Road to Emmaus
The Resurrection
The Cross
The Betrayal
The Last Supper
Be Planted
The Kingdom of Heaven
Deeply Rooted
Daily Bread
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford Have you ever felt like God let you down? Maybe your life doesn’t look the way you expected, your career has stalled, or a prayer for healing went unanswered. John Maxwell famously said that disappointment is the gap between expectation and reality—but for a Christian, that gap can sometimes feel like an ocean between us and God. In this opening message of our new series, The Resurrection Files, Pastor Tim Littleford dives into the story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24) to show us how the resurrected Jesus meets us precisely in our moments of deepest disappointment. In This Episode, We Explore: The "Emmaus" Escape: Why we often run toward comfort food, doom-scrolling, or old habits when God doesn’t do what we thought He would. The Cost of the Story: A fascinating look at the historical "floor price" of Luke’s Gospel and why he invested so much to include this specific encounter with two "nobody" disciples. The Perception Problem: Why the disciples' disappointment was actually based on a misunderstanding of reality—and how Jesus was doing something far better than they could have imagined. Three Ways Jesus Meets Us:In Scripture: Loving correction that realigns our perspective. In the Breaking of Bread: Finding His presence in community and communion. In the Burning Heart: The internal witness of the Holy Spirit when we contend in prayer. "Disappointment isn't usually with who God is; it's with what God has or has not done. Don't stuff it down—speak it out to Him." — Tim Littleford
Encounter Church Henley Welcomes Pastor: Tex Horner Did you know that the last execution by guillotine in France happened in the same year that Star Wars: A New Hopepremiered in theaters? 1977. It’s a fact that seems impossible—the futuristic collision of a space epic and a medieval method of execution. As Mark Twain famously said, "Truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction is obliged to stick to possibility and the truth isn’t." In this high-energy Easter message, Pastor Tex Horner uses mind-bending history and a bit of "chocolate-throwing trivia" to explore the most unbelievable truth of all: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In This Episode, We Explore: The "Nonsense" of the Truth: Why the first report of the empty tomb sounded like total nonsense to the disciples, and why even Peter left the tomb feeling more confused than comforted. The Validity of the Witness: A look at why the Gospel writers chose a group of women—who were legally disqualified from giving testimony in the ancient world—to be the primary witnesses. If you were making this story up for power or control, you’d leave that part out. The fact that it’s there is proof of its truth. The Problem with "Comfortable Lies": How we often trade inconvenient truths for comfortable lies—the lie that we are unloved, irredeemable, or that our past defines our future. A New Story Begins: Why the resurrection isn't just a happy ending to an old story, but the explosive beginning of a brand-new one where victory over death is a historical reality. "Jesus didn’t come here to protect comfortable lies. Jesus came to reveal heavenly, world-changing, soul-altering truth." — Tex Horner
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford Every crisis is a moment of decision. Whether it's the sudden responsibility of becoming a parent or the loss of a loved one, life’s major turning points force us to ask: What now? How will I respond? In this profound Holy Week message, Lead Pastor Tim Littleford argues that the cross of Jesus Christ is the ultimate crisis. It is a moment in history that demands a response from every one of us, stripping away our indifference and posing one specific, life-altering question: Who is this Jesus really? In This Episode, We Explore: The Three Perspectives of the Cross: Tim breaks down the three ways people responded to Jesus at Golgotha—the weeping followers seeing a false hope, the cynical rulers seeing an imposter, and the convicted criminal who saw a King. A Royal Procession in Disguise: How the criminal on the cross looked past the thorns, the blood, and the wooden instrument of death to see a crown, a throne, and a coronation. The Irony of Grace: Why the very things the world mocked—Jesus’ inability to "save himself"—were the very actions that secured our salvation at His own personal cost. Bowing the Knee: A challenge to move beyond a "head-level" understanding of Easter and decide if Jesus is truly the King of your life, your decisions, and your future. "The cross of Christ creates in us a moment of decision. It forces us to decide how we will respond... If Jesus is the King, does this King rule you?" — Tim Littleford
