Para Vista Lutheran Church

Reading Signs Correctly (Audio)

Signs are important and aren’t usually too complicated. For instance, you wouldn’t drive around a sign that warns us the bridge ahead is closed. Natural signs such as thunder warn us of a storm coming, while medical symptoms may indicate signs of disease.
The Bible provides us with signs regarding Jesus' second coming, but the complexities of translation can sometimes make them appear difficult to interpret.
Jesus wants every believer to be encouraged at a time in the future; when there will be fearful signs that will make people apprehensive of what may soon come.
To help us avoid any pre-second coming panic attacks, Jesus gave us some things to focus on in order to stand firm in our faith.

Chris McAleer

Bible Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)

Reading Signs Correctly (Video)

Signs are important and aren’t usually too complicated. For instance, you wouldn’t drive around a sign that warns us the bridge ahead is closed. Natural signs such as thunder warn us of a storm coming, while medical symptoms may indicate signs of disease.
The Bible provides us with signs regarding Jesus' second coming, but the complexities of translation can sometimes make them appear difficult to interpret.
Jesus wants every believer to be encouraged at a time in the future; when there will be fearful signs that will make people apprehensive of what may soon come.
To help us avoid any pre-second coming panic attacks, Jesus gave us some things to focus on in order to stand firm in our faith.

Chris McAleer

Bible Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (NIV)

Surrended, Shaped, Sent (Video)

Do you remember doing pottery at some stage while you were at school? If so, can you also remember what the result was? That cool, damp blob of clay was shaped by hand into something roughly resembling a pot or some other item. The clay was perhaps an unwitting participant in the process, but it surrendered to the shaping hands of the potter. In some cases, it was then fired or left to dry naturally before being put to use in many and various ways, sometimes by the potter but often by someone who received it as a gift.

Can you think of a time in your life where you were being shaped and prepared for something new by God, a bit like the clay being shaped into something new for some new purpose?

Perhaps you’ve only realised in hindsight that God was preparing you for some kind of new role, vocation or calling?

Have you then been sent out, as a gift to the world, or the church?

Can you think of a time where you surrendered, were shaped, and then sent?

Is God preparing you for a time such as this?

Pastor Tim Stringer

Bible Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, John 5:21-29 (NIV)

Surrended, Shaped, Sent (Audio)

Do you remember doing pottery at some stage while you were at school? If so, can you also remember what the result was? That cool, damp blob of clay was shaped by hand into something roughly resembling a pot or some other item. The clay was perhaps an unwitting participant in the process, but it surrendered to the shaping hands of the potter. In some cases, it was then fired or left to dry naturally before being put to use in many and various ways, sometimes by the potter but often by someone who received it as a gift.

Can you think of a time in your life where you were being shaped and prepared for something new by God, a bit like the clay being shaped into something new for some new purpose?

Perhaps you’ve only realised in hindsight that God was preparing you for some kind of new role, vocation or calling?

Have you then been sent out, as a gift to the world, or the church?

Can you think of a time where you surrendered, were shaped, and then sent?

Is God preparing you for a time such as this?

Pastor Tim Stringer

Bible Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, John 5:21-29 (NIV)

What does the word "Sacrifice" mean to you (Audio)

What do you think of when you hear the word, “Sacrifice?” I’m sure if I were to ask everyone this question, I would receive a lot of different answers—like, this past week our country has observed Remembrance Day—remembering all those who have served and given their life for this country.  Perhaps what might come to mind is why we worship regularly—to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross — but I reckon a lot of the time many of us a little removed from the impact of what that word “Sacrifice” means.  We are somewhat disconnected from the history of the sacrificial system as mentioned in the Old Testament, and therefore, we are disconnected from how powerful that word is.

To help us better understand the word “Sacrifice”, we will dwell in the Word from the book of  Hebrews (10:11-25) and as we do, you will discover that this sacrificial system was not pretty – in  fact, it’s horrible.  As you discover the horror of the sacrificial system, I hope you will gain a  greater appreciation of what it meant for Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for your
sin.

What does the word "Sacrifice" mean to you? (Video)

What do you think of when you hear the word, “Sacrifice?” I’m sure if I were to ask everyone this question, I would receive a lot of different answers—like, this past week our country has observed Remembrance Day—remembering all those who have served and given their life for this country.  Perhaps what might come to mind is why we worship regularly—to remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross — but I reckon a lot of the time many of us a little removed from the impact of what that word “Sacrifice” means.  We are somewhat disconnected from the history of the sacrificial system as mentioned in the Old Testament, and therefore, we are disconnected from how powerful that word is.

To help us better understand the word “Sacrifice”, we will dwell in the Word from the book of  Hebrews (10:11-25) and as we do, you will discover that this sacrificial system was not pretty – in  fact, it’s horrible.  As you discover the horror of the sacrificial system, I hope you will gain a  greater appreciation of what it meant for Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for your
sin.

Following Jesus on the High Road (Audio)

So often we see poor behaviour - on social media, in the news, everywhere.
Politicians talking horribly about others. Culture wars, cancel culture, and just general negativity.
To get out of the mud, we can't walk on the low road anymore.
Join us Sunday to hear about what other options there are, and how we get there.

Pastor Chris Mann

Bible Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (NLT)

Following Jesus on the High Road (Video)

So often we see poor behaviour - on social media, in the news, everywhere.
Politicians talking horribly about others. Culture wars, cancel culture, and just general negativity.
To get out of the mud, we can't walk on the low road anymore.
Join us Sunday to hear about what other options there are, and how we get there.

Pastor Chris Mann

Bible Reading: Luke 17: 11-19 (NLT)

Celebrating That We Are All Saints In Christ (Audio)

Have you ever heard people referring to Christians as those "holy Joes who think that they're better than everyone else"? Sadly, that kind of thinking can be a real barrier to people learning about God's love for them in Jesus. All Saints Day is a good opportunity to respond to this issue. In the New Testament, "saints" were not the revered dead but the living faithful. Not the especially "holy ones", but rather all God's forgiven people who trust in Jesus. So Christians don't think of themselves as being better than anyone else. Instead, we admit that we're just as sinful as everyone else, but we have been forgiven and accepted in Jesus. We are holy, because of, and in union with Jesus our Saviour. We are all saints in him. Now that's truly worth celebrating!

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NLT)

Celebrating That We Are All Saints In Christ (Video)

Have you ever heard people referring to Christians as those "holy Joes who think that they're better than everyone else"? Sadly, that kind of thinking can be a real barrier to people learning about God's love for them in Jesus. All Saints Day is a good opportunity to respond to this issue. In the New Testament, "saints" were not the revered dead but the living faithful. Not the especially "holy ones", but rather all God's forgiven people who trust in Jesus. So Christians don't think of themselves as being better than anyone else. Instead, we admit that we're just as sinful as everyone else, but we have been forgiven and accepted in Jesus. We are holy, because of, and in union with Jesus our Saviour. We are all saints in him. Now that's truly worth celebrating!

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2: 9-10 (NLT)