ChatGPT. Cryptocurrency. The Metaverse. The rapid advancements in technological progress over the past decade have revolutionised our standards of living and perspectives on social change. We live in a society where autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence and virtual reality have transcended the realm of fiction and entered into the real world. Although these high-tech innovations are … Continue reading The Gospel of Technology
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The Communion of Saints
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Joshua. Some of you might know me as that guy who plays the guitar at church every second week. For those of you who do know me, you know that I’m one of the resident ‘pastor’s kids’. But anyways, the reason why I still … Continue reading The Communion of Saints
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Hi, my name’s Ashleigh and my testimony begins like all the other testimonies. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian household, knew the answers, and all the rest of the stuff. So, for a good part of my childhood, I can honestly say, Jesus was my best friend. Time passed on and, eventually, … Continue reading What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Adopted into Sonship
Hi everyone, my name is Ivan. As a redeemed child of God, my Father in heaven has shown me incredible grace by choosing me and calling me His own. I would love to share how He has been so gracious to me in my life. In fact, that is what my name Ivan means: God … Continue reading Adopted into Sonship
Found by the King
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jason and I'm one of the many Jason's you'll meet at GracePoint church. It's a privilege to share my testimony with you on how Christ has saved a sinner like me and how I have placed my trust in Him, the King who saves. … Continue reading Found by the King
Called into God’s Family
I was very blessed to have grown up in a Christian home. My dad is a pastor, so naturally I loved reading bible stories and knew all of the Sunday School answers. However, I only understood Gospel partly - meaning that I knew that Jesus is God, that he died on the cross for my … Continue reading Called into God’s Family
Fellowship in the Spirit
Hi everyone! I have the immense privilege of being able to share with you the story and history of how God has been at work in my life in transforming my heart, renewing my mind, and ultimately saving me from my rebellion against Him. My testimony to God’s work in my life is just one … Continue reading Fellowship in the Spirit
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Howdy all, I’m Nathan and I’m really grateful to share of the work that God has done (and is continuing to do) in my life. If you read this and want to know more about Jesus or his work in my life, please reach out and I’ll be more than happy to chat! Looking back … Continue reading Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Seeing with Eyes of Faith
Longing for Affirmation As a young child, I was grateful to have heard the gospel preached at church on Sunday and getting to know who Jesus was throughout my Christian education. Singing Hillsong music on Monday at assembly, praying daily and saying grace before meals were all I thought being a Christian was about. Whenever … Continue reading Seeing with Eyes of Faith
The Mirage of Security
My name is Bek and it's a real joy to be sharing my story of God’s faithfulness with you. From a young age, it was instinctive for me to make the most of absolutely every opportunity. I knew that my parents had roughed it out moving here as students from Malaysia. I grew up going … Continue reading The Mirage of Security
The Father’s Forgiveness
Hey everyone, I'm Jovi and it is a blessing to share with you about God’s work in my life. I was born and raised in a non-Christian family; and as a kid, I had always heard about Jesus but never really thought too much about who He was. When my sister became a Christian, my … Continue reading The Father’s Forgiveness
Purchased by God
My name is Will, and I am so thankful for this opportunity to share God’s goodness and grace throughout my life. I’ve broken down my testimony into three formative episodes that show the progression of my relationship with God over the years and highlight his faithfulness in growing my knowledge and love for him. Episode … Continue reading Purchased by God
Does it matter what Bible translation I use?
The Bible is commonly regarded as the world’s best-selling and most widely distributed book. There currently exist over 700 different translations available across the globe, with almost 50 distinct English versions. You might be wondering to yourself: Why can’t all Christians just agree on one translation of the Bible? What are the differences between each … Continue reading Does it matter what Bible translation I use?
From Troublemaker to Transformed
When I was very young, my mum took me to Sunday school - you could say the seeds were sown early. Yes, they told me about Jesus. He was a miracle worker and he saved us from something called sin, just by us merely believing in Him. In my mind eternal life sounded good, so … Continue reading From Troublemaker to Transformed
Suffering from Success
I grew up in a Christian household so I have been blessed to grow up at church and learn about Jesus since I was young. I learnt in Sunday School that Jesus died on the cross and rose again for my sins, but I didn’t truly understand what that meant. Before I fully understood what … Continue reading Suffering from Success
Living for Self, Living for Christ
I was recently affirmed and accepted into membership and I’m thankful for the opportunity to share how I came to faith and how God has been working in my life. What was life before becoming a Christian? God has blessed me with loving Christian parents and they have constantly shown God’s love for me throughout … Continue reading Living for Self, Living for Christ
Sheltered from Suffering
Hi my name is Tash, and this is my testimony of how God has worked throughout my life. I was born in a Christian family and raised by my two lovely parents (Roger and Caroline), along with my younger brother Brendan. You could say my life has been pretty sheltered from the outside world. Having … Continue reading Sheltered from Suffering
By the Grace of God
Hey everyone, I’m Valerie in case you don’t know me, and I’ve been at Gracepoint for around seven years now. I’ve known of Jesus my entire life, so that’s why I'm really excited to share with you all today how God has been working to regenerate, redeem and reconcile me to Him through Christ. I … Continue reading By the Grace of God
Faith over Fear
Some people here may have already heard bits and pieces of how I came to truly know Christ; whether that might have been through sharing in reflections or my answers to the very commonly asked questions; “How did you come to GracePoint?” or “How did you become a Christian?”. If I look back, though I … Continue reading Faith over Fear
A New Identity and Better Worth
Before I received Christ, I was someone who always believed that there was a higher being, but never really explored and wasn’t really keen in finding out more. I was happy where I was, and only reached out to the higher being when I needed help. I didn't really have a purpose in life. So … Continue reading A New Identity and Better Worth
Summer Reads Book Reviews
Over the past few months, your fellow ACG members and leaders have written up their reflections on the books that they've read over the course of 2021. Our hope and prayer is that you'll enjoy these reflections and be encouraged to read these books for yourself or with others.
