OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.

“The spirit of God starts as a vapour and dies as an ice block.” -creative / changing to set. -everywhere to strict locations. -varying to sameness. -life giving to life limiting. -warming to freezing.

Following Jesus: a faith for all seasons, cultures and circumstances! Jesus creates a community that can fit every sort of person into it. Newstart is becoming a place for all types. Jesus creates in you the ability to survive every circumstance because you have an identity that cannot be lost, ruined or taken.

“Become all things to all people.....to save some.” #Jesus stayed flexible when put under stress. #Jesus broke a range of rules while keeping God’s will. Some hated him / some loved God. #Jesus’ actions and way of life are key to your health and Newstart’s health.

Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he law Levi son of Alpheus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me”. And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples- for there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, they said to his disciples, “why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this, and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Mk 2:13ff

Be scandalised by this behaviour years of history says this is wrong. Jesus even occasionally contradicts this action. (John 2:24f But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them....for he himself knew what was in them.) Follow me? Are you sure you want to? If this behaviour is encouraged? Are you still sick? Do you still need healing? Holiness: Separation vs. Mission.

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.

Underlying question: Why are they different? Jesus option: Sit his disciples down and make them fast. Different styles: Logical / Mystical / Emotional / Interior (holiness) / Exterior (social activism) Different life experience: success and happiness / loss and sadness / neutral / boredom. Do you see difference as threatening, or variety to be valued?

One sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? 26 He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” 27 Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath; 28 so the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” Mk 2:23-28

It’s much like little kids dobbing on their friends. Religious dobbing: “Dear God, have you noticed how much better I am than them?” Does your religious practice help you? Does your religious practice help others?

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 They watched him to see whether he would cure him on the sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come forward.” 4 Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 He looked around at them with anger; he was grieved at their hardness of heart and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. Mk 3:1-6

My comfort vs compassion. Gods law is meant to continue transforming everyone rather than other people. What have you learnt recently about God?

Do you see people’s errors, or the finished product after editing? Do you see difference as a problem or a gift from God? Does your faith and religion make you a better and more flexible person?

OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.