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford In this moving Palm Sunday message, Lead Pastor Tim Littleford explores the reality of human suffering through the lens of Jesus’ final moments in the Garden of Gethsemane. Drawing from personal stories of grief and the profound vulnerability of Jesus’ own prayer, Tim challenges us to look honestly at our own "cup of suffering." In This Episode, We Discuss: The Myth of a Pain-Free Life: Why modern comforts and medicine can’t truly shield us from the inevitability of testing. The Agony in the Garden: A deep dive into Luke’s account of Jesus praying for the cup to be removed, revealing His full humanity and emotional depth. The Essential Ingredient: Why trust—not comfort—is the only way to navigate seasons of betrayal, sickness, and loss. The Master Sculptor: An 18th-century reflection on how suffering, though it feels like it’s "destroying" us, is often God’s way of shaping us into something beautiful. The Good News of the Cup: Understanding how Jesus drained the cup of God’s righteous wrath so that we might one day inherit a world where "every tear is wiped away." "It’s easy to say 'Your will be done,' but it’s way harder to watch your own will for your life die a painful death and still trust." — Tim Littleford
Encounter Henley Welcomes Senior Pastor of Encounter Church Adelaide: Jenny Wardrop Are you a rule follower or a rule breaker? Whether you’re a stickler for the instruction manual or someone who plays by your own "family rules," we are all shaped by the boundaries around us. But as Pastor Jenny Wardrop explores in this message, the real question isn't whether we follow the rules—it's how we experience them. Pulling from the scene of the Last Supper, Jenny breaks down the three mindsets that dictate how we live our lives and practice our faith: The "Have To" Mindset: Living under obligation. It’s self-centered, builds resentment, and often leads to a spirit of rebellion. The "Want To" Mindset: Driven by feelings and "others-centered" service. While better, it’s limited by our own energy and how others respond to us. The "Get To" Mindset: The Christ-centered shift. This is where rules don't constrain us; they free us. Key Highlights Celebrating New Life: We hear from Zoe, who is preparing to plant a new church in the Barossa. She shares her vision for "Rhythms of Grace" and a discipleship-first model designed to unburden the unchurched. The Diamond Family Rules: Jenny shares a hilarious look at her own "house rules" during board games and how our perspective on boundaries reveals our heart posture. The Essential Bread: Why did Jesus use flatbread? A look at how Jesus positions himself as the essential, daily requirement for a life full of joy. A New Covenant: Moving from the tradition of the Passover to the invitation of the Table—transforming a meal of "obligation" into a gift of "reception." Scripture References "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." — Luke 22:15 Ephesians 1:7: Forgiveness through the riches of God's grace. John 6: Jesus as the Bread of Life and the source of eternal life. Are you serving on a team or coming to church because you "have to"? This episode is an invitation to move past the grind of obligation and into the freedom of being Christ-centered. When we realize that everything we have is a gift we didn't deserve, we stop being controlled by the rules and start being freed by them.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Pastor: Tex Horner In this episode, Pastor Tex Horner explores the tension between "leaving" and "remaining." Drawing from the high-stakes data of the Brexit campaigns and the intimate setting of the Last Supper, Tex challenges the idea that "remaining" is a passive act of just accepting what is. Instead, he reveals that choosing to stay attached to the source of our life is the most proactive, empowering decision we can make. Inside the Message: The "Fight to Remain": Why changing our perspective from passive to proactive changes the outcome of our lives. The Vine & The Branches: A deep dive into Jesus’ most famous metaphor. What does it actually mean to produce "fruit," and why can’t we do it on our own? The Gardener’s Pride: From competition-sized giant onions to the "Fruit of the Spirit," learn how God tends to us with the skill of a master gardener. Reliance vs. Restriction: Why depending on God isn't a weight that holds us down, but a release that sets us free from the pressure of "producing" by ourselves. Relationship over Rules: A reminder that obedience is a response to being loved, not a prerequisite for it. Whether you are in a season of abundance or feeling like a "stick" in the mud, this message is an invitation to reattach yourself to the Vine. It’s time to stop worrying about the sunshine and the soil and start focusing on the simple, life-changing choice to stay. "Jesus came to earth to get messy in the soil with us. He didn't come to keep his hands clean."
