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When we say the word 'prayer' what comes into your mind?

This is the first in the series called 'Teach us to pray', were Pastor Andrew discusses what prayer is not, starting with our thoughts about prayer (which if we're honest, we feel near enough everyday):

1. We feel guilty because we don't do it enough;
2. We feel obligated to pray;
3. Prayer doesn't guarantee results

Andrew explains that through grace, we learn that Jesus is on our side, He is not going to let us down, and most importantly: he loves us! So teach us how to pray!

What's your response when life gets hard?

If we're really honest - do we complain to God about it? What do you do when you feel short-changed by God?

Andrew opens this new series by facing these questions head-on, with the answer that our perspective of God is what changes our circumstances. It is this view of the King that will transform our life.

When our reaction to life is to look down, we fail to see what God has planned for us! When we walk in faith and live the experience of Jesus in all His fullness, we learn to live in the knowledge that it is all about Jesus and what He has done in our life!

We are not slaves - we are children of God! In the final installment of this series, Phil shows us how when God brings us out of something, God never brings us empty handed. His deliverance gives us more than enough!

God loves you and that will never stop!

We have a great message to share with you this week! Pastor Phil speaks to us in the second week of our ‘No Longer Slaves’ series and what an encouraging and inspiring message!

Phil taught us that we need to sow into your future – if God has put a vision into your heart, how are you getting there? Are you working towards that goal, or waiting for God to drop it out of the sky?

Pastor Phil gives the sports analogy that if a team focuses on winning, they will rarely win! But if they focus on their skill, fitness and tactics, victory is much more likely! Victory is a process and we are all in that process!

What has God put in your heart and how are you sowing into that future? Fan the flames of your passion and it will grow bit by bit, and God will move you forward to reach the next level.

Is your gift preaching? Photography? Teaching? Design? What are you doing to develop those skills for God to use in service of His Kingdom?

Galatians 4:7 "You are no longer a slave but a son and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

The idea of no longer being a slave resonates within us because that is how Jesus wants us to be - free! We are all on a journey and the best days are yet to come, we are moving from glory onto glory! When we view life as a slave, it is very difficult to see what God has in store for us – God is at work in us all, and his grace is bigger than our imperfections!

What kind of faith do you have? Jesus met people who looked like they had great faith and they were able to receive from him. When we hear that many of us feel like we will never receive fullness because we do not have enough faith. There is more to it than that. Faith has become a burden to many but the good news of grace is that the demands of law are no longer ours. What Jesus described as great faith may just surprise and release you. Why? You already have it..

It is okay to say that most people want to trust God more than they do. Jesus is our qualification for every blessing. We cannot earn His love or favour - we can only receive it. yet many if us understand what it means to believe God and doubt at the same time like the father in Mark 9.How does grace help us? What did Jesus mean when he talked about unbelief? Find freedom in this talk as Andrew looks at the difference between faith and belief and see how all you need is already provided by Jesus.

"God wants to bring us to a place where we can live as His children, not as slaves but we can't do it ourselves. In this talk, Phil uses the account of the Children of Israel's experiences at the Red Sea to illustrate how God will lead us to a place where we can see His salvation and move forward into a new life of freedom - a life as a son and an heir"

Easter Sunday was the day when the stone was rolled away. The difference for us all is massive.  We often keep our mess hidden so that no one can see it. We try to cover it up with effort, trying to please people and accumulating stuff. The stone being rolled away from the grave is a picture of the law being rolled away. When that happens there is resurrection life.

How do you actually walk in freedom - getting rid of guilt & shame? The answer is faith. People freak out when they hear about faith because they do not know what it is or how to operate in it. You do not need to waste faith on things or outcomes - God has already promised you a blessing. So what is it and what is it for? It releases you into grace. Find out more

At times we turn away from Jesus when we fail. We feel bad, making the same mistakes we promised we would stop. We try but it can feel impossible at times. Jesus is never the source of your shame or guilt. His perfect work took that away. Today Andrew shows how Jesus himself dealt with someones disappointment by showing himself to them from the very beginning. Their hearts burned as a result. Every time you see Jesus revealed your heart will burn - no more shame. No more guilt. No more condemnation.

What is shame and what effect does it have on you? It is different from guilt. Guilt is when you realise you did something wrong. Shame is when you believe you are what you do. Your entire identity is based on your failures & mistakes. The effects of this can range from mild embarrassment to an awful sense of unworthiness that cuts a person off from a meaningful relationship with God and with each other. We struggle to receive anything from God if we believe that He is judging us on what we do.

The good news of grace is that it goes to the deepest parts of our lives and shows us that Jesus took every bit of shame and dealt with it. You can be truly free from shame and guilt - all the free gift of Jesus!

