Discovery Church

14/12/2025 - Zeke Murley16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.John 3:16-21 NIVWhat’s Going On?The world didn’t just experience darkness — it lived in itLight exposes what darkness hidesThe Light doesn’t create fear or shame — it reveals what’s already thereWe don’t reject the Light because we don’t believe it, we reject it because we doWhy It MattersUnfiltered holiness isn’t safe for sinnersWe could never enter His presence in our stateChristmas is God entering our presenceThe Light didn’t come to end your story, it came to make a new one possibleExposure in God’s Kingdom isn’t final — it’s foundationalOur ResponseStop blending in — start standing outDon’t just believe truth — live itDon’t measure truth by popularityIf you love the light, you’ll move toward itInvite the light to inspect your life

Join our Senior Pastors Matt and Jody Destry as they share some big news for Discovery Church and the wider Churches of Christ VIC TAS movement.You can also watch this podcast online here!

07/12/2025 - Matthew DestryGoing home for Christmas: a meaning worth moving forRead Matthew 2:1–12 ESV (include in full)Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:“And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.”Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.They took the trip because they believed three deep truths that every modern heart still aches for:the world is not sealed shutGod speaks in ways that require interpretationmeaning is worth moving forTheology corner: general and special revelationPsalm 19:1 ESVThe heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.Micah 5:2 ESVBut you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.John 1:14 ESVAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.He is worthy of worship from those far away.This is your sign that God remembers you. You can hear from God.Look for light in this season.The journey is hard but worth it.Christmas says: these lights won’t save you. But they reveal your hunger. And behind every lesser light is Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, gently drawing you home.

30/11/2025 - Beck LambertLament: “A passionate expression of grief that names what is wrong and anchors it to God’s truth.” Mark Vroegop – Dark Clouds, Deep MercyPsalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”The valley is not the destination or dwelling place – it is something to be navigated throughPray your PainPsalm 139:2 “You perceive my thoughts from afar”Psalm 139:4 “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely”“When we bring our pain to God, He meets us with His presence, and that changes everything” Karra EloffPsalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”God already knows your pain, prayer gives Him access to it.Pray the WordWhen you can’t find the words, borrow them from the psalmsSuggested lament psalms to begin with: Psalm 6, Psalm 13, Psalm 77Paul’s example to us:Romans 8:35-37 ““Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”Jesus quoted the psalms through the gospels to express righteous anger, knowledge of his betrayal by Judas, and lament on the cross:John 2:14-17 “In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”John 13:18 “But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’”Practice GratitudeThe example of Psalm 13 – from a low place to gratitudePsalm 13How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I wrestle with my thoughtsand day after day have sorrow in my heart?How long will my enemy triumph over me?Look on me and answer, Lord my God.Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”and my foes will rejoice when I fall.But I trust in your unfailing love;my heart rejoices in your salvation.I will sing the Lord’s praise,for he has been good to me.The psalms of lament acknowledge both the pain of life and God’s goodness in the midst of hardship.Gratitude doesn’t erase pain — it anchors us to God’s goodness in the middle of it.Practice CommunityCommunity is God’s gift to lighten the load of grief and pain.Community can help you hear God’s voice when you can’t hear it for yourself.Community can provide those steady footsteps beside you, helping you to pace yourself as you walk through the valley.But…to have community, you must practise community.Reflection QuestionsWhere do I default to during times of pain…have I been trying to rush through my pain, or have I been stuck in it?Where might I be holding something back from God — something I need to name honestly in prayer?What’s one way I could practise gratitude this week, even in a small way?(If I’m practising community) How could I lighten the load for someone in my community this week?(If I’m not practising community) What can I do to change that, knowing community is something I need to be intentional about? Lamentations 3:15-2615 He has filled me with bitternessand given me a bitter cup of sorrow to drink.16 He has made me chew on gravel.He has rolled me in the dust.17 Peace has been stripped away,and I have forgotten what prosperity is.18 I cry out, “My splendour is gone!Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!”19 The thought of my suffering and homelessnessis bitter beyond words.20 I will never forget this awful time,as I grieve over my loss.21 Yet I still dare to hopewhen I remember this:22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness;his mercies begin afresh each morning.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;therefore, I will hope in him!”25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,to those who search for him.26 So it is good to wait quietlyfor salvation from the Lord.

