ALL THINGS
STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Vision Sunday - Encounter Church Adelaide
AS FOR ME
GOOD PLANS
Covenant
Hope That Keeps on Giving
The Hidden Treasure
The Midnight Bread
Encounter Henley Welcomes Senior Pastor of Encounter Church Adelaide: Mike Wardrop In this episode, Senior Pastor Mike Wardrop digs past the "passe" catchphrases to uncover the gritty, historical reality of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Speaking from his own experience as a young Christian and now as a seasoned pastor, Mike explores why we often struggle with anxiety despite having "victory" verses at our fingertips. What You’ll Learn: The Danger of Proof Texting: Why pulling a single verse out of context can lead to a shallow faith, and how to embrace "The Whole Counsel of God." Historical Context: A look at Robert Estienne, the French printer who (in 1551) created the chapter and verse system we use today, and why it matters for our interpretation. The Reality of Paul’s "All Things": Understanding that Paul wrote about strength and joy while under house arrest in Rome (c. AD 60), facing trial and potential execution. The Secret to Inner Peace: Practical steps to shift your mind from "strongest desires" (often selfish) to "deepest desires" (the things of God). "Our strongest desires are not our deepest desires. Only the peace of God can carry you through a time of suffering." — Mike Wardrop
Encounter Henley Welcomes Preacher: Emma Petrie We’ve all seen it: "Be strong and courageous." It’s on mugs, t-shirts, wall art, and as Emma discovered, even toilet seat covers. But is this verse just a "self-help" mantra to make us feel better, or is it calling us to something much deeper? Emma shares a hilariously relatable story about her "Type A" packing habits—including why she packs six pairs of underwear for a two-day trip—to illustrate our human obsession with comfort and control. She challenges the idea that "Be strong and courageous" is a pep talk for self-confidence, revealing instead that it is a command rooted in God's presence. Key Insights The Danger of Comfort: Culture promises comfort (the absence of pain), but God promises His presence (the assurance of relationship). The Three-Part Movement: Emma breaks down Joshua 1:9 into three distinct sections: The Reminder: "Have I not commanded you?" The Command: "Be strong and courageous." The Source: "For the Lord your God will be with you." Presence Over Relief: Real courage isn’t an emotion we manufacture; it’s a posture we choose because we know who is walking beside us. Anchored in the Word: Drawing from A.W. Tozer, Emma explains how meditating on Scripture is the primary path to recognizing God's presence in our lives. "Comfort whispers to me: 'If I'm prepared enough, nothing can catch me off guard.' But the truth is, no amount of packing will protect me from the unexpected." — Emma Petrie
Encounter Church Adelaide Welcomes Senior Pastor: Mike Wardrop In this powerful message, Pastor Mike Wardrop explores the "Looking Down" epidemic. Whether it’s the distraction of the pocket-sized computers in our pockets, the weight of depression, or the exhaustion of living without a clear direction, many of us are trapped in a cycle of spiritual stagnation. But a life of distraction is not inevitable. It is not God’s best for you. Drawing from Psalm 121 and the story of Elisha and the chariot of fire, Mike challenges us to lift our eyes higher than our natural sight allows. We aren't just called to live by the "Law" (what not to do); we are called to live by Revelation—the divine instruction that tells us where to go. In this episode, you’ll discover: The Three Pillars of "Looking Down": How distraction, depression, and a lack of direction create a "cruel cycle" fueled by the attention economy. AI Slop for the Soul: Why meandering through "repetition and Netflix" leads to spiritual deadness. The Elisha Perspective: How to move from seeing only the "enemy armies" in your life to seeing the "chariots of fire" surrounding you. Revelation vs. Regulation: Why the Holy Spirit offers a higher vision than simple reward-and-punishment living. Encounter 2026: A look into Encounter Church’s pioneering vision to multiply resilient disciples across Adelaide. "Sunday is coming." No matter how much your 2025 felt like Good Friday, 2026 is the year to lift your eyes and look through the eyes of Christ.
