Fantastic time in church this morning, Mark Wilkins brought a great message entitled ‘Blessed’.
Genesis 12:2-3 – I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.
We are blessed by God. Blessed meaning...in receipt of divine favour, He has showered us with good gifts. God wants to bless all the people in the earth, He does this through the church.
Psalm 67:1-2 – May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favour on us. May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere.
God’s favour is with us. Let us make this known in all the earth. This is our great calling to be a blessing to others...the church is good news.
Luke 22:27 – Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.
Jesus came to serve to be a blessing. Blessing is all about serving others. Our streets become a better place because we are there. Let us be good news where we live, to be light in dark places. Bringing out the God colours in our world...
Matthew 5:13-16
What does this look like? It doesn’t mean going around telling the world how dark it is. It’s about showing them the opposite.
Jesus was good news wherever he went. He didn’t condemn people, he drew along side and lifted there lives to a better place. The Samaritan woman, the woman caught in adultery.
Darkness only exists where light has receded. We don’t have to battle with the darkness we just need to be there! What kind of light should we be? A torch, showing the way little by little or maybe a lighthouse giving warning against oncoming danger.
The best light is more wholeness, bringing God colours, his goodness. Being good news wherever we go.
How do we become like that?
1) Be authentic about our faith
We come to faith in Jesus at the cross, but that’s just the beginning of our journey. We continue to learn and grow. We don’t have all the answers. Romans 12 talks about us being transformed. This is a process as we put our trust in God and his word. Let his word enhance our lives and let us enhance the lives of others. Be transformed to be more like him. Not miserable Christians or those who think they have all the answers. Authentic, real faith. Embrace the journey we are on...enjoy it!
2) Build authentic relationships
Love people. People will come to Christ as we desire the very best for people. Let us build real friendships. Encourage one another.
3) Bring Hope
‘Hope’ is the best gift we can give. Not a blind hope...but hope that understands that ‘stuff’ happens...but that this is not the end! Life is good and God wants us to enjoy life. As the church we can say that ‘Jesus is here’, the giver of life. Let us be ‘life giving’ in all that we do. Take time to show acts of kindness.
God is Good - let us affirm this in our lives and in our communities.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Rise and Build II
Paul Benger completed our Rise and Build fortnight with a great message continuing on from last week’s which was based on Nehemiah Chapter 2.
Nehemiah 2:17-18 - Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rise and build the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, Let us rise and build. So they began this good work.
As we rise and build, just as in Nehemiah’s day, we need leadership and vision.
The church is all about people. People who will become all that God has called them to be. As we read these verses from Nehemiah let as consider the people and how they approached the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
1) They increased their vision
Vision is so important. When you’re in a desperate place, even down-trodden as the people of God were, it is easy to get locked into that desperate position. Nehemiah lifted their vision for their city and for their own lives.
Let us not forget the promises of God for our lives. Don’t forget the passion he has put inside of us…rediscover the passion! We can easily focus on the WHAT IS and forget the WHAT CAN BE!
The people had become slaves to their situation. When they were people of purpose, of prosperity, with hope and a great future!
Ephesians 2:19-21 – Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
God wants us to be family. A welcoming home...where we’re meant to be. A place where people ‘belong’.
Ephesians 1:22-23 – And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Be faithful with what we have now. So that God can trust us with so much more.
2) They overcame opposition
They caught the vision. When they faced setback and opposition they had to learn how to stay focused. We need to do this...to stay the course. Believe God. They received ridicule and even threats and the people became afraid. We may face the power of intimidation, the power of rumour...this can cause us to say ‘it’s all over’, to lose heart and give in.
Nehemiah 4:17 - Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other
Materials and weapons! We need to be ready...to overcome opposition, ready to fight! Refuse to be intimidated. To take a stand...this is true spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 speaks of standing firm. Even when things aren’t working out too well believe that God is with you...take a stand.
