Episoder
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Do It Scared
13/04/2025 - Vincent Gulay
Matthew 25:14–30 – The Parable of the Talents
We are called to partner with the Holy Spirit and bring glimpses of Heaven to Earth—to imagine the Kingdom, and then participate in bringing it here.
But at times, we can be held back by fear or a lack of understanding.
So what should we do?
The Parable of the Talents offers insight.
In this story, the Master represents Jesus, the servants represent us, and the talents represent everything God has entrusted to us in this lifetime—our possessions, opportunities, skills, time, circumstances, and finances.
What can we learn?
Intimacy with the Master is vital—it fuels our hope, vision, and understanding of what to do next.Correctly identifying our ‘talents’ and removing limiting beliefs is essential.Investing boldly—wholeheartedly—is required.But fear can get in the way.
Fear that God isn’t truly for us, or fear of what we might have to give up to follow Him.Fear of what we’ll uncover if we look deeply—what healing or growth might require (counselling, change, relearning).Fear of the risk and discomfort that comes with obedience and investment.So how do we move from who we are today—through the fear—towards who God is calling us to be?
How do we live out our purpose?
Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Remind your soul who God is.
Renew your mind daily.
Invest boldly—even while you’re still afraid.
Through worship, testimony, and daily devotion, reconnect with His goodness.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Don’t just believe it once—remind your soul daily.
Don’t live by old scripts like, “I’m not ___ enough.”
Instead, ask: “God, what are You calling me to do?”
Renewal leads to revival. Fruit follows mindset.
2 Timothy 1:6–7 – “God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
Courage doesn’t require the absence of fear.
The call is not: wait until the fear is gone.
The call is: do it scared.
Let’s do this scared—together.
Fear may not disappear.
So practically, what does ‘doing it scared’ look like?
It means we:
Change our mindsetChange our habitsChange our behaviourAnd as we do, the Kingdom is outworked through us, with the Holy Spirit. We begin to see ourselves differently, too.Reflection Questions:
Where is there misalignment between how I see God and what His purpose is?Where might I be misinterpreting the talents He has given me?Where am I not investing, even though I know I should be? -
Ask Seek Knock
06/04/2025 - Zeke Murley
Luke 11:1–13 | The Way of Prayer
Perception of Prayer“Lord, teach us to pray…” (v.1)
Why do you pray the way you do?Is your view of God shaping your prayer life—or is your experience shaping your view of God?Could it be that what you believe about who you pray to matters more than how you pray?Persistence in Prayer“Give us each day…” (v.3)
What are you reaching for when life gets hard—a prescription or persistence?Do you want solutions more than you want to walk with the Solution-Giver?Could the daily repetition of prayer be God’s gift, not His delay?Posture in Prayer“I have nothing to set before him…” (v.6)
Are you coming to God with demands, or with dependence?What if God isn’t looking for strength in your prayers, but surrender?Can you have the right words, the right discipline… and still the wrong heart?Promise of Prayer“How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit…” (v.13)
What if the thing you’re asking for isn’t really what your soul needs?What if God answers every prayer—by giving you more of Himself?Is it possible you’ve been knocking on the wrong door?Questions to Sit With This WeekWhat do I really want when I pray?Do I see prayer as access to God, or access to answers?Have I mistaken God’s silence for His absence?Would I be satisfied with getting what I asked for—but not getting more of Him? -
Mangler du episoder?
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30/03/2025 - Jody Destry
Scriptures:
Matthew 13:44–46 – The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Luke 9:23–24 – The call to take up our cross
Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is a free gift of grace
Philippians 3:7–14 – Counting everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Ephesians 1:7–8 – We are the treasure Christ gave everything to redeem
Big Ideas:
The Kingdom is a Treasure: Whether you stumble upon it unexpectedly or search for it with longing, the Kingdom of God is the most valuable treasure you’ll ever find.
