Hi Citylife,
Here is your weekly email to keep you up to date with everything happening in the life of our church.
SUNDAY MESSAGE SUMMARY
Good News in a Bad News World
Adrian Thornton
We are living in a time where news is constant. It wasn’t always like this. News used to be something you checked once a day—mainly to stay informed. But over time, especially from the mid-20th century, news shifted toward what grabs attention. And what TV networks discovered was that people tune in for conflict, crisis, and drama. So, that’s what became the focus of the news.
Now, we live in a 24-hour digital news cycle built on bad news. Sadly, this has a huge impact on people and their mental health and outlook on life. Constant bad news fuels anxiety, fear, hopelessness, tribalism, hate, panic, distrust, should I go on?
News isn’t neutral anymore. News affects how we see the world. You could say that our consumption of bad news forms, shapes, and even disciples us.
We don’t want to be uninformed by the news, but we also don’t want to be deformed by the constant stream of bad news.
We are good news people living in a bad news world. But the good news of Jesus is not just some future destiny in heaven. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” What is the good news? The Kingdom of God is here!
Our role now is to be good news people who bring the kingdom of God into our world. This isn’t easy, but we can do it. How do we live as good news people? Here are three Bible stories to help us.
First, like Job, we trust God even in the middle of overwhelming bad news. When everything falls apart, we don’t give up—we hold onto the truth that our Redeemer lives.
Second, like Caleb, we choose faith over fear. While others spread panic, we hold onto God’s promises and speak hope, not anxiety.
Third, like Jairus, we let Jesus clear out the negative voices. When the world is loud with bad news, we make space for His voice—the voice that brings life.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Thirty minutes of good news on a Sunday is not enough to undo the constant stream of bad news during the week. Let’s be good news people by letting the message of Christ dwell among us richly.
Let the good news of the Kingdom of God inform, shape, and disciple you so that you can bring it into your world.
CATCH UP ON YOUTUBE
Good News in a Bad News World - Adrian Thornton [ 12.04.26 ]
CELL CONTENT
Bible Discovery Story
Num 13:26-14:9
Mark 5:21-43
Discussion Questions
Are you being overly exposed to negative news and what impact is that having on you right now (fear, anxiety, hate, tribalism)?
Where in your life this week do you have an opportunity to bring hope instead of adding to negativity?
In what ways do you need to clear out the negatives voices so that you can hear the words of life from Jesus?
Discuss as a cell how you can ‘let the message of Christ dwell among you richly’ Col 3:16
COMING UP
Sunday Services at Citylife
Join us from 10am.
Young Adults
Friday nights from 6:30pm
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.
Lidia
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Wednesday evenings, 7pm on a group phone call.
Denise H
Women’s Cell
Weekly on Monday nights in Fairy Meadow and online.
Ros & Dave
Prayer & Intercessor Cell
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 Wednesday 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.