3) They restored their worship
The people renewed the wall, the temple and their worship. They brought their offerings into the storehouse of God’s house. They needed to remove the stuff that had taken the place of their offerings/worship. We need to get rid certain things in our lives that may have replaced our worship. Let giving be an expression of our worship to God.
Malachi 3:10-12 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, says the LORD Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty
4) They lived in rest
They restored the Sabbath. We need time in our lives for rest, for worship, to honour God. Rest = living our lives based on what Christ has done for us not on what we can do for him. He has blessed us with all that we need. Realise that and line up with it! The grace and favour of God in my life.
If you are facing a battle today realise that Jesus has already won the victory! This is the Gospel...nothing that I can work at ‘really hard’...a gift of God through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28-29 – 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.
Nehemiah 2:17-18 - Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rise and build the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, Let us rise and build. So they began this good work.
As we rise and build, just as in Nehemiah’s day, we need leadership and vision.
The church is all about people. People who will become all that God has called them to be. As we read these verses from Nehemiah let as consider the people and how they approached the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
1) They increased their vision
Vision is so important. When you’re in a desperate place, even down-trodden as the people of God were, it is easy to get locked into that desperate position. Nehemiah lifted their vision for their city and for their own lives.
Let us not forget the promises of God for our lives. Don’t forget the passion he has put inside of us…rediscover the passion! We can easily focus on the WHAT IS and forget the WHAT CAN BE!
The people had become slaves to their situation. When they were people of purpose, of prosperity, with hope and a great future!
Ephesians 2:19-21 – Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
God wants us to be family. A welcoming home...where we’re meant to be. A place where people ‘belong’.
Ephesians 1:22-23 – And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Be faithful with what we have now. So that God can trust us with so much more.
2) They overcame opposition
They caught the vision. When they faced setback and opposition they had to learn how to stay focused. We need to do this...to stay the course. Believe God. They received ridicule and even threats and the people became afraid. We may face the power of intimidation, the power of rumour...this can cause us to say ‘it’s all over’, to lose heart and give in.
Nehemiah 4:17 - Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other
Materials and weapons! We need to be ready...to overcome opposition, ready to fight! Refuse to be intimidated. To take a stand...this is true spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 speaks of standing firm. Even when things aren’t working out too well believe that God is with you...take a stand.
3) They restored their worship
The people renewed the wall, the temple and their worship. They brought their offerings into the storehouse of God’s house. They needed to remove the stuff that had taken the place of their offerings/worship. We need to get rid certain things in our lives that may have replaced our worship. Let giving be an expression of our worship to God.
Malachi 3:10-12 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, says the LORD Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty
4) They lived in rest
They restored the Sabbath. We need time in our lives for rest, for worship, to honour God. Rest = living our lives based on what Christ has done for us not on what we can do for him. He has blessed us with all that we need. Realise that and line up with it! The grace and favour of God in my life.
If you are facing a battle today realise that Jesus has already won the victory! This is the Gospel...nothing that I can work at ‘really hard’...a gift of God through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 11:28-29 – 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.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Rise and Build Part I
We began our Rise and Build series this morning in church. This will run for two weeks as we look to push forward as a church to eventually owning our own building. Paul Benger brought an excellent message from Nehemiah Chapter 2.
Nehemiah 2:11-20
Let us rise and build! Nehemiah’s call to the officials and the people of Jerusalem. We build for the glory of God. The church is to be the ‘chief of the mountains’ (Isaiah 2:2) – the House of God, not insignificant as some people would say of the church.
Why should we rise and build?...because of what God has done for us. Salvation is for all. He’s not just done it for me but my neighbour also. Our world needs us to rise and build!
God is saying build my church so that the world will see his glory, his grace, and his forgiveness.
Rise and Build is a call to Unity
Psalm 133 - How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity…For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life for evermore
Psalm 86:11 - Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name
Give us undivided hearts as we build together. The power of ‘focus’, called together for purpose.