Joy Leads to Surrender: “In his joy…” he sold everything. True joy in Christ leads to wholehearted devotion—not begrudging sacrifice.
Grace Is Free, But the Journey Is Costly: Salvation is a gift, but following Jesus means laying down everything else that might compete for first place in our lives.
Jesus Went All In First: We are the pearl of great price to Him—He gave everything to make us His own.
Joy Restores Our Sight: When joy is renewed, we see the Kingdom’s true value again. It lifts the fog and renews our love for Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1/ Have I lost sight of the treasure I have in Christ?
2/ What is God asking me to surrender in this season?
3/ Am I hesitating—or am I ready to go “all in” for the Kingdom?
4/ How might God be inviting you to trust that He is leading you into something better, not just harder?
Pray:
Ask the Holy Spirit renew your joy and restore your vision.
If you are wrestling with the cost of surrender, ask God for courage and faith to respond to him with your ‘YES’.
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Canceling the Debt: Forgiven to Forgive
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – CS Lewis
Passage: Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.[a] 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.[b] 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[c] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[d] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[e] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you
We’ve been forgiven much – our immense debt and God’s immense mercy“Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
We should pass it on – Imitating the King’s mercy“Nothing makes us so like God as our readiness to forgive the wicked and wrongdoer.” John Crysostom
There is judgement if we don’tForgiveness heals communitiesBenefits:
a/ Forgiving reflects God’s character
b/ Forgiving is an act of faith in the Gospel
c/ Forgiving keeps us anchored in humility
Apply:
i/ pray for God’s help and grace
ii/ remember your own forgiveness
iii/ make a decision to cancel the debt
iv/ trust God’s justice
v/ if possible, communicate forgiveness and seek reconciliation
vi/ rinse and repeat
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Turn A Blind Eye — Sermon Notes
16/03/2025 - Ps Zeke Murley
Turn A Blind Eye — Sermon Notes
Luke (The Writer) Sets The Scene
Jesus has begun his journey toward Jerusalem which is noted in the previous chapter, funnily enough, the beginning of this, Jesus is met with resistance from a Samaritan village.
The Samaritans and the Jews hate each other, because of a couple of reasons:
Historical Division – Religious Disputes – Mutual Hatred –25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25–29 ESV
The Parable
30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
Luke 10:30–35 ESV
What is the reason for this Parable?
A lawyer asking Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus is teaching about the eternal state of people’s souls, and to reduce this parable to a simple, do good to those in need misses the point.
You have a choice, to turn a blind eye or not. But rather than telling you what an opened eye looks like, I want to show you in this parable what a blind eye responds like.
Want the Blessing of the Kingdom, Without the Cost of the Kingdom
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:25–29 ESV
Weaponise the Word of God
This is not just a good answer he came up with, he quotes back scripture to Jesus.
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Dt 6:5 ESV
Confusion in Levitical Law – Who is my neighbour?
18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV
You Think Salvation is Gained Through Merit
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Luke 10:36–37 ESV
“There is someone I love, even though I don’t approve of what he does. There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is me.”
C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity
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This week, we are encouraged by a friend of Discovery Church, Pastor Andy Flaherty, who is one of the Senior Pastors at Lighthouse Church in Wollongong. He shares with us the Parable of the Weeds, and reminds us that it's the fruit and how the fruit of the plant is used that indicates whether we are Wheat or Weeds.
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The Vineyard Economy: When God Pays Differently
23/02/2025 - Matthew Destry
Jesus’ parable of the Workers in the Vineyard takes our understanding of effort and reward and flips it upside down. And the “sting in the tail?” It’s not just about work. It’s about grace, about who belongs in God’s Kingdom, and about the unexpected way that God’s generosity works.
The Parable: Matthew 20:1-16
Who were the original hearers of this parable? The primary “targets” of the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard were likely the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, particularly the Pharisees and other Jewish groups who prided themselves on their long-term faithfulness to God’s law. However, the message also had implications for the disciples and the broader Jewish audience.
