In the opening chapter of Galatians, Paul is at pains to express how important it is that we get the gospel right. If we get the gospel wrong, our eternity and the honour of Jesus are at stake. Since it is so critical to get the gospel right, we should also ask the question: how do we know which gospel is authoritative? How do we know whether the gospel we believe is authoritative? This Sunday, we will answer these questions by looking at the way Paul establishes his gospel-authority to the Galatian church.

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11 to 2:10

Preacher: Ben Ring

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One thing Paul makes very clear in Galatians is that we are free from the law. Free from judgement under the law and free from trying to win God's favour through the law. Does that mean we can just ignore it all together? That we can live however we want and God doesn't care at all? No, not at all. God rescues us from the present evil age, not just in the sense of forgiving us but by making us new and giving us a new love for Him and trust in Him. What does that new life look like however? We clearly aren't immediately perfect and this week we will see how God has planned for us to grow more and more like our saviour Jesus.

Preacher: Jono Deenick

Passage: Galatians 5:13-26

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Exodus 20:16 commands, "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour." While often summarized as "do not lie," this commandment specifically protects human dignity, community trust, and justice. We need it because we know it hurts when people lie to you or about you. We live in a world that spins truth as relative or categorize some lies as big and others as “little white lies.” Sometimes these lies are intentional and malicious, other times they are partial truths or misunderstandings that we share. The Bible teaches us that lying tears down real relationships creating real harm. The commandment teaches us to guard each other’s reputation and to speak the truth. At first glance you may think “I got this one covered!” but like with the other commandments, historically and scripturally, there is a much deeper understanding that teaches us that God loves truth and we love our neighbour best when we speak the truth to them, about them and to each other.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Exodus 20:1-17

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Don’t murder seems pretty straightforward, and it is. The sixth commandment, you shall not murder, is grounded in the fabric of creation to the point that universally, everyone naturally knows it’s wrong. Murder is wrong, but in God’s eyes, there is more to it that just taking someone’s life. In the Sermon on the Mount, we see how Jesus transforms this commandment to reach the heart. So, knowing murder is wrong, how can live well in a way that builds our lives and communities? These are some of the things we will see as we dive into the sixth commandment.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Matthew 5:21-26

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Today we look at the open of Paul's letter to the Galatians. It is in many ways a stern and strong letter as Paul warns them against deserting the gospel of Jesus for a different and fake gospel. As he does so he helps us to understand and marvel at the good news of our rescue through Jesus Christ. But why Paul was so determined to make sure the Galatian churches, and through them us, understood the true gospel that of Jesus our saviour? Why should we share a similar passion to see the gospel maintained?

Passage: Galatians 1:1-10

Preacher: Jono Deenick

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Today is Mother’s Day, when we celebrate and give thanks for the love of our mothers. The relationship between a mother and her child is perhaps the strongest of all human bonds, forged as it is in nine months of pregnancy, the pain of childbirth itself and the intimate care of a newborn child. It is a relationship marked by a sacrificial gracious love. Much of this mirrors God’s love for us. Out of love, he sent His Son to die for our sins and out of love he offers us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Just as mothers care for their children unconditionally, we are called to love others, as we, also, mirror God’s love for us. So, let’s give thanks for our mothers and their love, whilst also remembering God’s love for us. As we do so, let’s learn to love others in the same way.

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: 1 John 4:7-12

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Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Psalm 27

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We are picking up our 10 Commandments series, under ‘Life’s Building Code’. The first four commandments focused on God and the worship of him. The final six centre on the treatment of other people, with the first speaking about family. It is the first commandment with a promise, as it calls for a heart posture of respect, gratitude and care toward parents, treating them with ‘weightiness’, rather than merely showing outward obedience. That brings up an interesting relationship. Why is it that respect for one’s parents equals longevity in Canaan? To put it simply, respect for one’s parents will equal respect for other authority figures as well. Obedience to parents in the ‘small things’, will inevitably translate to obedience to God. A child that doesn’t respect their parents won’t respect other sources of authority, such as school administrators and local police. Ultimately, they won’t respect God. Of all the things we can teach our children that will have long-lasting effects, respecting an authority outside of self is near the top of the list. It is critically important. But what does it mean to honour your father and your mother? What does this look like?

Preacher: Jim de Witte

Passage: Exodus 20:1-17

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