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor of Encounter Church Adelaide: Jenny Wardrop "The Kingdom of God is what the world looks like when God is in control." This week, Lead Pastor Jenny Wardrop dives into one of the most frequent topics in the Gospels: The Kingdom of God. While we often think of "Kingdom" as a distant place, Jesus describes it as something far more intimate and subversive. In this episode, we explore: The Lion King Analogy: How the struggle between the "Rightful King" and the "Wrong Ruler" mirrors the biblical narrative of restoration. Freedom from the Inside Out: A look at Luke 13, where Jesus heals a woman hunched over for 18 years, proving that the Kingdom is about restoring dignity and calling us "daughters and sons." The Power of the Small: Why the Kingdom is like a mustard seed or yeast—often starting in insignificant, quiet moments before transforming everything it touches. The Now and Not Yet: How to live with hope in a world of turmoil by seeking the Kingdom first in our classrooms, homes, and daily interactions.
Encounter Church Henley Welcomes Guest Preacher: Jacob Blackwell In this episode, Jacob Blackwell from Encounter Church Henley takes us on a 43-degree road trip to Canberra to illustrate a vital spiritual truth: we often prioritize our temporary comfort over our actual necessities. When the "fuel light" of our lives starts blinking, where do we turn for sustenance? Drawing from the timeless wisdom of Psalm 1, Jacob breaks down the two distinct ways we can navigate life: the self-sustaining path of worldly wisdom and the "blessed" path of delighting in God’s instruction. In this message, you’ll discover: The Comfort Trap: Why we often choose financial or job security over the spiritual fuel we actually need. Meditation Reimagined: Why biblical meditation isn't about emptying your mind, but "filling and chewing" on the Word (and what it has to do with fine wine). Well vs. River: Why our culture’s "self-care" often leaves us at an empty well, and how to root yourself by the flowing stream of the Gospel instead. No Accidental Saints: A challenge to be intentional about the direction of your "strongest thoughts." Whether you’re feeling spiritually dry or just trying to figure out which "road" you’re currently walking, this message is a refreshing invitation to stop striving and start drawing from a source that never runs dry.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Preacher: Angus Green Have you ever noticed that even after the best meal of your life, you’re eventually hungry again? In this episode, Angus Green from Encounter Church Henley dives into the difference between temporary satisfaction and eternal fulfillment. Starting with a passionate (and highly debatable) ranking of the best chicken schnitzels in Adelaide and a memorable steak in Florence, Angus transitions into a powerful reflection on John 6. He challenges us to look past the "perishable bread"—productivity, social media, and even busy church service—to find the only source that truly sustains: Jesus, the Bread of Life. In this episode, we explore: Provision vs. Presence: Why we often treat God like a "genie" for our needs rather than a person to be with. The Burnout Cycle: Recognizing the "soul-tiredness" that comes from trying to fuel our lives on our own strength. Empty Cisterns: Identifying the "wells" we return to that never actually hold water. The Work of God: Why Jesus "blew up" the idea of religious performance and replaced it with a simple invitation: Believe.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Guest Preacher: Rev. Nick Patselis This podcast episode features a guest message from Rev. Nick Patselis (Minister of Woodside Uniting) as he launches the new series, "Life to the Full." Nick brings a refreshing, humorous, and deeply practical look at what it means to live an abundant life in a world designed to distract us. From his son’s nickname for Encounter Church—"The Party Church"—to the accidental spiritual lessons learned from raising chickens, this message challenges us to check the "fullness" of our own lives. Episode Highlights The "Two-Year" Mark Nick observes that the initial energy of any launch—a new church, a new job, or a new relationship—often begins to dip around the two-year mark. He explores how we can maintain the "Life to the Full" that Jesus promised, even when the "newness" wears off and the routine sets in. Busy vs. Full We often measure a "full life" by the number of blocks filled in our digital calendars. Nick reclaims the definition: A Busy Life: Back-to-back meetings, nights out, and a constant sense of rushing. A Full Life: A life overflowing with joy, peace, compassion, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Voice of the Shepherd Drawing from John 10, the message highlights the difference between the Shepherd who calls us by name and the "thieves" that climb over the fence. Nick discusses the modern "thieves" of our time: Digital Distraction: How our phones and algorithms (like a Bad Bunny playlist) "discipline" our attention. The "Holes in the Fence": Our tendency to look for escapes when we don't like the "food" in our current season. The Fear Response: How we are often baited into spiritual "phishing scams" that steal our peace. "Jesus calls us to have life to the full—not just when we birth something, not just when we launch something, but all the time."