It's a $20 billion-a-year industry that targets industry, business, schools and other essential services. Ransomware attacks encrypt and steal corporate data, threatening victims to release or auction the information if the ransom is not paid. They can be incredibly aggressive and call their victims using spoofed telephone numbers or actively email them if they don't respond to the extortion threats. Transfer and pay the bitcoin or ransom requested and you will be given a key to recover what has been taken from you. The ransom paid restores the information to the rightful owner. Today as we continue our study in the book of Romans, the idea of ransom is at the front and centre of Paul's mind. He knows the Scriptures, 'No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough." (Psalm 49:7-8) He knows there is no amount of money paid that enables people to re-access the domain of heaven and presence of God. There are no good works that are ever good enough to restore us to the relationship that we were created for. It is beyond our ability and capability. But Jesus pays the ransom, he tells us that the purpose of his coming was "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). We'll explore and receive that Gospel ransom again today as we embark on Operation Gospel.
#2 in series Operation Gospel
Exposure. Any photographer knows that the more accurate your exposure are, the better your colours will be. Underexpose and your picture will be dark and important details will be lost in the shadows. Overexpose and important details are blown out in the highlights and the picture looks washed out. Exposure. Any parent knows that the right exposure to different influences in life is important in developing healthy children. There is a balance between protecting children from exposure to harmful and negative influences that enable them to succeed and thrive, but allowing them to be exposed to and learn from failure and wrong choices so they can develop independance, decision-making and resilence skills. Exposure. Today as we begin the book of Romans, Paul shows us how a Gospel exposure brings our life into sharp focus, exposing the dark areas and vulnerabilities of our lives in order to reveal the real beauty of who God has created us to be. It challenges us to look at our lives and the lives of others in a new way that will forever be life-transforming. We'll explore and experience what that Gospel exposure is today.
#1 in series: Operation Gospel
There are many moments, memories, experiences and embraces in life that are bittersweet. Happiness often comes wrapped in a sheet of sadness, longing or even regret. Whether it is watching children spread their wings, farewelling a loved one, achieving a milestone or success, we know the contrasting dichotomies of emotions that are simultaneously sweet and sour. As Christians, we are also fully aware that many aspects of our faith are filled with bitter and sweet. The cross is a reminder of a painful and torturous death, but the empty cross reminds us of the sweet and beautiful gift of resurrection and grace that gives us eternal life. We experience the deepest joy in life in relationship with Jesus and are simultaneously know that life in the world is deeply fractured, broken and full of suffering. We live in that bittersweet reality every day of our lives. God goes one step further today by calling John and us from standing on the sidelines as a spectator to being actively and intimately involved in God's judging and saving activity in this world. It's an incredible privilege that is bittersweet as God calls us to internalise, live and share boldly his Word in this world. We'll explore and experience 'Sharing boldly' today.
#5 in series: 'In Christ's Hands'
It's the stuff of fairy tales, blockbuster movies and novels galore. A knight in shining armour rides in town, defeats the bad guys and saves the day. Deep down we are all holding out for a 'hero' to save us from the suffering of life. We long for someone who will deliver us from distress. We will go to extraordinary lengths to maximise pleasure and minimise pain and hurt in our lives, at whatever cost or compromise. But God opens our eyes to reality: in life, pain is a given, suffering is to be expected and hurt will be experienced. Wherever there is sin, there will be struggle and suffering. That's the unavoidable reality we face and no knight in shining armour can deliver you from that, no matter what they promise. But wherever there is faith there is hope. The one who was slain, raised & opens the seals on eternity is the one who leads you through suffering with hope to victory with more joy than you can ever imagine. In Christ risen and ruling over all, the Father is Redeeming Suffering for his purposes in this world & for his glory to be seen in us. We'll explore and experience that together!
#4 in series: In Christ's Hands
The recent rains throughout NSW filled the dams across all the catchment areas and unleashed a torrent of water that overflowed with a power and force that could not be stopped. The resurrection of the Lamb-who-was-slain unleashes an unstoppable force that powerfully moves through this world sweeping up all before it, bringing hope and life, strength and healing. It’s God’s people at worship, singing a new song and revealing a new reality – out of darkness, light spills forth. Out of despair, hope arises. Out of discouragement, inspiration awakens. Out of death, life flows. The Lion roars and the Lamb-who-was-slain bleeds to open the scroll, redeem his people and release them for lives of unceasing worship. We’ll explore this unleashing worship today.
#3 in series: In Christ's Hands
Access cards…Key cards…Security cards. They are part and parcel of everyday modern life. They enable the holder to gain access to their money, a building or property, a hotel room, an event or even a photocopier to print. They give the holder certain privileges or rights and deny others from receiving them. They allow some to enter and refuse entry to others. How different is the reality of what God has done in his Son Jesus Christ. Through the cross and empty tomb, God has opened the door of heaven to give all people unlimited and open access to his mercy, his grace, his love, his protection and a future that can never be taken away. There is no security checks you need to go through, no standard reached to merit access. Just respond to his Word of invitation to come and enter through the door and receive full and open access to everything God is, everything God has done, and everything God will do. We'll explore what that Open Access means today.
#2 in series "In Christ's Hands'
Deconstruction is a popular term used these days. It is used in relation to literature, movies, philosophy, and even theology to dismantle opinions, legitimacy, values or beliefs of groups or individiuals. Deconstruction is about pulling things apart to uncover the key motives or underlying principles that lie at the very core. So when chefs deconstruct a dish, they present all of the key components of that dish at the same time, but not necessarily mixed together. God, through the book of Revelation, deconstructs the presuppositions, assumptions and baggage that we often build our lives on to show us in vivid, visual form, the realities of how things really are. Things may look one way on the surface, but things are not always as they appear. That's the reality that the resurrection reveals. Death could not hold Jesus. The grave could not swallow him. Hell has met its match in him. Christ is alive and present with his people and this reality gives us the right lens through which we can make sense of events, experiences, and moments that we encounter on a global, national and individual basis day after day. So let God deconstruct what is amiss in your life and reconstruct a foundation that will enable you to stand, endure and remain faithful whatever hardships or difficulties you confront.
#1 in series: In Christ's Hands