Telos Ministries

Telos Ministries Australia | South Africa

This podcast is from Telos Ministries pastors. We share a message of Grace and Truth in Jesus Christ. We build leaders through transforming the way people think. The sermons on this podcast will be from Telos Australia and Telos South Africa pastors. We believe in going back to the original text in the Bible and unpacking the truth. We hold Church services in Melbourne, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, we have various online connects as well.

  1. 2d ago

    Love and Order - Pastor Michael Kafouris

    # Exploring Love and Order in Spiritual Life > Understanding our identity as children of God through love. In our latest discussion, we dove deep into the intertwined themes of **love** and **order** as foundational elements of our spiritual journey. These concepts, especially illuminated in the book of Corinthians, remind us that while the gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good, they must be rooted in love and structured through order. ## The Role of Love As we explored, love is not just an emotion but a vital characteristic of our identity as followers of Christ. It's essential to recognize that loving God also means loving others — even those who may challenge us. > "Christ loved no matter what. He was in the company of those considered the lowest of the low." — Michael Kafouris This love is transformative, urging us to reflect on how we perceive ourselves and others. It's about activating the inherent goodness within us, a reminder that we are **tekna**, or offspring of God, carrying His nature within us. ## Understanding Our Identity Understanding our identity as children of God is paramount. We must grasp what it means to be part of His family, sharing His attributes and characteristics. The Greek term **tekna** signifies not just being a child but embodying the nature of our Heavenly Father. > "Do you understand what it means to be tekna, to be an offspring of the God most high?" — Michael Kafouris This identity gives us the strength to love others unconditionally, reflecting that family likeness in our interactions. ## The Importance of Order Order, as discussed, is not a restriction but a vital framework that allows love to flourish. This is where our understanding of commandments comes into play. > "His commandments are not burdensome." — Michael Kafouris We learned that the true essence of God’s commandments transcends the law; they are rooted in a love that should inspire rather than oppress. Our journey is about embracing this love, which enables us to let go of burdensome expectations and embrace a lighter, more fulfilling life. ## A Call to Transformation The conversation also led us to reflect on the importance of transformation from within. True change begins at the spiritual level, prompting us to confront our inner challenges and recognize how God sees us: blessed, accepted, and loved. As we wrap up this reflection, consider your own identity in Christ. How do you see yourself in relation to His love? How can you activate that love in your daily life? For a deeper exploration of these themes and to hear more insights, tune into the full episode. ---

  2. Oct 25

    One Body in Christ - Akou na Deis - Pastor Michael Kafouris

    # Embracing Our Roles in the Body of Christ > Understanding our gifts and their purpose in unity. In this week's reflection, we dive deep into the significance of our roles within the Body of Christ and the importance of serving one another for the common good. ## The Willingness to Serve The concept of willingness is central to our understanding of faith and service. As Telos Ministries emphasizes, **"God is willing, are we?"** This call to action beckons us to become vessels of His gifts, distributing them according to His will and for the edification of the church. ## The Source of Our Gifts The Spirit is the sole distributor of gifts, and it is vital to remember that these gifts are meant for the common good. The motive behind giving must always be rooted in love and the desire to build each other up. As discussed, **"It is always for the common good... building ourselves up, and building up of the church."** This is a reminder that our roles are not about self-promotion but about collective growth. ## The New Covenant and Our Access Under the new covenant, the distribution of gifts has changed; they are now available to everyone. The old barriers of distinction—whether by ethnicity, status, or gender—are no longer valid. We are reminded that **"there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free... for you are all one in Christ Jesus."** This equality emphasizes that everyone is gifted for the common good, reinforcing the message that no one part of the body is more important than another. ## Every Role Matters Each member of the Body of Christ plays a crucial role—just like a tapestry or a mosaic, where every color and thread contributes to the beauty of the whole. As Telos Ministries beautifully puts it, **"You can't look at the painting and go, I'm only going to paint in black because black is the best color."** Our differences are what make us strong, and together we create a masterpiece of faith. ## Reflection As we contemplate the importance of our contributions to the Body of Christ, let’s remember that significance comes from belonging to Him. We are invited to not only recognize our value but also to uplift one another in our unique roles. For a deeper dive into these insights, listen to the full episode.

