Shows
GCS PodcastSow to ReapIn an age where almost anything goes, how can we equip and empower Christians to believe and live the Christian faith, and how can we equip and empower the church to evangelise? In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon describes our ignorance of the works of God and of the future. In particular, how we do not know which seeds will germinate and produce fruit. The Bible has a great deal to say about sowing and reaping, and we know that wherever there is reaping, the hard work of sowing needs to have been done f...
2020-11-0532 min
GCS PodcastDecompression after MissionFor many Christians returning from mission trips, it can feel hard to settle back into normal life. We’re bursting with stories of redemption and renewal. We’ve witnessed the faith of the persecuted and the joy of the poor. We’re resolved to live generously after encountering sprawling slums and rundown orphan homes. Yet, no matter what we’ve experienced, people at home appear uninterested and just don't seem to get it. After a day or two, we are left feeling exhausted and frustrated. The feeling that life is about to go "back to normal" is depressing. ...
2020-06-2729 min
GCS PodcastThe Great Commission, Part 2Most Christians agree that when Jesus told his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, he gave the church its mission until the end of the age. It is much harder, however, to gain consensus on how the church is to fulfil that mission today. The Great Commission is one of the most significant passages in the Bible – and yet somewhere along the way Christians seem to have lost confidence that the Bible actually gives the church instructions for fulfilling it. Despite the simplicity and clarity of our Lord's mandate we seem so far...
2020-06-0920 min
GCS PodcastThe Great Commission, Part 1When most of us think of the “Great Commission,” we start with the word “go.” The gist of Christ’s command is that we are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptising and teaching, right? But Matthew’s version of the Commissioning scene doesn’t start with “go.”The commission itself is sandwiched between two statements related to Jesus Christ: the first concerns His authority, and the second concerns His empowering presence. So, what is the mission of the church, and what does the Great Commission mean to us today?Le...
2020-06-0522 min
GCS PodcastWalking in FaithThe Christian walk is a relationship with God, so what does it mean when we don’t feel our faith? Does it mean God is distant or that perhaps He doesn’t care? Does it mean Christianity is false? The emotional connection in the Christian walk is an important one. So, what does it mean when the emotions are not there? There are times when every Christian feels like God has disappeared, when our faith feels distant and unsatisfying. What is God doing in those instances - and more importantly, how should we react?...
2020-05-2935 min
GCS PodcastRed, Amber, GreenOne of the most frustrating and discouraging aspects of the Christian life is struggling with sin. While it’s true that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit and sin’s ultimate control over us has been broken, we still often find ourselves doing things we hate, saying things that we know are wrong, and feeling attracted to things that we know are evil. At times, the battle feels overwhelming. Sin is a reality with which we all must live. No one can escape the struggles we have with rebelling against God’s call on our...
2020-05-1224 min
GCS PodcastMissing the markOne of the most alarming trends in today’s society is the death of the concept of sin. As the morals in our culture deteriorate how can Christians respond? Many people understand the feeling of guilt but until they understand sin, they will not be ready for a saviour. Sin is the greatest problem facing the world, but how can we define what sin is to a postmodern generation? Let's join Tony as he defines sin and examines the difference between cheap and radical repentance.Support the show
2020-05-0726 min
GCS PodcastGetting ready for Christ's returnThe second coming is one of the most momentous events that will ever happen, where Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, visibly, and bodily – to judge the living and the dead, and to complete His redemptive mission. For Christians this is a blessed hope for which we should constantly watch and pray. But how should this critical event shape our life and hope now? It is overwhelming to see the number of times throughout Scripture where the second coming is mentioned, with no less than 1200 times in the Old Testament and 300 times in...
2020-05-0218 min
GCS PodcastSpiritual ThresholdsHow do people tend to explore faith, and what lessons can we learn from their spiritual journeys that might help us as we work to fulfil the Great Commission? Is it possible to identify specific thresholds that people encounter on their journey to knowing God personally?How do people move from a place of distrust to trust, or from feeling complacent to curious? What causes people who are closed to change to suddenly being open to change in their life? How do people move from meandering to seeking, and ultimately trusting in Christ for salvation?
2020-04-3011 min
GCS PodcastNetwork EvangelismWhen people hear the word ‘evangelism’ they often think of either a large-scale evangelistic event or cold calling at the door. But, do these evangelism methods make some Christians uncomfortable sharing their faith? Are there more fruitful methods of reaching people in our own networks?Over the years, the term "evangelism" has grown to have some negative stereotypes. But could it be time to reclaim it? What changes do we need to make, to practically equip every church member to live as a missionary? How can we create an atmosphere of expectation for every member of t...
