Hi Citylife,
Here is your weekly email to keep you up to date with everything happening in the life of our church.
REMINDER:
Thank you to everyone who responded to our Stewardship Offering. Our church has always been built on the generosity and sacrifice of our people. If you haven’t had a chance to respond, the giving cards will be available to fill out over the next few weeks. You can then drop them into our Offering Box located on the wall near the entry.
SUNDAY MESSAGE SUMMARY
Walking with God (Part 1): Where Are You?
Adrian Thornton
In Genesis 3, we read about the Lord walking in the Garden of Eden in the cool of the day. It's an amazing picture, but there is something missing. It's Adam and Eve, and so the Lord calls out to Adam, asking, "Where are you?"
Why is the Lord calling out? Because He has always desired to live in a relationship with His people. That same heart is expressed in the father of the prodigal son. You can just imagine the father wondering every day, “Where is my son?”
God wants to walk with you in life, and here are three reasons why.
First, is that He loves you! 1 John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Do you know how much the Lord loves you? The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus demonstrate how much God loves you and desires to be with you!
Is the Lord asking, “Where are you?” because you are looking for love in the wrong places? That is what the prodigal son did when he went searching for love in fleeting relationships. Looking for love outside of God will only cause hurt and disappointment. Come back to God and let Him love you.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, but we can separate ourselves from the presence of God.
Second, He wants to guide you. Psalm 23 describes the Lord as our Shepherd. Verse 3 says, “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” The truth is, we need guidance because life can be confusing and our hearts deceiving. We need a Shepherd, and that’s why God wants to walk with us.
Culture tells us to go our own way, to follow our own hearts, you do you. Where does this lead us? How is the world going with this idea?
Is the Lord asking, “Where are you?” because you have got yourself lost in trying to ‘go your own way’? The prodigal son found himself in a pig pen after trying to go his own way. Come back to God and let Him guide you.
Lastly, He wants to help you. Psalm 54:4 says, “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” The reason God wants to help you is that life is hard, and we need help. We can find ourselves struggling and striving on our own to get through challenging times.
The lie of the enemy is that you are good enough. The truth that sets you free is, you aren’t good enough, but Jesus is.
Is the Lord asking, “Where are you?” because you are trying to do everything on your own? Again, the prodigal son tried this when he asked for his share of the inheritance so he could do what he wanted with it. Don’t let yourself become independent. Come back to God and let Him help you.
The Lord wants to walk with you because He loves you, He wants to guide you, and He wants to help you. Just like the enemy pulled Adam and Eve away from God, so the enemy is pulling people away from God today. He is isolating people, and God is crying out, “Where are you?” because He wants to walk with you.
Let the following scripture encourage you to respond to the call of God and come back to Him.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
CATCH UP ON YOUTUBE
Where Are You - Adrian Thornton [ 27.07.2025 ]
CELL CONTENT
Bible Discovery Story:
Genesis 3:1-13
Luke 15:11-24
Discussion Questions:
How have you experienced the love of God lately, and what impact has it had on your day-to-day life?
Where do you find yourself looking for love and affirmation outside of your walk with God?—and how is that affecting you?
What are some signs that your heart might be pulling you away from trusting God’s direction—and how do you usually respond when that happens?
Are there situations you’re currently trying to handle in your own strength, and what might it look like to invite God into those areas?
Can you share a time when you clearly sensed God’s guidance during a tough season, and how it shaped your faith?
COMING UP
Sunday 3rd to Sunday 24th of August
Walking with God series
Friday Nights
Young Adults at 6:30pm.
Young adult men, get ready!
CELLS
Here is a list of Discipleship Cells at Citylife. If you aren’t in one yet, reach out to the leader to find out more. Remember, disciples are in community, so we encourage you to join one!
Adrian
Men’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings in Unanderra.
Liz
Women’s Cell
Fortnightly on Thursday evenings, 6:15pm in Figtree.
Hengki
Men’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm in Fairy Meadow.
Ron
Men’s Cell (Business professionals)
Fortnightly on Friday mornings, 7am in Wollongong.
Sanny & Edith
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm on a group phone call.
Denise
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Monday nights in Fairy Meadow and online.
Ros & Dave
Intercessors Cell for anybody
Weekly on Tuesdays, 10am at Citylife.
David
Young Adult Men’s Cell
Weekly on a Wednesday or Friday evening in Cordeaux Heights or Fairy Meadow.
Alicia & Celine
Young Adult Women’s Cell
Weekly on Monday nights, 7pm in Keiraville
GIVING DETAILS
General Giving
Name: Citylife Church Inc
BSB: 062-528
Account: 1008 1253
When giving online, write in the description “tithe”, “general”, or what you are specifically giving to.
Global Giving
Name: Citylife Global Inc
BSB: 062-531
Account: 1040 3316
When giving online, write in the description “Global”.
Thank you for your generous and faithful giving.
