A Bible-based family church in Elizabeth, South Australia

Discover the power of praise in overcoming adversity! This video explores King Jehoshaphat's incredible victory through worship, showing how God's mercy delivered His people without lifting a sword. Learn how to invite divine intervention through praise in your own life! #VictoryThroughPraise #Jehoshaphat #PowerOfPraise #Worship #DivineIntervention #SpiritualBattle #GodsMercy #PraiseAndWorship #FaithInAdversity #BiblicalLessons

How can we truly understand God's will? How do we discern His perfect plan for our lives? These are questions that many Christians wrestle with daily. We delve into these crucial questions and explore what the Bible says about finding and following the will of God.

Key Verses:
Romans 12:2 – "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Acts 9:6 – "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? …"
Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
These verses set the foundation for understanding the profound truth that God has a specific will for each of us, and we are called to seek it out with a willing heart.

What is God's Will?
God's will encompasses His plans and desires for humanity, which can be understood in three parts:

1. The Sovereign Will of God: His ultimate control over all things. As Isaiah 46:10 declares, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." His sovereign will is being fulfilled in history, in creation, and even in our lives – whether we realise it or not. We see this in the life of Joseph, whose suffering at the hands of his brothers was ultimately used by God for good (Genesis 50:20).

Sometimes, God’s will includes suffering, but even then, His purposes are for our ultimate good. As James 1:2-4 encourages, trials test our faith, leading us to greater spiritual maturity. We may not always understand why we experience difficulties, but we can rest in the knowledge that God is working all things for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).

2. The Moral Will of God: this is revealed in His Word - which teaches us how we are to live. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, God's will is for our sanctification, meaning that we should strive for holiness in our lives. God’s moral will includes His commandments and teachings found in His Word. These truths are non-negotiable; they reflect God’s desire for all of us to live in a way that honors Him. Knowing His moral will comes through spending time in the Bible, praying for understanding, and being led by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). Yet, we often struggle with selective obedience, choosing to follow only parts of His Word. However, God calls us to full submission to His revealed will.

3. The Personal Will of God. This is His specific plan for each individual’s life. While His moral will applies to everyone, His personal will is unique to each of us. Paul had a specific calling, for example (Acts 9:15-16). God has a unique purpose for your life.

Discerning God’s personal will can be challenging. Proverbs 3:5-6 - may we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him, allowing Him to direct our paths. We can discern His personal will through:

(1) Prayer: Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer, and His peace will guide us.
(2) Godly Counsel: Proverbs 11:14 emphasises the importance of seeking wise counsel from mature believers.
(3) Circumstances: Sometimes God opens or closes doors to guide us in specific directions (Acts 16:6-10).
(4) Inner Conviction: The Holy Spirit often gives us peace and assurance when we’re following God’s path (John 16:13).

Practical Steps to Finding God’s Will
Surrender: Like Christ in Gethsemane (Luke 22:42), we must surrender our desires and submit to God’s greater plan, trusting that He knows what is best.

Study the Word: God’s will is revealed in Scripture. We must be diligent in studying His Word to understand His desires for our lives.

Pray for Wisdom: James 1:5 tells us to ask for wisdom when we lack it, and God promises to give it generously.

Walk in Obedience: We must live out the commands of Scripture, trusting that as we obey His moral will, His personal will becomes clearer over time.

Finding Peace in God's Plan
Ultimately, the will of God is something that we can discern and walk in by faith. Whether it’s through the sovereign acts of God, the moral teachings of Scripture, or His specific guidance for our lives, we can trust that God is always leading us toward His perfect purpose.

Even in trials and suffering, we have the promise of future glory. Revelation 21:4 assures us, one day God will wipe away all tears, and there will be no more suffering. Until then, we can rest in His leading, knowing that He is always with us.

May you find comfort, guidance, and clarity as you seek to understand and live out the will of God in your life.

Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more messages grounded in Scripture. If this message has touched your heart, share it with a friend, and let’s walk together in the journey of discovering God’s perfect will!

In life's toughest moments, when everything seems to fall apart, what should our response be? This powerful sermon, "Praise Anyway," dives deep into the profound truth that praise isn't just for the good times—it's for the storms, the trials, and the darkest hours. 🌧️✨

🔑 Key Scripture Highlights:

Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Even when there's no harvest, no livestock, and everything seems to be failing, Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in the Lord. This is a lesson in trusting God when life is hard.
Acts 16:25-26 - Paul and Silas, beaten and imprisoned, chose to sing praises to God at midnight. Their praise led to an earthquake that broke their chains and changed the hearts of those around them.
Job 1:20-21 - After losing everything, Job didn't curse God; instead, he fell to the ground and worshipped. His faith teaches us that in loss and suffering, praise remains a powerful act of trust.
🙏 The Power of Praise:
Praise has the power to shift our perspective. When we choose to praise God despite our circumstances, we invite His strength and grace into our lives. Habakkuk 3:19 reminds us that the Lord makes our feet like the feet of a deer, helping us walk on high places—even in difficult times.

