Rising Above the Storm: The True Church's Call to Leadership

Hi everyone, welcome to today's message. I'm Pastor Gary Hoban and we're going to be discussing a very important topic - the role of the Church in turbulent times, specifically focusing on Australia's current political climate. So, let's dive right in! Our nation, Australia, is facing some challenging times. The weaknesses and shortcomings of its government have left many feeling uncertain and confused. But as Pentecostal Apostolic Pastors, we serve a God who is sovereign over all things, including our government. He has not abandoned Australia; instead, He is using this season to reveal the hearts of men and women and remind us, His Church, of our divine mandate. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), but in a world divided by politics and ideologies, it's easy for us to feel overwhelmed. However, we must remember that our role is not merely to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We are called to speak truth to power, to expose injustice, and to offer hope and solutions rooted in God's Word. The Church must rise above the fray, remaining steadfast in its convictions while demonstrating compassion and kindness towards all people. To fulfil our calling as salt and light, we must be rooted in the Word and filled with the Spirit. We must dedicate ourselves to a life of prayer, seeking God's face diligently and asking for His guidance and wisdom. We must immerse ourselves in the Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. And we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, who will equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). As the Church stands up and leads, we must remember that love is our ultimate weapon. We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). In a world divided by politics and ideologies, let us be the ones who demonstrate the power of unconditional love. Let us extend grace, forgiveness, and compassion to all people, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs. In conclusion, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not lament the weaknesses of our government but see it as an opportunity for the Church to shine brighter than ever before. Let us rise up, stand firm, and lead with love, wisdom, and power. Let us pray fervently, seek God's face diligently, and immerse ourselves in His Word. And let us extend grace, forgiveness, and compassion to all people, reflecting the love of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for joining me today. I pray that this message encourages you to stand strong in your faith, and to be a beacon of hope and a testament to God's faithfulness, love, and power. May God bless Australia and grant us the wisdom, courage, and unity we need to overcome these trying times. May you be blessed and encouraged by His grace. Until next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familyFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain