​At Mount Eliza Anglican Church we believe that studying God's Word is essential because the Scriptures are God-breathed, profitable for teaching, rebuking, and training, equipping believers for every good work and transforming our lives. The Word offers guidance, healing, and wisdom, providing a solid foundation for life and a direct way to know and relate to God more deeply. 

Diligent study is an act of faith, and the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to convict, guide, and bring about freedom and a more Christ-like life. Therefore, I encourage you to spend time meditating on God's word each day and prayerfully consider joining a small group. 

This Sunday we will continue to reflect on the kind of Church that God wants us to be. I'm sure he wants us to be centered on His word. It's my hope that our current Church congregation will see even more clearly the importance of meditating on God's Word in this day and age where there are so many distractions and so much opposition and doubt. It is so easy to drift away from God and His plans for us when we don't spend time in His Word.

Spending time in God's word is important because:

• It's God's Message to Us: The Bible is inspired by God and given to us so we can know Him, His character, His plans, and His love for us. 
• It's Alive and Active: God's Word is powerful and living, capable of healing our souls, minds, and emotions. It's like a spiritual medicine, with an endless supply for our needs. 
• It Transforms Us: Scripture acts as a mirror, revealing our hearts and prompting us to live righteously. It helps us to overcome sin, grow in faith, and become complete and equipped for God's purposes. 
• It Provides Guidance and Wisdom: Studying the Word helps us discern right from wrong and provides guidance for living a fulfilling life. 
• It's a Source of Healing and Comfort: The Word offers comfort, restoration, and can help heal broken hearts. 
• It Equips Us for Every Good Work: As the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to renew our minds, we are better prepared to walk in obedience to God and to serve Him effectively. 

Consider spending extra time meditating on God's word this week and in the lead up to Sunday, prayerfully consider joining a small group to help you grow as a faith filled follower of Jesus (Sign-up sheets will be available).

Let us continue to encourage one another all the more as we see the day approaching.

Rev Tanya

Have you ever had a moment where you're so deeply enthralled with a task, you forget to drink your tea? And then when you remember, you have a happy moment of 'I've got tea', only to take a sip and spit it out or cough because it's lukewarm - not quite hot and not quite cold, but now tastes disgusting and not at all hitting that 'tea' spot for you? 

If you always remember to drink your tea, good on you! If you're like me and forget when you're in the zone, you'll know what this feels like! 

And this is exactly what I think of when Jesus says to the church in Laodicea, 'because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth' - literally vomit them out. What a warning!
This is a church prone to the idolatry of wealth and self-reliance. A church potentially similar to many in our context today when it's so easy to think of ourselves as independent and self-sufficient, having everything we need at the tip of our fingers. 

Jesus wants them to open their eyes to their own spiritual state: You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17

It's an easy step to think that because we have all we need, we're saved. But Jesus' words remind us that no material or monetary thing or idol of success will save our souls. Only Jesus can do that. 

For a people who pride ourselves on our independence in the western world, how are you going at depending on God in your personal & spiritual life? 

And how are we going as a church I wonder? 

Over the last few weeks as we've been going through these letters together, I wonder what has stood out to you? What have you been thinking and praying about? What have you been challenged by? What have you been convicted to do personally? What are you excited by? What do you think God might be saying to us as a church community? 

To recap the letters, Jesus challenges them and calls them to action:

• In Ephesus, they'd forsaken their first love and needed reminding to put Jesus first.
• In Smyrna, they were warned about upcoming persecution & encouraged to remain faithful.
• In Pergamum, they were challenged to stop compromising their faith and remain loyal to Jesus.
• In Thyatira, they'd grown tolerant of sin & false teachings and Jesus called them to repent and hold tightly to the truth of the gospel.
• In Sardis, they'd grown spiritually dead from complacency in faith and Jesus called them to 'wake up'!
• In Philadelphia, they kept God's word and Jesus encouraged them to keep enduring and remain faithful to the end. 
• Finally, this week, we see the Laodicea were lukewarm, becoming useless from their idolatry of wealth and independence from God. Jesus calls them to be earnest in the faith and depend on the Lord for salvation. 

Which one of these rebukes and encouragements speak to you/us? Or is there something different you think Jesus wants us to hear? 

I encourage you to pray over these things in the next few days and ask God to reveal what he wants to say to our church. 

On Sunday, we'll have a time of testimony and sharing and we'd love you to be brave and share how God has been working in your life and what he might be calling us as a church community into. 
May we be a church who hears what the Spirit wants to say to us. 

