Faithful to the End

Jane Lloyd (yes, my wonderful wife) brought a fabulous message in church this morning.

Psalm 18:25 - To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity

God is looking for certain characteristics from us as a people so that he can give us our ‘Promised Land’.

We will look at Caleb’s example from Numbers 13 and 14.

Numbers 13:25 – 14:9

5 characteristics that I believe were shown by Caleb that relate to our own lives and the life of our church:

1) A Good Report

Human nature very often has a tendency to dwell on negatives. When negative seeds are sown they have an amazing ability to infect others quite quickly.

The negative report of the 10 spies quickly affected many of the Israelites and turned them against the leaders Moses and Aaron – to the point where they plotted against them.

Speaking positively and giving a good report is a choice that we make – we have to train and discipline our thinking so that it falls into line with the choice that we make.

Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect

God honoured Caleb’s good report because it united with God’s vision for the Israelite nation.

2) He had confidence in God

Caleb didn’t see the negatives in the situation, so when others said “we can’t”, Caleb said “we can!”

Stepping into a new environment can make us feel insecure.

When the other ten spies looked at Canaan it scared them because they’d become used to their environment. But they’d lost sight of the bigger picture – they’d forgotten that God was in control and their confidence should have been in his ability not theirs.

In times of insecurity let’s put our confidence in God because he is faithful.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 - But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit

3) He was full of faith

Numbers 14:9 – Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them

Caleb had no doubt in God’s ability to fulfil his promise to them. The difference between the spies was that the two were empowered by living faith, whereas the ten were consumed by irrational fear.

It is those who live by faith and who see their world through the eyes of faith that accomplish great things for God.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we live by faith and not by sight

4) He was loyal and served wholeheartedly

Numbers 14:24 – But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land

Despite what circumstances we find ourselves in, I believe God is looking for that loyal servant heart that does not waver and is steadfast.

It’s very easy to get excited about a new project but the challenge is – can we sustain that energy, can we faithfully serve God, even if that is to put the chairs out for the congregation week in week out? Are we doing things begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty or is our heart one that just wants to serve regardless of anything else?

5) He didn’t consider retiring

Joshua 14:10-11 – Now as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise – even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then

Caleb was reaching his ‘twilight years’ and yet his desire was still to serve God’s commands. I love that because it means that the church is relevant to all ages because while ever I have breath I can serve God, and I think that is an admirable attitude for anyone to have.


In conclusion then, “to the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.”

Let us be a people who follow the example of Caleb.

God has given us a great vision and I believe that he wants to see it fulfilled, so let’s remain a faithful people committed to him and committed to this house.

Punctuality

If you're always early you're never late!
Time is more valuable than money
People pay money to save time
When we're late we steal time from others and ourselves
Tardiness is the tap-root of a host of character faults
My lateness says 'I don't care about you; I'm more important than you; you can wait for me; I'm disorganised; I'm undisciplined.'
It's not so much about time management but about managing ourselves
Love others. Be on time. Even early! From now on

Phil Pringle, Christian City Church Sydney

Heaven's Culture

Loved this morning’s message in Church. Paul Benger spoke to us about having Heaven’s Culture in our lives and in the life of our church.

Matthew 6:9-13

‘Your Kingdom come Your will be done’ – Jesus was praying about getting Heaven’s culture into our culture.

What is culture? Thoughts, ideas, value system, customs of groups of people.

“Create a Heaven inspired culture” – in our lives in the life of the church. It needs to be in our life first before we can get it into the church.

Jesus came to bring Heaven to earth – a heaven inspired culture...the ideas, concepts, the mannerisms of Heaven.

Four aspects of Heavens’ Culture...

Heaven’s Culture is a Giving Culture
The culture of Heaven is a giving culture, John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We will see increase and growth in our lives. Rich in every way does not necessarily mean great wealth but the richness of having Christ living in me.
2 Corinthians 8:9 – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
God blesses us for the needs in our life. For me and my family; for my church and also so I can give to those in need.
2 Corinthians 9:11 – You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Heaven’s Culture is one of Peace
Some cultures thrive on arguments and debate. Heaven’s culture thrives on unity of purpose. Being at peace with one another.
Philippians 2:2 - then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose
Philippians 4:2 - I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord

Heaven’s Culture is a Culture of Honour
Honour one another, respect each other. Don’t rubbish one another, the Bible hates ‘gossip’.
Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves
Romans 13:7 – Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour
Give value to one another.

Heaven’s Culture is one of Celebration
One thing is clear when you read the Bible - God is into parties! He’s into celebrations. Heaven will be fun! Full of joy and celebration.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
Sacred = celebration – it’s not about being solemn or having ‘dirges’.

Changing the Future

We had a fantastic time in church this morning. As well as Paul bringing a great message on ‘Changing the Future’ we also had the privilege of dedicating the baby daughter of one of our couples in the church.

John 5:1-9

Some people look at the future with a ‘fantasy’ mindset. But their future fantasy has no connection with how they are living today. Others have a ‘fatalistic’ view of the future. A la Doris Day! ‘Que sera sera...whatever will be, will be!’ She got it wrong.

We are creative beings...we have been made that way. Made in the image of God, a creative God. We have been given the gifts and skills to raid our future...to change it! With God all things are possible.

We should approach our future with a biblical perspective. God is with us and in our future.

We can erect barriers that can prevent change to our future. We see examples of this in our passage today.

