How do you experience God's presence?

Can we really trust the bible?

The Problem: A Crisis of Trust * Seeing is not believing: In a world of deep fakes and manipulation, visual proof is no longer sufficient. * The Challenge: How can we trust a 2,000-year-old book written by 40 authors across different cultures and languages?. * The Reality of Trust: Life requires “micro-decisions” based on reliability data rather than 100% absolute proof. Trust functions like a bridge with multiple supports. Support 1: History * Manuscript Evidence: The Bible is the most well-preserved ancient book, with 24,000 New Testament manuscripts compared to only 1,800 for the next closest (Homer’s Iliad). * Accuracy: These fragments are 99.5% consistent, with no major teaching impacted by minor variations. * Archaeology: Physical finds, such as the Pool of Siloam, consistently correspond to Biblical geography and history. * The Resurrection: The New Testament presents itself as a historical investigation of Jesus, who was seen alive by multiple people over 50 days. Support 2: Community * Formative Beliefs: Most of our beliefs are naturally shaped by the communities we love, such as family and culture. * The “Changed Life” Evidence: Seeing others live transformed lives based on the Bible serves as a powerful support for its reliability. * Observation: Many people become interested in faith because they observe “something” in believers that they personally lack. Support 3: Experience * Making Sense of Reality: The Bible explains the human condition—the mixture of being made in God’s image yet fallen into sin—better than other frameworks. * Practical Wisdom: Biblical solutions for conflict (forgiveness) and family provide effective, real-world results. * The Limitation: Even with these three supports, evidence alone is often not enough to bridge the gap to full trust. The Bridge Platform: Encounter * The Problem of Pride: God made it impossible to find Him through human reason alone so that no one can boast. Our biggest barrier is often our desire to rule our own lives. * The Personal Breakthrough: Trusting the Bible is not just about trusting a book, but about trusting its Author. * Varied Paths: Whether you are like Lydia (religious but needing a heart change), the slave girl (enslaved to external forces), or the jailer (overwhelmed by grace), the common denominator is a personal encounter with Jesus. * The Final Step: To truly know if the Bible is true, you must eventually take a step onto the bridge by reading it and asking Jesus to show you the truth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redsheepkurt.substack.com [https://redsheepkurt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Saved Saints with Remaining Sin

I didn’t have many opportunities to preach this term as it was really hectic with HSC and Kelly finishing up, and two weeks’ holiday, etc. Always blessed to be given a passage that I haven’t preached before, and spend the time meditating on it and dwelling on it and being blessed by it. This one was invaluable as I went on holiday for two weeks in November. This is not the talk that spends a lot of time arguing the merits of different arguments in regards to who Paul is speaking as, so don’t listen to it for that. We did that more in Bible studies and articles outside the Sunday Sermon. Read this for more. [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/romans-7-apostle-paul-confession/] This talk focuses on how to live with remaining sin. I’m giving you the thorough outline below to skim through, as most people don’t have 30 minutes to spare. The feedback I got from people was that it was helpful. Introduction: Kevin’s Story * Kevin had been battling hurt for many years after his dad left his mum right before his HSC * Eight years later, he shared what was going on in his mind now: * Angry thoughts about his dad * Continued punishment through subtle comments and passive-aggressive actions * Knowledge that he needed to forgive but lacked the desire to do it * Kevin spewed out the good, hard and ugly inner battle of trying to live like Jesus * If you’re a Christian, you know that battle, though its intensity varies * Some fight every second; for others it’s the quietly selfish thought of “What about me?” * God’s word tonight will make sense of this inner battle Context: Romans Overview * Paul’s letter is all about the gospel—God’s good news of salvation in Jesus * Chapters 1-3: The problem—all humans instinctively sin, rejecting God to assert themselves as God; all stand condemned * Chapter 3: The good news—saved through what Jesus has done; through faith we stand as saints, perfect before God * Chapter 6: Does grace promote sin? No—why live in death and slavery when you understand what you’ve been saved from? * Chapter 7: What was the point of God’s Old Testament law? The law is good, but it’s not there to make us good—it makes us realise we are bad and need Jesus. The law is not the problem; sin is the problem * Paul now talks about his inner battle with sin—a battle between the flesh (old person) and the new united-to-Jesus person * If you are a Christian, this is your experience as well Main Point 1: Saved Saint with Remaining Sin (verses 14-20) Verse 14: “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin” * Many suggest Paul is speaking as a Jew before becoming a Christian * But the original wording is “of the flesh, sold under sin” (not “slave to sin”) * Chapter 5: When you trust Jesus, you go from being “in Adam/in the flesh” to being “in Christ” * You become a new person, a saved saint, united to Jesus * Although we are not “in the flesh” anymore, we are still “fleshly”—we still live in fallen bodies * We have remaining sin (it will be completely removed when Jesus returns and we get new bodies) * Paul is describing the Christian experience of being saved saints with remaining sin Verses 15-17: The upside-down inner world * “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” * Paul’s inner world is upside down—he knows the good but doesn’t do it; does things he hates * Examples: You hate when people mistreat their bodies but work yourself into the ground; you want to support your anxious friend but avoid them instead * This conflict shows Paul thinks the law is good (not bad, as he’d been accused) * “It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me” * This isn’t blame-shifting—sin is still his; there’s no place for blaming our bodies as if they’re not part of us * We are our bodies; if our bodies sin, we are sinning * Paul is a saved saint with remaining sin Main Point 2: The Solution Is Not In Us (verses 18-20) Verse 18: “Good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature” * In sinful humanity passed on from Adam, there is no source or power to do good * He’s not saying humans never do or think good things * He’s saying the source and capacity for good doesn’t come from within us * For Christians, the source is God’s Spirit * For non-Christians, their capacity to do good comes from God’s common grace (conscience, families, laws, societies) * If you’re not a Christian, the good you do is not something within you—it’s a gift from God you’re not willing to recognise Verses 19-20: The ongoing struggle * The new person has the desire to do good (not just conscience—renewed mind, Holy Spirit empowering new desires) * But every time he wants to do good, there’s another force—remaining sin—that opposes it * Sin is like a virus affecting every cell of our body (not just habits, thoughts, emotions, or will) Verses 21-23: Two laws at war * When I want to do good with godly motives, ungodly motives sit right beside them * Example: Wanting to serve by preaching God’s word, but also desiring to be liked * Remaining sin pollutes our motives and thoughts * This conflict is the mark of someone who is a Christian * Story: A lady walking away from Jesus said, “If I was a real Christian, I shouldn’t have that struggle with sin” * But Paul struggles with sin—if you’re in that war, that’s not a sign you’re not a Christian; it’s a sign you ARE * You are a saved saint in a battle with remaining sin Main Point 3: Hopeless Hope in Jesus (verses 24-25) Verse 24: “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” * This is the cry of a Christian on their knees who knows the answers are not within * No sin hack, no silver bullet * Feeling hopeless about remaining sin * Personal example: On holidays, walking the dog, Jesus gently put his finger on subtle sin—selfish and ungodly desires that keep coming back; cried in the park * Maybe that’s you tonight—God keeps bringing up sin you’ve become complacent about because you’ve lost hope you could change * Or maybe you live in verse 24—you always feel wretched with hyper-consciousness of how sinful you are * Kevin lived in verse 24 Verse 25: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” * This is the cry of someone both hopeless when looking within and hopeful looking out to Jesus * Knowing we have remaining sin in these bodies, but one day we will have new bodies when Jesus returns * Our sin is great, but our Saviour is greater * Someone on their knees with hands raised, crying out Psalm 51: “Let the bones you have broken rejoice” * Expressing never-ending thanks for everything God has done and will do for us in Jesus * Christians are saved saints who battle remaining sin, living constantly thankful to Jesus * This is not just Paul’s experience—if you’re a follower of Jesus, it’s your experience as well Four Implications 1. Enjoy living as a saved saint * If you have trusted Jesus, you are a person united to Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, with new desires to do good 2. Expect sin to remain * Don’t be naive to the reality of your sin or other Christians’ sin 3. Look OUT, not IN to fight sin * The answer is never found by looking within yourself, your will, or the good part of you * Insight into your sin does not bring change * Look out towards Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith * In the mirror of his glory we will see our sin * But as we see it, we’ll also be reminded who we are in him, what we’re called to become, and why we want to be that way 4. Stay hopeful about change * Don’t become cynical about your capacity or others’ capacity to change * If they have the Holy Spirit, they can change * But recognise some things aren’t sin—they’re differences brought about by human weakness * Example: Parkinson’s means struggling with