Paul Benger finished our latest series this morning. He spoke a great message entitled ‘Where does God go...on Saturday...when we rest?
When it comes to our worship everyday is special. But ‘rest’ is an important principle in our lives. The Jews celebrate the Sabbath, and for us everyday is holy and separate for God.
When we ‘rest’ we are living with trust and attitude of faith for God. Rest in our lives is important for our spiritual, physical and emotional being.
Psalm 23
‘Stuff’ can get to us in life. Our souls can become contaminated so we need to take time-out so our souls can be restored. God wants us to have a restored soul.
In Psalm 23 we are called sheep because of our relationship with the Shepherd. We need a Shepherd.
Jeremiah 17:22 – And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy
Don’t get bogged down, find freedom! Our faith offers us a place of rest.
Exodus 20:8-11- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
We cannot get right with God simply by obeying the commandments. The commandments show us that life works best like this. We get right with God through our relationship with Jesus.
The Sabbath is about Creation
When God had finished creating the heavens and the earth on the seventh day he rested. He was announcing that Creation was complete. That it was ‘very good’. He had no intention to work on it anymore. Just like Adam and Eve, we work in that environment of ‘rest. As they did on the seventh day.
When they fell the burden of work became apparent to them. Unrest is the result of the fall. Not as God intended it. He wanted to share perfect creation with them.
The Sabbath is reminding us of God’s intention. ‘Remember the way I made you’.
We were made to enjoy rest. We remember we are trusting God with our lives. Just like the ‘tithe’ we are trusting God with our finances...trusting God with our ‘time’ as we give it to him.
The Sabbath is about Redemption
Hebrews 4:1 - Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
God wants us to live unloaded, unburdened lives. Cast your cares upon him. He wants to carry our burdens.
Hebrews 4:9-10 – There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
God wants us to know burdenless living. To be right with him through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
John 19:30 - When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished”. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit
When God had finished creating the earth His rest declared ‘it is finished’ - creation is complete.
When Jesus was on the cross he declared ‘it is finished’ - redemption is complete.
The work of redemption was complete.
Acts 3:19-21 – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you— even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
He had paid the price for sin, for guilt.
A period of rest is so important in our lives. We are made that way. It restores us, re-energises us, re-envisions us. Religion is a poor shadow of the life God wants for you...and rest is a part of that life.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Where does God go...? Part II
Paul Benger continued this excellent series this morning. He spoke on ‘Where does God go...on Monday...when we go to work?
We can find ourselves living our lives in boxes. Our Christian lives can also become one of those boxes...the one and half-hours on Sunday morning for example. When in fact it should influence the whole of our lives.
Work is a good example of this. We spend 40 to 60% of our lives at work.
What is our view of work? Some people have a negative view. That work only came after ‘the fall’. God had not intended us to work. We work just to pay the bills.
Some people have a much more positive view of work. That work not only supports me but also releases me. Some see at as a ‘calling’, vocational…it’s what I’m meant to be doing.
The Bible tells us that work is an important part of our faith.
James 2:17 – Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
God provides the food for the birds but they still have to go out and get it.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Strong Christians have a positive view of work.
(The Boss) Colossians 4:1 – Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven
(The Employees) Ephesians 6:5 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ
We don’t go to work to receive joy...we bring joy to the job with our attitude. Our attitude to our work is so important.
"The maid who sweeps the floor worships God while she does it. Not because she might sing a hymn while she swept, but because God loves clean floors" Martin Luther
God uses busy people. Luke 10:2 – He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field
This was Jesus’ vision of how to change the world. He is looking for people. Let us work smarter as a church to reach our world.
The Disciples were busy when Jesus came to them and called them.
People sometimes think that others ‘have’ because they are luckier than they are. What is true though...
“The harder I work the luckier I become” Thomas Jefferson
5 truths about work...
1) Work is the call of God on our lives
Genesis 2:5 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it
It is wrong to think that ‘work’ only came about because of the fall of man. God gave work to Adam before he fell.
We’re here to take care of our world...and what I am doing is my bit. Our work is our worship to God.
Colossians 3:22-24 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving
2) Work provides me with resources so that I can give
Ephesians 4:28 – He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Making a profit is not evil. It allows us to give...to be generous in all that we do.
3) Influence comes through our work
We can bring God’s will through the influence that we have. Our prayer is to see Christians having influence across all spheres within our society. We want to see God’s Kingdom, his will coming into our lives and in the lives of those around us. Prayer is so important, praying for the will of God to come, as Jesus showed us how to pray.
