Agora Church

Gifted | Leadership and Teaching

Can you imagine a world without google search or "Hey Siri"?
What about flicking through the news headlines and coming across a major article about a world leader who no one knows?
It would be a strange day for both wouldn't it. We live in an age obsessed with information and celebrity.

This week we are unpacking the spiritual gifts of teaching and leadership, both being pretty hot topics. Do these spiritual gifts look any different to what we see around us and if I have them what could that look like?

This Sunday we explored these a little in community, asked some questions, dug into God's word and listened to what Jesus has to say.

Spiritual Gifts | Baptism

Christian Baptism: What does it mean? 

Baptism is an external symbol of what happened internally when a person believes in Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians/Corintios 5.17-18

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ.

Ticked off - or super keen?

When you hear someone say, 'Hey, I've invited so and so for dinner tonight.' What is your instant reaction - 'woooo' or 'aaagghhhh'?

Some people are so called by God to show hospitality to others, it is something they love to do. While for others it is almost terrifying - stress of cleaning and cooking and possible judgement and .... So, how do you know if this is a gift you have - or should have?

 

Spiritual Gifts | Gifted to be a Gift

This week Craig continues on through our spiritual gifts series, and tells us that: Along with all of humanity we are gifted life itself, that we are offered the gift of eternal life, and finally that we are gifted by the Holy Spirit with gifts to be a gift to others.

Spiritual Gifts | Who is the Best?

Society loves to lift up those who are considered important, and to sideline those who they consider of little or no importance. Even this ‘importance’ changes as the loves and likes of society change.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible almost YELLS that this is not to be the way in the church. There is no ‘more or less important’. We are ONE equally loved and anointed crazy messed up group called and gifted by God.

Gifts | Knowledge and Wisdom

Craig brings us the end of the intro into Spiritual Gifts, today he talked on: Knowledge and Wisdom. How that, the gifts that we are given by God are good and are there to build others within the church not to just build yourself up, and unless they are done in love they are a total waste of time.

Spiritual Gifts | Upside Down Leading

Society is fascinated with leadership! It brings out the best in some and the worst in others... So, what's the deal and does Jesus and His Kingdom have anything to say on the matter?

We are unpacking the spiritual gift of leadership and taking a look at an unlikely leader in the Bible and how Jesus journeys with them. 

Spiritual Gifts| I Am So Strong I Can Totally Move A Mountain!

Maybe if you gave me a digger and like 50 years I could dent the mountain ... maybe? Haha - probably not to be honest.

 

Jesus said even if we have tiny faith we would do amazing things in His name. How come some people have incredible faith in God, while others kind of have a 'sort of' faith in God? Is it how strong I am, or how strong someone else is? 

 

Please note: There were two videos in the sermon, however we were not able to share them on the podcast. Thanks for understanding!

Gifting | Can I Help You With That?

There are some folks who seem to be super helpful - right? They see needs that most of us just walk past and totally miss. 
On Sunday we started a new series looking at spiritual gifts and how the Spirit empowers people to serve the body of Christ and beyond.
What spiritual gift(s) has the Spirit given to you?

Prepare Him Room | Jesus Made Room For You

When Jesus was born there was no room for this helpless babe. His birth made Him completely vulnerable to the human experience, but I don't think anyone could have fathomed the fact that His arrival was Him preparing us room.
On Sunday we explored this, get into the nativity story and wonder at what God has done in showing up as one of us.