23/11/2025 - Vincent GulayPsalm 23As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the goals and plans we made.We reflect on the pace of life, and the impact of hurry on ourselves, our relationships – those welove the most.Could the Lord be calling us to a rest that renews our minds, builds our trust in Him, satisfiesour souls and bring Him glory?“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”Learning to slow down means understanding why we perceive ‘rest’ the way we do. Aligning ourworldly perspective with God’s perspective is a key benefit of rest, but also key to beginning thelife-long journey of pursuing a slower pace.“If we’re not being intentionally formed by Jesus, himself, then it’s highly likely we’re beingunintentionally formed by someone or something else.” – John Mark ComerChange your mindset around rest, then Jesus can change how you see the World.‘He makes me lie down in green pastures…’Changing our mindset is one step, but Trusting him is another thing all together. Shepherds inDavid’s time, in Jerusalem, would only see small sporadic sprigs, in the dry seasons. It wasimportant for the sheep to follow the shepherd to where the food is, and the safe places were torest.In the same way, through hard season, the Lord with show you where the provision is, and will allowyou to rest, while he keeps an eye on what’s important to you.Rest helps us increase our trust in Him.“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”For when our souls are more tired than our bodies.We are yearning. We are thirsty for something to satisfy our desires. But nothing can, like theliving waters that the Shepherd leads us to.Rest means being led to where we can drink and be restored.Rest allows Him to restore what hurry has drained.“He Leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.”Rest has this way of putting God back in His rightful place. Because when I slow down long enoughto breathe, I remember. He’s the Shepherd, I’m not.But Rest moves the spotlight off me, and back onto Him. He does all of this for us, and we can onlybenefit from it because of His Grace. Supplying our daily needs and offering us peace and rest areall a part of God’s desire to restore our souls, to revive us in Him.Rest helps us direct our worship to the place it belongs.Do not allow fear to manifest as “hurry” and pull you away from who you love. Instead, buildrhythms of rest and be led by The Good Shepherd.Being Led, really starts with being honest. Let’s start with asking a few questions:– What has formed my mindset around rest? How healthy is this?– Do I trust the Lord with provision in my life? Do I trust him with my projects?– How deeply does the Lord need to restore me? When did I last feel deeply content?– Where is my worship directed? Do I need help with this? What do I need to change?Here are some healthy practices you could consider and research. Examen. Sabbath. Silence.Solitude. Slowing. Worship. Delete the apps. And some resourcesResources:– The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer– Practicing the Way – John Mark Comer– Peter Scazzero

16/11/2025 - Matthew DestryMain text: Psalm 73:12-17 (ESV)Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children.But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.Reflection: the slow way to wisdomBecause reflection is how we see what’s really going onPractices for the roadReflection isn’t passive; it’s a posture we can practise. The Psalms are full of it: “I remember,” “I meditate,” “I consider,” “I ponder.” Each word invites us to walk, not drive.Reflection helps us discern and decide.Reflection helps us judge rightly.Reflection keeps our hearts sweet.Reflection deepens our affection for God.Now, Practising reflection in our seasonAsk:Where did I see God this year?What did I learn through joy? Through pain?What’s still unresolved in my heart that I can bring into His presence?Blaise Pascal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”Closing prayer:Lord, teach us to walk slowly.Give us hearts that listen deeply.Show us the treasure You’ve hidden in this season, and let reflection lead us to worship.