Enounter Henley Welcomes Pastor: Tex Horner In this episode, Pastor Tex Horner explores the weight of public declarations and the freedom found in intentional servitude. Drawing from his own milestones—his wedding day and his ocean baptism—Tex discusses why making a "big choice" actually protects us from the exhaustion of having too many options. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: The "Too Much of a Good Thing" Effect: Why absolute autonomy and endless choices often lead to stress, emotional exhaustion, and poor decision-making. The Power of Prisms: How choosing a specific path (like marriage to one person or discipleship under Jesus) creates a framework that makes future decisions clearer and simpler. Joshua’s Line in the Sand: A deep dive into Joshua 24, where an aging leader challenges a nation to "choose today whom you will serve." The Idol Audit: A candid look at what we worship today—money, fame, comfort, or even our partners—and why none of them are designed to sustain us like God can."We are all going to serve someone. If we don’t choose who we serve, we will end up serving something regardless. Isn't it better to have a say?" — Tex Horner How to Make "Green Light" Choices Tex wraps up the message with three practical "Text-isms" to help you align your daily actions with your heart's intentions: Pray About It: Seek God’s vision before your own logic. Establish Non-Negotiables: Identify the things you are simply not willing to compromise on to protect your vision. Identify Your Idols: Be honest about what you are putting ahead of your relationship with God.
Encounter Church Henley Welcomes Preacher: Angus Green In the kickoff of our brand-new series, "Quotable," Angus Green pulls apart the context of this iconic verse to reveal a message that is far richer, deeper, and more challenging than a simple motivational slogan. In This Episode: The Koorong Cliché: Why we love putting "encouraging" verses on knickknacks and why taking them out of context can actually be damaging to our faith. The Reality of Exile: Discover the world behind the words. This wasn't written to a student choosing a career; it was written to a people who had lost their homes, their identity, and were facing 70 years of captivity in a foreign land. Machashavot Shalom: Angus breaks down the Hebrew meaning of "plans to prosper." Hint: It’s not about getting rich; it’s about Shalom—wholeness, peace, and right relationship with God. Faithfulness in the Waiting: How God plays the "long game" and why His faithfulness isn't measured by our comfort, but by His presence in our circumstances. Key Takeaways: "God's faithfulness is not measured by our circumstance. It is measured by Him being with us in our circumstance." Promise #1: Faithfulness. Even when God seems silent or the "exile" feels permanent, He has not forsaken you. Promise #2: Restoration. Exile is never the end of the story. God redeems the years the locusts have eaten, ultimately through the work of Jesus.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford In this episode, Lead Pastor Tim Littleford tackles the "exhaustion" of the New Year. We are bombarded with motivational posts telling us to "dream bigger" and "write a good story" on our 365 blank pages. But what happens when the pressure to create a "DIY Self" becomes a form of slavery? Key Insights in this message: The Exhaustion of the Idealized Self: Tim discusses the heavy burden of modern self-optimization—trying to be the perfect spouse, parent, and professional while staying "jacked" and reading 100 books a year. Identity as a Gift, Not an Achievement: In a world that has stripped away rites of passage, we are told to "work out" our own identities. Tim reminds us that we are created by God; our true uniqueness isn't earned—it is received as a gift. Contract vs. Covenant: Using the example of his 10-year wedding anniversary with his wife, Ash, Tim explains that a covenant is personal and relational, not just a list of obligations. The Unconditional New Covenant: While the Old Covenant was conditional on human obedience, the New Covenant—ratified by the blood of Jesus—is built on God’s unconditional grace and promise to write His law on our hearts. "Knowing ourselves must begin by knowing the self that is known by God." — David Bennett The Covenant Prayer At the conclusion of this message, Pastor Tim invites you to pray the famous Wesleyan Covenant Prayer. Whether you are listening at home, in the car, or at the gym, we invite you to use this moment to renew your partnership with God for 2026. Excerpt from the prayer: "I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will... Let me be full, let me be empty. I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service."
Encounter Henley Welcomes Senior Pastor of Encounter Church Adelaide: Mike Wardrop In this message, Pastor Mike kicks off our Christmas series, "The Gift That Keeps On Giving," using the framework of the classic novel, "A Christmas Carol." Drawing parallels to the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, Mike explores how our perception of hope is impacted by the hurts of our past, the comparisons of our present, and our view of the future. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Hopes Gone By): Discover why we are often haunted by past trauma and broken promises, and how a modern culture's embrace of "victimhood as sainthood" can prevent us from moving forward. Mike challenges listeners to acknowledge the pain but embrace the responsibility of choosing hope, much like the promise of a "green shoot" growing from the "stump of Jesse" (Isaiah 11). The Problem: Why do we get trapped by the hurts of the past? The Solution: The choice of what to do next is your responsibility. God can turn past pain to eternal goodness. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Alternatives That Haunt Us): Mike discusses the challenges of FOMO, comparison, and a seemingly hopeless culture (housing crises, political polarization, etc.). He reminds us that if our hope is placed in temporary, tactile things, it’s not hope at all. Drawing from Isaiah's message to King Ahaz, he asserts that Christians, as ambassadors of hope, must trust in God's faithfulness, not political or economic circumstances. The Context: Why do the challenges of the present feel overwhelming? The Anchor: Hope assumes that God is faithful and is able to bring about His good purpose. Tune in to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to find lasting hope in Jesus Christ, the Messiah—the ultimate anointed one!