2020-04-2810 min
GCS PodcastObstacles to EvangelismMost Christians seem to find Evangelism a very hard thing to do. Even the people who seem to excel and have the gift of evangelism readily confess their weakness. So, why is it so universally difficult? Differing world views can be substantial and reaching across them is not an easy task. But do you ever wonder if reaching across those barriers is even possible in todays society. In an age where predominant thinking is becoming increasingly hostile towards the Christian worldview, how can Christians bridge the widening gap and reach out across the barriers? Can w...
2020-04-2616 min
GCS PodcastRescue PlanHow do we explain the gospel to children in a way they can understand? How do we explain their need for a Saviour without watering down the details? How can we hold their attention long enough to explain what the Bible is all about? How can we be accurate yet sensitive to the fact that they need simpler explanations?Today’s presentation is broken down into 10 parts, and starts with the creation of the universe, and explains key biblical concepts: Who is God? What is God like? What is sin? Where did evil come from? Wh...
2020-04-2242 min
GCS PodcastCross Cultural EvangelismThe world has 195 countries with thousands of ethnic sub-groups, that bring both challenges and opportunities for evangelism. What key questions should we be asking when considering cross-cultural evangelism?In the past it was only Christian missionaries going overseas to preach the gospel who had to understand cross-cultural evangelism, but today most of us do not have to go that far to encounter other cultures. While the Christian message does not change, the methodology for evangelism must change from culture to culture in order for the message to be clearly communicated. This raises some important questions...
2020-04-2017 min
GCS PodcastRequirements to Reach the LostJesus Christ continues to be the most significant figure in history. We know how he is viewed today, but how was he viewed in his culture. His words and his methods were unlike any others, both then and now. What was it that made him so different? How did he challenge the views and the values around him?As Jesus taught the tax collectors and sinners gathered around Him, the Pharisees began to mutter to themselves about His open association with those deemed “unclean” according to the Jewish religious code. The parable of the lost shee...
2020-04-1922 min
GCS PodcastFacts & TrendsA vast majority of churches go for years without seeing even one person coming to Christ in faith. By almost any metric, churches across the world are much less evangelistic today than they were in the recent past. Do you ever feel the church has let the world down? The apostle Peter told believers to always have a ready answer for the hope that we have, but in these changing and very strange times that directive can be difficult. We see the pattern in the early church where every day the Lord added to...
2020-04-1720 min
GCS PodcastStrength of ConvictionToday, there are many who would identify themselves as Christians, yet the Christian life for so many is rooted in convenience rather than Biblical convictions. Convictions are an expression of faith, and Christians often talk about a sense of conviction that grows when God’s word does its work. But what does it mean to be “convicted” of something?The Oxford English dictionary defines the word ‘conviction’ as “a firmly held belief or opinion”, something you cling to so strongly that it impacts the way you think and the way you live your life. Someone has put it this...
2020-04-1614 min
GCS PodcastThe Fifth ColumnIn an age where almost anything goes, without careful attention churches can easily drift from their founding mission. How can we prevent this from happening, and how can we equip and empower the church to evangelise? Jesus was clear that our job as Christians is to proclaim the Gospel and disciple those who are saved, and yet so many churches fail to carry out their founding mission. Perhaps the greatest danger is when a Church doesn’t realise this has happened. Why is “mission drift” so common among Christian ministries? How does it happen, and how can it be p...
2020-04-1520 min
GCS PodcastGood Friday message in the face of COVID-19For the first time in our lives, churches around the world will be celebrating Easter this weekend by not gathering together. It’s a tragic picture of these sad and scary days. Yet it’s similar in several ways to what happened on the very first Easter.The scientific community is racing to find a COVID-19 vaccine to give a vague promise to humanity of immortality based upon chemical changes and formulas, but until science can find a solution for the problem of sin, it will not find a solution for the problem of death. ...
2020-04-1023 min
GCS PodcastA Run on the Roman Road, Part 2In many places the Bible describes the fate of the unsaved in terrible, fearful terms. Yet, when we speak to others about what it means to be a Christian, our tendency is to shy away from mentioning what the Gospel compels us to accept as truth.Laws protect our general safety and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses. While some laws might give us pause, most people understand and uphold laws, and would have no hesitation speaking about them. Some Christians feel that using the Law in evangelism can be harsh and unloving – but is...
2020-04-0920 min
GCS PodcastA Run on the Roman Road, Part 1As Christians, we know we should share our faith with others and communicating our faith in Christ should be the most natural thing in the world. However, many people feel very intimidated at the thought of sharing the Gospel with a stranger. What has caused this dilemma, and how do we overcome it?Sometimes we forget that Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” We often live as if the labourers are plentiful, but the harvest is f...