09/11/2025 - Jody DestryThe Psalms are the prayer book of God’s people — songs and prayers that give voice to every human emotion: joy, grief, hope, fear, longing, courage, anger, and love.They teach us how to bring all of life before God — not just the polished parts.They become both a mirror for the soul and a map for the heart, guiding us toward honesty, healing, and hope.Psalm 42:7–8Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;all your waves and breakers have swept over me.By day the Lord directs his love,at night his song is with me.Before the rush of Christmas, the Psalms invite us to slow down, pay attention to what’s stirring beneath the surface, and let God meet us there.Psalms of Celebration:Key Passage – Psalm 100The Password Into God;’s presence is Gratitude:Sometimes our spiritual lives feel “locked.” We try to log in with the wrong passwords —performance, perfection, panic, or impatience — but the true password into God’s presence is gratitude.Psalm 100:4–5*Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.Gratitude is not a feeling; it’s a choice.We don’t wait to *feel* thankful — we *enter* with thanksgiving, even in hardship.Celebration doesn’t deny pain; it declares God’s goodness in the middle of it.Celebration Begins with RemembranceWhen we forget what God has done, gratitude fades.But when we remember, joy rises.Psalm 103:1–5Sometimes we have to talk to our own souls – remind ourselves of what’s true until faith awakens again.“Gratitude is not always spontaneous — sometimes we must command our souls to remember.” — Walter BrueggemannCelebration Releases RenewalPraise shifts the atmosphere — it renews hearts and transforms spaces.Psalm 40:1–3Psalm 30:11–12Before renewal is seen in the world, it is sung in the hearts of God’s people.Our gratitude becomes a testimony — our praise invites others into hope.Reflection QuestionsWhen have you felt “locked out” of connection with God?What “passwords” have you been using to try to reach Him?What’s one thing you can thank God for today — even if life feels hard?What does your soul need to remember about God’s goodness?How could gratitude or celebration shift the atmosphere around you this week?

02/11/2025 - ​M​att RobinsonRomans 12Consider:Has there been something that’s happened this year that’s frustrated you? Something you wish you could change? Or perhaps someone?We live in a wild world, and at times we ask ourselves what place do we as Christians have in this world?The church in Rome asked this same question. They were divided by opinion, Jews concerned with the Law and Gentiles feeling limited in how they could minister. It’s into this context that Paul writes Romans.The Invitation:Leading up to Romans 12, Paul emphasises the fact that though we are all different, what unites us is that we all are invited into God’s family. There is an invitation for us to join God and what He’s doing to restore this wild world we live in.The Implication:Romans 12:1-2Saying “Yes” to Jesus means saying “Yes” to being renewed and transformed from the inside out.Parable of the unknown Monk“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town, and as an older man, I tried to change my family.Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”Reflect:What’s actually shaping your mindset? What is influencing your thoughts most right now?The implementation:Karl Barth – “We must hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.”Romans 12:4-8We are all made unique, have different stories, backgrounds, talents, gifting and connections. Paul reminds us of this and that because of this how God uses us is going to look different. We aren’t meant to compare or judge what another is doing for the Lord, but to focus on what He is able to do with us.The Outcome:When we accept the invit ation, we journey with God. We are made students who seek to become like Him and this will be expressed uniquely through who He has made us to be. As a result, the good news will be shared, we will be light-bearers in dark places.Romans 12:9-20Imagine a world where we live like Paul describes in these verses.This is who we are called to be, this is what happens and can only happen, when we live fed by the root, and in response offer our lives as a living sacrifice.What could this look like for us to live this out in our week?Be first to show honour to those around youPursue being hospitable and loving to strangers,Seek to bless those who seek to curse youCelebrate other people’s wins with them, share tears with those who are in ruin.Do your best to understand one another. That means don’t just reject someone because of a view they hold but seek to converse with them, understand the other side of a story. Why do they hold that view?Don’t think so highly of yourself or your understanding of things. Lower yourself so that you can listen, learn, and serveBe radically generous and authentically humble

26/10/2025 - Zeke MurleyRomans 10:5–17 (ESV)The Law vs. FaithMoses wrote that the one who does the commandments shall live by them (v.5).But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart…” (v.6–7).Salvation isn’t found in human effort — it’s nearer than we think. The Word Is Near“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (v.9–10)The same Lord is Lord of all — Jew and Greek alike — and “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (v.12–13) The Rhetorical Questions“How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?How will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?How will they hear without someone preaching?And how will they preach unless they are sent?” (v.14–15)These questions reveal God’s pattern for reaching the world — a sending, speaking, saving God. Sent. Speak. Sound. Saved.Sent: From Moses to Isaiah, Jonah to Jesus, God has always been a sending God.Speak: The proof of faith isn’t just in worship but in witness. The Gospel isn’t meant to stay silent.Sound: What message are people hearing? A gospel of striving or a gospel of grace?Saved: “The word is near you…” (v.8). Salvation isn’t far off. It’s closer than you think — as close as your lips.