You Are What You Love – James K.A Smith
1. What is the book about? Why do we do what we do? And more importantly, why don't we do what we want to do? In this book, James K.A Smith argues that perhaps it's because we don't really want what we say that we want. The simple premise of the book is that our … Continue reading You Are What You Love – James K.A Smith
12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You – Tony Reinke
If you’re like me, you use your phone more than you would like to admit. You may even be reading this book review on your phone! Although mobile phones are very useful tools, we often use (and misuse) them without considering the possible implications. While we may know that mindlessly scrolling through social media, among … Continue reading 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You – Tony Reinke
None Like Him – Jen Wilkin
1. What is the book about? ‘None like Him’ by Jen Wilkin is a book that paints a picture of how God is set apart from us, inspiring our sense of awe and reverence for Him. This book poses the vital question: How should the knowledge that God is _______ change the way I live? … Continue reading None Like Him – Jen Wilkin
Is it Okay to Date a Non-Christian?
We’ve heard the question “Is it okay to date a non-Christian?” asked countless times. Some come from a place of genuinely not knowing the biblical answer to such a question. Others yearn for life-long companionship, and although they know the biblical standard for marriage, they still struggle with finding themselves drawn romantically towards the non-Christian. … Continue reading Is it Okay to Date a Non-Christian?
Making Sense of God – Timothy Keller
“Religion is irrational”. “Religion is no longer relevant.” These are common statements you might hear all the time. For the non-religious, these quotes are considered facts. For people of faith, it often makes them question whether their belief is legitimate. Whether you believe in God or not, this book is for you! 1. What is … Continue reading Making Sense of God – Timothy Keller
Gay Girl, Good God – Jackie Hill Perry
1. What is the book about? Gay Girl, Good God is a story of a woman whose life has been saved, transformed and kept by her Saviour. Written by first-time author Jackie Hill Perry, this memoir recounts her life story in a way that points us to the character of God and the person and … Continue reading Gay Girl, Good God – Jackie Hill Perry
Every Good Endeavour – Timothy Keller
Do we work to live? Or live to work? Is work just a means to an end? Or is it an end in and of itself? In today’s context, the idea of “work” has often been distorted so that it no longer reflects what God intended work to be. As a result, Christians often feel … Continue reading Every Good Endeavour – Timothy Keller
Untangling Emotions – J. Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith
Feelings and emotions. Two words that take us on a continuous rollercoaster ride. They take us up and down between ‘positive and negative’ emotions. When we finally get a breather, the ride begins again. The Bible teaches us that emotions are from God and are an indispensable part of what makes us human. So how do … Continue reading Untangling Emotions – J. Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith
Enjoying God – Tim Chester
Just last month, we were celebrating the true joy of Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to enjoy him? What do you do when you don’t desire God? More importantly, what can you do when you don’t desire God? 1. What is the book about? I’m not sure about you but … Continue reading Enjoying God – Tim Chester
Grace Defined and Defended – Kevin DeYoung
If you've stuck around Christian circles long enough, you might have heard of the Doctrines of Grace, also known as the Five Points of Calvinism. Most could likely recite the catchy acronym of TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints. Perhaps some could actually explain what the doctrines … Continue reading Grace Defined and Defended – Kevin DeYoung
This Momentary Marriage – John Piper
What makes a marriage meaningful? Some answers to this might focus on the wedding ceremony, or the diamond rings, or even the love between a man and woman. The Bible tells us that marriage is only a shadow of the greater reality, that is, the relationship God has with us! So then, how does the … Continue reading This Momentary Marriage – John Piper
Respectable Sins – Jerry Bridges
Do you tend to tolerate the sins that have become widely acceptable or are easily overlooked by others in Christian community? Do you stop repenting when it comes to the sins that are less noticeable? We may have become so preoccupied with the glaring sins of our society that we have lost sight of our … Continue reading Respectable Sins – Jerry Bridges
Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
Two fifty-something year old retirees wasting their lives collecting sea shells. The American Dream or modern tragedy? What is the purpose of life? If we only get one shot at life, how do we avoid wasting it? 1. What is the book about? Pastor and theologian John Piper addresses the age-old question that plagues our … Continue reading Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
The Church of Laodicea
Imagine for a moment the sweltering heat of a summer day. You try to find chilled refreshing water to quench your thirst, but all that’s available is stale lukewarm water. Despite your best attempts to stomach the unsavoury liquid, you end up spitting it back out. This is exactly what Jesus promises to the lukewarm … Continue reading The Church of Laodicea
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers – Dane Ortland