2020-04-0823 min
GCS PodcastA Nobody with ConsequencesWhat does your life with Christ look like? Does it mirror Him, or do you feel there are changes that need to be made in order for that to happen? And if it doesn’t look like Christ, what is keeping you from being the person that God wants you to be?Every Christian is called by God to a specific purpose. But, what does it mean to be “called”? In a sense, as Christians we are all called to Christ, to follow and obey Him. He made that clear when He said to His discip...
2020-04-0613 min
GCS PodcastMUDIf you think Christianity faces an uphill battle today, just look at the daunting task the early church faced. How did pain and persecution in the early days of Christianity help spread the Gospel, and how did the convictions of first century Christians conquer the world?A faithful witness is one who is credible on a particular subject because of their experience, which shows in their convictions. Every believer is commissioned to bring people to Jesus. The Lord is not asking us to do something impossible or impractical, but what does it mean and how...
2020-04-0424 min
GCS PodcastA New SongWhen you hear the word ‘WORSHIP’, what comes to your mind? What comes to your mind when you think of worshipping and glorifying God? In the Christian recording industry, the words ‘WORSHIP’ and ‘MUSIC’ have almost become synonymous. Even church terminology has changed over time to call the role of the Music Minister a Worship Leader or Worship Pastor. Though “worship music” is beneficial, has our focus on it caused us to define worship too narrowly?The role of music and singing in Christian worship is biblical and plays a vital role in the life of God’s people...
2020-04-0324 min
GCS PodcastOne Degree OffBarriers between differing world views can be substantial and reaching across them is not an easy task. But do you ever wonder if reaching across those barriers is even possible in today’s society?There are many reasons that Christians share for not being able to evangelise. ...'Saying the wrong thing'...'Feeling scared'...'Believing the person is not ready'...'Not wanting to offend'...'Evangelism is not my spiritual gift'...'Too busy!'These are excuses we are all familiar with, as fear of the unknown and rej...
2020-04-0220 min
GCS PodcastAntidote for FearWe live in a world plagued by fear. People worrying about illness, income, employment and the future. The Coronavirus outbreak means that life is changing for all of us for a while, which will cause people to feel anxious, depressed or frustrated. Yet fears crept into our hearts long before we ever heard about COVID-19.Are you worried about the Coronavirus, and the effect it may have on your life? There’s so much uncertainty in the world at the moment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. What can we do to g...
2020-04-0109 min
GCS PodcastSalty TeaMany people doubt the existence of God, and yet many more doubt the existence of the devil. This is the cunning way our enemy works, and that’s just the way he likes it for now. So, why is the devil so fanatically committed to hindering the spread of the Gospel?When you look at the lives of the early Christians, how does that make you feel? Have you ever experienced for yourself the thrill of personally sharing the Gospel with someone? It has been said that the Christian life without regularly proclaiming the Gospel to...
2020-03-3126 min
GCS PodcastCall me CrazyThe need for evangelism and the environment of a post-modern culture raise interesting questions. How has the role of evangelism changed in the last decade? Is there still a need for evangelism, and how does one share the Gospel in a culture that is so divisive? God has called each of us to partner in His redemptive plan for the world. Some of the greatest joys in the Christian life come from making Jesus known to those who don't yet know Him personally. And yet, if you say the word “evangelism”, most Christians think it means...
2020-03-3031 min
GCS PodcastThe Ends of the EarthThe apostle Peter told believers to, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” But in these changing and very strange times that directive can be very difficult. How do we respond to a generation that is lost and appears to enjoy its quandary?How many times have you heard the Gospel in a sermon, book, or conversation? If you’ve been a Christian, even for a short time, you have likely heard the Gospel hundreds of times. Yet, many of us sti...
2020-03-2925 min
GCS PodcastCalled and QualifiedDo you have friends or family members that are not Christians? How can you share the Gospel with them in a way that doesn’t push them away, but allows you to have natural conversations about the Christian faith? God calls every believer to live a life of radical faith, but what does that really mean? Do you ever feel that your lifestyle and the way other people see you prevents you from sharing the Gospel? Do you feel like you have to be perfect for God to use you?Let's join Ton...
2020-03-2722 min
GCS PodcastLeaning TowersIt’s been reported that one of India’s great leaders, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I don't reject your Christ. It is just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ.”A lot of people who go to church resemble Christians, but many appear to lack real authenticity, with no living, vital relationship with Jesus Christ. What causes some Christians to look less like Jesus and more like the world? What does YOUR life with Christ look like? Does it mirror Him, or do you feel like there are changes that nee...