19/10/2025 - Matthew DestryBig Idea: The gospel goes with going people, yet the dream always belongs to God.Text: Romans 15:22–29But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.Romans 15 sits at the crossroads of Paul’s ministry. He’s writing from Corinth, heading toward Jerusalem, hoping to be refreshed in Rome, and dreaming of Spain—the edge of the known world. Each stop is a stage in the soul’s pilgrimage:Reality — where you face the truth.Honour — where you remember those who came before you.Support — where you are renewed by the community of faith.Dream — where you step into God’s uncharted future.Corinth – Reality (vv. 22–23)Jerusalem – Honour (vv. 25–27)Rome – Support (vv. 24, 29)Spain – Dream (vv. 24, 28)

12/10/2025 - Matthew DestryWaiting patiently in hopeRomans 8:18-30For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Point 1. Present suffering vs future glory (vv. 18–19)Point 2. Creation’s groan, our groan, Spirit’s groan (vv. 20–26)Nature, with its melancholy charm, resembles a bride who, at the very moment when she was fully attired for marriage, saw the bridegroom die. She still stands with her fresh crown and in her bridal dress, but her eyes are full of tears” — SchellingPoint 3. Hope and patience (vv. 24–25)Point 4. The Spirit helps, the Father searches, the Son secures (vv. 26–30)As the bird-life builds up a bird, the image of itself, so the Christ-life builds up a Christ, the image of Himself, in the inward nature of man.… According to the great law of conformity to type, this fashioning takes a specific form. It is that of the Artist who fashions. And all through life this wonderful, mystical, glorious, yet perfectly definite process goes on ‘until Christ be formed’ in it” (Drummond, “Natural Law in the Spiritual World”).Application:For the weary: Don’t despise the groan. It’s not the sound of defeat; it’s the sound of new creation coming.For the impatient: Train in hope. Refuse the quick fix. Learn the holy art of waiting.For the prayerless: Trust the Spirit’s intercession when you don’t know what to say.For the anxious: Anchor your life in this promise—God is shaping Jesus in you, and He will not fail.“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” — Robert Murray M’Cheyne

05/10/2025 - Jody DestryRomans 6:1–14Key Scripture“We are no longer slaves to sin… For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans 6:6–7)“So you also should consider yourselves dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)“Do not let sin control the way you live… Instead, give yourselves completely to God.” (Romans 6:12–13) Summary:Paul addresses a dangerous distortion: “If grace is abundant, should we just keep sinning?” His answer is clear: Absolutely not!Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin’s power is broken. In baptism, we identify with Christ — the old self is buried, and we are raised to live new lives.Sin still tempts, but it no longer masters us. Our new reality is freedom under grace — called to live as instruments of righteousness, shaped by God’s will and ways, not by sin’s rule.Grace isn’t a licence to sin. Grace is power to live free. Key TakeawaysSin enslaves – it shapes habits, desires, and choices when left unchecked.Grace frees – Jesus’ death and resurrection break sin’s power over us.Baptism reminds us – we’ve died to sin and now live with a new identity in Christ.Our call – Offer every part of our lives to God as instruments of righteousness. Reflection QuestionsWhat habits, attitudes, or patterns feel like they still enslave you?How does knowing you are “dead to sin, alive in Christ” shift your perspective?Where do you tend to rationalise or minimise sin in your own life?What’s one practical step you can take this week to live out your new identity in Christ?Group/Individual PracticeRemember your baptism – Reflect on the truth it symbolises: dead to sin, alive in Christ.Offer yourself anew – Pray a prayer of surrender, asking God to use your words, work, and relationships as instruments of righteousness this week.Receive grace – Whether for the first time or as renewal, thank Jesus for breaking sin’s power and giving you new life.

