Church notes - August 2025

[fardell24]

3rd
Luke 15: 1 -7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Sin

Repentance
vs 6
A party

Wedding
A blessing to the bride and groom.

Two groups of people
Those who are religious
Those who are least likely to attend church.
Jesus welcomed the latter.
The former thought that Jesus would see them first.
Their arrogance kept Jesus from them.
vs 3
The parable 'Suppse you had 100 sheep'.
Sheep were valuable, more like pets than work animals.

vs 4
He searched until he found the lost sheep.
A joyful reflection. The opposite of a modern day sheep farmer's reaction.

vs 7
More rejoicing in heaven.

Isaiah 40

Would we accept Jesus as the owner.

A car has a badge, representing the manufacturer.
So, we have a Jesus badge.

Colossians 1
Created by Him and for Him.

Psalm 34

Repentance.

Mark 14
Peter denying Jesus, then crying when he realised what he had done.


10th
Psalm 100

Matthew 4:18 - 21
Simon called Peter

John 21:15 - 17
A person set apart by God.

1 Peter 1:3 - 7


17th
Psalm 95

Top down attentional effect. A way our brains work to avoid sensory overload. Focusing in on what we want to see. It affects our thinking in many ways, including in ways that make us anxious and worried.

Isaiah 6
vs 3
The glory of God overwhelms Isaiah, but he is cleansed (in aforeshadowing of what Jesus does for everyone who believes at the Cross).
The angel (or Jesus Himself) reassures Isaiah.

The glory of God shakes not only the Temple but the whole creation. The whole creation proclaims God's glory.

Psalm 23
He is with us, in us, as we go through the valley of the shadow of death.

Matthew 14:22 - 23
Peter walking on the water. He was fine while he focused on Jesus. But he began to sank when he focused on the storm around him.


24th
James 2:14 - 26

Totally Available
Radically Obedient
Radical
- Independence of, or departure, from tradition

Importance of both faith and action.

Do we look like the early Church (Acts 2 - 4)?
Or more like the Pharisees? (Whitewashed tombs)
- Rule centred.
Early Church
- Sold their possessions
- Shared everything
- Face persecution with joy.
- Turned the world upside down.
Pharisees
- External compliance without heart transformation.

Exodus 34
Moses' face glowing after talking to God on Mount Sinai

Do people see God's presence in your life?


31st
Mark 1:14 - 20
Come, follow me.

Luke 14:25 - 35
Know what it will take.

John 15:1 - 10
Stay connected to me

Hebrews 10:19 - 25
Keep going together.