Amy

​In the letters to the Churches in The Revelation, we have God's word speaking to us, warning, correcting, encouraging and comforting us. This Sunday we look at the letter to the Church in Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love).  This Church loved Jesus and pleased him. It was a small (weak), faithful Church which endured through suffering and opposition. In a world full of idolatry they listened to Jesus alone. That was their greatest achievement.
The call to listen to Christ's voice is still God's call on the Churches of today. We are called to listen to and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who is holy and true. He's the one who has the key of David. God had told David that he would establish his kingdom and his son would reign on the throne forever. Jesus is that Son who takes the seat, the eternal throne. Jesus is the one who has been given all authority and the keys of the Kingdom. He can open doors that no one will shut, and shuts doors that no one opens. It's comforting to know He is sovereign and powerful.

There's some debate about the open door in the text (see Rev 3:8). Often in the New Testament, an open door is a way of saying God is providing an evangelistic opportunity. Some think that’s the meaning here. But there is another meaning of “door” in the New Testament: entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus refers to himself as “the door” in John 10:9, “I am the door of the sheep... If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” So Jesus is the doorway into salvation.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” The door symbolises the need for a decision. It’s the entryway into Christ. So, the door in this context seems to be entrance into Christ’s kingdom.

The little church in Philadelphia had entered the door. Even though they had little strength, and had suffered, Jesus saved them. Despite outward circumstances of being small and weak, the Church was the inheritor of the kingdom because Jesus opened the door for them, and no one can shut it. Nothing could shut the believers out. No amount of opposition could suffer them away. The world can't take away what Jesus gives! Jesus holds them.

Is this reassuring for us? Our salvation is secure through faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how weak we feel, Jesus holds our future in His hands. Our salvation and commendation from Him is not based on the great things we do but on the great things Jesus has done. All He’s asking of us is to humbly keep His powerful word and He will do the rest in and through us.

May our faith in Christ cause us to rise above our struggles and lay hold of God's strength, which is made perfect in our weakness. May the strong word of God and the mighty hand of Jesus hold us firm when everything else feels as if it’s falling away. No one and nothing can snatch us out of His hand.

Rest in this assurance today and always.

Rev. Tanya

What has God been saying to you lately?

Have you been considering what words Jesus would write to our church if he wrote a letter to us today?
As we continue our sermon series on the letters Jesus wrote to the 7 churches in Asia Minor, as written in the Book of the Revelation, let us continue to reflect and share with one another what He might be saying to us. Please feel free to send me an email or put helpful feedback, visions and words of knowledge on paper in the Narthex and I'll collect from the box provided there.
 
This Sunday we look at the letter to the Church in Pergamum which begins with saying  ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword'. The sword symbolises Christ’s judicial power to judge all things according to the truth of God’s word, and it warns the apostates within the church of Christ’s impending judgment upon them.

In this letter the sword was also symbolic of something else at the time of John's writing. In those days, Roman governors were granted the “power of the sword” by the emperor in order to put to death those Christians who refused to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar. So in this letter, Jesus Christ uses the same symbol to remind His church of just who it is who wields the real sword of justice and power.

The message is clear:  All of those who persecute Christ’s people with the sword in this life will themselves face the judgment of Jesus Christ in the next. But the warning of judgment is also aimed at those individuals within the church who seduce Christ’s people through false doctrine.  They, too, will face His sword of judgment because Jesus is a jealous bridegroom who will do everything in His power to protect his bride. Thus, we need to look at ourselves and see where/ how/ if we might be leading people away from Christ by our beliefs, rituals, traditions, complacency, lifestyle and influence.  

There is much more in this letter which we will cover on Sunday but for now I'll skip to the end of the letter which says that those who overcome will be given a white stone with a new name.  The white stone not only symbolizes purity, which was a source of comfort to those who had fallen victim to sexual immorality, but the name which appears upon it is known only to the one who receives it. Just like Jesus Christ, the rider of the White Horse of judgment in Revelation 19 has a name known only to himself. The white stone therefore binds the recipient to the Saviour, who will one day come with His sword to execute judgment upon those nations who have persecuted Christ’s people, as well as judging all those who seek to lead Christ’s people away from Him through the seduction of spiritual adultery.

Take comfort that those who possess the white stone need never fear the sword of justice, for they are Christ’s, and He knows those who are His!  He has taken their judgment upon himself in the cross of Calvary.

So, be encouraged that you are His protected, purified and preserved child today. If you aren't sure and confident regarding your salvation, please speak to Amy, me, or another trusted Christian as we would love to talk and pray with you for Christ's assurance.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you safe and protected at all times.

Tanya
​

Earlier this year I preached on these words from Psalm 78:

  4 ...we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
5...he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.

Last week I led on a youth camp called 'Leaders in Training'. In case you missed the awesome review Rufus gave it on Sunday, he attended and loved it!

The spirit of this camp IS to do what this psalm commands, but in such a way that encourages and equips the youth themselves to own their faith and pass it on to their peers and the next generation.
On camp, they learned to read and apply the bible to their own lives and others, they discussed the bible talks in small groups and the impact of Jesus' crucifixion on their personal lives and its implications for servant leadership. They had all sorts of workshops to equip them with skills to serve Jesus in their own context.

