NOVO 2023: Where we are
The last of four messages on NOVO 2023, based on the theme, ‘The Bigger Picture.’ We tackle the question of where we are as God’s people in the world.
NOVO 2023: Why we are
The third of four messages on NOVO 2023, based on the theme, ‘The Bigger Picture.’ We tackle the question of why we are placed in the world.
NOVO 2023: Who we are
The second of four messages on NOVO 2023, based on the theme, ‘The Bigger Picture.’ We tackle the question of who we are as God’s children.
NOVO 2023: What we are
The first of four messages on NOVO 2023, based on the theme, ‘The Bigger Picture.’ We tackle the question of what we are as human beings.
Fear, forgiveness, and faith
The disciples were first forgiven their own sin before they were equipped and sent out to forgive. May our risen Lord do the same with us.
Radically weird
Once Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene that morning, the story didn’t suddenly make complete sense. It was still radically weird. But, in standing risen before her and speaking her name, Jesus caused Mary to believe.
Salvation in the silence
By his silence, God announces the salvation of the world. The action of his beloved Son on the cross does the talking.
When it all starts to make sense
There are three distinct groups of people present on Palm Sunday that are all in progress: the crowds, the world, and the disciples. All are aware of Jesus’ arrival, but none of them really “get it”.
Good grief
Martha has been grieving the death of her brother for the last four days by the time Jesus finally arrives. It’s not hard for us to identify with her grief, since we grieve in many ways as human beings.
True worship
This is quite a long conversation that covers a range of topics, so we can’t cover everything here. The key question for us here is, “What is true worship?”
Born again
Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus is one of several in-depth conversations recorded in John’s gospel, and it is a very important one.
Transfiguration as transition
Since Christmas time, we have been focussing on who Jesus really is as God reveals him during the season of Epiphany. We are about to begin the season of Lent. The transfiguration is the transition point between Epiphany and Lent in more ways than one.
Unhealthy rivalry (1 Co. 1:10–18)
As people of the cross through our baptism, we trust in the power of the cross. We look to it above all else, we hope in it more than anything we can do, and we remain unified under it.
Come and see (Jn. 1:29–42)
We start every calendar year with the short season of Epiphany. Having remembered his arrival into this world at Christmas time, we take some time to recognise exactly who this Jesus really is.
The true joy of Christmas (Is. 62:6–12)
The arrival of the Son of God as a human being, and what he would ultimately do for us, is the only true source of lasting joy at Christmas.
New star, old star
Can Christmas be new? Whether you’re an old star or a new star, Jesus makes it new again tonight.
A grand vision (Is. 11:1–10)
As we continue to prepare for Jesus’ birth at Christmas, we hear this vision of who Jesus is, what he will do, and what his kingdom is like.
Gather, grow, go (Is. 2:1–5)
This Advent season, we are going to journey through Isaiah. In the New Testament, no prophet is quoted more than Isaiah. Today, we hear of a vision that Isaiah saw.
Light in darkness (Lk. 1:67–79)
Before we join the narrative of Jesus’ birth and everything that happened around it, we remember who it is that is coming to us. We remember the King that Jesus is and what his reign means. We take a moment to try to understand the weight of this King’s arrival and why we make such a big deal of Christmas.
Blessings and woes (Lk. 6:20-31)
It seems as though Jesus is quite aware of the ups and downs of this life. In a way, he might even be taking some responsibility for it. Today, he addresses life’s blessings, woes, and the love we experience through it all. These all come from God, and they are all good for us.