What do you do with guilt? It stops us receiving from God as we are constantly reminded that we fall short. How can we expect to receive if we every day we fail? Jesus took the guilt and all of its effects and removed it through His death on the cross. We do not need to hide anymore. We can be free from condemnation and guilt. 

What is the root of your problem? The world and Christians alike both spend huge amounts of time, money and effort dealing with negative symptoms in their lives in an attempt to make it better. But so very few find real freedom & healing. Why? We do not deal with the root. The answer is not physical or psychological. It is spiritual. That is why we need to receive the finished work of Jesus - Grace gets to the root of all the sickness - and that root is condemnation. This is freedom - listen and allow the Lord to love you and you will receive freedom!

The love and grace of Jesus meets the deepest need in anyone. We see this in the way that Jesus ministered to Nicodemus. Whenever we see people the way that He does we see that whatever they say, put on Facebook and Instagram, that there is a deep need for love and transformation. Jesus bypasses the surface and the façade and goes right to our centre - and their he gives us exactly what we need - unconditional love & grace

When the Israelites were brought out of the promised land they were taken into the wilderness. This was not to punish them but to protect them. Their faith was not strong enough to possess the land. God taught them to trust him and waited a generation until he led them into what he had for them. God will not set you up to fail. He will only lead you into greater blessing but we need to learn to trust his perfect timing. 

"Come and see a man...." these words show us what it is like to encounter grace and walk away with hope. Andrew talks today about what it means to thrive. We should not be afraid to look at Jesus with all our stuff. He knows and he says we will always walk away with hope when we meet him. What are you ashamed of? What are you guilty about? What is there from your past which needs to be healed? Come and see a man..

How often do you think about what your life is really all about? Purpose matters. Whenever people discover purpose they begin to thrive. It is clear that we only find our true purpose in grace. This is what Jesus means when he talks about redemption - discovering who we really are and then how we can live from that truth. The gift of righteousness (being acceptable to God) sets us up to see the purpose that Jesus has for us. Andrew encourages us to look at how we can be redeemed and also how we can help others to find their place as well.

 

Fat, ugly, stupid, failure, weak...... so many people live under the power of labels that they have given themselves or have been put on by other people. The power of this is that we live from those and they shape our lives and our futures. Jesus loves people to encounter Him so that they are transformed forever - Andrew looks today at how one person encountered Jesus and grace changed their name, their future and the destiny of millions. He can do the same for you & yours today!

How often do you ask yourself what the point is? Christians spend much energy thinking about what God wants for them. But they start with themselves. Victory and spiritual fulfilment is always found in Jesus and His work - We are part of God's plan & purpose and not the other way round. There are 4 promises that God makes to all people that reveal His heart for every man, woman & child. In those you find your purpose. Grace says "I will..." Find out what he wants for you...

17 is the number of victory. We believe that this year is a year where you will see walls that have stood against you fall down. How though? Is this is just wishful thinking? There is a pattern of grace & rest in the story of Joshua and Jericho that will show you how how you too can see breakthrough and new freedom in this year. It will not be because you try harder but because you will see Jesus in all His perfection.

"The message of Christmas can become so familiar, so sanitised yet it is the message of God's love in action. The baby in the manger reveals the heart of God and in the true story of the Nativity we see the glory of God - Jesus  the source of peace in our troubled world. Be blessed as you listen to this talk and are reminded that God has nothing but good will toward you."

What have you settled for? Whenever God spoke to Abraham he promised him an inheritance that was so far beyond anything he could fathom. We know the story but there was a point though that he seemingly settled for less. We do that to. but why? Whey when we have such great promises from God do we not live in the fullness of them? Andrew looks at this story and encourages us that no matter where we are that God has not finished with us. Ever!

Grace lifts you up to dream again.If you have been through trials, hurt, disappointments but you are still standing then this is for you. Andrew compares 2 incidents in the lives of Moses and Joshua and shows us keys points to be aware of to ensure that you do not miss out on Gods best for your life. Inspiring and encouraging it reminds us that when we live in the flow of God's grace every day we are positioned to see God's very best happen in us. Grace empowers, equips and releases!

God wants you to flourish; He wants you to live your life to its full potential, to have a life of beauty and freedom. But a flourishing life is something that you can never make happen by your own efforts – if you have been trying to figure it out and make it happen in your own strength then no doubt you are frustrated, tired and wondering when it is ever going to happen. In this message Phil considers Jesus’ teaching in the sermon on the Mount and reminds us that we can only flourish when we see God as our Father and source of everything we need.

God is a giver! In the Old testament we see many times image of the grain, wine & oil. What does this mean and why does it matter to you? Andrew shows us how this is a picture of Jesus in the old testament and actually when God says He will restore to you that which was stolen from you - be it health, reputation, time etc it is restored through a revelation of Jesus and His work. When you see the grain, wine & oil you see Jesus and His work for you. be transformed by this incredible revelation of Jesus.

