St John’s Diamond Creek Talks

Episode 5 of Christianity Explored. Having head knowledge about Jesus' life, death and resurrection isn't enough. Belief in Jesus, and acknowledging the need for grace because of our failures requires us to accept in our hearts, and voice that we need Jesus. In this episode of Christianity Explored, Andy and Tim tackle the need to repent, or chuck a U-ie, from the way we think our lives should be...

  Healing, faith, prophesy, tongues - the list goes on. These are all names of spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, but what do they mean, and why are they given to us? In this new series, we'll take a closer look at the Holy Spirit and its role in our relationship with God and each other. This week, Julie takes us to Corinth, a city of great diversity and individualism not unlike modern Aust...

Australia Votes 2019. On the eve of the federal election, we're taking another look at Kirk's talk just before the 2016 election, asking "who would Jesus vote for?". While we won't tell you how to vote, we'll look at how we can approach the election in a way that's God honouring.

Episode 4 of Christianity Explored. This week, Andy and Tim shift from looking just at the historical account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the book of Mark, and begin looking at what that means for us today.  Send us your questions by email:  questions@stjohnsdc.org.au Subscribe in  iTunes ,  Spotify , or  Google Podcasts

Like last week, this week's Come and See episode features an interview with Rod and Di, two regular members of the church congregation, as they sit down to discuss their journey as Christians. Led by Julie, this special Come and See service aims to focus on what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus in the modern age, as well as the challenges faced along the way.

Episode 3 of Christianity Explored. This week, Andy and Tim continue looking through the biography of Jesus, written by Mark (the book of Mark in the bible). We investigate the claim that Jesus is not dead, but rose from the grave 3 days after his brutal death, and what the repercussions for that are. Send us your questions by email:  questions@stjohnsdc.org.au Subscribe in  iTunes ,  Spotify , or...

This week, Anna and Lachie, two regular members of the church congregation, sit down to discuss their journey as Christians. Facilitated by Kirk, this special Come and See service aims to focus on what it looks like to have a relationship with Jesus in the modern age, as well as the challenges faced along the way.

Episode 2 of Christianity Explored. This week, Andy and Tim continue looking through the biography of Jesus, written by Mark (the book of Mark in the bible). We focus on the cross, and why it's become such a central part of Christianity today. Send us your questions by email: questions@stjohnsdc.org.au Subscribe in  iTunes ,  Spotify , or  Google Podcasts  

The importance of those who encourage in the church is often understated. However, whether it's mentoring new leaders or encouraging those exploring the Christian faith, these 'encouragers' are vital to the growth of the church. This week's episode features an interview with David Blackman from Wycliffe Bible Translators in Alice Springs as well as his response to today's Bible reading. And as we...

Jesus is risen! Every reason we might deem ourselves unworthy of Jesus' love was taken to the cross on Good Friday, but now that Jesus is risen, we too can be invited to life in abundance. We have all been invited to a banquet and all we need to do is accept Jesus' offer. On this Easter Sunday, Julie brings us a message of joy, and, as we read in this week's bible reading: Now nothing is able to s...

Why is Good Friday called Good Friday? And how should we respond to the fullness of life that Jesus offers by sacrificing himself on the cross? As Tim brings us the message he explores this very question: Could we even call it Joyful Friday? After all, with all the suffering Jesus endured on the first Good Friday, what has any of it got to do with joy?

This podcast exclusive mini-series encourages you to explore the person of Jesus, by looking through his biography, written by his follower Mark, as an eye witness to the life and teachings of Jesus. Andy and Tim explore the beginning of the book of Mark in the bible, which you can find at https://bible.com/app We'd love your questions to answer on next week's podcast: you can email them to questi...

In this episode, we hear another story. Together, we'll use the Biblical Storytelling method of bible study, and ask these questions while listening to the story: 1. What do you like about this story? 2. What questions might people have? 3. What do we learn about people? 4. What do we learn about Jesus/God? 5. What are you going to do this week in response to this story? 6. Who could you tell this...

In this episode, Julie tells us a story. Together, we'll use the Biblical Storytelling method of bible study, and ask these questions while listening to the story: 1. What do you like about this story? 2. What questions might people have? 3. What do we learn about people? 4. What do we learn about Jesus/God? 5. What are you going to do this week in response to this story? 6. Who could you tell thi...

  Over the past eight weeks we have looked at different aspects of our identity as followers of Jesus. But despite our new identity in Christ, not everything has been resolved. We still groan as we experience the effect sin has on both ourselves and the world around us. We groan as we wait for a time when all that is wrong with the world will be made right again. To conclude our series on identity...

The topic of gender can be both a complicated and sensitive subject. After all, it forms a key part of many people's identity. This week, Tim is back to tackle some difficult questions. What does the bible have to say about gender and how is it still relevant today?

We all lean on something. Whether it's a job or a relationship, a hobby or even our own moral compass. These things are often great influences on our lives but how can we truly lean away from these things and begin to fully trust God, even in the hard times? How do we begin to walk, not by our own sight, but by faith? This week, Julie unpacks what it means to be a child of God as well as the benef...

Through this series, we've seen how we as humans are made in God's image, how we're whole people with thoughts, emotions and a conscience, but also how there is a brokenness about humanity, and regardless of our race, nationality, age and gender, we are slaves to sin. This week, Tim looks at what the bible means when it says we are "in Christ", free from condemnation. What difference does it make...

I've got to break free, I've got to break free! - Queen, I Want To Break Free 'Cause I need freedom now and I need to know how, to live my life as it's meant to be - Mumford and Sons, The Cave So what is freedom? What does it mean to break free? Is freedom just the ability to make our own decisions without hindrance? What about when those decisions impact the freedom of others? Jesus said by follo...

Are humans basically good, or basically bad? In the opening chapters of the bible, we see God create humanity, and proclaim them to be "very good", and yet just two chapters later, we see Adam and Eve fall into temptation and eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Tempation continues to follow humanity, and in this episode, Tim explores the three elements of tempation: Doubting the g...

There is more to a person than just the physical impulses. Science would say that you and your personality, your memories, your decisions, are nothing more than electrical signals in your brain, reacting with nerve cells and molecules. The bible though, commonly refers to body, soul and spirit. What do these spiritual elements mean for us as whole people though? What does the bible mean when it ta...

What sets humanity apart from the animals? God made humans and animals; he gave them life. But humanity is importantly said to be made in the image of God. What does that mean? Can we find the image of God in the differences between humans and animals? Or in the relationships we have with each other and with God? Or perhaps the fact that we were placed by God to rule over his creation? Tim investi...

This week begins a new series, running through the next 10 weeks, asking the questions "Who Am I?". Throughout this series, we'll be looking at passages from the entire story of the Bible, beginning this week with creation in Genesis. Fundamentally, what can be said of every human, and everything in the universe? That God created them. In this episode, Tim explores humanity in the light of being c...

Throughout January, the talks at St John's have taken a different format to usual, meaning they haven't been appropriate for the format of a podcast. In this episode, Andy and Tim chat about what the teaching has been in January, and will catch you up on the biblical storytelling that's been happening. The six questions used in the storytelling method are: What do you like about this story? What q...

The end of the prophecy of Malachi is downright brutal. The end of the final sentence: "..or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Wowsers.  Fortunately for us; we can turn the page into the New Testament, and see the next part of God's plan, the coming of Jesus to bring us mercy and forgiveness.