Do you ever feel like your Christian life is an endless cycle of sinful stumbling and redoubled efforts? Are you beginning to suspect that God’s patience with you must be wearing thin? At the very least, his love must come with a deep sense of disappointment. For the discouraged, exhausted and burnt out; this book … Continue reading Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers – Dane Ortland
The Church of Philadelphia
If a friend asks you, “what is it like being a Christian?”, how would you respond? I want to encourage you to take a moment to come up with an answer in your mind before you read on. I suspect many of us would want to speak of the goodness of knowing Christ, the joy … Continue reading The Church of Philadelphia
The Church of Sardis
Zombie movies have gripped audiences around the world for many decades. There is certainly something about the living dead that captures the attention of people. And yet, this concept of one who is dead yet still alive has been around for centuries. In fact, Jesus uses this very image when describing the church of Sardis. … Continue reading The Church of Sardis
What is Reformed Theology? – R.C Sproul
1. What is the book about? ‘What is Reformed Theology?’ is a book by R.C Sproul that explores the core beliefs and doctrines held by Reformed churches, such as beliefs about God, the Bible, saving faith, covenants, and Jesus. Throughout the Bible, we read of the importance of knowing God through his Word so that … Continue reading What is Reformed Theology? – R.C Sproul
The Church of Thyatira
Everyone would get the occasional spam message now and then that they have won $1,000,000 in a giveaway and that they must redeem the prize before the deadline. Underhandedly, they would also ask for your account information, insisting that this is the only way to claim the sweepstake. Most of these messages are filtered out … Continue reading The Church of Thyatira
The Church of Pergamum
Jesus’ third letter to the churches of Asia Minor is addressed to the church of Pergamum, a church that faced intense external pressure and persecution whilst also tackling internal immorality and heresy. Their moral compromise with culture is condemned by Christ and while it is shocking and disappointing, it is also not exactly foreign to … Continue reading The Church of Pergamum
The Church of Smyrna
Has it ever occurred to you that 1 in 8 Christians are persecuted for following Jesus? I guess for many of us that’s not something we are aware of or even think about. Yet when we come to the word of God, as Jesus speaks to his church in the book of Revelation, this is … Continue reading The Church of Smyrna
The Church of Ephesus
What would Jesus say to your church if he were to return today? For the church of Ephesus, there was no need for speculation as Jesus spoke to them through the Apostle John in the book of Revelation. On the exterior, the Ephesian believers appeared to be flawless. However, they had a profound heart issue … Continue reading The Church of Ephesus
The Seven Churches of Revelation
The book of Revelation has developed a reputation for being mysterious & prophetic apocalyptic literature, but digging beneath the surface reveals that the book is actually filled with rich pastoral implications. Written by the Apostle John during his exile on the isle of Patmos, the book of Revelation uses vivid symbolism and imagery of Christ’s … Continue reading The Seven Churches of Revelation
What happens to those who never get to hear the gospel?
This is such an interesting question because it would be pretty rare for anyone living in Australia and particularly in Sydney to have not heard the name Jesus before. As a city, we are saturated with Bible-believing Christians and gospel-preaching churches. Yet, looking at global statistics, it shows a staggering 41.8% of the world population … Continue reading What happens to those who never get to hear the gospel?
Why Should We Catechise?
The Case for Catechisms Well folks, it’s time for the Catechism of the week! If you’ve been a regular member at our GracePoint Sunday worship services, you will have noticed a few additions to our church liturgy over the past year. Most notably, the interactive segment of catechisms, where we get to hear a central … Continue reading Why Should We Catechise?
Do we get rewards in heaven?
If one of your Christian friends were to ask you this question: Here's your friend: Do we get rewards in heaven? What would be your initial thoughts? If this is the first time you've ever encountered such a question, my best bet is that it would have made you quite uncomfortable! You were probably lost … Continue reading Do we get rewards in heaven?
Does the command to “take up your cross” no longer apply to us today?
Last night at ACG, one of our members asked this interesting question during QnA about the relevance of Jesus' command to "deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" for believers living in today's culture (see Matt. 10:38; Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27). She mentioned how she recently heard a conference … Continue reading Does the command to “take up your cross” no longer apply to us today?
Should I feel guilty for not studying enough?
One of our members at ACG asked me this question recently because she's been feeling guilty for sleeping through her alarm, especially during her exam period. She's a overthinker, an overworker, and an overachiever. She's busy juggling many different responsibilities in her life and she tends to sacrifice her health to prioritise her studies. She … Continue reading Should I feel guilty for not studying enough?
Hope and Hopelessness This Christmas
“Even in the inevitable moments when all seems hopeless, men know that without hope they cannot really live, and in agonizing desperation they cry for the bread of hope.” Martin Luther King Jr.[1] 2020 has been hopeless and fearful. None of us has been able to live the kind of life we expected, the kind … Continue reading Hope and Hopelessness This Christmas
Allelous Community Group 