Discovery Church Podcast

Key Scriptures: Acts 1:12-14 Acts 2:1-13 Acts 2:14-41 What is Pentecost? Pentekoste (Greek) – meaning 50 5o days after Easter An agricultural festival – wheat harvest the birthday of the Christian Church and the start of the mission of the Church to the world marked by the sending of the Spirit

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Who is a person who has had a significant impact your life? Whose ripples you are living in the wake of? Scripture is full of stories of people who encounter God and are changed and transformed because of that encounter. But it never stops there…. an encounter with God is never an isolated event…it always has a ripple effect.

The life of a follower of Jesus depends upon the power and presence of the Holy Spirit - but how? How does God empower us, and how does the Bible say we are changed in the process of following Him?

How fun is pottery? Forming something from a lump of clay and making something with a purpose. But this object only has purpose when it is filled. How are we being filled? And are the ways we are filling ourselves serving us well? Richard Rohr said’ Unless we are led to the limits of our present game plan… we will not search or find the real source.’ The refilling of the Spirit, ‘the real source’, is an action of surrender of our will, hearts and world to Him, so that we are equipped to preach the good news of the kingdom.

WHO is the Holy Spirit? WHAT is he like and WHAT does He do? We worship a triune God – a God who is 3 in 1 (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) Each equally and fully God, but with a different expression of God and his nature towards us. We are designed for relationship with each person of the Godhead – with every part of who God is. When part of that is missing or lacking in some way we miss out on the fullness and the depth of that relationship.

How do we hold the tension between Friday and Sunday? Between death and life? How do we hold hope for better days for for healing, while also accepting that we’re not all healed now? How do we now live in God’s new world?

The majority of adults believe in a literal resurrection. But very few understand what that means for their life. We can mentally assent to the resurrection - yes, it happened. But the big question is - so what? Today, we will study together why the resurrection of Jesus matters. And we will walk through the seven points Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15, to see what difference the resurrection can make in our world, what it means for us, and what we need to do next.

All-powerful - All-knowing - All-present - And yet here, God seems like none of those things. Indeed, we have been influenced by Greek philosophy which has led us to accept the doctrine of impassibility - that God is separate from humankind and therefore doe not and cannot experience pain. He is literally incapable of suffering. But he came to earth as a man, to suffer for us.

The way we see Jesus for who he really is, is when we see ourselves for who we really are.

If we look at the biblical story of where God lives – what we discover is that God has lived in a few different places over the course of history. But God’s heart and intention from the beginning was always to dwell with his people… So, Garden, tabernacle, Temple 1 & 2, The Word became flesh

Acts 16:25-34 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer[a] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. Taking your life or giving it to Christ

In this conversation we explore what it looks like to belong with others, and create belonging for others.

When has been a time in your life when you have taken a risk in your faith? Sometimes the biggest mountain to conquer when taking a risk is conquering our fear and doubts. Focus: Peter a man who was given an opportunity to step out and take a risk in his spiritual journey to leave behind what he knew, what made sense in the natural to move towards something he hadn’t done before. Matthew 14:27-35

Data tells us what things are, stories tell us what things mean. One big truth: there is one unifying story that envelops all of human history, and it finds its beginning, middle and end in the person of Jesus. One cultural crossing: We are servants, not superstars We are His church, living out His mission in the world, awaiting (and hastening) His return What does the story require of us? How are we best found in the story? A Biblical narrative template: Creation — Fall — Recreation (Freedom, slavery, redemption)

What are the ‘senses’ that tell you that you’re home? What are the ‘senses’ that tell you that you’re lost? Big story: a study in getting lost Luke 15:11-32

The human heart has been created with connection and purpose in mind. We’ve been created: In the image of God – the desire for belonging (community) To seek restoration (answers to life’s problems) And to desire creativity (to make a contribution) Jesus offers this. So, Why doesn’t every heart come? Why isn’t everyone here?

1 big truth about God (theological truth) A life in God is not a prize to be earned, but a gift to be received 1 story : David vs the giant — 1 Samuel 17

The 3 Markers of the Loveless Church What You Say is More Important Than What You Do (Eloquence) We are never alone. God's character remains constant. God's grace is sufficient. God loves you and he sent his Son for you. God is making all things new. Jesus came to save you. He is the way the Truth and the life.

What are the old covenant mindsets that, are restricting your relationship with God? Who are the people in your life that aren’t really helping you to be a disciple of Jesus? What obsolete ideals and thoughts do we have that need to disappear so that the new covenant of light and life, can be a reality in our everyday discipleship? NEW COVENANT = New Beginning = Freedom, Grace Light and Life!

Our lives are filled with big decisions, but none more significant than the decision of delight. What do we give our hearts to? What will we find joy in? The answer to these questions will radically shape our happiness, joy and fruitfulness for the year ahead.

Guest Speaker Ash Barker joins us from the UK with a unique look at the role the Shepherds play in the Advent story as we head towards Christmas.

Isaiah 9:1-6This passage was written at around the time of the fall of the northern kingdom, to Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 b.c, to the period of the Exile — around the time of Israel’s exile to Babylon.The first question we might ask is: who is the prophet talking about? Who is the son that will be born?Two ways to understand OT prophecy…two meanings: now and not yetone: the time and culture of the daytwo: the cosmic meta-narrative ‘in Christ’

The rhythm of work and rest was created by God and embedded in the creation story. God modelled a rhythm of rest to us from the beginning of time. God didn’t rest because he was tired – He’s God – he doesn’t get tired. So what was the purpose of this rest? To stop, to step back and to delight the creative work he had just completed. (He saw that it was good!). Everything God does is intentional.

