Neac - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

What should we say about the pursuit of the good life in 2020!? “Meaningless!” is what one one biblical writer says! There is a deep frustration that is being exposed in each of us as we look around at a world we know could be better, and seem to just being going down the toilet. The book of Ecclesiastes outlines one king’s pursuit of meaning; only to find that everything is subject to the tyranny of chance, evil and death. Right now we are also searching...disoriented in a season we couldn’t have written the script for. We need to find solid ground, something to give us meaning and hope. Come with us as we pursue meaning and find out how Jesus is able to speak into this moment and all eternity.

What should we say about the pursuit of the good life in 2020!? “Meaningless!” is what one one biblical writer says! There is a deep frustration that is being exposed in each of us as we look around at a world we know could be better, and seem to just being going down the toilet. The book of Ecclesiastes outlines one king’s pursuit of meaning; only to find that everything is subject to the tyranny of chance, evil and death. Right now we are also searching...disoriented in a season we couldn’t have written the script for. We need to find solid ground, something to give us meaning and hope. Come with us as we pursue meaning and find out how Jesus is able to speak into this moment and all eternity.

What should we say about the pursuit of the good life in 2020!? “Meaningless!” is what one one biblical writer says! There is a deep frustration that is being exposed in each of us as we look around at a world we know could be better, and seem to just being going down the toilet. The book of Ecclesiastes outlines one king’s pursuit of meaning; only to find that everything is subject to the tyranny of chance, evil and death. Right now we are also searching...disoriented in a season we couldn’t have written the script for. We need to find solid ground, something to give us meaning and hope. Come with us as we pursue meaning and find out how Jesus is able to speak into this moment and all eternity.

What should we say about the pursuit of the good life in 2020!? “Meaningless!” is what one one biblical writer says! There is a deep frustration that is being exposed in each of us as we look around at a world we know could be better, and seem to just being going down the toilet. The book of Ecclesiastes outlines one king’s pursuit of meaning; only to find that everything is subject to the tyranny of chance, evil and death. Right now we are also searching...disoriented in a season we couldn’t have written the script for. We need to find solid ground, something to give us meaning and hope. Come with us as we pursue meaning and find out how Jesus is able to speak into this moment and all eternity.

As we head towards a time of gathering again as God's people, we have all types of longings about meeting again. We have been doing so many things online during this strange season! All this raises questions of what exactly we are doing when we gather to do church. We're going to spend a few weeks considering what the Triune God is doing as he gathers his people every week. We will see that we are gathered for Jesus' glory, as one new humanity, as children of a heavenly father and as a special possession for declaring his honour and praise. May God give us a fresh vision for what he is doing among us before the great day when we will gather with all God's people for his glory alone.

As we head towards a time of gathering again as God's people, we have all types of longings about meeting again. We have been doing so many things online during this strange season! All this raises questions of what exactly we are doing when we gather to do church. We're going to spend a few weeks considering what the Triune God is doing as he gathers his people every week. We will see that we are gathered for Jesus' glory, as one new humanity, as children of a heavenly father and as a special possession for declaring his honour and praise. May God give us a fresh vision for what he is doing among us before the great day when we will gather with all God's people for his glory alone.

As we head towards a time of gathering again as God's people, we have all types of longings about meeting again. We have been doing so many things online during this strange season! All this raises questions of what exactly we are doing when we gather to do church. We're going to spend a few weeks considering what the Triune God is doing as he gathers his people every week. We will see that we are gathered for Jesus' glory, as one new humanity, as children of a heavenly father and as a special possession for declaring his honour and praise. May God give us a fresh vision for what he is doing among us before the great day when we will gather with all God's people for his glory alone.

As we head towards a time of gathering again as God's people, we have all types of longings about meeting again. We have been doing so many things online during this strange season! All this raises questions of what exactly we are doing when we gather to do church. We're going to spend a few weeks considering what the Triune God is doing as he gathers his people every week. We will see that we are gathered for Jesus' glory, as one new humanity, as children of a heavenly father and as a special possession for declaring his honour and praise. May God give us a fresh vision for what he is doing among us before the great day when we will gather with all God's people for his glory alone.

As we head towards a time of gathering again as God's people, we have all types of longings about meeting again. We have been doing so many things online during this strange season! All this raises questions of what exactly we are doing when we gather to do church. We're going to spend a few weeks considering what the Triune God is doing as he gathers his people every week. We will see that we are gathered for Jesus' glory, as one new humanity, as children of a heavenly father and as a special possession for declaring his honour and praise. May God give us a fresh vision for what he is doing among us before the great day when we will gather with all God's people for his glory alone.

Returning to present living, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to live in light of the future. Their true identity is as children of the day, not night. Therefore, they can live a life of faith, hope, and love (5:8), filled with encouragement (5:11), rejoicing, (5:16) and prayer (5:17). Best of all, they need not have a fear of the future (5:4, 9). Jesus death won all of this for his people (5:10).

The Thessalonians are relationally isolated and facing persecution. Despite this difficult situation they have been able to stand firm in their faith (3:8). This was possible because of the encouragement of Timothy’s visit (3:2), constant prayer (3:10), and above all because God gives strength (3:13). Paul also models the intense desire christians should have for meeting physically together (2:17; 3:1, 5, 10, 11).

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the beginnings of their faith and defends the part he played in it - likely due to bad gossip about him and his absence from them (2:18). In doing so, he models how believers can build each other up. They can encourage and comfort (2:12), urge holy living (2:12), share their lives (2:8), and share God’s word (2:13). We are to love each other like family (2:7, 11, 17). Paul can even say that doing this is his glory and joy (2:20).

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

NEAC - Newtown: Erskineville Anglican Church

Mark’s resurrection account is short! But it is full of evidence of Jesus' resurrection. The response of the women to run away in fear and trembling is suppose to make us question what the right response is. If Jesus has been raised from the dead, he is God’s king, this is not to be feared but its good news to be rejoiced in, good news to be shared!

The account of Jesus' death is full of mentions of his kingship. The great irony of being the Messiah who ends up in the woeful position of execution. But we get hints that Jesus is the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 who willingly offers his life. The mocking, handing over to gentiles and the darkness all confirm he is suffering the judgement and wrath of God. Jesus' cry of dereliction confirms his abandonment (v,34). It is the cry of a human, the servant and the son. The centurion sees the startingly reality of the Son of God who lays down his life to reign (v.39).

Jesus, having established his place politically, now explains what it will mean for the Son of Man to come. The abomination will be the death of the Christ (v.14, v.19), then the Son of Man will come in glory (v.24-26), he will gather his elect (v.27). In the meantime, there will be general woes and issues that need to be endured while the gospel is proclaimed (v.10). We are to be awake and ready for the coming of the Son of Man in the midst of the complications of life.