For Rufus, this involved a focus on sharing faith and character of a Christian leader. 
Rufus mentioned one of the things he loved most was the community that formed so quickly. The 29 youth made fast friends, welcomed each other, and made it easy for those coming alone from other churches to be included. Praise God for that experience! May our churches be places where these young people are welcomed, included and given opportunity to contribute to the body of Christ. 

As you see young people come and go in our church, please make every week a chance to welcome and include them - not just the first week you see a new young family. Make every effort not just to talk to your friends after church, but to say 'hello, tell me about yourself' to at least one other person. Learn the names of the young people and take that first step as the mature adult in the room to ask them about their week and their faith in Jesus. Let us not become a church of separate 'huddles', but one where people visit, feel the love, want to return, and feel the love again!

Each week, as we see what John writes to the churches in Asia-Minor about something they're doing well or not so well in, we'll have a chance to think about what kind of church we are and what kind of church we want to be. What will we be in 10 years? What will we be known for? I certainly hope that it's a welcoming one that includes all ages as together, we are outward looking, passing on the faith to those outside the church. 

Amy
​

​Do you remember when everything you did for God was motivated by your love for Him?

In new relationships it's easy to be motivated to put love into action, but over time, I think that things can seem like they take a bit more effort or intentionality. Our good intentions can be replaced by just "going through the motions". But our love for God ought to always remain the motivation for everything we do for him.

In his letter the church at Ephesus, Jesus says "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." Revelation 2:4 NIV. This is the first of the seven letters we will be looking at over the next 7 Sundays, and it's the one that hits me the hardest.

The Church at Ephesus seemed to be doing everything right. Jesus acknowledged their labour, their testing of false prophets, and their endurance. Yet he had one problem with them; they had abandoned the love for Christ that they had at an earlier time. It would appear that as time went on, they had focused more on the outward activities of being a church. And they had drifted away from their relationship with their head. Because of this, Jesus warned them severely, saying; "If you don’t return to me, you will lose your place as a church."

How many churches today seem to be doing everything right? But they do it in a legalistic fashion rather than out of love. And how many individuals are the same way? They seem to be good examples of the Christian life. Yet they have lost their intimate relationship with Christ. I am sure Christ’s warning to Ephesus is just as applicable to us today. Return to your first love before it’s too late.

If we love God, we want to worship. If we love Him, we want to give an offering. If we love Him, we want to serve, and tell people about Him. When we do these things because we love God, in response to His love for us, and not out of habit or obligation or guilt, or duty, Jesus is honoured, and God is glorified.

That's what the Lord was telling the church at Ephesus. He told them "You’re doing all this 'stuff;' that’s all good. But you don’t have the one most important thing: you’ve left your first love.” Your heart is not in it — and more than that, your heart is not with me!

Therefore, we ought to examine our own hearts and motivations for serving, worshipping and tithing, and intentionally put our relationship with God and love for Him as our highest priority. All good things will flow from that love and be pleasing in his sight. 

Yours in Christ,
Tanya

​Last week I began our new sermon series in the book of Revelation. This Sunday Adam Copeland continues with a message from Revelation 1:9-20.

This passage describes John’s vision and encounter with the glorified Jesus Christ and emphasizes the ultimate authority and power of Jesus as the Alpha and the Omega. It reminds us of the eternal reign and presence of God.

In the passage we read that John was praying when he suddenly heard a loud voice behind him. Turning around, he saw a vision of the glorified Jesus Christ standing among seven golden lampstands. His appearance is radiant, with eyes like blazing fire and a voice like rushing waters. The vision is overwhelming, and John falls to the ground in awe and fear. Wouldn't we all!?

Surrounding Jesus are seven stars held in his right hand, symbolising the seven angels of the seven churches mentioned in the following chapters of Revelation. Jesus speaks to John, reassuring him and commissioning him to write down the visions he will see and to send them to the seven churches. Over the coming weeks, we will look at what God said to those churches and seek to discern what he might be saying to ours.

I encourage you this week to reflect on this passage of scripture and be reminded that Jesus has ultimate control over life and death, and that through Him we can find eternal life and salvation.

Let this vision of Jesus inspire and strengthen our faith, knowing that He holds the keys to our eternal destiny and offers us the gift of everlasting life.

These words bring special comfort at this time as we remember and give thanks for the life of John Tatman.  Please uphold his family in prayer.

God be with you.

Rev. Tanya

​t Alpha we have been discussing how we need to listen to God and seek what he wants to say to us, not just talk to or at him. This is important in all relationships, and most important in our relationship with God. So, I wonder how God speaks to you?