We live in a world divided, a world rapidly splintering as individualism becomes the norm. We're rejecting community and, consequently, becoming less than human. How does the gospel of Jesus free us from these chains? How can we move from survival to serving one another?

What does a thirsty man do to get rid of his thirst? He drinks.What does a hungry man do to get rid of his hunger? He eats.Key Scriptures about The World:1 John 2:15-16Romans 12:2Mark 8:36Colossians 3:2James 4:4John 16:33John 3:16-7Key Scriptures about the Word of God:Hebrews 4:122 Timothy 3:16-17Psalm 119:105Isaiah 40:8Matthew 24:35Romans 10:17

What does the bible say about spiritual health and wellbeing? What does being spiritually healthy look and feel like? How is your spiritual health right now? (How is it with you soul? Really??)Our spiritual health and well-being matters to God. He is the author and image of wholeness, health and well-being. Being made in God’s image means we have been created for that same wholeness, wellness and health.

Birthdays are the opportunity to reflect, and this reflection always includes reflecting on CHANGE. How do you deal with change? Fight it? Accept it? Contribute to it? Love it? Today is a significant day in the life of Discovery Church, as we both look back in celebrating 75 years of service to this region, but also forward into the future of this community and her part to play in the region, extending the borders of the Kingdom of God and seeing people come into the knowledge of God’s great story.

Ezra – A lens through which to view God’s design for hope and restoration for his people – and as a way of listening together to how God is inviting us to partner with Him in His mission for The Legacy Project.

The future of the people of God is within the people of God because Holy Spirit is in the people of God; the future of Discovery is within the people of Discovery because Holy Spirit is in the people of Discovery.The story God is writing in us and in our neighbourhood in these days is the legacy we’ll gift to the future.

Matt 9:35 – 10:1ESVThe Harvest Is Plentiful, the Laborers Few35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”The Twelve Apostles10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.

In this final episode of the series, Dan is joined by Liv, Beck and Tim to chat about finances. Jesus tells us "You cannot serve both God and Money" Matt 6:24, so how do we view money in relation to discipleship. We look at cost of living, looking to the future, financial abuse and being a victim of online scams, and ultimately that God is a generous God who wants the best for all of us. This podcast follows on from Matt's message titled "Do you need more money?", so if you haven't yet, check out that Podcast now.We hope this series of bonus podcast has blessed you.

Money is a form of power — power should be wielded with emotions in check — it’s been said that Money is an excellent servant, but a terrible master... So how do we approach money when we come to faith? How is our money transformed by our discipleship?

Everyone’s experience of family is varied. From awesome to really challenging, from healthy to fully dysfunctional. Especially for the most vulnerable in our community… children. We need to talk about family, because it is so important to God.

Dan is joined by Phil, Jody, Doug and Mel to chat all things family. God's ultimate plan is for families to be restored, especially with Him. In this episode we're exploring additional questions and going deeper on the content of our Sunday message, Relatives + Restoration = Real Life. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Join us for the We Need to Talk Podcast, a chance to go behind the curtain and hear stories and reflections about the topics we’re covering in this series. In this episode we're exploring additional questions and going deeper on the content of our Sunday message, A Living Faith: Action in an age of sentimentality. We hope you enjoy this conversation.

Our world is moving faster than ever, and as we move faster, we also become more shallow. How do we cultivate deep, satisfying spiritual lives that don't remain as a strange idea, but get put into action? How might our faith benefit the people around us and deepen their lives as well?

As we bring our series on Revelation to a close, we explore the kind of world we live in, and thekind of world that Jesus has come to redeem. What is our part to play in the re-creation of theworld, and how does God bring it all about?

Things are not how they should be, and things are not always as they seem. Who is behind the evil in our world? Why do we always fight each other? Today we explore the existence of evil, the devil’s ultimate defeat, and how the woman and her child from Revelation 12 relate to each one of us.

We live in troubled and uncertain times. War, violence, inequality, and disease are a mark on our existence and on the way we live. Each of us experience the brokenness in our hearts and culture in different ways, but often the result is the same. So, what is God doing? How do we thrive in the midst of it all? Join us as we find answers in the book of Revelation.

Jesus writes a letter to  seven churches as prophetic encouragement and warning to his disciples about how to live in the world but not of the world.The number seven is symbolic of Jesus completed work on earth. This means his letters are for the church worldwide. They are just as relevant for us today as they were when they were first written in 96AD.

We live in a fragile world full of pressure. Chaos is everywhere, and often inside of us. Pressures come from all angles - both external and internal.  How do we set our world in order again? How do we 'reset' after a particularly chaotic time? How might the Bible encourage us to find a place of equilibrium?

As children, we ask this question, and sometimes children will draw their answer - their image or impression of God and what He looks like. The truth is, that our impression of what God looks like in our imagination is shaped by many forces. So, how you see God will determine your approach to Him, whether for safety, comfort or for encouragement. How do you approach God?

The book of Revelation has confused and confounded the church for centuries. It has caused fear, speculation and drama in the hearts and lives of many people who are followers of Jesus. Yet, beneath this, there is an encouragement to the church and a clear hope for the future that Jesus brings. How might we understand today what Revelation was saying, and how might we apply this great book to our own lives?