Listen - pt 2 (You alone)

We're kicking off 2018 with a summer series looking at "The Shema" – an ancient prayer used by Jesus to determine the cornerstone of what the Christian faith was to be known for. Dan looks at the second part which talks of God being God alone in the midst of a world full of gods.

“Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

Listen - pt 1 (Rhythm, Proximity and Priority)

We're kicking off 2018 with a summer series looking at "The Shema" – an ancient prayer used by Jesus to determine the cornerstone of what the Christian faith was to be known for. Dan asks how we can listen to God in the midst of a busy and noisey world by finding daily rhythm, closing proximity and making it a high priority.

“Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

Blessing

In our final gathering of 2017, and the lead up to Christmas, we're looking at three key ideas that arise out of the Christmas story. Dan Sheed shares on the story of Simeon and Anna blessing Jesus, Mary and Joseph and what we can do with that to be people of a "beautiful waste" together.

“That is precisely what a gift is: a beautiful waste.”

— Dr Johannes Hartl

Joyful

In the lead up to Christmas we're looking at three key ideas that arise out of the Christmas story. Dan Sheed shares on Mary's joyful response of praise, AKA the Magnifcat, and what this expression can mean for us this Christmas.

“We are often most joyful for what we are most hopeful.”

Arrival

In the lead up to Christmas we're looking at three key ideas that arise out of the Christmas story. Dan Sheed shares on the historical arrival of Jesus Christ, how concrete this arrival is and how the incarnation changes everything.

“Because they were here, we are here.”

The Heart of Matters - pt 8 (Invitation)

Dan Sheed finishes our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Dan shares on the value of invitation and teaches on the open-invitation of the Kingdom of God, yet what we must do with our yes/no/maybe to this in response.

“You don’t have to stay in the dumpster. This is real. You can come.”

— Danielle Strickland

The Heart of Matters - pt 7 (Intimacy)

Strahan Coleman continues our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Strahan shares on the value of intimacy and teaches on how it's so central to the story of God and to humanity.

“The primary focus of the cross was not sin, it was the restoration of our original intimacy with God.”

The Heart of Matters - pt 6 (Connection)

Katie Myers continues our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Katie opens up on the the value of connection, and how, in the pursuit of Jesus, our barriers must be torn down so that we can truly share our lives with those around us.

“The stuff it takes to be intimate is authenticity,
vulnerability, and a belief that other people are about as good and bad as we are.”

— Donald Miller

The Heart of Matters - pt 5 (Celebration)/Central Vineyard 2nd Birthday

This week we celebrate our second birthday as we continue our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight of the important kingdom values we strive to embody as we pursue Jesus together. Cam Thorp kicks things off by discussing the importance of Celebration, this is embodied as people share stories of how God has worked through Central Vineyard in their lives. Rob Wiseman closes by sharing Central Vineyard's story thus far.

“A healthy faith before God cannot be built and maintained, without heartfelt celebration of his greatness and goodness in the midst of our suffering and terror.”

— Dallas Willard

The Heart of Matters - pt 4 (Diversity)

This week we are halfway through our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. We are challenged by our value of diversity, and how the image of God in every human demands that we step out of our comfortable lives and into the awkwardness of unknown relationships.

“When you enter into diversity, the rules change. It’s harder work. Sensitivities start getting exposed.”

— Matt Chandler

The Heart of Matters - pt 3 (Wholeness)

Cam Thorp continues our series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Cam shares on the the value of wholeness, and how loving God with our whole selves requires us to become aware of all of who we are.

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”

— The Shema

The Heart of Matters - pt 2 (Family)

Jesse Boyce continues our new series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Jesse shares a talk on the the value of family, and how Jesus invites us into an elevated view of family – one we are adopted into right now.

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his
own family by bringing us to himself through
Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do,
and it gave him great pleasure.”

— Ephesians 1:5

The Heart of Matters - pt 1 (Participation)

Dan Sheed kicks off our new series, "The Heart of Matters" looking at eight important kingdom values and how we embody them together. Dan shares a talk on the importance of participation and how the priesthood of all believers means we all have a part to play.

“Without God we cannot, without us God will not.”

— St Augustine of Hippo

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 8 (Persevering Prayer)

Dan Sheed finishes our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Dan shares a talk on the formational work of habitual prayer and how we can build a perseverant prayer life in the midst of our lives now.

“The first and most basic thing we can and must do is to keep God before our minds. This is the fundamental secret of caring for our souls.”

— Dallas Willard

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 7 (Un-answered Prayer)

Cameron Thorp continues our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Cam shares an important message on how we pray while dealing with living in the gap of the "now and not yet Kingdom".

“We plead and we cry and we shout and we pace, just as we would pray and praise and sing and dance. We return over and over until the mountain is moved or our hearts have changed.”

— Justin McRoberts

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 6 (Ministry Prayer)

Weymond Fong continues our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Weymond shares some inspiring stories from his experience of praying for people and how prayer can be used to minister to people who need it right now.

“You can’t learn to heal the sick by reading a book or mastering a technique. You believe what Jesus promised and then you get and do it.”

— John Wimber

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 5 (Silence and Solitude)

Strahan Coleman continues our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Strahan shares on what happened when Christ went to places of silence and solitude, and how needed it is for us to do the same in this fast-paced world.

“Prayer is first of all listening to God. It’s openness.
God is always speaking; he’s always doing something.”

— Henri Nouwen

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 4 (Intercession and Petition)

Dan Sheed continues our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Dan shares a deep talk on the reframing work of Christ which means we are tasked with being "a living wailing wall" as part of our care for the world and each other.

“The invitation to pray intercession and petition, is an invitation to care. A church that doesn’t intercede is a church that doesn’t care about the brokenness in the world today.”

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 3 (Confession and Repentance)

Georgia Johnstone continues our series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Georgia shares a powerful talk on ugly prayer; prayer that is honest as the excused children of God.

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

— C.S. Lewis

"In Jesus, amen" - pt 2 (Adoration and Gratitude)

Strahan Coleman continues our new series, "In Jesus, amen" looking at prayer as Jesus did and as we can. Strahan shares on how radical it is for us to be able to adore God as "Father" and keep his name holy by living a life of gratitude.