In our individualistic culture, we are bombarded with messages that “life is all about me”. We like to think we are entitled to happiness, to pursue our own goals, and be masters of our own destiny. But how does that work out in reality?
In the opening verses of Ephesians 2, Paul exposes our fallen human condition: dead in disobedience, obeying the devil, following our passions and desires, and subject to God’s anger.
While I had known Jesus most of my life, it was in my mid-twenties when I first realised my condition apart from Christ. That’s when the sweetness of the Gospel became the best news I ever heard. Jesus came for all messed up and broken people – even a wretch like me!
Right at the start of his ministry, Jesus publicly declares his purpose: to release people from their afflictions and all that holds them in bondage. God had been doing this since Adam and Eve rebelled and hid in a garden: God seeking out guilt ridden and messed up people, God responding to cries from his people in pain, God delivering his people from slavery in Egypt and captivity in Babylon.
The Good News of Jesus is that God is always looking at you with favour, wanting to release you from all that holds you captive, and bring you into newness of life.
The outworking of this is joining in God’s restoration plans. It happens as we show his compassion to others. It happens as we listen to people’s stories and help them. It happens as we share the stories of what Jesus has done - and is doing - in our lives.
According to a new Faith and Belief in Australia report:
• Three in four Aussies say that they are turned off investigating religion when they hear celebrities or public figures talk about their Christian faith.
• Stories of miraculous healing are also significant turn offs.
• But sounding a note of hope, the greatest attraction to investigating spirituality and religion is seeing people live out a genuine faith.
https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/results-are-in-aussies-admire-people-who-live-out-a-genuine-faith/
The message of Jesus is Good News when it is lived out by his people!
Pr Rolly Stahl
Bible Reading: Luke 4:14-21 NLT
Podcasts of weekly messages are available at www.paravista.org.au
Prayer Request
Prayer requests are not included in the weekly news. If you would like to view the current requests refer to the email that alerted you to this weekly news. If you have a prayer request please email churchenquiries@paravista.org.au with your request.
Ladies Fellowship Meeting
5th February 2019 A New Year’s welcome ladies. We meet at 12 noon for lunch together. Don’t forget to bring your own lunch but committee will provide fruit platters. At 1pm we will commence our meeting. Bible study lead by Pastor.
Good Shepherd Social Club
Our 2019 year commences on Thursday 31st January, 1.-3.30pm in the Church Hall.
We welcome anyone that would be interested in coming to a free one-off introduction on any Thursday afternoon.
Activities include meeting other members, playing different card games or carpet bowls and enjoying coffee and a chat.
If you wish to join after your free one off visit then the weekly fee is $3.00 per person.
Please contact Tom Curnow - President on 72254593 or 0400 258 410 or Mike Hancock -Vice President on 0403375474 for any enquiries.
FREE Toys and Resources
To start the year we have been doing a bit of a cleanout to make more space for ministries and resources. At the back of the hall are some toys – including a play kitchen (in need of some TLC), small table & stools, water & sand tables – and resources which congregation members are welcome to take. Toys will be there until after Sunday 3rd February, and then will be donated as appropriate. Please take as you need.
From the Office
Notice Board
Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia
All healthcare workers, members and visitors are invited to attend our meeting at 7.30pm on Monday 4th February with speaker Peter Bowley from Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) at 137 Archer Street, North Adelaide, at LCA/SA District Office. Entry through rear door, 2 hour CDP evidence provided.
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise.”
Jeremiah 17:14