names after 20 meetings; need to be realistic about what’s sin versus human weakness * Knowing what’s particularly tempting and making decisions to avoid those things is wise Conclusion For those exploring Jesus: * Maybe things haven’t sat right in your soul for a long time * You’ve come to the conclusion that you can’t fix yourself * This is your chance to have Jesus make you a new person * A new force, new power, forgiven and restored * To live out the humanity you were made to live For those stuck in verse 24: * Whether you’re there particularly tonight because something just happened * Or your wretchedness is the drumbeat to your life—you feel hopelessly sinful all the time and it makes you turn further in * Jesus is crying out: “In hope look at me. Although your sin is great, I am greater” * Look at him, see how much he loves you * Let him look deeply into your soul, seeing your sin in his beautiful eyes * Without fear, confess whatever sin is there * Raise your hands in thanks, knowing we are made clean This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redsheepkurt.substack.com [https://redsheepkurt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Holy Spirit got personal with this talk

If I told you this talk was on trusting in Jesus, I imagine you would glaze over. I know I would. But for some reason, this talk put some flesh on those bones. Based on lots of conversations afterwards, it became clear that God had used it to speak specifically by His Spirit into people's circumstances. So have a listen and see where God is speaking to you. Introduction (00:00 - 02:00) * Opening & Personal Context (00:00-01:00) * Acknowledgement of Parkinson's condition * Prayer for God's word to speak afresh * Personal Story: Church Planting Struggle (01:00-02:00) * 2011: Planted "New Church in Botany" * Six months in: "First time I've wanted to be here" * Depression, stress, anxiety, overwhelm * Realisation: Problem wasn't the difficulty, but how he was building Central Question (02:00-03:00) * Key Question: How are you building? God-reliant or self-reliant? * Text: Psalm 127 - a wisdom psalm by Solomon Part 1: The Principle (03:00-06:00) * Verse 1: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain" * Solomon: Greatest builder of his time (temple), yet says without God it's waste * Context: Song of ascents - sung by pilgrims approaching Jerusalem * Historical Context: Building required both construction and protection (watchmen) Part 2: The Test - How You Rest (06:00-11:00) * Verse 2: "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food" * Key Insight: Test isn't just how you work, but how you rest * Two Types of People: * Self-reliant: Rise early, stay up late, anxious toil, unrestful sleep * God-reliant: Work hard but trust God, receive restful sleep * Important Clarification: Not about hours of sleep, but type of sleep * Connection to Genesis 3: Toil as consequence of rejecting God as builder Part 3: The Example - Building a Family (11:00-16:30) * Verses 3-5: Children as heritage and protection * Why This Example?: Family building is most challenging - you can't control outcomes * Having children reminds us we're dependent on God * Reality Check: Despite planning, we're not in control of conception, outcomes The Deeper Problem: Trust Issues (16:30-20:00) * Core Issue: Not just thinking we're God, but not thinking God can be trusted * Personal example: Church plant at 3-year mark (15 people in school hall) * Question: How do we trust God amid disappointment? The Solution: Jesus (20:00-23:00) * Answer: "He gives sleep to those he loves" - but how do we know we're loved? * Jesus: Lived perfect God-reliant life * Never self-protected, trusted Father even in storms * Chose to trust Father to death on cross * Gospel: "For God so loved the world..." - we know we're loved through Jesus * Through Jesus' death and resurrection, our work for the Lord isn't in vain Application (23:00-27:00) For Non-Believers (23:00-23:30) * Be wise: Recognise you're not God * Trust in Jesus for new creation without tears or pain For Believers: The 10-Minute Challenge (23:30-27:00) When facing something that keeps you up at night: * Slow walk - physically slow down * Reflect on creation - see God's provision (Matthew 6) * Thank Him for gifts - practice gratitude * Confess barriers - what prevents God-reliance? * Cry out for Him to do the work - ask God to build Personal Testimony (26:30-27:00) * Church plant crisis: Three months of fasting and prayer * God's response: "You have a foothold. Keep going." * Result: 12 years later, church flourishing and multiplying Conclusion (27:00-28:00) * Final Prayer: Confession of self-reliance, prayer for fresh trust * Challenge: Take the 10-minute challenge this week Summary This sermon from Psalm 127 addresses the fundamental question of whether we're building our lives (ministries, families, careers) in self-reliance or God-reliance. The pastor uses his personal experience of church planting burnout to illustrate how easy it is to slip into self-reliant building, even when doing ministry "for God." The key diagnostic isn't how hard we work, but how we rest - anxious toil versus trusting sleep. Using the example of building a family (the most uncontrollable type of building), he shows how this psalm points to our need for complete dependence on God. The solution to our trust issues comes through Jesus, who lived the perfect God-reliant life and showed us God's love through the cross. The sermon concludes with a practical 10-minute challenge for growing in God-reliance when facing life's stresses. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redsheepkurt.substack.com [https://redsheepkurt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Red Sheep and Pastoral Supervision