Pastor Josh McCauley from Redemption Church in Johannesburg South Africa spoke this week at Exchange. He encourages us to stay under the flow of God's abundance and blessing and how Jesus is continually pouring into our lives. We worry about the holes in our lives - the areas where we feel that we are lacking and our faults that seem to be a hindrance to God working in our lives. However, Josh encourages us that as we simply remain in the flow of God's love then we will experience life and those around us will see the difference. Fantastic stuff

Grace chooses a shepherd and anoints them as King. In this talk Andrew continues the theme of Jesus as our anointing oil. The olive can be seen as a type of Jesus in the bible and the oil first press was used to anoint kings. We see in the story of Samuel and David how this oil turned a shepherd boy into a king. This is so impactful for you today - many of us see ourselves as limited by our past and only able to live at a level that our performance for God allows. This is not true though - Grace chooses you and anoints you as a king! Break free and experience new levels of grace in this powerful teaching.

When we read "you anoint my head with oil" in Psalm 23 there are 3 areas of our lives where we see the work of Jesus for us. This week Andrew looks at how the 3rd pressing of an olive is a type of Jesus on the cross. Why does this matter to you and what difference will it make? This was all about dealing with the root of condemnation in us - the feeling that we should be punished for what we do wrong. Andrew looks at how the work of Jesus in the cross removes the deepest root of condemnation and frees us to live.

Do you need healing in your body today? In our study this week, Andrew reveals how Jesus is the anointing oil for your body! Do not believe the lie that God doesn't want to heal you. We find by revealing the truth found in Psalm 23, it's God's desire to heal and restore us. Be blessed by this talk and remember God always loves you.

How do you get your thoughts under control? We know that what we think and believe has a huge impact on what our life looks like. In fact the bible tells us that our very lives take the course of what we think on. All of us struggle in some part here but there is freedom and transformation through the gospel of grace. In Psalm 23 we read that the Lord anoints us with oil. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus himself and you can discover how to experience freedom and life through Jesus as your anointing oil.

What are the challenges that you are facing right now? Sickness? Fear? Money problems? Relationship issues? Jesus is the answer for whatever you need. In Psalm 23 we see that God has made provision right in the middle of circumstances. What is it though and how do you benefit from it? Today Andrew shows us Jesus concealed in Psalm 23 and encourages you that when we see what David was talking about we will be lifted and encouraged!

Do you need someone to protect you, look after you and bring you hope today? In Psalm 23 we see God do all that and more! As we explore this Psalm further, we see what it looks like to be marked as child of God and how Jesus our Shepherd takes care of us. This talk will help you see how much the Father loves you and how powerful a role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives.

Today, be still and find rest, don't occupy your time with trying to sort it all out. Let the perfect shepherd for your life that is Jesus, lead you unto the perfect path for you. Be blessed by this talk and know that it's God's desire for your life that you live in rest.

God has called us to live freely and passionately for Him. In this talk Phil considers the prophet Elisha and his encounter with King Josh and reminds us that God has given us everything we need to live a life of victory and peace -all He asks from us is to "Strike the ground". Listen to this and be encouraged that God has a plan for your life that is beyond anything you can imagine.

Wherever you find yourself today God has not finished with you. He wants you to move from one level of glory to the next. More love, more peace, more healing, more fruitfulness in every way. How does that happen though? In Ruth we see that because she was loved she was blessed but she understood that the more she rested in love that the blessing grew and multiplied far beyond anything she could ever do herself. Today God wants you to learn that the more you rest, the more He works. Take heart and confidence today that you are loved like Ruth and you too can find yourself in a place where His fullness is your new normal.

Is your relationship with God like an employee & employer? To what degree to do truly believe that you earn the goodness and the favour of God? In Ruth Chpt 2 we see what looks like a divine paradox - was she rewarded for her good work? That is how most people interpret this story but in fact the truth is something much different. God wants you, as Ruth did, to find refuge in the shadow of His wings. What does that mean for you in real life? When  you discover this truth you will see favour and blessing washing over you each day!

In every circumstance if we will only see Jesus then we will overcome. When we eat the word we see that Jesus is in it all - The bible says our whole lives are found hidden in Christ and so whatever the issue is for us the answer is Jesus. The book of Ruth is an amazing picture of God's grace to redeem the outsider - It is a story that shows that there would be many reasons why we would think that God would reject us but the whole story is instead how he redeems those He loves. This is a picture of Jesus for you today. Listen and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus fresh again to you.

Why do we give ourselves to things that we know do us harm? Pornography, lust, gossip, jealousy - the list is endless. Today Andrew looks at why Samson's story is there for our encouragement in the word. He slept with Delilah but she was only the bait. We see again why the only way for us today to break the cycles of defeat, shame, hidden sin is to have Jesus and his love & grace revealed every day. This talk will give you new understanding of why grace is the only hope for us if we want to live in freedom.

Most of the time the issue is not the issue. What we mean is that we often look at the wrong thing and wonder why we do not see change in our lives. Trying to change behaviour without getting to the root of the issue will always result in defeat. Grace transforms us from the inside out bringing real freedom. This week Andrew looks at lust - Samson could not beat it - Where does it come from though? Why do we search for approval and meaning in things that will destroy us? Lust is the fruit of rejection and when we begin to see this revelation grace can flow and set us free!

How do you really live each day? We know we should trust in God but we all have an undercurrent of relying on ourselves. We grow up on stories like Samson - a strong man who did some amazing things. Is there more to the story and what does it tell us about grace? Learn today what the nature of your real battle is because it is not circumstances or people. Learn how God used a flawed man who had little self control and learn that ultimately His grace is what you need today

Is it possible to live from a place where your deepest needs are constantly met? In times when we experience dryness or lack God has everything we require, we just need to stay connected to the source. In John 7, Jesus points us to the source of all satisfaction - He issues an invitation to come to Him and experience a never ending river of living water flowing from deep within us. Join Phil in part 3 and be blessed and encouraged by this wonderful talk!

Is it possible to live from a place where your deepest needs are constantly met? In times when we experience dryness or lack God has everything we require, we just need to stay connected to the source. In John 7, Jesus points us to the source of all satisfaction - He issues an invitation to come to Him and experience a never ending river of living water flowing from deep within us. Join Phil in part 2 and be blessed and encouraged by this wonderful talk!

Is it possible to live from a place where your deepest needs are constantly met? In times when we experience dryness or lack God has everything we require, we just need to stay connected to the source. In John 7, Jesus points us to the source of all satisfaction - He issues an invitation to come to Him and experience a never ending river of living water flowing from deep within us. Phil uses the example of the provision of water for the Children of Israel to remind us that wherever we go, God goes with us to satisfy all our needs in Him. If you are thirsty for more of God, then this is for you.

How do you wait well? God wants you to be fruitful. If you do not have that consistent view of God you will be insecure in your relationship with Him. He wants you to live securely in His love each day. In John 2 God shows us that He is not limited in any way by the natural world. He can bring the best of fruit into your life in an instant and restore to you years that have been stolen. This will build your faith and show you how to wait well for God - He is always faithful and His results go beyond anything that you could ever do yourself.

This is a big question - if God wants me to be fruitful and to see all of His blessings then why do most of us feel like we are waiting for that to one degree or another? Is it sin? Is it me? If it is God then why and how does that line up with grace? Andrew looks at the story of Lazarus in John 11 and shows how when we see the purpose of grace in waiting then we will move from disappointment to new levels of experiencing the goodness of God. If you are waiting then this is for you.

In John 15 Jesus explains how we can experience fruit in our lives that comes through simply being connected. Do you try to produce fruit? Do you live with the weight of responsibility for you & your family's provision on your shoulders as an example? Fruit comes through resting in our connection with Jesus.

What about the bit where it says that God cuts bits of us away that are not fruitful? Do you think that means that God cuts out of you the parts of your life where you struggle? Where you still sin? Andrew unpacks some beautiful truth about grace that will leave you encouraged and give you a whole new perspective on how God deals with our  mess.

Sometimes Jesus said things that are so simple that we miss them. Often these things are some of the most profound. In John 15 He said that He is the Vine and we are branches. Throughout that book He tells us to Abide time & time again. Why? Learn the unforced rhythms of grace and discover how life is to be lived lightly & freely in God. Amazing truth to help you enjoy God's blessing & favour.

When you rest God goes to work, if you work then God rests. We are looking at what it means not just to listen to the message of grace but how do you build your life around grace? What are the foundations for us as a church family? Last week Phil Glasgow and Gary Thompson talked about the first two Pillars of the church, this week Paul Jordan  & John Wasson who are also members of the Board of Exchange will look at the last two pillars and will explain WHY these foundations are so important. Daily Feeding and Life Groups - 2 great foundations to finish with. This will encourage you and help you to see how you too can build your life around grace in a very practical way.

When you rest God works. If you work then God rests. Christians and non christians alike live life with the burden of results on their shoulders. In the covenant of Grace we are not lazy but rather the we learn how allow the Holy Spirit direct our activity. We can be busy but with a sense of purpose, joy and lightness rather than stress. This is a talk primarily about the future of Exchange Church and what the Lord has been saying to us but the application from the book of Nehemiah will inspire you to rest in the grace of Jesus!