God often speaks to me first thing in the morning when I wake. Sometimes, a Bible verse comes to mind as if God is speaking to me about it. Other mornings he gives me visions. 

Last Monday morning as I awoke, I saw a chasm between myself and God and I took a big wooden cross to lay across it so I could walk over into the arms of Jesus, hugging him on the other side. At that time, flames flared up out of the chasm behind me and I had to tuck my feet up to not get burned. I was then aware of being in God's throne room. I sat with the image for a while and responded as led. Shortly after, a second vision came. I was walking out of St. Paul's Cathedral completely naked, going out into the world with nothing, holding my arms out wide. Both of these visions made more sense by the end of the day.

During the morning, I visited a beautiful who would soon pass away. As he shared his journey with me, I was able reassure him from the vision I had that morning that Christ will bring him through, and Jesus is waiting for him with open arms on the other side where he will see the glory of God. The first vision from that morning made sense here.

That evening, after a really hard day, I met with a longtime Christian friend and had a long, deep and honest conversation about faith and where I was at. I needed this conversation and so did she. She expressed appreciation and told me that she sees this kind of openness and vulnerability as being Naked, standing with arms out wide, nothing of your own. Just your authentic self! It was then that the second image from that morning made sense, and I was assured that God is with me and speaks to me and is carrying me through my tough time when I felt challenged in my faith.

This Sunday, as we begin a sermon series in the book of Revelation, I pray we all grow in our faith and assurance of God being with us. May the symbols in the letter reveal more of God's truth to us and encourage us to live faithfully in this challenging time between Christ's first and second coming.

John, calls this book a ‘prophecy’, indicating that it is the word of God, affirming the truth already revealed by God in the past, and applied to the situation in which John and his readers found themselves. Its references to things as yet in the future are an essential part of the encouragement of the saints in their current situation. This book is what God gave to John to say to Christians suffering intense persecution and pressure at the hands of the evil one.

In our revelation series we will be reminded of Christ's incarnation – during which he glorified the Father [see John 17:4] – ‘the faithful witness’, His crucifixion and resurrection, in which he conquered sin and death – ‘the firstborn from the dead’ and His ascension to the right hand of God, where he is ‘the ruler of the kings of the earth’. Each of these aspects of Jesus Christ are of key relevance to John’s readers in the context of their witness, their struggle, and their victory.

We will be reminded of three massive truths; Jesus loves us. He has freed us from our sins by his blood. And He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father. May these truths affirm, strengthen and empower us in our own struggles.

The voice of God is reported for the first time in this book: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega … who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty’ [verse 8]. In reflecting on this passage, this song comes to mind. 'Alpha and Omega' - Gaither Vocal Band:
Listen HERE

I hope you enjoy listening to it and I encourage you to keep listening for God's voice and listen to/or see what he is wanting to say to you each day.

God is with you.
Rev. Tanya

If you’ve been joining us on Sundays, you’ll know we are up to Ruth chapter three in our sermon mini-series this week. It’s a wonderful story!

So far, Ruth has shown undivided kindness and loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi. She chose to leave her home country to go with Naomi and made Naomi’s God her God. She served Naomi, going out to glean for food so neither of them would starve. Ruth and Naomi have discovered that Boaz, in whose fields Ruth gleaned, is a kind, generous and loyal man who is also one of their family’s “redeemers.”

As it stands, Naomi will have to sell her family’s land to survive. But if Boaz marries Ruth, their problems will be solved! It’s not clear if Boaz will entertain the idea of marrying Ruth as she is a possibly infertile, poor widow, and a foreigner. If he does marry her and has a son with her, the child will be considered Elimelech’s heir not his own.

Regardless of all this, Naomi comes up with a clever but risky plan to secure a marriage proposal from Boaz (Ruth 3:1). Ruth needs to get dressed up, put on expensive perfume, and then wait for Boaz to fall asleep after a big meal and a few drinks (Ruth 3:3). She should then uncover his feet and lie down next to him (Ruth 3:4). Though this kind of proposal sounds strange to us, it was culturally appropriate at the time. Ruth didn’t propose to Boaz because he was handsome or rich but to redeem Naomi’s family. We will unpack this more on this coming Sunday. I hope you can join us and hear how it turns out.

Meantime, I encourage you to consider God’s loving kindness to us though Jesus Christ our redeemer. Out of loyalty to God’s promises of steadfast kindness, Jesus left his homeland and married a bride at great cost to himself (Ephesians 5:25). Jesus did not join himself with us because we are the best or most desired. Rather, he died for us because he is kind and loyal. He’s kind toward people in need and loyal to the promises he made.

May this encourage us to go to him and lay at his feet this week. We can go to him and ask for help, and he will surely give it. We have a God who covers us with his wings.

In Christ,
Rev Tanya
​