💡 Praise as an Act of Faith:
True praise is often a sacrifice (Hebrews 13:15), costing us something when life is hard. But it's in these moments that praise becomes a declaration of faith. We rejoice in who God is, not just for what He does. Philippians 4:4 calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always," not just in the good times but in all times.

🔥 Praise Breaks Chains:
Like Paul and Silas, our worship can bring breakthrough, not only for us but for those around us. In Acts 16, their praise in prison led to a supernatural earthquake that opened every door and set everyone free. Your praise can change the atmosphere.

🌿 Job’s Example:
Even in unbearable suffering, Job teaches us to praise. Stripped of everything—his wealth, children, and health—he still declares, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Praise, even in confusion and pain, is an act of deep trust.

🎶 Praise as a Weapon:
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat led with worship as his army faced overwhelming odds. The people praised God, and He fought their battle. Praise invites God to fight for you. When we lift our voices, declaring His goodness, God steps in and brings victory.

🙌 The Invitation to Praise Anyway:
No matter what you're going through—be it personal loss, health struggles, financial difficulties, or relational breakdown—choose to praise. Praise is not just for the mountaintop experiences; it’s for the valleys, the prisons, and the midnight hours.

Let this sermon inspire you to:

Praise in the storm 🌩️
Rejoice in hardship 😇
Trust God’s goodness, no matter what 💛
Verses for Reflection:

Psalm 34:1 - "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks."
Romans 8:28 - "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him."
No matter where you find yourself today, remember: Praise anyway. 💖

If this message resonated with you, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more sermons and inspiration rooted in God's Word. Let’s spread the power of praise!

Rejoice in the Lord always. #praiseGod #rejoicealways #givethanks

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In this video, we explore the profound and life-changing message of God's grace, inspired by John Bunyan's testimony in his book, "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners." Bunyan, known for "Pilgrim’s Progress," shares his personal story of finding salvation, revealing the depth of God's grace for even the "chief of sinners."

Grace is a foundational concept in the Bible. It's God’s unmerited favour, His love extended toward us. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." This gift of grace is seen throughout Scripture—whether in the Garden of Eden, when God extended mercy to Adam and Eve, or in the lives of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Israelites. Grace was always present, leading to the ultimate expression of God’s love: Jesus Christ and His atonement for sinners.

Bunyan's testimony is a powerful reminder that salvation is a gift of grace, not something we can earn. He writes, “my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself.” This realisation transformed his life, and it’s a truth that holds for all believers. Grace isn’t just about salvation; it sustains us daily. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God’s grace is active in our lives, shaping how we live, speak, and treat others.

In the video, we also discuss the practical outworking of grace in our lives:

1. Grace in Our Speech: Our words should reflect the grace we've received. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be alway with grace." Our words have the power to build up, encourage, and speak life into others.

2. Grace in Our Actions: Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to be kind and forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Grace should flow through our actions, impacting how we treat others, even those who may wrong us.

3. Grace in Our Attitudes: Grace changes the way we think. Philippians 2:3 teaches us to be humble and consider others above ourselves. Pride hinders grace, but humility opens the door to God’s transformative work in our hearts.

4. Grace as Sustaining Power: God’s grace not only saves but also sustains us through every trial. Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Whether in moments of weakness or difficulty, God’s grace gives us strength to endure and grow.

Grace is not just an abstract concept but an active force that shapes every aspect of the Christian life. From how we speak to others to how we respond in difficult situations, God’s grace empowers us to live a life that reflects His love and mercy. It's a call to be gracious in every area of life: in our speech, our relationships, and our actions.

This video encourages you to reflect on the grace you’ve received and how you can extend that grace to others. Just as Bunyan found rest in Christ’s righteousness, we too are called to walk in the grace that saves and sustains us. It’s by grace that we can live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12).

As we grow in grace, we become instruments of God’s love and mercy, reflecting Christ to the world. Let’s commit to being gracious in our words, attitudes, and actions, knowing that by God’s grace, we are saved and sustained.

2 Peter 3:18 exhorts us to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Grace is abounding, and it is available for all—no matter how far you may feel from God. His grace is sufficient, and it never runs out.

