Church: Are You Attending or Connecting? | 26/7/26

What does authentic Christian community actually look like — and why does it matter more than good preaching, good facilities, or good programs? In this message from Ephesians 4:17–32, Pastor Mark unpacks Paul's call to "take off the former self" and "put on the new self," using the striking image of King Charles's coronation robes to picture what it means to be clothed in Christ's righteousness. From there, the message moves into practical territory: honest words, unchecked anger, forgiveness that doesn't mean tolerating abuse, and the simple but radical idea that our words can be a gift rather than a weapon. Along the way, Pastor Mark shares the story of a soon-baptized young woman whose life was changed by hearing a sermon on forgiveness, and reflects on Jesus's own "unanswered prayer" for unity in John 17. Recorded on a special Sunday marking Melanie Wetzel's induction as Children & Families Pastor, this episode is a call to move from simply attending church to truly investing in community — because, as Pastor Mark puts it, the world is crying out for community, and the church should be the one place that gets it right. A message on identity, honest speech, forgiveness, and unity for anyone longing to belong somewhere real. flbc.org.au