  3. Oct 18

    Unlocking the Gifts of the Spirit: Love as the Foundation by Pastor Michael Kafouris

    # Unlocking the Gifts of the Spirit: Love as the Foundation > Exploring the essence of spiritual gifts and their purpose. Morning everyone, welcome to a deep dive into the gifts of the Spirit — a topic that resonates profoundly with our journey of faith. Today, we unpack the essence of these gifts through the lens of **1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14**, emphasizing that at the heart of it all is love. ## The Gifts and Their Empowerment The gifts of the Spirit, as listed in **1 Corinthians 12:8-10**, include **words of wisdom, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretations of tongues**. Importantly, verse 11 reminds us that these gifts are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who distributes them individually as He wills. > "Without love, all gifts are nothing. You can prophesy, but without love, it’s meaningless." — Telos Ministries It’s vital to recognize that the Spirit is the sole source and distributor of these gifts. Our access to them is rooted in confession, belief, and true repentance. ## The Role of Love Love is not just a feeling; it is the driving force behind the use of spiritual gifts. The message echoes throughout Paul’s letters — love is a central theme. Often, we misinterpret self-love to mean indulging our desires, but true love, as modeled by God, involves selflessness and a deep understanding of our value in Christ. > "Most of us struggle to love ourselves as we should, failing to grasp our worth in Christ." — Telos Ministries Loving ourselves in the right way allows us to appreciate the gifts we have, but we must guard against the temptation to turn these gifts into a means of self-promotion. ## The Common Good and Order The gifts are meant for the common good and to build up the Church. It is crucial to evaluate our motives behind the use of our gifts — are we serving the community or merely boosting our egos? > "The purpose of the Spirit is for unification and building up the Church. If your motives are self-serving, question why you are doing what you do." — Telos Ministries When we focus on self, the intended edification becomes noise, leading to confusion rather than peace. God is a God of order, and understanding this helps us align our actions with His purpose. ## Evaluating Our Intentions As we navigate our spiritual journeys, it’s essential to evaluate our intentions. The testing mentioned in Scripture encourages us to reflect on our decisions and ensure they align with the Spirit’s work rather than our fleshly desires. > "God is not a God of confusion, but of peace." — Telos Ministries In both the Old and New Testaments, we observe the continuity of God empowering people for His purposes, underscoring that the gifts of the Spirit are not just for the select few but for all believers. ## Conclusion As we embrace the gifts of the Spirit, let us do so with love at the forefront. Our intention to edify the Church and serve others should drive us. The miracles we witness and the gifts we receive come when we align our hearts with God’s purpose. When we focus on the common good, we can unlock the full potential of our spiritual gifts. Let love be our guide as we explore and embrace the beautiful manifestations of the Spirit. For a deeper understanding, consider revisiting **1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14** and reflect on how love shapes your use of spiritual gifts.

  4. Oct 11

    The Power of God - Parakletos - Ps Daniella Kafouris

    # Unlocking the Power of the Holy Spirit > Exploring the transformative role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In today’s message, we delve into the profound topic of the Holy Spirit’s role as the ultimate expression of God’s power. ## Understanding the Holy Spirit Many of us grapple with the concept of the Holy Spirit and its significance in our spiritual journey. As one speaker reflected on his early questions about the Holy Spirit, he found clarity in the simple yet profound definition: **"It's the power of God."** This insight can be a foundational understanding for anyone seeking a deeper connection with the divine. ## Insights from John G. Lake The speaker draws inspiration from John G. Lake, who once described the Holy Spirit as **"the most vital thing in the universe"** — more real than electricity and more powerful than gravity. Lake's ministry was rooted in healing and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which he believed was essential for witnessing supernatural changes in one’s life. ### The Journey of Yearning Lake’s experience teaches us an important lesson: **the need for a relentless pursuit of the Holy Spirit.** Despite performing healings for eight years, he felt something was missing until he fervently prayed for a deeper baptism of the Holy Spirit. His story underscores the biblical principle of yearning for spiritual gifts and the fulfillment that comes with it. ## A Personal Encounter The climax of Lake's journey came during a prayer session where he felt an overwhelming surge of power from the Holy Spirit. As he prayed for a woman suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, he experienced a transformative moment that left him fully immersed in the Holy Spirit's presence. This encounter not only healed the woman but also completed his spiritual quest, illustrating how patience and perseverance yield divine results. ## Reflecting on Our Own Spiritual Path The message invites us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys. Are we willing to yearn for the Holy Spirit? Do we actively seek that deeper connection? As we explore these questions, we can find inspiration in the scriptures shared, particularly in John 14, where Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit — our helper and guide. As you ponder these insights, consider how the Holy Spirit can manifest in your life. What steps can you take to invite this power into your daily existence? This exploration is just a glimpse into the full message shared today. Dive deeper into the topic and discover the richness of the Holy Spirit's power in your life by listening to the full episode.

About

This podcast is from Telos Ministries pastors. We share a message of Grace and Truth in Jesus Christ. We build leaders through transforming the way people think. The sermons on this podcast will be from Telos Australia and Telos South Africa pastors. We believe in going back to the original text in the Bible and unpacking the truth. We hold Church services in Melbourne, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa. In addition, we have various online connects as well.