Shebu sat down with Sam Allberry and Stephen McAlpine to discuss a truth of the Christian faith that shapes everything in life: the doctrine of being in Christ or Union with Christ.

Sam is a pastor, apologist, author, and speaker. He has written several books, including "Is God Anti-Gay?" "What God Has to Say About Our Bodies?" "Why Does God Care Who I Sleep With?" and "7 Myths about Singleness and his latest book "One with my Lord." You can read more about Sam here: https://samallberry.com/

Stephen’s mission is to help you in your mission by training and equipping your people with gospel-centred teaching, culturally relevant training, and strategies that account for the ever-changing post-Christian society in which we live. He has authored two books, "Future Proof" and "Being the Bad Guys," which won the 2021 SparkLit Australian Christian Book of the Year Award. You can read more about Stephen here: https://stephenmcalpine.com/

Thanks again to Belgrave Heights Christian Convention for making this possible: https://www.bhc.org.au/

Prodigal Sons Sermon: http://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-prodigal-sons/

https://timothykeller.com/

Mark Sayers:https://marksayers.co/

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/

As we begin our journey through 2 Corinthians, we are invited to reflect deeply on three foundational truths: who we are, who we belong to, and what we have been given. Paul’s introduction to this letter is not just a formality; it is a profound reminder of the identity, calling, and resources that define the Christian life and the church community. Paul, once a persecutor of the church, is now an apostle by the will of God, not by human appointment or affirmation. His authority and mission are rooted in a radical encounter with the risen Christ, which transformed his life and set him apart as a messenger of the gospel. This calling is not about personal status or recognition, but about faithfully representing Christ, even in the face of suffering and misunderstanding.

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/

In Ephesians 6:10-20, we are reminded that life as a follower of Jesus is not lived in peacetime, but amid a spiritual battle. The world we inhabit is marked by brokenness, temptation, and the schemes of the evil one, yet God has not left us defenceless. Instead, he graciously provides all we need to stand firm and live for him. Our strength is not in self-reliance or personal ability, but in the Lord and the power of his might. This is a daily invitation to surrender, to confess our dependence, and to rest in the resources God supplies.

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/

Recently, as part of our Colossians preaching series, John preached from Colossians 3, which focused on marriage, submission, and God's design. You can check out the sermon on our podcast channel or watch it via your YouTube channel https://youtu.be/OeCclT9y01Q.

We also invited people to send us questions as part of that sermon. John, Desley, and Shebu sat down to discuss those questions and issues surrounding Marriage, Submission, and God's design.

Extra resources:

1: https://families.org.au/

2: https://gospelinlife.com/series/marriage/ - Sermon series on marriage by Tim Keller

3:https://www.crossway.org/books/gospel-shaped-marriage-case/?srsltid=AfmBOoqLJxBduUVfArs1fzmz0hA9ChDFzXcwHnW7EUVMKcwq8ZaoFFXT - Gospel Shaped Marriage

4: https://timothykeller.com/books/the-meaning-of-marriage - The Meaning of Marriage Tim Keller

5: https://newgrowthpress.com/christian-books/biblical-counseling-books/build-a-stronger-marriage-the-path-to-oneness/?srsltid=AfmBOorA3J9bch07-VlO3Hf9kXVXbbelFVObTRyuKFySE9Wmzg6wmXvu - Build a Stronger marriage

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/

Cameron walked us through the last chapter of Colossians. He explains that it’s clear that the gospel is not just a set of beliefs, but a reality that transforms every aspect of our lives. The Colossians, like us, faced temptations to either focus too much on earthly things or to seek spiritual experiences apart from Christ. Yet, Paul reminds us that fullness of life and spiritual maturity are found only in Jesus. He is not just the centre of our salvation, but the centre of all things—the one through whom all was created, who sustains all, and for whom all exists. Through faith, we are united to Christ: we have died and risen with Him, our lives are hidden in Him, and we await His return with hope.

This new identity in Christ reshapes not only our character but also our relationships within our homes, our church, and with those outside our community. Paul draws our attention to three marks of a community rooted in Christ: prayerfulness, witness, and encouragement.

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/

John walks us through God's instructions on Marriage from Colossians. Marriage as God designed it is not about oppression or power struggles but about freedom, joy, and mutual flourishing. In the Roman world, wives were treated as property and submission was demanded, not given. Paul’s teaching is radically different: wives are called to submit to their husbands willingly, as an act of love and trust, not as a forced duty. This submission is modelled after Christ’s willing submission to the Father, which did not diminish His worth or divinity but displayed His love and obedience. In the same way, a wife’s submission is not about inferiority, but about reflecting the beauty of Christ.

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Mark unpacked for us the profound need for help that is intrinsic to our human experience, a need that is beautifully illustrated in the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. This event, often celebrated as Palm Sunday, is a powerful reminder of the people's cry for salvation, encapsulated in the word "Hosanna," which means "save us." This cry for help is not just a historical event but a timeless expression of our deepest needs and desires. We all seek help in various forms, whether it's for physical needs, emotional support, or spiritual guidance. The people of Jerusalem recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of their long-awaited hope, the King who came to save them, as prophesied in Psalm 118 and Zechariah.

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Mike continued our journey through Colossians, and we arrived at a pivotal point where Paul addresses our conduct, attitudes, and motivations as Christians. The essence of this passage is not about striving harder or merely avoiding sin to please God. Instead, it is about understanding our identity in Christ and allowing that understanding to transform our lives. Paul reminds us that we have died to our old selves and are now hidden with Christ in God. This new identity calls us to put to death our earthly nature, characterised by immorality, impurity, and greed, and to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and deceit. These are remnants of our old life, and they no longer define us.

Want to know more about CGCC? Just head to our website: https://www.cgcc.org.au/