God’s Generosity is Not About Fairness, But GraceChallenge: Where in your life are you measuring God’s goodness by what seems “fair” rather than by His generosity? How can you shift to gratitude instead of entitlement?
The Same Reward for Jews and GentilesChallenge: Are there people or groups you struggle to accept as fully embraced by God? How does this parable challenge your view of who belongs?
A Warning to the Disciples: Don’t Get ProudChallenge: Have you ever felt like your years of faithfulness should earn you more favour from God? How can you cultivate humility in your service to Him?
The Beauty and Scandal of GraceChallenge: Who in your life needs to experience God’s grace through you? Are you willing to extend the same generosity God has given you?
A Special Blessing for the Ones No One Will HireChallenge: Who are the “unhired” in your world? How can you be part of bringing God’s generosity to them?
And when we embrace this vineyard economy, something powerful happens:
We find freedom from comparison. No more measuring ourselves against others—we’re free to celebrate God’s generosity to all.
We trust God’s character more deeply. The landowner in the parable pays what he promised. God provides what we need, not what we think we deserve.
We grow in compassion. Grace received becomes grace extended. When we realise God’s generosity to us, we’re more willing to be generous to others.
Conclusion: Embracing the Reckless Generosity of God
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This Sunday, we are excited and grateful to be hosting Dan Fernandez—an incredible pastor, preacher, and communicator. Dan joins us all the way from the USA, where he serves as the campus pastor at Life Pacific University and hosts the PreacherCo Podcast!
Listen as he shares an amazing word from Luke 15.
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09/02/2025 - Jody Destry
Key Scripture: Matt 25:1-13 – The Parable of the 10 bridesmaids
Jesus and his disciples are gathered together on the Mount of Olives – a place significant to the life and ministry of Jesus. It was here that Jesus often came to pray to his Father. It wa hear that Jesus often taught spiritual truths to the people who gathered to hear him. It was from the Mount of Olives that Jesus made his triumphal entry in Jerusalem as he prepared to lay his life down at the cross for us. And it was here that that the disciples witnessed Jesus ascend into heaven after his resurrection.
In this moment, the disciples ask Jesus a question: ‘What will be sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ – in other words, they were asking Jesus when he would be coming back after his death and resurrection to once and for all seal the victory over evil and bring his followers into eternity with him.
In answer to their question, Jesus tells them this parable (or story) to help them understand.
The moral of the parable is this:
We need to stay alert and be ready and prepared for Jesus’ return – whether it be soon or long in coming because there are significant consequences for those who are not prepared and found not ready when Jesus returns on the final the day.
The Bible frequently uses wedding imagery to describe God’s relationship with his people. In the NT, Jesus is referred to as the Bridegroom and the Church (his followers) are referred to as the Bride.
In this parable, The Bridegroom again is symbolic of Jesus, but in this instance, it’s the bridesmaids who represent individual believers/followers of Jesus.
Why did Jesus feel the need to tell them this story and give them this prophetic warning?
Jesus knew that his disciples would struggle to stay the course and could becoming easily distracted from the assignment he had given them. Jesus knows our propensity to grow weary, to become complacent and distracted too. Jesus was also addressing the behaviour of many of the religious leaders of that time who were known for not practicing what they preached. Their faith was all for show on the outside but underneath it was found to be shallow and inauthentic.
Every parable has a sting in the tail:
Jesus warned them that not everyone who professes faith in Jesus with their lips will enter the Kingdom of God. Some, like the five foolish bridesmaids, will find themselves on the outside looking in on the great celebration that’s taking place, wondering why they haven’t been let in.
So, as modern-day followers of Jesus, this parable invites us to consider how we might be intentional about staying alert and ready and how to prepare well for Jesus’ return.
Pursue true discipleship
– Commit to cultivating a real and living faith in Jesus.
– Practice daily rhythms of time with Jesus – scripture, prayer, worship
– Guard your heart against complacency / auto-pilot faith
– Plant yourself in community with others for accountability and encouragement e.g a Discovery Group, a mentor
Q: Am I performing Christianity, or am I truly walking with Jesus?
Q: What is one way God is inviting me to pursue true discipleship this year?
Keep growing and maturing in faith– Practice faithfulness in every season – “A long obedience in the same direction”
– Stay teachable
– Desire wisdom
– Be intentional about your growth as a disciple
Q: Am I bearing fruit? (Am I growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
Q: Am I relying on past spiritual experiences, or am I actively seeking fresh encounters with God?
Q: Am I being obedient to what Jesus has asked of me?
Be prepared for delays– Invest in spiritual habits that sustain you over time, not just in moments of need (keep your oil well stocked)
– Learn the unforced rhythms of grace (walk at the pace of Jesus)
– Send your roots down deep.
Q: What regular rhythms currently help you stay connected to Jesus? (e.g. prayer, scripture, sabbath, etc)
Q: Where do you see signs of spiritual fatigue or weariness in your life?
Q: Are there any spiritual habits you feel prompted to deepen or recommit to?
Q: What would it look like for you to live at Jesus’ pace – unhurried but purposeful?
Live with urgency– Make the most of every opportunity
– Love your neighbour today (not tomorrow or next year)
– Be a diligent steward of your gifts and resources
– Resist unhelpful distractions
– Be continually filled with Spirit
Q: What distractions need to be removed for you to stay focused on God this year?
Q: How are you using your time, energy, and resources for God’s Kingdom?
Q: Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus and how might you be intentional about being open and available to share your faith with them?
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Can You Hear Me Now?
02/02/2025 - Matthew Destry
Matthew 13:1-17
What is a parable?παρά (para) – meaning “beside,” “alongside,” or “near.”βολή (bolē) – derived from the verb βάλλω (ballō), meaning “to throw” or “to cast.”a/ Story / narrative (not like a metaphor)
b/ Examples from everyday life
c/ One main point (not like an allegory)
d/ ‘Sting in the tail’
2i. Why?
Parables are not just illustrations; they are a form of spiritual discernment. They test the heart of the listener.
To those with faith, parables illuminate the mysteries of the Kingdom.To those with hard hearts, parables obscure the truth, leaving them in their blindness.Isaiah 6:9-10: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.”
2ii. The Parable of the Sower: A Parable About Parables
The Parable of the Sower describes four different responses to the message of the Kingdom, just as people respond to parables in different ways:
The Path (Hard Hearts)The Rocky Ground (Emotional, but No Root)The Thorns (Distracted Heart)The Good Soil (True Discipleship)How: Parables invite reflection and understanding for those willing to listen deeply.Revealing and Concealing:Spiritual Readiness:Fulfilment of Prophecy:Blessings for Disciples:Every Heart is Invited:Now: Do You Have Ears to Hear?
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:9)
Pray: “Lord, give me ears to hear. Give me eyes to see. Make my heart good soil. Amen.”
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This week, we heard from the lead pastors of our various ministries here at Discovery Church, as they shared what we’re believing for in 2025.
I Believe
26/01/2025
Beck Lambert
1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”.
From one location to two: Expanding our reach and presence.From Polish to Presence: In our gatherings, prioritising authentic encounters with God.From church engagement to community engagement: Through the legacy project and the work of DCC, creating spaces that reflect our commitment to belonging, restoration, creativity and Kingdom.From concert to cathedral: not just seeing God in the ‘big, loud and bold’ but also in the quiet, liturgical and routine.From comfort to cost: Challenging ourselves to give sacrificially and cheerfully.From roads to rivers: we are transforming our discipleship pathway and calling Discovery to connection in small groups, and making pathways of connection and community more simple and life-giving. -
19/01/2025 - Nathan "Dubsy" Want
What does it mean to be “all in” on your faith?
“Be willing to surrender all to him”“Completely committed, devoted to him & totally engaged”Jesus described what it meant to be all in on your faith by saying….
Matthew 16:24-25 ESV
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Matthew 19:16- 22 ESV
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
3 things about what it means to be all in on your faith & live a life or surrender?
We need to … focus on the main thingMatthew 22:37
37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’
That you would love God with not just some of your life or in certain time slots but with all your life.
If we are going to be a community of people that is all in and sold out in our faith:
It first starts with do you love him?
Do you devote time and energy to live for him?
To devote yourself in his word and his instruction?
The second thing we learn about going all in:
The price to go all in is not up for negotiation.In this text: (Matthew 19:17,20)
Jesus is staying strongHe’s not watering down or adjusting what’s expected to be all in.Even though this man is asking questions trying to find a loophole – questions like “which ones” (v17), “what do I still lack” (v20)This mode of questioning is quite common for people like pharisees looking for a loophole but finding a way out and not a way in to what Jesus is asking for them to do.But Jesus stays strong and doesn’t negotiate or change what is expected.Q: Have you been trying to negotiate what your spiritual journey looks like?
The third thing we learn about going all in:
If we don’t surrender ALL, we miss itVerse 22 in the message – 22 That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.
Jesus has asked him to go all in, but he’s not prepared to do it – based on money.
He was not prepared to lay down his wealth to go all in on Jesus.
Because he wasn’t prepared to do that, he missed out on the life that Jesus had for him…
How easy is it to be this man in the story. You follow Jesus. You’re keen to learn more about it…But then there’s just one thing…. That gets in the way… of us fully trusting, fully believing and fully living for him.
Q: What’s that one thing stopping you from going all in?
Q: What’s the one thing you would tight… that you would not bear let go…
Q: What’s getting in the way of fully trusting, fully believing and fully living for him?
One Thing:
“Whatever rules your heart, rules your life”
Q: Who rules your heart, and what rules your heart in 2025? What do we need to surrender to go all in our faith?
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12/01/2025 - Zeke Murley
Context
After witnessing Jesus’ glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John return to a scene of need and failure (Matthew 17:1-13).A desperate father seeks help for his son, but the disciples are unable to heal him (Matthew 17:14-20).Despite their earlier success in healing and casting out demons (Matthew 10:1), they face a spiritual roadblock.Key Questions
Why did the disciples fail when they had been given authority?What does Jesus’ frustration teach us about faith?Reflection Points
When We Say “I Can’t” (v. 16)The disciples’ inability mirrors moments when we lose faith and stop praying for breakthroughs.Challenge: Is “I can’t” becoming “I won’t”? Are we limiting God by our doubt?Faith Like an Atheist (v. 17)Jesus rebukes a “faithless generation,” equating a lack of faith to disbelief.Reflection: Do we truly believe God can move mountains, or do we let fear stop us from praying boldly?The Tension of Faith and HealingGod doesn’t always heal everyone, but our role is to pray and trust His will.Question: Are we a church that seeks God’s presence like a starving man seeks food?Faith as a Mustard Seed (v. 20)
Misunderstood Faith: It’s not about how much faith we have but about who our faith is in.The Seed’s Design: Faith connected to God grows and fulfills its purpose, just as a mustard seed becomes a tree.Challenge: Shift from “I can’t” to “I can through Christ.”Final Reflection
Faith isn’t about size or quantity but connection to God, the source of all miracles.Prayer Challenge: What would it look like for you to boldly pray, “God, do it again”? -
Renewal Season
05/01/2025 - Doug Pors
Renewal according to the dictionary.
To resume something after an interruption.The action of extending the validity of something.The replacement or repair of something.AND:
The state or process of being made spiritually new in the Holy Spirit. The call to continual spiritual renewal.
How Confident in God are you for this next year?
Are you listening to His voice as you plan 2025?
Caleb, in Numbers 13, Trusted in God’s voice because he listened and saw the amazing things that God had promised.
Before entering the Promised Land, The people forgot who God was to them, and so were easily led to distrust.
Fear and anxiety ruled their hearts and minds Rather than a listening ear which leads to trust.
Caleb: God will lead. He will give it to us. Listen and don’t be anxious.
Our praise reminds our hearts of who God is.
What needs to be removed from our hearts and minds for us to be renewed in our trust?How will we bring a listening, non-anxious presence to 2025?Renewal Season is about embracing a new TRUST in God’s already active plan for YOU.
When God is with us, We can certainly do it!
If you would like to know more about our ‘Launch Team for Discovery Church Frankston’ please let our Information Center team know your details, a registration for two information sessions on the 9th and 16th of Feb at Discovery Mt Evelyn, will be open soon also.
We’d love to hear from you!
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This week, Pastor Matt reminds us of why Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but also encourages us in what we should do if we truly believe he is the Good Shepherd.
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Join us this week as Pastor Jody Destry shares an encouraging word, beginning in Exodus 34 and concluding in Luke 15. It's a timely and necessary reminder of the compassion that God, the Good Shepherd, has for us.
Sermon Notes:
The Compassion of the Good Shepherd
08/12/2024 - Jody Destry
The first word God uses to describe himself in scripture is compassionate:
Exodus 34:5-6 — God appears to Moses on Mt Sinai
“Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
Root and Meaning: Hebrew // Rachum
The word rachum comes from the root רָחַם (racham), meaning “to have mercy” or “to show compassion” to be “deeply moved to action”The root is connected to the Hebrew word רֶחֶם (rechem), which means “womb.” This suggests a deep, nurturing love, like that of a mother for her child—intense, protective, and life-giving love.All throughout Scripture, God’s compassion is evident: This is not theoretical; it’s deeply personal and relational.
In Creation: He formed humanity out of the dust with his own hands, lovingly breathing the very breath of life into us. (Gen 2:)
In Deliverance: He heard the cries of the Israelites in Egypt and had compassion on them and rescued them (Exodus 3:7)
In Jesus: We see the ultimate expression of God’s compassion is Jesus Christ, who entered into our suffering to bring us salvation.
In Matthew 9:36, we see this vividly:
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus’ compassion wasn’t passive. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, he welcomed the lonely and those on the fringes, he listened attentively, he extended grace and met our ultimate need when he laid down His life for us.
His compassion moved Him to action.
While God’s compassion is infinite and limitless – our capacity to experience and express compassion can feel so limited.
Our ability to experience and express compassion invites us to confront our vulnerabilities and our desire for comfort. oCmpassion confronts our exhaustion and our human limits. –
Barriers to compassion
1/ Compassion Fatigue
We live in an age of constant information. News feeds bring global crises to our fingertips, every time you open your feed, you are bombarded with crises and needs.
To add to that, we are surrounded by the growing needs and the personal challenges being experienced in our own communities. While these moments call for compassion, sometimes the sheer volume of need can overwhelm us. And we can find ourselves thinking – How can I care deeply about it all? It just all feels like too much!
Compassion fatigue is described as a physical, mental and emotional withdrawal caused by an extended exposure to the suffering, trauma and needs of others. Often experienced by those in helping professions but is becoming more widespread across communities as everyday pressures of life increase.
2/ Psychic Numbing
In a similar vain, researchers have coined a phrase called ‘psychic numbing’ – where we stop being able to acknowledge fully the impact of past traumatic events and even future threats.
If you’ve ever watched the news and seen war unfolding or seen an ad on TV about starving children in Africa and felt desensitised to it – this could be why.
It’s definitely easier to look away than to feel deeply isn’t it?
3/ Scarcity Mindset
This happens when we perceive a shortage of the resources we need for survival, safety and comfort. Often causes stress and anxiety about the present and the future (remember empty store shelves in lockdown). This lead to us having decreased empathy and compassion for others.
It’s a lens that makes it hard to see past our own challenges and needs to see the needs of others.
4/ Self-Compassion
Often we struggle to extend compassion to ourselves. We find it easier to forgive others, or show empathy to others than we do to ourselves. ]\
“The more we diminish our own pain, or rank it compared to what others have survived, the less empathetic we are to everyone.” Brene Brown
Overcoming The Barriers:
Q: How do we begin to overcome these barriers?
The answer to this question is another question:
Q: How do we open ourselves to experience more of God’s compassion to us so that we can express more of God’s compassion through us to others?
There’s a story Jesus tells in Luke 15 that I think might help us reflect on this: offers a vivid picture of both our need for compassion and how experiencing it transforms us.
Luke 15:11-32
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
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His Father doesn’t wait for his son to grovel or prove himself worthy. Instead, he runs to him, embraces him, and showers him with undeserved grace and love.
This extravagant display of compassion restores the son’s dignity and identity—not as a servant but as a beloved child.
Each one of us is like the Prodigal Son, desperately in need of God’s compassion.
Recognising our need for His grace requires humility—an acknowledgment that we cannot fix ourselves.
When we open ourselves to experience God’s boundless compassion, it changes us. We no longer operate from a place of scarcity or judgment but from the abundance of grace we’ve received.
God’s compassion transforms us, it expands the boundaries and the borders of our hearts overcoming the barriers that erect themselves there. It softens our hearts toward those who are hurting, lost, or difficult to love. God’s compassion to us opens our eyes to see and live in the world differently.
God doesn’t ask us to solve every problem or meet every need—He asks us to reflect His love and compassion in the small, everyday acts of care and kindness.
He asks us to imitate him who moved slowly through the crowd, who looked people in the eye, who listened well, who took time to be present with people, to pray with people, to serve people and to love people.
Reflect:
1/ How is God inviting me to receive and experience his compassion today?
2/ How is God inviting me to express his compassion to others today?
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Join us this week as we begin a new sermon series, The Good Shepherd. Pastor Matt Destry shares an encouraging word from John 12:24, offering timely insight on the importance of recognising when we’re at the end of a season — and whether it’s time to Let It Die.
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Sermon Notes
Let It Die01/12/2024 - Matthew Destry
John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 12:24 – “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
The Good Shepherd and Death
Jesus ties His goodness to His willingness to die for us.True fruitfulness requires death.Three Theologies of Success
Worm Theology: Fear of failure or rejection keeps us stuck.Romans 8:1 – No condemnation in Christ.Psalm 139:14 – Fearfully and wonderfully made.World Theology: Endless growth is idolised.Ecclesiastes 3:1 – A time for every season.Matthew 16:26 – Don’t gain the world and lose your soul.Christ Theology: True success begins with surrender.Philippians 2:5-8 – Humility leads to exaltation.III. Application: What Needs to Die?
Mindsets: Pride, fear, or insecurity.Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust the Lord’s way.
Seasons of Life: Recognise when to move forward.Ecclesiastes 3:1 – A time for everything.
Relationships: Let go of toxicity and unforgiveness.Colossians 3:13 – Forgive as Christ forgave you.
Habits/Worldviews: Step away from unproductive patterns.Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by renewing your mind.
Four Forms of Death in the Christian LifePersuasion: Using words, not force.Prayer: Acknowledging dependence on God.Service: Taking a lower place.Suffering: Embracing God’s redemption through pain.Romans 5:3-5 – Suffering produces hope.
Encouragement and ChallengeTrust the Good Shepherd who leads through death into resurrection life.
Reflection: What needs to die in your life for new fruit to grow?
Philippians 2:5-8 – “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
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Join us this week as Pastor Zeke Murley reminds us that the Lord is knocking on the door of our hearts and encourages us to invite him in.
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Sermon Notes:
SCRIPTURE
14 “Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation:
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish that you were cold or hot.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I am going to spit you out of my mouth.
17 For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’
and you don’t realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich, white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed, and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be zealous and repent.
20 See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
REVELATION 3:14–20 CSB
CONTEXT
John, the disciple who walked closely with Jesus, was exiled to the rocky island of Patmos for his unwavering testimony. In this isolation, he received a vision from Jesus, meant not only for his time but for the Church throughout history. In the vision, Jesus addressed seven churches in Turkey, dealing with real issues like persecution, compromise, and spiritual complacency. These letters offered encouragement and warning, with Laodicea being the final church addressed.
Laodicea had rebuilt itself 35 years earlier after an earthquake, relying on its wealth and resources without outside aid. Known for its prosperity, community service, and medical advancements, the church likely expected praise. However, Jesus followed a consistent structure—commendation, challenge, and response—pointing to deeper spiritual truths that went beyond their outward success.
JESUS IS THE AMEN (SO BE IT)
Before we even get to the letter, he says he is Sovereign over all. He is in control.
I KNOW YOUR WORKS (v15-16)
HOT = All in, Old Life Gone, New Life Risen, Renewed, Disciple of Jesus who denies themself, picks up their cross and follows Jesus daily.
COLD = Unbeliever. But that word cold in the literal Greek means ‘water that has never been hot’.
YOU CAN NOT CONSUME YOUR WAY INTO THE KINGDOM, I CAN NOT CONVINCE YOU INTO THE KINGDOM, YOU HAVE GOT TO COMMIT YOUR WAY INTO THE KINGDOM.
THE ROOT OF THEIR LUKEWARM CONDITION (v17)
The root of their condition did not start in the here and now. It started 35 years ago when the church in Laodicea forgot the Sovereignty of God.
A church that does not need God to come through for them is a LUKEWARM CHURCH.
BECAUSE JESUS HAS WHAT YOU NEED (v18)
Not only does Jesus have what you need, he desires to refine, renew, revive you.
He desires to dress, cover, protect you from your spiritual blindness.
HE DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES
Here we get a act of love that is not defined by:
AcceptanceApprovalAffirmationWe get a biblical definition of love that is defined by:
SacrificeProtectionCareTHE HOPE FOR THE CHURCH
The Lord is (NOT) there. But he is at the door and knocking.
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As we rapidly head towards the end of the year we'd love to invite you to take a pause and catch your breath with us on the Nourish Podcast. Join Ps. Jody and Gabi Gulay as we explore 'Psalms that Sustain Us'.
In this series, we unpack a favourite Psalm in each episode and ask ourselves the question: "What is it that God might want to reveal about himself to us through his Word and how does this Psalm encourage, strengthen and anchor us in the seasons of life?"
This week we dwell on Psalm 103.
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We continue our series, The Lord is There, with a challenge and call to a season of renewal with Pastor Matt.
Sermon Notes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exodus 34:29-35
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day”
Story: Searching for “David”
Key message: Jesus is guiding us into the heart of what transformation means as disciples in His story: a continual journey of change that aligns us ever closer to the likeness of Christ, and a renewal of all things in His presence. He is ‘chipping away’ at us – renewing us, creating us, and bringing out in us what was always there.
Unveiled faces: embracing vulnerabilityThe necessity of renewal: Formation vs. MalformationThe process of beholding: transformation through worshipFaith in the power of the Spirit: we build the altar, He brings the fireQuestion: What are the shifts on the horizon for Discovery Church, and what role to Jesus’ followers play in this season of renewal?
From one location to two:From Polish to Presence:From church engagement to community engagement:From concert to cathedral:From comfort to cost:From roads to rivers:.How is God calling you to renewal personally?What is He asking you to surrender?In what ways is He calling you deeper, wider, or in new directions? - Se mer
