Ignite Life Church Gold Coast

Dr Rod concludes his two-pair series on how Christians should pray against what he calls, 'The Great Awokening' or the adoption of Cultural Marxism by those on the left. He reiterates that we should eschew anger at the people who espouse woke ideas but that we should pray and intercede without ceasing, not allowing ourselves to be discouraged if our prayer seems unproductive. We are warring against dark spiritual forces!

Jesus used the parable of the sheep and goats in Matt 25. His words have inspired some Christians to argue that we should be building sheep nations now. Dr Rod explains the concept of the sheep nation and discusses the important motif of living under the grape vine and fig tree.

In this discussion point, Ps Rod defines resilience as 'the quality of being able to break through all the life-altering challenges you face and move toward your destiny.' He explains that resilience is the biblical norm. In the Bible we find both exhortations to, and assurances of, resilience.

Early this year Ps Rod shared a word for IngiteLife. It was: And with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God's remarkable lovingkindness and favour and goodwill] rested richly upon them all. (Acts 4:33 AMP)This discussion point is a reprise of that message, with an emphasis on generosity as the outworking of God's great grace.

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, he would have been guilty of blasphemy under the law. He wasn’t! We know this because God raised Him from the dead. The resurrection is historical fact. God vindicated Jesus!

On Palm Sunday we traditionally focus on the so-called triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (in early April, around 33 AD). It is arguable that things were set in motion for the crucifixion of Jesus by the public miracle of Lazarus raised to life by Jesus about four months earlier. Although nobody denied this miracle it divided the people between those who accepted that Jesus was who He said He was and those who wanted him killed, most likely because he disrupted their lives of wealth and power.

There are disagreements between Catholic and Protestant understandings of Matthew 16:13-19. Ps Rod explains the differences and focuses on what it means for protestants today. He touches on interpretations of 'binding and loosing' and explains ekklēsia. He notes that Catholic beliefs associated with (Simon) Peter underpin their notion of the magisterium of the church, something that is absent in protestant doctrine.

In Acts 4:33 we read, 'And with great ability and power the apostles were continuously testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace [God's remarkable lovingkindness and favour and goodwill] rested richly upon them all' (Amplified Bible). In this discussion point, Ps Rod explores what this might mean for the church in 2022. He suggests that if this verse is prophetic for 2022 we will be united, bold and generous.