Mates helping Mates – photos

Posted by on November 30, 2011 Comments Off

Here are some pictures of the Mates helping Mates BBQ for the homeless on Sunday. The drinks and toiletries 5:17ers donated were very well received:

Here are the mountain of drinks we brought:

 

Here are some other photos from the BBQ:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

guilt-free, joy inducing, radical giving

Posted by on November 29, 2011 2 comments

After going to the Mates helping Mates BBQ for the homeless on Sunday, it made me want to do more for the least and the lost. I think 5:17 church has a real heart to love the hurting – which was seen by the generous donations to the Mates helping Mates BBQ. But so that our giving comes from the right place, here is a well-balanced and helpful word from Tim Keller in his book Ministries of Mercy (pp.62-63):

Often books and speakers tell Christians that they should help the needy because they have so much. That is, of course, quite true. Common sense tells us that, if human beings are to live together on the planet, there should be a constant sharing of resources. So when the statistics are brought out to show Americans [or Australians] how much of the world’s resources we use, it creates (rightly) a sense of concern for those with less than ourselves.

But this approach is very limited in its motivating power. Ultimately it produces guilt. It says, “How selfish you are to eat steak and drive two cars when the rest of the world is starving!” This creates great emotional conflicts in the hearts of Christians who hear such arguing. We feel guilty, but all sorts of defense mechanisms are engaged. “Can I help it if I was born in this country? How will it really help anyone if I stop driving two cars? Don’t I have a right to enjoy the fruits of my labour?” Soon, with an anxious weariness, we turn away from books or speakers who simply make us feel guilty about the needy.

The Bible does not use the guilt-producing motivation, yet it powerfully argues for the ministry of mercy. In 2 Corinthians 8:2-3, Paul tells us that the Macedonian Christians gave generously to the Jerusalem famine victims. He notes that “out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (v. 2). The Macedonians were not of a higher social class than the needy in Jerusalem. They apparently were going through terrible trials of their own. What, then, was the dynamic that moved them to give? “Their overflowing joy . . . “ (v. 2) and “they gave themselves first to the Lord” (v. 5). It was the Macedonian’s response to the self-emptying Lord. Their gifts were a response, not to a ratio of income levels, but to the gift of Christ!

 

A year of sermons in picture: remember these?

Posted by on November 18, 2011 Comments Off

 

 

 

Pray for Thailand

Posted by on October 27, 2011 Comments Off

Here are some things to pray for (from a friend who is a missionary in Thailand)

  • Please pray for the people suffering from one of the worst floods in Thailand’s history.
  • Please pray that the government will be able to better handle the crisis and aid will get to the flooding victims in time.
  • Please pray that people will turn to God in their time of crisis.
  • Please pray for Thai Christians and missionaries that we won’t respond in fear but will be reaching out to help those affected by the flooding.

Myth busting

Posted by on October 11, 2011 Comments Off

This series of talks are currently happening at church in the hope that we will bust some of the myths surrounding Christianity and set the record straight. We’d love you to come listen to any or all of them, examine the Bible with us, ask questions, and hopefully get meaningful, satisfying, and even life-changing answers from God and His word.

On our part, we promise to respect where you’re coming from, and not demand anything from you. And we promise free dinners after church! We sincerely hope you’ll check us, the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity out.

09/10 – Christianity is for mindless morons
16/10 – Christianity does more harm than good
23/10 – Christianity is for wimps
30/10 – Christians hate homosexuals
06/11 – Christians are all hypocrites
13/11 – All religions are the same
20/11 – You can’t take the Bible literally
27/11 – …so what does all this mean for me?

Christians offer hope in Japan

Posted by on September 21, 2011 Comments Off

In all our busyness, especially leading up to the SMBC team joining us next week, let’s not forget about Japan, and their continued need for our prayers. See here for the ongoing work post-earthquake / tsunami, and the prayer points are at the bottom of the page

Piper in Brisbane, revisited

Posted by on August 29, 2011 1 comment

A number of 5:17ers were able to go to see and hear John Piper speak last Thursday evening at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre – wasn’t it a great wake up call to not waste your life?

In case you missed out, or you want to hear his message again, it’s now available on youtube:

There’s also a textual summary of his message as live blogged by Nathan Campbell – read it here.

Watch/listen/read, and be reminded of what it means to live an unwasted life.

“I will wait for you”

Posted by on August 23, 2011 Comments Off

A great message for Christian girls (and guys) who are seeking a marriage partner

Not sure about the finger clicking though!

HT: TA

A prayer when feeling tired and weary

Posted by on August 18, 2011 1 comment

With lots of 5:17ers feeling sick and quite fatigued at the moment, I thought I’d share a prayer that I’ve found helpful. It’s from Pastor Scotty Smith’s blog (I highly recommend it!).

A Prayer When Feeling Tired and Weary

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isa. 40:28–31

Gracious Father, this was one of the first Scriptures I memorized as a young believer, yet reading it today is like finding a new treasure in an old field. That’s one of the things I most love about your Word. It’s never antiquated or redundant but always vintage and ever new. You’re the God who speaks in specifics and without stuttering. You’re the Father who knows what we need even before we ask, and you provide before we ask.

This passage from Isaiah is underlined multiple times in my favorite Bible, and for good reason. It reminds me that you’re not like me, in so many ways. You never get tired or weary. I do and I am. Accepting limitations, finiteness, and weakness has never been one of my strengths. But I must. Since youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, why do I think I’m exempt from “running on empty” and hitting a wall?

Father, I’m not asking to soar like an eagle, as cool as that might be, and I’m not seeking to run like a marathoner, though I’d love the legs and lungs to do so. Just walking upright with a renewed heart, a steady gait and replenished energy will be enough.

My hope is in you, Abba, Father, for you promise daily mercies, steadfast love and sufficient grace. I’m not depleted, though I’m heading in that direction. I’m not medicating in destructive ways, though tempted at times. I’m not depressed, but have enough of the blues and blahs to take my condition seriously. I look to you for all the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical strength I need. The next few months are going to really busy. Send your Spirit. Please grant me good sleep and real Sabbath.

Because Jesus embraced the ultimate weakness and weariness of the cross, I’m confident of your burden-bearing love. You are the perfect, present and persistent Father. I may be weary in my servanthood, but I’m secure in my sonship. Nothing can separate me from your love. So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.

August 13, 2011

Source: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/08/13/a-prayer-when-feeling-tired-and-weary/

5 Reasons Anders Breivik was Dreadfully Wrong

Posted by on July 28, 2011 Comments Off

Over at the Mitchelton Presbyterian Church website, Phil Campbell has written a short article responding to the claim (from certain parts of the media) that Anders Breivik acted as a Christian when committing the horrendous Norway massacre. I’ve found the article a helpful read. Here is the introduction and link:

As investigations continue into Friday’s ‘terror attack’ in Norway, disturbing details have emerged. The shooting, which has killed 92, happened shortly after a huge car bomb exploded outside government offices in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Seven were killed, and at least 15 injured in the blast. After initial claims that the attacks were the work of Al-Quaida, reports now reveal the suspect, Anders Breivik, as a right-wing Christian Zionist of Norwegian descent.The question is, how could any kind of Christian, Zionist or not, see an act like this as being consistent with the Kingdom of Jesus Christ? Here are five reasons he’s terribly wrong.

Click here to read the 5 reasons.