Deeper and Wider Nathan Forster

We delve into Jesus' often overlooked angle to the Gospel - that Jesus is teacher. Drawing wisdom from the Gospel of Matthew, we compare the teachings explore their implications against the backdrop of religious and political backgrounds of His time, and also the modern belief that a meaningful life can be achieved through wellness practices, morality, and self-awareness without a genuine commitment to God.
Finally, this episode presents a helpful creed that encapsulates the essence of the gospel, and if you want to follow along with that, then read from here: 
We as a people, believe in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the Father, who out of love, alongside the Son and Spirit, created the Heavens and the Earth.
We believe in Jesus the Son, who was predestined to rule among us,
Conceived of the the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary,
Who followed in God’s ways and invited all into God’s ways.
In whose Kingdom, decisive victory was in suffering under Pontious Pilate.
He was crucified, died, and descended into death,
Yet, this victory was truly made known three days later when He rose again from the dead, trampling sin and death,
He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and will come from there to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son and, with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. Who moves across the Earth,
Dwells covenantally with believers,
And mediates Christ’s presence.
Who enables God’s growth, guidance, and gifts.
Whose power is made known in signs and wonders,
And is moving all things unto Christ’s New Creation.
We believe in the Holy catholic Church,
Called to be shaped by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Family to one another,
Who together seek to know God and make Him known,
Resist evil,
Live simple and communal lives,
Make peace,
And Wisely love their neighbours.
Turn their heads towards the poor,
Seek the common good in Jesus-shaped ways,
And confess to each other when there is failure to live in such ways, offering grace and spurring each other on.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection from the dead,
And the life and the world of the age to come.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

What does it mean to "deny yourself and take up your cross"? against the backdrop of both avoiding burnout, and looking after oneself (AKA Self-care)? This is what is spoken about today, in conversation with Joel Seneque. 
 
Joel (along with his wife Michala) are the pastors at C3 North Perth, which is an urban church just on the outskirts of Perth in Maylands, WA. Speaking personally, this is my church community- and I think it is wonderful. To find out more about C3 North Perth, feel free to check them out at https://www.c3northperth.com.au/
 

What do we mean by the word "worship"? What is worship's relationship to the rest of life, how we orientate ourselves, and how we grow in union with God and with each other? We discuss this (and so much more, from revival, to spiritual formation, to the very nature of congregational worship) in what is another conversational episode with none other than Mwati Tembo. 
 
Mwati is a young worship leader who has served in her local church for a few years. Mwati holds a Bachelor of Theology and is involved in different spheres of ministry inside and outside of the Church. With gifts in leadership, writing, and teaching, Mwati is also the founder of The Global Pursuit, a creative project for those in pursuit of a life of purpose. Through the many ways that God uses her to serve others, Mwati is especially passionate about followers of Jesus submitting their lives as a form of worship unto God, and cares deeply about the Church leading the next generation in true and proper discipleship. 
To find out more, check out the links below...! 
The Global Pursuit: http://theglobalpursuit.com/https://www.instagram.com/theglobalpursuit/
Mwati: https://www.instagram.com/mwati_tembo/

What the heck is meant by the words “Gospel”, “Kingdom of God”,  “Repent”, “Believe”, and “Follow”? It might not be what you think...
And seeing these words in a new light might be the very thing that expands our view of the Christian faith beyond the I-got-my-ticket-to-heaven type of faith. 
So enjoy me as I do a bit of a long-but-fun riff on these words. 

Today it is just me speaking, yet sharing a story/fictional conversation dipping our toes into the water of all things the end.