This week we have the incredible privilege of hosting Ps Gary Morgan. Gary is an incredible preacher, prophet and friend of Discovery Church. We know you'll enjoy this word from Gary.

21/09/2025 - Zeke MurleyScriptureRomans 5:6–81. The Cross MisunderstoodNot Manipulation:We think it’s manipulative because we make sin small and hell hypothetical.Like tackling a blind man out of traffic—looked harsh until he saw the truck.God saved us while we were still sinners.Not Murder:Jesus wasn’t a victim or martyr; He gave His life willingly (John 10:17–18, Mark 10:45).Victims don’t choose; Jesus chose every whip, nail, and insult.He’s not a victim—He’s the Victor.Not Myth:If Jesus is a myth, so is salvation.Eyewitnesses, historians, and the apostles’ deaths prove otherwise.It’s not a myth that He died, rose, and saves.2. What the Cross Really IsMercy:Jesus met our real guilt, not just our felt needs.Deny sin → despise mercy.The more you see your sin, the more amazing His mercy becomes (1 Tim 1:15–16).3. The GapLook back, look now—see the gap between who you were and who you are.That gap is not your work; it’s Jesus’ work in you.Christian with No Gap: Be warned—you may have settled for religion, not salvation.Christian Who Sees the Gap: Be grateful—every step is mercy on display.Non-Christian Who Sees the Gap: You’ve tried to fill it with success, pleasure, or works. You can’t. Only Jesus bridges the gap—He is the gap-filler.ClosingThe cross isn’t manipulation, murder, or myth. It is mercy.And mercy fills the gap between you and God—forever.

Human brokenness and the need for grace14/09/2025 - Matthew DestryRomans 1:16–17: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”Creeping death :: Romans 1:21–23 (ESV)For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.The levelling ground :: Romans 2:1–2 (ESV)Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practise the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practise such things.The verdict rendered :: Romans 3:10–18 (ESV)As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”The gift revealed :: Romans 3:21–24 (ESV)But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.The four steps in Romans 3:21–26. Here’s how Paul unpacks it:1.Revealed (v.21)2.For everyone (vv.22–23)3.Through the cross (vv.24–25a)4.Showing God’s character (vv.25b–26)Application: where brokenness meets mercyAdmit your needReceive God’s graceLive from mercy, not masks “Pride is a form of cosmic plagiarism – claiming to be the author of something that is actually a gift’ – Tim Keller

Ps Matt Destry2 Timothy 1:5–7 (ESV)“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”1. THE FIRE IS SACRED“Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel2. THE FIRE IS FORGED IN STRUGGLE“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them—glory and danger alike—and yet still go out to meet it.” — Thucydides3. THE FIRE IS SUBSTANCE, NOT SUCCESS“What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.” — Gretchen Rubin4. BUILDING AN ALTAR — A SOLID FOUNDATIONText: Genesis 8:20–21 (ESV)“Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the LORD said in his heart, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.’”Reflection Questions• Who passed the fire to you? What unspoken lessons did they leave?• Where are you tempted to give up? What does “keep walking” mean in your season?• What kind of altar are you building for those who come after you?• What does it mean for you today to fix your foundation on Christ?CHRIST OUR ALTAR, CHRIST OUR FIREHebrews 13:10: “We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.”