Proverbs 11:10 - When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. Chesterfield will be a better place.
4) Work produces diligence
Be a good finisher as well as a good starter. As we work we learn to become finishers, that we are in control. We are not ‘reactive’ people in our work but we get the job done because we are in charge of our lives.
Psalm 8:4-6 – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet
We take charge. Not someone else...but YOU.
5) Our future comes from our work
Proverbs 13:23 – A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away
There’s a lot in the ground of your world. We will see so much in our future as we work faithfully for God having the right heart and attitude.
We can find ourselves living our lives in boxes. Our Christian lives can also become one of those boxes...the one and half-hours on Sunday morning for example. When in fact it should influence the whole of our lives.
Work is a good example of this. We spend 40 to 60% of our lives at work.
What is our view of work? Some people have a negative view. That work only came after ‘the fall’. God had not intended us to work. We work just to pay the bills.
Some people have a much more positive view of work. That work not only supports me but also releases me. Some see at as a ‘calling’, vocational…it’s what I’m meant to be doing.
The Bible tells us that work is an important part of our faith.
James 2:17 – Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
God provides the food for the birds but they still have to go out and get it.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 – Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Strong Christians have a positive view of work.
(The Boss) Colossians 4:1 – Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven
(The Employees) Ephesians 6:5 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ
We don’t go to work to receive joy...we bring joy to the job with our attitude. Our attitude to our work is so important.
"The maid who sweeps the floor worships God while she does it. Not because she might sing a hymn while she swept, but because God loves clean floors" Martin Luther
God uses busy people. Luke 10:2 – He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field
This was Jesus’ vision of how to change the world. He is looking for people. Let us work smarter as a church to reach our world.
The Disciples were busy when Jesus came to them and called them.
People sometimes think that others ‘have’ because they are luckier than they are. What is true though...
“The harder I work the luckier I become” Thomas Jefferson
5 truths about work...
1) Work is the call of God on our lives
Genesis 2:5 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it
It is wrong to think that ‘work’ only came about because of the fall of man. God gave work to Adam before he fell.
We’re here to take care of our world...and what I am doing is my bit. Our work is our worship to God.
Colossians 3:22-24 – Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving
2) Work provides me with resources so that I can give
Ephesians 4:28 – He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Making a profit is not evil. It allows us to give...to be generous in all that we do.
3) Influence comes through our work
We can bring God’s will through the influence that we have. Our prayer is to see Christians having influence across all spheres within our society. We want to see God’s Kingdom, his will coming into our lives and in the lives of those around us. Prayer is so important, praying for the will of God to come, as Jesus showed us how to pray.
Proverbs 11:10 - When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices. Chesterfield will be a better place.
4) Work produces diligence
Be a good finisher as well as a good starter. As we work we learn to become finishers, that we are in control. We are not ‘reactive’ people in our work but we get the job done because we are in charge of our lives.
Psalm 8:4-6 – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet
We take charge. Not someone else...but YOU.
5) Our future comes from our work
Proverbs 13:23 – A poor man's field may produce abundant food, but injustice sweeps it away
There’s a lot in the ground of your world. We will see so much in our future as we work faithfully for God having the right heart and attitude.
Monday, November 12, 2007
When Storms Come
Great time in church yesterday. I spoke on the subject of navigating life’s storms.
Acts 27:13-44
Matthew 7:24-27
Storms know now boundaries and have no favourites. Notice the similarities in what happened to both men…the rains came, the streams rose, the winds blew. The reality is, life is full of storms. And storms are no respecter of persons. No matter what kind of life we’re living the storms will still come.
So often people want to debate the cause of the storm but all Jesus wants us to see is the kind of foundation on which to build our lives upon. The right question is not whether they will come, or when, but how we will respond to them.
In Acts 27 they were in a storm that seemed to be overwhelming. In an effort to save the ship and their lives, they cast four anchors into the sea. These anchors proved ineffective against the storm and the ship was ultimately lost. However I believe the Apostle Paul had four anchors as well. These anchors steadied him during the storm. Even though that ship was shaken and battered, Paul was able to make it because he had these anchors in his life.
Hebrews 6:18-19: We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever.
The same anchors that kept Paul steady in his storm are available to you and me when our storms come.
1) The Presence of God
Vs 23 - Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me
Paul found that even in the midst of the raging storm he was not alone. The Lord came to him to minister peace to his heart.
