Table of Contents
The Christian Vocation
Wednesday 15th January 2025
In Ephesians 2:10, the Apostle Paul writes,
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse captures the essence of the Christian vocation. Scripture emphasizes that the Christian vocation is not merely about individual purpose or fulfilment but about participating in God’s redemptive plan for the world. This profound calling is both a gift and a responsibility, rooted in God’s grace and enacted through the transformative power of Christ.
God’s Handiwork: Identity Rooted in Creation and Redemption
The Christian vocation begins with a new identity. To be “God’s handiwork” signifies that our very existence is the result of divine craftsmanship. Just as an artist imbues their creation with meaning and purpose, so too has God designed each of us with intentionality. The Bible highlights that this identity is not static but dynamic—it is shaped and redefined through our relationship with Christ. In Him, we are restored to our original purpose and called into a new life that reflects God’s glory and love.
Our identity as God’s handiwork is rooted in both creation and redemption. God is reclaiming the world’s brokenness and restoring it to its intended beauty through Christ. This redemption is not merely an individual experience but cosmic in scope. As followers of Christ, we are invited to join in this grand restoration story, embodying God’s purposes in our daily lives.
Created for Good Works: The Role of Participation
Central to Christian vocation is the idea of participation. Ephesians 2:10 declares that we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” These works are not arbitrary tasks but specific expressions of God’s earthly kingdom. Good works are not a means to earn salvation but a natural outflow of a life transformed by grace. They are signs of the new creation breaking into the present world.
Good works encompass every area of life, from sharing your faith to acts of mercy and justice to the pursuit of excellence in one’s vocation. This confirms the importance of seeing all work—whether preaching, parenting, or painting—as sacred when done in alignment with God’s purposes. This holistic vision of vocation challenges the false divide between “spiritual” and “secular” work, calling Christians to embody their faith in every sphere of influence.
God’s Prepared Path: A Journey of Hope
Christ Followers point to the hopeful assurance embedded in Ephesians 2:10:
“God prepared [these works] in advance for us to do.”
This preparation reflects God’s sovereignty and invites us to trust His guidance. Christian vocation is a journey where God equips and leads His people to fulfil their unique roles in His mission.
In this journey, Christians adopt a posture of faithfulness and creativity. We ask,
“What does it look like for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, here and now?”
This question propels us to discern how to reflect God’s kingdom values—love, justice, mercy, and truth—in our communities and beyond.
Conclusion: Joining God’s Mission
The Christian vocation is a profound invitation to join God’s mission of renewal and restoration. Rooted in our identity as God’s handiwork, we are called to embody His purposes through good works that reflect His kingdom. In a world longing for hope and healing, the Christian vocation offers a way of life that bears witness to the transformative power of Christ. Let us embrace this calling with joy, creativity, and faithful perseverance, trusting that God’s work in and through us will bear eternal fruit.
Kids Church | Sunday 19th 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 | Jesus Heals Ten Sick Men | Luke 17:11-16
5 to 12-year-olds | Do Not Worry – trust God instead |Matthew 6:25-34
We have colouring and activity sheets available for children to use during the services – please help yourself to these for older children as the creche is designed for 0-2 year olds.
Guest Speaker | John Sikkema | Sunday 19th January 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Do you know that God has a specific purpose for you? Uncover how to live out your calling with courage and conviction by being ‘Empowered by a Higher Purpose’.
Join us as John Sikkema, a business entrepreneur, author and thought-leader who is passionate about motivating and mentoring leaders, help you discover your life purpose and align that purpose to live and leave a lasting legacy.
John is passionate about inspiring and empowering business leaders to make the second half of their lives more impactful than the first half – by turning their business, and life, into a living and lasting legacy! John, and his wife Suzanne, live in Bayside, Melbourne and have four adult children.
Join us to discover how aligning God’s purpose for your life brings impact and fulfilment.
Kids Church | Summer Fun Day | Sunday 26th January 2025
Kids Church resumes on Sunday, 26th January, with a Kids Summer Fun Day. Come along, enjoy the fun, and reconnect with friends. Why not bring along a neighbour?
Boys Brigade | Monday 3rd February 2025
Be part of the action
For over 20 years the Boys’ Brigade has advanced Christ’s Kingdom among boys.
ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6pm – 7.15pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7pm – 8.30pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7pm – 9.30pm
Baptism Class | Monday 10th February 2025 | 7:00pm
Baptism is complete water immersion of those who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Saviour. However, it is more than just immersion in water. It has a number of significant meanings. Book now if you want to find out more.
Raising Awareness of Neurodiversity | Special Event | Thursday 20th February 2025 | 7:00pm
We have the great honour to host this special event to raise awareness of neurodiversity needs in our church and broader community. Sandhya Menon 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.
Baptism Celebration | Sunday 23rd February 2025 | 9:00am & 11:00am
Do you want to get Baptised?
Baptism is the complete immersion into water of those who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Saviour and baptisms are a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration to the entire congregation. It has a number of significant meanings. If you are considering being baptised, please book now into the baptism class on Monday 10th February.
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