1) We look to other people and not to God (Vs 7)
The man had stopped looking to God and started looking to other people. We are in community and need one another, but our faith first and foremost is to God. He is our help and strength.

2) We think things are too far gone – that there is no hope for me (Vs 7)
‘It happens for others but never for me’. We need to understand that God loves us.
Timing might be different for us than for others.

3) We wait for ‘change' to fall from the sky
‘One day...our miracle will come’...fall from heaven! God builds things into our lives that bring change. Faith means action, get up and ‘do’.

4 steps to changing your future

1) Get and maintain a vision
(Vs 6) Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" History can often blur or erode our vision. ‘I’ve been here for 38 years!’ Jesus was asking him whether or not he had vision. Habakkuk 2:2 - “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
Law of entropy...if we leave it, have no vision, it will eventually lead to decay.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained

2) Know who stands beside you
The man had God (Jesus) standing beside him and he didn’t realise it! We can be like that. Waiting for it to happen and God is right beside us. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20)
Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ
God has placed His hand of blessing on our lives.

3) Have the courage to believe God’s Word
(Vs 8) Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.
God’s word is true. It often contradicts the facts. ‘Get up!’...’but I’m lame!’
It also contradicts religious traditions. Healing on the Sabbath!
God’s word involves action. James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead

4) Take responsibility for how you live your life and ‘Go forward’
‘Now you are well...now go and sin no more’ (John 5:14)
Now live as God intended you to live. Let us not make excuses. Let us have a ‘go forward spirit’, we want that in our lives and in the life of our church. Not a ‘go backward spirit!’

Virtuous Reality V

I finished off our series ‘Viruous Reality’ on the life of David in church yesterday. The title of the message being ‘David and Absalom – the Parent Trap’

2 Samuel 13-18

The story of David and Absalom is a story of betrayal at the most intimate levels between family and friends; espionage in high places; the curses of men; Civil War; Tactical battle plans...this message is like a movie and has it all.

Absalom, from the Hebrew meaning father of peace...but contrary to his name, Absalom was not a man of peace. His personal vanity and disloyalty to his father due to selfish ambition caused great strife and open warfare in the royal family.

Parenting = Leadership

4 things we can identlfy with David’s weakness in this area...concerning parenting/leadership:

1) Lead by Example

David’s bad traits were surely picked up by his children. Where did Amnon get that lustful eye? Where did Absalom get the notion that he could get his brother drunk and then have him killed? In a real sense our children mimic and model the values that we live.

Ephesians 6:1-4 (The Message) - Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honour your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." Fathers don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.

2) Spend precious time with your kids

Don’t neglect this. David did not spend time with his children and because he didn't spend time with them, he didn't know his children, he allowed so much to go off around him!

Take care of those precious moments now. Spend time with your children. Value time.

3) Discipline where necessary

David failed to discipline and it broke his heart. Failure to discipline will do this.

We often think of discipline as something negative. Discipline is not punishment. God disciplines His children out of love. We, in turn, must discipline our children in love. We can define discipline as setting boundaries that produce growth. This is another tough one because how often do we set the boundaries and then change them again?

4) Don’t worry if you mess-up!

David messed up...but he knew grace and mercy of God...he was able to make his peace with Absalom, even though Absalom rejected this.

We’re human...not perfect. Relationships aren’t perfect. God has stepped into our lives with grace and mercy. We need that in our relationships. Able to say sorry. Forgiveness. Our kids need that and we need that!

Something learned from my parents, and taken from our story today, the importance of...

Loyalty and faithfulness

In our society, more and more, leadership and authority is being eroded. Loyalty and faithfulness is damaged in the process.

2 Samuel 15 talks about Absalom’s plan to overthrow his Dad.

David had allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem. Instead of repaying his father’s generosity in pardoning him, he began right away to steal the people’s hearts – pretending to champion their rights and promising to give them justice if he was given the power.

Absalom’s heart was still carrying the offence because of what had happened in the past, this eventually led to Absalom’s disloyalty. Undermined his Dad’s authority…to take over.

Even amongst all this disloyalty we see a supreme example of loyalty.

2 Samuel 15:21 - But Ittai replied to the king, As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.

Ittai was loyal to David when it looked to cost him something. True loyalty isn't demonstrated until it is likely to cost us to be loyal.

We learn a lot from Ittai's demonstration of loyalty.

Ittai did it when David was down
Ittai did it decisively
Ittai did it voluntarily
Ittai did it having newly come to David
Ittai did it publicly
Ittai did it knowing that the fate of David became his fate

Loyalty and faithfulness is a ‘character builder’

I believe God wants us to express ‘loyalty’ and faithfulness (the expression of loyalty) in all that we do. Our homes, work, church.

Ephesians 2:20-22 – (20) …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

We’re a body - God is building us ‘together’.

“The joining that God makes is the joining of loyalty and not the joining of commonality" (Paul Benger from his book ‘12’)

Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. He is ever loyal, ever faithful, even when we are unfaithful.

Loyalty pays the price, it costs something. It confronts and stays firm. It is not always easy and might sometime lose us friendships. Defend the people we love. Loyalty brings strength, brings longevity, brings success and blessing.

Loyalty defends what is precious. Loyalty is attractive. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive

We show our loyalty through faithfulness.

Proverbs 3:3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 28:20 - A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (The very nature of God)

1 Peter 4:10 - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.