Hebrews 13:5 – I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me
2) The Promises of God
Vs 23-25 – (23) Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me (24) and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' (25) So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
For Paul, just having a word from God was enough to anchor him and give him that assurance. He knew God was a promise keeping God.
Romans 4:21 – “What he promises He is able to perform.”
Promises from God’s Word make a strong anchor in the stormy seas of life.
3) The Purposes of God
Vs 24 - “…Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future.”
God has a plan for you – He has a plan to give you hope, to prosper you not to harm you – he has a future for you!
Paul had a purpose. Even though he was in the storm of his life he knew he was living for Christ. He was a prisoner yet he had purpose. Like Paul, you will not only survive the storm, but you will also accomplish your mission.
4) The Power of God
Vs 44 - “…everyone reached land in safety”
If I am in a storm I want to be anchored to the strong power of the one who can calm the winds and the waves. God is able to work it all out! He will get you through your storm and land you safely beyond it!
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “…for you have made the heavens by your great power…nothing is too hard for you.”
When our lives are in a time of storm we need to: “Do the natural everyday things”
Acts 27:34 - Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."
Though it tries, we cannot allow the storm to take over our whole life. We need to do our part so God can do His part
When our lives are in a time of storm we need to: “Give thanks and worship God”
Acts 27:35-36 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
When the waves are crashing against us, we find out where our trust is. When we are in a storm God can do two things: Calm the storm or calm me!
When our lives are in a time of storm: “Don’t forget there is a shore”
Acts 27:44 – 28:1 …In this way everyone reached land in safety. (28:1) Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta
The storm will end. There is still a destination at the end of the storm. God’s assignment for Paul did not change because of the storm and neither does a storm change yours.
There are people on your shore who need the God that brought you through the storms of your life.
Acts 27:13-44
Matthew 7:24-27
Storms know now boundaries and have no favourites. Notice the similarities in what happened to both men…the rains came, the streams rose, the winds blew. The reality is, life is full of storms. And storms are no respecter of persons. No matter what kind of life we’re living the storms will still come.
So often people want to debate the cause of the storm but all Jesus wants us to see is the kind of foundation on which to build our lives upon. The right question is not whether they will come, or when, but how we will respond to them.
In Acts 27 they were in a storm that seemed to be overwhelming. In an effort to save the ship and their lives, they cast four anchors into the sea. These anchors proved ineffective against the storm and the ship was ultimately lost. However I believe the Apostle Paul had four anchors as well. These anchors steadied him during the storm. Even though that ship was shaken and battered, Paul was able to make it because he had these anchors in his life.
Hebrews 6:18-19: We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place. Jesus has gone there ahead of us, and he is our high priest forever.
The same anchors that kept Paul steady in his storm are available to you and me when our storms come.
1) The Presence of God
Vs 23 - Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me
Paul found that even in the midst of the raging storm he was not alone. The Lord came to him to minister peace to his heart.
Hebrews 13:5 – I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 23:4 – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me
2) The Promises of God
Vs 23-25 – (23) Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me (24) and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' (25) So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.
For Paul, just having a word from God was enough to anchor him and give him that assurance. He knew God was a promise keeping God.
Romans 4:21 – “What he promises He is able to perform.”
Promises from God’s Word make a strong anchor in the stormy seas of life.
3) The Purposes of God
Vs 24 - “…Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you”
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future.”
God has a plan for you – He has a plan to give you hope, to prosper you not to harm you – he has a future for you!
Paul had a purpose. Even though he was in the storm of his life he knew he was living for Christ. He was a prisoner yet he had purpose. Like Paul, you will not only survive the storm, but you will also accomplish your mission.
4) The Power of God
Vs 44 - “…everyone reached land in safety”
If I am in a storm I want to be anchored to the strong power of the one who can calm the winds and the waves. God is able to work it all out! He will get you through your storm and land you safely beyond it!
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “…for you have made the heavens by your great power…nothing is too hard for you.”
When our lives are in a time of storm we need to: “Do the natural everyday things”
Acts 27:34 - Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head."
Though it tries, we cannot allow the storm to take over our whole life. We need to do our part so God can do His part
When our lives are in a time of storm we need to: “Give thanks and worship God”
Acts 27:35-36 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
When the waves are crashing against us, we find out where our trust is. When we are in a storm God can do two things: Calm the storm or calm me!
When our lives are in a time of storm: “Don’t forget there is a shore”
Acts 27:44 – 28:1 …In this way everyone reached land in safety. (28:1) Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta
The storm will end. There is still a destination at the end of the storm. God’s assignment for Paul did not change because of the storm and neither does a storm change yours.
