Marks of the Spirit-filled church

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 3 of 3: God-centered

John 17:1-5 In 2012 plans were announced to start a human colony on mars by 2027. Even though applicants have to pay to apply, and there are no plans for return, there were nearly 3000 applicants in the first year. Human beings seem to seek out opportunities to invest their lives in something significant and glorious. Listen in to discover the great cause which captivated and drove Jesus, and why it’s the one cause really worth living and dying for.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 1 of 3: Joyful

John 16:16-28 David Cameron has stated that improving our society’s sense of happiness is the great goal of his government: he wants to make happiness the new GDP. Pursuing happiness is what drives us on a personal scale as well. As St Augustine put it: “Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy.” So happiness is clearly what it’s all about, but how exactly do we find this illusive thing? Listen in as we consider Jesus’ teaching about how to find invincible joy.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 3 of 3: Joyful

John 16:16-28 David Cameron has stated that improving our society’s sense of happiness is the great goal of his government: he wants to make happiness the new GDP. Pursuing happiness is what drives us on a personal scale as well. As St Augustine put it: “Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy.” So happiness is clearly what it’s all about, but how exactly do we find this illusive thing? Listen in as we consider Jesus’ teaching about how to find invincible joy.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 2 of 3: Purposeful

John 16:5-15 The film Groundhog Day depicted someone being trapped in a time loop. And one reason the film was so popular is that it resonated with so many people’s experience. Each day follows the last, but what’s the point? We’re just trapped in this endless cycle, having to create our own sense of meaning and purpose. The film taps into a longing we have to be caught up in a grand and glorious story which is actually heading somewhere. Join us as we hear Jesus’ teaching about where history’s heading, and how we can live purposeful lives.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 1 of 3: Unpopular

John 15:18-16:4 One-hit wonder Joan Osborne had a top-ten hit in the 90s with a song called “One of us”. The songs asks the question about what kind of reception we would expect God to get if he became one of us. What about if God were to reveal himself to one people in the world, and if he were to show them what life’s about and how to live and flourish in this world, how do we think the world would respond to those people? Our answer to these questions reveals a lot about our assumptions about humanity. Come and hear Jesus’ answers to these questions and why a distinctive feature of a Spirit-filled church must be being unpopular.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 2 of 3: Jesus-focussed

John 16:5-15 The film Groundhog Day depicts someone who is trapped in a time loop. One reason the film is so popular is that it resonates with so many people’s experience. Each day follows the last, but what’s the point? We’re just trapped in this endless cycle, having to create our own sense of meaning and purpose. The film taps into a longing we have to be caught up in a grand and glorious story which is actually heading somewhere. Listen in as we consider Jesus’ teaching about where history’s heading, and how we can live purposeful lives.

Marks of the Spirit-filled church: 1 of 3: Unpopular

John 15:18-16:4 One-hit wonder Joan Osborne had a top-ten hit in the 90s with a song called “One of us”. The songs asks the question about what kind of reception we would expect God to get if he became one of us. What about if God were to reveal himself to one people in the world, and if he were to show them what life’s about and how to live and flourish in this world, how do we think the world would respond to those people? Our answer to these questions reveals a lot about our assumptions about humanity. Listen in to Jesus’ answers to these questions and what the implications are for our lives.