Join us as we delve into the beauty of God’s grace, its transforming power, and how we can grow in it every day. Whether you are new to the faith or have walked with God for years, this message of grace is for you. Let’s walk in His grace together.

Watch now and experience the abounding grace of God in your life!

#GraceAbounding #GodsGrace #JohnBunyan #ChristianMessage #Salvation #ChristianFaith #GraceInAction #BiblicalTeaching #Ephesians2 #PilgrimsProgress #Faith

Introduction

There are famous letters in history that have changed the world. Winston Churchill’s secretary Eliot Crawshay-Williams wrote to him, that Britain should use its “nuisance value while we have one to get the best peace terms possible. Otherwise, after losing many lives and much money, we shall merely find ourselves in the position of France — or worse. I hope this doesn’t sound defeatist; I’m not that. Only realist.” Churchill replied with - I am ashamed of you for writing such a letter. I return it to you — to burn and forget.

Amongst all the letters though in this world, the letters of Paul are incomparable as far as their effect on the world.

A Few Introductory Notes

The Genre of this book.
We are studying an Epistle, a particular genre in Biblical Literature. In the New Testament, we have several Epistles. Paul has written several (from Romans to Thessalonians), The Pastoral Epistles (Timothy, Titus and Philemon) and there are the General Epistles (1 and II Peter, James, I,II and III John)

The Structure of the Epistle will be something like this:
Greetings / Salutations
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Body of the Letter
Exhortations and Instructions
Conclusion and final greetings/ benediction

The Theme of this book
Why is Paul writing this letter? To combat those who are troubling the Colossian Congregation. See for example: Col 2:4, Col 2:8, Col 2:16 -18.

But how does Paul combat this? He positively affirms the truth of the gospel. He has to teach the correct doctrine. He has to teach the right faith, the true faith.

The Structure of this book
Doctrinal indicatives (Chapters 1 and 2) (What you need to know and believe).
Practical Imperatives (Chapter 3 and 4) (What you need to do and practice).
Both are important!


Preaching Outline (Verses 1 - 14)
A Christian Greeting V. 1- 2
A Copious Thanksgiving V. 1 -8
A Complete Prayer V. 8 -14
A Christian Greeting V. 1- 2

Verses 1 -2 = Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Heavenly Authority
Paul the Apostle - not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Apostle = sent out ones. Special office in the establishment of the Church by which they are called by Christ to speak with authority on his behalf. See Eph 2:20.

Paul here is writing not as a friend but as an official delegate from God, and consequently, the outcome of his letter which we are reading know speaks forth authority from God as well.

NOTE: There are no more apostles today, the foundation has been built. We have the word of God which most of the Apostles or people under their watch has written all the authoritative word of God for us.

A Heavenly Family
Notice the familial love. Timothy, our brother. And Paul called them brethren. Notice the commendation. Saints and Faithful.

Notice the location. They are physically located in Colossae, but they are spiritually found in Christ.

A Heavenly Salutation
Greetings of grace. What is grace? Grace is that which we don’t deserve. Grace is that which is given to us even though we are unworthy of it. 1 Peter 5:10 = God is the God of all grace!

Greetings of peace. We are not talking merely here peace of mind, or inner peace. We have rested now in Christ. We have peace in Christ. We are no longer at war with him. See Col 1:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:18.

Greetings from God. God our Father - God of Abraham is God the Father of the Colossian church as well! The greetings is from the Lord of Heaven and Earth, whose name is Jesus - Matthew 1:21 He shall save his people, who is the Anointed one from God, the long awaited Lord of the Jews but has now proclaimed the gospel to gentile even to them in Colossae. What a greeting!

Explore the profound biblical narrative of faith versus disbelief with the compelling story of Caleb and Joshua. Discover how their unwavering faith contrasts with the fears of ten spies, igniting a powerful message about determination and the promises of God. Join us on this transformative journey! #FaithVsFear #CalebAndJoshua #BiblicalNarrative #PowerOfFaith #Determination #OvercomingObstacles #GodsPromise #SpiritualJourney #Inspiration #ReligiousTeachings

Join us on a powerful journey of faith as we confront life's giants and embrace the trials that test our beliefs. Discover Caleb's inspiring story of perseverance through adversity and learn how to trust in God's unwavering strength to emerge victorious. #FaithJourney #OvercomingChallenges #GodsStrength #CalebsStory #Perseverance #ChristianInspiration #TestingOfFaith #VictoryInChrist #SpiritualGrowth #LifeGiants