. You will benefit greatly for doing so.

Grace!

Weekly Wrap Up!

Posted on
1

book of the week

Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Ps Tullian Tchividjian is a fantastic book centered on the sufficiency of God’s grace in every aspect of life. For a performance oriented person like me, I found the writers biblical reflections liberating and overwhelming. Here’s a great quote from pg36, “Let me urge you to get unusually quiet and to simply ask yourself: Where exactly am I experiencing agitation, impatience, unease and anxiety? Whatever indications of restlessness you did discover, at whatever level, I believe the reason for its being there is this: we’re trying to find our rest in something smaller than Jesus.”

quote of the week

“Expecting life to be fair because you’re a good person is like expecting a bull not to charge you because you’re a vegan.” (Twitter via @BradBennett)

news of the week

Elephant Room Round 2 took place Thursday January 25 hosted by Ps James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel. This is a must see event as it gathers high profile leaders across the Body of Christ from opposite ends of the spectrum and throws them into the theological and ministerial octagon and the fireworks begin. For more info check out www.theelephantroom.com

moment of the week

Vision Night at Activate Church was the best we had in light years. Nearly 150 people turned up and the night had everything, inspiration, fun, food, humour, energy, momentum, Jesus, honour and of course… vision.

Grace!

I’m not who I used to be…

Posted on
Reply

2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come.”

I have been a Christian for nearly 30 years. At 4 years of age I can remember confessing my sin and believing in Jesus Christ, as I was led to God through the influence of my parents and other older believers. I’m so grateful to God for his sovereign grace at work in my life and it has been an amazing adventure of discovery and growth, albeit painful at times.

Truth is, I cannot believe how far God has brought me in my own spiritual journey. Even as a Christian and pastor, just a few years ago, there were things I wrestled with in my heart, which manifested in my marriage and relationships with others. Now by God’s grace those same struggles are no longer on the dashboard of my life. Granted, there are other challenges that I must run to the Gospel with but God’s empowering grace has rescued me already. I think this is how it should be, if we are working out what God has already worked into our hearts. It does seem, though, that the closer you get to God, the more aware of our sinfulness we become. 

Sanctification is a key theological term which describes the process of a believer becoming more and more like Jesus. Regeneration is the initial act that gives birth to our spirit and begins the sanctification process, whereby the indwelling Holy Spirit transforms us to reflect the character of Christ. This is both a joyful privilege and painful process.

When Jesus saves us, he transforms what we find joy in. Our flesh finds joy in self but our regenerated spirit finds joy in Christ and others. Our flesh finds joy in lust but our regenerated spirit finds joy in purity. Our flesh finds joy in revenge but our regenerated spirit finds joy in forgiveness.

The cross where Jesus died to atone for our sin, is the place of the great exchange – our sin for God’s righteousness. The process of sanctification is the process of dying to self and coming alive to Christ. It’s the process of finding joy in a cross -centered life, rather than finding joy in a self-serving life.

As a Christ-follower, you should be changing. You cannot taste of the eternal gift and not be changed by it. Jesus does something in you by the work of the Holy Spirit and you too will wake up one day and say, “I’m not who I used to be…”

Grace!

How Jesus responded to Fame!

Posted on
1

Matthew 14:1 “At that time Herod the tetrarch about the fame of Jesus…” Matthew 12:15-16 “Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known.”

In my devotions this morning I came across these two passages of Scripture and was fascinated by the fact that while Jesus had obvious fame and notoriety in his generation (and still has today) because of his preaching and miracles, he went to great lengths to keep it all under wraps.

Throughout the gospels we read that Jesus was constantly asking his disciples or those to whom he was ministering to not to tell anyone about his ministry, and yet it seemed like Jesus ministry just kept getting bigger. He even had family members telling him to go to Jerusalem and do his works out in the open and not in obscure places, if he wanted to be known… How wrong they were about Jesus motives…

Even though Jesus had many people following his ministry and his name even being heard amongst the elite of the day (King Herod), I’m fascinated that he did all he could to keep a low profile, to enable him to go about the Father’s business in the times and seasons alloted to him.

Jesus lived his life on purpose and if twitter and Facebook had been around, I’m sure he would have avoided boasting of the last great miracle he performed (“Just opened another blind man’s eyes… I had to give him another round of prayer cause his eyesight was still blurry after the first one…” In 70 characters or less).

Jesus responded to the opportunities before him according to his mission from his Father. If being given a platform to more people would extend the mission of the Father, then Jesus would use it accordingly but I don’t read him seeking fame. In fact, he did the opposite, he avoided it.

How Jesus’ example challenges us today? I wish I could say, that all of my motives for social media and ministry have been pure but unfortunately, lurking deep within have been some very prideful and selfish agenda’s. I’ve since repented of them, however, Jesus’ example forces us to re-examine the goals we are aiming for in our lives and what we are seeking after as being worthy of our joy and contentment.

If God’s grace extends to you fame and notoriety, this much I know, it isn’t for you, cause you were never built to handle it. It could only be for the glory of Jesus and the extension of his mission on planet earth. If fame and notoriety doesn’t come your way, rejoice that your name is written down in the book of life and get on with the mission God’s put before you.

Grace!

Transformation is a Journey, not a Destination!

Posted on
5

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (of Christ) from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

We have become very good at approaching life in linear form and with fixed points in mind but God has designed life as a journey, not a destination. From God’s perspective, the quickest way forward from where we are now, to where he wants us to be isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes it’s full of twists and turns.

Never more is this true than in spiritual transformation. The journey of our transformation can be rough. We are challenged, lovingly confronted, tested, exhorted, encouraged, edified and comforted. Everything is about movement and momentum. Before we can become constantly victorious, we have to become the biggest loser. We have to learn to lay aside weight and encumbrance. We must say ‘no’ to what would entangle us and learn to run with endurance the race that has been chosen for us (Hebrews 12:1).

In all of His dealings with us, the Holy Spirit has to overcome the flesh and establish Christ. We are babies, children and rebellious teenagers before we become fully mature in Christ. There are many memories, hurts, wounds and betrayals that require new health and wholeness. There are sin habits, personality problems, fears, doubts and unbelief to overcome. A spiritual mindset that is not rooted in logic, rationale or reason must be established. The supernatural over the natural lifestyle must be developed or high levels of trust, faith and power are simply not possible.

So here’s a couple of questions to consider today: What part of your life is under conviction from the Holy Spirit at this time? And what Scriptures is He using to support the change He wishes to introduce? If you don’t have any, search the Scriptures and ask God to reveal to you some personal promises and prophecies that will be released to you to help you embrace change joyfully.

Insight!