Here's a summary for those who have limited time and want to skip to the good bits.I'm struck by how much I look like Michael J Fox. Introduction & Personal Background * 00:00 Welcome to "The Pastor's Couch," an FCC Develop session. * 00:10 Introduction of Kurt Peters from Red Sheep. * 00:27 Kurt shares about his family: married, three kids (19, 17, and a daughter in year 10). * 01:12 Kurt's ministry background: Saved at 20, 19 years in Anglican ministry, planted a church in Botany, finished full-time pastoral ministry in 2022. * 01:39 Reason for finishing full-time ministry: Diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease in 2018, which made the demands of full-time pastoral work unsustainable. * 02:04 Parkinson's journey led to developing talks/workshops (e.g., for Oxygen conference) on 2 Corinthians 12 (strength in weakness) and processing grief. Red Sheep & Pastoral Supervision Philosophy * 02:49 Reflection on God's work through his illness led him to develop workshops to help others consider weakness and God's role, eventually leading to pastoral supervision. * 03:58 His experience with Parkinson's (strength in weakness) gives him significant compassion for isolated and struggling ministers. * 04:28 Ministry life is difficult; pastoral supervision is vital. * 05:17 The name "Red Sheep": * 05:29 Originates from a vision he had at 20 (after reading Charles Finney) of Jesus and sheep struggling with barbed wire, bleeding. * 05:49 God gave him a heart for "wounded sheep"; Red Sheep is an expression of this calling. * 07:09 Host reflects on the value of having Kurt as a pastoral supervisor – a safe space. * 07:59 Why consider pastoral supervision? Ministry is isolating, and many pastors have no one to talk to about significant issues (ministry, family, leadership). * 09:31 Everyone needs someone (psychologist, counsellor, pastoral supervisor) outside their immediate context to talk to, feel safe, heard, and reflect. * 10:12 Kurt's definition of pastoral supervision: "God-centered reflection on your ministry practice." It's not navel-gazing but seeing how God is at work. * 11:04 Pastoral supervision is focused on ministry practice (which is broad, including family life) but will refer to counselling if deeper personal issues dominate. The Value & Practice of Reflection * 12:11 Pastoral supervision provides a necessary "third space" for reflection, especially when work, family, and church life are intertwined. * 12:55 Kurt admits reflection didn't come naturally; he often only reflected when forced by circumstances (e.g., illness like appendicitis led to church planting). * 13:42 A pastoral supervision course helped him reframe his poor metaphor of reflection (wheels spinning nowhere) to a positive one: "walking and talking with Jesus." * 15:17 Reflection is a biblical concept (e.g., meditation in Psalms on God's perfect law). * 15:46 Kurt wishes he had a pastoral supervisor earlier in his ministry. His goal now is to help others make reflection a regular part of their ministry. * 16:21 There's been a shift in ministry from reflective practice to being more results-driven, making intentional reflection even more crucial. Why Pastoral Supervision Now? & Practicalities * 17:02 The rise of pastoral supervision: Significantly influenced by the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, which recommended it for ministry workers. * 18:12 While initially a compliance push, God is using it for genuine benefit and growth for ministers. * 19:27 Host emphasises the profound value experienced once undertaking supervision. * 20:29 There's a current legislative and spiritual moment in Australia highlighting the need for this. * 21:00 Practicalities of a supervision session: * 21:15 Initial contact, introductory call, contract. * 21:46 May use assessments (e.g., Wellness, StandOut, Working Genius, DISC) to understand energisers, team dynamics, and communication. * 23:04 Typically 6-8 sessions a year. * 23:31 Supervisee brings an issue/topic to the session (not a set curriculum). * 24:24 Session involves debriefing, exploring, role-playing, and identifying the "next small step forward." * 25:54 Resources: * redsheep.com.au (Kurt and 14 other affiliated supervisors). * Kurt's Substack for his writings and reflections. * 26:32 Kurt's final thought: Pastoral supervision has been a key source of his growth, a space to receive ministry when pastors are often giving out. He strongly recommends it. * 27:02 Host encourages viewers to consider pastoral supervision. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redsheepkurt.substack.com [https://redsheepkurt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

How do you experience God's presence?