2020-03-2726 min
GCS PodcastThe Man in the MirrorIt only takes a look at the news to become overwhelmed by all the trials and suffering in the world today – but as Christians we have a hope that others do not. With that in mind, what can we do as a Christian community to reach out and share love and hope with others? Do you trust that if you share the Gospel your words will have an impact on a person’s life?The Bible tells us that God spoke our world into existence. Of all the different ways God could have created the heav...
2020-03-2634 min
GCS PodcastItchy EarsJesus Christ continues to be the most significant figure in history, with about one-third of the world’s total population reporting to be Christian. However, annual statistics show a rapid decline in the number of people attending churches. What stops churches from growing, and what is causing this rapid decline? Seemingly every other week there is another story of churches closing up shop, sold to developers to be converted into condominiums or the latest trendy bar. Belief in the secular gods such as atheism and humanism continue to grow, making it critical for Christians to pro...
2020-03-2525 min
GCS PodcastThe State of the WorldMatthew 28:18-20 is the most well-known biblical record of what is commonly referred to as the "Great Commission". But despite the significance of these and other Bible verses that call Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations,” a surprising proportion of churchgoing Christians in the world are generally unaware of these famous words from Jesus. For many of us, the Great Commission has instead become the Great Omission.The mandate to evangelise and to always be prepared to give a defence for our faith is directly tied to obedience to Christ. Yet few peop...
2020-03-2318 min
GCS PodcastHope in the face of the CoronavirusOur world is being violently shaken by the Coronavirus outbreak. As countries try to slow the outbreak by going on lockdown, scientists are working around the clock in the race to find a vaccine. It seems the battle has only just begun!With new information coming out every day about how the Coronavirus spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread, leaves many people feeling anxious and overwhelmed. The feeling of fear is palpable in conversations when the topic comes up. No one seems to know yet if this...
2020-03-2118 min
GCS PodcastThe Price of FreedomWhen did you last have a face to face conversation with someone, where you shared your Christian faith with them? Do you find it difficult to share the Gospel?We live in a culture where text messages and social media seem to drive our relationships, and in-person conversations are often a rarity - but it is often in these face to face conversations where we have a chance to learn how to share our faith. How do we reach a generation that listens with its eyes and thinks with its feelings?Let's...
2020-03-2024 min
GCS PodcastThe Whole TruthHow has the modern church lost its moorings? Has it intentionally severed itself from the Gospel? Can it be re-anchored, or is it doomed to suffer the same fate as the civilisations that have come and gone before us? In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he called the church the "Body of Christ", because it was to resemble Christ in the world by carrying out the Great Commission. When Jesus entered our world, He took on a physical body to demonstrate the love of God clearly, tangibly, and boldly—especially through His sacrificial death on...
2020-03-1630 min
GCS PodcastWords, Works and EffectsWe live in a society that wants nothing to do with God, however once you do away with the existence of God, where do people turn to for answers? How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? God spoke the world into being by the power of His words, and He now asks His followers to proclaim the Good News to everyone, everywhere. However, in a world of growing scepticism, many Christians are afraid to share their faith, and settle for l...
2020-03-0823 min
GCS PodcastThe Gospel MessageOn a mountain in Galilee, Jesus called on his followers to step out in faith and spread the Gospel to all nations. Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). But, what does evangelism look like in a...
2020-03-0123 min
GCS PodcastAll In The BalanceJesus said that his mission was to seek and save the lost – and what greater mandate could He leave His followers than to continue His legacy! What do you think it is that causes some Christians to be disinterested in this great commission? While there are many good things that a church can do in this world, God has assigned a specific missional priority to the church for reaching the lost. The church, of course, as the ‘koinonia’ or community of faith, is to be involved in caring for the homeless, serving the disadvantaged, and meeting...
2020-02-1519 min
GCS PodcastWar & RomanceIn a world full of distractions and information overload, trying to take in and respond to too much information can cause forgetfulness, fatigue, and difficulty with focus. If you were a soldier on the battlefield, would you walk outside your secured building alone, without any armour or backup? Would you skip your training and fitness sessions and ignore your leader’s commands and warnings? Of course not, but that’s exactly what many Christians do when it comes to their spiritual lives. They try to handle things without the help of God, and eventually, they lose the desire to s...
2020-02-0922 min
GCS PodcastPassion, Purpose & PriorityIn our modern and industrial society is the concept of evangelism one that holds water, or is it dead in the water? The global church is engaged in so many important activities, but have you ever wondered what is the top priority of the church? We often give evangelism lip service in our churches, we talk about it often and even push people to be more mindful of it during our sermons. But rarely do we apply it in our lives. The purpose of the church is clear. Jesus said, ‘Love the Lord your God wit...
2020-02-0322 min