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford In this message, Pastor Tim Littleford dives into Jesus' parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46). Drawing from his own "nerdy" joy of finding valuable secondhand books, Tim explores the dynamic joy of discovering something of immense value—specifically, the Kingdom of God. Discover two main ways people encounter the Kingdom: Stumbling Upon It: Like the man who accidentally finds treasure in a field. Searching for It: Like the merchant hunting for the perfect pearl. No matter how you find it, the response is the same: joyful, complete surrender. Tim challenges the tendency to barter and negotiate with God, seeking the "minimum requirement" for surrender. He emphasizes that the cost of the Kingdom is everything, but the transaction is one of net gain, not loss. Drawing on the illustration of floating in water, you'll learn that surrender isn't about striving or beating yourself up with shame, but about trusting the grace of God to hold you and letting go of control. Ultimately, this message reveals a God who sees you as the Treasure in the Field and the Pearl of Great Price—and in his joy, gave up everything (His Son) to possess you! Choose to surrender in joy. What is Jesus inviting you to let go of today to possess the ultimate gain?
Encounter Henley Welcomes Pastor: Tex Horner In this message, Pastor Tex Horner unpacks Jesus's parable of the Midnight Bread, challenging us on the nature of our prayer life. Drawing on a relatable, humorous family anecdote about his daughter's persistent (and expensive!) requests at the Royal Adelaide Show, Tex reveals a profound truth about God's heart. Discover the shamelessness, persistence, and bold audacity that Jesus encourages when we come to Him in prayer. Just as a loving father gives good things to his child, our Heavenly Father wants us to bring everything to Him—regardless of whether we think the need is too small or too big. Key takeaways include: Why the parables are designed to reveal truths about Jesus Himself, not just to give life lessons. The clear pattern Jesus lays out for us in the Lord's Prayer—a foundation for bold asking. Understanding the parable of the Midnight Bread as an encouragement to a persistent, never-tiring prayer life. How persistent prayer isn't about changing God's will, but about changing us and uniting our will with His. Learn to pray with the confidence and shamelessness of a toddler at the show—because Jesus is not a reluctant friend, but a loving Father who wants to respond to your requests.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford Do you ever worry that you're wasting your life? We make choices with consequences every day, but sometimes we live as if our decisions don't really matter in the end. In this message, Pastor Tim Littleford dives into the complex, layered parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), a story so impactful it literally gave us our modern word for "skill" or "ability." More than just a moral lesson, Jesus' parables illuminate His identity and the nature of His Kingdom. The Immense Trust: Discover the true value of the "talent"—a massive fortune worth millions today. When Jesus, the Master, went away, he didn't entrust his followers with small trinkets, but with His entire Kingdom Trust Fund—His grace, the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, the Gospel, and a mission. If you can waste your life, you must have something incredibly valuable to waste! Faithfulness, Not Comparison: Learn the liberating truth that God requires nothing from us but what He has sown in us. The master rewards the two faithful servants equally for their faithfulness in stewarding what they were individually given, not for comparing their output to others. You are running your own race. The Danger of Doing Nothing: Why was the third servant condemned? Not for losing the money, but for burying it out of fear, rationalizing his inaction by misrepresenting his generous master. This is a powerful warning: The Kingdom grows—unless it is intentionally buried. Our faith is not meant to be rested on or rationalized; it's meant to be multiplied. The Final Audit, Covered by Grace: Pastor Tim grapples with the sobering reality of the coming audit, where we will be held accountable for how we lived. But for followers of Jesus, this accountability is met with grace—the gift of God where the eternal consequences for our failings are already poured out on Christ on the cross. Grace doesn't mean there is no audit; it means the charges have been cancelled. This message is a crisis of decision: What will you do with the immense, valuable Kingdom of God you've been entrusted with?