Imagine arriving at your own birthday party and being refused entry by the guests you invited? You’ve paid for the venue, the food and the drinks, but you’re told to get lost. It’s your cake in there, but you can’t eat it! Ridiculous? Yep! Highly offensive? Yep! Am I going to invite these guys to my next birthday – probs not! Well, in Luke chapter 20, Jesus tells a parable about a situation that is similarly shocking, only with far greater implications. The Parable of the Tenants portrays an arrogant and rebellious group of people taking ownership of what is not rightfully theirs. On top of this, they murder the rightful heir, exposing their outrageous folly and ultimately bringing about their own demise. Jesus shares this story as a warning to the religious leaders of his day. The warning is also for us. Refusing the birthday boy entry to his own party is one thing, but refusing to recognise Jesus for who he is another thing entirely! If we do not acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of our life we are kidding ourselves and are doomed for destruction. This Sunday, Sam will be preaching from Luke 20:1-19. At our 10am service creche is available and Kids@Ebz resumes for term 4. There will be a live stream of the 10am service. https://www.youtube.com/c/EbenezerPresbyterianChurch (fb)

Leadership comes in many forms and styles. Over time, there has been changes in the popular view of what makes a good leader. There are the leadership styles: Autocratic (authoritarian), Democratic (participative), Laissez-Faire (delegative), and Transformational (visionary). There are the leadership skills (communication, integrity, empathy, accountability, vision, and adaptability) and the lists go on and on!! What does the bible teach about leadership? The bible is more concerned about the character of a leader. Paul, writing to Titus on the island of Crete, instructs Titus to appoint elders (leaders of the churches) in every town. He then describes the requirements of a Christian elder: An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. (Titus 1:6-9 NIV) An elder is to be someone who loves Jesus, his wife and children (if he is married and a father). An elder is a committed Christian who is able to encourage and support fellow Christians with the bible and refute those who oppose it. As we consider who will serve as an elder at Ebenezer, let's read God’s word and pray as we nominate and elect our future elder. This Sunday, Toby will be preaching from Titus 1. We will also be celebrating the LORD’s supper and a shared meal afterwards. At our 10am service creche is available and Kids@Ebz is in recess during school holidays. There will be a live stream of the 10am service. https://www.youtube.com/c/EbenezerPresbyterianChurch (fb)