Rise and Build is a call to Partnership
Synergy accomplishes much. ‘Two can put ten thousand to flight’ – Deuteronomy 32:30
As we rise and build together something supernatural will happen. When we do it together as a team. Let us speak the same language. This is a call to partnership, to join the family of God…to be focused as a family. Verse 18 – Let US rise and build!
Rise and Build is a call to Involvement
Each family did their bit...as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Let us be inclusive...get every one involved. Use inclusive language. God wants us to be confident in who we are.
Let us rise up. Two important points of increase to note from Nehemiah 2 concerning Rise and Build...
An Increase in Vision
God wants us to lift our eyes and see a vision of what or who we can be. See our future through God’s eyes. ‘Open up our eyes to the things unseen’. Personally see your vision increase.
An Increase in Skill
The families in Nehemiah had to learn to build the walls. We will see an increase in our skills and abilities...in the resources that come into the church. As we build God’s House together.
Remember it is not our effort that accomplishes God’s will, but God gives us his grace and favour.
Zechariah 4:6-7 - ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it”
When we complete the building with the final ‘capstone’ – it is ‘Grace’ we will declare. We won’t accomplish God’s will because of our power and might but through His Spirit and Grace!
Nehemiah 2:11-20
Let us rise and build! Nehemiah’s call to the officials and the people of Jerusalem. We build for the glory of God. The church is to be the ‘chief of the mountains’ (Isaiah 2:2) – the House of God, not insignificant as some people would say of the church.
Why should we rise and build?...because of what God has done for us. Salvation is for all. He’s not just done it for me but my neighbour also. Our world needs us to rise and build!
God is saying build my church so that the world will see his glory, his grace, and his forgiveness.
Rise and Build is a call to Unity
Psalm 133 - How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity…For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life for evermore
Psalm 86:11 - Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name
Give us undivided hearts as we build together. The power of ‘focus’, called together for purpose.
Rise and Build is a call to Partnership
Synergy accomplishes much. ‘Two can put ten thousand to flight’ – Deuteronomy 32:30
As we rise and build together something supernatural will happen. When we do it together as a team. Let us speak the same language. This is a call to partnership, to join the family of God…to be focused as a family. Verse 18 – Let US rise and build!
Rise and Build is a call to Involvement
Each family did their bit...as they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Let us be inclusive...get every one involved. Use inclusive language. God wants us to be confident in who we are.
Let us rise up. Two important points of increase to note from Nehemiah 2 concerning Rise and Build...
An Increase in Vision
God wants us to lift our eyes and see a vision of what or who we can be. See our future through God’s eyes. ‘Open up our eyes to the things unseen’. Personally see your vision increase.
An Increase in Skill
The families in Nehemiah had to learn to build the walls. We will see an increase in our skills and abilities...in the resources that come into the church. As we build God’s House together.
Remember it is not our effort that accomplishes God’s will, but God gives us his grace and favour.
Zechariah 4:6-7 - ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it”
When we complete the building with the final ‘capstone’ – it is ‘Grace’ we will declare. We won’t accomplish God’s will because of our power and might but through His Spirit and Grace!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
God's Heroes
Great time in church this morning. Jane Lloyd shared an excellent message about us being Heroes for God.
We are God’s heroes – there is a hero in you and God doesn’t want it to stay hidden away. He has called us to do amazing things for him – to be his heroes on the earth...
- to be his heroes where we live
- to be his heroes where we work
Some words associated with Heroes, courage, strength, sacrifice, achievement. It is so important in our own lives that we follow Christ’s example. When God saved us he also called us to do his works here on the earth.
Hebrews chapter 11 tells of the great heroes of faith – ordinary men and women who served an extraordinary God and did not waver in their faith but gave their lives for the kingdom’s cause.
The truth is that God can take any of us and use us to make his name famous.
The bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that we are jars of clay that contain great treasure. In other words it is God’s power in us that gives us the strength and ability to do what he has called us to do.
I believe this church is full of ordinary men and women who are going to do extraordinary things for their God.
