From Matthew 20:1-16. You might remember the Parable of the Vineyard and a Generous Landowner who generously hired servants to work in his vineyard.  While he hired them at different times of the day, he paid them all the same. 

This caused some of them who worked all day to feel ‘ripped off’, because they got paid the same as those who worked an hour. 

They forgot that they were given a gift to be chosen to work in the rich mans vineyard.  It somehow meant less to them when they found out how generous he was to others.

The parable’s main point is that God’s people possess an equal inheritance of the new creation, a right that does not ultimately depend upon how much we done or sacrificed.

It also causes us to ponder—both ours and God’s. The script we’re typically given is straightforward and insistent: “You’ve got to chase your dreams.” It’s a rallying cry echoed in motivational quotes, viral memes, and graduation speeches.

Yet Jesus introduces a paradox that disrupts this mindset, hinting that chasing our dreams might not lead us to the fulfillment we expect. “How do I chase my dreams?” The script we’re given shouts, “Go for it—chase them with all you’ve got.” The paradox whispers back, “Not everything is so dreamy; it doesn’t always work out.”

But Jesus flips it entirely: Our dream isn’t something we chase—it’s a gift from a generous God. It’s a gift we receive with open hands, a dream far bigger than our own, and one that God himself pays for through his sacrifice. 

Chasing my dream, or doing what I want seems good, and there’s freedom in that. But sometimes what’s true, wise, good, and beautiful is even better.  To work his vineyard is a wonderful privilege

We’re told to pursue whatever we desire, and that’s a fine starting point. Yet Jesus offers something greater—God’s dream for us: life with him, the forgiveness of sins, a brand-new heart, a fresh start, and a place in his vineyard, his kingdom, his family. It’s a dream that’s true, wise, good, and beautiful, and it’s a gift we can simply receive with gratitude.

This is the wonderful story we call the gospel, the good news.  It is the reason we are doing the LIFE series on Wednesday nights.  We are reminding each other of this good news that brings us LIFE to the full.  Life with purpose and meaning.  LIFE which in itself is a good thing, and is freely given to us – although at great cost to our LORD.

KYCK is a highlight of the year for our teens. 1200 Teens gathering around God's word and singing in thankfulness to God is special. It's powerful as well to spend a weekend together with the goal of focusing on Our Lord.

Here are three brief reflections out of KYCK this year:

1. God is at work amongst our Teens: In the hype of a big event it's easy to be caught up in the moment. Although there is a place for this, I was encouraged by the quieter moments where teens reflected on Jesus kingship in there lives. My highlight of the weekend was when we sat at our campsite and prayed together. I was filled with joy. Teens prayed that I had not seen pray before and gospel convictions were clear.

2. KYCK can be wet: It rained. It rained a lot. And our camp-site was substantially flooded. I was thankful for the patience of our teens. I don't wish that to happen again but the bonding it brings can't be replicated.

3. I'm thankful for our leaders: they were amazing. We are blessed at our church to have leaders committed to loving our teens through looking at the bible together and giving themselves to our youth. Our other helpers from cooks to those that helped with setting up/packing up the site made all the difference.

We believe God may be calling us to begin a new church gathering on Sunday evenings. For those who are committed to seeing this vision become a reality, we meet fortnightly during term time to pray, listen to God’s Word, and seek His leading.

Our prayer is that God will stir the hearts of people to imagine what He could do through an evening church service. We are asking Him to raise up a faithful group who will joyfully and sacrificially commit to meeting together regularly on a Sunday evening—putting aside other things for the sake of His Kingdom.

In the meantime, we are not idle. As Christians have always done when they gather, we open the Word of God together, listen as it is preached, and respond in prayer—asking that God's heart for the Hawkesbury and the world would shape our own.

We call this time “Simply Church,” because while we wait for God to build something new, we are already being the church—gathered around His Word, in prayer, and united in hope.

Even if you can’t join us in person, please join us in prayer. Ask God to raise up people who will form this new evening church and be part of what He is doing among us.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1

Easter is more than just a long weekend or family tradition— as we know, it's the cornerstone of Christian faith, the triumphant reminder that Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection change everything about how we live each day. The cross wasn't the end. The empty tomb proved that death was defeated and hope was restored.

Jesus’ final day—His suffering, death, and resurrection—was not just for that moment in history. It was for every moment of our lives now. In John 11:25-26, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” This truth isn't just for Easter Sunday—it's for Monday morning, when life feels overwhelming. It's for the quiet nights when fear creeps in. It’s for the moments when we feel broken, unworthy, or lost.

Because He lives, we don’t walk through life alone. Because He rose, every failure can be redeemed, every hurt can be healed, and every day has eternal purpose. The resurrection means we live with hope that never dies, joy that isn’t based on circumstances, and peace that surpasses understanding.

Easter invites us to live differently—not just once a year, but every day—with the confidence that Christ’s victory is our victory. His final day gave us a brand-new beginning.

So today, and every day, we walk in resurrection power—because He lives.

Why? Odds are, they’ll come! From 2022 research, asked if they would go to church this Easter if a close friend or family member invited them, 42% of Aussies said YES. A further 19% of those surveyed said they were unsure. Only 3 in 10 said they would not go to an Easter service if invited! So…. Invite!!

How?

Trust. Don’t dread inviting someone. Don’t be scared. The fear we feel may be self-centred—how I’m going to look, how I’m going to feel when my friend turns me down. What if we shift the focus to the friend who could potentially reap eternal benefits, all because you took one small chance?

Pray. God is in control. Not you.

Chill. You might be the one doing the asking but it’s the Holy Spirit who softens hearts and creates faith. So whatever happens after this, don’t take it personally—and don’t take too much credit for it. You are God’s instrument, and he often gives us the privilege of taking part in leading someone else to him. But he is the one who works in that person’s heart.

Talk. It doesn’t matter what you say. Just ask your friend / family if they would come to church at Easter with you (important they know they’ll be with you). And listen to the person you invite. Be kind, compassionate and interested in them and their response. When you take the time to do these things, most people will appreciate your manner, even if they say no.

Why bother? The current mentality is “I believe what I believe, you believe what you believe, and we’ll agree to disagree.” Therefore, inviting someone to church often comes off as arrogant—one person suggesting another person is wrong or somehow lacking. Can’t have that, can we?.....Except, what if you really are the one who’s right? And your friend’s wrongness means he’ll go to hell?

Friends don’t let friends go to hell.

Jesus is the only way. It really does matter. When you invite someone to church, do it out of concern for that person’s soul, and for the glory of God.