5 Responses

1. Andrew Cork

   May 31, 2007 at 01:12

   1

   I found Simon’s message personally challenging, encouraging and very down to earth and practical.

   I know I keep going on about this but I really feel that as a church we need to spend more time on working through what our Christianity looks like as a community. Often life application is treated as an after-thought to biblical exposition, but surely the whole reason God has spoken is to build a transformed kingdom for His glory. Such a kingdom needs to live his way and therefore life application should be the CENTRAL element of all biblical teaching. Such teaching is ideally specific, honest and practical.

   I would be interested in hearing people’s thoughts on this.

   Additionally I always find it interesting that while Christian’s advocate for an integrated view of sexuality, which sees sex as a good and normal part of life, they often expect some sort of ‘zing’ ‘w00t’ or ‘woo-woo’ reaction when we talk about sexual issues.

   I personally would like to hearing more ‘w00t’ at church, but for all teachings, not just ones on sex. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say-no-more).

   Rant over.

2. Brad Konemann

   May 31, 2007 at 03:41

   2

   SWAC appears to fully realise the fact that God’s future glory and the revelation of his word are centred on community; afterall, doesn’t the statement up on the wall say ‘hope, purpose, community in Christ’?

   I do feel that there has been a lack of vision for community at FNC in the past and I wonder if we are a people who are (together) truly reflecting the majesty of God’s kingdom to each other and to our local area in the Blue Mountains.

   I think that we need to have a greater vision for community. God can and will do great things through his people and we ought to be excited about being a part of it.

   I also think that saying statements like that can often be extremely vague and we ought also to get our act together and be the community that we read about in the Bible and so often pray that God would make us into. We need to continue meeting together, we need to love the poor, we need to seek the lost, we need to be urgent in prayer…

   But if our hearts are willing then God’s Spirit will take us and shape us to be that community that brings honour and glory and praise to Jesus alone.

3. Neil A

   May 31, 2007 at 07:48

   3

   Good thoughts guys.
   I’m really with you 100% on this, and would love to talk more with you about how you think we could more actively work towards being the kind of community you speak of.
   I’m still very much the new kid on the block, and I value hearing you ‘old hands’ speak about this…
   And I fully expect to hear a few ‘w00t’s from your direction on Sunday Corky! ;-)

4. Sam Atwood

   June 4, 2007 at 07:20

   4

   Great stuff to hear guys!
   Maybe now is a good chance to spur people on to thinking about this, in light of last Sunday’s sermon on the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. If we, individually and as a church, counts ourselves as members of Christ’s body, and citizens of the Kingdom of God, not only should we be longing for the restoration promised (remembering Revelation), but waking ourselves up to the reality that we are called!
   To be salt and light is to be DISTINCTIVE. If we really are a church claiming to be citizens of the Kingdom, a ‘Community in Christ’ as Brad pointed out, how salty are we in truth?

   All very well to pose these questions, to instigate action is another thing. I like your suggestions Brad – thinking about where the rubber hits the road, but certainly I think prayer (and prayer together as a church) is key and vital.

   “Do not be like them...Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you“. Amen!

5. Annelise

   June 11, 2007 at 11:28

   5

   I really enjoyed Simon’s talk, though it was more than a bit…hard(for lack of a better word)
   talks on Sex and relationships are so important.
   I mean, alot of topics on relationships can be so easy to say and expect that that should be the finality, when in reality, its hard, really hard just to push all the pressing situations out of your mind.
   i don’t think i’m being particularly clear, but i’m trying…
   i guess what i’m getting at is that I personally think that Simon was right in saying that this topic is one that is so frequently procrastinated, put off because it is awkward, when in reality it really is such a real problem, i guess for that reason along with a couple of others, i’m really anticipating Neil’s upcoming Maters of the Heart Series.
   Can’t Wait!
   -A