There are people on your shore who need the God that brought you through the storms of your life.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Where does God go…? Part I
Paul Benger began our new series this morning in church. He spoke an excellent message on ‘Where does God go...on Sunday?’
God is in everything. We cannot keep God in a separate box from everything else (i.e. a ‘church’ box). What is God doing on a Sunday morning?
There are so many Christians who no longer go to church…saying they can meet God on the golf course, or that they can get all they need from Christian TV. Why do we even bother going to church at all? It is so important that we get church right.
We need all of the following spaces. We meet God in all of them. Where Jesus connects with us.
We meet and connect in public spaces – having shared experiences.
We meet and connect in social spaces – this is the kind of space that churches often have the least of. They are very important, where coffee and small talk happens.
We meet and connect in personal spaces – Groups of six to twelve people, we call our ‘connect groups’. Where people bond.
We meet and connect in intimate spaces – where we share everythinng with just a few people. Our spouse, best friend etc.
Our times together on a Sunday, the church corporate, are so important...our shared experience. But this is not the only space that we need...we need all of the others too.
On Sundays we worship together. Sometimes we worship with people we don’t know but we are still ‘one’ in Christ.
Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church
1 Peter 2:5 - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light
We are the people of God doing life together. God has a plan for us; he gets his will and purposes done through us, the church. God made us for this purpose to be together as the church living healthy lives.
Sunday mornings have to be good! We meet God through each other.
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them
Why do we meet together?
I need to praise God
Does God need our worship? He made us so that when we see something greater than ‘us’ we have the need to praise it. When we get the revelation of who God is, when we truly see Him, we have to praise and worship Him.
I need to see a big God
Without church my vision of God becomes small. My troubles are magnified and hope fades. When we’re together lifting God, lifting one another, something happens...we begin to see a big God. ‘O magnify the Lord with me!’ – not on my own but together. God becomes bigger in our eyes, our perspective changes.
I need to see the reason for my faith
To see why we are here, together within His body. That God wants to do something through us as we come together. There is an impartation in our lives that we’ve been called to something great. The vision becomes clearer.
How do we make Sundays great?
Consider people – making people feel that they belong.
Consider the atmosphere – the presence of God comes as we gather together. Let us bring our passionate praise for God into our times together.
Let us make church a place where people can interact, participate, have fun, know fullness of life, be cared for and grow.
God is in everything. We cannot keep God in a separate box from everything else (i.e. a ‘church’ box). What is God doing on a Sunday morning?
There are so many Christians who no longer go to church…saying they can meet God on the golf course, or that they can get all they need from Christian TV. Why do we even bother going to church at all? It is so important that we get church right.
We need all of the following spaces. We meet God in all of them. Where Jesus connects with us.
We meet and connect in public spaces – having shared experiences.
We meet and connect in social spaces – this is the kind of space that churches often have the least of. They are very important, where coffee and small talk happens.
We meet and connect in personal spaces – Groups of six to twelve people, we call our ‘connect groups’. Where people bond.
We meet and connect in intimate spaces – where we share everythinng with just a few people. Our spouse, best friend etc.
Our times together on a Sunday, the church corporate, are so important...our shared experience. But this is not the only space that we need...we need all of the others too.
On Sundays we worship together. Sometimes we worship with people we don’t know but we are still ‘one’ in Christ.
Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church
1 Peter 2:5 - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light
We are the people of God doing life together. God has a plan for us; he gets his will and purposes done through us, the church. God made us for this purpose to be together as the church living healthy lives.
Sunday mornings have to be good! We meet God through each other.
Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them
Why do we meet together?
I need to praise God
Does God need our worship? He made us so that when we see something greater than ‘us’ we have the need to praise it. When we get the revelation of who God is, when we truly see Him, we have to praise and worship Him.
I need to see a big God
Without church my vision of God becomes small. My troubles are magnified and hope fades. When we’re together lifting God, lifting one another, something happens...we begin to see a big God. ‘O magnify the Lord with me!’ – not on my own but together. God becomes bigger in our eyes, our perspective changes.
I need to see the reason for my faith
To see why we are here, together within His body. That God wants to do something through us as we come together. There is an impartation in our lives that we’ve been called to something great. The vision becomes clearer.
How do we make Sundays great?
Consider people – making people feel that they belong.
Consider the atmosphere – the presence of God comes as we gather together. Let us bring our passionate praise for God into our times together.
Let us make church a place where people can interact, participate, have fun, know fullness of life, be cared for and grow.
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