What Matters

Liberty for the Oppressed

The last message in our Jubilee series focuses on Jesus' promise of liberty for the oppressed.  Israel in his day were looking for a saviour from Roman occupation.  But Jesus delivered them and us from a far more sinister oppression.  Listen in: Download 181211_Liberty_to_the_Opressed_Stu_Cameron  Or read the manuscript here: Download Liberty to the Oppressed

Sight for the Blind

Dorothy Matheison is an author, pastor, teacher and the former International Director of Servants to Asia's Poor.  She is an amazing woman.  In this message, Dorothy reflects on Jesus' promise to restore the sight of the blind (Luke 4:16-21).  Listen in: Download 111211_for_the_Blind_Dorothy_Matheison

Credit Card Jubilee

Retailers are hoping for it.  Shoppers are bracing for it.  Banks are 'banking' on it. This December it is forecast that Australians will spend $25 Billion on Christmas festivities.  That is more that $1000 per man, woman and child in our nation spent on food, tinsel, presents and festivities.  Our economy has become dependant on the annual credit card binge most of us participate in.  Christmas had become a celebration not so much of the birth of an impoverished infant as it is a festival of over-indulgence.

The birth of Jesus was the announcement of Jubilee - God's proclamation in flesh and blood that the world could rest from its sinful striving.  Jesus confirmed this when he began his public ministry by appropriating the words of the prophet Isaiah in his sermon in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-20).  Our lives are not defined by what we spend, wear, have or even give this Christmas.  Our lives are defined by what we have received in and through the Christmas story - good news for the poor, freedom for the prisoner, sight for the blind and liberty for the oppressed. 

And so perhaps one of the best ways we can celebrate this Christmas season is also one of the most counter-cultural.  Rather than participate meekly in the orgy of over-indulgence that is typical, instead we can give our credit cards a (jubilee) rest and stop spending money we do not have on presents our friends and families do not need.  Just a thought...

Freedom for the Prisoners

Last Sunday, our Executive Pastor Melissa Lipsett continued our series of Jubilee from Luke 4:18-19 with particular focus on Christ bringing Freedom to the Prisoners. Freedom comes both in the physical and the spiritual. Listen in to Melissa's Message here: 041211_Freedom_for_Prisoners_Melissa_Lipsett