I think it was the great Wayne Gardner, 500cc motorcycle champion, who once said, “Bite off more than you can chew and chew like hell”. Last weekend I did some serious chewing… This talk goes for 38 minutes, which is a long time, I know. But as I look at the outline, I don't know how I managed to fit so much in. It contains 58 slides. But it was an absolute joy to put together and preach four times on the weekend at Menai Anglican church. I had a particularly good conversation with the fellow Parkinson's sufferer who happened to attend church for his granddaughter's baptism. It was a great reminder to me of how present and engaged Jesus is in my life. I woke up this morning with renewed enthusiasm for pursuing his presence. God's Presence: A Biblical Summary Introduction: Two Experiences * Norma: Feels deeply connected to God, experiences His presence through words, dreams, and the Holy Spirit's involvement * Fred: Loves theology and solid Christian books, focuses on renewing the mind rather than feelings * Both believe in the same God but have different experiences * Question: What is your lived experience of God's presence? The Biblical Story of God's Presence 1. Creates Us to Live Face-to-Face with Him (Genesis 1-2) * God exists as Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit * God's transcendence: above, separate, greater than creation * God's omnipresence: exists everywhere at the same time * Eden was the intersection between heaven and earth * Humans were formed from dust with God's breath of life * Original design: face-to-face relationship with God 2. Humanity Hiding and Cut Off from God's Presence (Genesis 3) * Sin = choosing to reject God and assert ourselves as God * Immediate consequence: hiding from God's presence * Fear replaces intimacy when God approaches * God removes humanity from Eden to restrain evil and prevent eternal separation * God's holiness cannot coexist with evil - He must judge * Yet God shows mercy, planning restoration 3. God Promises to Restore His Presence (Genesis 12+) * God chooses Abraham (Abram) * Promise: nation, land, blessing to the world * Key phrase: "walk before me" = literally "live before my face" * God promises: "I will be their God" 4. God Plans to Dwell with His People (Exodus-Deuteronomy) * Moses leads exodus from Egypt * God provides: laws, sacrificial system, tabernacle * Holy of Holies: God's symbolic dwelling place with the Ark of the Covenant * Thick curtain separates people from God's full presence * Limited access: only high priest, once yearly, with extensive preparations * Problem: requires perfect obedience 5. God's Presence Persists Despite Rebellion (Joshua-Kings) * Initial success under Joshua * Decline during Judges: "everyone did as they saw fit" * Kings requested to replace God's rule * David and Solomon build the temple * God's glory fills Solomon's temple * Yet the same king leads to ultimate judgement 6. God's Presence Departs in Judgement (Prophets) * Kingdom splits: Israel (north) and Judah (south) * Ezekiel's vision: God's glory leaves the temple * Northern kingdom falls (722 BC), southern kingdom falls (587 BC) * Temple destroyed, people exiled 7. God Promises His Presence Will Return (Ezekiel 37) * Promise of everlasting covenant * God will set His sanctuary amongst them forever * Prophecies of bigger, more glorious temple * When exiles return, temple rebuilt but no glory cloud appears * Old Testament ends without resolution 8. Jesus is God's Face-to-Face Presence (John 1) * The Word of God becomes flesh * Jesus "tabernacled" amongst us * Perfect revelation: "No one has seen God; the only God...has made him known" * Yet people reject and murder God incarnate * God uses this ultimate evil for salvation * Jesus endures separation from Father on the cross * Temple curtain torn - way to God's presence opened * Jesus' sacrifice makes forgiveness possible 9. God's Spirit in Believers Now * Jesus rises from the dead * Holy Spirit opens spiritually blind eyes * God's presence dwells in believers * Though sin remains, we're filled with God's glory * See Jesus by faith through His Word * Being transformed to become like Him 10. God's Presence Restored Face-to-Face Forever (Revelation 21) * New heaven and new earth * Complete integration of heaven and earth * "The dwelling place of God is with man" * No more tears, death, mourning, or pain * Face-to-face relationship with Jesus restored How to Live This Out: The 4 P's 1. Perceive God's Presence * Recognise God is present every moment, not just at church * See reminders everywhere: creation, other Christians, spiritual growth * He wants to do life with you * He's transcendent yet desires relationship 2. Pursue God's Presence * Don't be content with current spiritual experience * Examples: Moses seeking God's glory, David wanting to gaze on God's beauty * Those with deeper understanding of God’s relentless pursuit of us will be compelled to seek deeper relationship with God. 3. Practice God's Presence * Like mixing paint with primary colours: * Bible: God's words to you * Prayer: talking with Him and being known * Church: Jesus' body gathered, temple of His Spirit * Singing, serving, working: activities where God is present * Mix these uniquely according to how God made you * Goal isn't to copy others but find your distinctive relationship 4. Pass On God's Presence * Share the blessing of seeing God's face in Jesus * Tell others about Jesus so they might see His face * Bless others as you've been blessed Key Takeaway Humans were created for face-to-face relationship with God. Sin broke this, but through Jesus' sacrifice, God's presence is restored - now through His Spirit in believers, and ultimately face-to-face in the new creation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redsheepkurt.substack.com [https://redsheepkurt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]