31/08/2025 - Matt DestryBig idea: God is mobilising an army… mobilised not stationary, co-ordinated not chaotic, surprising not sodden, gifted and broken.God is mobilising an army:1/ Where the battle is not against peopleEphesians 6:10–18 (NIV)Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.2/ Where the mission is the great commissionMatthew 28:18–20 (NIV)Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”3/ Where sanctification is the trainingTo be sanctified: The word comes from the Latin sanctus (“holy”) and the verb facere (“to make”). In biblical terms, it carries two layers:1. Positional Sanctification (Set Apart)2. Ongoing Sanctification (Being Made Holy)4/ Where no one walks alone5/ Where worship is warfare“God is mobilising an army, but it’s a broken army that marches on it’s knees” – Pete Greig

The Church as God’s Hospital24/08/2025 - Jody DestryOverflowing with Healing and HopeKey ScripturesMark 2:17 – “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”Luke 5:17–26 – Jesus heals the paralytic (forgiveness + physical healing).John 8:1–11 – Jesus and the woman caught in adultery (freedom from condemnation + new life).Mark 5:1–20 – Jesus heals the demon-possessed man (restoration of mind, community, and mission).John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”1 Corinthians 12:26 – “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.”Key PointsJesus the Great PhysicianHis ministry was marked by healing: physical, emotional, and spiritual.He addresses not just symptoms but root causes.Stories of HealingParalytic man → forgiveness + healing.Woman caught in adultery → mercy + transformation.The demon-possessed man → restored mind + sent on mission.Healing as a Sign of the KingdomEvery healing points to God’s reign breaking in with renewal, hope, and restoration.John 10:10 – life to the full.3.The Church as a HospitalJesus is the Great Physician, we are all patients, and together we form a community of mutual care.Different “wards” of the Church: emergency (crisis), surgical (transformation), maternity (new life), children’s (discipleship), aged care (honour and wisdom), recovery (rest and restoration), rehabilitation (strength and equipping).Healing in CommunityHealing isn’t just private; it’s experienced in relationships (1 Cor. 12:26; Gal. 6:2).Confession and prayer bring healing (James 5:16).Reflection Questions:f the Church is like a hospital with many wards, which “ward” do you see yourself in right now (emergency, recovery, rehabilitation, etc.)?How can we better live out 1 Corinthians 12:26 and Galatians 6:2 as a group — carrying each other’s burdens and celebrating healing together?James 5:16 speaks about confession and prayer. Why do you think honesty and vulnerability are so important for healing?

17/08/2025 - Matthew DestryPsalm 68:5–6: Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.Adopted into God’s Family — Romans 8:15–17Romans 8:15–17 (ESV): For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.The Household of God — Ephesians 2:19–22Ephesians 2:19–22 (ESV): So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. III. Spiritual Friendships — John 15:15John 15:15 (ESV): No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.Four markers of healthy friendship:No Power ImbalanceNo Money Changing HandsNo Hidden ExpectationsNo Triangulation or ControlRecognising Leadership and Voices in the FamilyActs 18:24–26 (ESV): Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.Protecting the Unity of the Family — Ephesians 4:29–32Ephesians 4:29–32 (ESV): Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

10/08/2025 - Zeke MurleyPaul assumes everyone has a gift.The problem is not inactive gifts, but disobedientGifts are for the common good (v.7), empowered by one Spirit.Two Gift Problems in the ChurchThe Jealous Gift (vv.15–20)“Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.”More concerned with visibility over faithfulness.Tells God He got it wrong.Turns partners in ministry into competitors in calling.Worships self over God.Robs the church of purposeJealousy leaves the body lame.The Prideful Gift (vv.21–24)“I have no need of you.”Independence isn’t strength — it’s sabotage.You can’t build the body if you think you don’t needYou are not the point of this place — just a part of it.When the gift becomes god, the church becomes a casualty.Heart CheckThis isn’t a team recruitment drive.No sign-up sheet. No QR code.It’s about the Spirit of God and believing He meant what He said: You are part of the Body.When jealousy and pride go uncorrected:Celebration dies.Honour becomes foreign.Resentment and self-sufficiency suffocate the Spirit’s work.Result: Christ isn’t glorified.Dishonour the gift → dishonour the Giver.Our Callv.26 — If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.Honour one another.See one another.Need one another.Hands — Living It OutIdentify your gift — not to compare or compete, but to contribute.Confess pride or jealousy that’s kept you from building up the body.Celebrate and honour others’ gifts.Serve the body so Christ is seen and glorified.