What has God called us to?
1. To Live lives of worship/devotion
Devotion - devoting; consecration, eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness.
When we first come to Christ there is that youthful passion. God loves that stage which is a very childlike stage. Matthew 18:2-4 He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven
Though we go through the process of growing up, but we should never lose that sense of devotion. In fact it should get stronger. As our love for him grows stronger, our devotion should become very evident. Our devotion will enable us to fulfil what he has called us to do. Acts 2:42-47
2. To Make disciples/be salt and light
Matthew 5:13-16 – "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.
Our own lives should attract others to God. If we give out negative vibes people will stay away from us!
Jesus brought life to people, not criticism. Let us always aim to be a people who have a life-giving spirit. It will revolutionise the way you approach things.
As Christians we should be fun to be around – Jesus was always the centre of attention. People clamoured to be around him and the words he spoke always lifted people to a higher level.
3. To do good works
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
James 2:14-26
Going back to that original verse in Ephesians, God has prepared good works for you and I to do. Look for those opportunities to bless others. Acts of kindness.
Isaiah 32:8 - But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity
How do we fulfil our potential to become a hero for God?
Hebrews 12:1-2 – …let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith
We follow Christ’s example. Become like him – taking on his character:
(Philippians 2 - Humble, displayed God’s love, Life of sacrifice, generous, lifted people up)
I believe God wants to add our lives to his list of heroes so that when we stand before him we can receive his medal of honour.
That kind of devotion will mean...giving certain things up, making sacrifices, pushing through fears, making the decision to trust him completely.
We are God’s heroes – there is a hero in you and God doesn’t want it to stay hidden away. He has called us to do amazing things for him – to be his heroes on the earth...
- to be his heroes where we live
- to be his heroes where we work
Some words associated with Heroes, courage, strength, sacrifice, achievement. It is so important in our own lives that we follow Christ’s example. When God saved us he also called us to do his works here on the earth.
Hebrews chapter 11 tells of the great heroes of faith – ordinary men and women who served an extraordinary God and did not waver in their faith but gave their lives for the kingdom’s cause.
The truth is that God can take any of us and use us to make his name famous.
The bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:7 that we are jars of clay that contain great treasure. In other words it is God’s power in us that gives us the strength and ability to do what he has called us to do.
I believe this church is full of ordinary men and women who are going to do extraordinary things for their God.
What has God called us to?
1. To Live lives of worship/devotion
Devotion - devoting; consecration, eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship; devoutness.
When we first come to Christ there is that youthful passion. God loves that stage which is a very childlike stage. Matthew 18:2-4 He said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven
Though we go through the process of growing up, but we should never lose that sense of devotion. In fact it should get stronger. As our love for him grows stronger, our devotion should become very evident. Our devotion will enable us to fulfil what he has called us to do. Acts 2:42-47
2. To Make disciples/be salt and light
Matthew 5:13-16 – "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.
Our own lives should attract others to God. If we give out negative vibes people will stay away from us!
Jesus brought life to people, not criticism. Let us always aim to be a people who have a life-giving spirit. It will revolutionise the way you approach things.
As Christians we should be fun to be around – Jesus was always the centre of attention. People clamoured to be around him and the words he spoke always lifted people to a higher level.
3. To do good works
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do
James 2:14-26
Going back to that original verse in Ephesians, God has prepared good works for you and I to do. Look for those opportunities to bless others. Acts of kindness.
Isaiah 32:8 - But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity
How do we fulfil our potential to become a hero for God?
Hebrews 12:1-2 – …let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith
We follow Christ’s example. Become like him – taking on his character:
(Philippians 2 - Humble, displayed God’s love, Life of sacrifice, generous, lifted people up)
I believe God wants to add our lives to his list of heroes so that when we stand before him we can receive his medal of honour.
That kind of devotion will mean...giving certain things up, making sacrifices, pushing through fears, making the decision to trust him completely.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
