Every Nation Brisbane

This week Pastor Neli explores the attributes and characteristics of the Holy Spirit. We can recognise Him as a person who has a mind, will, and emotions. The Holy Spirit is fully God, is already present, and is inviting you to step out in faith, surrender your will to His, and walk closely with Him in complete freedom and grace. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. - John 16:7-11 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not just a theological idea, but a living person who actively desires to work in and move through us every day. Our bodies are now the living temples of the very same Spirit who has been present since creation. Instead of relying on human effort, we should open our hearts, acknowledge His presence, and engage once more with Him in our daily lives. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. - Luke 4:14-15 (ESV)

Pastor Neli encourages us to take heart by reflecting on the powerful words of Jesus during the most important week of the Christian calendar. The Good News that Jesus has already overcome the world speaks of His victory as a finished work. We are never alone because Jesus endured His suffering in isolation so that we could be relationally connected to Him and to the broader body of Christ. So embrace the power of the resurrection, walking in the freedom and peace that comes from knowing Jesus is victorious. “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” - John 16:25-28 (ESV)

This week, Pastor Neli deconstructs the common misconceptions surrounding boldness, moving beyond personality traits to uncover its true biblical definition. Rather than a self-generated confidence, true boldness is a spiritual byproduct that flows from being Spirit-filled and grounded in a deep understanding of God’s character. By leaning into God's sovereignty, we find the courage to shift our posture—moving away from a desire for personal comfort and instead praying for the strength to remain faithful in all circumstances. Ultimately, boldness serves as the public evidence of a life fully surrendered to Jesus, existing solely to put the glory of God and the power of the Gospel on display for the world to see. "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. - Acts - 4:29-31 (ESV)

This week Pastor Neli explores the difference between truly being surrendered to God and merely looking surrendered for the sake of "optics". We should move beyond religious behaviour and performance within an environment meant for grace. God has provided each of us with a unique abilities and anointing to be His witnesses. This strength is renewed not through our own merits, but by waiting upon Him and living out of the overflow of His work in our lives. So lean into God's grace, rejecting the pressure of perfection and the trap of trying to impress others, and instead choose to strengthen and build up the community around you. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. - Acts 4:32-33 (ESV)

This week Pastor Tina reminds us that the church is not a building but a people - living stones founded on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ. Our faith is not just based on a series of events but just as we breathe, it is a continuous life-sustaining pattern. So stop holding our breath and instead inhale God's revelation, allowing His truth to be deeply inscribed in your hearts to shape and change your life. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. - Acts 2:42-44 (ESV)