Table of Contents
Multi-dimensional, purposeful living.
Wednesday 1st January 2025
When Jesus spoke the words recorded in Acts 1:8,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”
he was not merely giving a mission statement. He was unveiling the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which equips us to live a life of purpose in four dimensions: reconciling our past, cultivating intimacy with God in the present, discovering a higher calling, and fully embracing the unique design God has placed in each of us.
1. Power to overcome the past
Scripture speaks of the gospel as the moment when God’s new creation breaks into the old. Through the Holy Spirit, we are no longer bound by the weight of our past. As Paul reminds us,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
The Spirit empowers us to move forward because we are redeemed and redefined by the grace of God. We are not defined by our failures or regrets.
2. Power to experience God in the present
Empowerment is not a distant promise but a present reality. N.T. Wright emphasises that God’s Spirit dwells within us, making intimacy with God possible every moment of every day. Jesus said,
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you”
John 15:4, NIV
Through prayer, worship, and Scripture, the Holy Spirit allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love and guidance, providing strength for life’s challenges and joy in His presence.
3. Power to discover a higher purpose
Living empowered by the Spirit means aligning our lives with God’s mission. Wright highlights that the early church understood their purpose as active participants in God’s kingdom, not as mere survivors. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us,
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
The Holy Spirit equips us to serve, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, pointing others to the hope and restoration found in Christ.
4. Power to live fully as God-designed individuals
Finally, the Spirit empowers us to be fully ourselves—the individuals God created us to be. Wright stresses that the Holy Spirit works through our unique gifts and talents, enabling us to live boldly and joyfully for God’s glory. As Paul writes,
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
This empowerment is not about striving on our own but allowing God to work through us to accomplish His purposes.
Living empowered
A life with 4-dimensional purpose is not achieved by human effort but by embracing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This power liberates us from the past, fills our present with intimacy, fuels our discovery of purpose, and enables us to live as God’s masterpieces.
May we, as individuals and as a community, step into this empowerment, bearing witness to the transformative love and power of Jesus Christ in our lives and in the world.
Kids Church | Sunday 5th January 2025 | Online Only
Kids Church is on Summer Break, so there are no onsite sessions. Please check out our online program below.
This week at Kids Church online…
2 to 4-year-olds | Peter Walks on Water | Matthew 14:22-33
5 to 12-year-olds | Jesus Wept – He understands | John 11:1-45
EMPOWERED - To overcome the past | Sunday 5th January | 9:00 am & 11:00 am
Start 2025 being EMPOWERED by discovering life with a 4-dimensional purpose and embracing the transformative power of God in every area of your life!
Be ‘Empowered to Overcome the Past’ and break free from regrets and hurts by understanding redemption and renewing your identity in Christ.
Join us and discover practical steps to release the past and embrace new beginnings for 2025!
Kids Church | Summer Fun Day | Sunday 26th January 2025
Kids Church resumes Sunday, 26th January, with a Kids Summer Fun Day. Come along, enjoy the fun, and reconnect with friends. Why not bring along a neighbour?
Raising Awareness of Neurodiversity | Special Event | Thursday 20th February 2025 | 7:00 pm
We have the great honour to host this special event to raise awareness of neurodiversity needs in our church and broader community. Sandhya is a Multiple Neurodivergent Educational and Developmental Psychologist. Her organisation, Onwards and Upwards Psychology in Melbourne, focuses on upskilling and empowering clinicians, parents, and teachers to understand and support autistic and ADHDer individuals, with the ultimate goal of better well-being for these communities. During this event Sandhya will present strategies to help broaden inclusion, specifically in group settings. This is an ideal PD opportunity for teachers and practitioners.
Sandhya has previously authored two best-selling children’s books using a neurodiversity affirming approach, The Brain Forest and The Rainbow Brain, and speaks at national and international conferences on autism, ADHD and cultural perspectives. This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s leading experts in this field. Book early to secure a seat.
Young Families | Camping Weekend | Friday 21st February 2025
Calling all camping families – kids of any age are welcome!
Get ready for a weekend of making unforgettable memories! We invite you to join us from February 21st (Friday) to February 23rd (Sunday) 2025, for the Young Families Camping Weekend at Warburton. Strengthening the bonds between your family and others is our main priority!
Enjoy crisp, fresh air, surrounded by stunning nature and a sense of freedom, watch children play around the campsite, enjoy the fantastic free Water Park and paddle in the Warburton River. Warburton has plenty of cafes, and Redwood Forest has fantastic walking and cycling trails and is great fun for photos.
At night, get ready for cosy campfires, where we’ll swap stories, roast marshmallows, and enjoy fellowship.
We are staying at the Warburton Holiday Park. Camping is loads of fun (and much easier with a group).
So gather your adventurous spirit, pack your sense of humour, and join us for this amazing weekend. Come and embrace the great outdoors with us!
Please mark your calendars and book soon because our Young Families Camping Weekend awaits and sites are filling up with 120 people already registered!
Have a safety concern?
We are serious about keeping our faith community safe. We encourage all staff, volunteers, partners and congregation to report any concerns they have about safety and wellbeing. We are committed to handling all concerns seriously, legally and in a child-focused way (if concerning children).
If you have any concerns about safety at the Church, we strongly encourage you to share your concern with one of our Pastors or the Safety Contact Person, Karen Fletcher and fill in our Reporting Concerns Form.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
BRAAM BOTHA
Senior Pastor
